Happy Halloweenie

It started like this..

And ended up like this...

Hoping you have a howl of a good time..sorry, couldn't help myself!

What I'm trying: Konjac sponge

I've been eager to get my hands on this little miracle sponge for quite some time, but the prices I saw ranged from $10-15 and it seemed a bit much for something that would only last a month or so.  I finally was pleased to find the above Eco Tools Konjac sponge for sensitive skin at Whole Foods for $5.99 this past weekend.  No matter how much the packaging tries to reassure me that it's okay for sensitive skin, I'm always a bit skeptical.  I've indoctrinated myself for years that I should avoid anything remotely scrubby on my sensitive/rosacea skin, but the rave reviews I've read about Konjac made it simply too irresistible.

You can use the sponge with or without cleanser, and I think in the morning for me I would opt for the non-cleanser option, however in the evening I took the opportunity to unwrap the Plantlife Argan facial bar I'd been saving to use in conjunction with the sponge.  I was pleasantly surprised by the lather the combination produced, and the immediate effect: my skin felt softer and smoother after just the first use. I didn't have a tremendous amount of make-up on (Coola tinted moisturizer, Vapour concealer, RMS blush and eye shadow) but it definitely took it all off. My face didn't feel extra irritated (although I do think I got carried away with the scrubbing the first time) and this is definitely something I will continue to use on a daily or semi-daily basis.  Other bloggers have reported that they experience less breakouts over the long term using konjac, so I will be interested to see if that proves true for me as well. There are a few different clay and charcoal versions of konjac sponges on the market, so I would say those might be more effective in pimple prevention if that's your primary goal.

I love that the sponge is 100% vegetable fiber, and to provide a little background on Konjac:  Konjac is a highly renewable root plant indigenous to Asia. It’s traditionally used as a detoxifying dietary staple and as a naturally exfoliating sponge for delicate skin by the Japanese. 

Channel surfing..

I went through a phase many months ago during which I became obsessed with hair styling and watched an inordinate amount of how-to videos on Youtube. It's actually a bit bizarre because typically I'm quite lazy and don't like to spend much time on my hair.  Perhaps it's like the people who watch cooking shows but rarely cook.  In any case, many of the videos were unintentionally hilarious, and for your entertainment pleasure on this Tuesday I've copied below an homage I did to some of those ladies, bless their hearts..  Enjoy!

Monday...funday?

I don't know about y'all, but last week was a bit of a tough one, no?  Sometimes it's the little things like your skincare ritual with some lovely aromatherapeutic products that can make you forget your woes for a while.  I've been trying out a new line that I will soon be blogging about and can't wait to share with you!

In the meantime, here's some Monday morning eye candy:

The $60 kit includes:

Modern Radiance Concentrate-.16oz/5ml

Barbary Fig Seed Oil-.16oz/5ml

Jardin De Fleurs-.33oz/10ml

Decouverte Under Eye Repair Serum-0.3oz/1ml

A great Chicago based brand, I'm keen to try their products especially because I'm intrigued by the Barbary fig seed oil (also included in the eye serum). It also contains prickly pear oil which has had a lot of buzz recently.  Besides, I just love a good prickly pear margarita, so of course I want to try it on my face!  And I feel like the adorable travel pouch would fit right in at any cantina..

~~~

I hope your week starts well and to kick it off I want to thank my fellow blogger Britanie of Beauty by Britanie for introducing me to this great Osho quote:

“Rest, relax, and be in a letgo. Letgo is the secret of life. Letgo is the secret of religion. Letgo is the greatest secret. When you are in a letgo many things, millions of things, start happening. They were already happening but you were never aware.”

“Know that everything is in perfect order whether you understand it or not.” ― Valery Satterwhite

What's in my make up bag

I'll admit, I'm as nosy as the next when it comes to products other people use - I've been guilty of staring a little too long at someone putting makeup on the subway to try to identify what cosmetics she's using...so I thought I'd give back and share with y'all what's in ma bag!

I picked up this adorable little tropical pouch at the beginning of summer in Soho. The brand is Dezso.  The products are from left to right:

1. Revlon Illuminance creme shadow - Not Just Nudes (in addition to eyes, I also use 2 of the shades for contouring. While it's not a green product, it's sooo handy, and I will likely use up before I replace with a more natural product)
2. Maybelline Balm Stain in Pinky Promise (this does stain the lips but doesn't really moisturize and probably has parabens in it so will aim to replace with a more natural brand)
3. Pacifica Color Quench in Sugared Fig which is full of yummy ingredients and oils
4. RMS uncover-up in #22 and Lip2Cheek in Smile (see review on these here)
5. NYX tea tree oil blotting papers for my oily lil' t-zone
6. Valentina's Home Brewed perfume rollers in Psychic Detox and Protection (review here)
7. Everyone hand sanitizer in coconut and lemon. This smells like a beach getaway and is a bit less harsh than other sanitizers. When I run out I'll be replacing with my own concoction.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and in closing I thought I'd share a quote I like from Mr. Deepak Chopra..

“There are no accidents... there is only some purpose that we haven't yet understood.”

La Divina Sunrise Healing Elixir

I don't know if it's because I've seen some spectacular sunsets against the mountains here in Ojai, but when I caught a glimpse of La Divina's Sunset Velvet Hydration oil I had to pause for a moment and check it out.  While it's loaded with great ingredients like copaiba*, cacao and frankincense, I instead chose a sample of the Sunrise Healing Elixir for combination skin (pictured above), partly because that's exactly what I have, but also because it contains many of my favorite carrier and essential oils:

Organic seabuckthorn / Organic tamanu / Sesame oil / Frankincense / Lavender / Lemon / Myrrh / Cypress / Sandalwood / Melaleuca / Wild orange / Geranium

The lemon EO, while astringent and good for sebum regulation, is phototoxic so this will be a nighttime application for me. All the ingredients in La Divina facial oils are hand picked from certified organic, wild crafted and trusted sources.  They are chosen for their therapeutic and healing properties as well as their aromatherapeutic qualities. Plus it's cofounded by two California girls, one an aesthetician, who have put a lot of thought and care into the mixtures and the ingredients.

(*An oil typically sourced from the Amazonian rainforest, Copaiba contains the highest amounts of beta caryophyllene (55 percent) of any known essential oil. It's long been used in folk medicine and is high on my wishlist of EOs to play with.  It's known for its anti-inflammatory properties, so I'm eager to see if it impacts my rosacea. It is also reputedly effective for acne reduction.)

Raw chocolate avocado frosting

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming with a very important message:

Raw chocolate avocado frosting...it may sound like one of the weirdest combos you've  heard, but it's one of the best frostings I've ever had and it's SUPER easy.  (As someone who merely looks at a kitchen appliance and it malfunctions, trust me on this one!)

In a quest to eat healthier but not scrimp on the taste factor, I stumbled upon this simple little frosting recipe and decided to try it on some chocolate cupcakes I made (okay my mother made):

• 1 perfectly ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup raw organic unsweetened cacao (it's a superfood!)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (get the good stuff)

 Put the ingredients into a food processor and blend. If you like it sweeter, use 1/2 cup maple syrup, if you like it chocolatey-er you can add some semi-sweet choc chips (although I didn't and it was quite chocolatey) and if you're like me and you like a little kick to it add some Kahlua! Finished product has the consistency of a ganache and it's actually good for you.  Enjoy!

Zum Zum Zum...

In addition to Zum Rub, a moisturizer that is travel friendly and has a Frankincense and Myrrh scent that some bloggers rave is the second coming to pimple fighting (I cannot attest to this personally but am eager to put it to the test!), the cool peeps at Indigo Wild (makers of all things awe-Zum) also make a delightful array of body and room mists.  In particular, my favorite, a Patchouli mist (Zumbody knows me too well!) which contains three simple ingredients: purified water, essential oil and glycerin.  It's the real deal however - you can see the layer of essential oils on top of the purified water and after having given it a shake and a spray, I was transported.  I'm also loving the Frankincense and Myrrh infused body mist.

And as a lover of all things oily, (okay, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration so don't hold me to it), I'm keen to try their Argan oil serum.  It's got some yummy ingredients: Organic jojoba oil, argan oil, organic rosehip oil, carrot oil, vegetable glycerin, vitamin E, vitamin C and essential oils of geranium, patchouli, rosemary, carrot and rose.

I now also have the first item on my Christmas list:
Minty-Pine Frosty Zum soy candle (how cute is that packaging?)

Back to La-la Land

Driving up the PCH on a beautiful sunny day made me so happy, my heart was singing..

A lone beachcomber..

And on to Ojai, a truly magical place..

Orange groves and mountains

The bell tower that tolls every hour 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On my nightstand..

I've recently done a nightstand de-clutter as it was beginning to accumulate too many books and products.  All I really need are a couple of products to moisturize and help me relax and my current reading material.  Here's what I've currently got going on:

Goe Oil - this is a one-stop shop for hair, body, lips, you name it. It is chock full of delicious ingredients. Literally, so many oils and butters if I listed it I'd take up this whole post. This oil comes out as a lovely cream from the tube and liquefies on contact with the skin. It's a big celebrity cult fave. The only downside for some is that it is strongly scented from the monoi tiare it contains (nothing artificial though). If you don't like monoi tiare, I wouldn't recommend it.

Valentina's Home Brewed perfume oils in Psychic Detox and Protection - an easy rollerball to apply to my pulse points prior to slumber (full review here).

Candles - Jo Malone Incense and Embers; a major splurge but I loooove this scent. Waiting to burn it when the weather turns a bit chillier and I'm in the mood for warmth and candles.  Nest Holiday candle; bought this last Christmas and it smells like a fir/pine tree. I love it in the winter especially.

Misc. - a crystal and stone my mother gave me (she said she felt their vibrations and it was good, yay!); some lovely inspirational cards my dad gave me years ago, I love the artwork and the messages on them; my little "juju guardian" I picked up on a trip to New Orleans (in love with that town and cannot wait to go back!). The book, Self Healing with Reiki, is amazing. A neighbor loaned it to me and I loved it so much I bought my own copy. I was so taken with it, I even contemplated taking courses to become a reiki practitioner. I also keep a small bottle of Bach Rescue drops (not pictured) for the nights when my mind's keeping me up and I'm tossing and turning.

Snack break

Took a break from all things green beauty this Monday morning to make this little beauty of a grilled cheese and ham sammie! Why am I posting about this you ask? Because sometimes it's the little things in life, like a perfectly grilled oozy cheese sandwich, that we need to savor! (Sidebar, there are now two restaurants dedicated solely to grilled cheese in a 5 block radius from my apt...is this now a thing??)

Quinoa bread with coconut oil
(instead of butter) to brown,
rosemary ham and lowfat
meunster cheese

I followed the sandwich up with my newest healthy sweet obsession, Two Mom's in the Raw cacao almond butter truffles:

I am including this not because I want to enter the wild and wacky world of food blogging, but because I seriously was skeptical that these would be as good as they are (the kind of good that if it dropped on the ground, I would still eat it. Yep, I said it).  I picked it up on a whim at TJ Maxx (oh yes, I am a card carrying Maxxinista and proud, although having once gotten an iffy bag of granola from there I normally steer clear of their food items). I am not a raw food person, nor am I gluten, kosher or dairy-free - however these truffles are all of that and then some!  They're handmade and individually packaged, which makes it perfect to drop in my bag along with a Kind bar for a snack on the go.  I could eat a handful of these in one sitting, and the best part is they are pretty much guilt free.

What's in my travel make-up bag..

I'm planning a trip home to California soon and thought I'd share what I'll be bringing in my beauty bag. Even for a longer trip, I still try to just roll with a carry on and avoid the hassle of checking bags, so I need to keep the packing simple. For this trip, I pared it down even more than usual as I know I'll be mostly spending downtime with family.

Here's what I'm bringing:

1. Crystal deo (it works!)
2. Coola Rose Essence tinted mineral sunscreen spf 20 (this smells and feels amazing on and doesn't have any ickies for your skin)
3. Avene thermal water (great for a refresh on the plane and prior to apply oils on my face)
4. Rosemary essential oil (if I can only bring one oil, this is it. It will battle any blemish that pops up from the climate change and sooth any sore muscles from the plane)
5. Seabuckthorn oil (you can read my review here. This has quickly become my favorite oil for my face and the tiny size is perfect)
6. RMS uncover-up in #22 and Lip2Cheek in Smile
7. Revlon Not Just Nudes Illuminance Creme Shadow (perfect for a natural look on the eyes and you can use the 2nd from the right color for contouring). Also, I don't have to bring any brushes for this and #6 on the list - fingers are perfect for both.
8. Lipstick Queen Sinner in Berry and Saint in Rouge (I'll put these on if we go out for a more nighttime look. Rouge looks amazing layered on top of Berry but for some reason I don't like it on me worn solo).
9. Sugar Rose spf 15 or Pacifica Sugared fig will both be great applied on top of the Maybelline Balm Stain in Pinky Promise (this does stain the lips but doesn't really moisturize).

And there you have it! For facial cleansing I'll either grab some olive, sesame or grapeseed oil from the kitchen once I'm there and oil cleanse or if needed pick up some wipes.  For the plane I'll also pop my Valentina's Home Brewed perfume rollers (review here) in my purse, along with a Kind bar and some reading material and I'll be ready to roll!

Cal-i-for-nia here I come,
right back where I started from

Facial cleansers - let's talk dirty

For years I've been hunting for my true life version of a unicorn - the perfect cleanser for my oh-so persnickety skin.  I want it to thoroughly remove make-up - and folks, I mean eye make-up as well. I'm too lazy to use a separate product to remove eye make-up (unless I've really shellacked it on drag queen style, which doesn't happen often but when it does I acknowledge that it might be unreasonable to expect my facial cleanser to remove it). I also want my face to feel moisturized and not tight or irritated after cleansing, so much so that I magnanimously decide to follow up with a moisturizer - not because my face is screaming "put something soothing on me NOW".

Currently I'm using Everyday Coconut face wash. I picked it up in Whole Foods a few months ago, and while it's not my holy grail and my hunt will continue, it does have some good attributes that I'm going to list below.

1. It's cheap; purchase price was $5.99 on sale but I think it retails for $7.99
2. The ingredient list is short (always a plus) and natural: Azadirachta indica (neem) aqueous extract, carica papaya (papaya) leaf extract, saponified cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, decyl glucoside, cocos nucifera (coconut) water*, glycerin, cocos nucifera (coconut) aromatic extract, lavandula hybrida oil. *Certified Fair for Life - Social & Fair Trade by IMO. 
3. It contains Neem - which is great for skin purification and keeping the odd breakout at bay - and papaya, which is a natural exfoliant. I especially love washing my face with it post-workout as I really feel like my face is getting a good clean.
4. It lathers up well with one pump and seems to cleanse thoroughly (it stings the eyes though so take care not to get it into your peepers). I haven't been wearing a lot of make-up lately though, and can't speak to how effective this would be if you do a full regime of primer, foundation, powder, bronzer, etc. However it does remove what I've been putting on lately: tinted moisturizer, eyeliner and non-waterproof mascara.

Final take-away - this is a good cleanser for me during the summer, but it's a tiny bit too drying for winter use. I'm going to continue to search for my ideal nighttime cleanser (just purchased Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel, fingers crossed this will be it), use this after a workout during the colder months and make sure to apply a nice moisturizing oil afterward.  If you have oily skin and are prone to breakouts, this is a good one to try, just don't skip moisturizing afterward (note to my oily skinned friends, facial oils are not your enemy! The right oil for you can actually help control sebum production on your skin and make your skin less oily over time).

Pesky skin irritations

Keratosis Pilaris: I mentioned in an earlier post that I was trying rosemary essential oil and sesame oil on my keratosis pilaris (read original post here) and so far I don't think my KP is responding to it (although it has done wonders for quickly clearing up the occasional pimple - seemingly better than my tea tree oil which used to be my go-to for breakouts; along with considerably helping muscle soreness).  For my KP however, I'm going to switch back to my sandalwood oil (reviewed here) which contains seabuckthorn and I may have blended a bit of therapeutic grade patchouli oil in it as well (shhh -this will be our little secret as I've got quite a few patchouli detractors in my circle - although I think their keen sense of smell gives me away every time).

Eczema: I've got a couple of spots of recurrent eczema on my hands, which worsen with both stress and colder weather, and seems to be genetic as my mother has eczema on her hands as well. While keeping it moisturized is key (and avoiding harsh alcohol-based hand soaps or sanitizers), I've also read that myrrh and patchouli are helpful.  Luckily for me, I've just picked up Valentina's Home-Brewed Protection perfume oil, which contains Frankincense, Myrrh and Patchouli (reviewed here) in a coconut/jojoba base. Odd as it sounds, given the skin benefits of all three essential oils, I'm trying it as a spot treatment on my eczema in addition to using it as an olfactory pick-me-up. So far my eczema spots drink it in and it seems to be helping. I'll further update after another several days of use.

Skin abrasion: I apparently had a nighttime scuffle with my pillows the other night as I woke up in the morning with a skinned elbow from my headboard. The old me would've just left it alone to scab over and heal...eventually. However I immediately applied a light coating of coconut oil and patchouli essential oil (review here) and instantly the stinging vanished. I was actually shocked at how effective it was, and the healing time was cut in half as well. I'm going to try the Valentina's perfume oil mentioned above on it as well, as the essential oils it contains also help healing and prevent scarring.

What are your go-to home remedies? Comment below!

Me around town yesterday,
sans make-up - something I wouldn't have
 felt so confident doing before
I started my green beauty journey!

Valentina's Home-Brewed perfume oils

Psychic Detox and Protection

While lollygagging in a shop yesterday I spied these two perfume roller cuties and was smitten.  Psychic Detox is a fresh blend of Citrus, Peppermint and Neroli; and Protection is a blend of three of my favorite EOs: Frankincense, Myrr and Patchouli. Both are in a fractionated coconut oil and jojoba base and are free from any chemicals, alcohol or petroleum based products.

Based in Portland, OR, and with an awesome philosophy about the mind, body, spirit connection - not to mention adorable packaging - this is one brand I want to try more of. I'm sure their scrubs and body mists will be making their way into my overcrowded bathroom soon.

In the meantime, I can't wait to throw the perfume rollers in my bag for a psychic pick-me-up during the day, and they'll be great for plane travel as well. I may even use the Protection roller as spot treatment as all three essential oils deliver benefits for the skin*.

(*more to come on this tomorrow!)

The Queen of rose sprays

Earlier I posted about rose hydrosols (review here), and Omorovicza's Queen of Hungary mist is definitely the splurge version

I love the exoticism of this spray - I picture a gorgeous Queen of the Middle Ages, wearing a fabulous headdress and with heavily kohl-lined eyes lounging in a hammam. Indeed it is inspired by the Queen of Hungary Water, the world’s first recorded perfume, formulated for Queen Elisabeth of Hungary in the 14th century. Hungary is extremely rich in thermal waters and Budapest hosts baths dating from the 16th and 17th century that are renowned for their healing qualities.

Formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates, the full ingredient list is as follows: Hungarian Thermal Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Water, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces (Hungarian Thermal Water) Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mannitol, Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Pectin, Phospholipids, Yeast Extract.

I honestly can't get enough of this spray - it smells like heaven and feels like angels breath on the skin, but at $86, the price tag renders it one of those "I just got a hugely unexpected tax refund and it's my birthday" kind of purchases.

The Exfoliation Dillemma

As someone who has very sensitive skin (case in point - I've had people inquire if I'd gotten a hickey after I'd scratched an itch on my neck..) and mild rosacea, I've eschewed peels and scrubs like my childhood cat would flee from the vacuum cleaner.

Unfortunately however, dead skin seems to build up around my nose and chin and it drives me crazy, so rather than picking at it (ladies and gents, never pick at anything on your face and in fact try to touch it as little as possible if you're prone to pimples) I've been on the hunt for a fruit enzyme exfoliant. It's a better bet for sensitive skin than an AHA or physical exfoliant (i.e. salt, sugar, walnut shell, etc.).

Recently I've tried Sibu's mask, which contains sea buckthorn, detoxifying clays, exfoliating enzymes (papaya), sandalwood and shea butter. I'm pleased that this has kaolin in addition to papaya enzyme in it, and so far it's been pretty good on my skin. My only gripe is that there does seem to be a small sort of physical grain in it (possibly silt?), which I'm trying to avoid. However it doesn't dry my skin out, hasn't inflamed my face like other scrubs have and I'm a big fan of the benefits of seabuckthorn (read review here), so I'm going to continue to put it through its paces while I continue my search for the perfect exfoliant for my persnickety skin.

(My routine with this: cleanse skin with gentle cleanser - the mask will act as a second cleanse so don't worry if your skin isn't clean as a whistle after the first cleanse. In fact, an oil or honey cleanse would be a good prior to this mask. Apply mask and leave on for no more than 6-7 minutes. The important thing to remember with any mask containing clay is that you don't want it to fully dry on your face - that means it's sucked too much moisture out. Rinse off with lukewarm water. I then pat my face dry, spray with my Avene thermal spray and apply whatever oil I'm feeling that moment.  Typically I'll use a heavier oil like my Destiny Boutique argan oil to comfort my skin post-mask. Use no more than once weekly.)

Monday mood board

Perhaps it's because the weather's turned a bit cooler here in New York, but for some reason I have an insane urge to traipse around in the Mohave desert at sunset with some long trailing poncho and perfectly windswept hair (cocktail in hand of course). I'd stumble across a Native American sweat lodge fragrant with burning sage, decorative Pendleton throw pillows and I'd find out what my spirit animal is...hey, a girl can fantasize!  

Keeping in the shamanic vein, on my fall wishlist is some palo santo essential oil.  Palo Santo Oil or “Holy Wood” is rare and unique oil from Ecuador.  A relative of frankincense, it is commonly used in spiritual practices to help cleanse energy (similar to sage smudging). It is also considered to be anti-infammatory, anti-bacterial and good for muscle aches. I love the smell when I burn the wood at home and it immediately gives me a sense of well being. Ideally, I'd love to combine this with jojoba in a rollerball so I can pop in my bag and use anytime I need a little spiritual stress reliever or pick me up.

What's your go-to stress reliever oil? Comment below!

Rosehip oil

Taking one for the team and heading dangerously into facial oil hoarding territory...because I've just added yet another new oil to my medicine cabinet: rosehip oil.

The one I'm using is from Rosehip Plus, an Aussie brand (I'm pretty much a fan of anything coming out of Australia; they seem to really know how to do natural right. It could also be because I've just indulged in a back-to-back marathon of Real Housewives of Melbourne!  And to my Aussie readers- good on ya!).

Rosehip oil is highly recommended for reducing scars and fine lines. It also reputedly strengthens broken and damaged capillaries and acts as an astringent to heal and reduce redness, so I'm hoping it will help my rosacea.  It is extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the rose bush, and the Rosehip Plus brand is cold pressed, which is an important criteria to keep its natural benefits. High in omegas, and vitamins A and C, this lovely oil packs a punch.

So far it seems perfect for combination skin as it's a lighter oil than argan or avocado. After a late night with one too many drinks (whoopsies!), this morning I soaked a cotton pad with Thayer's cucumber witch hazel to cleanse/tone my skin, sprayed with my Avene thermal spray and then applied the oil. It felt really soothing on my poor dehydrated skin.

*All products reviewed are purchased by me unless otherwise disclosed

Me at the beginning of the night,
doing my impression of a fashion blogger pose
(aka, is that gum on the ground??)

Trying out: Rosemary essential oil

I picked up rosemary oil recently to experiment with what it can do for my skin.  I love the smell of the herb on a nice roasted chicken, so I thought - why not slather it on my skin too?!

While many use rosemary essential oil for scalp stimulation, I'm curious to see if its astringent and sebum controlling properties have any effect on my keratosis pilaris. I'm mixing it with sesame oil - one of my favorite carrier oils - and applying to the backs of my arms and I've also found that it's helped a lot to relieve some recent neck pain. I'm also planning on trying it in a cool mist humidifier I recently purchased that has a special compartment for oils - let's see if it can help get me through cold and flu season unscathed!