Burt's Bees Fragrance Free Shea Butter & Vitamin E Body Lotion

I appreciate Burt's Bees for being a forerunner in the green beauty industry - I remember getting a Burt's Bees gift set for Christmas back in the '90s and I loved everything in it. But as I've tried more of the Burt's Bees line I've realized that their products can be hit or miss. Their peppermint lip balm is, of course, a gold standard, and I love their pomegranate lip balm, lip glosses, and medicated acne treatment as well. But certain BB's products I've tried have been disappointing - the pungent sunscreen with a chalky consistency, the deep pore scrub that leaves a weird film on my skin and makes me break out, the night cream that feels like a mask. I still have mad love for the brand but I'm always wary when I try one of their products for the first time.

I had high hopes for BB's Fragrance Free Shea Butter & Vitamin E Body Lotion but, unfortunately, it was one of those products that left me unsatisfied. The consistency is great and keeps my skin well hydrated for a long time. But the scent seems off. At first I thought it smelled like chlorine, but after using it a few more times I think it smells more like wet dog (sorry BB!). I've continued to use it because my broke/cheap self can't throw it out, but I'm still thrown off by the scent. I wonder if I got an old bottle? Or maybe I'm just detecting the scents of the natural ingredients? I might mix some essential oils in with it and see if that helps...

If you have a sensitive nose, I would strongly recommend that you sniff this lotion before buying! If you don't mind the scent, then this lotion might be a great option for you. But if you're turned off post-sniff, you might want to keep looking...or stay tuned to see if mixing in essential oils can save this product :)

Green Beauty Blog Rating: C-

$$$

I'm broke. Anyone in the same boat?

If I had $100 to re-stock the beauty cabinet, this is what I would buy (grand total comes to $99, leaving me $1 for Sour Patch Kids :P).

Pacfica Indian Coconut Nectar Holiday Set ($28)



Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick ($22)




Dessert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil ($12)




The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter ($14 for 6.7oz.)




Badger Balm SPF 30 Suncreen - Unscented ($16)

Burt's Bees Lemon & Vitamin E Bath Oil ($8)


What would you buy with 100 extra bones?!

It's been a while...

Wow, I haven't updated in over a month...life is picking up! My schedule is packed nowadays and it's a struggle to make social plans let along update this blog. I did grab some time last weekend to go shopping with my mom, and came home with the treat below:


It's Sexy Bath's Pumpkin Oatmeal Body Bar! It was only $3.50 at Marshall's - amazing. I've been noticing more green beauty products popping up at discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's and I love it!

Lovers of the Philosophy brand can expect a similarly delicious experience with this product. It smells sweet and spicy - like Thanksgiving dessert in soap form. It's definitely a festive pick-me-up as the days turn grayer in Nor Cal. It lathers nicely but rinses clean and leaves the faintest scent on the skin. I even used it to lather up my legs before shaving and no nicks!

I threw away the packaging and can't find an ingredients list online (doh!). But I do remember that the bar contains natural plant oils as well as Vitamins A, C, and E which protect and smooth skin. Thankfully it does not contain parabens or Trisodium EDTA. A quick search revealed that Sexy Hair Concepts, the brand behind Sexy Bath & Body, may be fading out this product, so if you are curious to try this snap it up online! Or try your local Marshall's :P

Green Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Hydrating Lotion

Everyone's heard that a couple slices on cucmbers slapped over the eyes work wonders to brighten and soothe skin. So how about cucumbers in your face lotion?

This lotion contains organic cucumber and aloe vera extracts to soothe the redness and roughness associated with sensitive skin. It's my go-to night cream. It has a nice, thick texture but soaks into skin easily and most importantly, it doesn't break me out! I recently bought a new bottle after a few days of using other products and I've already noticed a difference in my skin. My skin is brighter, smoother, less red, and much more even (this lotion seems to do a pretty good job at fading acne scars).

I pick mine up at Walgreens, but this product is also available at Target, other drug stores, and online. It's a little pricey (~$14.99 for 1.7 oz) but it lasts a long time - one small pump is all you need to get your face and neck.

For those with sensitive noses, it does contain fragrance - I detect a jasmine-y floral scent. But on the plus side, it does NOT contain parabens, petroleum, or Soduim Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)!

Eco-Conscious Rating: A+
In addition to the great stuff this product contains (and the icky stuff it doesn't), the packaging is recyclable and a portion of proceeds from every bottle is donated to the Yes to Carrots Seed Fund, which connects kids and young people with organic gardening and healthy food sources.

Green Beauty Blog Rating: A+++!!
Tempts to check out the other stuff in Yes to Carrots' line...!

OCB - Obessive Compulsive Beauty

So it's been a while.....!

In my last post I discussed over-purchasing of beauty products and the benefits of keeping things simple. In this post I tackle my own beauty obsession - lip stuff.

My addiction probably goes back to the first BonneBell I cracked open. If I'm at the drug store and I find a cool lip balm that's $4 or under, it's going in the basket. I am powerless to resist. I show better restraint at Sephora, mainly because the lip products there usually cost as much as half a tank of gas. But in some cases I do succumb, usually after more thought and deliberation than 0.3 oz. tube of lip junk deserves.

I've tried to rein in my habit and consciously remind myself every time I see a shiny new lip lacquer than I have dozens hanging around at home. But sometimes there's nothing better than a cheap drug store lip balm to pick you (and your kisser) up. In my search I have found some stellar products, those from EOS, Korres, and Burt's Bees being my favorite. And if the journey gives me something to write about, that's good, right? :P

Recently I finished off some lippies and gifted my little sis with some others. So, my collection has been dwindling toward a reasonable amount. Hopefully I'll be able to keep my OCB in check going forward. Just gotta think about keepin' those dollahs...

In the interest of full disclosure, please find my stash below.



What's your beauty weakness? And what's your favorite lip product?