5 Product Face in 5 Minutes: June 2016 Edition!

This month's 5 Product Face in 5 Minutes incorporates some amazing new products! This is one of my go-to looks because it is so simple and pretty! I have still been applying Josh Rosebrook's Tinted Nutrient Day Cream with SPF 30 as the first step in my routine to protect my skin from the sun and prime for these 5 goodies!

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up

This cream can be used as both a foundation and a concealer because the coverage builds up so flawlessly! However, I have been favoring a more natural look now that the weather is a bit warmer, so I have been using it sparingly. I like to apply a thin layer all over my face using a damp sponge or buffing brush and then go back in with my finger to tap a little extra product underneath my eyes to conceal.

(2 minutes)

Alima Pure Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Complex

I use this silky powder in the shade Teak to give my pale skin a beautiful bronze glow! I use a fluffy brush to blend this weightless powder onto my temples, around my hairline, and lightly across the bridge of my nose. I also like to subtly contour to accentuate my cheekbones.

(1 minute)

Parlo Cosmetics Natural Mineral Blush in Pretty, Pretty Princess

This is blush is insanely pigmented and blends with such ease! It is a glamorous, girly pink that really gives life to the face. I apply this blush to the apples of my cheeks using the same powder brush that I used for bronzer. Because it has a silvery sparkle, I don't feel the need to wear a highlighter. 

(30 seconds)

Lily Lolo Mascara

I coat my top and bottom lashes with a generous amount of this mascara. The bristle brush and thickening formula add lots of volume to my unruly lashes! If you have time, you can use a small, angled brush to line your eyes with this mascara for a extra definition.

(1 minute)

Parlo Cosmetics Natural Tinted Lip Balm in Strut

This luxuriously silky balm has the most gorgeous cool-toned mauve hue. There is also a bit of shimmer that adds a bit of dimension and interest to the lips. The formulation is also quite hydrating and the wear time is amazing! I just apply it straight from the tube and out the door I go!

(30 seconds)

Code blushingbme saves you at checkout on all Parlo Cosmetics products!

That's it! Natural beauty enhanced with natural products in no time!

What were your favorite 5 Product Face staples for June?

*The Parlo Cosmetics products featured in this post are affiliate samples. As always, however, I have presented my 100% honest opinion. I cannot, nor will I ever, accept compensation in exchange for a positive review.

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Review: 100% Pure Creamy Nail Polish

Ok, true story...

The first time that I tried this nail polish was when travelling in the passenger's seat of a car. Why I thought that a mobile manicure was a good idea, I have no clue! However, it turned out great! Not only did it apply evenly on the go, but it also dried in no time!

If you are searching for an affordable line of 10-free polishes, I highly recommend 100% Pure's Creamy Polishes! The color range is stunning and the formulation is ridiculously smooth! I do have to warn you that the colors online are not quite true to the actual hues. Therefore, I suggest conducting a quick online search for some additional images of the shades that intrigue you. Packaged in rectangular glass bottles with simple white caps, these polishes retail at $12 USD for 0.5 fl. oz (14.7 ml).

Here is a quick outline of my experience with these gorgeous polishes! To really put these polishes to the test in their natural state, I didn't use a base coat or a top coat. However, 100% Pure sells both (base / top).

• Luxuriously smooth consistency that allows the polish to glide onto the nails nicely

• These polishes are a bit thicker than the Treat Collection polishes that I recently reviewed. Because of that, they can get are ever so slightly gloopy if you don't move quickly.  

• Long, flexible brush that easily disperses polish over the nails

• 2 coats results in nearly complete opacity   

• Each coat takes about 2-5 minutes to be dry to the touch

• Glossy finish that starts to dull a bit after about 2 days (I think a shiny top coat would definitely extend the brilliant sheen)

• I noticed a few indentations and some minor chipping toward the tips of my nails after 4 days of wear

• Removes easily without tinting or staining the nails

From Left to Right: Seafoam, Mint, and Deep Sea

Top: One Coat & Bottom: Two Coats

10-Free Nail Polishes are free from the following: formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients

Have you tried any 100% Pure Creamy Polishes? Do you have a favorite 5-free polish?

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Wellborn Essentials

If you are looking for an amazing line of clean body butters, balms and other natural potions, you need to check out Wellborn Essentials! These goodies are handmade from organic and fair trade ingredients, and are fragranced with the finest essential oils. Packaged in sleek, eco-friendly containers with modern black and white labels, these products have a luxurious, professional feel. Aside from the outstanding quality of Wellborn Essentials's products, you will not find a nicer, more helpful person than the brand's creator, Emily. She is personally invested in the care and satisfaction of her customers and will gladly answer any questions or whip up a customized product for you. I have been testing out the Energizing Body Butter, Orange + Bergamot Lip Balm, and the Miracle Salve, and I am completely smitten!

If you are interested in checking out Wellborn Essentials, please do not hesitate to support such a wonderful small business!

Code blushingbme saves you at checkout! This is not an affiliate link, just a little gift from Emily :)

Energizing Body Butter

This body butter has a thick, lush texture without being too greasy. The scent is pleasantly sweet and citrusy with a bit of spiciness from the addition of cinnamon. My perpetually dry skin is always in need of ultra-moisturizing products and this butter is incredibly nourishing. I also find that it melts beautifully into the skin and absorbs quickly despite how rich and creamy it is.

Ingredients: Organic Raw Shea Butter*, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil*, Organic Unrefined Grapeseed Oil, Essential Oils: Orange, Grapefruit, and Cinnamon

*fair trade

Miracle Salve

This healing balm is so soothing!! Intended for minor cuts, scrapes, bug bites, and burns, this salve is packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients. It feels amazing on my heels since they are constantly irritated by adorable shoes that are ridiculously uncomfortable. The cute tin also makes this product conveniently portable. I recently packed it for a trip to the beach and it cured my husband's salt water rash in no time!

Ingredients: Organic Safflower Oil, Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Beeswax, Essential Oils: Lavender, Tea Tree, and Lemon

*Fair Trade

Orange + Bergamot Lip Balm

I wouldn't say that this lip balm is creamy, but it is luxuriously silky! It wears well and leaves my lips feeling hydrated and smooth. I also can't get enough of the bright and citrusy scent!

Ingredients: Organic Unrefined Shea Butter*, Organic Safflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Essential Oils: Orange and Bergamot

*Fair Trade

Overall, I am so impressed with all of these products from Wellborn Essentials! Their quality is amazing, the ingredients are top notch, and they are all very affordable!

Have you tried anything from Wellborn Essentials?

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Delicious Cucumber Rice Salad!

This refreshing summer salad is incredibly healthy and amazingly simple to prepare. My husband requests this salad on a near weekly basis and I love making it because it's light and packed full of flavor, but still fills me up. It is also very easy to customize, so feel free to experiment with whatever you have around the kitchen!

The addition of hummus in the dressing for this salad provides a lovely creaminess and a bit of protein! You can definitely make your own hummus if you are feeling ambitious or you can skip the hummus altogether and use tahini in its place. A bit of cayenne pepper also gives it a hint of heat. My husband has an aversion to olives, but I also enjoy the briney, salty bite of a few black olives in this salad. 

Serves 3+

Ingredients

• 1 English Cucumber

• Sliced & quartered
• I like to use an English cucumber in this recipe, but a standard garden cucumber is just as delicious! 
• I don't usually peel the cucumber, but feel free

• 3/4 cup of Brown Basmati Rice

• Farro works wonderfully too!

• 1/4 cup of Sun-Dried Tomatoes

• Chopped

• 2 Small Avocados

• Cubed

• 1/2 of a Bell Pepper

• Diced

• Salt + Pepper

For the Dressing...

• 1 cup of Hummus

• I generally use store-bought hummus in either a garlic or Mediterranean flavor

• 1/3 cup of Rice Vinegar

• 1 tablespoon of Maple Syrup

• 1 teaspoon of Fresh Ginger

• Minced

• 1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper

• I usually add 1 to 2 teaspoons, but adjust the heat however you prefer it

Directions

• Prepare the rice according to the directions associated with the product that you are using

• While the rice is cooking, add all of your dressing ingredients into a large bowl
• Stir until smooth
• Add oil, lime, or some additional vinegar if you prefer a thinner consistency

• When the rice has cooked about halfway, add your sun-dried tomatoes to the pot to soften them up and add a nice flavor to the rice

• Add the chopped veggies to your bowl and gently fold to coat with the dressing

• Once the rice has fully cooked and cooled for a few minutes, add it to your bowl and stir to combine

• Add salt and pepper to taste

That's it! You can eat this salad right away or let it chill in the refrigerator until it is nice and cool. 

Enjoy! 

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Get the Look: Summer Berry Tones

Having recently reviewed Vapour Organic Beauty's Multi-Use Artist Palette in Afterglow, I thought that I would put together a fresh, summer look to showcase its versatility and glamour!  

• Moisturizer: Pai Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream

• SPF 30: Josh Rosebrook's Tinted Nutrient Day Cream

• Foundation: W3ll People Narcissist Foundation Stick in Shade 0 (I applied this foundation straight from the stick to my forehead, chin, and nose because those areas tend to exhibit the most redness. I then blended outward from there.) 

• Concealer: RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up in “00” (I used my finger to apply this cream underneath my eyes and on areas in need of some additional coverage.)

• Bronzer: RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer (I blended this on my temples, around my hairline, and lightly across the bridge of my nose with a soft stippling brush. I also lightly contoured underneath my cheekbones.) 

• Highlighter: RMS Beauty Master Mixer (On the tops of my cheekbones)

• Blush: Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi Use Classic in Courtesan from the Artist Palette in Afterglow

• Eye Shadow Primer: Vapour Organic Beauty's Stratus Luminous Instant Skin Perfector

• Eye Shadows: Kjaer Weis Eye Shadow in Cloud Nine (all over my lids) & Alima Pure Pressed Eyeshadow in Zephyr (as an inner corner highlight)

• Winged Liner: W3ll People Hypnotist Eyepencil in Brown

• Lower Lash Line: Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi Use Classic in Courtesan from the Artist Palette in Afterglow (I used a pencil brush to blend until the color was softly diffused.) 

• Waterline: Alima Pure Natural Definition Eye Pencil in Paper

• Mascara: Lily Lolo Mascara

• Lip color: Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Au Pair topped with Velvet Gloss in Kitten from the Artist Palette in Afterglow (I am in love with this beautiful lip combo and the wear time is insane!!)

Have your tried any of the products mentioned in this post? 

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Review: Vapour Organic Beauty's Artist Multi-Use Palette in Afterglow

Vapour Organic Beauty recently released two Artist Eye Palettes and two Artist Multi-Use Palettes! Each of these cream trios is packaged in a slim compact that is both sturdy and portable. The addition of a large mirror also makes these palettes super convenient for when you're on the go. Featured in this post is the Multi-Use Palette in Afterglow. This cool-toned kit contains Aura Multi Use Classic in Courtesan; Siren Lipstick in Au Pair; and Velvet Gloss in Kitten. These gorgeous berry hues will look stunning on a variety of skin tones! Vapour's Artist Palettes retail at $46 USD for 0.14 oz (3.96 g) of product.

Finish

Although quite silky, these creams are firm to the touch. The color and pigmentation of this palette is outstanding! Courtesan is a vibrant, fuchsia rose hue that can be used on the eyes, lips, and cheeks; Au Pair is a rich, pale berry lipstick; and Kitten is a sheer, blue-toned pink gloss. These colors are so incredibly flattering and provide a beautiful radiance and glow to the skin. While slightly dewy when first applied, these creams maintain their fresh, luminous finish throughout hours of wear.

Vapour Organic Beauty's Artist Palette in Afterglow. From left to right: Aura Multi Use Classic in Courtesan; Siren Lipstick in Au Pair; and Velvet Gloss in Kitten.

Application

For me, the trick with Vapour products is to warm them up a bit before applying. Therefore, I like to use my fingers with these creams, but there is a handy double-sided brush included with each palette. Once warm, these creams melt beautifully into the skin and blend effortlessly! The pigmentation is so on point that a little goes a long way, but they also layer incredibly well.

Vapour Organic Beauty's Artist Palette in Afterglow. From bottom to top: Aura Multi Use Classic in Courtesan; Siren Lipstick in Au Pair; and Velvet Gloss in Kitten.

Ingredients

Aura Multi Use

Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil; Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax); Silica; Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate*; Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil; Mica; Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E); Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract; Canarium Luzonicum (Elemi) Gum Nonvolatiles; Wildcrafted Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Gum Oil; Wildcrafted Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Gum*; Organic Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi/Holy Basil) Leaf Extract; Organic Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus) Leaf Extract; Pogostemon Cablin Oil [+/–: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Carmine (CI 75470)]

*Eco Cert Ingredient

Siren Lipstick

Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil; Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax); Castor Isostearate Beeswax; Succinate*; Mica; Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil; Organic Prunus Domesticus (Plum) & Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Flavor Oil; Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil; Solanum; Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract; Organic Camelina Sativa Oil; Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E); Organic Rosa Damascena (Rose) Buds; Organic Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract; Wildcrafted Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Gum; Stevia Rebaudiana (Stevia) Leaf Extract [+/–: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Manganese Violet (CI 77742)]

*Eco Cert Ingredient

Velvet Gloss

Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil; Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate*; Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax); Mica; Organic Ficus Carica (Fig) Flavor Oil; Organic Prunus Domestica (Plum) & Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Flavor Oil; Organic Citrus Limon (Lemon) Oil; Stevia Rebaudiana (Stevia) Extract; Organic Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract; Wildcrafted Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Gum; Organic Cetraria Islandica (Iceland Moss) Extract; Tocopherol (Non GMO Vitamin E – Soy); Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Manganese Violet (CI 77742)]

*Eco Cert

Vapour Organic Beauty's Artist Palette in Afterglow

Wrap-Up

The colors included in Vapour's Afterglow palette are stunning! Together, these berry hues create the perfect natural flush that is both glowy and glamorous! Each cream melts flawlessly into the skin without ever looking greasy or cakey. They are also packed with great ingredients and blend evenly onto the skin for a natural, luminous finish that wears incredibly well. 

Have you tried any of Vapour Organic Beauty's new Artist Palettes?

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Get Your Glow On!

Everyone wants to shine like a glittery disco ball in the summer sun, right? Ok, well, maybe more like a sun-kissed goddess, but it's easy to go overboard when there are so many gorgeous highlighters available on the green beauty market. To help you find the product that will provide you with the perfect, radiant glow, I have swatched my collection! Below is an assortment of luminous creams and powders, as well as a liquid, with varying hues, opacities, finishes, and degrees of shimmer. Enjoy getting your glow on!

Creams

Au Naturale Cosmetics - Rose Gold Organic Creme Highlighter Stick

This highlighter is an incredibly pigmented rose-gold color that can double as a beautiful, warm-toned blush on fair to light complexions. I also find that there is a natural, bronze radiance to this cream that makes it perfect for creating a sun-kissed look.

Ilia Beauty - Polka Dots & Moonbeams

While this stick highlighter is not as creamy as its companions (I suggest applying with your fingers as the warmth of your touch really helps this product melt into the skin), it provides a stunning, champagne glow! If you are looking for a subtle highlight that is understated enough for an office setting, I think that this is the product for you. Its pale, metallic sheen enhances my complexion without making it obvious that I have doused myself in glow-enhancing goodies.

Modern Minerals Makeup - Modern Moonstone

The texture of this highlighter is gorgeous!! It is ultra creamy, but sets to a lovely powder finish. Perhaps what I like most about this softly lit shade is that it provides a natural, healthy radiance that doesn't emphasize my pores or any sort of texture on my skin. I haven't tried much from Modern Minerals, but I am so impressed!

RMS Beauty - Living Luminizer

I can't say enough about this holy grail highlighter!! If you have been searching for the perfect dewy glow, look no further! Living Luminizer is a sheer, pearly highlighter that provides an absolutely beautiful lit from within radiance. This little pot of magic packs a punch, so beware that a little goes a long way!

RMS Beauty - Master Mixer

I am in love with this game changing, rose gold pot of amazingness! It is truly unique in the way that it beautifully transforms whatever it is mixed with. The gold shimmer provides a sophisticated iridescence to the skin. Additionally, while this hue creates a warm, luminous glow that gives life to my pale complexion, it will also look stunning on darker skin tones. Check out my full review here.

W3ll People - Bio Brightener Stick

This highly portable luminizing stick is ridiculously creamy! The satiny texture is smooth and luxurious, allowing this product to melt easily into the skin. The gold shimmer provides a stunning iridescence that imparts luminous, healthy glow without being the least bit glittery.

Liquid

100% Pure - All Over Glow: Lightly Sun Kissed

This product is great to add to foundations and body lotions for a soft bit of shimmer. It can also be applied directly for a more intense golden glow. The bronze undertone of this liquid makes it perfect for achieving a sun-kissed look and the formulation is such that it sets nicely without being greasy or tacky. There is also a Deeply Sun Kissed version of this highlighter available for a richer bronze glow.

Powders

Kide Cosmetics - Y Gold Highlighter

I use a big fluffy brush and a delicate hand to set my entire face with this stunning powder. I also concentrate some product on the tops of my cheekbones, underneath the arches of my eyebrows, and at the inner corners of my eyes. The gold-toned shimmer of this highlighter provides warmth to the skin and the addition of diamond powder naturally illuminates for a lit-from-within radiance. Check out my full review of this product here.

Silk Naturals - Fluff

If you want a seriously impactful glow, this is the highlighter for you! Fluff is a very light, neutral pink with a hint of gold. It takes very little product to end up shimmering like a glitter bomb just exploded, so use this beautiful mineral powder sparingly.

Swatches in indirect (top) & direct sunlight (bottom). From left to right: 100% Pure Lightly Sun Kissed / Au Naturale Rose Gold / Ilia Beauty Polka Dots & Moonbeams / Kide Y Gold / Modern Minerals Modern Moonstone / RMS Beauty Living Luminizer / RMS Beauty Master Mixer / Silk Naturals Fluff / W3ll People Bio Brightener

Do you have a favorite highlighter?

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My Skincare Secrets

I have incredibly pale skin that is often quite dry and my pores tend to clog easily. Therefore, I have always been quite protective of my skin. Aside from my standard skincare regimen, I always wear plenty of sunscreen and avoid touching my face throughout the day. I also don't vary my routine very much because I have a good sense of what works for my skin and what doesn't. No one likes trying a new product for the first time just to wake up in the morning to a breakout. Bleh!

While I enjoy experimenting with products that promise a youthful, radiant complexion, it is all about balance. Changing your entire routine at once will likely upset your skin. Try sticking to your staples and swapping in new goodies gradually. If your skin is exceptionally sensitive, opt for a patch test before slathering yourself in a new miracle cream.

Here are a few additional steps that I like to adhere to in order to keep my skin looking its best:

• I briefly mentioned these two tips above, but to reiterate, protect your skin from the sun and try not to touch your face throughout the day. 
• Even on cloudy days, your skin is exposed to UV rays. Therefore, it is important to be diligent about using some form of sun protection. My favorite facial sunscreen is Josh Rosebrook's Tinted Nutrient Day Cream (review here)! 

• Also, when you’re out and about, you never know what your picking up along the way. Touching your face is a great way to spread germs and encourage breakouts. No thank you! Similarly, be sure that your hands are clean before washing your face or dipping your fingers into a pot of your favorite product to prevent contamination.

• Always take your makeup off before going to sleep. Regardless of how tired you are, properly removing your makeup will prevent additional dirt and sweat from clogging your pores.

• Cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Select a gentle cleanser that suits the needs of your skin and try using it in conjunction with a muslin or other reusable cloth to help take off as much makeup as possible. Then, use a balancing toner to remove any further residue and brighten the skin. Finish up with your favorite moisturizer to restore hydration.

• Try adding a beautifying treatment to your routine every once and a while. Once your skin is freshly cleansed and toned but before you've moisturized, apply a special serum or oil that addresses a specific concern. I have been enjoying the Morning Glory Caffeinated Firming Serum from One Love Organics to tighten and diminish the appearance of my pores.

• Exfoliate at least twice a week. My Grandmother has amazing skin and swears by an abrasive sponge called a Buf-Puf. While my dry skin can't quite tolerate that level of exfoliation, I do enjoy a gentle scrub, such as Tata Harper's Regenerating Cleanser (review here). I like to use this product every other day, but it all depends on the specific needs of your skin.

• From time to time, pamper your skin with masks that nourish and restore balance. My absolute favorite is The Honey Mud by May Lindstrom (review here).

Do you have any skincare secrets?

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The Easiest Foundation for When You're On the Go

W3ll People Narcissist Foundation Stick

I have to admit that I absolutely despised this foundation the first time that I tried it! I applied it straight from the stick to my lightly moisturized face and not only did it tug at my skin, but it also clung to every single dry patch and emphasized my pores in a very undesirable way.

You're probably wondering why on earth I'm now recommending this stuff?!?

As with many products, there is a bit of a learning curve. Especially with foundation, I find that there is an experimentation phase in which I have to try several different application techniques to figure out what works best for my skin. With this particular product, I like to apply my moisturizer quite heavily or add a drop of serum so that there is enough slip to blend this foundation with ease. I also like to spritz a little bit of hydrating toner onto a buffing brush or sponge to aid in the blending process. I then use my fingers to dab some extra product underneath my eyes and on whatever else needs concealing.

W3ll People's Narcissist Foundation Stick provides a fresh, satin finish with buildable coverage. However, I think that perhaps the greatest appeal of this product is how convenient it is to travel with. I don’t know about you, but I usually touch up my makeup at least once throughout the day. My job requires that I wear safety glasses and they leave some funky impressions on my face! 

W3ll People's classic white packaging is sturdy, portable, and mess-proof. For touch ups, I don't carry around any tools because I find that my fingers work well for evening out marks from my safety glasses and adding a touch more product to needy areas. The warmth of my fingers also seems to help this cream melt flawlessly into the skin such that it isn’t cakey or heavy.

With a decent color range, this creamy formulation should suit a variety of skin tones. I wear Shade 0 and it suits me perfectly, but there are plenty of others to choose from!

Have you tried W3ll People's Narcissist Foundation Stick? Is it a staple in your on-the-go bag?

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Warm-toned Makeup

With summer quickly approaching, color trends will shift to the warm half of the color wheel. Vibrant coral and orangey-red are often at the forefront of summer's most popular hues, but pastel peach and lime green are also standouts. If your skin has a warm undertone, wearing warm-toned colors to accentuate your features, especially on the cheeks and lips, will be incredibly flattering. However, there are no rules with makeup! If you have a neutral or cool undertone to your skin, you will look beautiful in warm tones too! How saturated or subdued you choose to make your warm-toned look all depends on your color choices!

Here are some tips to take into consideration:

• Gold, rose gold, bronze, and copper are generally warm-toned metallics. Blending one of these eye shadows with a warm-toned hue at the outer corners of your eyes is a great way to create a stunning, smoky look. A similar effect can be achieved with a buttery, warm-toned ivory shade that is either matte or shimmery.

• Try a gold or other warm-toned highlight on the tops of your cheekbones. On medium to dark skin, this will provide a natural, radiant glow! On fair to light skin, you will be left with sun-kissed, gilded cheekbones!

• You don't always have to wear eye shadow. A few coats of mascara with a vibrant blush and striking lip is a wonderful way to emphasize your gorgeous, glowing skin!

Wearing RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Smile on my cheeks with RMS Beauty Lip Shine in Sacred + 100% Pure Lip Glaze in Melontini on my lips

• Mix up your warm tones. Coral is everyone’s go-to warm-toned hue in the summer, but too much of it can make you look like an oompa loompa! Don’t be afraid to experiment with other beautiful hues, such as peach, lime green, and watermelon!

• A great way to incorporate a vibrant, warm-toned flash of color is to focus your shadow or liner along the lower lash line. While this technique can still provide you with a bold, statement eye, it's also perfect for when you want to incorporate color in a subtler way.  By keeping the lid neutral and really blending out your lower lash line, you will create a soft, balanced look that is both striking and intriguing.

 

Wearing RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Smile on my cheeks and on the lower lash line with + Ilia Beauty Lipstick Crayon in Iko Iko on my lips

Have fun experimenting with warm-toned makeup!

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Turmeric

Although it has been used for thousands of years, turmeric's popularity is exploding! Commonly associated with Indian cuisine, there is much more to this warm, earthy spice than meets the eye!

As part of the ginger family, this root is not only a fabulous flavor enhancer, but it is also believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. As a Biomedical Engineer, my studies have led me to the realization that inflammation and disease are intimately intermingled. In an effort to protect itself, the body triggers the inflammatory response to orchestrate a defense against infection and to coordinate tissue repair and regeneration. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, things can start to go haywire! For instance, the inflammatory process can be initiated even when there is no injury and then doesn't end when it should. 

Curcumin, the chemical in turmeric that gives it its bright yellow hue, is also thought to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Everything from cancer to Alzheimer's disease to joint pain and even headaches have been linked to inflammation. Therefore, the potential to decrease chronic inflammation has made turmeric and other natural anti-inflammatories seriously buzzworthy!

While the amount of curcumin in the turmeric that you add to your favorite curry is minimal, there are also potent supplements available. 

If you are looking for ways to incorporate more turmeric into your diet, here are some of my favorite turmeric treats!

• Iced Turmeric Latte (I enjoy adding a little bit of vanilla bean to this drink too!)

• Chickpea, Quinoa, and Turmeric Curry

• Balsamic Almond and Turmeric Salad Dressing (I sub out the yogurt with coconut cream)

• Orange Cream Turmeric Cake

• Try adding some turmeric to your most loved smoothie!

What are your favorite recipes that incorporate turmeric?

Reference: Yale J Biol Med. 2006 Dec; 79(3-4): 123–130. Why Cancer and Inflammation?

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10 Under $40 USD - Clean Makeup that you will Love

Skincare products often come with high price tags, but makeup items in the $31-$40 USD range require extensive research before I am willing to make a purchase. In this territory, I have lofty expectations and a desire for versatility and luxury. Foundation is generally the most expensive article of makeup in anyone's arsenal and because it is covers the greatest surface area of your skin, it is important to select one with clean, nourishing ingredients. The same logic holds true for lip products if you avidly apply them throughout the day.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Chiffon Blush

$35 USD for 0.31 oz (9.0 g) 

So far, my favorite products from 100% Pure are their lipsticks and blushes. Although a bit dusty, the pigmentation of this blush is outstanding! A light sweep across the cheeks provides a sheer, natural flush, but a layered application gives you a more vibrant pop of color.

Alima Pure Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Complex (Includes Refillable Compact)

$34 for 0.31 oz (9.0 g)
Foundation Refills are $22

I use this silky powder in the shade Teak as a bronzer/contour color. It has a soft, weightless feel on the skin and blends beautifully!

FitGlow Beauty Mineral Eye Trio

$35 USD

These shadows are as smooth as can be and incredibly pigmented! While they do have a slight shimmer that adds a bit of depth to the eyes, they never come off as glittery. They also wear quite well and are pretty resistant to creasing.

Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Refill

$32 for 0.123 oz (3.5 g)

The quality, texture, and vibrant pigmentation of these blushes are exceptional! They melt flawlessly into the skin and give the cheeks a nice flush of color without ever looking uneven or fading throughout the day. They also look great on the lips! Check out my full review of these amazing blushes here.

Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation Refill

$40 for 0.123 oz (3.5 g)

This stuff is wonderful! This luxurious foundation wears exceptionally well and doesn't cause my skin to dry out or get greasy throughout the day. The finish really is flawless! The coverage is also easily buildable and I can conceal just by adding a touch more product. This foundation is definitely a holy grail! Check out my full review here.

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek

$36 for 0.15 oz (4.25 g)

This product gives the cheeks a nice flush of color without being cakey on the skin. Unlike blushes that pull your foundation away or result in a patchy finish, RMS Lip2Cheek blends evenly onto the skin for a natural, luminous finish. Lip2Cheeks are moisturizing and look equally outstanding when applied to the lips!

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer

$38 USD for 0.17 oz (4.82 g)

This product is an absolute staple in the green beauty community!! If you have been searching for the perfect dewy glow, look no further! Living Luminizer is a sheer, pearly highlighter that provides an absolutely beautiful lit from within radiance. This little pot of magic packs a punch, so beware that a little goes a long way!

RMS Beauty Master Mixer

$38 USD for 0.17 oz (4.82 g)

This rose gold highlighting cream is a game changer! It is truly unique in the way that it beautifully transforms whatever it is mixed with. The gold shimmer provides a sophisticated iridescence to the skin. Additionally, while this hue creates a warm, luminous glow that gives life to my pale complexion, it will also look stunning on darker skin tones. Check out my full review here.

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up

$36 USD for 0.20 oz (5.67 g)

This cream can be used as both a foundation and a concealer because the coverage builds up so flawlessly! I like to apply a thin layer all over my face using a damp sponge and then go back in with my finger to tap a little extra product underneath my eyes to conceal.

Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi Use in Artemis

$36 USD for 0.24 oz (6.80 g)

I am obsessed with the gorgeous berry-mauve hue of this multi-tasking cream! It looks stunning on the cheeks, eyes, and lips! Once warmed up on the back of my hand, this product melts flawlessly into the skin for a glamorous, fresh look! My full review can be found here.

What are your $30-$40 clean makeup favorites?

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How to Achieve a Flawless Complexion

The green beauty industry is so innovative and progressive that each brand is constantly launching something new and creative. Therefore, it’s no surprise that beauty lovers are always testing out new goodies and switching from one beloved product to another. I, myself, have new favorites quite regularly. However, there is one product that I have used consistently for the last 4 months and while it has appeared in previous posts, I haven't given it the acclamation that it deserves!

To achieve a flawless complexion with a healthy, sun-kissed glow, check out Vapour Organic Beauty's Stratus Luminous Instant Skin Perfector! You will be surprised by how much of a difference this perfector makes! After moisturizing, I prep my skin by applying this straight from the stick to my forehead, chin, and nose. I then use my fingertips to tap the product into my skin to fill in any unhappy pores and create a nice, smooth canvas. You can also use your fingertips to add a touch of this product to your eyelids to help prime for shadow. I find that it works well to prevent creasing and enhances the color intensity of shadows.

Not only does this perfector act as an amazing primer that evens out texture and diffuses fine lines, it also increases the longevity of my makeup and adds a soft luminosity. I use shade 902 to balance out any redness and create a subtle radiance, but there are two additional shades that will beautifully suit medium and dark skin tones.

Before I tried this perfector, I struggled with how to make my skin look soft and lit-from-within. While my favorite highlighters (RMS Beauty Living Luminizer & Master Mixer) add the perfect glow, they tend to emphasize imperfections. However, using this product before foundation really smooths out the skin and creates a gorgeous, pore-less finish.

This perfector is also quite hydrating and I find that it applies wonderfully after moisturizer. It has a balmy texture that is a bit tacky, so having moisturizer on the skin provides just enough slip for this product to glide on with ease. Just apply your foundation on top of this perfector as you normally would and be prepared to fall in love with your luminous, smooth skin!

Have you tried Vapour's Stratus Luminous Instant Skin Perfector?

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Abeego Food Wraps

If you are an avid plastic wrap user and would like to find an eco-friendly alternative, check out Abeego!

Abeego, a Canadian company established in 2008, produces reusable flats constructed from pure beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin that are infused into a fabric made of hemp and certified organic cotton. This particular construction was thoughtfully selected for its preservative qualities to help slow down the rate of decomposition, ultimately leading to less food waste. Available in a variety of sizes, these flats can be used in the same manner as plastic wrap. They can then be washed in cool water with a gentle dish soap and left to dry for continued use. According to their website, Abeego wraps should last over a year with proper care.

While these flats are not as sticky as cling wrap, they are decently self-adhesive. The warmth of your fingers is enough to aid in the sealing process and then the beeswax stiffens the wraps when they are placed in the refrigerator. Abeego flats stain and crease easily, so I like to make sure that I promptly rinse them with cool water and avoid contact with oily foods. Unfortunately, Abeego is not suitable for the dishwasher, microwave oven, direct heat, or high temperatures. It is also recommended to avoid contact with raw meat to preserve the sanitation of these reusable wraps.

There are plenty of uses for these wraps beyond food storage too! If you like to portion out bar soap, I find that Abeego is a great way to keep the chunk that you aren't using fresh!

The variety pack of 3 Abeego Wraps (small, medium & large) retails for $14 USD. 

Bee's Wrap is an American company that also focuses on sustainable food storage. Their sandwich wraps conveniently come attached with a string and wooden button that help make them nice and secure! The patterns available are also super cute!

Have you tried any plastic wrap alternatives?

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May 2016 Favorites

As the weather gets a bit warmer, I like to transition to a lighter makeup routine and really focus on nourishing my skin and protecting it from the sun. May's lineup may not be as glamorous as previous months, but it is packed full of game changers!

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Chiffon Blush

Although a bit dusty, the pigmentation of this blush is outstanding! I also find that it is quite versatile because of how beautifully it blends into the skin and easily builds up intensity. A light sweep across the cheeks provides a sheer, natural flush, but a layered application gives you a more vibrant pop of color.

Acure Organics Cell Stimulating Body Wash

This body wash is a staple! It is affordable and the quality is great! While it takes some effort to work up a good lather, this body wash leaves my skin feeling so soft and moisturized! It also a has a sweet almond scent that I adore!

Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner in Kokomo

The sheer, muted mauve color of this moisturizing lip conditioner is gorgeous! The texture is silky-smooth and the natural SPF 15 protection makes it perfect for summer!

Intelligent Nutrients PurePlenty Exfoliating Shampoo & Density Building Conditioner

My hair is naturally quite fine, but after noticing a tremendous amount of stress-induced fallout, I decided to give the PurePlenty range from Intelligent Nutrients a try. With just 2 weeks of use, my hair is already lush and thick! This luxury shampoo and conditioner are certainly not cheap! However, if you are concerned about your hair thinning and would like to take action, I highly recommend checking out what Intelligent Nutrients has to offer. Keep an eye out for my full review coming soon!

JĀSÖN Powersmile Whitening Toothpaste 

Natural toothpastes usually make me feel like I am brushing my teeth with body lotion...yeah, not pleasant! However, this toothpaste from JĀSÖN is amazing! It lathers like a champion and doesn't leave a funky aftertaste. We are currently using the Cinnamon Mint flavor, but there are several others to choose from.

Josh Rosebrook Tinted Nutrient Day Cream with SPF 30

This cream is so wonderful! It is unlike any other SPF product that I have used due to it's lightweight, silky texture that doesn't have a hint of greasiness. It also doesn't leave any sort of residue or white cast and the the subtle tint beautifully adjusts to my skin tone. On its own, this cream provides just a hint of coverage and leaves the skin looking dewy and radiant. Underneath makeup, it functions as a smoothing primer that blends flawlessly with foundation.

Treat Collection Nail Polish in Laughing Out Loud

I have been loving this pastel, smoky lavender shade from Treat Collection! It is incredibly pigmented, gorgeously glossy, and applies with such ease! The staying power of this polish is also noteworthy even without a base coat or top coat.

Zoe Organics Insect Repellent

This bug spray consists entirely of organic botanical oils that detract bugs so that you can enjoy your time outside without having to worry about pesky bites. I've used this spray every time that my husband and I have gone paddleboarding this season and we are both bug bite free!

What were your May favorites?

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