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Green Beauty Recap – July

Oh, so many natural beauty products to talk to you about today, friends. I’ve tried many green products in the cosmetic, skincare, and haircare realms this month, and thought I would share my experiences.

lina-hanson-global-beauty

First things first. The Global Beauty line from Lina Hanson. Touted as “the holy grail of beauty products,” these three from the line are fantastic. A celebration of global beauty, Lina’s products are formulated for all skin-types and ethnicities, handcrafted in small batches for freshness and effectiveness, and are divine.

The powder cleanser (shown on the left) smells like a lemon meringue (no joke!), and can be used many different ways, depending on how much water you mix with the powder. I like to create a thick paste to exfoliate my skin with, and it does the trick. (Also, I really, really, want to eat this stuff. I can’t help it.)

Next up is the serum, which is hydrating and lovely. They key ingredients are Marula, Baobab, and Camellia Seed, and the scent comes from a combination of Ylang-Ylang, Frankincense, and Neroli. I like that this gives me enough moisture on its own.

Finally, the Treatment Balm, which is my favorite of the trio. Key ingredients are Matcha Green Tea, Pearl, 24K Gold, and Coffee, and this balm literally melts on your fingertips before application. Applied to the eye area and other wrinkles, it softens lines and improves elasticity. Great for mature skin, and smells like vanilla mixed with cocoa to me. Another one I have to keep myself from tasting.

ahnesti

Look at this! A new green haircare line! *sound the trumpets* (I always love when something pops up in the green haircare realm.) I am really enjoying Ahnesti – now for full disclosure, this haircare line rates a 4 on EWG’s Skin Deep, so it’s not as green as some other brands (due to the inclusion of alcohol), but is mostly organic, natural and toxin-free. 97% plant-derived ingredients preserve color, increase shine, easily detangle, reduce breakage, and nourish and protect hair.

I am a fan. I love the fresh scent of the shampoo, although the conditioner smelled a bit sour…that’s the only way I can put it. However, that wouldn’t keep me from buying because the combo of the two made my hair so flipping soft. The shampoo creates a rich lather…the richest I have probably ever felt, so if you are into that, run, don’t walk. I used the Puriti line, although might try the Integreti line next.

Also, the Eterniti Hair and Scalp Refresher was a nice departure from dry shampoo. (Have you read this regarding dry shampoo and hair loss?) You just spray the mist on the areas you want, rub it in, and then remove any excess with a towel. I didn’t notice any kind of weird residue after spraying it on, so it’s a thumbs up for me. So great to have a clear spray instead of white powder for dark brunettes like yours truly.

(All Ahnesti products are 20% off through July at Folica with the code JULYFUN.)

bottega-organica

Let’s talk mega-luxurious beauty products for a bit. Have you tried Bottega Organica? Wow. Wow wow wow. These products are really lovely. The Eye Contour Serum is one of their best sellers, and I have to admit, it made a difference, even to this self-professed eye cream non-believer. The cucumber and horse chestnut works to improve fine lines and wrinkles around the eye, and I love that it’s not a heavy cream, especially around the eye area.

The Rejuvenating Body Scrub is minty and refreshing, and does the job of exfoliating the body nicely. If you are into moisturizing with oils after the shower, I think you would enjoy this scrub, as it leaves a bit of oil on the skin after you are finished showering.

But my favorite, my absolute favorite of the line is the Morning Face Oil with Ginger. Talk about a zing-zang wake up call. My skin instantly feels brighter and more energized when I put this on. Definitely a morning pick-me-up for those of you who wake up with dull, tired skin.

You can read more about the company and take a look at their extensive product line here.

laurel

I have always wanted to try Laurel Whole Plant Organics, and this was my lucky month because I got to preview them in a certain monthly green beauty box that shall not be named until August 1st. #winkwink

I have REALLY been enjoying the Sun Damage Repair Facial Serum. Relying on the healing power of the scarlet pimpernel, this serum helps reverse signs of sun damage, including freckles and hyper-pigmentation. Organic licorice naturally breaks up melanin patches, while Vitamin A found in carrot seed oil strengthens the integrity of the collagen and elastin meshwork. Now, I have been in the sun tons this summer (more than any other summer I can remember), and been concerned about pigmentation and other sun-related nonsense on my face. I really feel like this serum has helped with those issues so far. You definitely need to use a moisturizer afterward, though…my skin didn’t feel hydrated enough using this serum alone.

The Honey Berry Enzyme Mask and the Before and After Sun Body Oil are great too – the mask is a great exfoliant, and the oil smells fantastic (like avocado and berry). I put some on after the beach and it was truly soothing…gave me a healthy sheen without being too heavy.

bioderma

Bioderma Sensibio H2O has been around for quite some time, and it’s definitely a cult favorite for makeup removal. (My makeup guru Lisa Eldridge swears by it!) I use this to remove eye makeup only occasionally because the formulation still contains PEG-6 (scores a 3 on EWG), which can possibly be contaminated with the byproduct 1,4 dioxane. A great, gentle quick fix, though, and Bioderma seems to be a very reputable company, so I’m not really concerned with contamination.

perfekt-liquid-gold

Perfekt Liquid Gold Illuminating Perfector. Now, I’m not really a body illuminator kind of gal, but I am surprisingly digging this product. Perfect for summer nights on the shoulders or legs, this liquid blends nicely and leaves a nice glow without any weird, glittery mica particles.

clarisonic-mia-fit

Finally! This little gem of skincare. The Clarisonic Mia Fit. (You guys, it’s part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale right now -$65 off!) Isn’t it just the cutest? It’s totally compact and perfect for travel. I like to use it to make sure alllllll of my makeup has been removed, plus I feel like a little facial massage doesn’t hurt. Mama ain’t getting any younger, you know. #increasecirculation #getthebloodflowing

This plus my very favorite cleanser are my dream team. I strive to use the Mia Fit about 3 times per week, while using the One Love Organics Cleansing Sponge on the other nights.

Well, that’s a wrap for this month! Questions? Leave ’em in the comments and I’ll try to help out if I can.

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8 comments
  1. Loa

    July 27, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried tata harper eye creams. I’ve been looking for a good eye cream as the serums do nothing in teras of moisture under my eyes any other recommendations?

    • whoorl

      August 1, 2016 at 10:59 am

      I’m not an eye cream fanatic, but I have tried Tata Harper’s eye cream, and I do like it. It definitely has the moisture you are looking for…another great option would be the eye oil by Hana. It’s very nourishing, if you are open to an oil instead of a cream.

  2. gabrielle

    July 28, 2016 at 5:14 am

    Can you write a bit about how you can decipher the difference between so many products, how you can use enough to tell in a relatively short time, and how you make room to try new stuff? Because it takes me forever to use a product (and they’re not cheap), I can easily get in a rut.

    • whoorl

      August 1, 2016 at 11:06 am

      That is a great question, Gabrielle. (I should probably write a post!)

      I definitely receive a LOT of beauty products to try. (I think only about 15-20% of the products I receive end up on this blog.) For the products you see here, they are ones that really stood the test, and I make sure to use them for at least a month before sharing any opinions…obviously makeup is different, but skincare takes time to develop a true opinion.

      In your case, I would really take advantage of sample programs, like the one at Integrity Botanicals and Citrine Natural Beauty. They both have programs where you can hand-select 5 products to try with your order. (You don’t need to order anything else at Citrine – just call the store and tell them what you want…I think it’s $15, including shipping?) The samples at Integrity Botanicals can be chosen online with your order.

      Hope this helps!

  3. Sarah

    August 1, 2016 at 10:45 am

    Love these recaps! Do you have any recommendations for the occasional breakout? I would love to find a natural product that works!

    Sarah

    • whoorl

      August 1, 2016 at 11:09 am

      I personally use either the Clearing Serum by Kypris as a spot treatment or the Spot Treatment by Osmia Organics. (It’s a cute little rollerball.)