Category Archives: organic

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Pick of the Week…The Body Shop Seaweed Scrub

Body Shop Pore Cleansing Seaweed Facial Exfoliator
Ingredients from the ocean are my favorite for face and body. They brighten, clarify, add radiance, and minimize pores. My pick this week is the Body Shop Seaweed Scrub ($14.50). This facial exfoliator is for normal/combination to oily skin. My skin gets oily in the summer, so I have to keep a close eye on my oil balance. Just a little excess oil can cause a breakout. The main purpose of the Seaweed Scrub is to minimize pores by sloughing away excess oils, dirt and dead skin before you cleanse your face. Here is my video review and demo of The Body Shop Seaweed Scrub:

acne, activated, beauty, charcoal, clarify, cosmetics, mask, organic, origins, skin, skincare

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Charcoal Mask

Using a deep cleansing mask at least once a week is important for acne prone skin like mine. Luckily, Origins has their Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask ($21). Activated charcoal is a great skincare ingredient used to detoxify and clarify. It works as a filter, trapping impurities in the skin (kind of like how a water filter works) therefore leaving your face squeaky clean. The added benefits of White China (Kaolin) clay stimulates circulation, heals acne and removes dead skin cells for a clear and bright complexion.

bath, beauty, best, etsy, face, facial, handcrafted, handmade, organic, scrub, soap, vegan

Brand Spotlight – Ayelet


 Ayelet, a former chef from NYC, started making her own beauty products out of frustration and necessity. She was diagnosed with Mayasthenya Gravis, and her weakened immune system left her with rashes, allergies and very sensitive skin. This lead to her research of natural skin care remedies. Now, with greatly improved health, she has a successful Etsy shop filled amazing bath and beauty products.

I stumbled upon Ayelet’s shop while searching for a Dead Sea salt and mud spa bar. I found it amidst a beauty box of treasures! So far, I have made 2 orders and tried 10 products. Her prices are a steal, she ships at the speed of light and her postal rates are always fair. Ayelet also includes a soap sample with every order! I was lucky enough to interview her via email for my bloggity blog…
What is your favorite product and why?
“I don’t know if I have favorite products. I love all the products that I create, but I have to say I am so ecstatic and proud of my facial care line. I was one of those girls that used to shop for the most expensive brand name facial care for hundreds of $$$ until I said, “enough is enough.” I need to give it a shot. After researching for a very long time, I am so happy I did. They are healthy, nourishing , healing, and most of all natural.”
Does your brand have a mission statement or philosophy?
“Currently some of the ingredients in my products are organic; my goal is to use all organic ingredients or at least almost all organic which I am working on.”
Handcrafting beauty products takes a long time to perfect. How long (or how many trials) does it usually take you to finally perfect a recipe?
“Some of my formulas were perfected in the first ,or second try, but natural botanical skin care is very dynamic field and there are always new ingredients out there to help perfect a natural product. I need to keep up with what’s new, so it’s never ending perfecting .”
Any advise for people who want to convert to natural beauty products?
“A person who (wants) to try natural botanical products first needs to learn to read and understand the ingredients in case of any allergies one may have. There are so many (brands) out there claiming their products are natural when they are not. If one product didn’t work for you try a something else from the same seller brand or shop, but don’t give up. You (might) find another maker. For an example, my facial creams have a slight scent of olive oil, and one customer didn’t like the scent, she is probably used to commercial products that contain some fragrance.”
Quote the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received:
“This is a feedback I got that keeps me working hard!
‘Ayelet I read your blog and I really dig it! It’s super cool how you showcase the steps in creating CP (cold process) soaps and body butters. I normally don’t get scrubs right away from a shop that I’m new to but I felt that I could completely trust you and that’s the whole idea of the Buyer/Seller relationship in personal care products. This scrub is super delish. I layered it beneath a Burberry fragrance today…and it was amazing! Thank you so much again and not just for the products and the shopping opportunity but also for helpin’ me out by teachin’ me about Paypal. You’re truly a rockin’, lovingly patient person and I’m happy to know our paths crossed on this vast network called Etsy. Xolovexo'”
My Favorites:

Detoxifying Pure Sugar Cane Body scrub with Dead Sea Mud ($10) – Love It! It smells good, softens rough spots, detoxifies, and moisturizes. My shower gets a little messy, but nothing spraying it down with water can’t fix. There is no added fragrance, but the combination of lemongrass, apricot seed and almond oils give it a crisp citrus aroma. It’s not too oily, so this is a great pre-tanning lotion scrub.

Dead Sea Mineral Mud – Natural Spa in a Soap ($6) – “The ultimate spa soap” that consists of 2 layers; one to detoxify the skin and the other to help the skin absorb all the minerals in this bar. This is the first salt and mud bar I’ve tried that actually smells pleasant. I wasn’t even expecting it to, but it it sure put the icing on this cake. I can’t boast enough about how invigorating and nourishing Dead Sea ingredients are. All I can say is to try it for yourself. I promise you will love it!

Green Tea and Bamboo Olive Oil Enriched with Shea Butter soap ($5.50) – Once you try handmade soap, you will never go back to those mass produced detergent bars (ick). I was converted 6 years ago when my aunt gave me some of the best handmade soaps I’ve ever tried. Since then, it’s been hard to find any I like as much until now. Ayelet’s soaps are so creamy without sacrificing lather. Green Tea and Bamboo, my favorite scent so far, is a crispy fresh, citrusy scent that awakens your senses.

Reviews:
Sandalwood Vegan Deodorant ($7) – I originally purchased this for Mr. Kitschkween (what the online communities call my husband), but he sweats too much to not use an antiperspirant. I, however, like it. The scent is a perfectly balanced unisex fragrance. I don’t sweat that much during the winter and spring, so why not avoid all that aluminium as much as possible?
Brightening Under Eye Cream with SPF 15 and Green Tea & Green Coffee Extract ($15) – While I didn’t really notice any real change to my under eye shadows, the compound of ingredients couldn’t have been selected better. It contains the above mentioned along with avocado oil, wheat germ oil, rosehip oil, and evening primrose oil. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide give sun protection. The consistency is very thick and a little oily, but it didn’t cause me to break out.

Soap Samples I’ve Received:
-All of her soaps smell good and feel great! I even like using her Bay Rum soap because it doesn’t smell too much like a man.

What I’m trying next:
Face:

Soaps ($5.50):

Body Scrubs ($9.50):
Vegan Deoderant ($7):


You can also find Ayelet’s products on Artfire and stay updated by reading her blog.

brighten, care, exfoliate, exfoliator, face, facial, organic, origins, rice, scrub, skin, skincare

Marissa’s Pick of the Week! – Modern Friction

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Exfoliation and Rice – Origins put 2 of my favorite things together a little piece of Heaven called Modern Friction ($37.50). This natural, oil-free facial scrub is gentle and effective showing a visible difference after the first use. Using Modern Friction 3-4 times a week brightens skin, and evens out texture and discoloration. It also helps to reduce the size of pores and the signs of aging.


Why I love Modern Friction:
The vegan formula is made without parabens, phthalates, propylene, glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petroleum, paraffin, DEA, and fragrance.
The cushy, plush consistency is made with all natural ingredients that each have a little job of its own. The rice starch gently sweeps away dead skin cells, brightens dullness and evens out skin tone. Lemon oil illuminates lack luster skin and has antiseptic benefits. This is great for oily and acne prone skin types. Comforting aloe soothes and calms inflamed skin, preventing post scrub redness. Bergamot was added to stimulate your senses, but it also has the ability to fade scars and marks. Peppermint, a natural stress reliever, brightens dull skin, helps balance oiliness, stimulates blood circulation, and keeps you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The icing on the cake…recycled packaging!