CLEAN PRETTY IS BETTER PRETTY - The Budget & Drugstore Edition

High quality natural ingredients, organic certifications, ecologically safe packaging, fair-trade practices and effective "good for you" formula's should not only be accessible to those whose budget allows a little more room for personal care than the average person. Lets face it, most of us cannot afford the astronomical prices attached to a lot of the natural or organic cosmetics no matter how much we try and budget for such necessities. While I|am willing to pay a little more for the "cleaner" versions of my staple products there are times when I am simply not able to splurge on a $100 moisturizer, no matter how great it might sound.

In the first two installments of the "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty" project I featured various exceptional natural brands, whose formulations were groundbreaking and productive but a few of them came with price tags that were bound to make me nervous at checkout time. It got me wondering if "good" nature inspired cosmetics had to be so expensive in order to work out?

I am happy to report that after some research on the topic itself and a lot of testing, accompanied with trial & error, I discovered much more attainable brands that were wallet-friendly, had the same natural "actives" and preformed just as good as some their more expensive counterparts. If you know what to look for and do your homework, your local drugstore or various low-key websites are full of hidden, under-appreciated products that will make you and your bank account very happy.

Physician's Formula is one of those brands that I have always been aware of but never seriously considered until I noticed their Organic Wear collection. In fact Organic Wear is the first ECOCERT®Certified Organic Line of Makeup in the U.S. and said to contain 100% certified organic ingredients. All the products in this line up are free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, silicone's and are certified cruelty free. Having played with a few Physician's Formula products in the past few weeks I am happy to report that these "gems" are not just full of skin-loving properties but are also completely effective when it comes to both preformance and wear time.
My favorites include - Organic wear 100% Natural Origin 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush ($13.95) and Organic wear 100% Natural Lash Boosting Mascara ($9.95)


Aubrey Organics is a natural hair care, natural skin care and natural body care brand that is almost considered a staple in our household, so much so that I sometimes take its presence for granted. This company uses only the best herbal and plant extracts, with no synthetic additives, petrochemicals or chemical preservatives. In addition they have been historically committed to sourcing all of their ingredients from fair trade sources with product quality and environmental protection coming way ahead of profit margins. They are also true industry leaders with a number of seriously impressive "firsts" which you can view here.
Their motto says it all really "Protect the Earth...Promote the Well Being of People...Nourish the Spirit".
My favorite repurchases are: Collagen & Almond Enriching Moisturizing Lotion ($12.48 for 8 oz), Sparkling Glacier Complexion Mist ($7.98 for 3.4 oz) and Organic Evening Primrose Oil ($16.48 for 1 oz.)


Dr. Bronner's Magic All-in-One is one of the pioneers of today's "green" cosmetic industry and its founder Dr.Bronner might be one of the most colorful and unique CEO's you can imagine. The history of him, his family and his soap company is truly a testament of the preserverence and strength of the human spirit. I highly encourage you to read his timeline for a glimpse of what steadfast dedication and commitment can accomplish in the face of so much adversity. Seriously it will amaze you!

Dr.Bronners Magic Pure Castile Soaps are vegetable based, preservative-free, paraben-free and contain absolutely no artificial thickeners. The formula uses only organic essential oils and makes sure to follow all fair trade requirements.
On par with their "green" philosophy, the company also minimizes their ecological footprint by making everything 100% biodegradable and using only post-consumer recycled bottles and paper labels.
How can you not get behind them? 

My favorite Dr.Bronner's repurchases include: Lavender Liquid Soap ($10.95 for 16 oz), Peppermint Bar Soap ($4.49) and Lavender Coconut Organic Lotion ($9.99 for 8 oz)

Granted 100% Pure Cosmetics is not a typical drugstore brand but I wanted to include it in the "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty" because their prices are somewhat affordable and every product I tried from their skincare and makeup range has blown my mind. Keeping with the "natural brand" label 100% Pure Cosmetics does not use synthetic chemicals, artificial colors or fragrances, sulfates, petrochemicals, detergents or chemical preservatives. 

My favorite pics from their selection are 100% Pure Pineapple Enzyme Facial Peel Mask ($22.00 for 2.9 oz), 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Butter in Peach ($16) and 100% Pure Coconut Nourishing Body Cream ($19 for 8 oz). 

Kiss My Face is a veteran natural brand, having been around for over 30 years and was actually one of the first brands to offer the organic-natural option to the mass consumer. They strive to combine natural and organic botanicals, plant vitamins and essential oils with the latest scientific innovations in order to deliver a product that is good for you, harmless to the environment but also powerful enough to yield the promised results. I like the fact that Kiss My Face doesn't only consider what  goes into their lovely bottles but also how the packaging of the product will affect the ecosystem as a whole. Their motto "Our goal is to walk gently and respectfully with the earth" is more than commendable and something other brands "natural or 
not" should pay attention to.
My favorite Kiss My Face products are Lavender & Shea Moisture Shave ($4.90 for 3.4 oz), Coconut Body Moisturizer ($11.95 for 16 oz) and Miss Treated Shampoo ($7.95 for 11 oz).

Since our skin absorbs 60% of whatever we apply to the surface, it is more than important to try and find products that will benefit the complexion and the body at the same time. It is my hope that the "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty"series introduces you to a few more options to consider. 

I hope you join me in Part 2 

What is your favorite natural or organic drugstore brand?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Snobbery Step Aside - My Drugstore and Budget Beauty Favourites

One of my lovely subscribers (Hi - Melanie!) messaged me this weekend with a request for my personal drugstore and budget buys list. Some of you might already know about my slogan "Every Comment Makes Me Do a Happy Dance (really!), which meant that after I did a terrible version of the "chicken dance" I went over to my various stash locations (hiding spots), looked through my vanity drawers, bathroom shelves and makeup bags, determined to make my first request turn out as perfect as it possibly can be. 

If you are familiar with Canadian Princeza, then you might have noticed that the vast number of the products I have reviewed tend to be mostly in the "high-end" category. Scrolling down the "brands" listed you would also notice that the blog's primary topic seems to be skincare and treatment products, which are usually priced a lot higher than makeup basics so that makes my collection seem even more disproportional. Just because I don't have a lot of "drugstore" products reviewed and listed on my blog (yet!) doesn't mean that I have anything against them, that I don't use them, that i don't appreciate a "good value" or that I think I am too good for lower-end stuff. Personally I almost always buy products that have good ingredients, great formulation, "ethical" brand concepts, excellent reviews and innovative research. Every once in a while I get mesmerized by product packaging and limited edition incentives but I am finding that this is happening a lot less often and now that I am writing reviews and reflecting more.

The one category where I have to be extremely careful is skincare and that's only due to my sensitive, reactive skin, which can literally end up out of control in a matter of days. That being said I am a firm believer that the price tag attached to a product does not guarantee success, good results, innovation, good ingredients or even truthful advertising. In fact sometimes it seems the higher the price, the bigger the claims and therefore the worse your disappointment feels. I can think of a few high-end brands that have completely lost my trust, business and endorsement due to problems attached to their "promises" that had not a lot of backing or truth to them at all.

These days we have to be smart in choosing what we purchase and what we allow to be used on our bodies. Its a "dog eat dog" world out there, advertisers can deliberately mislead, ingredients are coded in a way that is harder to understand, the prices are rising every day and we, ordinary girls have to figure out a way to get through the complicated, consumer web and make choices we can stand by.
Higher price doesnt mean a better product at all and luckily the so called "budget" brands, along with a whole slew of "independent small-time" companies have noticed this shift in their customers mind-set and are finally coming out with formulas that are inexpensive, highly efficient, filled with good ingredients, attractively packaged and even philanthropic in nature.
I for one am tickled pink just thinking about the possibilities and more than happy to feature and promote any brand that fits in that category!

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite products that won't break the bank (too much!) bur could break your skepticism :-)

Budget Beauty Favorites with MILANI , Haus of Gloi, Nivea

Here is a list of my "Snobbery-Free" Beauty Favorites;

- L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Balm (Satin Pink) - $7.96 at Walmart
- Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream - $8.97 at Walmart
- LUSH Banana Moon Soap - $7.95 for 100 g at lush.ca
- LUSH Coconut Deodorant Powder - $7.95 for 65 g at lush.ca
- Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter in Litchi Milk Tea - $10.00 for 6 oz at Haus of Gloi
- LUSH Bubble Gum Lip Scrub - $9.95 for 25 g at lush.ca
- Klorane Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk - $12.00 for 200 ml at well.ca
- Klorane Desert Date Nutritive & Repairing Hair Mask - $15.99 for 150 ml at well.ca
- Milani Illuminating Face Powder - $12.79 at well.ca
- Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash - $11.99 for 147 ml at well.ca
- Dr. Bronner's Organic Rose Liquid Soap - $3.99 for 2 oz at well.ca

I hope you enjoyed my first "Budget Beauty Collection" and at least got a few ideas for your next purchase!
Thank you Melanie for the request and the wonderful message you sent me - I really appreciate all of my readers so hearing from any of you just makes my day :-)

Please let me know if you want to see more posts on this topic and if its possible in any way I will gladly accommodate all requests from everyone!

What are your favorite budget finds? Anything I might be missing out on?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - Dr. Bronners Magic Pure Castile Classic Soap in Almond

It's only been a few years that "green" living and "clean" skincare have gone mainstream. Natural and Organic products have existed for a lot longer of course but they remained under-rated, overlooked, unappreciated and generally considered to be inferior to traditional (chemical) formulas. However in recent times urban consciousness has awakened the natural industry and "green" companies are finally coming out to the forefront. I say it's about time! 

My own desire for cleaner & healthier living has made me a lot more aware and conscious of exactly what I am putting in and on my body. It's a constant journey and since there is so much overwhelming and conflicting information out there, it can be difficult to have enough knowledge to make the best choices. 

In the midst of all that confusion it's nice to have tried and tested brands whose reputation and commitment to clean living surpasses everything else and makes their products (what I like to call) a sure thing. 

Dr. Bronners Magic All-One is one of the pioneers of today's "green" cosmetic industry and its founder Dr. Bronner might be one of the most colorful and unique CEO's you can imagine. The history of him, his family and his soap company is truly a testament of the preserverence and strength of the human spirit. I highly encourage you to read his timelime for a glimpse of what steadfast dedication and commitment can accomplish in the face of so much adversity. Seriously it will amaze you! 

Dr. Bronner's claim to fame comes down to his Magic All-One Pure Castile Liquid Soaps whose formulation precedes all other similarly marketed soaps and blows all of them away. It really isn't even fair to compare them.

Dr. Bronners Magic Pure Castile Soaps are vegetable based, preservative-free, paraben-free and contain absolutely no artificial thickeners. The formula uses only  organic essential oils and makes sure to follow all fair trade requirements.  

On par with their "green" philosophy, the company also minimizes their ecological footprint by making everything 100% biodegradable and using only post-consumer recycled bottles and paper labels. 

How can you not get behind them?

I have been using Dr. Bronners Castile Soaps for years now and a lot of their products are considered to be staples in our household. 

My all time favorite is definitively the Dr. Bronners Magic Pure Castile Soap in Almond. 

Description;

Nothing brings the warmth and coziness of home and hearth into your shower like our heavenly almond scent. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Ingredients;

Water, Saponified Organic Coconut*, Organic Palm* and Organic Olive* Oils (w/Retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils**, Citric Acid, Vitamin E

Dr.Bronner claims that there are 18 ways the Magic Pure Castile Soap can be used but I am sure the "green" community can come up for a few more. 

Personally I have used the Almond soap as: shampoo, body wash, face wash, hand soap, makeup brush cleanser, bathroom & kitchen cleaner, fruit & veggie wash and even pet shampoo! It works amazingly well and makes me feel good about using it since I know I am not layering chemicals all over the place. 

I love that despite the fact that it does not have synthetic foaming agents it still manages to bubble up beautifully and feels velvety on the skin. The lather is more than generous, cleans my skin perfectly without stripping it, smells distinctly but naturally and rinses away without any residue left over. My skin is very sensitive and can be very reactive when it comes to skincare products but none of the Dr. Bronner products have ever yielded any kind of a negative reaction. In fact, my skin feels a lot better when I use this consistently. The almond scent is beautiful and one of the milder scents used with the magic soaps. To me this smells identical to a comforting almond marzipan cookie and I enjoy using it every day.

The formulation of all Dr. Bronner Castile Soaps is extremely concentrated, which means that you are free to dilute it to suit your own needs but regardless of the ratio you end up choosing, its important to use a little at a time until you are comfortable with its performance. Remember this stuff is potent!

My final verdict is as positive as it gets! I would and have recommended this soap to everyone - members of the Sensitive Skin Care Club included! The price is more than reasonable when you take in to account the concentration of the Castile Soap formula and all the functions this magic liquid can preform.

Dr. Bronner Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps can be purchased in various health stores, supermarkets, department stores and various places online. Visit Dr. Bronner's company website for more information on all products they have, purchases and other retail information!


Have you tried the Dr.Bronner soap? Whats your favorite soap?


XOXO
\
ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)