Call For Hydration With Pure+Simple Organic Rosehip Face Oil

My love of natural skincare and general quest for a healthier lifestyle has introduced me to several amazing brands that would have been otherwise overlooked had I not done the necessary research. In the past few years I have found myself paying close attention to clean, natural or organic ingredients in all my personal care products - skeptical at first (as usual!) but at this point the transformation and the obvious visible results are impossible to deny.

One of the main reasons I resisted the "natural path" was simply my own ignorance and the preconceived notions that these new "hippy with a side of hype" new brands couldnt possibly compete with the big beauty names who have all kinds of money and research to quote over-and-over again! Lets not forget that a lot of "natural" products also have a very different feel and look when it comes to their packaging and formula texture. It doesnt help that I simply despise the oily, tacky consistency and residue of anything  that comes into contact with my ridiculously girly persona. I was also completely hooked on the nice, clean fragrances that my "regular" brands come with, while the natural products had scents that were a bit more concentrated, herb-like and in some cases even pungent. My signature scent is PRADA Candy and that should tell you just how deep my girly notions can be!

Discovery of essential oils and their super individual powers changed everything about my attitude and how I viewed the field of natural-organic direction.The introduction and popularity of facial oils into the mainstream beauty world  changed my mind about the improvement in the oil medium textures and my own aversion to them. However it was essentially finding brands like the Canadian Pure+Simple Spa company that solidified my resolve to explore my options again and finally realize that the Big-Beauty-Brands might not be everything the vehemently claimed they were.
I guess you can say I had to eat my words and get re-educated!

If you know this blog then you are already aware how passionate I am when it comes to all kinds of skincare but the products I appreciate the most are definitely treatment serums and facial oil concoctions. In fact I already have several posts regarding those categories and if you want to see what other oils I recommend just click here! 

Today I wanted to introduce you to one of the first oil treatments that I started out with - the fact that this product  has been repurchased several times and used by a lot of people I personally know, is a testament to the quality and result driven formulation.
My own affinity to rose oils and love for multi-purpose products doesn't hurt either. 

Without further ado I give you -  Pure+Simple Organic Rosehip Face Oil ($39.95 for 50 ml) 

Official Description;

Rosehip oil contains 80% essential fatty acids (EFAs), predominantly linoleic
(Omega 3) and linolenic (Omega 6) and is naturally enriched with antioxidants like
beta-carotene and lycopene.
Naturally contains Trans-Retinoic Acids that helps regenerate damaged skin tissue
Helps to decrease and prevent hyperpigmentation, wrinkles + scars
A perfect skin rehydrator that restores moisture balance

Ingredients;

Organic Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Oil

Directions for uses;
Use as a hot oil treatment for brittle, damaged hair or as a scalp treatment
Use in place of a moisturizer day and/or night
Use under your moisturizer for ultra hydration and/or to prevent/correct fine lines and pigmentation

The texture of this Organic Rosehip Facial Oil is one of the things I love most about using it. The oil is very lightweight, lighter than the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil and even my favorite REN Rose O12 Moisture Defense Serum, making it perfect for the transitioning season period (Fall or Spring) for most skin types. I can imagine that girls with oily skin can get away with using this under a moisturizer in the winter or apply it alone in the summer. Since my skin is a little bit drier the Pure+Simple Organic Rosehip Face Oil works beautifully year round as a basic skincare hydration boost treatment.
Its the perfect everyday care oil that will not interfere with the rest of your skincare or even makeup like some of the richer formulations out there. The silky liquid sinks into the skin wonderfully and doesn't leave any tacky or greasy residue on the surface, making sure that the only thing you end up with  is hydration and deep nourishment. The complexion you get is soft, healthy, radiant and pampered.

The scent is very mild and certainly fits in the non-offensive category although I have heard certain people mention that they sense a slightly fishy fragrance. If you are very sensitive to odor this might be a slight issue but keep in mind that even this slight natural scent disappears within minutes once applied to the skin.

The purpose of the oil treatment is geared towards preventative anti-aging and soothing sensitive, irritated dry skin.
However where the Organic Rosehip Facial Oil truly shines and delivers the most is the area of sun damage or hyper-pigmentation trouble spots. For me this is one of the few products that has actually made a difference when it comes to fading darker post-acne scars and the unfortunate sun spots caused by sunscreen neglect. I paid the price for skimping on proper skin protection during my teenage years! Like with all skincare the transformation doesnt come overnight but after a few weeks the change will be very obvious in the mirror!

Heed my warning - sunscreen the heck out of it because as you probably already know its a lot easier to prevent something than to have fix, conceal or treat later!

Have you tried the Pure+Simple Organic Rosehip Face Oil ($39.95 for 50 ml)?
What is your favorite facial oil?

Thank you for reading

XOXO

ANJA

New Skincare - New Skin Hopes - New Arrivals Featuring MuLondon and Melvita

My epic and ever-growing skincare collection has welcomed a significant amount of new hopeful products in the past month or so. Some of these are re-purchases and essential in my beauty routine as is the case with the MuLondon Organic Skincare while others were impulse purchases and gifts from the people in my life that enable my cosmetic addiction quite regularly.

The fact that most of these new-additions are natural and organic in nature is no coincidence since I have been making a gallant effort to transition most of my personal care towards a cleaner ingredient direction. As a matter of fact this change has been translated in other areas of my life as well, in an effort to improve my health and lifestyle in general. There are a lot of things to consider and pay attention to during these alterations but at the end of the day this kind of diligence and determination will and already is proving to be worthwhile. The expression "no pain - no gain" often comes to mind!

The change of seasons can do a number on your skin if precautions and appropriate skincare isn't utilized (see here!), which coupled with over-reactive, sensitive skin types can cause all kinds of trouble for the complexion. Whenever my skin "freaks out" my natural impulse always points me in the new purchase direction, meaning that my haulage can sometimes get out of hand due to desperation alone. Seeing how this time I had a clear cut goal to natural skincare options I was forced to consider, research and think through the new candidates a little bit more, resulting in smarter and more appropriate selections.

My MuLondon purchase was a no brainer! I have fallen in love with the Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer ($25.00 for 2 oz) (see review here!) which needed to be re-purchased so I took advantage of that instance and invested in a few other skincare products I had been lusting over. I truly believe in Boris and his vision so its my personal goal to spread his genius and his products to anyone who cares to listen (or read!). 

As a huge fan of true rose scents I knew that I wanted to try the Organic Rose Collection which led me to order the MuLondon Organic Rose Foaming Face Cleanser ($27.00 for 5 oz) and the MuLondon Organic Rose, Rosehip & Rosemary Moisturizer ($20.00 for 1 oz). The moisturizer is made with 100% organic Rose otto oil, Rosehip Extract and Rosemary Antioxidant and the fragrance itself is true to its origin completely. You will not smell a more genuine rose scent anywhere else! Both the cleanser and the cream are recommended for dry, irritated and sensitive skin so in theory this should fit my needs perfectly. 

Boris was kind enough to include the MuLondon Organic Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh Moisturizer ($15.00 for 1 oz) with my order but that particular jar was already confiscated by my mother. Not surprisingly she hasn't stopped raving about it ever since! 

My devotion to the Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer meant that ordering the MuLondon LE Organic White Chocolate Elbow, Knee & Heal Cream ($32.00 for 2 oz) was pretty much a given, especially since colder, drier weather is approaching and my dry skin will be in need of some major pampering and care very soon. Once again the scent has me intoxicated with its realness - there is absolutely nothing artificial about the White Chocolate fragrance! 

Melvita is yet another French organic skincare company that has been on my radar for a little while now so receiving the Melvita Foaming Facial Scrub ($27.00 for 2.5 oz) and Melvita Essential Oil - Soothing Care ($48.00 for 1 oz) as a birthday gift was especially delightful. The French are well known for their skincare (as evident on this blog) and Melvita is no exception to that statement. I have only used the products a few times so its too early to be specific about the yielded results however I can already tell that the Soothing Care Oil is a definite standout! Full reviews will follow once I have a chance to properly test them out for at least a few weeks.   

I first discovered the Organic Surge Skincare lineup through my love of various UK Beauty Blogs where their products receive huge rave reviews not just for their efficiency and ingredients but also for their reasonable prices as well. I was pretty bummed out to discover that they weren't available in Canada and that online orders were the only means of me getting my hands on their genius formulas. Imagine my surprise when I spotted the Organic Surge First Class Face Mask ($15.00 for 1.66 oz) at my local Winners - Homesense store. I snatched it up without even a second thought and seeing how masks are huge when it comes to my skincare routines I am very excited to see how Organic Surge Skincare compares to the masks I already have in my arsenal. 

I am very happy with all the additions to my overflowing skincare cabinet and for once I can say that my choices this time around were a little more calculated and useful this time around. The fact that its all more or less in the nature department makes me even happier :-)

Have you tried any of these products? What was you last skincare haul?

Thank you reading

XOXO

ANJA

Skin Care Jack Pot - MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer

I think this blog and the sheer amount of skincare posts illustrate the fact that I take my beauty products quite seriously. My reviews are lengthy, precise and hopefully helpful to those of you researching your next beauty endeavor. I take my time with testing things out and if I like something I can be quite vocal about it.

Well, I honestly can't be loud enough about this product - MuLondon's Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer just might be the single best skincare product I have ever had the pleasure of using. Everything about this moisturizer is beyond impressive and testing it out has gotten me so excited about everything else they have to offer so much so that I have been stalking their for website days plotting what is sure to be a huge order.  

In the world of cosmetics there is a lot to be said about the new crop of so-called natural and organic brands swept up by the rising need for good for-you products that are kind both to the body and the environment. The success stories are there and need to be celebrated but recognition needs to be given to the best of the best, those companies that deliver the natural products they promise without sacrificing functionality, feel and results. 

Let's just say that something being natural doesn't always translate into a good beauty product, which is why I believe in giving credit and recognizing this feat when someone gets it right. MuLondon doesn't just get it right, they bang it out of the park and present a product that not only outperforms moisturizers that cost 4x as much and promise a heck of a lot more than this lovely concoction even touches on.

Before I introduce you to what is probably the best moisturizer I have ever used I think its important to introduce the company and the man behind this seemingly unassuming brand that is bound to become a household name among natural beauty connoisseurs very soon.
MuLondon is an award-winning UK based cosmetics brand, specializing in natural, organic and almost entirely hand-made skincare products. In fact the founder of MuLondon, Boris, is their head hand-whipper! That fact alone makes their products sound wholesome and freshly inspiring!
The brand credentials and philosophy is completely committed to the natural, organic (where possible), pure and vegan lifestyles, guaranteeing absolutely no artificiality and complete transparency when it comes to ingredients and resulting product formulations. Basically there are absolutely no qualms and reservations with anything they make!

The Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer was my first MuLondon product and as you can see I am a huge fan already.

Official Description;
Delicious, decadent Organic White Chocolate Truffle face moisturiser. Indulge your skin and your senses in this luxury spread for your face and your body.
Contains organic Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil and rich, yummy & fragrant extracts of Cocoa and pure Bourbon Vanilla - to spoil, pamper and excite.
Added certified organic Rosemary Antioxidant helps replenish and revive the skin.

Ingredients;

Vitellaria Paradoxa (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Butter)*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil)*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Extract)*, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla Extract)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Extract)

The first thing that blew me away with this face cream is the scent itself - this is decadent, luscious, rich and absolutely true to its description real white chocolate. There is no artificiality or cloying interference whatsoever, which means that while the fragrance is definitively sweet it doesn't have the overly sugar undertone usually associated with gourmand-like products. I loved it so much that if they ever decided to bottle this as an EDP I would be first in line to purchase the jumbo size. You can't go wrong with real bourbon vanilla! 

Since this is a rich, concentrated moisturizer with the emollient trifecta - Shea Butter, Cocoa and Jojoba Oil, the texture is quite thick and needs to be used sparingly to achieve the proper moisture balance. The fact that its hand-whipped allows the thickness to melt and glide easily on the skin surface, making it ideal for a very spa-like facial massage experience. The combination of scent and this creaminess elevates the simple act of moisturizing by engaging all of your senses at once and making your entire skincare routine feel just a little more special than usual. 

The key ingredients, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Coconut Butter, make this cream ideal for anyone with sensitive, reactive, and dry skin, because all of those target and alleviate the symptoms of the irritated epidermal layers. Anyone suffering from eczema, psoriasis and similar skin conditions would definitively benefit from this, meaning that if all you have to deal with is dry patches then this amazing moisturizer will work like a charm. You really can't argue with results! 

I have used the MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer almost exclusively for the past few months and it has become one of my all-time favorite skincare products to date. Everything Boris and his team promise, this cream absolutely delivers and has surpassed every single expectation I have when it comes to facial moisturizers. 

In a world where big beauty companies make outrageous claims with equally outrageous "unclean" ingredients it is so refreshing to come across something like this that simply delivers and doesn't require a Masters in Organic Chemistry to decipher. 

The fact that the MuLondon products are also very affordable only further drives my point that they are awesome. 

My new favorite moisturizer is available in 30 ml for $15.00 and 60 ml for $25.00 here, proving that natural skincare doesn't have to cost an obscene amount in order to be amazing. 

I am almost out and this is going to be a definite repurchase :)

Have you tried the MuLondon products? What is your favorite natural brand? 

I hope this was helpful!

XOXO

ANJA

To Foam or Not to Foam - Omorovicza Cleansing Foam

I am not really sure when or where my love affair with "bubbles" first started. If i had to guess I imagine it has strong roots anchored in my "little girl" years when I had finally become old enough to be allowed to draw and have my own bubble bath. The sickly sweet bubble gum scented liquid with Princess stickers held the magic potion that I lived for and it didnt take long for me to realize that if i dumped half the bottle in the tub, the fluffy bubbles rose up and I could play in the rosy water for a lot longer. Back then I was obviously not worried about the sulfates in that bubble bath and how much drier my skin must have been after all that foamy engagement. Back then that also didnt matter!

Unfortunately my childhood bubble bath addiction somehow rooted the belief deep inside me that there is no way I can be completely clean unless i see some lather or foam in my hands. Completely psychological I know but it was always a feeling I just couldnt shake so even when my skincare obsession led me to the revolutionary cleansing balms, I always followed up with a foaming cleanser on top...you know, just in case! Luckily as the cleansing balms quality increased, my skin felt and looked so good in the mirror that I found myself lapsing on the second foam cleanse and surprisingly my skin didn't rebel, and for the first time in years the dehydrated patches started to disappear. Well I couldnt really argue with the results just because of a "feeling i had" so reluctantly i had to admit that my "bubble spell" was almost completely broken. Skincare fanatics like me rarely have only one of something and that was definitively the case in my bathroom as well but the cleansing balms were preforming beautifully so I had no choice but to retire the many foam cleanser bottles to the cabinet and just move on.
The story really should have ended there but in true Princeza fashion, things were bound to shift eventually and that they did a few months ago!

I am already using a lot of Omorovicza skincare, including their amazing Thermal Cleansing Balm, so when I was gifted their Cleansing Foam, I really had no choice to try it out and in turn rekindle my foamy ways once again. The Omorovicza Cleansing Foam reminded me just how much I loved those bubbles and before I knew it I was pulling out the rest of my foaming cleansers from the back cabinet and stacking them around
the sink...for testing purposes of course :-)
The question remains - How does the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam stack up against my conventional, somewhat drying, foaming cleansers?

Official Description;
A sulphate-free aerated cleansing foam that removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
When mixed with water, this must-have Cleansing Foam lathers up and gently removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of natural moisture. Copper, a potent antioxidant, supports the natural production of collagen and elastin and gives this product its pale blue color.

Ingredients;
Hungarian Thermal Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool.

First let's talk about the how this foamy goodness works!

The Omorovicza Cleansing Foam is indeed very different from any other foaming formula I had ever used! The company's patented mineral delivery system, Hydro Mineral Transference, obviously applies to this cleanser as well, which means that the absorption of minerals is guaranteed to reach deep into the dermis of your facial skin and in turn results in skin that is smoother, plumped and younger looking. It is this unique mineral absorption that supports skin's own natural ability to generate collagen, increase the levels of elastin present, restore key hydration levels, protect skin cells from micro-damage and finally strengthen the defense against free radicals. 

The key ingredients in the Omorovicza  Foam formula include copper gluconate, which regulates oil production and purges any toxicity present in the skin cells; white lupin widely known to energize and apple pectin whose claim to fame is increasing hydration. 

Seeing how I have already had amazing results with Omorovicza Skincare my expectations of the Cleansing Foam were already very high and I am thrilled to say that I wasn't disappointed one bit. Just like everything else Omorovicza makes, this cleanser manages to elevate the simple act of washing one's face to a whole new level and does so with surprising efficiency, mildness and luxury appeal. The whole process just feels a lot more gratifying.   

What makes the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam so enjoyable but still effective is the fact that traditional drying foaming agents such as sulfates are nowhere to be found on the ingredient list. That means that I can enjoy the bubbles without the risk of over-stripping and causing an imbalance of my own skin moisture barrier. The uplifting orange-blossom scent and the lovely baby blue whipped cream only add to my joyful addiction to everything Omorovicza makes.

Even though I am still hopelessly in love with the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm (review here!) I have made room in my skincare routine for the Cleansing Foam ($75 for 5.1 oz) so now each morning my Clarisonic and the baby blue foam meet up on my face and wake up my complexion in the nicest possible way.

You can get more information and purchase the amazing Omorovicza Cleansing Foam at their website, our trusty Sephora, and Amazon

I hope this was helpful

What do you think about foam cleansers?

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 :-) 

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 :-) 

CLEAN PRETTY IS BETTER PRETTY - PART 2

I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty" and found some inspiration to try and "clean" out your beauty routines. The entire process is very overwhelming so I recommend trying to change one area at a time - tackle skincare first and then move on to the rest in order to stay motivated.
On the plus side, if you are a cosmetics connoisseur like me, discovery and trialing new products that are actually good for you and your life can even become justifiable fun. We can all appreciate that!


Tata Harper  products are unique in the sense that they are always "100% Natural & Non-Toxic Ingredients 100% of the time" and even more exciting, their founder own the farm where their skin-care ingredients are actually grown. It really doesn't get any fresher than that! Tata Harper formulations do not have any filler ingredients and everything that is included in the product is there for a specific purpose, which is a concept that may sound simple but very few companies actually follow it. This natural company takes advantage of the innovations and knowledge offered by chemists, biologists, botanists and even medical practitioners, in order to ensure up-to-date natural discoveries, extraction techniques and preservation methods, all in their attempt to make the most effective combinations in the skincare industry.
My favorite recommendations from Tata Harper are: Resurfacing Mask ($55), Repairative Moisturizer ($100) and the amazing Revitalizing Body Oil ($90)

Neal's Yard Remedies is one of the oldest natural-organic skincare companies but it is their amazing dedication to creating "clean" products and being "clean" themselves that really makes them stand out! The natural formulations concocted by their brilliant skincare experts are literally made in their own "eco factory" using locally-grown organic ingredients whenever possible. The Neal's Yard Remedies "eco-factory" actually has a CarbonNeutral status which in turn lowers theirs and in a sense your own carbon footprint. The founder Peter Kinderslay is obviously passionate about his products and the ingredients they use because for him organic is the only way to go - "We love organic because no ingredient contains higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients than those which have been organically grown.” 
That kind of talk and my own slight obsessions with anything sporting roses as the main ingredient led me to Wild Rose Beauty Balm ($58) and Wild Rose Beauty Elixir ($70). These two formulas stay true to their name and have a real rose scent which is something so many other companies try to emulate only to end up with a cloying, artifical and watered down flowery fragrance. The real roses used in the Wild Rose line up probably have a lot to do with it.  

Apivita is a apothecary based greek company founded in 1979 by two "real-life" pharmacists Nikos & Niki Koutsianas who shared the same passion for natural-holistic approach to skincare and wanted to create a line featuring bee products and local Greek herbs. Fascinated and obviously inspired by the bee life-cycle (Apivita) they used the same philosophy to create a company developmental model featuring organization, productivity and mutual co-operation. The bee-inspired skincare, bodycare, haircare and aromatherapy features both natural local herbs as well as all forms of bee related by-products, which are harvested at their very own bee farm. There is no better way to control what and how something goes into your product, than growing it yourself!
My favourite Apivita products are Beauty Twins: Hydration + Radiance ($56), Natural Chamomile Oil ($20) and Organic Laurel Oil ($20), which is a hair treatment.

The next brand that took me by surprise is Betty Hula, which is a very affordable UK natural brand that uses Hawaii-Inspired scents to bring that luxurious pampering feel to women who are passionate about "clean" ingredients, handmade beauty and fair trade. What we have here is a nature-inspired brand with a conscience that understands the difference "green" formulas can make in today's busy polluted world. The charming vintage packaging just adds to its appeal and may have influenced my purchase a little bit (ok a lot!). The entire Betty range is hand made, free of any "questionable" additives and only contains minimal preservatives to increase the product longevity and freshness and thereby ensure optimum efficiency once it reaches its clients.
Betty Hoola that inspired me are Secret Wonder Oil ($25) and Champagne & Spice Body Butter ($23).

One of my favorite mid-price discoveries in the "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty" mission is the amazing German brand Lavera that specializes in both natural makeup and organic skincare. When these guys say they are serious about organic ingredients and clean formulas, they really mean it. In fact they regularly welcome and encourage independent scrutiny when it comes to their products and aim to stay transparent in light of the many certifications companies with "natural" claims require to go through. I was beyond impressed after viewing their ingredient policy and award page. There are so many companies (natural or not) that will go to great lengths to cover things up about ingredients or methods they use, so a brand like Lavera is so refreshing to see.
I will be doing a complete separate feature on Lavera and these are my favorites: Revitalizing Face Mask in Organic Wild Rose ($5.76), Intensive Care Liposome Cream in Organic Wild Rose ($40.32) and Body Lotion in Vanilla Coconut ($19.90).

The last brand I want to include in today's "Clean Pretty Is Better Pretty" installment is the one and only Suki, which is likely the one I am most excited about. Suki is one of those companies whose mission statement, humble beginning, commitment to ingredients, scientific research implemented and results; are all so perfect that if they wanted me to be a spokesperson I would probably do it for free. They are the first skin care line that produced visible results during a consumer clinical study and they actually take fuel-cost into consideration when sourcing ingredients and manufacturing locations. Can you believe that there is almost no carbon output from their processing procedures? It really couldnt be more perfect for my "clean" project!
My favorite Suki picks for now are: Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser ($32.95) and Renewal Bio-Resurfacing Facial Peel ($82.95) but that list will hopefully expand very soon.

I hope this was helpful! See you lovelies in Part 3!

What is your favorite natural 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 :-)

CLEAN PRETTY IS BETTER PRETTY - Project PART 1

I am about to share a quote with you that scared me a little more than I'd like to admit but I am hoping that it will at least inspire me to make some more significant changes in my personal quest for "cleaner living". 

According to the Environmental Working Group "one third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer" and the main offenders such as parabens, preservatives or phthalates have been proven to do everything from degrading cell DNA to lowering weakened immune systems. 

Its findings and realizations like this motivate me to up my game even more when it comes to choosing better products for both personal and household use. After all ingredients I can pronounce and recognize such as pomegranate, mushrooms, green tea, coconut oil, cocoa, almonds, brown sugar...are so much more pleasant to use and today's natural companies have more than perfected their formulas so you can be assured that they will be effective and safe. 

As a beauty blogger, scientist and just an all-around curious person I already really enjoy trying new products, discovering up-and-coming brands and even just researching unusual ingredients. My humble clean-living mission started out just like that - personal research, company communication and a ton of samples and mini bottles. The journey made it very clear to me that replacing everything I use and consume with a healthier choice can be ridiculously overwhelming and frustrating but the benefits gained can not only be life-changing for me but also for the environment and my immidiate community. 

My "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty" project is nowhere near finished and continues to be and probably always will be a work in progress but I wanted to share some of my findings with you my lovely readers and introduce you to some of my favorite discoveries.

The first brand I looked into that focused on both personal and household products that are clean, eco-friendly, organic and just overall plain-awesome is the now already famous Honest Company. Everything I read and inquired about when it came to their products, philosophy and customer service was beyond impressive that I now can't wait for their expansion to Canada (check their facebook page for updates). I will be placing an order for their Essentials Bundle on day one :-)

They offer everything from household necessities (laundry, dishwasher detergents), personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath etc), baby essentials (wipes, diapers etc) and family staples (sunscreen, bug spray). After sampling a few of their creations I am definitively a huge fan!

Aesop is an Australian natural company that covers all the products one can possibly need - skincare, body care, hair care, fragrance and even some unique home based items. This already holds a cult position among the environmentally passionate and responsible individuals and is one of those brands that really never required hype to be successful. The luxurious and charming apothecary style bottles, fresh unconventional
scents and pure but effective formulations are just some of the reasons I was all over their stuff. Their low-key (realistic) promises, research dedication and use of only the best natural concoctions in the Aesop laboratories means that their products will stay true to what they say and there is no worry about any "nasties" causing havoc on your face or body. I had used their appropriately named Amazing Face Cleanser ($33 for 3.4 oz) before and loved it more than I like to admit, along with the Damascan Rose Facial Treatment ($73.00 for 0.9 oz), which is probably one of my favorite products of all time. 

REN Skincare is all over my blog as it is so my love for their products is well-documented (see here!) but I couldn't resist mentioning them. Their "clean skincare" approach was ground-breaking when they first started and the most recent addition to their collection, Rosa Centifolia Foaming Cleanser ($22 for 150 ml) only renewed my obsession with REN. For those unfamiliar with the brand, you need to know that REN skincare does not use parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, glycol, silicone or artificial colors and preservatives in their innovative formulas which means you are getting a product chock-full of natural essential oils, antioxidants and replenishing phytohormones. To me REN is the best example that combining science and nature can result in a product that is effective but doesn't have to be harmful to fulfill its purpose. 

Tammy Fender skincare brand is one of my most recent discoveries and their claim to fame seems to be focused on products based on ancient practices of holistic medicine and custom blended formulations. Basically their approach is centered on creating personalized product lines that deal with the individuals specific skin problems and concerns as companies seem to have finally realized that just because only a few "skin-types" have been established that doesn't mean that all skin should be boxed into such narrow categories. My favorite part of their philosophy and ultimately the reason I placed an order was their stance "everything put onto the skin enters into the body and becomes one with the person". Do we really want cancer-related and cell-destroying substances to become one with our bodies?

The product that wowed me (full review to come!) is the Capillary Strengthening Blend Formula No.CB-459 ($80 for 1 oz), which is a form of serum-oil designed for sensitive skins prone to redness (rosacia). I am so excited about trying more of Tammy's skincare especially since their mission fits most perfectly in the "Clean Pretty is Better Pretty" project!

The Intelligent Nutrients brand may be familiar to long-time Aveda  fans because they were both started by the same person. This brand however is certified organic and makes a seemingly endless number of products in each category - skin, body, hair and even a variety of nutritional supplements. Fun fact about the founder, Horst Rechelbacher - it is said that in 2008 during the launch of Intelligent Nutrients he demonstrated the brands commitment to purity and clean ingredients by actually drinking their new hair spray! I can't think of a better way to make a point about the safety of what you are trying to sell! 

My favorite product from Intelligent Nutrients is the Plant Stem Cell Science Renewal Eye Gel ($48 for .5 oz), which claims to reduce fine lines around the eyes in a mere 20 days of religious use! I don't have a whole lot of lines yet (phew!) but I can definitively vouch for the hydration and plumping factor of the eye gel. The delicate skin not just feels better after I use this but it also looks brighter, hydrated and rested. Its a keeper for sure :-)

I hope you enjoyed this little guide and discovered a new "clean" brand to try. 

Please join me in the upcoming installments for more products that are guaranteed not to make you sick :-)

Do you have a favorite natural or organic 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 :-)

Completing the Collection - Caudalie Divine Scrub

I am not even sure how this scrub happened to me? The only product I was to allow myself was the Caudalie Divine Oil since that was somewhat practical for the summer months but the other two, Divine Legs & Divine Scrub, were to be left behind until I used at least some of the overwhelming bottles littering my homey-beauty place.
Obviously that didn't work out very good because here I am with a smug grin on my face, staring at the entire Caudalie Divine collection, nestled beautifully in the small beauty cabinet next to my vanity table. I will admit that I do feel a little bit guilty and I am sure my conscience will bother me significantly after a few weeks but for now I am giddy with excitement, with a dreamy-glazed look plastered on my face and a brain buzzing with possibilities, daydreaming of a possible "tanned" beach bunny inspired vision. 
I think its safe to say that I have a problem! 

The Caudalie Divine collection is one of the latest summer-inspired body care releases by the wonderful French brand, whose philosophy and formulation relies directly on the patented vinotherapie concept, which utilizes the anti-oxidant properties of grapes to care and protect your skin. The Divine line-up is no exception to this rule so its no surprise that all parts of the collection are chock-full of skin-loving ingredients that beautify and protect at the same time.

Today I want to introduce you to the last piece of the Caudalie Divine set which is the Divine Body Scrub and if you would like to see my reviews of the Divine Legs & Oil first just click here and here

Description;

A softening scrub with brown sugar and four natural plant oils, featuring a signature Divine fragrance. 

Divine Scrub gently exfoliates dead skin cells for luxuriously soft, delicately fragranced skin. It features four natural plant oils—grape, argan, hibiscus, and sesame—and the signature Divine fragrance of grapefruit, rose, pink pepper, vanilla, cedar, and white musk.

Ingredients;

Sucrose*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate*, Glyceryl Distearate*, Polyglyceryl-5 Dioleate*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Parfum (Fragrance), Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract*, Tocopherol* Hibiscus Sabdariffa Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional

As a girly-girl that truly enjoys pampering and everything that comes with it, my experience with body scrubs is quite extensive and I definitively have certain preferences that i stick to. 
For me an ideal body scrub needs to be "scrubby" enough to gently polish the skin without being too abrasive and harsh, but not so light that it melts away before the job is done. Even though I enjoy both sugar and salt based exfoliants, my preferred choice will always be the formula spiked with essential oils that manage to hydrate my skin in the shower without being too greasy and without leaving a slippery residue that feels heavy after rinsing. A body scrub formula that combines naturally sourced ingredients and leaves the "nasties" in the chemistry lab, will always get bonus points from me as well.

The Caudalie Divine Scrub fulfills and even exceeds every single one of those requirements (amazing!). The texture is very dense and as such easy to scoop out of the jar, without worrying too much about spillage and waste. The application and feel on my skin is reminiscent of a micro-derm abrasion treatment that continually transforms into a creamier substance, losing its "grit" gradually and eventually melting away in a milky, silkening emulsion.

The "buffing" ingredient in this scrub is brown sugar which is further enhanced by the addition of four naturally hydrating exotic plant oils - grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan. This combination moisturizes, softens and lusciously nourishes the skin before you even step out of the shower.
The alluring Divine scent only further enhances this pampering routine by the same combination of
zesty grapefruit, fiery pink pepper, and calming vanilla, found in the Caudalie Divine Legs & Oil. 

After all is said and done, I admit that I am actually very happy I broke down and got the final two Divine products. Every single piece of the collection preforms beautifully on its own but when all three combine, the Divine feeling is obviously magnified significantly and its something I recommend everyone try at least once.

Since the Caudalie Divine Scrub is a little bit on the pricy side ($38.00 for 5.3 fl.oz.) and there are so many other body scrubs I want to try at some point, I cant say that this will be my primary exfoliant. However I would definitively repurchase this and use it with the other Divine products, especially when I need some extra TLC and some "bronzy" goodness!

For more information and to purchase the Caudalie Divine Collection just visit their direct website, our trusty Sephora and Amazon.

I hope this was helpful

Have you tried the Caudalie Divine Collection? Do you have a favorite body scrub?

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 :-) 

To Bronze or Not to Bronze - Caudalie Divine Legs

There are a lot of reasons why I have always shied away from any kind of bronzers or tan enhancing products. I don't like orange, I am not capable of pulling off the "dirty" look, tanning product scents are just plain offensive to me  and most importantly those "leathery skin" people freak me out.

Sure, there was a time when I envied some of my friends who were able to achieve that "bronze goddess" look and there was that summer when I seriously flirted with the idea of tanning bed memberships but thankfully the fixation never reached epic proportions and I came to my senses. 

Despite being beauty and makeup conosseur, my bronzer application technique is severely lacking and no matter how much I try or which product i use, more often than not my attempt just ends up making me look dirrty (wash your face kind of dirty!). 

Today I have finally accepted my "fair - alabaster" complexion, I use a lot of high-quality sunscreens and stick to highlighters and good skincare  to achieve that "glow" we are searching off.

For the most part I am perfectly fine with my "paleness" and I am comforted by the fact that I am not exposed to harmful sun rays that I would need to worry about later on in life. 

However every once in a while, during the summer, a "bronzer-type" product will be released and following who-knows, what kind of logic, i end up coming home with yet-another "promising" item that is certainly going to transform my skin completely. 

Most of the new arrivals turn out to be disappointments as expected and end up being tossed into a designated "sunshine" box that I pass on to others quite regularly. 

Not too long ago I finally added the Caudalie Divine Oil to my body care collection and with it I received some very generous travel sized extras of a few of Caudalie's best sellers. 

One of the samples included was the Caudalie Divine Legs mini tube. I had every intention of putting it away for my "sun box" but I fell in love with the Divine fragrance and seeing how the Divine Legs  was scented the same, curiosity got the best of me and I resolved to actually give it a "proper try" before passing judgment and  condemning it completely. 

I expected to be disappointed and had absolutely no expectations regarding its preformance, so the fact that I liked it was unexpected and even more exciting. 

Caudalie's Divine Legs gave me some much needed bronzed hope. 

Description;
This ultralight tinted body lotion gives legs an instant sunkissed glow and adds radiance to already tanned legs, without any of the downsides of a self-tanner. The universal tint blends perfectly with all skintones and dries in an instant, creating a beautiful, bronze finish.

Directions for Use;

- Apply to legs on clean and dry skin.
- Removes easily with water at the end of the day.

Key Ingredients;

Chicory Extract, Carob Extract, Grape Oil, Copper and Gold Pearlizers

Complete Ingredient List;

Water, Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Root Extract*, Caramel*, Glycerin*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Methylpropanediol, Coco-Caprylate*, Isostearyl Isostearate*, Parfum (Fragrance), Arachidyl Alcohol*, Myristyl Alcohol*, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glyceryl Caprylate*, Behenyl Alcohol*, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexyldecanol*, Hexyldecyl Laurate*, Myristyl Glucoside*, Arachidyl Glucoside*, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Tocopheryl Acetate*, Xanthan Gum, Inositol*, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Phenylpropanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate*, Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract*, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Serine, Sorbitol*, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Urea, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin*, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol (133/018). *Plant origin.

Initially when I saw this I wrongly assumed this was a self-tanning product, which worked by either building up your tint or giving intense color that would gradually fade away. I was wrong on both accounts because Caudalie Divine Legs is a lightweight, tinted body lotion that provides color and bronzing effect without using any form of self-tanner.
It is because of that feature that the colour provided is very temporary and not waterproof or even water-resistant in any sense of the word. This is very important to understand because when Caudalie states that this is water washable, they are being very specific for a reason - the tint will come off in the rain, on the beach, pool and even perspiration might remove some of it. If you are aware of that effect and understand the purpose of the Divine Legs in the first place then there shouldn't be any surprises as you'll know not to put yourself in "water - danger" situations when you are rocking the Caudalie tint.

The Caudalie Divine Legs colour is best described as a combination of dark copper and soft golden pearl shades, producing a warm golden toned tint that doesnt come off orange on my skin-tone (that's a first!). The shimmer is very fine and since there are no big glitter-chunks, it translates into a very soft, natural and body flattering yellow-toned golden sheen. If i had to estimate I would say that the resulting "tan-colour" is up to three times darker than my normal pale self. The Divine fragrance is said to contain notes of grapefruit, roses, vanilla, pink pepper, cedar and white musk. Personally I am in love with the scent and I was thrilled to find that the fragrance actually lingers for a very long time after application - on my skin it lasted over six hours, which is phenomenal for a body type product.

The texture is lightweight, runny, moisturizing and very easy to work with. The best part of the Caudalie Divine Leg formula is that the dry-down is instant, which means there in no waiting around for it absorb and no worries about weird stains on your bedding, furniture or favorite clothes. Once blended, all you are left with is the beautiful "bronzy-glowy -sheen", no tackiness, no rub off or transfer and lots of compliments. How perfect is that?

As Caudalie is primarily a skincare formula, its no surprise that the Divine Leg formulation is chock-full of skin-loving ingredients that pamper and comfort your skin while you are playing up your tan. All of Caudalie products contain their signature grape antioxidant oils and this is no exception. The grape oil is ultra-nourishing, hydrating, soothing and protective of your skin s natural moisture barrier.
Its important to mention that Caudalie also does not use parabens, sulfates or phthalates to spoil the fun of this product and that's something we can all appreciate. 

In conclusion I want to say that I am very happy with Caudalie Divine Legs and the fact that its the first "bronzer-like" product that I have been able to use successfully makes this even more special. The effect is very temporary of course, which is perfectly fine with me but since the price tag is so high ($38.00 for 3.4 oz.) I can see this becoming hard to justify on a regular basis.
However this would be perfect for special occasions where you need a little bit of a summery boost, say like an outdoor wedding, outdoor summer party or anytime you need a bit of confidence.

The Caudalie Divine Legs and other products from the Divine collection can be purchased directly from their website, our trusty Sephora and Amazon

Have you tried the Caudalie Divine Legs? What is your favorite bronzer or self-tanning product?

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 :-)