Tested: Alima Pure Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant (Sesame)

I'm a huge fan of pressed powders.  They set my otherwise oil-prone face, they're fuss free, and I can wear them alone on my more makeup-free days.  I also enjoyed Alima Pure's previous loose powder offering but had a huge problem with the mess that it created every time I used it.  I was eager to jump on the new pressed powder so that I could avoid the biggest problem I had with their original product.  I absolutely love this powder and am planning on repurchasing it for a long time to come.

Tested: Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer ( Fair, Light ), Nocturne Mascara, Libre Lip Gloss (Pearly Rose Pink, Burgundy Cherry )

 Have you ever been excited about a brand before it'd been released?  I have.  I had heard about Hynt Beauty's launch because it had previously been Christopher Drummond.  You know, the much acclaimed Duo-phase concealers? That was Christopher Drummond's hero product.  Needless to say, I was excited to try their concealer and mascara(since I'm a huge mascara lover).  I placed and initial order with them and received samples of their Libre lip glosses and that is when I fell head over heels for the entire line.  I was completely perplexed as to how I could love a lip gloss so much when I usually despised them!  It was Ashley, the green beauty babe behind Green Bunny Blog and Green Bunny Video that really gave me the push to give their glosses a try.  I'm very grateful I did and can happily say that I'm extremely impressed with the brand.

Tested: Noyah Cosmetics Lipsticks (Hazelnut Cream, Deeply in Mauve) &Lip Gloss ( Malbec , Summertime Peach )

The lipstick kick I've been on recently has driven me to venture out to discover new brands.  I noticed Noyah Cosmetics on Instagram with their interesting bamboo packaging.  The flowers on the packaging reminded me of the sakura flowers from Japan.  Intrigue set in and I decided to see if the formulation and performance of their products were as unique as their packaging.  I was hesitant to judge a book by its cover, but thank goodness I did.  Noyah Cosmetics hits it out of the park with pigmentation, packaging, and performance.

Collectively Curated: Red Apple Lipsticks ( Audrey, Vogue, Maven Mauve, Gypsy Soul, Naughty, Rallye Balm )

Anyone who happens to see my Instagram will know that I'm very particular to lipsticks.  I'm definitely a mascara and lipstick kind of girl, but, there are only so many mascaras you can own at once!  With lipsticks, I'm able to explore a different world of possibilities every day and that is what I love so much about them.  I've tried many a high end lipstick brand back in the day, but I've never come across a formula quite as nourishing as Red Apple Lipstick's formula.  After I bought two lipsticks (Audrey and Gypsy Soul) during their buy-two-for-the-price-of-one sale, I decided to sign up for their blogger program and was generously sent two more.  I've tried various formulations from them due to this, and let me just say, the hype around Red Apple Lipstick is real.

Collectively Curated Honest Beauty Review Part 2: Oily Trial Kit, Everything Primer, Magic Balm, Even Brighter Everyday Moisturizer, Younger Face Deep Hydration Cream

Today, I'm bringing you the long-awaited part 2 to my Honest Beauty Collectively Curated Series! I'll be focusing on skincare and how I've gotten along with many of their products that are targeted towards blemish prone, oily skin.  These reviews are the cumulation of 1-2 months of testing (save for the Magic Balm and the Younger Face Moisturizer) and I truly believe I've gotten a good grasp of how well these products have worked for my skin.  There've been some hits, there've been some misses, and I'll be documenting all of my experiences below!

Tested: Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

I've always loved masking because it has always felt like the most luxurious process of the self-care ritual that I call skincare.  I've recently become reliant on masking ever since I started frequenting downtown Los Angeles with its dirt, grime, and polluted air.  My ultimate dilemma was that, while I had many clay masks that I loved to draw out impurities, I didn't own a moisturizing mask.  I've known about Antipodes for a while as Essie from Essiebutton raved about them a while ago and I also know that Nic from OrgaNic Obsessions loves their face oil.  Due to these fellow bloggers, my trust in the brand grew and I decided to take the leap to order the highly talked about Aura Manuka Mask from the line.  It was quite difficult to track it down at a somewhat reasonable price, but I managed to use a promo code for Naturismo (a European natural beauty store) and I was well on my way to happy skin after a click of a button (thank goodness for the internet).  I've included my thoughts below on this holy grail mask that happens to calm my breakouts like no tomorrow.

Tested: WOODLOT Nourishing Soap Bars ( Original Charcoal, Recharge), Coconut Wax Blend Candles (Cascadia, Flora), & Calming Mist (Rose & Palo Santo)

I've a little secret that I've been keeping from you guys.  I'm addicted to candles and pretty much all kinds of bits and bobs that make a home feel homier.  You guys are more familiar with the side of me that loves clean skincare. If a brand merges both of my addictions in such an aesthetically pleasing way, you can bet I would be eager to give it a test run and report it here for you to read.  When Woodlot, a Canadian brand specializing in home, bath, and body products, contacted me to see if I was interested in testing their products, I eagerly jumped on the opportunity.  Not only did I admire their story (original steeped in family tradition while keeping future generations in mind), I was also very impressed with their clean, unisex aesthetic.  As I waited for the mail, I hoped that the quality and performance of their products would be as luxe as their packaging.  I wasn't just satisfied, I was blown away.

Tested: Beauty Heroes Box September: Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Serum & Facial Lotion

I love a good subscription box but I hate the feeling of waiting for goodies only to be met with fillers.  You can imagine, then, that I was wary of signing up for Beauty Heroes, a new green subscription box.  It first piqued my interest when I saw all of the quality full-sized products my fellow green beauty bloggers were getting in the mail.  I decided to wait a bit so that I could make a conscious decision if this box was worth the commitment.   Then, l'amour et la musique from Youtube became an ambassador for the box and generously offered a coupon code for her viewers which was too good not to jump on.  The point of all of this is to serve as a background to the skepticism that I had up until I opened my first box from them containing two products from Kahina Giving Beauty (a brand I had been itching to test).  I am completely blown away by the selection and quality of Beauty Heroes and you can bet I’ll be a subscriber for a while.  These two products, the eye serum and facial lotion, have also been quick favorites in my beauty collection.  Read on to see how I’ve gotten along with these products!

Tested: Gressa Lumiere Luminous Complexion Fluid ( Amelia)

It is a fact that without blush, I don't quite look human.  I owe a lot to blush to say the least.  I've recently converted to cream blush recently to elevate that glow from within factor and that (along with some very convincing pictures from my favorite bloggers) is what spurred me to test out the Gressa Lumiere liquid blush in Amelia.  You see, I had a phase a few years back when all I would wear was peachy orange blush.  In the summer, it gave me a bright pop of color. In the winter, I didn't care that it defied seasonal color laws of beauty because, hey, orange just worked really well to brighten up my complexion and I was not going to give it up and look like a white walker from Game of Thrones.  I have since gravitated towards more pink hues for my cheeks but one swipe of Amelia has completely re-instilled the faith in orange and I may never go back!

[GIVEAWAY] Tested: pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge & Body Sponge (Original)

I've always been a huge fan of konjac sponges ever since I gave up the Clarisonic ages ago.  The thing is, I've always had an issue with how quickly the sponges deteriorated whenever I used them daily.  The past konjac sponges that I have used have all ripped and shredded after a month or two of use and the constant wringing of the sponge post-use usually ripped the sponge quite quickly.  Enter pureSOL, who reached out to ask if I'd like to test their sponges and I swear my shower game has never been the same.  These sponges truly hold up to daily wear and tear and I'm excited to try their other formulations once these have come to the end of their lifespan!  Read on to see why I'm so obsessed!

Tested: Yoshimomo Black Magic Charcoal Cleanser

Cleansers are always such a tricky purchase for me to make.  On one hand, I like cleansers that leave my skin feeling squeaky clean, but on the other, I find that most of those face washes dry my skin out.    That is why I always try to sample cleansers first before making a committed purchase.  Well, I didn't sample this cleanser at all before buying it (though offering a small sample size would be nice).  I'd developed naive confidence in the brand after reading their plethora of rave reviews and decided to bite the bullet to purchase one of their best selling products.  I also saw that Nic of OrgaNic Obsessions loved the the line which factored quite heavily in my decision to purchase.  I was left astounded and I've got so many reasons to tout this product as one of the best cleansers I've ever used.  

Collectively Curated: Honest Beauty Review Part 1: Everything Tinted Moisturizer Oil-free spf 20 in Creme, Luminizing Powder in Midnight Reflection, Eyeshadow Trio in Sable Brown

Excited is a major understatement for my feelings toward the launch of Honest Beauty by Jessica Alba.  Alba is a major woman crush of mine, but don't worry, I'll be documenting my unbiased opinions on the makeup products that I've ordered thus far.  Let me just say that, even with my woman crush aside, these products deliver on a level that I had never imagined with an easily accessible price point.  I love finely milled powders, I love comfortable tinted moisturizers with more coverage than just complexion evening properties, I love wearable neutral eyeshadows that stay put, and these three products have knocked it out of the park in all of these categories.  I'll be covering shade matching, performance, and pricing in this post so grab your cup of tea and let's talk(it's going to be a long one).

Tested: 100% Pure Herbal Detox Mask

I love a good detox especially because of all of the dirt and grime I'm exposed to when I am downtown.  I was keen to try the new masks released by 100 Percent Pure so I managed to find a store where I could sample both the detox and aqua masks.  As you can see, the detox mask was the clear winner for me and I've found that this has been one of my favorite detox masks to date!  It's effective, it smells great, and, let's be honest, it's absolute fun to walk around the house scaring others with your green faced self!  Read on to see why I reach for this mask as my go-to detox method!

Comparison: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara (Black Tea) VS Maracuja Mascara (Black Tea)

The Lengthening mascara from 100% pure has always been my stand-out favorite ever since I started testing all natural mascaras.  It's no surprise, then, that I was over the moon when they announced their new Maracuja formulation to add to their mascara lineup.  I was able to snag this up during the 100% Pure Friends & Family and have been testing it against it's older sibling! Before we continue, I'll just say that I love both of the formulations but do have a personal preference.  Read on, wide-eyed viewer!

First Impressions: Pacifica Stunning Brows

Eyebrows have been a defining thing for me for these past few years.  My journey began when I first learned how to shape them to my desired shape and naturally continued to trial and error with several brow waxes, powders, and pencils.  I've settled on my preference for brow pencils, but something's always felt missing.  You see, I've always had longer eyebrows and(while I'm fine with that) they tend to stick out more than I'd like!  Enter Pacifica's new Stunning Brows to help with my unruly needs!  This is my first brow gloss and I'm just going to go ahead and say that I've been blown away! Details are below, and as per usual, discounts as well!

First Impressions: Pacifica Super Powder Supernatural Eyeshadow Trio (Stone, Cold, Fox) & Natural Eye Pencil (Fringe)

Recently, I've been on the lookout for a small compact eyeshadow duo or trio to carry on my travels.  The criteria was that it would be lightweight, easy to apply, and not too expensive.  I found those criteria to be met with the Pacifica Super Powder Supernatural Eyeshadow Trio.  This is a fairly new release from Pacifica and I purchased this in the shade Stone, Cold, Fox.  The shades looked promising from the image I had seen online and with one click I was on my way to testing out my first ever clean eyeshadow palette.  The excitement was real.  Along with that, I purchased my first ever natural eyeliner from Pacifica in Fringe with high hopes that it would be my answer to finding a great top AND bottom liner that would not smudge on me.  The results are below as well as a deal to save on your cosmetic purchases!

[CCC] Current Curated Collection: Highlight + Shade

Call me late, but I've only recently started figuring out how to highlight and shade my face.  This isn't to say that I'm particularly good at it, but I've found that highlighting really brings out the face in an emphasized 3-dimensional way and shading really helps to slim down the face(I don't quite use it for a defined contour).  I've collected my favorites in this field to do a comparison and review!  These are quality products that I really believe are a worthwhile investment and I'm also including tips on how to score these products at a lower price below!

Tested: Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Powder

I've had a sudden increase in the number of "face friends" within the past two weeks that I can only logically attribute to a change in my diet(whether it be eating out more often or anther cause).  It seemed like perfect timing to bust out a review on this Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Powder that I've had for a few months.  I originally bought this as a setting powder of sorts but have since reduced the use of this to just spot-treating on the areas with spots.  This powder is good enough for me to attempt to ration for its functionality, ease-of-use, and the great results it has given me.  This is a master-multi-tasker that has been saving my skin for the past two weeks.

Tested: Herbivore Botanicals Coco Body Polish

I just don't have the time to really indulge in a bath ritual these days.  My personal method to combat this is to use a body scrub about once or twice a week to really keep me from having those bath withdrawals.  This Coco Rose body polish is my first time testing out any product from the Herbivore Botanicals brand.  I fell in love immediately upon opening the package when I was greeted by a waft of coconut and rose notes.  The rest was history.  Let's just say that my initial impressions have set high expectations for the rest of the brand. 

Tested: Onomie Bright Concealing Elixir ( Trotula )

I've always struggled with the right sleep-wake balance throughout my life.  I'm attributing this to being in school for almost 3/4th of my life thus far and just not catching enough sleep.  The little present that this lifestyle has left me are the two prominent circles under my eyes that I have to face everyday as I apply my makeup.  I've been looking for another heavier coverage option for an under eye concealer since I had run out of my old under eye concealer.  I'm so glad that I discovered Onomie and am even more impressed that they were able to offer such an amazing deal to sample their products before buying($3 sample with the $3 going back to purchase of first item).  This is a company that really stands behind the effectiveness of their product and isn't afraid to back it up.  The entire ethos of the company is deep rooted in the successful merge of skincare and makeup through plant-based and lab-based technology to create safe products without compromising efficacy.   How curious is it that I am turning to a company that is so well-studied to help with the exact problem that I've encountered through so much studying? Read on for a detailed breakdown of my thoughts and raves!

Initial Impressions: 100% Pure Mattifying Primer w/ Vitamins &Antioxidants

I've been in an almost exclusive relationship with 100% Pure lately!  I'm attributing it to their recent friends & family sale(which I gladly participated in) and their heavy hitter releases.  Before I start, I really feel the need to post out that I've never been a primer kind of girl.  I tried Benefit's Porefessional years ago and have shuddered in fear of all primers ever since the great Breakout Wars of 2013.  I've related primers to a feeling of suffocation on the skin ever since that time.  I did, however, decide to take a chance and test out the new mattifying primer from 100% Pure ever since I read rave reviews on it from happy customers who posted their hauls on Instagram.  I'm truly, truly glad I did because it has upped my makeup game immensely especially in the heat of the summer.

Initial Impression: 100 Percent Pure Caffeine Mask

There are a few things I always look for in a mask such as ability to even the complexion, hydration level, and soothing properties.  I was immediately drawn to the Caffeine Mask that 100% Pure recently released due to its clean ingredients and claims that it would solve all of my masking needs!  The last straw that broke my will and instigated my purchase was the fact that this mask was a hydrogel mask unlike its fellow cloth-like brethren.  I cannot explain how much I've been wanting to try a hydrogel mask but I can now whole-heartedly say that I am definitely on the hydrogel bandwagon!  I've already ordered the 5-pack from the 100% Pure Friends and Family sale and I've decided to sing all of my praises below!

Brand Focus: Wonderland Organics

The California weather has been uncharacteristically humid these past few weeks causing my skin to freak out a little with the combination of dampness and heat.  I've struggled with finding a great body lotion that I could use while my skin was dealing with all of the uncomfortable damp heat.  I'm so glad, then, that I ordered a sample kit from Alice of Wonderland Organics a few months back and decided to apply it on my body because it definitely helped cool me down without the heaviness that accompanies most lotions.  Many products worked well for me, not just the lotion, and I am so thankful to say that this line is as effective as it is whimsical.  The scent, packaging, and efficacy of these products really do back up the Wonderland name and will take your skin where you couldn't imagine it could be before!

[CCC] Current Curated Collection: About Hair

While I may seem high maintenance with my skincare routine, I am the absolute worst at keeping up a good hair regimen or spending more than a minute or two on my hair in the mornings.  Given that I've recently gotten a new chop (check it out on INSTA), I decided to really up the ante and start a good relationship between me and my hair.  Easier said than done, but here's to trying!  I've compiled a current curated collection of my haircare musts into one post for your concise reading pleasure and I hope this will be a great starting point for not only me but for you to begin caring for that beautiful mane of yours.

Tested: Bare Republic Natural Mineral Sport Sunscreen spf 50

Hello summer!  I'm so excited to introduce Clean Curator's new look!  I've also decided to give my two cents on the Bare Republic Sport Mineral Sunscreen spf 50 in light of brighter days and more time spent outside with mother nature!  I was browsing my local Target a few weeks ago and happened upon the Bare Republics stand.  I was immediately intrigued because I had seen the products on Instagram and wanted to try them out for myself.  I just began my two weeks of vacation time so I believed that this would be the perfect time to put this sunscreen to the test!  I've been walking around downtown Los Angeles and the suburbs all day under the scorching California sun this past week and have had great results with this sunscreen.  Read on for a more in depth review!

Tested: Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Cream Blush ( Lovesick )

I've been eyeing Rituel de Fille and their beautiful lineup ever since I saw them on Jenny's site a while ago.  I've since had the opportunity to test out the item that I coveted the most, the Inner Glow Cream Blush in Lovesick.  This is the first ever cream blush that I've owned in a color that suits me( I received a cream blush from Petit Vour prior to this purchase that I never wore since it came off as purple on my cheeks).  I've been very pleased with the Lovesick color as well as the performance of this product!  I've definitely been reaching for this blush more than my others as of late for the quality of the product, not just because of the gorgeous whimsical packaging!

Collectively Curated: Elizabeth Dehn (Beauty Bets) for One Love Organics - Vitamin C Serum, Vitamin E Eye Balm, Vitamin D Moisture Mist, Vitamin B Cleansing Oil

I've always been one to use samples first before splurging on skincare.  My skin is especially sensitive to oils and balms, even so, I'm always on the hunt for a holy grail oil cleanser or balm that I can use without irritation.  You can imagine my excitement when I found out that One Love Organics had a sampling option for both their original line as well as their popular ED4OLO Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics line at Integrity Botanicals!  I immediately ordered the samples with high hopes especially since I've seen such rave reviews about the amazing pineapple scent of the products and the effectiveness of each and every product in the line!  I can say that, yes, these products smell delicious and, yes, they work incredibly well!  I do, however, have my own personal favorites and least favorites that I'll be discussing below.  

Tested: Kimberley Sayer of London Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer spf 30

I've mentioned this sunscreen/moisturizer hybrid in my previous posts on the blog and instagram several times already but never have I sat down and written a review for you describing why I swear by this product! This ultra light(as the name suggests) moisturizer is the perfect grab-and-go product for all year round!  This is going to be your best friend throughout the summer if you prefer a very light finish, citrus scent, and spf 30 protection under the sun!  There is good reason behind the importance of sun screen as it is a largely important preventative measure against aging, hyper pigmentation, and diseases of the skin.  You're going to need a great, multi-purpose sunscreen if you're going to use it every singe day.  This is the one for me and I hope you'll want to seek this out for yourself after reading the post!

Tested: Earthwise Beauty ( Green Leaves & Co. , Frightening Green Mask, Carrot-a-Day Serum)

I’ve always been apprehensive about the theory of putting oil on oily skin in order to eliminate over-active sebum production.  I’ve especially been skeptical since my skin usually did not react well to any kind of oil before discovering Kypris’s Beauty Elixir III.  I believe the beginning of my measures of caution started when I dabbled in the spot-treatment fad using Tea Tree Oil that became popular a few years back.  Tea Tree actually ended up causing a lot more breakouts on top of the set that I already had!  So far, the Pai Copaiba and Zinc Serum has been working well as a spot treatment but I am extremely happy to announce that I’ve found a better spot treatment and it just happens to have an oil consistency!  I’ve really been having luck with oils as of late and I’m so excited to share Earthwise Beauty’s Green Leaves & Co. with you!  This is a beautifully formulated oil that helps heal active blemishes, prevent new ones from forming, and help in the recovery process of fresh scars and post-blemish issues!  I’ve been reaching for this in my most recent hormonal breakout and I’ve got great reason to do so.

[CCC]Current Curated Collection: The Scented Oils Collection

I don't like to admit it but I've always been drawn to pretty typical scents.  My old stand-by perfumes were the popular choice among my peers such as Miss Dior Cherie, See by Chloe, and Lancome's Midnight Rose.  I've since transitioned into perfume oils whether they are for wearing in the daytime or purely for relaxation at nighttime.  These scents that I've collected thus far are my favorites for entirely different reasons than before.  Not only do they smell amazing, they all have a unique capability of evoking a place or feeling.  I love them all for different purposes and the distinctive scents that they all carry give them so much character that my old scents lacked.  Since we are currently at the cusp of summer, I thought it'd be fun to share with you these fresh, adventurous scents!

Tested: Kypris Beauty Elixir II & III (Healing Bouquet & Prismatic Array)

I love Kypris.  This is no secret to anyone who as ever peeked at my Instagram @cleancurator or read any of my previous blog posts.  In addition to loving Kypris, I have combination, acne-prone skin that just does not agree with most oils.  You can see, then, that I had quite a bit of a dilemma when looking to own one of Kypris' much-talked-about Beauty Elixirs.  I decided to bite the bullet and order two samples of the Elixirs as I was recently placing an order at Integrity Botanicals for a plethora of new samples to test.  I love that more online boutiques for clean beauty are now embracing samples and selling them so that we are not limited to just choosing 2 or 3 per order.  I took advantage of that and decided to give the Kypris Elixirs a test run on my skin to see if, by chance of a miracle, I would not break out or be left extremely uncomfortable.  There was a miracle and now I know I will never be without them!

Tested: Honeyce Moisture Repair Shampoo & Treatment

I don't talk about my hair often.  My hair is the kind of fine-but-with-frizz, stick-straight, volume-less hair that puts people at their wits end.  Granted, I am very basic with my haircare routine and dislike fussing too much with my hair so perhaps I shouldn't expect glamour waves from such a simple routine.  I also have a regimen of washing my hair every other day and it has been a struggle finding a good non-toxic(or even mostly non-toxic) option that will help keep even my second-day-hair bouncy and full-looking without giving the appearance of an oily mess.  I heard about the Honeyce brand from a blogger I follow at sushi-cat!  Jenny posts updates on Japanese products that she's purchased and always manages to find great products that I've never heard of before.  I'm a huge sucker for great packaging and I also adore Japanese products so I did more google-ing on the product and found that it was free of sodium laureate sulfate, parabens, synthetic dyes, PG, synthetic antioxidant, talc, and doesn't test on animals.  It is also formulated with 8 kinds of honey from around the world and 8 kinds of oil and milk.  I've tested this duo out for the past few months and have really gotten a good sense of how I feel about the product!

Tested: Leahlani Skincare Mermaid Mask

Today, I'm writing about my favorite mask at the moment.  It's Wednesday and I'm just going to go out on a limb and assume you, like me, need a skin pick-me-up on hump day.  I am bringing you the ultimate skin-soothing mask.  Leahlani's Mermaid Mask is loaded with ingredients that are powerfully good for your skin such as Hawaiian raw honey, Hawaiian Spirulina, and Chlorella.  I find that it soothes, evens, softens, and calms my skin after application.  A name such as the Mermaid Mask may make this mask seem like a fantasy that is too good to be true, but trust me, the fantasy is real.  Read on for my detailed thoughts and opinions!

Collectively Curated: Current Makeup Tools(Ecotools, IZAK for Sephora, Urban Decay, Real Techniques)

  So, I've been giving so much love to all the great makeup hits I've come across but I couldn't have gotten all made up everyday without the silent heroes in the background that are my makeup tools!  I started actually investing in brushes and other tools of the trade about 3 years ago and, like other things in life, have tried to keep it minimalistic.  I've only recently ventured out to buy an Ecotools set with more eyeshadow brush variation than the one brush I had owned for said 3 years.  Still, I've managed to curate my tried-and-true favorites for you all here and I hope this recap will help any of the brush newbies struggling with buying choices or give a makeup brush aficionado that extra push to pick up a new brush (I am a professional enabler).  I'm all about that base makeup so I do own more face brushes than any other variation and I will say that I've tried using makeup sponges but have just found them difficult to work with and a hassle to wash so those will not be included in this roundup.  Let's get started!

Favorites: Spring Break Edit

Spring is one of my favorite seasons and traveling is another favorite of mine.  You can imagine how excited I am for this post as I am typing this right in the middle of my vacation! Spring break is one of the shorter vacations of the year.  Due to this nature, I like to pack all of my favorites and essentials with a very minimalistic and versatile mindset.  I usually focus on one of every essential, so in that vein, I'll pack one multi-use blush, one dress-up-or-down shirt, one day-to-night coat, and so on.  I've gathered some body, skin, makeup, and clothing favorites that I have taken with me to the East Coast for a week!  I know the trend is to escape to warmer climates, but since I'm coming from average-of-90s California, this is more of a reverse weather situation!  The favorites that are mentioned are still completely non-weather specific save for the coat so read on for my specially curated favorites for the spring mini-vacay!

Tested: Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation 01

I've been loving the clean foundation options that are out on the market right now.  When I heard that Gressa had released a Corrective Serum foundation packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients and a satin finish, I almost couldn't believe it could be true!  Here's the thing, I've heard a bunch about the craze for new serum foundation combinations released by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Lancome.  Their formulas were very moisturizing and not in favor of oily-skinned girls.  This liquid to satin/powder formulation would be a game changer for me(and hopefully for all the other girls having trouble with these types of foundations)! I've been testing out this beauty for a few months and I'm loving it overall, but I do have a few qualms.

Tested: Beautycounter Touchup Skin Concealer Pen in Fair, Light

I must confess, I have terribly dark under-eye circles and they're mostly my fault.  When I was younger, I used to stay up late to study, surf the web, or watch television.  Add that to the fact that I was already on a bad sleeping schedule of staying up until 3 in the morning and we've really got ourselves a recipe for disaster.  While I can't reverse the effects of my bad habits from the past, I can better the features I've got and conceal those pesky circles with under eye concealers.  Today, I'm going to be talking about Beautycounter's popular Touchup Skin Concealer Pen.  This has really worked wonders for me over the past few months and I really hope it'll do the same for you!

Favorites: 2/2015

How is it March already?  I recently saw an Instagram post with a quote that said it felt like Christmas had just passed and that is exactly how I feel at the moment.  I've been able to try a plethora of new products since the year has started and I grabbed a few that I've consistently reached for during the month.  These are all items that I've tested for 1-2 months, and although that isn't an incredibly long time, I've gotten a good grasp on their performance and can highly recommend them to you all.  Relax and grab a cup of tea, this is going to be a lengthy one! Read on ahead if you're curious as to what I've been loving!

Tested: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation in Creme , White Peach

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation L: Crème  R: White Peach

When I started the switch to more non-toxic products, I was wary of the prominence of loose powder formulations in the market.  You see, I don’t have very good history with loose powders and I almost always return these products if I do have a moment of spontaneity and decide to purchase them.  This preference for pressed powder is why I was so ecstatic when I found the 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Powder Foundation.  Let’s just say that this product has far exceeded my expectations since the day I picked it up during my very first trip to 100% Pure.

New&Tested: Kypris Moonlight Catalyst, Antioxidant Dew, Clearing Serum

I'm not going to lie, my obsession with Kypris started when I spotted the serums in their beautifully packaged, lapis colored glass bottles on Instagram(did I mention I am addicted to Instagram as well?).  I'm usually the kind of girl who waits until a store has a sale, any sale, in order to purchase the items I want.  It's a mechanism I use to feel less guilty about splurging on skincare even though the guilt trickles in eventually anyway.  I did not wait for a sale this time and went ahead and bought the Moonlight Catalyst.  Asides from the gorgeous packaging and amazing name, I can wholeheartedly say that this product does live up to the hype in formulation and results.  I also received the Antioxidant Dew and Clearing Serum as samples in a velvet blue pouch within the box that the products came in(which was finished off with a huge satin blue bow, might I add).  Packaging does get me initially, but the product performance is what makes me stay as a customer.  And stay I will.

Tested: Beautycounter Tint Skin (Linen)

Ah, Beautycounter.  Although I loathe your prices at times, I must admit that you make quality products.  I guess I can't stay that mad considering I get a whopping 40 ml in my favorite item from you, the Skin Tint.  Is it a tinted moisturizer? Does it have enough coverage? Does it last? Let's find out.

It took me a while to get around to liking Skin Tint and now, I find that I reach for it more often than the other foundations I own.  When I first used it, I felt like the coverage was not enough and it felt like it was slipping around on my skin.  Now, before I started buying cleaner products, I was used to using liquid to powder high end foundations with full coverage although It would probably have been wiser to just spot conceal.  After coming to terms with my skin and accepting that I really did not need full coverage foundation for everyday purposes, I splurged on this cleaner option and have never gone back.  While it did take me time to get used to this consistency, I find that it is perfect for everyday especially when I set it with my 100% Pure powder foundation in Creme.

I have the shade Linen and it is a perfect match for my skin tone. For reference, I am a Beige 20 in Chanel Perfection Lumiere and Shell in Hourglass Immaculate Foundation( I said high coverage didn't I?).  The coverage can be sheer but is definitely buildable.  I strongly suggest the more oily skinned girls out there to use it with a setting powder as it starts off with a dewy look but that never ends well with us, does it?  I've been using it for half a year now and have not had any skin issues with relation to this product.  On my bad skin days, I'll spot conceal then apply more of the Tint Skin than usual.  On my better days, I spot conceal and just apply a thin layer of it to even out my skin tone and out the door I go.  Here are some swatches below:

Love, Pai

As promised, I've come back with a Pai review and I suggest ready-ing your mugs because this is going to be a long one.  I first discovered Pai right before they had their massive Black Friday deal(which, I will forever be grateful for).  Their formulas are some of the cleanest I've ever come across, which makes sense considering their mission is to liberate the struggles of all the people who suffer from sensitive skin issues.  While I don't consider my skin to be particularly sensitive, it IS combination-oily and finding a product that can keep it balanced has been an issue because I would either be left with the dreaded slick face or my dry patches would show by the end of the day.  It is for this reason that I ordered their Balance kit from their Black Friday deal( and as you can tell, I liked it so much I went back for other goodies).  Let's begin.

A week in favorites

Hello, my name is Vanessa and I'm a hoarder, namely a beauty hoarder.  I've been slowly switching from mainstream cosmetics and skincare to natural options for about half a year now but while I may be new to the green side, I've been obsessed with beauty products for far longer.  I'm the type of girl who obsessively searches for reviews of products before deciding to buy any and a certain trend I've noticed is the lack of opinions on some great greener products.  It is for that main purpose that I've decided to start The Clean Curator.  I hope that CC will be a great source of information for people who are interested in hard-to-find reviews on great, safer products.  I'll be posting more detailed reviews on my favorite brands and items in later posts but I decided to start things off with a classic overview of my favorites for the week!