Weleda: Cultivating Beauty


Weleda is the kind of big name that inspires others in the green beauty industry.  They are industry leaders, and rightfully so!  Their mission is simple.  The goal for Weleda is to cultivate beauty.  They do it with Biodynamic farming methods and fair trade partnerships.  They do it by making meaningful products.  They do this by empowering individuals who come across the brand. It is in these means that they encourage individual health and authentic beauty.  I was always curious about this heavyweight in the green beauty world, and I am glad to say that I was given the opportunity (by Weleda themselves) to test out products from their Sensitive Skin line.   There's a bit of a surprise for you at the end of this review! Why not ring in the new year with some fun?

Prism Brush Bar


Cleansing is always touted as the most important step in order to maintain good skin!  Why wouldn't we want to keep that principle with our makeup brushes (that we use daily) as well?  Prism Brush Bar is the natural brush cleanser that I feel like I've been looking for ever since I started collecting brushes (and now my new Beauty Blender).  This came at a perfect time in my life as I was just running out of my old brush cleanser!  Not only does this look aesthetically pleasing, it is also incredibly useful and a current staple in my beauty cabinet.  Right now, Prism is running a promotion for their Kickstarter, found HERE , with different benefits for each donation amount. I would HIGHLY recommend getting the early Bird special as you get THREE of these beautiful bars for $30 + free shipping!  This is such a steal as these bars last quite a while from my experience.  Continue reading for more details!

FLOWEREVOLUTION: Intoxicating florals for everyday life


Katie Hess of Lotus Wei has had a busy year!  She's been busy running Lotus Wei, my go-to shop for flower essences, but she's also been working on the beautiful project that is her new book Flowerevolution !  Inside the book, you'll find beautiful images and page after page of her abundant knowledge of flowers and their benefits!  There's 416 pages so you're sure to have a plethora of her knowledge with you as a day to day reference book.  I loved Katie's beautiful blends since I first tried their Infinite Love perfume!  It is the sweetest, most inviting scent and I am still keen on repurchasing it!  I'd like to talk about a different flower today.  This one is a little more personal and I'm so glad that Katie has chosen me to be part of her "flower circle"!  Today, you'll be hearing about my experience with the White Water Lily flower elixir from Lotus Wei.  Be sure to read until the end to see who is next in the circle!

Honest Haircare ( Volumizing Spray, Heat Defense Spray, Recovery Masque, Condition + Shine Serum)


The Honest Beauty lineup has been expanding drastically in the past few months and I couldn't be more ecstatic about this change. I have had the pleasure of testing out many of their styling products.  The bottom line of my experience is that there were several hits and misses.  I believe that there are very strong items in their lineup as well as a few weak misses that may have had to do with my particular hair type( so I am not saying that my own misses will be everyone's misses).  Hair is such an individualistic part of each person that I find it difficult to just  place a black and white label on what products are effective and which are not.  Read on to discover the new Honest Beauty Hair range with me!

Glow Recipe Haul ( Yuri Pibu Artichoke Power Essence & Blithe Tundra Chaga Pressed Serum )


I've been really into Korean Beauty as of late! I blame Glow Recipe for really instigating my recent obsession with all things K-Beauty since they've really helped me take most of the guess work out of tracking which K-Beauty products were on the cleaner end of the spectrum ingredients-wise.  I've discovered one of my favorite Korean brands, Yuri Pibu, through them( and I'm sure I'll discover more under-the-radar brands in the future thanks to their great lineup).  Today, I'm reviewing two cleaner K-Beauty bestsellers for you so that perhaps you can catch a ride on the obsession train with me! One is my Holy-Grail-serum-of-all-time Yuri Pibu's Artichoke Power Essence and the other is an equally effective innovative product in the name of Blithe's Tundra Chaga Pressed Serum.  Both of these are chronic bestsellers at Glow Recipe and I've got all of the details for you! Read till the end for a special $5 promo code!

Kypris Pot of Shade: Heliotropic


If you've been with me since the beginning, then you'll know that Kypris holds a very special place in my heart as they were the first green beauty brand that I really fell in love with.  I'd go as far as to say that they were the brand who inspired me to pursue more green beauty options in my skincare closet.  I was so ecstatic when my dear friend Melissa of Guide to Wellness won their recent giveaway and decided that I would be her plus one in the gift giving! I decided to choose an old favorite, the Moonlight Catalyst, and a new release, the Heliotropic Pot of Shade SPF 30. Unfortunately, the Moonlight Catalyst was sold out at the moment so they decided to send me the Antioxidant Dew which is also a favorite of mine ( review HERE) so I truly couldn't complain! I'm here to review their new sunscreen here on the Clean Curator, and guys, it feels like I'm taking it way back!  Join me in this throw back to see why I have fallen in love with this product!

Honest Beauty Rose Gold Glimmer Set ( Instant Spark , Lips for Days, Shine for Nights )


The holiday season is upon us and with that comes holiday gift sets (limited edition!) and SALES!  You guys, I love the holidays and you can bet that I'm incredibly excited to review this new Limited Edition release from Honest Beauty!  The Rose Gold Glimmer Set has a Luminizer in Instant Spark and two lip glosses in Lips for Days and Shine for Nights.  I love highlighters and lip products (two of my favorite makeup items), so I knew I had to jump on this palette before it was gone! These products didn't disappoint and I decided to test them out so I could give you guys the full low-down before they sell out!

Honest Beauty Reformulated Truly Lush Mascara & Spotlight + Strobe Kit


To be completely honest (pun intended), I've been thinking about unsubscribing to the Honest Beauty Bundles as of late.  I've been getting so much makeup that I didn't see the need for the Bundle anymore even if it was a great deal.  Then, Honest Beauty decided to completely unravel my resolve and release new products, holiday products, as well as haircare!  I've got the low down on their Haircare Line coming very soon, but for today, I'd like to rave about their newly reformulated Truly Lush Mascara and their Spotlight + Strobe Kit!

Everlane Striped Poplin Shirt Dress ( Black )


I've been ordering from Everlane since they first started their business and it has been such an amazing journey seeing them grow and expand their style.  I'm a huge fan, and with the expansion of this website, I thought it'd  be appropriate to dedicate a review of one of my favorite new dresses from their line! The Striped Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress is a modern take on the Oxford shirt with a much extended shirt line to make it into a shirt dress. I've been reaching for this piece in my closet so often as of late.

Veeda Feminine Care


I have never mentioned this on the blog prior to now, but Eco-conscious living as a whole has been on my mind lately.  I'm not one to be completely stringent on myself in regards to my approach to switching to cleaner brands.  This is because of two reasons: I don't believe in stressing myself out when adding stress is unnecessary and I also believe in using cleaner products that actually work well.  I wouldn't want to compromise either of those principals. In lieu of these thoughts, I've decided to begin a site-wide expansion into focusing on more conscious living.  I will be reviewing Eco products including clothes, household items, and much more.  I'm starting off by sharing with you my two cents on Veeda, an Eco-conscious brand of feminine care products.  

Living Libations True Blue Spirulina Shampoo, Zippity Dew Dab, Laurel Oracle, Green Papaya & Lime AHA Mask


Living Libations has been on my radar for a very long time now!  I was ecstatic to finally visit their Venice Beach location with Melissa from Guide to Wellness a while back.  The space is absolutely stunning and customers are given a very personal, calming consultation session with every visit!  I did a bit of damage (to my wallet) that day, but I've got no regrets with how well these high quality products truly work.  I plan on repurchasing almost all of the items I bought( but probably at a much later date due to the cost)! I tried everything from their haircare to their skincare and I've got all my comprehensive thoughts below!

[Curated Box] Esthoria Box July 2016 (Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask, Regenerating Cleanser, Corpa Flora Beaute Divine)


I oftentimes feel that I'm "over-subscribed" to Green Beauty Boxes what with the two to four that I have coming in on the monthly.  At the same time, I know that these boxes are worth the subscription when I cannot seem to bring myself to cancel them.  Esthoria Box is my newest subscription and it's one that I am coming to full appreciate.  The great thing about Esthoria Box is that they allow you to choose one of the items within their selection and they only send you products bimonthly.  That way, your beauty cabinet isn't over cluttered.  What I liked about this months selection was that they focused skincare instead of the color cosmetics that were featured in last month's box. Tata Harper is another great, luxe brand in the green beauty realm that I've wanted to try further so I was extremely excited about this months picks.  Let's just say that I was thoroughly impressed with both of the items featured in the box (not to mention that there was an extra award-winning deluxe sample included).

[Curated Box] Honest Beauty Bundle Eyeshadow Trio (Heather Mauve), Depuffed Eye Gel, Eyeliner Pencil (Eye Opener)


I find that Honest Beauty's forte lies with its affordable, clean beauty color makeup options.  I do, however, deeply enjoy using the Depuffed Cooling Eye Gel as a staple in my morning Summer AM routine.  Honest Beauty really hits it out of the park with their affordability, convenience (they're now at Ulta!), and range of products with minimal packaging.  This time, I tested out another shadow trio in Heather Mauve (a wonderful color option that is still wearable for everyday), and the Eye Opener pencil that is in a classic nude shade.  These are products that have been constantly raved about and I'm here to offer my two cents!

[Curated Box] Esthoria Box May 2016


There's a new box in town! Esthoria Box hails from our friendly neighbor up North (Canada) and is taking the Green Beauty world by storm with it's luxe selections!  I really love how I am able to choose my own shades for some of the products included.  I also admire how high quality the first featured brand is!  I've always been lusting after the classic, chic products from RMS, however, I found it hard to not be guilty after splurging on these little luxuries.  Esthoria Box has been able to give me and all the subscribers an opportunity to own all the best hits from RMS without having to spend a pretty penny!  Their bimonthly subscription system also helps because I won't be overwhelmed by products each month.  I was pleasantly surprised that they added so many additional products to this month's lineup as well!  Read on to hear what was in this month's box!

Tested: 14e Cosmetics Aloe Nourish Sheer Tint


One of my favorite products to test is tinted moisturizer.  I am a sucker for a flawless base and I used to be the girl who wore full coverage foundation on the daily.  I've come a long way since then (and tried many a good foundation along the way).  If you're an avid reader of Clean Curator, then you know that I used to suffer from a lot more acne than I have currently.  This period in my life started my experimentation with a lot of great base products to achieve that flawless skin that I so coveted.  I've learned since then and have taken care of my skin from the inside out, with the help of some amazing products, to achieve my complexion now.  Although it isn't near flawless, it is still good enough that I can now get away with wearing tinted moisturizer with concealer for spot treatment.  I'm always looking for a light, non-suffocating tinted moisturizer that provides natural coverage.  I believe I may have found my favorite new tinted moisturizer with the release of 14e Cosmetics!  I had the pleasure of meeting with Emma Fortini, the brand's mastermind, and I was blown away with her formulations!

Tested: Onomie Powerful Priming Serum


Onomie has seriously set the bar high with this one! I'm constantly battling with my hyper pigmentation left behind by past acne scars AND fighting the clock to keep my makeup looking less like a greasy ocean and more like that fresh AM glow!  Due to these concerns, it is all too fitting that I would need a primer such as this one to save me from both of the big issues I deal with on the daily!  Onomie has truly delivered on both of these fronts( and much more)! I haven't stopped reaching for this product in my morning routine ever since I started using it.  If actions aren't a testament to the efficacy of a product, then what is?

[Curated Box] Goodbeing May 2016


Goodbeing really switched it up this week and gave me a well-rounded box of natural products! I've got something for the face, eyes, feet, and even mouth! What I enjoyed about this month's selection was that I would have never thought to purchase these items on my own and yet I enjoyed using them for their unique qualities (save for one, but I'll get to that in a second).  I'm glad to say that I was over pleasantly surprised once again.

Tested: 5Yina Divine Seasons Biocellulose Mask


5Yina has been blowing me away with all of their releases as of this year! You might have remembered my three part review of the gorgeous seasonal oils that they offer.  5Yina is expanding their line with some of the MOST luxe biocellulose masks I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.  Trust me, I've used a lot of sheet masks in my time and this one is truly a winner on all fronts.  I really need to start a 5Yina fund to feed my obsession with their brand at this point. The Divine Seasons Biocellulose Mask is 5Yina's latest brainchild combining the newest scientific innovations in skincare and traditional beauty secrets of Chinese Medicine.
I noticed results instantly after using the mask and it has quickly become one of my favorite( if not my favorite) "sheet" masks that I've tried!

Tested: Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask


Blue Tansy has been such a key word in so many recent green beauty discussions. I've been itching to try anything, serum or mask, with this beautiful blue in it. When I saw that Herbivore Botanicals had a mask meant to help with lightening and brightening with Blue Tansy, I had to put it to the test.  I've been using this mask for the past few months by following the instructions listed on the box( use it once a day for the first week and then lesson the use as time passes to about 1-2 times per week).  I've experienced some of the claims, however, I've definitely not experienced all of them. Here is a round up of my thoughts on Herbivore Botanical's Blue Tansy mask. 

[Curated Box] Goodbeing April 2016


This month's Goodbeing box was all about getting ready and fresh-faced for the summer to come! I'm a true Cali girl, so I'm very much excited about the upcoming season!  I was also happy to find that there were plenty of options in my box ranging from body products to skincare to makeup!  Read on for a comprehensive look at this month's Goodbeing!  

Tested: Pistache Skincare- Pistachio Oil Hydrating Moisturizer


Pistachio is my favorite snack of the nut variety so when I heard that Sima of Pistache Skincare had created a cream moisturizer from Pistachio Oil, I just had to try it out to see if my love for pistachios would carry though from the inside to the outside! I thought that this ingredient was so innovative that I was excited at the prospect of how it would perform for my skin. Sima comes from a long line of pistachio farmers and she drew on that knowledge to create a luxe nighttime experience using pistachio oil as the hero ingredient.  Pistachio oil has amazing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties as it is high in Vitamin E. I honestly believe that the start of any good base for makeup is good skin and the most important way to keep healthy skin smooth and supple is by feeding it with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories.  I was excited to put it to the test due to these claims and have since been using it for about a month now.  Read on to see how this performed in my nighttime routine!

Tested: Root Pretty Cassandra Blush, Dolce Eyeshadow, Tan Rose Eyeshadow


Root Pretty has been a brand that I've wanted to try for a long while! I've never gotten to it because of my ever expanding makeup collection being a bit overwhelming! I was so excited when Terrin from Root Pretty contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I was interested in testing out some of their products. Obviously, I jumped on the chance and went ahead with the testing of my two current obsessions, their pressed powder blush in Cassandra and pressed eyeshadow in Dolce. There is a rarity in pressed powder blushes in the green beauty world( much to my chagrin), so I was very excited about these discoveries. I also love how eco-friendly they are by avoiding bulky packaging and just presenting the item in pans to fit into a z-palette or any other palette. I've been reaching for the Cassandra Blush every day and the Dolce eyeshadow for special occasions. Read on to find out why these pressed options are my new favorites! 

Collectively Curated: Honest Beauty Review Part 4- Refreshingly Clean Powder Cleanser, The Younger Eye Cream, True Velvet Eyeliner (Truly Black)


Honest Beauty is quickly becoming a larger part of my everyday makeup routine. I've learned that there are several hit-or-misses in the line and I'm here to break down another few products for you.  On today's lineup is the Honest Beauty eyeliner in Jet Black, Refreshingly Clean Powder Cleanser, and the Even Younger eye cream. I've found that I'm more particular to their makeup offerings than their skincare lineup.  However, I've grown particularly fond of their powder cleanser and eye cream! It was very much a happy surprise this month and I'm more than excited to share it with you!

Tested: Laurel Whole Plant Organics Detox Mask


I've always equated Laurel Whole Plant Organics with setting the standard for the highest level of quality and purity.  Imagine my surprise and glee when I was surprised with Laurel's beautifully formulated Detox Mask as part of my gift (from Christmas of last year)! I've been alternating the use of this mask with my other masks within the past few months and feel that I've got a good enough grasp of the performance to write a review.  This is a mask that will give you that blissful moment at your favorite facial spot right in the comfort of your own bathroom.  It's a true knockout with its arsenal of simple ingredients and high performing results.

[Curated Box] Goodbeing March 2016


This month's Goodbeing box was a hit across all grounds.  I had seen a few pictures of the items in the box a day before mine turned up in the mail and I was quite concerned that there would be a deodorant in the box (I had just purchased one from Meow Meow Tweet).  Thankfully, it seems that the ladies a Goodbeing could read my mind and, instead, surprised me with a solid perfume!  I loved the variety and quality of all of the items in this month's box.  I'm also so excited about the new brands that I've discovered through Goodbeing.  Without further ado, read on for my in depth review of the items included in this month's stunner Goodbeing box!

[Haul] iHerb Haul: Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation (Neutral 2) & Kuumba Made Zen Rain


I'm sure you might have guessed by now that I prefer shopping online. I find the process of going to a physical store, sifting through products just to have a chance of finding what you want, and then waiting for what feels like eternity at the checkout to be incredibly tiring and not very beneficial to me time-wise. I also love shopping for my green beauty online because there is SO much more selection online. Shopping at iHerb has always been an amazing experience for me for several reasons. They have a huge inventory of affordable green beauty among various other household necessities and vitamins/minerals. I am also a huge sucker for free shipping which they offer with a mere minimum of $20. Lastly, they have a great rewards program that is easy to understand and even easier to earn points in. I've included the amazing finds I've purchased from iHerb previously as well as reviews of new items I've picked up from two of my favorite new brands, Mineral Fusion and Kuumba Made. 

I've got a deal for you before we continue! If you are a first time user at iHerb, you can use the code SDC402 for $5 off your first purchase with no purchase minimum!

[Curated Box] Goodbeing February 2016


Another month, another Good Being Box!  I can honestly say that I enjoyed this box much more than the last box that I reviewed here!  A large reason for that is the inclusion of a full-sized Vapour Organics Beauty Elixir! I'm a huge sucker for lip products (as you know) and I especially love a good dark berry/red color!   This month is packed with great offerings such as a Me to We Health Rafiki bracelet, Shea Radiance Body Creams, Smart Ash Teeth Whitener, the aforementioned Vapour Lip Gloss, as well as three samples of Kahina Giving Beauty's beautifully formulated Brightening Serum! Read on for my initial impressions!

Tested: Agasaya Brand Overview


Agasaya is the Warrior of the Sky.  That's a big name for any company as it denotes a certain amount of strength and power.  As you can guess, Agasaya likes to have high standards. Camélia Bounhar, the founder of Agasaya, wanted to bottle natural beauty in its purest state and highly believes in quality over quantity.  The ingredients list for these products are short and sweet.  They are effective and have a no frills feel about them.  The products are purchased directly from the production source and in small, fresh batches.  The beautiful violet glass packaging is sourced from the Netherlands and then everything is lovingly packaged in Montreal! Agasaya supports women's cooperatives in Morocco.  All products are vegan and the organic ingredients are ECOCERT certified! I initially loved the clean aesthetic of the classy packaging, however, I've learned to love the product inside them as well.  

Collectively Curated: Mun Anarose Toner, May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden, ED4OLO Vitamin D Mist


Valentine's Day is a day popularized for the love of others, but I think that what's more important is to have a personal Valentine's Day with self love every single day.  The reason why I love skincare so much is that I find my beauty ritual each night is a representation of self love and the actions I take to take care of myself.  My routine changes a little each night, but I always reach for a trusty spray toner after each wash.  This essential first step is so important to me as I find that, with a good toner, all the best qualities of the products I use afterwards is enhanced.  I used to have the notion that toners were just an optional first step in a routine to re-hydrate your skin. I've found that that is not the case for three amazing toners that can stand all on their own as stellar products. 

Tested: 100% Pure Sugar Plummed (Truffle Lip Caramel, Moonstone Gemmed Lip Gloss, Kiss Nail Polish, Midsummer Nights Dream Nail Polish)


If you've followed my content for a while, you'll know that I love my neutrals.  Neutrals are my comfort zone and I have a hard time letting them go to reach the borders of color.  Given that Valentine's is just around the corner, I thought it'd be a good idea to really push that color fear to the side.  My decision was made when 100% Pure came out with their new liquid lipsticks (Lip Caramels) and Gemmed Lip Glosses.  Although I'm not a fan of brights or too much glitter, I decided to go ahead and test out the Sugar Plummed gift set from 100% Pure since it was such a great deal and it contained the exact colors I wanted in both the Lip Caramel and Gemmed Lip Gloss.  The Lip Caramels were marketed to have a great formula and the Gemmed Lip Glosses contain different gemstones in them (with each being named after one of the gemstones). Let's just say I should step out of my boundaries a bit more often.

Curated Box: Goodbeing January 2016 (Gia Minerals, Curandera Remedies, Balanced Guru)


I'm usually one to be picky about subscription boxes.  They are either packed full of sample sized products that I will never use (or will never use up) or they are consistently sending the same things that I end up hoarding.  You can see why I was initially apprehensive about testing out the Goodbeing box when the company first reached out to me.  However, I had heard a lot about Goodbeing (formerly Goodebox) so I decided to give it a try.  The stand out feature of this box, personally, is how specifically curated it is for each individual's needs. The initial survey to determine the best products to send was thoroughly detailed.  I've found many reasons to love this box and I absolutely can't wait to see what they have in store for February! There's something for all aspects of my beauty and wellness routine in this box.   Read on for all the juicy details of January's Goodbeing Box!

Collectively Curated: Honest Beauty Review Part 3- Honest Cream Foundation (Snow) , Everything Makeup Palette (LE), Sheer Lipstick Crayon ( Chestnut Kiss)


It's been a while since my last post on this beautiful line of makeup and skincare.  Since then, there've been many exciting new releases!  One of them is a Limited Edition Everything Palette that is so aptly named in the way that a full face of color makeup can be easily achieved in using this single palette.  I've also decided to test out their Cream Foundation in Snow as I've found that the Honest Beauty Tinted Moisturizer that I previously raved about is actually a bit darker than my skin tone!  Lastly, Honest Beauty had a Black Friday Deal that allowed subscribers to use a promo code to add a free Chestnut Kiss Lipstick Crayon onto their bundle at no extra cost.  I was a bit skeptical of their lip line, but I'm a believer after testing them out myself!  Grab a cup of tea and let's get started!

Current Curated Collection: 5YINA Seasons PM Routine


I've been talking about 5yina's oils along with my other skin favorites but I've never elaborated on how I merge them into a fluid PM routine.  This is what I'll be getting into in this post.  I've already written reviews on most of these products (and for those I haven't, they are still in the testing process).  Without further ado, this is my PM routine.

Tested: 5YINA Seasons Part 2- Grace (Autumn) Oil, Quiescent (Winter) Oil, Divine (All Seasons) Beauty Balm


You know I'm all about lighter oils, but once in a while, I like to indulge in some thicker oils that truly nourish my skin.  That's exactly what these next two oils in 5yina's lineup specialize in.  Quiescent soothes dry skin and truly plumps up the skin while Grace helped brighten up my complexion.  My go-to balm for dry, chapped lips to cracked fingers is the Divine Balm.  Here's the thing, I can't stand anything too heavy and many oils and balms tend to just sit in a greasy film on top of my skin.  These don't.  All 5 seasons are complete with these oils and balms specifically suited for their respective seasons.

Tested: 5YINA Seasons Part 1- Enlighten (Spring) Oil & Lucent (Summer) Oil


I haven't shared anything too personal on this blog before, however, I find it hard to not be personal about the brand that I'm reviewing today.  Many of you may know that I'm currently pursuing a Masters in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture.  I am interested in herbal medicine but more specifically it's applications to skincare.  It comes as no surprise then that I was completely ecstatic about discovering 5yina when I was browsing Instagram for great new skincare brands. 5yina's ethos resonates deeply with me as a brand that is not only focused on outer beauty but inner harmony as well.  Their name itself represents the importance they place on the 5 seasons in Chinese Medicine as well as their founder's names Yi(harmony) and Na(beauty).  This is a brand that is all about holistic health and skincare.  Right up my alley. I was given the amazing opportunity to try their oils from all four seasons as well as their beauty balm for the fifth season.  My skin has always been so picky with oils but they've changed my skin for the better on so many levels. I'll be taking you through the first 2 seasons today.