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.

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.