The Organic Beauty Expert

agoodnightkiss Organic Tub Tea review

Thank God I already have the reputation for offering honest, often brutal reviews. I've been chewing on this review for about six months and having used the whole can, my opinion hasn't changed what I thought from the first.

Product:
agoodnightkiss Organic Tub Tea Blend Sachets, $24
Number of times used:: Five (the total number of sachets)
Overall :: Seriously? 24 bucks for this is way too much! Let me start again, the scent of this product is amazing. When I opened the tin I thought I was in for a treat. Then I pulled out this little damp teaspoonful-sized tea bag which was supposed to be sufficient to create, and I quote, "an herbal sensation customarily reserved for a trip to a day spa." I massage people all day. When I want a soak, I need a soak, not  a sampling.

People, come on! I can't believe this company sells this crap! Perhaps I may be coming off a bit harsh, but I've used this stuff since December and let me tell you, I've had more relaxing baths from just adding Epsom salts and those are about three bucks at the drugstore.

I would never recommend anyone pay this extraordinary price for such a mediocre product. Tub teas can be a great experience and this is not one of them. Peruse through the offerings on Etsy and I guarantee you'll find better made products that are worth your hard earned bucks than agoodnightkiss.

They had an opportunity to create a wonderfully soothing product, but decided to skimp on product and jump on the "organic" bandwagon. Not happy, not happy at all!

And throughout reviewing this product, this is the video that kept popping into my head ::

This company should give their clients what they're paying for. But hey, the tin is re-usable.

Sabon NYC Organic Face Serum review

For an oil-based serum, this product is surprisingly light and penetrating and contains more than 70% organic ingredients.

Product:
Organic Face Serum, 1.05 oz, $49
INGREDIENTS :: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Macadamia Oil (Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil), Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract, Marrubium Vulgare, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Leontopodium Alpinum (Edelweiss) Flower Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliferous Extract, Xanthum Gum, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Maris Sal (Dead Sea Salt), Maris Limus (Black Dead Sea Mud), Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Perfume, Glycerine, Aqua, Alcohol, Benxyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Citronellol, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate.
Number of times used :: 10+
Overall :: Sabon NYC launched an organic line of products that are created in accordance with ECOCERT standards. This macadamia nut oil-based serum is very light and is great for use under your foundation or before heading to bed. Although they stress the ECOCERT stuff, taking a glace through the ingredient listing doesn't read totally organic to me; I'd say it leans more toward natural, but nevertheless, the end product is effective and works well on my greasy-prone skin.

My only issue with this particular is the price point. Fifty bucks for one ounce is a little steep and seems a bit out of step with the pricing of the rest of this line, (though the other serums are equally priced.) Sabon would do better to offer more product or bring that price down because the serum is really quite nice.

Origins Organics Totally Pure Deodorant review

During the last year I've had an on again, off again love/hate affair with natural deodorant. I have enjoyed several brands over the last three years and ultimately end up disappointed once I put the deodorant to the real test. Yet, I persevere in the search for a natural deodorant and so far things are coming up roses with Origins.

Product:
Totally Pure Deodorant, 3.4 oz, $15
Number of times used ::  20+
Overall :: Happy, happy , joy, joy! Happy, happy joy! I've used this deodorant during lazy days, days packed with massage sessions that had sweating like a whore in church and recently tested it during my cardio workout and wasn't afraid to raise my arm afterward.

The scent blend is very nice, a bit strong for some, maybe but better to smell fresh essential oils than funk, I always say. Even better, if you forget to spray the next day, worry not. This deodorant keeps working. Very nice.

Of course, you can't run down to your local health food store to purchase, but if you've been looking for natural that works, it's tiem for a trip to the mall!

LUSH Vanilla line review

I am seriously waiting for a LUSH product that I can ding! I mean how is it possible that these people create such fabulous products all the freakin' time! LUSH recently launched their new Vanilla line of products and quite frankly, they make me want to cover myself in whipped cream and lick myself. Seriously!

Products: (all vegan)

Heavanilli Massage Bar, 1.9 oz, $9.95
INGREDIENTS :: Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Fair Trade Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkil), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Perfume, Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Tonka Absolute (Dipteryx odorata), Hydroxcitronellal*, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), D&C Red 30.  *Naturally occurs in essential oils

Vanilla Puff Dusting Powder, 3.5 oz, $10.95

INGREDIENTS :: Cornflour (Zea mays), Magnesium Carbonate, Talc, Perfume, Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Tonka Absolute (Dipteryx odorata), Powdered Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), Vanilla Pod (Vanilla planifolia), *Coumarin, Hydroxcitronellal. *Naturally occurs in essential oils 

Vanillary Solid Perfume, 2.5 oz, $11.95

INGREDIENTS :: Japan Wax, Perfume, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Cacao), Camauba Wax (Copernicia cerifera), Hydroxcitronellal, Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Tonka Absolute (Dipteryx odorata), *Coumarin, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzyl Cinnamate. *Naturally occurs in essential oils

Number of times used :: 10+

Overall :: What more can I say? I usually am not that fond of vanilla as a main scent, but the way LUSH created this line made this girl change her mind. Being a massage bar virgin, the Heavanilli was a wonderful first time. How sensual, how sexy, how absolutely divine! This massage bar is heavily scented and makes me  want lick myself. Yes, that's the only way to explain the way this bar makes me feel. Like a sexy scented girl who wishes her man wasn't 5,000 miles away.

The Dusting Powder is a different story. I'm of the black girl ilk when back in the day we brown misses would throw some Shower to Shower on our chests and underarms and walk out proud in daylight with the white powder glaring for all to see. So believe me, there was some hesitation in figuring out how best to use this powder. It goes on smooth and clear and is deliciously scented. I even use this powder to freshen up my dreads. I dig it. Very much!

Sadly, the perfume gives me hesitation. Once you can get the perfume on your skin, it's lovely. But this perfume is a bit too tightly packed and takes some work to finagle it onto the skin. This would have been the perfect solid perfume if it were just a bit more flexible. The scent is rich, deep and very sensual and last about four hours before re-application is needed.

Sponge Skincare :: Ladi Avokanto review

Avocado oil has been praised for its therapeutic value and is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E as well as other essential fatty acids. Sponge Skincare were first used with the pregnant patients of the founder Dr. Costas Tympanidis. All Sponge Skincare products are based in olive oil and mixed with organically grown herbs.

Product reviewed ::
Ladi Avokanto, 1.7 oz, $100
Number of times used :: 10+
Overall :: This oil is exquisite. It's moisturizing and smells divine and is the perfect oil to use under makeup and before heading to bed. However, $100 for a little under two ounces is absurd; especially considering that you can go to any beauty wholesale site like From Nature with Love or Essential Wholesale and buy avocado oil (sometimes organic) for about $10 bucks. You do the math and follow your budget sense.

Tsi La Organic perfume review

Call me a cynic. Call me jaded. But as a woman who loves scents, creates perfumes, lives by aromas and knows a thing or two about blending, perhaps I am expecting more of natural scents for my money than the average.

Products reviewed ::
Tsi La Organics Mini Eau de Parfum Collection, $95
INGREDIENTS :: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride(coconut) Oil, Natural Fragrance (No synthetic fragrance, preservatives or artificial colors. 100% pure plant essences), Cymbidium Grandiflorum (Orchid) Flower Extract, Limnanthes alba (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, Tocopherol
Number of times used :: 20+
Overall :: This mini collection offers the four scents in 4ml roll bottles. While the packaging is nice, the scents could be so much more. For example, Fleur Savage combines some of the most erotic scents available, Jasmine, Tuberose and Neroli and what I experienced is an utter letdown. These specific oils should tantalize the nose, tickle the brain and allow me just a moment of olfactory orgasm. What I got what equal to an aromatherapy blend, which is a nice scent, but no full body experience, which is what I desire from my perfumes.

If you want exploding scent and professional perfume blends, suggest Aftelier Perfume Miniatures. While they offer less perfume by volume, they more than make up for it longer lasting and unique scents.

David Babaii For WildAid review

by Gina Rafkind
I love getting these hair care packages delivered to me. Not only is it fun just getting the packages, but I’m always curious as I open the box whether what’s inside is going to be a hit or not.  Read on to see what discoveries I made this time…

Products reviewed:
Hydrating Moisturizing Shampoo, 13.5 oz.  $9.95 US
Hydrating Moisturizing Conditioner, 13.5 oz.  $9.95 US
Amplifying Volumizing Shampoo, 13.5 oz. $9.95 US
Amplifying Volumizing Conditioner, 13.5 oz. $9.95 US
Hair Polish, 1.7 oz. $9.95 US
Fibers Molding Paste, 4 oz $9.95 US
Volcanic Ash Sculpting Clay, 4 oz. &9.95 US

Number of times used on myself:  12+

Number of times used on various clients at my salon:  8+

Review: 
David Babaii’s products are free of sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals and animal products. And they are also cruelty free.  Some of their key ingredients are vocanic ash, cupucacu butter, blue algae, wild orchid, kiwi, mango, jojoba seed and Dead Sea salt.

Overall I liked all the products – of course I had a favorite – keep reading you’ll see which one ☺.
The products are scented with fragrance oils which I usually don’t care for, but I have to say the scents of these products are light and clean.  The scent of the Fibers Molding Paste and Volcanic Ash Sculpting Clay were the only two scents that I wasn’t a big fan of, but they grew on me a little.

LashMantra review

by Tracey

I have short, stubby, stick-straight lashes.  A makeup artist told me I should use a heated eyelash curler for my lashes.  So you can imagine how excited I was to receive LashMantra, a 100% natural eyelash growth serum.

Products Reviewed:  LashMantra (.05 oz $48)

Number of Times Used: 40+
Overall:  Tried and true!

Review:
The packaging isn’t fancy, but it is what’s inside that counts.  LashMantra contains 18 cold pressed oils, vitamin E oil and no artificial ingredients.  The website says to apply it at night either with your finger tips or with the enclosed mascara wand.  The first night I started with the eyedropper squeeze on my finger tips and rubbed it at the base of my lashes and along the length of the lashes.  Not bad, but I definitely over-applied and ended up with oily eyes. 

The next night I used the mascara wand and that was even worse. My technique was obviously bad and the wand packaging doesn’t have a mechanism to remove excess oil.  So I went back to the finger tip application and perfected my technique.  I did this for weeks and then one morning while applying my mascara, it hit me.  My lashes really looked longer and thicker.  They really did!  Fantastic!  Longer, but still stick-straight.  If they had started to curl, that would be lash miracle. 

A girl can’t get everything in one bottle.  I’m just happy that LashMantra has given me more to work with!

Simply Organic Body Care review

by Tracey

Simply Organic products will make you smile.  It’s that simple.

Products Reviewed: 

• Everyday Moisturizing Body Lotion (16.5 fl.oz - $36)
• Lemongrass Soap Bar (6 oz - $15)
• Shea Butter Soap Bar  (6 oz - $15)
• Rosemary Soap Bar    (6 oz - $15)
• Oatmeal Lavender Soap Bar (6 oz - $15)
• Lip Balm (0.15 oz - $5)
• Rose Candle (9 oz - $28)

Number of Times Used: 20+
Overall:  Simply put, this product line is just wonderful.

Review:  This product line made me smile…just opening the box of goodies I felt happy.  I started with the lip balm.  I’m a sucker for a good lip balm because my lips are always chapped and dry.  My first impression after applying the lip balm was “yummy”.  It had a great texture and the scent was a delicious orange-vanilla.  My lips felt fabulous, soft and smooth.  I’ve used the lip balm every day.  It’s always in my purse and I reach for it frequently.

The moisturizing body lotion passed my test with flying colors.  If I apply lotion in the morning, I test whether I feel dry and look ashy by my evening workout.  I was still moisturized and feeling soft 12 hours after application. It rubs in easily and makes you feel smooth. The scent of the lotion is also a yummy mandarin orange-vanilla.  Love it. 

I haven’t used bar soap in over a decade for three reason words – slimy, filmy, goopy.  The Simply Organic bars have made me think beyond shower gel.  The bars lather well without leaving a film coating on your body.  The bars don’t get messy, slimy or goopy.  The lemongrass, lavender and rosemary bars are nicely scented, but not overpowering at all.  They have a light, fresh scent that do not compete with your perfume or cologne.  The bars last a long time.  I used the lemongrass bar twice daily for showers for close to 3 months.

The final item in my Simply Organic goody box was the rose candle.  When you open the soft pink box, you have an elegant glass container with a light rose-scented candle. It burns cleanly and lasts a long time.  The secret is the beeswax instead of paraffin. It’s a wonderful eco-friendly way to set a relaxing mood.  A combination of the lotion, soap, lip balm and a candle would be a lovely hostess, bridal shower or bridesmaid gift that anyone would love to receive. 

Scandle Essential Body Massage Candle review

I always try to picture things in my mind before trying them and when I thought about a candle being used as massage oil, I pictured the sting of the hot wax I used in my younger days and maybe with a bit more slickness for massage purposes.

Scandle blew my vision out of the park!

Review ::

Let me start by saying that if you don't have an adult playmate, there's no reason to buy this product. After lighting the candle, you'll find that within minutes you have a clear pool of scented oil that is warm and ready to be poured onto a most willing partner. Lacking a partner, however, I had to be momentarily satisfied with pouring a bit on my legs.

Now the Scandle oil goes on warm, pretty darn warm actually, when just dripped onto the body, but quickly cools down and feels very sensual. Not waxy like I expected and the scent is not overwhelming on the skin. While you can use the candle as a plain candle, I think it would be a waste and mine has been sitting unlit for a while my dresser, awaiting my husband's return in October.

I like that the packaging offers a spout, making it easy to pour. I like that the candle is 10 oz and sells for $21.95, as opposed to say... JimmyJane's 5 oz massage candle that sells for $25. Do the math! I like that you can just scoopt out a bit of the candle and rub it onto your skin.... but I think that takes the fun out of it!

Overall, choose the Essential blends of Scandle for a more natural product, as they are scented with essential oils. It feels great on the skin and ladies, what a cheap date night with your lover :: a Scandle, music and a little wine makes everyone feel fine.