natural – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: natural

LUSH Aromaco Deodorant Review | #PlasticFreeJuly

Posted on July 7, 2019July 6, 2019 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I’m excited to bring you another review of a plastic free beauty product as part of #PlasticFreeJuly. If you would like to learn a bit more about this month-long project, please read THIS blog post. One of my favorite zero waste products is the Aromaco naked deodorant from LUSH. I tried this after having a horrible experience with another natural deodorant, and this is now a staple in my body care routine. Let me tell you a bit more about why I love Aromaco!

I first purchased this deodorant because it is an affordable vegan option that comes without a plastic tube. I was quite hesitant to try it, because Aromaco does contain baking soda, and I had a very bad reaction after using another deodorant with baking soda in the past. Luckily, I think it is far enough down on the ingredients list, because I have not had any irritation at all with this deodorant. In fact, I am very impressed with the formula! It goes onto the skin easily without being sticky, and it doesn’t leave a white-cast on your body or on your clothing. The scent is a bit herbal, but it’s not strong, which I prefer. My only criticism of this product, is that I wish it were a bit stronger. Aromaco is an effective deodorant, but at the end of a hot, sweaty day, my armpits don’t smell as peachy as I would like. Nonetheless, re-applying the product helps take care of any stink, and I find I have to stick my own nose into my armpit to truly smell anything.

Overall, I love the LUSH Aromaco deodorant! One block of it is about $6.95, and it lasts for several months. I’ve already repurchased a second block, and I think this is going to be my go-to deodorant for quite some time! I store mine in a repurposed body scrub jar, and I recommend using any upcycled air-tight container. Can you imagine how much plastic we would prevent from ending up an a landfill just by switching to plastic free deodorant?! I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Have you tried any packaging free deodorants? Share your experience in the comments!

Does Natural Deodorant Work?! | Tom’s of Maine Natural Long Lasting Deodorant Review

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share my thoughts on the Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant with all of you. I’ve wanted to switch to a natural deodorant for some time now, and even tried doing so a couple times in the past few years without any success. However, now that I’m vegan, I’ve noticed that the majority of vegan deodorants happen to be natural as well. I figured I would finally commit to going natural, as there are some concerns that the chemicals used traditional deodorants and antiperspirants can lead to cancer (more information on that HERE). I decided to give Tom’s of Maine a try, since this is a brand readily available at drugstores. Does this natural deodorant work? I’ll let you know what I experienced!

Tom’s of Maine has a variety of deodorants from which to choose, and I went with the Long Lasting Deodorant in Unscented. This deodorant claims to have 24-hour odor protection, and I love that it is cruelty free and doesn’t contain any animal ingredients. This product also does not contain artificial colors, flavors, fragrance, or preservatives. There is no aluminum in this deodorant either, which is the controversial ingredient in the majority of deodorants on the market today.

I’ve used this deodorant for about two months now, and overall I’m really enjoying it. This is not an antiperspirant, so it does not prevent you from sweating. However, I haven’t had any issues with sweating more than I did with chemical deodorants, nor have I noticed any sweat stains on my clothing. That definitely makes me wonder how well the chemical antiperspirants worked in the first place!

Of course, the more important factor when it comes to natural deodorants is how well it prevents odor. I will tell you right away that this does not live up to the 24-hour protection claim. I would say the deodorant provides about 10-12 hours of odor protection, as I apply the deodorant in the morning, and when I sniff my armpits at night I can tell the deodorant has worn off. That being said, this deodorant is amazing at neutralizing odor. If my armpits are smelly, I can reapply the deodorant and the smell immediately disappears. Thus, even though the deodorant is not as long-lasting as it claims to be, I love that I can reapply it throughout the day for odor protection.

All in all, I am very happy with the Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant. I do wish it would last the full 24-hour period, but I have no problem applying it twice per day if needed. I have repurchased this deodorant, but I do plan to try out other natural deodorants to see how they compare. I love the Tom’s of Maine brand, as it is widely available and on the affordable side. This deodorant retails for about $4.79, but is often on sale. I even got $1.00 cash back using the app Ibotta recently. You can purchase it online HERE from Target, or at your local drugstore or department store.

Do you have a favorite natural deodorant? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes an affiliate link and referral link to Ibotta. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum Review

Posted on August 17, 2016August 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I want to share my review of the Intensive Skin Repair Serum from the brand Yes to Blueberries. I’ve tried a handful of products from the Yes to brand in the past, and I’ve always really loved the results. After testing some of the new Yes to Coconut products earlier this year (see that blog post HERE), I decided to purchase some other skincare products I needed during a sale event at Target. I’ve now used the Intensive Skin Repair Serum for a couple months, and thought I would share my interesting experience with you.

The Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum is formulated to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The serum includes 99% natural ingredients, such as organic cotton thistle, blueberries, and black current, to nourish and soften the skin. While I am in my mid-twenties, I purchased this serum because my skin can be quite dull and I do get fine lines due to dryness in certain ares of my combination skin. I also really like that I found an anti-aging product that doesn’t contain a lot of harsh chemicals.

While the Intensive Repair Serum can be used both day and night, I typically use it in the mornings only. I love that there is a pump top on this product, and I find that I only need about half a pump to get enough product to cover my entire face and neck area. The first thing I noticed about the serum is that it is a bit on the thick side. Less is definitely more with this serum, and I recommend giving it a few minutes to dry on your face before applying a moisturizer.

The first time I used this serum I ended up having a bad reaction. My skin broke out, and was extremely oily. I decided to discontinue use, and waited until my skin cleared up before testing it out again. I’m not sure what went wrong, but the next time I introduced the product into my skincare routine I didn’t have any issues whatsoever. I now use this serum about 3-4 days per week, and I love how hydrating it feels. I often don’t apply a moisturizer after this serum because my skin feels so smooth with just this product. I can’t say that any wrinkles or fine lines have been reduced by this product, but I can tell that my skin is glowing more and feels plumper. Thus, if you have dry or dull skin I think this is a good serum for you.

All in all, I am enjoying the Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum. It is not the best serum I’ve ever used, but it a nice option from the drugstore. The full size 1oz bottle retails for just $13.59 at Target HERE, but keep an eye out for extra discounts via the Cartwheel app. I notice that Yes to shows up on Cartwheel quite frequently! I really like that Yes to provides not only affordable skincare, but skincare that is more natural as well. I know I will continue to try out more Yes to products in the future, so please share your favorites from this brand with me in the comments!

This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream Review

Posted on July 22, 2016July 14, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review for you a CC cream that I picked up at the drugstore a couple months back. In the summer months, I love to wear a BB or CC cream instead of my usual liquid foundation. Not only is it lighter on the skin, but CC cream contains moisturizing properties and sunscreen that can take the place of other products in my skincare routine. I decided to grab the new Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream during a sale at CVS, and I’m so glad I did! This is a great option from the drugstore, and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

First, let me share a bit more about the product and its claims. The Organic wear CC Cream is of 100% natural origin and is 70% organic. I am definitely becoming more aware of the ingredients in my makeup, so it is always nice to know that I’m not putting harsh chemicals on my face when I use this product. As with any CC cream, this one has a few claims including color correction, instant hydration, and “naturally perfect skin.” This CC Cream also includes SPF 20, which is great.

The CC Cream comes in a silver metallic squeeze tube. I purchased the shade Light, and am very disappointed that in only comes in one other shade – Light/Medium. I really don’t know why Physicians Formula didn’t include, at the very least, a Medium/Dark and Dark shades. While CC cream does adjust to your skin tone a bit, it would be nice if more shades were made available so that all consumers may use this product.

Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream Review

The CC Cream itself is quite thick in consistency, almost like a mousse texture. I like to wear it over a mattifying face primer, as I tend to get oily skin. If you have dry skin, you can probably go without a primer. I use a BeautyBlender to apply the CC Cream, and find that it does a great job at getting an even application. I am very impressed with the coverage in this CC Cream. As you can see in the photos above, it cancels out redness and blurs any imperfections. CC Creams are not designed to be full coverage, and I would describe this one as medium coverage. That being said, it is buildable! I go over some areas with a bit more product to get the coverage I want.

Moreover, the reason I really enjoy the Organic wear CC Cream is because it wears well throughout the day, even in hot summer weather. My oil is controlled, with the help of my primer and a setting powder. While you can tell I am wearing makeup, my face does not look cakey at all. In fact, the CC Cream dries to a nice satin finish that is not tacky to the touch. This is by far one of the best, and most affordable, CC creams I’ve tried!

All in all, I highly recommend the Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream. You can find it at your local drugstore for $14.95, or online HERE. Keep an eye out for sale events to score this product at a discount! Please let me know if you’ve tried this product from Physicians Formula, or if you recommend any products from this brand. I know I tend to look over Physicians Formula at the drugstore, as it can be more on the expensive side. I’ll be paying more attention from now on!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

OZ Naturals Ultra Ageless Eye Créme Review

Posted on September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to review another product from the skincare brand OZ Naturals. I’ve received products to test out from the brand in the past (see my review HERE), and I’ve always enjoyed them. I appreciate that OZ Naturals focuses on using safe and natural ingredients, and that the brand is cruelty free and made in the USA. Plus, the price tag is pretty fabulous and affordable for natural skincare. Without further ado, let me share my thoughts on the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme!

OZ Naturals Ultra Ageless Eye Créme Review

The Ultra Ageless Eye Créme is made of 99% natural ingredients, including coffee seed extract, algae extract, and vitamin E. It is designed to protect and hydrate the skin while preventing wrinkles at the same time. The coffee seed extract in particular helps to reduce puffiness. Plus, because this does not contain harsh chemicals, the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme can be used both day and night, unlike retinols which should only be used at night.

I really love how this eye créme can be used not only under the eyes, but on the entire face as well, including under makeup. It is light, but still provides a lot of moisture. I really like using it as an all-over-face moisturizer. Because eye créme is gentle for the sensitive area under your eyes, it is perfect for those of us who have sensitive skin in general. In terms of scent, there is a very slight ‘lotion’ smell, but I would describe it as an unscented product. I’ve been using this product for about two weeks now, and while I haven’t noticed any huge differences in my skin, I overall enjoy the product and feel moisturized when I use it. I will definitely keep this in my skincare routine!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the opportunity to review another great product from OZ Naturals! If you would like to transition into using natural skincare products, I think OZ Naturals is a great brand to try. I definitely recommend the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme as a starting point, since it can be used as simply an eye créme, or a daily face moisturizer. You can purchase the Ultra Ageless Eye Créme on Amazon HERE for just $19.49!

Do you use natural skincare? Tell me why or why not in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Indie Spotlight | Play Love Laugh Natural Peel Off Nail Polish Review & Giveaway

Posted on February 7, 2015February 7, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! It has been quite some time since I’ve reviewed an indie nail polish brand here on Adventures in Polishland. I’m so happy to be highlighting a company today that is quite unique. Play Love Laugh is natural nail polish made with a fruit and vegetable base. The polishes are designed to be odorless, and they feature a peel-off formula that dries extremely quickly. Play Love Laugh is the perfect nail polish for kids, but of course adults can use it, too! Let me go ahead and share the two shades I tested out, and stay tuned for a giveaway!

First up is Royal Princess, a pink-purple shade with a purple shimmer. I applied two coats without a base or top coat, and I really like the result. The formula is great, and opaque in two coats. It definitely has a satin finish, and I think it looks super pretty. I was so impressed that Royal Princess truly is odorless. It’s such a fun polish!

Next up is Purple Fairy Twinkle, a purple glitter polish. I was a bit disappointed with this one, because I thought it was going to be a lilac base with purple glitter in it. However, as you can see from the photos, the base is nearly clear. I applied three coats in the photos above, and didn’t get any pigmentation. I would definitely recommend this for layering only.

THE REMOVAL PROCESS

Play Love Laugh polishes are designed to peel off the nail without using any nail polish remover. The directions say to soak your nails in warm water, and then peel off the polish from the base of the nail. This process did not work for me whatsoever. I soaked my nails for about two minutes, and couldn’t get the polish to peel. However, if I soaked my nails, then ran them under warm water and gently rubbed at the polish, it came off with ease. I do worry how these polishes would wear for a longer period of time. Play Love Laugh states on its website that a manicure will last 1-7 days, but I’m thinking if I took a shower with this nail polish on, it would just come off in the hot water while I’m washing. Thus, I don’t think Play Love Laugh is practical for adults in its natural state, but definitely great for kids. I can see it as a fun activity at birthday parties and sleepovers!

I decided to do an experiment with these Play Love Laugh polishes to make them suitable for adults as well. I applied Royal Princess with Purple Fairy Twinkle on top, and then sealed with my regular glossy top coat. This made my manicure last, and I didn’t have to worry about it washing off in the shower. Simply remove with your regular nail polish remover. This makes Play Love Laugh polish perfect if you have kids, because both you and your children can get great use out of them!

GIVEAWAY

Play Love Laugh is kindly sponsoring a giveaway! Enter to win one bottle of Play Love Laugh through the Rafflecopter below. This is a United States ONLY giveaway. Please read all of the Terms & Conditions in the Rafflecopter widget before entering. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All in all, I think Play Love Laugh is the perfect polish if you have children and want to ensure the products you’re using are safe for them. You can purchase the polishes direct from the company on its website HERE, where trios are $27.50 each. You can also purchase individual polishes on the brand’s Etsy site HERE for $9.50 each. Keep in mind that each polish is handmade in New York!

Please let me know what you think of Play Love Laugh in the comments!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Oleavine Beauty 100% Natural French Green Tea Infused Beauty Sponge Review

Posted on January 12, 2015August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of a cool skincare product to share with all of you. Lately I’ve noticed sponges become increasingly popular in the beauty community when used as a facial cleansing tool. I got the chance to test out the Green Tea Infused Beauty Sponge from the brand Oleavine Beauty, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts! Let’s jump right into the product details and my experience.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

Like with most skincare reviews, I like to include a direct product description from the brand so that you can read the claims associated with the product. When it comes to the 100% Natural Konjac Fiber Ultra Soft Beauty Sponge, Oleavine Beauty states:

“No other beauty sponge will work so hard for you! This luxuriously soft sponge gently exfoliates, cleanses, and is naturally pH balanced. The French Green Clay helps absorb excess oils, impurities and acne causing bacteria while leaving your face refreshed and radiant. Even preps skin to boost the absorption of your favorite serums and creams.”

Oleavine offers the sponge in a few different varieties. I chose the French Green Tea Infused Sponge, but you can also choose from Bamboo Charcoal Infused, French Red Clay Infused, or the Original Pure White. Because my skin has been struggling with clogging and breakouts after the holidays (too much junk food!), I thought the green tea would be great for me.

MY EXPERIENCE

The Beauty Sponge arrived shrink wrapped. It is about the size of my hand, and has a string attached so you can hang the sponge up to dry. I was surprised that the sponge did not grow much when I soaked it in water. However, it did get extremely soft! I cannot even begin to describe how soft and luxurious this sponge felt on my skin. It glided over easily, and felt so, so nice. My skin has been dry and flaky, and I couldn’t believe how soft and smooth it felt after using this sponge just one time! I really loved the process of cleansing with this sponge and can’t wait to continue using it!

While this Beauty Sponge can be used with cleanser, I chose to test it without any additional product. I was again happy to see that it removed my makeup and left my skin clear and soft. I have to say this product lives up to all of the brand’s claims! Plus, I love that Oleavine created a product that is 100% natural and vegan.

WHERE TO BUY

You can purchase the Oleavine Beauty Konjac Sponge with French Green Tea on Amazon HERE. The original retail price is $24.95 but as I write this post it is on sale for just $10.00! That is such an amazing deal! It can be reused over and over again, and is perfect for the most sensitive skin types. I truly can’t recommend it enough. I will definitely be using this as part of my regular cleansing routine. Please let me know if you would use this sponge or have used something similar in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel Review

Posted on November 14, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I am excited to be back today with a review for all of you. I’ve been so busy lately, as well as battling a cold. I’ve got some fun posts in store for the holiday season, but today it’s all about skincare! I got the Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel from Ageless Derma to review, so let me tell you about this product.

The Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Cleanser Gel is an energizing cleanser designed for everyday use. It is made with certified organic aloe vera and chamomile extracts, and has an advanced formula to deeply cleanse pores. This cleanser can remove makeup and surface oils without stripping the skin of hydration. Plus, this product does not contain paraben and is not tested on animals.

This cleanser’s unique gel formula looks a bit like shampoo when it comes out of the bottle. It has a slight fresh scent to it, but I don’t find it irritating at all. I did use makeup wipes to get off the majority of my makeup, but I love how this cleanser leaves my face feeling fresh and clean. My skin is clear and soft after use, and I can feel the aloe vera working to retain moisture and help calm my skin. I really enjoy using this cleanser in the colder months when my skin is already sensitive and dry.

All in all, I am really liking this cleanser from Ageless Derma! It’s great for those with dry skin, but I think it will also work well for other skin types. You can get this 4oz bottle of the Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel on the brand’s website HERE for $25. Though that is a bit more expensive than the drugstore, I think it’s very reasonable for the size of the cleanser and the organic ingredients. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried the Ageless Derma brand and your thoughts!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Studio Gear Hydrating CC Cream | Review & Coupon Code

Posted on April 2, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for another makeup review here at Adventures in Polishland. I got the opportunity to test out Studio Gear Cosmetics’s new Hydrating CC Cream, and can’t wait to share my experience with all of you. As you may know, I love keeping things more natural when it comes to my makeup, so CC creams are the perfect choice for light coverage. Let me tell you more about this product, and share my experience with you!

The Studio Gear CC Cream is designed to fight aging, retain moisture, and cover and treat blemishes all in one non-oily formula. It is also SPF 20, and is infused with Hydra-Extend technology that provides up to 72 hours of continuos hydration. With all of these amazing qualities, it almost sounds too good to be true! Plus, this CC Cream has a unique formula that you have to see to believe.

I experimented with this CC Cream, and found that my favorite way to wear it is over a primer and applied with my fingers. Because I tend to get oily throughout the day, I set the cream with some pressed powder. The result is an almost airbrushed look that lasts all day! I am really impressed with this CC Cream! It is lightweight and I definitely don’t feel like I’m wearing a full face of foundation, but I still get the benefits of a fine-tuned complexion. The only drawback with this product is that it only comes in three shades (I am using Linen, the lightest shade). Luckily, it does adjust to my skin tone quite well, but I think in the winter months I would need just a shade lighter.

Other than that, I am loving this product! It truly is hydrating, and does not cling to dry patches. If you suffer from dry skin, this is definitely a great CC Cream for you! It also does a great job of giving my skin a glowy quality while not looking shiny. I am definitely making this my go-to foundation in the summer months!

WHERE TO BUY

You can purchase the Studio Gear Cosmetics Hydrating CC Cream on the brand’s website HERE. The 1oz tube retails for $34, but you can save 10% off of your entire order with coupon code bloggercc at checkout. I really like this CC Cream, and think you will, too! Please let me know if you’ve tried any products from Studio Gear Cosmetics in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | August Love With Food Box

Posted on September 15, 2013September 14, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I am reviewing the August Love With Food Box. While it is a bit late, I really wanted to tell all of you what happened with my August box. When I first received it at the beginning of the month, it unfortunately was a disaster! A cup of salsa had leaked everywhere, ruining some of the box. I snapped a photo and emailed customer service. Not only did they send me a replacement box, but they refunded my money for the month of August as well! It did take a while for the replacement to show up, which is why this post is so late. I think it’s really important that Love With Food’s amazing customer service was shared!

Here is a sneak peek of what the August Box looked like. It was Backyard BBQ themed!

Sahale Snacks Fruit & Almond Crunchers – I actually haven’t tried these yet, but it’s a mix that you can pour in yogurt or enjoy on its own. Sounds like it will be yummy!
Project 7 Save Mints – I got mints from this brand in a PopSugar box and loved them! The packaging is so cute, and the mints taste really good. I was happy to get another tube.
Aunt Sally’s Creamy Original Pralines – Oh my! This is so delicious! I am thinking I need more of these because it was that good.

Rip van Wafels Caramel Filled Amsterdam Wafel – Yum! These little wafels can be placed over a hot beverage like tea so it gets soft to eat. I loved this so much!
Dizzy Pig Dizzy Dust – Unfortunately this is the one product that is not for me since I don’t eat meat and this is a dry rub. It says you can use it as a spice packet in general, but it’s not really my thing.
Harvest Snaps Snapea Crips – I love these as well! I’ve tried them before, and I already repurchased two bags of these. I highly recommend them.

Last but least is a bag of BOPS Sea Salt Crisps. These were good, too, but I don’t think I would repurchase them. I prefer other chips better!

All in all, I did enjoy this box and the great customer service I received from Love With Food. I never got to try the salsa after all, because that wasn’t included in my replacement. While I do love this program, and think it’s fun to get these goodies every month, as of right now I did cancel my subscription for financial reasons. If you can afford the $10-12 per month, I do highly recommend the service. I will definitely consider joining again when I have the money! If you’d like to join, use code FBGIFT at checkout and your first month will be just $2! You can join Love With Food HERE.

This post contains affiliate links. Subscription box purchased by me. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.