After much research, Alt found that the body absorbs 60% of what is placed upon the skin. She wanted to develop a healthier alternative to traditional skin care. RAW Essentials is the end result. The products are made with certified raw ingredients, they are vegan, and cruelty-free. They contain no petroleum, sulfates, detergents, parabens, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, artificial colors or fragrances.

RAW Essentials sent me a few of their items to sample for review. I tried the following products:

Raw-Juvenate Eye Recoup – Contains pure Aloe, Virgin Coconut Oil, Mushroom extract

Raw Vita Eye Serum- Contains pure Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

Raw-Acivate Daily Revitaling Facial Moisturizer- Contains pure  Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil

Raw-Finish Rigorous Face Scrub- Contains pure Aloe, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Sucrose Cocoate

Raw-Scue Night Restore Cream- Contains pure Aloe, Squalene, Virgin Coconut Oil, Licorice Root Extract

I liked all the products. I feel that they work well – gentle, but thorough. My favorite items would be the Eye Recoup and the Night Cream. The Eye Recoup felt cool on my skin, soothing.  I like that it can be used both under the eye and on the eyelid itself.  The Night Cream felt thick and moisturizing, but it was not greasy and my skin absorbed it completely.  I like that the RAW Essentials products are affordable and that they smell good.

The only problem that I had with the products is the packaging. The Eye Recoup dispenses too much at once, which can lead to waste. The Eye Serum has a metal ball and once you get it flowing, it works great, but you have to roll it over and over before any comes out.

You can learn more about RAW Essentials here.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The Ruffle Clutch from Refind Originals comes in three colors; mustard, royal blue, and red. I like the mustard best because it’s a soft buttery hue. Very pretty with the double ruffle. The Ruffle Clutch is made from recycled material, “…super-soft leather, originally used for clothing, uholstery, and the like…”  It measures 10″ x 5″.

Ruffle Clutch
$90

I love the shape of the Amelia Clutch. This is a vegan bag with a lovely curved shape and a bit of black lace embellishment.  It measures 10″ x 5″ and it’s made by Rozcoo.

Amelia Clutch
$85

The Black Fanny Clutch, by Fahmina, is made with pieces of scrap leather that were previously discarded (no waste, I like that). It features mulitiple snaps for both function and fashion – they wanted to give it a “rock-n-roll edge.”  What do you think about it’s long, lean shape?  It measures 15″ x 5″ and you can also use it as either a shoulder or waist bag. I think that’s where the “fanny” in the name comes from. Another good thing about this bag – it benefits the Give Light Foundation, which works with orphananges in Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India.

Black Fanny Clutch
$230

Image credit: Green With Glamour.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Origins has come up with something special in their new mineral makeup – it’s like a breakfast for your face. Breakfast for your face?  Yes, it does sound silly, but their new Multi-Grain™ Makeupcontains the nutrient-rich ingredients organic oatmeal, soy, tapioca, rice flour, barley, wheat germ, pomegranate, gogi berry, and the vitamins C and E.

Sounds like it lays a healthy base on your face, doesn’t it? Origins polled users of the foundation and 91% thought that their skin looked “naturally radiant,” while 78% saw an instant improvement in the appearance of their complexion.

Multi-Grain™ Makeup
$25

It’s oil-free, talc-free, fragrance-free and contains an SPF14. It’s available in 5 shades that range from light to deep-toned.  To use the mineral foundation, you apply a small amount with a brush, in a series of light layers until you achieve your perfect coverage.

Right now Origins is offering an online special buy. Get a free foundation brush with purchase of their Multi-Grain™ Makeup. It’s a vegan brush and it was specially designed to work with the makeup. After the promotion, the brush will be available for $22.

Image credit: Origins.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Then, I found this bag……

Fat Sushi by Redhanded Bags
Retails for $155

The Fat Sushi bag was handmade in North Carolina out of “biodegradable polyurethane-based faux leather with cotton backing.” Organic cotton lines the inside.  No buttons or zippers, it’s closed with a magnetic snap.  It’s good-sized with dimensions of Width 15″ x Height 13″ x Depth of 5″.  Webbing inside ensures you can fit all your Summer essentials inside. 

Image credit by Ahimsa Footwear

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Here are three that I have and do use with great results. ..

The first is only available at Trader Joes. If you are lucky enough to have a Trader Joes near, look the Moisturizing Cream Shave in Honey Mango. It can be used by both men and women. It has a great honey-fruit scent and it’s very inexpensive. Honey Mango Cream Shave is free of parabens, 100% vegetarian, and enriched with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and botanical moisturizers that leave skin in great condition. I never get nicks with this cream and if pressed for time, you can even skip the moisturizer.

EO Shave Cream in Lavender

EO Shave Cream is packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients like jojoba oil, organic aloe vera, olive wax, vegetable glycerin, organic green tea, essential oils, organic calendula extract…. the list goes on. It contains no synthetic ingredients, isn’t tested on animals, no paraben, no GMOs, no aerosal. A little bit of product goes a long way. It smells wonderful and is the favorite of my daughter, Sarah, who is new at shaving.

Kiss My Face Moisture Shave in Cool Mint

This one is new. I’ve only tried it once and I love the minty scent. It leaves my skin feeling cool. It’s vegan, not tested on animals, with no artificial ingredients. It uses aloe, olive oil, coconut oil, and Vitamins A & E to moisturize and protect the skin while allowing your razor to give you a close shave.

I recommend any of the three – they all work well and smell incredible.

Image credits: Michelle Smith

Post from: Pretty by Nature

I love the retro beachy look. It reminds me of something that a friend’s older sister carried back in the day. It features bamboo handles, so it’s eco-friendly, too.

Loops
$54.99

How about the Orleans by Pink Studios?  This bag is good-sized – 18 inches wide, by 10 inches, high, and 8 inches deep. There’s room for everything including a space for phone and keys.

Orleans
$64.99

I found this star-patterned vegan tote set off by a fabric rose. Cute!

Vegan Tote with Rose
$27.99

Image credit: Vegan Chic.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Afterglow Mineral Makeup is available in starter kits. A starter kit is the perfect way to try the products and incorporate them into your daily makeup routine.  Kits are available in Light, Medium, and Deep Medium tones. Each kit includes 2 Organic Mineral Foundations, 1 Organic Mineral Blush, 1 Organic Setting Powder, a vegan Baby Kabuki Brush (short, full brush for makeup application), a vegan concealer brush (more controlled application than the kabuki brush for more coverage), a splashy silver Afterglow Glam Makeup Bag, and complete Mineral Makeup instructions for beginners.

Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics strives to use quality Organic and sustainable ingredients in both their mineral makeup products and their packaging.

Photo credit: Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Sparrow Handbags are handmade out of materials that are vegan, organic, and/or sustainable, and are printed with non-toxic 100% solvent-free water-based inks. Hemp, which is used within the lining and for the handles is a renewable crop that can be cultivated in about 100 days.

Right now Sparrow Handbags is holding a big sale. You can save an additional 25% off of all items, including already reduced items, if you use the savings code SH2502 at checkout.

I like the Taylor Handbag. It’s boldly patterned with an old-fashioned key design. It comes in an Ash gray and a Snow white.

The Taylor Handbag

On sale for $77.00, originally $110.00

Wide sunken top zipper closure. Same design front and back with side tie details. Handles made with hemp webbing core. Inside pocket with a spot for cell phone.

*100% SKAL certified Organic
Cotton twill
*Fully lined; black hemp/cotton fabric
*Organic cotton batting layer
*Silk screened with non-toxic ink
*Recycled Tetra box bottom
*Handmade in Canada
*17″L x 6.5″H x 4.5″W
2 Handles, 17″L
Image credit: Sparrow Handbags.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

When I was younger my mother used to swear by using baking soda as a toothpaste. I rebelled and bought some conventional toothpaste as soon as I could and never looked back. However recently a dentist recommended my husband try it out to lighten his teeth since all of the over-the- counter stuff caused him tooth and gum pain. She said that it would not produce immediate or dramatic results but it does in fact work for lightening and plaque. She did say that we probably should not use it on a long term basis but maybe a month or two every year would be fine. The solution that is used in over-the-counter whitening products is basically the same solution that yoiur dentist would use only in much, much smaller quantities. So chances are if you it causes you pain, you’re not a candidate for professional whitening either. I already use a mixtuer of baking soda and castille soap to clean just about everything in my home so we have a lot on hand and I pretty sure almost everyone does. I’m looking for testimonials here. Please share your experiences with using baking soda to lighten your teeth. Was it successful? Was it a pain in the butt? Discuss.

Via Amazon

Post from: Pretty by Nature

I love bath bombs, especially the ones from LUSH. Actually, truth be told, my husband is the one that really loves them. I take a bath about twice a year despite all my best intentions. I shower though…I don’t stink. Okay I do probably stink since I average about every other day with the showers. Have I shared too much?

Anyway here’s a great Instructable on how to make your own bath bombs. Cheaper and you can then make them out of whatever you like. Great idea for a gift as well.

Via Instructables

Post from: Pretty by Nature