WOODS Wild Botanicals + Giveaway

*I was provided product for review. All opinions are 100% my own.

You know me and you know that I love a good indie clean beauty brand. It's one of my small joys in life to be able to try and experience the beautiful products that small batch makers are creating... and I am fortunate every time a brand like Woods Wild Botanicals wants me to feature their products on Prim and Propah and talk about what I think!

I think the initial reaction to the products and packaging can be described as "Heart Eyes". When I opened my package, I started privately swooning to myself. I am a sucker for pretty packaging... but what's most important is the quality and effectiveness of a product line themselves. The team at Woods sent me a few of their products to try so I took the Purifying Face Oil, the Purifying Face Oil Uplifting, and the Nourishing Body Mousse out for a spin. First off, I just love this scent driven messaging. I am a lover of scents and am often inspired by smells throughout my day.

So let's start with the Body Mousse. It is absolutely the perfect time of year to discover the benefits of a hydrating cream, body butter or mousse. I've used a lot of different products but what I think makes this mousse stand apart is it's weight. It's not too light but it doesn't leave your skin feeling caked in product. In the Winter and colder months, I want my skin to feel protected but still want to have my moisturizers absorbed fairly quickly because I detest a greasy feeling. After a shower or bath, this is a great product. A little goes a long way and my skin felt sooooooooooooooo soft, which is saying something because my skin is generally some level of dry this time of year. The scent is light lavender and I can tell that they've used coconut oil... that said, I don't think it's overpowering if that's something that you look for in bath and body products. Overall, I really like this body mousse but I would consider it on the higher range price wise ($58) for what I would normally spend on this type of product.

Ingredients: 
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*,  Cocos Nucifera (Virgin Coconut) Oil*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil*, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*,   Tocopherol (Non-GMO Vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil*, Boswellia carteri (Frankincense) Resin Oil*.

The Face Oils (purifying grounding and uplifting) are gorgeous. It's not often that I find a face oil that wows me right out of the gate. I have tried so many at this point that it's gotta be something special for me to take notice and consider making a permanent swap in my face routine. The scents come into play here, the uplifting having a citrus-y scent that totally makes me happy and the grounding having a lighter, almost geranium-y scent. Both are light but present enough to really get the benefits of aromatherapy. They apply so light, not greasy at all. They're just lovely, lovely. Priced at $66, these are reasonably priced for such a special oil. I can't wait to use these alternating, morning and night, to see what the long term results look like with these in my routine.

Ingredients: 
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Squalane Oil (Olive Derived), Tocopherol (Non-GMO Vitamin E), Pelargonium Roseum (Rose Geranium) Flower and Leaf Oil*,  Helichrysum italicum (Immortelle) Flower Oil*, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Flower and Leaf Oil*, Matricaria Recutita (German Blue Chamomile) Flower Oil*.

So now that I've piqued your interest do you want to try Woods Wild Botanicals for yourself? They've so graciously and generously offered one of my readers the opportunity to win a collection of products-- head over to my Instagram to enter to win!

Follow Woods Wild Botanicals on Instagram and Facebook

I Tried It: Prim Botanicals

I have been on a bit of a hiatus in trying new beauty products. It's not that I haven't wanted to but the right brands just haven't come along. I am very picky when it comes to new items that I want to try because there are standards, people! I need to know that what I'm putting on my body (or my kids' bodies) is safe, natural and actually works. When my (new) friends at Prim Botanicals offered me the opportunity to bring some of their gorgeous products into my routine, I immediately said yes, because they embody what I appreciate in a brand.

"We are lovers of all things lovely, fresh, restorative and fun. We believe in seriously effective products that never take themselves too seriously. We believe in real beauty and the importance of feeling happy in one's skin."

The Prim Body Oil, $54: Ingredients, Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut Oil), Camellia Oleifera (Camellia Oil*), Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil*), Carapa Guianensis (Andiroba Oil), Pentaclethra Macroloba (Pracaxi Oil**), Proprietary Blend of: Jasminum (Jasmine Oil), Rosa Centifolia (Rose Oil), Piper Nigrum (Black Pepper Essential Oil*), Citrus Bergamia (Bergaptene-free Bergamot Essential Oil), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Essential Oil*)

Seriously, you guys, the smell (essential oils like jasmine, wild rose, bergamot and black pepper), oh the sweet, fragrant body oil. I haven't ever had a body oil quite like this before. It's silky smooth when applied and absorbs rather quickly but I like to add to my bath (upon Prim's recommendation) or immediately post-shower to really optimize on the moisturizing. It works great as a spot treatment for my dry Winter skin but this oil almost feels too special to use every day. It's lush and luxurious, I absolutely love it, end of story.

Potion No 1, $26: Target Blemishes. Detoxify. Balance. Ingredients: Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin Seed Oil*), Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu Oil), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn Oil) *Organic

These little bottles are meant for targeted effects not every day use. Fortunately for this review but unfortunately for my life lol, I used this for a recent hormonal imbalance that was manifesting on my face. Since having the baby, my skin has been all out of wack but it's hard to find a natural option for a clear up that doesn't burn when you apply it. It applies orange but can easily be rubbed in to blend and has a light scent that fades shortly after application. I guess the only real question here is did it work? Yes, yes it did and so super gentle on the skin unlike other topical treatments I've used in the past.

Potion No 2, $26: Hydrate. Preserve Youth. Soothe. Ingredients: Carapa Guianensis (Andiroba Oil), Pentaclethra Macroloba (Pracaxi Oil**), Sclerocarya Birrea (Unrefined, Virgin Marula Oil**) **Wildcrafted

This particular potion offers a lot in a little bottle. After the afformentioned breakout or any breakout for that matter, my face goes a little dry. At my last facial, my esthetician also told me that I was "wicked" dry (my words not hers). Sometimes, I feel like my skin is moisturized when it actually isn't. I bet there are other people who feel the same way and so it's important that we keep an eye on things. There's a pleasant, light scent and I got a touch in my mouth, and it doesn't taste good so don't do that lol... but it's great, really. Not only did this help to restore some moisture back, I could see a noticeable difference in some areas of discoloration around my mouth. Yes, I know, so glamorous but seriously, it's like a little jar of magic. I guess there's a reason that it's been called a "mystical" beauty product.

I think the next on my list of things to try from Prim Botanicals would have to be the Hair Oil and the Face Oil but to be honest, I can't imagine that they aren't amazing. Prim Botanicals sent me these products to try and as you know, my opinions are mine, but seriously, I mean it, these are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous products in every sense of the word.

Have you tried Prim Botanicals before? I'd love to hear about your experience!

SaltyGirl: Spreading Wellness through Beauty

You know when you come across a story and it just moves you? Enter the sisters behind Kennebunkport's SaltyGirl Boutique, Sarah and Leah. Their shop brings their customers natural, organic and safe skincare products as well as sustainable upcycled, USA made accessories and gifts. Two sisters, working hard to bring their down to Earth style to their New England and online customers... I loved them already... but their story doesn't stop there. In 2015, Sarah was diagnosed with Breast Cancer while 32 weeks pregnant, can you imagine? For obvious reasons, health, balance and family became more important than ever before. What's a girl to do? Well, give back! These two, along with their other siblings, started the Foundation 4 Love, their own non-profit that's like a Make a Wish for Adults!

As if that isn't enough, the SaltyGirls are bringing us their own line of lipsticks that, like everything in their shop, a percentage of the proceeds are donated to their foundation. Natural lipstick that empowers and also gives back. I LOVE IT! So do you want to know more about this new line and how you can get involved? Check out the video below on their IndieGoGo live now!

SaltyGirl Lips from LMV Productions on Vimeo.

THE IMPACT

• YOU DECIDE THEIR FUTURE:  They have heard from so many people they have met over this last year.  They want to continue to provide excellent customer service, amazing education and now their own products made with the clean nourishing ingredients!
• BIGGER THAN A PRODUCT:  SaltyGirl Lips is bigger than a natural lipstick.  They are here to empower women to be who they want to be, to express how they are feeling and to go out and be the strong, sassy, and sexy women they are!
• HELPING CANCER PATIENTS: The SaltyGirl brand gives back a % of all profits back to their non-profit Foundation4Love which in turn gives back to those going through cancer treatment.  Often while going through treatment we can get consumed by our cancer diagnosis.  Through Foundation4Love they give back Spa Days, Dinner out, sporting events….whatever allows the cancer patient to disconnect from cancer and connect with loved ones.  They will continue giving back with every lipstick sold.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

If you can't contribute financially, you can still make a big difference and here's how:

• EDUCATION:  Learn more about the ingredients that are in your skincare, body care and cosmetics!  Remember it is just as important what we put on our bodies as it is what we put in our bodies!
• CONNECT WITH US! Find them on Facebook and Twitter, and swing by their website to learn more. Also, find us on Instagram @saltygirlboutique
• SHARE THIS CAMPAIGN! use the following link (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/saltygirl-li...) and share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc! They want everyone to wear clean beautiful cosmetics and feel empowered.  They also want every woman and man going through cancer to be given the opportunity to disconnect from cancer and connect to love!   Please tag us/use our hashtag if you post on social media so they can send some love: @saltygirlboutique , #SaltyGirllips #GiveBackBeauty 

I just jumped in on the IndieGoGo, will you? Lipstick that acts not just in the interest of our beauty and health but helps cancer patients? What's not to love!

Local Lovin': Khaki's Bomb Balm

I met Khaki of Khaki's Bomb Balm at this year's W.E.L.L. Summit and I was immediately smitten with her. Why? Well, I just got such a good vibe from her. She introduced herself and her brand in a photo workshop breakout session and noted she was from Newburyport MA and that was that; I decided to go make myself a new friend. I sat down next to her in another session and I would like to think that we bonded a little because "We're Moms-WELL Summit Tribe-Green Beauty- We're Awesome". I totally had to spotlight her brand because she's hands on (as in she's working her magic doing facial care treatments in her studio) but she's also got a line of amazing skincare products that don't have any of those nasty ingredients that I'm always talking about. I'm personally a big fan of her Dusk Radiance Treatment Serum, just sayin'! I thought I would touch base with Khaki post W.E.L.L. Summit and ask her some of my Local Lovin' questions because she is the perfect fit for a multitude of reasons... so Prim and Propah readers, meet Khaki! 

Give us a little background as to how Khaki's Bomb Balm came about. What initially drove you to start your brand?

I started Khaki's Bomb Balm after moving back to New England from Seattle, WA and finding it difficult to find that truly clean and holistic approach to skincare on the east coast. I learned a lot about natural, raw ingredients and essential oils while working as an esthetician in Seattle. I decided to start researching and experimenting and before I knew it I was opening an Etsy shop and building a brand (with my then 6 month old daughter who is now 3.5yrs). I just ran with it, I was having so much fun learning and formulating new products that is kind of just took over! It started in my kitchen on Plum Island, MA and eventually I acquired the studio, where I now create the products and also perform exclusively natural skincare and waxing treatments in Newburyport, MA

When creating your products, where do you take inspiration from?

I take a lot of inspiration from my customers and friends. I've had people say, you should think about making deodorant, and I say OK! Good idea! I also take inspiration from where I live. Newburyport is an adorable seaside port city filled with people who love the outdoors and walking the beach year round. I like to create products that really nourish and protect the skin, heal it and make you feel taken care of. New England seasons can be intense, in the Summer you will be glad you have a good day time moisturizer with SPF and in the Winter a super hydrating facial serum to replenish.

I love that you have shaped your business around being safe and natural . Why is this important to you?

Natural skincare and personal care products are not only important to our health but they can be part of a really beautiful self care and self love routine. Just like when you eat well and feel good about it, when you use clean, healthy products, you feel like you are being good to yourself. Safe natural products are of course preferable to me because our skin is a sponge! Anything you put on your body will enter your blood stream at some capacity. There are so many harmful, toxic chemicals in beauty products. Endocrine disrupters, carcinogens, artificial fragrance, parabens, all these chemicals that are linked to cancer. We need to be thinking not only about what we put IN our bodies, but what we put ON them as well.

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

I love love love where I live. My family and I really enjoy walking around downtown Newburyport. We hit the playground, walk down to the water front, get some local coffee or ice cream. We like to walk in the woods and visit my mom on Plum Island. The Newburyport Farmers Market every Sunday is a must (when I'm not vending). I really appreciate having all 4 seasons, so I embrace it and get in to all the festive Fall and Winter happenings. 

You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see Khaki's Bomb Balm headed in the future?

Thank you! I'd love to move my studio to a great storefront location here in NBPT. I picture selling my products along side several of my favorite clean skincare and make up lines. Khaki's Bomb Balm is actually in the beginning stage of a rebranding to coincide with my Face Food skincare studio. Eventually I plan to open a shop that sells green beauty and home care products as well as serves as a natural skincare studio. Wish me luck! : )

Want to catch up with Khaki? Check out her website, Facebook, and her Instagram! 

Concealing Blemishes Naturally

Nobody on this Earth has clear skin 24/7, 365... it's just a fact. Our faces are imperfect and while there is beauty in our imperfections, take it from me, sometimes I like to cover up those blemishes and uneven skin tones. I follow my normal routine (clean face, oil or serum, followed by moisturizer) but before I apply any foundation/cover up, I do a little spot checking.  I personally love the Dream Tint tinted moisturizer from jane iredale as an everyday but what should I use when my skin is being particularly moody?

It's nice to see natural concealers getting big attention (like RMS "Un" Cover Up on Into the Gloss's recent Best Concealers article) but there are a lot of great green/clean beauty brands that are creating concealers that not only work but are safe to use! Since I haven't tried every brand on the market, I have scoured some of my fave natural beauty sites and asked some green beauty gals to see what they've got to say on the matter.

Tarte Amazonian clay waterproof 12 hour concealer comes highly recommended from green beauty blogger, Kimberly Wallace of KimberlyLoc.com.

Beauty by Brittany recommends both Suki Correct Coverage Concealer as well the RMS "Un" Cover Up (first choice overall)

The Green Product Junkie recommends our old friend the RMS "Un" Cover Up, jane iredale's  Active Light Under Eye concealer as well as W3LL PEOPLE Narcissist Stick Foundation.

I decided to tap some of my beauty crew on Twitter. Alex and Cameron, both Follain educators, swear by W3LL People Bio Correct concealer, while Ru of Short Small Sweet recommends the RMS "Un" Cover Up:

@PrimandPropah @CameronBruns @kimberlyloc @shortsmallsweet ooh @W3LLPEOPLE bio correct!!

— Alex Byer (@alexbyersays) March 14, 2016

Ditto to @alexbyersays...@w3llpeople bio correct is insane!! Full coverage with de-puff action @PrimandPropah @kimberlyloc @shortsmallsweet

— Cameron Bruns (@CameronBruns) March 14, 2016

@PrimandPropah my pick: @rmsbeauty ftw! @alexbyersays @CameronBruns @kimberlyloc

— Ru (@shortsmallsweet) March 14, 2016

So it looks like to me I have two fan favorites that need to be added to my try list: RMS "Un" Cover Up and the W3LL People Bio Correct concealer. Have you tried either of these yourself? I would love any and all feedback on the subject!

Do you have any recommendations?

I Tried It: BeautyCounter

A couple of months back, I saw Beautycounter come across one of my social feeds and very shortly thereafter, a girl I went to High School with, knowing that I'm really trying to embrace green and clean beauty, contacted me about the Beautycounter brand. She'd recently became a consultant and seemed really passionate about the brand so I was like, sure, let's talk Beautycounter! She offered me the opportunity to try some of their best selling products so I could see the quality and safe ingredients that they use when making their essentials. How does Beautycounter compare to other brands that I'm currently using? Well, honestly, they're right up there and they're not totally overprices so I think what they've got going, is an excellent way for the green beauty movement to reach more people. Being educated is part of their mission and educating others is why I'm talking green beauty so, I appreciate what they're doing.

I've The Rose Water Uplifting Spray: You may recall that this spray made it into my Winter Skin Must Haves and it's for good reason. I keep this on hand now because my skin is dry and sometimes needs a pickmeup. I KNOW this is going to be clutch come Summer when it's hot and sticky; this will be a cool burst of freshness for this sweaty glistening lady.... and the good news? When I'm spritzing and the toddler comes along, I don't have to worry about giving him a little spray.  Check out BC's ingredient selection process here.

Another item that I tried, and loved, was the Uplifting Day Cream: it does everything you want in a moisturizer. It smooths and softens. It didn't leave my skin feeling greasy and it wore beautifully under makeup and over my face oil. I don't know that I would completely replace my moisturizer for the UDC but it's definitely a quality product, with a pleasant light scent, that would be a great addition to anyone's beauty regimen.

Something that I can foresee being a "purchase" for me, would be the Everyday Shampoo and Conditioners. I am a HUGE sucker for anything citrus but more importantly, this clarifying shampoo made my hair feel instantly cleaner after some definite build up had occurred because of my "purple" shampoo (no, I'm not a shampoo purist, yikes!). I don't wash my hair every day but this pair will work it's way into my rotation because I've been looking for a perfect clarifying shampoo and this checks a lot of boxes for me in general.

There are many more products that Beautycounter has to offer, including a new baby line that intrigues me so I might just set up a party for family and friends. No matter how much I talk to my family about natural beauty products, I get the feeling that it might not be completely sticking. I think it might be time to bring in some outside help... tell me, have you tried any of the Beautycounter products?

You can follow Beautycounter on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Hello, Beauty with Whole Foods

I have to credit Whole Foods for being the catalyst in my life, encouraging me to be more conscious of the items in our bathroom and in my makeup bag. You may recall that I attended a Hello! Beauty event in Lynnfield, MA this time last year where a few green beauty brands basically opened my eyes to what's lurking in some of even the most commonly used products out there. In the past year, I have done a pretty good job of educating myself and others about the responsibility to be a mindful consumer. Being that the Hello Beauty bag is what started all of this, it should be no surprise that I am wicked excited about this year's!

Included in the Hello, Beauty bag this year (and for only $15 dollars!):

• Dr. Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk
• derma e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask
• Acure Pore Minimizing Facial Scrub
• evanhealy Rose Geranium Toner HydroSoul
• Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+
• MyChelle Perfect C Serum
• Mineral Fusion Lash Curling Mineral Mascara in Gravity Black
• Burt's Bees Sunset Cruise Lip Stick
• Weleda Skin Food
• Riji Green Organic Cotton Bag to hold it all!

What a collection, am I right? These will be available in store for one day only on Friday March 18^th and each store will have a limited quantity so you'll want to make it your business to get in there before work or on your lunch hour. Priced at $15, the Hello Beauty! bag is an AMAZING deal. Plus, if you're shopping Whole Foods for beauty this weekend, their facial care sale is great, 25% off Friday, Saturday and Sunday! What do ya say? Are you headed to Whole Foods this weekend? Make sure to check your local store's schedule... I know there are some great beauty centered events coming soon!

*Whole Foods provided me with this Hello! Beauty bag but all opinions are 100% my own. Heck, I bought my own last year so you know I love it!

A Valentine's Gift to Swoon Over

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, really, it's time to start hinting to your loved ones or planning to "treat yo self" for that holiday filled with loooooove. Something that I've seen that I think is a fantastic little gift is the mani/pedi set from True Moringa, Meow Meow Tweet and D.I.D. For those looking to get a gift that #1 won't break the bank #2 will show a little creativity and #3 is a healthy beauty option, look no further. I love to see brands that I admire, team up for something really cool. Check out what you'll get and where to find it for purchase!

M E O W  M E O W  T W E E T   M O I S T U R I Z I N G   S O A P 

CLEANSE. Hand crafted in small batches with organic, unrefined plant oils and butters, steam-distilled and cold-pressed essential oils and organic and wild-crafted botanicals, Meow Meow Tweet Organic Soaps sponge away impurities while rejuvenating winter skin. MMT products are always vegan, cruelty free, and created with socially conscious ingredients all the way down to the whimsically illustrated packaging. Soap up and soak before your mani-pedi!

T R U E   M O R I N G A   C U T I C L E +  B O D Y  O I L  

HEAL. Anti-aging, moisturizing radiance from nature’s ‘miracle tree.’ True Moringa All-Purpose Body Oil restores essential fatty acids and antioxidants to prevent damage and dryness and radiate healthy, supple skin. Apply to cuticles daily for beautiful, strong nails and massage post mani-pedi for happy hands and feet.

D . I . D .  5 -  F R E E  N A I L  P A I N T 

GLOW. Top it off with a fun, fresh coat of shimmer from non-toxic D.I.D. Nail Paint. D.I.D. offers a host of highly pigmented, eco-friendly nail color collection that compliments the beautiful tone of your skin in 1 - 2 coats. We chose limited-edition champagne-inspired Prosecco shade for this mani-pedi box to bring out your inner sparkle (in a naturally sophisticated kind of way).

Find the Valentine's Day Mani+Pedi Box for purchase here and be sure to let me know what you think when you try these brands out!