Goodebox #2

When I decided to get the limited edition Goodeboxes being released for the A Night for Green Beauty event this year, there were a few brands I really wanted to own!  The second Goodebox had one of them.  I tried May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon a few months ago and really liked it, so I was happy to see it was going to be in box #2.  It really does just melt into your skin and a little goes a long way (which is good, because it's not cheap)!  I think it will be even nicer in the colder months when my skin gets really dry.  I also was eager to try the Alima Pure mascara in this box since I've been on the hunt for a natural mascara.  I'm currently using Pacifica's Stellar Gaze and I like it well enough (I've never had a mascara I couldn't live without, natural or otherwise), but it's very wet and sometimes ends up on my glasses if I don't let it dry long enough.  The Alima Pure is definitely a dry mascara.  I've only worn it once so far, but I can see myself wearing it everyday once my Pacifica runs out. 
Awhile ago, I got a travel kit of some of the One Love Organics products and Skin Savior was in it.  I use this mostly in the winter for dry patches on my face and also on dry lips.  It's really a very versatile product and lasts a long time!  I still have a good bit of the travel tub so now with this full size tub, I'll be using it for years!

sorry for the dark photo!

 

 

Inside the box:

 

Sheswai nail polish

May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon

Josh Rosebrook hairspray

Gressa Skin Rejuvenating Mist

Zoe Organics Cream

One Love Organics Skin Savior

Alima Pure mascara

 

 

I've been using the Gressa mist and the Blue Cocoon a bit, but still not as a routine.  I haven't tried the Zoe Organics cream (again I feel like 3 of the products in this box serve similar purposes and don't want to use them all at once), the Sheswai nail polish (I'm currently wearing a color I really like and I'm not ready to change it) or the Josh Rosebrook hairspray.  I don't really use hairspray ever, so I'm not totally sure how much use I'll get out of this, but I heard it smells great and if I ever get around to buying a curling wand, I'll be sure to try it!

I may not have used all the products yet, but even if I only used the May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon it would be worth it!  That product alone is $160 and this box was only $110 and you get 6 other full size products.  Such a good deal!  This box sold out in 15 minutes, so I am lucky to have gotten one!  I just ordered box #3 and I'll write about that once it comes.  I'm excited to get my hands on A Night for Green Beauty presenter La Bella Figura's Modern Radiance Concentrate!  I'm hoping it really helps my old acne scars.  Most of these products are things I couldn't afford normally (or really feel comfortable splurging on) so these Goodeboxes are definitely a way to try some luxurious products at a discount.  And I haven't mentioned that the proceeds are going to the Baby2Baby charity, a great cause to support!



Goodebox #1

I've talked about trying to change my skincare and makeup to more natural products and so when I heard that Goodebox would be releasing 4 limited edition boxes to go with the A Night for Green Beauty event in August, I knew it would be a great way to start!  The boxes have at least 5 full size products from leading green beauty brands and cost $110 each.  There are only 50 of each box, so when they go on sale you have to move fast!
Here is the first box:

 

 

Inside:

 

African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil

Odacite Ac+R Concentrate

Kahina Giving Beauty Serum

Juice Beauty lipgloss

Lurk perfume

Province Apothecary Regenerating + Stimulating exfoliator

 

I think the box ends up being worth close to, if not over, $300.  So far, I've used the Neroli oil a couple times, the Odacite (the first time I didn't mix it with a lotion like they instruct, and it really didn't go far, so now I mix it with the Pollen & Wax Velvet lotion I bought a while ago, much better), and I've used the exfoliator twice, once mixed with water and once with Manuka honey (I swear it smells like foccacia, but my friend thinks I'm nuts since it's made with nothing that resembles foccacia).  I haven't tried the Kahina serum yet and forget to use the perfume or the lipgloss.  To be honest, I'm not sure about mixing all those different oils.  I kind of wish each box had one of each type of product, otherwise I just get confused about which to use.

I haven't noticed any crazy difference in my skin.  Well, actually, my skin is awful right now, but that totally has to do with my crap eating for sure.  I haven't used any of the products religiously enough to notice a difference.  I'm not one of those girls with a regimen.  I'm working on it.  The problem is, I like to sleep.  I'm lucky if I manage makeup.  I read about people with their morning routines of yoga and mediation, or even just coffee and some quiet time to reflect on the day, one woman even said she takes BATHS in the morning!  Who has time for that?!  This morning, I managed to inhale some freezer burnt gluten free waffles, and take my black coffee to go!  I threw on some CC cream and concealer at my desk and hoped for the best!  But, maybe one day I'll have time for a skincare regimen after my leisurely coffee and meditation session.  Maybe all these new products will push me into it!  #agirlcandream

Osmia Organics samples

I've been trying to make the switch to natural skincare and beauty products, which means lots of sampling since my skin is NOT perfect and needs help.  I ordered a bunch of samples from Osmia Organics after reading about them on a few blogs, including 312 Beauty one of my new favorite blogs. I chose the spot treatment, detox mask, calibration serum, active toner, and black clay soap.  And they were nice enough to add in a few more things for me to try!  It came beautifully wrapped and with a handwritten note.  I gotta be honest, they had me at handwritten note!

I like all the products and was planning to buy the black clay soap right away, but then I saw they were making a new soap (which incorporates the black soap) on Instagram and now I'm waiting for that to debut.  I'm still deciding on the detox mask, the toner and calibration serum.  The thing about natural products, better ingredients mean a bigger price tag!  A girl has to space things out!  I'm also deciding on the spot treatment, I don't dig the smell.  Is that a weird reason?  Ha.  

Super cute!

I've used the mask twice now and have enough for one more shot.  After reading reviews, I think I was expecting a new face after I washed it off!  It's good, but apparently it won't give you a new face!  Haha.  It's a process.  I'm learning that.  I'm trying to be patient.  Anyone else use these products?

New Skin?

I'll admit, Im not so great with looking like I care what I look like most days.  I mean, I like the idea of always looking together, but I also like sleep.  Sleep always wins.  If you put me and my younger sister in a room together, you probably wouldn't guess we were sisters.  She's always got perfect makeup and I'm too busy wondering where I'm eating next.  But, like I said, I like the idea of looking like I care.  So, I've been trying to get my skin in better shape and you know, wearing makeup like more than once a month.  I recently bought Manuka honey to hopefully clear up my skin in a natural way.  And I just ordered a bunch of samples from Osmia Organics.  I hear great things about the spot treatment!  We shall see if it can work miracles!  I'll post about the products I ordered once they arrive.

Spot Treatment

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Lately, my face lotion has been failing me.  I have patches of dry skin and I've noticed by about 10 am that my skin is flaking!  What is going on?!  Flaking skin is not pretty.  I already have adult acne (ok, maybe not, but it's close), I don't need flaking skin to add to the list!  So, the other day I decided to go on a sample run.  I like to try things out before I purchase, I take full advantage of skincare samples.  First, I went to Nordstrom's (I love that store despite that I can barely even afford the Junior's section, let alone the clothes that actually come in my size) and got some Laura Mercier and Mario Badescu samples.  Then I moved on to Sephora where I got samples for a day cream, night cream and eye cream.

From Laura Mercier I got Mega moisturizer for day and Tone Perfecting Creme for night, from Mario Badescu I got the oil free moisturizer for day and the Seaweed Night Cream.

And from Sephora I got Ole Henriken's Nurture Me for day, DDF Glycolic moisturizer for night and Shiseido Benefiance eye cream.

I started with the stuff from Sephora first and so far, I love the smell and feel of the Nurture Me, the eye cream is definitely a brightener, but it's a little heavy for day, it takes a long time to absorb.  The DDF glycolic, I'm not sure about yet.  It's nice enough, but I'll to see if I think it's actually making a difference.  I do have a new huge red zit on my chin, maybe it's courtesy of that??  Hard to tell, my face breaks out like that's its job!  I'm not sure about the Laura Mercier stuff after seeing the prices!  I'll try it I guess though.  The Mario Badescu products are definitely the most affordable, it'd be nice if they actually work too!  We'll see.

Anyone have any products they can't live without?

I'd really love...

to be organized
to have all the rooms in my house done exactly the way I want them
to have the space for a large garden that I remember to water on the regular
to have a closet full of clothes I love and that I look amazing in
to perfect my face on a daily basis
to sleep in fancy lingerie, though I do love the flannel pjs and v-necks, my husband doesn't seem to
to go to the gym on the regular
to have six pack abs and SJP-like biceps
to be able to walk in heels
to eat less mashed and fried potatoes and more whole grains
to be doing something challenging with my life
to not be embarrassed to tell people what I do for a living
to buy Uggs just because I want to
to find the perfect skincare products to get me perfect skin
to spend at least some of my Saturdays with my husband
to own a beach house or maybe a regular house with an in-ground pool and a lounge a chair
to tan perfectly and not burn randomly
to stop biting my nails FOREVER and not just a few weeks
to figure out what to do with myself

Skincare for now

I have skin that I guess you could call oily in the T zone and dry on my cheeks.  I rarely ever breakout on my cheeks, I breakout a little on my forehead, get clogged pores on my nose, and ALWAYS breakout on my chin!  And when I say always, I mean I have pictures of myself in HS (10 years ago) all broken out on my chin.  It's not cool.  So, I'm always searching for the perfect products.  I've used the Murad acne products, Philosophy, Neutrogena and I'm sure a number of other things I can't remember.  A few months ago I bought the Clarisonic Mia, on QVC (it was getting close to my wedding and I was up late having trouble sleeping and everyone swears the Clarisonic is amazing and with the 3 monthly payments, how could I resist?) and I've been using the cleansers that came with it, which didn't seem to help, my skin was getting worse.  So, I went to Sephora for help and with the Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser in mind.  I met an aesthetician there and she recommended I try the KS Daily Detox Cleanser in the morning with the Ole Henricksen Sheer Transformation moisturizer and at night Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash with my Clarisonic and follow it with the Skyn Iceland the Antidote Daily Lotion.  She gave me samples and I went home to try.  The things was, I had a $15 gift card they sent me in the mail that had to be used in 2 days, so I only had two days to try.  But, I decided to go back and get the Glacial Face Wash and the Sheer Transformation moisturizer.  But, I kept using the samples and while I wasn't too fond of the Antidote lotion at first because it has this minty cooling effect, my face has actually IMPROVED!  I should say I was always using the MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel pads at night between cleansing and moisturizing, I've been using them off and on since a little before my wedding (which was in October) they are supposed to be used every day, but 1.  I'm lazy and 2. they cost a fortune (though I got mine through Rue La La discounted).  Anyway, I'm hoping this skin improvement is lasting.  I might have to go buy the KS cleanser and the Antidote lotion after the holidays, all this stuff adds up!  The samples are almost gone though, so we'll see if the skin lasts with only the one cleanser and lotion.

Here's a visual to avoid this post being too boring!