The First-Ever…2011 Epic Beauty Awards.

WINNERS – MAKEUP

Toggle the tabs to see all the winners.

WINNERS – HAIR CARE

Toggle the tabs to see all the winners.

WINNERS – SKIN CARE

Toggle the tabs to see all the winners.

WINNERS – BODY CARE

Toggle the tabs to see all the winners.

WINNERS – BEAUTY TOOLS

Toggle the tabs to see all the winners.

WINNERS – BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE

Toggle the tabs to see all the winners.

Hey everyone! I did two other posts on my skin care routine back in January and April, and I figured it was about time to do another one since some things have changed.

Since sticking to a 100% paleo/primal foods for about 4 months now (instead of half-assing it for the 2+ years), my skin has become even easier to manage. As a result, I don’t do as much to my skin, and my routine is more casual. Good times!

(By the way, are you on the Epic Beauty Guide Facebook page yet? I post exclusive tips and info on there…just so you know…nudge nudge.)

{SKIN CARE}

CLEANSER. Filtered water, $ for the filtration system**
A must-have. People with sensitive skin may find that water irritates their skin or makes their face red – however, it is not the water itself, it is the chlorine and all the bits of allowable chemicals (VOCs, THMs, pesticides, etc.) in city tap water. Chlorine dries out the skin, makes hair brittle, and can exacerbate asthma and eczema. So I shower in filtered water, I drink filtered water, and I use filtered water to wash my face.** I soak a soft face cloth in warm water (definitely warm, almost hot) and press it on my face for a minute or so, then gently wipe my face with the same wet towel. I don’t scrub. Not only does it feel good and is super relaxing, it also gently removes any dirt and any excess oil. I have found that water is all I need (note that I don’t wear makeup – if you wear makeup, you need to use something like coconut or almond oil to remove your makeup first, then use a cleanser suited for your skin to get all the makeup off).

FYI: You guys know me – always researching, always sticking my nose into new information, the latest technology, yadda yadda. Well I’ve been paying very close attention to the issue surrounding chloramine. What the heck is it and why should you care? Chloramine is fast becoming a popular (and inexpensive) way of disinfecting our tap water. It is a chlorine-ammonia compound, and even worse than chlorine. It’s important to find out if you have chlorine or chloramine in your water. Just ask your local water district if they ever use chloramine. If they do, you need to get a special filter (this is the only filter I know of that can handle chloramine and remove it safely) because regular carbon filters (which make up the majority of filters) will NOT work on chloramine effectively because it requires a large filter and lots of time. It’s a big deal because chloramine is highly toxic, lethal to marine life, does not evaporate from the water (you can’t leave the water out and expect chloramine to evaporate like chlorine does), and creates nasty nitrite-like by-products. Yum.

**I get asked often what filter I use. I saved up and bought a whole house water filter from Environmental Water Systems. I still have their shower filter (this is the one, my brother has this one too) and sink filter (this is my sink filter), even though I don’t need them anymore because of the house filter. Just get what fits your budget and don’t waste your money on cheap crap because it’ll end up costing you more in the long run (shorter filter life, cheap materials, etc.). The reason I use this brand is the reason I use any brand (like ARCONA, Sircuit, Skin Apotheke, Rahua, etc.) – it has to be super high quality, last a long time, and be good for my (and your) health.

TONER. ARCONA Triad Pads, $30, 45 pads (lasts up to 45 days with daily use)
Love these. I use a pad after I wash my face with water or by itself if I’m traveling, staying in a hotel with chlorinated water, or camping out where no running water is available. I use the scrubby side for my face, then I turn it over and use the smooth side to wipe my neck and chest. It’s extremely refreshing, smells delicious, and I love the little glow it leaves behind.

EXFOLIATOR. Sircuit Skin Mocha Loca 4% Lactic Acid, $75, 1.3 oz. (lasts 3–4 months with use once or twice per week)
This looks and smells just like chocolate. I use it about 1–2 times per week. I smear on a small amount in my T-zone (forehead, nose, sides of the nose, chin) and leave it on about 10–15 minutes. The result is super smooth skin. No redness, no irritation, no flakes, nothin’. I’ve found that it’s great for preventing blackheads. My other favorite exfoliant is Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub ($15, 2 oz.), but I prefer to use chemical or enzyme exfoliants lately.

MOISTURIZER. Coconut oil, $19, 32 oz.
Perfect for night time and waking up to super soft, hydrated skin. I find that since I’ve been eating more healthy fats, my skin is staying hydrated on its own, so I only use coconut oil every other night or so. Previously I was using ARCONA Magic White Ice ($38, 1 oz.) and it’s an excellent moisturizer, particularly for oily skin and for day use. I still have it in my cupboard in case I should feel dry and need some moisture without the obvious sheen of coconut oil.

Aloe vera gel, $5.75, 16 oz.
Aloe is fantastic for oily or normal skin, or those that are acne prone. I love aloe for moisturizing in the morning if I need it. It’s very soothing, heals up blemishes, and helps keep blackheads at bay. Plus, it’s super cheap! I have aloe plants, but I don’t like robbing them of their leaf gel all the time, so I alternate between my fresh plants and the bottled gel (it’s important to get pure aloe gel with non-harsh preservatives and no other added fillers or liquids).

EYES. Skin Apotheke Vitamin C Rejuvenating Eye Balm, $21.95, 1 oz.
This is the best eye cream I have ever used, and I’ve tried tons. It has a creamy, lightweight texture that melts into your skin. As you guys know, I’m pretty pale so my skin has a tendency to show those lovely bluish-green (on some people they are purple) under-eye veins. I have seen a tremendous improvement by using this, in conjunction with lots of sleep, lots of water, and leafy greens.

EYELASHES. Home Health Cold Pressed Castor Oil, $8.29, 16 oz.
I’ve used castor oil on my lashes for years and it keeps them thick and healthy. Check out the post I wrote on how to get long, thick eyelashes.

ANTI-AGING TREATMENT. ARCONA Vitamin A Complex, $68, about 2 oz. (lasts 3+ months) and ARCONA Youth Serum, 20% Vitamin C, $87, about 2 oz. (lasts 6+ months)
I started using both of these a few months back (maybe in February?) and it’s fantastic for knocking out those dehydration lines (precursors to fine lines, which are precursors to wrinkles) and healing a blemish or fresh acne scar. They are both pricey but last me a long time. The Vitamin A really reduces the amount of blackheads and keeps the skin incredibly moisturized, and the Youth Serum is great for under the eyes (C helps to thicken thin skin under the eyes). FYI: They are often 20% off at Spalook.

DEODORANT. Elegant Rose Boutique Lavender Vanilla Natural Deodorant, $7.50, 2.5 oz. (lasts at least 4 months)
This deodorant does not irritate my skin, it smells amazingly good, and it lasts all day.

{MAKEUP}

FOUNDATION. While I don’t wear foundation, I know of some good brands that have great ingredients and have received good feedback and reviews. See my previous post on makeup here (I list makeup toward the bottom of the article).

CONCEALER. I love RMS Beauty and Jane Iredale concealers for covering up a blemish or under eye circles after a funky night’s sleep. Whatever it is, those are my two go-to brands for natural concealers.

OTHER STUFF. I love wearing eyeshadow, mascara, etc. when I feel like it or for special occasions. See my previous post on makeup for specific brands I use (they are listed toward the bottom of the article).

FTC Disclaimer: I am not paid by, or sponsored by, any of the companies I mention in this article. I purchased everything myself. All comments are my 100% honest opinion.

What is your skin routine and favorite products? Feel free to share!
~Steph x

I have come across some incredible natural skin care products this year, and I wanted to share my must-haves with you.

1. 100% Pure Organic Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam, $18.50. This is my go-to face wash, and the only face wash I’ve used consistently for almost a year. I love foaming washes, and foams are great for dry skin as well, particularly if you are sensitive and prone to clogged pores (cream cleansers tend to contain waxes that can easily clog pores). 100% Pure has a wide variety of foaming washes for all skin types, so if the lavender honey wash isn’t for you, try one of their other face washes. A bottle lasts me about 2–3 months.

2. Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub, $15. My favorite scrub of all time. I’ve used dozens of scrubs and exfoliators over the years, and none have treated my sensitive skin the way it always wanted to be treated. You mix a little of the scrub with your choice of either water, organic milk, or organic plain yogurt and gently massage in circular motions for a minute or two. It effectively prevents blackheads and leaves your skin softer, radiant, and polished without feeling dry and irritated. Though the price went up a few dollars, this scrub is so well worth it. This will always be a staple in my medicine cabinet.

3. Arcona Triad Pads, $23. I have been using these pads for toning, removing the last remnants of my Ubtan scrub, and as a face wash if I’m traveling and don’t want to use chlorinated water to wash my sensitive skin. These all-purpose pads have Steph-approved ingredients (that is the first and last time I’ll refer to myself in third-person…promise), they smell good, feel good, and have a slight exfoliating action to one side of the pad. I even use them on my neck and chest for some extra freshening. These are definitely coming with me to Coachella this year.

4. Arcona Magic White Ice, $38. This is on the pricey side, but it’s my favorite moisturizer. My skin absolutely loves this stuff. It is very light, non-greasy, absorbs quickly, and leaves a nice dewy look to the skin, which makes it perfect for all but the driest skin types (you will most likely have to apply another moisturizer on top of this if you skin is excessively dry). I would normally use grapeseed oil on my cheeks and coconut oil on my T-zone, but MWI has been an excellent replacement and I don’t have to wait for it to sink in like the oil before I leave the house. I use only 1 or 2 pumps, and this will last about 3 months (or longer, according to some reviewers).

5. RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up, $36. A little goes an incredibly long way with this one. I used a little sample for about a month before I bought the full-size! This is the best concealer I have used for my under-eye area. It is smooth, creamy, doesn’t crease when you smile, and its neutral tone matches my skin perfectly. Plus, it lasts all day long (I don’t set it with powder or anything). I used color # 22 in the summer but got a sample of # 11 since 22 is proving to be a little too dark for my skin now that it’s heading into winter.

6. Rahua Amazon Beauty Conditioner, $34. This is my go-to conditioner for keeping my fine, curly hair smooth and super soft. It doesn’t weigh my hair down and keeps it from getting frizzy, even in really dry or humid environments. I have yet to find another conditioner that rivals Rahua’s amazingness. Plus, a bottle will last you about 4–6 months.

7. Jaime Earl White Tea Hydrating Masque, $24. This is the best mask I’ve used for hydrating parched skin. If you tend to get dry patches or overly dry skin in the winter, definitely give this mask a try. I like to leave it on for an hour, wipe off with warm water, and follow it up with an oil (for your body, try omega-rich Jaime Earl Ootanga Body Oil, $32 and for your face, try grapeseed, coconut, or olive oil).

8. Skin Apothke Organic Vitamin C Rejuvenating Eye Balm, $21.95. This has a lovely, creamy texture that does not clog pores or contribute to milia. Better yet, it lessens dark circles and fine lines. As you guys know, I’m pretty pale and you can see the bluish-green veins under my eyes (especially if I’m tired or slacking on the green smoothies), but after using this for over a month, you can barely see them. If you use under-eye concealer, this cream is great for moisturizing beforehand and makes for a smooth application.

9. Elegant Rose Boutique Lavender Vanilla Deodorant, $7. This stuff is amazingly effective and smells so good it can even be a perfume. You will still sweat of course (you don’t want to use an antiperspirant – you are supposed to sweat), but the sweat will not smell bad whatsoever. The best natural deodorant I have ever used. As long as she keeps the ingredients the same, I’m sticking with this one forever.

10. Real Purity Mascara, $13. I have this mascara in black and brown, and both colors are rich, non-flaky, and leave your lashes looking lovely. I also love that the formula doesn’t irritate my eyes (many natural mascaras I have tried either flake off or make my eyelids itch) and does not cause my lashes to shed or feel dry. It’s easy to remove with oil, but does not come off if you should cry from laughing too hard. I replace the mascara every 3 months.

11. Environmental Water Systems Counter Top Water Filtration FC150 – “Essential Plus”, $139.95. I have this model and their whole-home Spectrum unit at home, and since my brother started going to college, we got him this unit and their shower head filter. This is the best brand of water filtration I have found, and I’ve researched all of them. They’ve been in business for over 20 years, use the best carbon filtration available, the units are super high quality, and the water that comes out is free of chlorine and chemicals that upset our skin and hair. Using filtered water is one of the keys to having awesome skin. One of their online retailers (link above) is having a sale right now – enter code 10ALLSINK at checkout and you get 10% off this unit or any other sink filtration. 25WHLHM takes 25% off the price of their whole-home systems.

12. Sweet Bee Magic, $29.95. This balm is similar to Egyptian Magic, works just as well, and is about half the price. It is extremely hydrating and fixes everything from dry skin to dermatitis. Yoga tends to rough up my hands and feet, so one of my favorite uses for Sweet Bee is to rub it on and put on cotton gloves and socks. In the morning, you wake up with super soft hands and feet. This has been a staple in my medicine cabinet for about a year, and I’ll always have a jar around.

FTC Disclaimer: I have not been paid or sponsored by any of the manufacturers or brands mentioned. Some products were sent to be for free to try, most I have purchased myself and have re-purchased products that had been sent for free initially. Everything is my full and honest opinion, and I would never recommend anything to you guys if it didn’t live up to my standards and expectations.

If you’ve tried any of these products, let me know what you think of them! Do you have any products you would recommend?
~Steph  x

Sorry it’s been so long! How is everyone?

For my first post of June, I would like to share with you the skin care and beauty products that I’m loving for summer.

1. Tropical Traditions Gold Standard Virgin Coconut Oil. This is my staple, but I use it a lot more in summer than I do in winter. If I go out and wear eye make-up, I use this to gently remove it without stinging my eyes. I also use it to prevent blackheads and blemishes, since coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is a powerful non-toxic fungus and bacteria fighter. I just keep a jar of this in my cupboard, and in the summer it stays in a soft, semi-liquidy state so it’s easy to use a cosmetic spatula, spoon, cotton bud, or cotton swab to scoop out some coconut oil. Then you just put it on your skin wherever you want. Some people use it in their hair, but for my fine, curly hair, I prefer to use purely moisturizing oils (I list one below).

2. Best Bath Store Acne Treatment Gel. This stuff is amazing. You can dab this on at night and it dramatically reduces any pimple (and redness) to almost nothing by morning. Better yet, you can also put it on in the morning and no one will know. Oh! And it doesn’t dry your skin out at all. It has a funky herbal scent that I really like, and the ingredients are pure and 100% natural, of course. This gel will be especially useful if you workout a lot and tend to get sweat-related blemishes on  your back — this gel clears it right up.

3. John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler. This is a great conditioner for dry hair. I put a little on my ends before shampooing to prevent the ends from drying out, then once I rinse out the shampoo, I re-apply the conditioner farther up my hair and let it sit for a few minutes. I’m left with soft, delicious-smelling hair that’s not weighed down at all (which is easy to do to my hair!).

4. Organic Apoteke Detox Face Mask. This is a great face mask. I usually make my own, but I didn’t want to pass this up because I loved the ingredients and it got great reviews on Makeup Alley. I tried a spray tan about 2 weeks ago and my skin reacted pretty negatively to it (read: breakouts), so with the help of this mask and the BBS Gel (above), it cleared up 100% in 2 days. So this mask has a permanent place in my cupboard, and gets 5 stars for being very soothing, reducing redness, and eliminating existing problems as well as preventing any new ones. And again, love the ingredients for being pure, organic, and 100% natural.

5. 100% Pure Organic Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam. I love this company’s entire product line, but this is my favorite. I use this face wash most of the time — I’ll change it up occasionally by using goat milk powder mixed with water, or their cranberry foam wash. This wash smells wonderful, works well, and doesn’t dry your skin out. I even used this for a while in the winter, and still no bad drying effect, which was surprising considering the majority of face washes I’ve tried always cause some drying. About once a week I’ll mix my lavender wash with 1 tsp. of really fine organic sugar or some MSM powder to make an awesome scrub. If you have normal or oily skin, you can try mixing it with aluminum-free baking soda (I like Bob’s Red Mill variety).

6. Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals Handsome Creme. Everyone I know loves the incredible smell of this thick lotion, and the name (Handsome) is so cute and catchy you’ll never forget it. The ingredients are great and very healing, and even contains fructooligosaccharides, which is a prebiotic that helps to feed the good bacteria on our skin (this is why I also recommend yogurt for the skin all the time, even though yogurt is more of a probiotic than a prebiotic).

7. Hair Therapy Wrap Cordless Thermal Turban Heat Wrap. Michelle sent me one of the wraps to try and I’m really glad she did because I’d been thinking about buying one for a few months. I use this with my John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner or Weleda Rosemary Hair Oil (see below). First I put the conditioner/oil on, put on a shower cap, put the entire therapy wrap (it has microwaveable heat pads inside) in the microwave for a minute or two, and then pop it on my head over the shower cap. It’s a bit heavy for my head (they’re coming out with lighter gel-packs soon), so I usually leave it on for about 20–40 minutes. It stays hot for a long time, which I like, and you can always re-microwave it if you think it’s not hot enough. I’m glad it’s not super-hot because I’m not a fan of any kind of heat damage. ;D I love the results, it makes the conditioner work that much better. This is a must-have for summer, especially if you’re swimming in hair-damaging chlorinated pools or the salty ocean.

8. Weleda Rosemary Hair Oil. Rosemary and burdock are two of the main ingredients in the all-natural oil, and both are known for promoting scalp balance and hair growth. I use this oil at least once per week and my hair feels and looks so amazingly healthy that I went out and bought two more bottles so I’d never run out. ;D I pour a bit into my hands and take my time gently massaging it into my scalp (I pour more into my hands as I go along, my goal is to coat all of my hair) and smoothing it through all the way to the ends. Then I wrap my hair in a bun and either put my heated hair wrap over it (see above), or I do a BodyRock.tv workout which heats up your scalp (and your whole body, for that matter) and helps the oil works its magic.

9. Aura Cacia Vanilla Essential Oil (in Jojoba Oil). Oh…my…goodness. This smells so incredible. I love natural perfume oils, and this one is my favorite along with their Jasmine essential oil. I just dab a few drops on my skin and smooth any remaining bit into my hair. Mmmm! If you’re sensitive to commercial perfumes and tend to sneeze or get headaches around scents, then you’ll absolutely LOVE this because it’s completely natural and only has 2 ingredients — jojoba oil and real vanilla extract. Plus, it’s cheaper than commercial perfumes and even if you use one or two drops a day (which is all you need), it’s going to last you at least two months.

10. Sweet Bee Magic All Over Skin Cream. Sweet Bee sent me a jar and two little samples (which I gave to some friends so they could get hooked) of their product a few months ago, and haven’t had a chance to try it until now. It really reminds me of Egyptian Magic, but for some reason, it works a lot better for me than EM ever did. If you ever get dry patches or if you’re prone to dry feet because you walk around barefoot a lot or do yoga, this will soon turn into your holy grail of skin creams. I had a little dry patch on the my left cheek yesterday, and when I woke up this morning is was 80% gone. It’s very soothing and incredibly moisturizing. Hoorah!

Just an FTC note: I’m never paid by or affiliated with any of the products I recommend, and I always tell you if I received an item for free (the hair wrap and bee magic, in this case).

Let me know if you use or try any of my favorites! I’d love to know what you think.
~Stephanie  x

Stratus  Instant Skin Perfector, $44.
Smells great, feels phenomenal, very moisturizing, erases imperfections and gives you a “glow,” and also doubles as a foundation primer.

Elixir Lip Gloss in Twinkle, $20.
Smells great, non-sticky, very moisturizing, doesn’t taste bad like most lip glosses.

The Japanese Skincare Revolution, $13.
One of my favorite books on skincare. Very simple, holistic approach to beauty with practical advice. Plus, the author is living proof that it works.

Annnnnd the link to my latest article on getting rid of acne: 3 “Secrets” to Clear Skin (No More Acne!)

Please Note: Vapour sent me two of their products for free to review. I was not paid or in any way compensated for my review. I purchased The Japanese Skincare Revolution on my own and was not compensated for my review in any way. I am not affiliated with either company.

By the way, I want to purchase a humidifier — does anyone have a good recommendation? I’ve been hunting around for a decent one for what seems like forever. The ones I’ve seen all have reports of leaking and overall cheapness of quality.

These two videos, in addition to finding LOADS of independent reviews, are what convinced me to invest in this device. I embedded them here in case you want to watch. (Oh, and I love Oprah and this was one of her “Favorite Things,” so that certainly didn’t hurt when I was making my decision hehe.)

Note: make sure you scroll to the end of the post to read my warning about the Clarisonic and its warranty.

{UPCOMING REVIEW}
Once I get my Clarisonic in the mail, I’m going to post a thorough review!

{WARNING}
I am definitely a comparison shopper, and I found some good deals on Amazon, eBay, and Beauty Choice for Clarisonics. I also found that people were complaining all over the place about the warranty being invalid. So I called Clarisonic and asked about it to see if it was true.

I was told that if you purchase one of their devices from Amazon/eBay/etc., that they do not warranty these units because these sellers are unauthorized to sell them. Clarisonic also discontinues selling the units to these unauthorized retailers when they find out what spa name they’re operating under. Clarisonic only warranties units sold from their website and from authorized spas or estheticians. I ended up buying mine from their website because it was only about $10 more (and it’s free shipping, yay) and having the two-year warranty in case it fails is really important to me when I’m spending $225 on a piece of equipment.

Even though Epic Beauty Guide launched less than one week ago, I have surprisingly been receiving quite a few emails regarding natural skin care products. So I decided to wrangle up my Top 10 Favorite Natural Skin & Hair Care Products — and nooo, I’m not paid or sponsored by any of them.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

1. 100% Pure. With such a delicious medley of fruit enzyme scrubs, lotions with mouth-watering scents like “Dark Chocolate Mocha” and “Honey Almond,” and luscious body washes with equally yummy flavors, who could resist? Most important, their line is incredibly clean and free of sneaky, unfriendly ingredients. A few of their products (I believe it is just their body washes) contain less than 0.1% potassium sorbate, a food-grade salt preservative that prevents fermentation. This is an acceptable preservative, as it presents no carcinogenic risk and is water soluble, so it is not stored in our bodies. Plus, their customer service is a dream and their owner, Susie Wang, comes across very genuine and caring (and apparently she’s going to start a natural clothing line soon — that’s going to be awesome!). Oh oh, P.S. their facial moisturizers (love their Aqua Boost Hydrate Serum) will leave you with baby soft skin. 100% Pure is 100% Amazing (cheesy, but so true).

2. Talulah. I am fairly new to this brand, but I’m already in love with their homespun view on beauty and the truly 100% natural ingredients that go with it. Their founder/CEO, Nicole, is an esthetician and herbalist who formulates every product in the Talulah line. Everything from their luxurious cleansers to their nourishing facial masks have pure plant ingredients and homeopathics that benefit a variety of skin types and relieve numerous complaints. One of their popular products is the Vanilla Bean Rejuvenating Cleanser, made with organic sugar and jasmine rice for beautifully polished, blemish-free skin. And the pampering doesn’t stop there — after cleansing, indulge your skin with their nutrient-rich Oma Face Serums and, for some serious repair, try a 30-day intensive with their sublime White Flower Perfecting Nectar. Yum!

3. Evan Healy. “The skin breathes” is their tagline and the undertone to this entire line. The resulting formulations are light, yet supremely nourishing and effective. During one winter, I had ungodly dry skin and persisent red dry patches on my cheeks and chin (awesome, I know), and Evan’s Rose Cleansing Milk was my savior, swiftly replacing my irritated skin cells with fresh, happy new ones in a matter of days. Their Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum is another beauty, made entirely of pure organic seed and essential oils to repair and soothe delicate, dry skin.

4. Suki Pure. This is one line I have been watching since its inception, and the company’s owner, Suki (go figure), is clearly a passionate individual with a good helping of integrity. Her skin care products are consistently held to high standards and as a result, they have received many positive reviews and awards. One of their most customer-acclaimed products is the Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, a delicious daily skin treat made with lemongrass, rice, and organic sugar attributed to clearing blemishes and keeping the skin soft and youthful. Their creams, toners, and treatments are similarly formulated with pure, all natural, organic ingredients without a hint of junk, fillers, or preservatives. And they work. Hooray!

5. Sophyto. This expertly formulated line hails from the UK, and its organic standards and unique offerings make it quite the winner. I love that their entire line is pH balanced, ensuring your skin is going to stay soft and clean after washing, instead of tight and in immediate need of some moisturization. Their Polyphenol Skin Drops are certainly a unique treat, and can be used in place of water for rinsing off your cleanser if you have chlorinated (a major skin irritant) water. Overall, a great line to try.

6. Living Nature. An amazing, complete line from New Zealand — and if you’re a guy in need of a quality, natural shaving cream and aftershave, look no further! Their ingredients are impressive, their line is extensive, and they have something superb and effective for everyone. I can’t wait to try their Balancing Shampoo, made with Manuka honey, meadowfoam, coconut oil, and vitamin E (but at $20 for just 6.7 ounces, the price is a wee bit steeper than I’m used to with other natural, organic lines).

7. John Masters Organics. If you’re like me and enjoy treating your hair to the same natural, Nature-loving elixirs you put on your skin, then give this line a try. Their Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier and alcohol-free Sweet Orange & Silk Protein Styling Gel are absolute all-stars, while the rest of his haircare line shines just as bright. Cruelty-free, organic, and made with top notch ingredients that make your hair look and feel wonderful — could you really ask for anything more?

8. Intelligent Nutrients. Oh my, what a beautiful, well-crafted line this is. While their pricing is pretty steep, one can’t deny the quality, purity, and effectiveness this hair and skin care line provides. And because each product is formulated with completely natural (and technically edible) ingredients, you can use many of them in multiple ways — Organic Finishing Gloss for your hair only? Nay! You can use it as a massage oil or aftershave as well. And a little piece of trivia for you: IN’s founder and passionate herbalist is Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda, one of the original natural product lines many of us came to love (Aveda was sold to Estee Lauder in 1997 and is, unfortunately, being turned into the usual mainstream chemical-filled crap).

9. Real Purity. Okay, so their website is the exact opposite of good or pretty (God, how I would love to redo their site — awesome companies need awesome websites, and that kinda thing gets me all antsy), their products are as natural, simple, and lovely as it gets. Virginia Jenkins, RP’s owner, is richly involved in her products’ formulation and even formulated one of the first natural mascaras on the market. Their Sensitive Hair Spray is a dream come true, providing glorious, shine-enhancing nutrients (all completely alcohol-free!) to your mane — it’s not your typical icky sticky hair spray. I love how affordable their products are, and you can give everything a shot by buying samples for only a few bucks. I am excited to try their Misty Facial Spray (a mineral rich artesian water mist for the skin) and a few of their cosmetics for my upcoming cosmetics reviews videos and posts. This should be great!

10. Suncoat. This kinda makes me giggle because I regularly mispronounce and misspell it Sungoat, but truthfully, that is part of the grand appeal to me. This line is all sugar, spice, and everythig nice — quite literally! Their natural hair care products are sugar-based and sensational, providing superior hold, shine, and manageability to your hair. They are an undeniably wonderful alternative to the usual chemicals.