Meatless Monday – Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Pie

This vegan substitute tastes exactly like the “real thing” but without all kinds of common allergens.  Two members of my family have ginger allergies, so I just substituted the ginger for a little ground clove instead.  

Vapour Organics Aura Multi-Use Blush in Crush Review

I love the idea of multisticks and cream blushes.  They just feel so nice on my skin, blend so well, and look very natural.  Staying power?  Not always awesome.  But how does this gorgeous multi-use blush from Vapour Organics stand up?

African Fair Trade Society Organic Shea Butter Review

If you’ve been following my twitter feed you’ll know that I have been desperate for relief for my dry, itchy skin.  I haven’t found a body moisturizer or oil that has truly given my skin long-term relief so I put it out there to the green beauty community for help.  Shea butter was one of the top products mentioned, so when I went to my local green beauty store and the sales-lady there recommended this product I had high hopes.

FOTD – Moroccan Sunset

It’s my very first face of the day!  I am so excited.  I like these colour combinations because it works well for everyday, but also adds a bit of glamour and makes me think of the beach, ocean and rolling waves.

Fall Manicure – a neutral twist on the french manicure

 

I have been playing around with different combinations of nail polishes to find some fun looks.  This look is a subtle colourful take on the traditional french manicure.  Instead of the usual neutral pink, I’ve substituted Sheswai’s polish in Stone.  Sadly, they don’t sell this colour anymore, but What is the closest colour match in their current collection.  The colour I used as the tip highlighter is HIPP by RGB in 1, which is a standard pale beige colour.  Of course I want this look to last as long as possible so I use Spa Rituals 3 step manicure system.

Hope that you like this look!

 

100% Pure Lip Creme Stick and Lip Glaze Review

It is such a joy now that my skin care routine is all ironed out that I can start truly delving into the world of green makeup.  I really do like playing and experimenting with makeup, but your skin is truly the canvas and so taking care of it and finding the right balance of skin care products is an absolute necessity for me before I can start thinking about makeup.

Lip products are one of those things that I have always liked, but I was hesistant to use them prior to going green because having the ingredients on my lips meant that I could ingest them and probably did.  I had no idea how scary my products were until I started doing my research, but now that I know better I will never go back.  I can deal with the lesser staying power because I know that they are safer.  Considerably safer.

100% Pure is one of my favourite companies (have you noticed?) but I haven’t given their lip products much of a try so far.  Up for review this time are the Lip Creme Stick in Perfect Naked Berry and their Lip Glaze in Velveteen.  

Meatless Monday – Quinoa Salad

I like being able to pull a meal together based on what I have in the fridge.  There’s something very satisfying about being able to pull something together at the last minute without having to run to the store.  It’s even better when the meal turns out to be exciting and delicious!

October 2014 Favourites

There’s just something about the autumn colours that stands out for me, and makes me want to be outside.  Plus, autumn is a great time for scarves!  Here’s what I’ve been liking a lot this month:

Makeup – My Strawberry Lips Red Apple Lipstick arrived just in time for fall.  It is a beautiful burnt ombre and berry shade that works so well with the season.  Plus, it is ultra hydrating which works well with the cooler temperature and drier air.  Repurchase? Probably, yes, when this tube eventually runs out!

Skin Care – Exfoliation is the name of the game as my skin adjusts to the drier air, so I have been reaching for Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Exfoliating Scrub (review) every three or four days or so.  You really can’t get much better in the ingredients department, and for the price this product really can’t be beat! <b>Repurchase?</b> Absolutely, I already have.

Hair Care – I have been learning a lot about hair care this month and last month as I am strugging to keep a new kind of hair dye in my hair.  A product that is supposed to last 6 – 8 weeks before it starts to fade has been rinsing out completely after three washes.  I have been mean to my hair, attempting a few times to get this dye to stick and by changing things up in my hair care routine – ah the vanity of having fashion colours in my hair!  Since I have been so mean to my hair lately, hair masks are a must!  I have been doing oil treatments of olive oil and or coconut oil as well as apple cider vinegar rinses in an attempt to rebalance the pH levels in my hair.  Hopefully after all these new steps the dye will finally take.  Fingers crossed, everyone!

<b>Body</b> – Nothing is saving my skin right now from drying out like Chagrin Valley’s Body and Massage candles (review).  They have a rich blend of butters and oils which seem to help maintain a decent balance of moisture in my skin which lasts almost the whole day. The only downside is that they have to be warmed before use, but I just plop the little tin on my candle warmer before jumping in the shower and it’s ready to go when I’m done.  Repurchase? I already have.

Yarok Feed Your Hold Hairspray Review

Although I do like Intelligent Nutrient’s Hairspray for when I need ultra-mega hold for something like an up-do, it is really to crispy for when my hair is down.  Plus, I have a cow-lick on one side of my bangs so I use product there to help keep things going the right direction and the Intelligent Nutrient’s Hairspray was just too much.  I haven’t tried too many of Yarok’s hair products, but I like their leave-in spray so it made sense for me to try their Feed Your Hold Hairspray.

100% Pure Super Fruits Healthy Skin Foundation Revew

Aside from Jane Iredale’s Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer (review) I haven’t really branched out into liquid foundations since going green.  I do like the Dream Tint, but it definitely does not offer full coverage,  nor is it vegan.  Naturally, I went looking to 100% Pure for makeup because so many of their products are vegan but they also use fruit and vegetable pigments rather than mineral based pigments to achieve the different shades.  There is so much less chance of lead contamination with makeup pigmented this way, rather than mineral based pigmentation.  Plus, it smells better!