You greenies have probably read a lot in the past year about Laurel Whole Plant Organics. Or haven’t you? Well, let me tell ya, it seems like everyone in the green beauty/skincare community is learning and raving about Laurel’s entire line. I’m here to tell you all that it’s true: this brand truly is one of a kind.
I had the pleasure of meeting Laurel (herself!) at A Night For Green Beauty in August. She was kind, answered all my questions, and very generously gave me some samples to try out.
So, what principles guide this brand?
“Laurel Whole Plant Organics is a flower and herb based facial care line. We have the highest possible standards for organic ingredients, biodynamic ingredients, and raw, unrefined whole plant ingredients. We source directly from our farmers, making our purity and integrity unparalleled. “
This whole line is so clean, effective, and most important…all-natural! Laurel products are definitely an investment. But in my opinion – more than well worth it!
Eye Balm
Let me be clear: their Eye Balm ($60 for 10 ml) is quite possibly the best product I have used all year.
This balm – not cream or serum or mask – but balm is exactly that. It looks a bit waxy in the pot, like it might be thick. I assure you, it is not. It’s the perfect consistency with 24 beneficial active ingredients infused with vitamins, minerals and carotene. This is a li’l pot o’ heaven. It sounds so corny, but your eyes will thank you. No, really. It’s that good. Just a few pats with my pinky and my eyes are left deeply hydrated. Anyone over the age of 18 gets dark circles, sometimes even cracking due to dry skin around the eyes. Time hits your eyes first, then moves down. I thought I had sort of a permanent grayish circle that would never go away again due to late night writing jags and the everyday stresses that come with just being…you know, an adult? Life takes its toll, no matter how much you take care of yourself! Since using this balm, my dark circles have not only lightened up, but I feel like the skin around my eyes is brighter and healthier looking. I braved lunch today (at a restaurant) with two swipes of mascara and nothing else. I have never felt better about going bare. Revitalized is the word that comes to mind.
This stellar product is packed with lavender to help calm and cool the skin, grapeseed oil, which is regenerative to cells, borage seed oil, which helps prevent wrinkles and scarring, and cranberry seed oil, to reverse and prevent sun damage. Fun fact: Cranberry seed oil also aids in the skin’s absorption and utilization of essential fatty acids. Which is another reason why this formulation is so genius.
I believe Laurel Eye Balm has strengthened my eye tissue, made it stronger with its whole plant blend of bilberry, fennel, licorice, and nettle to help reduce inflammation, puffiness, fluid retention – and you guessed it – dark circles.
A very small amount goes a long way, and you have two choices for how you’d like to wear it. If you are like me, and DON’T have extremely dry eyes, (you just want to keep fine lines at bay and Father Time from choking you to death prematurely), then I advise wearing this as your NIGHT eye treatment. Now, Jennifer does the exact opposite. Jennifer has a very dry eye area. She wears this in the morning, under her eye makeup. Some might find this too greasy for under makeup, others might find it to be just right – it just depends on your skin and preference. Jennifer’s never been happier (neither have I) with an eye product (that’s saying a LOT), and when her’s runs out, I know for sure what I am getting her for Christmas this year. Shhh…
Body Oil: California
I truly enjoyed using Laurel’s gorgeous body oil in “California” ($80 for 100 ml) – which is where I was born, and where I live now! The bottle lives up to its name with it’s “Californian” ingredients. It evokes scents of cedar and its base is the ever-effective and skin softening avocado oil. (A Cali staple, not just for guac!) I like to slather this on right after a shower and let it work its wonders. This is a lovely post-shave product to use, and is quite light for an oil based product. It absorbs nicely, and a very small amount goes a long way. I apply it from my neck to my feet, as the soft notes of rose and sandalwood engulf me. This is a fantastic product to have in your arsenal for the dry skin months of winter.
Facial Serum: Antioxidant
The Laurel Facial Serum in Antioxidant ($80 for 30 ml) is a gorgeous serum blend of jojoba, red raspberry seed, borage seed, evening primrose, almond, cranberry seed, pomegranate seed, seabuckthorn, sesame and tamanu oils. Whew. That is quite the oil combination, eh? It packs a punch with its eyedropper delivery of vitamins to your face. A few drops will rub in nicely, and works wel under makeup. I like to apply this and then a tinted moisturizer for a soft and dewy look. With calming calendula and chamomile, this light serum has hints of rose, lemon balm and frankinscense for an Earthy – but not overpowering – scent. The scent wears off after a few minutes, and you are left with soft, hydrated and luminous skin. This is a product I would use a few times a week (as it is pricy) to savor. It’s a very potent and effective moisturizer. I use this when my skin is dull and sad, and needs a pick-me-up after a rough day at work or – ahem – a night on the town. Gorgeous packaging, easy delivery to skin, and effective blend of powerhouse ingredients.
Laurel Eye Balm ingredients: Shea Butter˚, Jojoba Oil˚, Borage Seed Oil˚, Rosehip Seed Oil˚, Almond Oil˚, Grape Seed Oil˚, Cranberry Seed Oil˚, Beeswax˚, Pomegranate Seed Oil˚, Rosemary˚; in-house biodynamic proprietary blend of Nettle˚, Bilberry˚, Rosehip Fruit˚, Chamomile˚, Licorice˚, Gotu Kola˚, Calendula˚, Comfrey˚, Fennel˚; essential oils of Lavender˚, Bergamot˚, Sandalwood˚, Myrrh˚, Helichrysum˚
˚signifies certified organic ingredient
Laurel Body Oil – California ingredients: Avocado Oil˚, Rosehip Seed Oil˚, Sunflower Seed Oil˚, Safflower Oil˚, Tamanu Oil˚, Red Raspberry Seed Oil˚, Rosemary˚; essential oil blend of Rose˚, Sandalwood˚, Vetiver˚, Scotch Pine˚, Cedar˚; flower and gem essences˚
˚signifies certified organic ingredient
Laurel Facial Serum – Antioxidant ingredients: Jojoba Oil˚, Rosehip Seed Oil˚, Red Raspberry Seed Oil˚, Borage Seed Oil˚, Evening Primrose Oil˚, Almond Oil˚, Cranberry Seed Oil˚, Pomegranate Seed Oil˚, Seabuckthorn Oil˚, Sesame Oil˚, Tamanu Oil˚, Rosemary Extract˚; in-house biodynamic proprietary blend of Gotu Kola˚, Calendula˚, Comfrey˚, Nettle˚, Chamomile˚, Licorice˚, Red Clover˚, Lemon Balm˚, Astragalus˚, Yarrow˚, Elderflower˚, Horsetail˚; essential oils of Neroli˚, Sandalwood˚, Jasmine˚, Rose˚, Carrot Seed˚, Myrrh˚, Frankincense˚ ˚signifies certified organic ingredient
**All Laurel products were generously given to me for review by the product manufacturer. Check out our policy on product reviews.
