Kathryne

A Laurel Love Story

KathryneOct 14, 2014 13 Comments

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!

A Nourishing Bath and Body Line for Fall: Eu2Be

KathryneOct 5, 2014 0 Comments

What’s more fun than trying a new, seasonally suitable brand? Hello, Eu2Be!

Eu2Be, founded by Charla Jones, is named after her globetrotting aunt Eugenia, one of a number of strong women in Charla’s life who inspired her to create her own definition of beauty – which we can definitely get behind.

“We believe beauty is so much more than glamour: it’s a creative force for well-being, and there’s nothing superficial about it.”

Yes. Yes. Yes.

The Eu2Be line is rooted in nourishing oils – prime stuff as we move into autumn – and avoids a lot of common nasties. It’s worth nothing that they do contain preservative phenoxyethanol and fragrance. “Fragrance” on any product label sets off the alarm bells in our heads since a number of nasty chemicals can make up your run-of-the-mill synthetic scent, and manufacturers do not have to divulge their formulas, so it’s difficult to gauge what ingredients you’re spritzing or slathering all over your body. The good news is that the Eu2Be team set us at ease after we reached out about this:

“Eu2Be’s fragrance is unisex and never forward or overpowering. It was created for people who are sensitive to strong, allergy-triggering ingredients. And most importantly, it does not have any phthalates, formaldehydes, hormone-altering or cancer-causing components that are commonly associated with fragrance ingredients.”

As always, read your labels – and peep our review below for our thoughts!

Meet Your Maker: Jaime Schmidt of Schmidt’s Deodorant

KathryneSep 12, 2014 7 Comments

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: deodorant is one of those essential products that needs to work! (No gal wants to clear a room because her well-intentioned, natural deo was a bust.) As you may have seen in our last post, we were very happy to discover that Schmidt’s Deodorant is one of those go-to, dependable products for everyone interested in using a healthy, natural option.

That’s why we were psyched to ask Jaime Schmidt, founder of Schmidt’s Deodorant, some questions about the natural deodorant biz and the Schmidt’s process. Read on to hear from Jaime, the natural deo master herself: she discusses her process for selecting scents, the future of the natural deo industry, and a bunch more.

Schmidt’s Deodorant has truly glowing reviews. What makes your formula stand out among other natural deodorants? How did you develop it?
Thanks! There are a few things that stand out about the formula. First is the ingredients and their sourcing: we use only the highest quality ingredients available. Then there is the production, which not only requires a specific combination of ingredients, but a very careful and “secret” process that gives us the great consistency and hand feel we’re looking for. This took over two years of R&D for us to get it exactly right. Of course, we put a great deal of effort towards our packaging as well: we want to ensure a positive, new kind of experience with deodorant.

Let’s talk about the “science of smell” and how your ingredients like baking soda and natural plant powders absorb wetness and fight odor. How does that work?

One key is to allow for the body’s natural process of perspiration – we don’t include chemical ingredients like other deodorant brands that are designed to keep you from sweating – rather, we use plant-based powders and top-quality baking soda to absorb the wetness if you do sweat.

These ingredients you mentioned, and more, help to balance our body’s natural odor in a more health-conscious way.

Overly Excited About Deodorant (Really): Schmidt’s Deo

KathryneSep 11, 2014 4 Comments

We try out our fair share of all-natural skincare, beauty and body products over here at Unsullied HQ (read: in our respective living rooms). In terms of the products that don’t quite wow us…we don’t lose sleep over a tube of too-sticky lip gloss or odd-smelling soap. But a deodorant that doesn’t perform? There goes our social life. The stakes are HIGH during deodorant trials!

Fortunately for us, we had few qualms about taking all-natural Schmidt’s Deodorant ($9 for 2 oz.) for a test run. Their press page features glowing reviews of tear-inciting effectiveness (“I literally cried after a day of wearing it”) and we’ve heard from bloggers and green beauty fans alike that Schmidt’s has a winning formula. In a world where effective natural deodorants can be a bit elusive…that’s a big deal!

So, how does it work? Schmidt’s contains plant-based powders and high-quality baking soda to absorb wetness and neutralize your B.O., you smelly person (kiddin’). Plus, shea butter and cocoa seed butter act as skin conditioners. Schmidt’s is completely free of the usual suspects that “sully” drugstore deodorants…aluminum, parabens, and more. We wrote nearly a year ago why all-natural deodorant is critically important to us. Underarms are a sensitive part of your body – but more importantly – they’re close to your breasts – and you don’t want any strong or potentially hazardous ingredients/chemicals there. No way, Jose.

Well, the results are in and…YES, Schmidt’s is the REAL DEAL. Rejoice!

Feeling Like a Teenager Again: Angel Face Botanicals (+ Giveaway!)

KathryneSep 3, 2014 19 Comments

I first was introduced to Angel Face Botanicals through a sample of their Lavender and Aloe Toner in the Ecopique Box full of all natural products I received a few months ago. Until then, I had never heard of this luxurious, spa-like brand of organic green goodness. Now, I’m a convert, and you can be too, because Angel Face Botanicals has generously put together a prize package for one Unsullied reader. Read on for the giveaway!

Based in Santa Cruz, California (one of my favorite places!), founder Jessica Ress works with the Earth to make exquisite natural products. Being a fifth generation Californian growing up in the fresh air and sunny beaches, she became interested in healing herbs in the early ’90s. This led her to experimenting with making homemade spa products and lotions for her friends and family for gifts. Thus, Angel Face Botanicals was born. Located on the beautiful Monterey Bay Sanctuary, Jessica’s boutique facility makes her pure, natural and organic facial care, body care, perfumes, and soaps using aromatherapy principles for maximum enjoyment/effectiveness.

Jessica states her products are made with essential oils, phyto-nutrients, antioxidants, detoxifying minerals, and LOTS of love!

Now, onto why I feel like a teenager again when I use her products.

Hubba, Hubba…! A Night For Green Beauty

KathryneAug 21, 2014 11 Comments

Did you know there’s an annual event that celebrates the bountiful world of green beauty? And that it was earlier this month? (Most of you bloggers and green beauty fans are probably nodding, “Yup. DUH.”)

But just in case you haven’t heard of A Night for Green Beauty (ANFGB), put on by green skincare line La Bella Figura and drawing bloggers and product manufacturers from around the country, (kind of like charcoal draws dirt out from pores…OK, terrible green beauty joke…) let me paint you a quick picture.

Twenty-two green beauty brands set up shop at the W hotel in Los Angeles to share their fantastic wares, (and samples…samples!) including the beloved Jose Rosebrook, Osmia Organics, Alima Pure, the list. GOES. ON!

Flowers crowns were sported.

Cold-pressed juice was sipped.

A cornucopia of sustainably and stylishly packaged beauty and skincare products, teeming with powerful natural, nourishing and organic ingredients awaited all in attendance.

I mean…it’s pretty much what you would expect: HEAVEN. ON. EARTH.

I can’t tell you how hard it was going to ANFGB in Los Angeles without my dear baby sister & blogger-in-crime, Jennifer. Well, hard may be an overstatement, heh, because it was like a dreamland I could have never fathomed (sorry, sis!)…it was overwhelming and beautiful! All those green brands all in the same place?! It was so magical!

My hubby came with me to help snap photos. He may not be a fan of shimmery mineral eye shadows and citrus-scented body oils, but he is pretty much the best ever for snapping photos and coming along for the ride while I covered myself in natural perfumes from Lurk and swathed in various facial serums. I might have left looking a little crazy, but by God, it was WORTH IT!

Meeting the people behind the brands and blogs that Jennifer and I have loved, admired, and gained so much knowledge and enlightenment from was truly special. I could go on about it forever. But in the interest of your boredom and my social life, I am going to highlight just a few of my favorite experiences for you!

Petit Vour: Calling all Cruelty-Free Beauty Fans

KathryneJul 25, 2014 6 Comments

Petit-Vour-box

That’s all of you, right?! (None of you are evil, ya?) Excellent.

Petit Vour is a luxury vegan beauty box: each month, they send subscribers four to five sample-size and full-size beauty products that are free from parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde and sulfates. Most importantly to the Petit Vour brand: products are always vegan and cruelty-free…never tested on animals.

After enjoying the June box (which included some gorgeous NCLA light blue nail polish, EVOLVh shampoo and conditioner, TAY rosehip cleanser and a sample of MUN brightening youth serum), I was SO stoked to receive the July box which is chock full of amazing products I otherwise may not have discovered. The real beauty of this box (I’m too groggy for a better pun, sorry) is that it exposes you to boutique brands and products that use vegan and (mostly) natural ingredients and have solid ethics. Note that if you’re a clean beauty purist, as we try our darndest to be, you’ll want to check labels as not all of the products are 100% natural. Some of the June samples were a bit too small for me to get a clear impression of the products, but the box as a whole is still a smorgasbord of loveliness!

Wild About Pemberley Jones! Alima Pure and Weleda For The Win!

KathryneJul 8, 2014 6 Comments

Alright, so if you are in the green beauty community and you also happen to blog, chances are you most certainly know about a certain Ms. Pemberley Jones. Her blogs and reviews are super helpful, from DIY hair masks to informing you about her newest favorite eye cream. (You know my weak spot is eye creams…I can’t get enough!)

When Pemberley launched her store a few months back, I was not only extremely happy for her, but I was ready to get on that bandwagon. Her motto is so universal yet so supremely awesome:

Go natural, stay beautiful.

She features brands like Caru Skincare, Meow Meow Tweet, Weleda, Osmia, Lina Hanson, Kahina Giving Beauty, Acure, Benecos, Alima, Waxelene and RGB…just to name a few! She offers free shipping on orders over $75, and you will receive the most adorable little polka dot-packaged surprise in the mail, as well as some samples of our favorite natural brands.

Here’s what I got and LOVED from my #pemjo haul!

Etsy Find: Meadowlark Botanical

KathryneJun 19, 2014 16 Comments

Meadowlark Botanical Etsy

It’s HOT here in Cali! 100 degrees of dry sauna insanity in my backyard. Six months out of the year I am taking two showers a day (short ones…water conservation!), which is no bother, because that’s twice as many cool new products I can try and blog about. Woo!

I wanted to spend some of my tax return money on independent skin care brands. I started to dive into research mode, with some really exciting results…

I came across Meadowlark Botanical on Etsy, and after having some really awesome and informative conversations with Jessica, the owner, I was beyond jazzed to buy some of her gorgeous products. Jessica hails from beautiful Colorado, and is passionate about making products that are safe for you, your babies (if applicable!), and your home. She makes soaps, body oils, scrubs, facial masks, dry shampoos, cuticle cream, and much more!

Jessica started this company in 2013 after she started suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder that makes most commercial beauty products impossible for her to use. She wanted to create products for herself and others than were not only effective, but mindful of the environment and simple in their nature. In a word: SAFE.

30 Days of Eatin’ Vegan: Mission Complete

KathryneJun 6, 2014 5 Comments

It’s been A FULL MONTH since I decided to try out eating vegan for 30 days (check our my first post on the topic for more background!).

Phew, that went fast! I gotta say, I may or may not be in the majority here, but this truly has not been that hard – or not nearly as hard as I had imagined. The most encouraging thing I have learned from this experiment is I don’t miss cheese (thought I would). Not even a little! I MAY have cheated and had a few eggs here and there…so that’s been the main block for me. But the most important outcome of this experiment has been how I FEEL. And that’s been amazing. I have energy, I feel vibrant and I haven’t felt hungry or unsatisfied. I’ve tried to keep a good balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. And while I may not always eat 100% vegan going forward (someday, maybe!), I will definitely continue to enjoy vegan meals and principles. It’s a great, healthy feeling.

With some help from my vegan and vegetarian friends, lots of inspiration from online recipes and a little willpower, I have had SO much fun making meals! Here are my favorite vegan meals: filling, flavorful, and fast!