Get Your (Last Minute) Gift On…

  1. Beautycounter Lip Sheer in Plum, $28
  2. S’well Bottle, $25-$45
  3. Eat Pretty by Jolene Hart, $15.26
  4. May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden Botanical Mist, $60
  5. RMS Living Luminizer, $38
  6. Vapour Replenish Organic Nail & Cuticle Oil, $18

Jennifer’s Picks

I’ve been wanting to try Beautycounter’s Lip Sheers (1) for ages now. They’ve got a really gorgeously branded line of healthy products – the Lip Sheer in Plum seems like a universally flattering holiday shade for all yo’ peeps.

Give the gift of PERPETUAL HYDRATION. I saw Tara from healthy beauty boutique Follain toting one of these (2) during their DC pop-up shop days. I love the look of this pattern: they’re hand-painted, keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12, are BPA-free and do not condensate. There’s nothing to dislike about this bottle. And as an added holiday-appropriate perk, S’well’s partner American Forests will plant a tree with every purchase. Good karma. Baby trees! I’ll take it.

Did I buy this book (3) for someone on my list? I sure did. SPOILER ALERT. Hope she’s not reading. (Actually, I hope she is, a hit’s a hit. Know what I’m sayin’?) Jolene Hart’s book is all about healing your skin and making yourself glow from the inside out by eating seasonal, healthy, whole foods. She drops lots of knowledge. Hopefully I get to borrow it when my gift recipient is done reading! (But that’s not why I bought it, I swear…)

Kathryne’s Picks

I tried this mist (4) at A Night for Green Beauty this year and was ready to buy 50 and bathe in it because it’s so refreshing, so hydrating, and smells INSANELY delish. It’s just a gorgeous, romantic, subtle product suitable for all skin types & every special person on your list.

Dry winter hands can lead to cracked cuticles. Ouchy! Pick up this practical yet indulgent little gift and help your friends out (5).

Who doesn’t need a little extra glow in the winter time? I have read nothing been stellar reviews about Living Luminizer (6)! Can’t go wrong with this one.

Happy holidays, you guys! What are you giving/making this year?

One for the Dudes: Province Apothecary’s Beard Oil

Province Apothecary Beard Oil

Y’know what we’ve never done on this here blog? Featured products for dudes.

UNTIL TODAY. One small step for Unsullied, one giant leap for…OK, maybe not mankind, but we’re feeling pretty good about it.

Natural skincare, soap and personal care products are not gender-specific. Everyone benefits from using products that are cleaner, healthier and holistic…and free of irritating chemicals and ingredients that do not serve our health. But since Kathryne and I are both, y’know, females, our product reviews naturally have a perpetually womanly perspective. Shucks.

We’ve been talking about getting a male viewpoint on the blog for a while now. With the recent close of No Shave November, the rustic autumn season and the recent popularity of the term “lumbersexual“…we knew we had to start with (drumroll, please) beard oil.

Beard oil also makes a choice selection for the blog because, unlike the vast majority of personal care products out there, it’s a traditionally natural product. Most beard oils are chock full of nourishing oils like jojoba, argan, grape seed, etc., and natural scents. Yeahhh! Plus, it just so happens we liaise with a very beardly dude who has been on the prowl for a solid beard oil for some time now, and he kindly agreed to share his POV for this very blog entry. The fates aligned for this post, my friends.

Today we’re featuring our guy JW. He’s been sporting a beard for the better part of this year, but wasn’t regularly using beard oil…until now. The elixir at hand? Province Apothecary’s Beard Oil ($36 for 30 ml) from Canada, Land of Beards.

JW-beard-oil

We’d been chatting about beard oil on Twitter (y’know, as people do, totally normal…) in October, and Province Apothecary very kindly offered to send us a bottle for JW to test drive. Lucky for us, we had been coveting this brand’s snazzy blue bottle (it’s dual purpose: looks cool and protects the integrity of the oils) and equally laudable natural ingredients. It came highly recommended by our gal Sonja (beard aficionada, fellow Jon Snow disciple) from Life in Blush. Beard oil is pretty much leave-in conditioner for beards. Province Apothecary’s packs in sunflower oil, jojoba seed oil, grape seed oil, evening primrose oil and GMO-free vitamin E. Combined, they hydrate, reduce itchiness and blemishes, and give beards a healthy shine. On top of that, black spruce is supposed to stimulate hair growth and strengthen the beard, while lavender calms the skin. Therapeutic oils of bergamot, cedar wood and vetiver also make this beard oil smell pretty dreamy.

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Meet Your Maker: The Gurus Behind Healthy Beauty Boutique Follain

Follain-popup

The world of green beauty is growing, but it can still be a bit elusive at times. You have to order your new organic lip color online, praying (praying) that the actual shade matches the swatch on your computer screen. You have to hightail it across town to Whole Foods to restock your favorite shampoo so you don’t look like a swamp creature the next day at work (it’s either that or resort to your old sulfate-riddled shampoo lurking in the medicine cabinet…never surrender!).

So, what do you do when when you unexpectedly stumble upon a complete cornucopia of your favorite natural skincare and beauty products, laid out in a beautiful space, curated by green beauty pros that you’ve revered and followed for some time?

Uhhh, freak out, obviously!

That’s what I did when I discovered the temporary Follain pop-up boutique earlier this year at Union Market in my home city of Washington, DC.

Literally, I went out for home fries and and came home with RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up in shade 11, ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights, and a whole lot of inspiration and happy vibes from the incredible Follain team.

If you’re not familiar with Follain: it’s an absolutely beautiful, Boston-based shop that stocks healthy skincare, haircare and cosmetic products. They carry 30+ of the best natural U.S.-made lines, like Soapwalla, Herbivore Botanicals, Farmaesthetics, and so much more. While the DC pop-up is closed for the time-being, they’ve expanded to a second shop in Nantucket, and best of all, you can get the Follain experience anywhere: their online shop is live!

Follain-ladies

I had a complete fangirl moment over the team behind Follain, founder Tara Foley and director of health and safety Holly Moore. I’d been a longtime fan of Tara’s insightful green beauty blog, The NATURAL CHEMYST, so it was a real treat to meet these two healthy beauty savants. They are some of the most knowledgable women I’ve met in the biz…they truly understand every facet of green beauty and have so much knowledge and experience to share: packaging, product, ingredients. They are deeply committed to making real change in the personal care industry as a whole, shedding light on the harsh chemical ingredients in mainstream products and celebrating the wholesome, healthy and effective natural ingredients in the lines they curate and carry. They’re already well on their way!

Anyway, enough fangirl-ing…I’ll let you hear about this shop’s wonder straight from Tara, Holly and Ashley, the Follain team. Read on to discover how Follain’s refillable soap program is spurring positive behavior change in Boston, a list of these healthy beauty pros’ favorite products, some AWESOME DIYs, and a bunch more.

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Giveaway: 1,000 Followers!

Unsullied 1,000 followers giveaway

YOU GUYS! A few days ago, we hit 1,000 followers on Twitter. Once we halted our happy dance, we decided we wanted to give away a pair of our favorite natural skincare products to thank you for following us. We started our blog last November and since then it’s been such a positive outlet for us to share our sisterly bond and write about the products, DIYs and discoveries that make us feel healthy and joyful. We’ve discovered an incredible community of natural livin’ enthusiasts and are so grateful to be a part of it. Thank you so much for reading our ramblings…now claim your rightful rewards and enter the giveaway!

Jennifer’s pick: Herbivore Botanicals Activate Facial Mask
I’m not shy about my love for Herbivore Botanicals…they bring me so much joy when I use their products, not only thanks to their super pure and effective ingredients but because they’re just so dang pretty! I reviewed this mask back in April: it’s a real stand-out because of its bold, inky color and how you can actually see it working. AND it’s powered by tourmaline gemstone. (*BLING BLING*) No matter how often I use masks, it always feels like a nice way to treat yo’self and carve out some time to take care of your skin. Detox with this mask, mist on your favorite toner, and then slather on some of…

Kathryne’s pick: Acure Organics Line Eraser
Acure’s Line Eraser with starflower is my hands down, all time favorite product (check out my full review). I have yet to find something else that not only soothes acne, diminishes old acne scars or regular scars, helps fight fine lines due to aging, and eradicates the occasional eczema flair up on my face/neck. If you have any one of these ailments, I am positive you will love this product as much as I do. (If you don’t have one of these…your face is made of plastic, robot. Be gone!) ENJOY!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for following Unsullied!

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Talkin’ tans, toners & more: Q&A on Edible Facial

Ever wondered how to (safely) fake a tan worthy of a Floridian grandmother, or make your own all-natural deodorant? You’ve wondered BOTH, you say?! Well, look no further: today, we’ve got a Q&A that covers all that & more over on Edible Facial, the blog written by the always-inspiring and positive Sarita Coren (thank you, Sarita!). Check out an excerpt below and read the full ramblings here.

Organic beauty products

What are you using right now to cleanse and tone your skin?

KATHRYNE: I am using several products on rotation, including Acure Facial Cleansing Creme Argan Oil + Mint with Acure’s Seriously Hydrating Toner. I use this combo if I have had a particularly sweaty day and feel grimy. If I have had a low key day, I will simply use a warm washcloth and then moisturize. I have also been really in love with Angel Face’s Lavender Aloe Toner for a fresh midday pick-me-up.

JENNIFER: For cleansing, I’m using Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap, morning and night. It’s gentle, nourishing and effective. When I feel a bit of build-up, I cleanse with Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub – usually a few times each week. It’s a very gentle exfoliant with clay and lemon peel, so it has just the right amount of grit!

For toning, I love Herbivore Botanicals’ Balance Facial Toner. It’s gentle, refreshing and smells INCREDIBLE. I love me some neroli-scented spritz!

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Meet Your Maker: Amy Halman of Acure Organics

We love Acure Organics around these parts. Not only are they one of the most widely available, effective and affordable natural skincare and haircare brands we’ve encountered, but they’re changing the personal care industry…and the minds of consumers…in a BIG way!

Amy Halman Acure Organics

So, we were pretty thrilled to interview Amy Halman, the President and Formulator of Acure. Amy is extremely knowledgable about the natural products realm and is the leader behind Acure’s hugely successful brand that is sold everywhere from natural beauty boutiques to your local Whole Foods.

In her interview, you will discover: Amy’s favorite Acure product, upcoming product releases from Acure (!) and the answer to the universe. OK, maybe not the latter, but everything else.

AND: in our upcoming posts, we’ll be sharing our favorite Acure Organics products. (Because we haven’t done enough of that already…ahem…) Onward!

Can you walk us through or tell us a bit about your ingredient sourcing process? How do you go about finding sustainable suppliers?

We passionately believe in organic agriculture so we seek as many certified organic ingredients as possible, not only for the sake of what you are putting onto and in your system but also to protect the planet from the synthetic and toxic ingredients that wash down the drain and into our air, waterways and soil to remain for generations to come. It is also crucial to make sure your resources are cruelty-free and no animal testing is conducted at any point in the process. We look for high-quality ingredients within the U.S. whenever possible to support our local economy and to be very mindful and connected to our carbon footprint. However, when sourcing from around the globe we hunt for fair trade resources to support fair wages and healthy working conditions for workers and their families.

We never look for ingredients as the “next new trend.” It’s so much more about clinically proven efficacy that is actually natural, healthy, supportive and proactive to the skin and body at the same time.

Cutting edge plant and food-based technology.

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Gift Ideas for Mama Bears Everywhere

Healthy, natural gifts for Mother's Day

Our mom has had a big influence on our blog, even though she might now know it (we’ll make sure to tell her on Sunday). We heard this phrase a lot from her growing up:

Listen to your body.

Our mom always reminded us that our bodies would tell us what we needed most, be it rest, food, a good stretch or a night in. Although we’ve both abused this philosophy in the past (“Dang it, can’t help you move out of your apartment tonight! I have to listen to my body and it would rather watch HGTV and order delivery sandwiches.”), all in all, it has served us VERY well in regards to our wellbeing. Maybe not so much our social lives.

Nowadays, our mom’s words have guided us to launch an entire blog dedicated to not only listening to our bodies, but feeding and nourishing them on the inside and out with ingredients that make us feel the happiest and healthiest. And this Mother’s Day, we want to do just that for our mom and give her some lovely, natural, healthy products that’ll do her right. Feel free to steal our ideas, plus we’ve got some discount codes for you!

Here’s to you, Mama Bear.

  1. Badger Stress Soother, $6.79
  2. Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, $60
  3. Adama Minerals Body Butter, $14.99 (+ coupon code below!)
  4. Burt’s Bees Hand Salve, $9

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30 Days of Eatin’ Vegan: First Bites

Eating vegan

Friends, I have been feeling a bit…saturated these days. After some soul searching and some experimentation, I have decided to try out eating fully vegan for 30 days.

I have dabbled with vegetarianism, and during my days when I worked at a farmers’ market, I didn’t even so much as look at meat. I didn’t miss it. I didn’t crave beef burgers or chicken wings, and I felt really good: slim, clear headed. Because the vendors at the farmers’ market had a trade deal agreement, I’d trade the cheese I was selling for bunches of organic greens, peppers, squash…even veggies that I couldn’t identify (!). It was SO much fun to come home with my bounty and look up unique recipes online.

My overall feeling of healthiness has been waning this past year. I’ve gained some “happiness” weight with my fiancé, I’m tired a lot, and I don’t have the resolve to say “no” like I used to. (Cupcakes have been happening…too much.) I’m getting married in less than four months, and aside from just losing a few pounds, I want to feel more vibrant. I want to bounce off the walls with energy. I want to simplify my diet. No more flip flopping. I need to make a change. Also, as I enter into my marriage, I want to start establishing habits that are good for both me and my soon-to-be husband. I’m going to be 30 this year, and while I don’t know if a fully vegan lifestyle is for me for all the years to come, I want to try it in effort to see the difference it makes in my existence overall. It’s a step in the right direction, at least. If anything, I will learn new recipes and will hopefully feel a little better by following a regimen that omits dairy and meat. Choices will be easier knowing what I can’t have.

SO: I am calling on myself to take a one month vegan challenge. Thirty days of vegan eating that is inspired and deliberate. I will chronicle my experience on Unsullied: the next post will be about my favorite new vegan recipes and then I will follow up with my results of the challenge! We will see how a dairy-eating, salami-loving gal like myself does trying to make a healthy, plant-based change.

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Soap Makin’ with Old Town Suds: Plus, Giveaway & Discount!

Old Town Suds Natural Soap

As a natural product junkie, I’m curious about what goes into my beauty, bath and skincare purchases, all the way from ingredient sourcing/origins to process and packaging.

So, naturally, (had to, sorry) I jumped at the chance to attend a soap making class led by the Owner and “Chief Sudsologist” behind a local, natural soapmaking company that I know, use and love: Old Town Suds. I’m excited to share my soap making experience here on Unsullied, and Old Town Suds was generous enough to offer a freakin’ fabulous giveaway of their products, plus a discount code to use on their classes, beautiful soaps, and other beauty and skincare essentials. Read on for all of the sudsy goodness!

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Going Green Tag

Going Green Tag

Tags, tags, tags: they’re a way for bloggers to pose questions to one another & get to know each other. And this is our first!

This “Going Green” tag was started by Rachel of All Natural Aspirations: it came our way via Ashley Rose of Damedrose (thanks for tagging us!) and we are finally getting around to writing it up. I mean…I’d talk about all-natural products & lifestyle choices all day if I could…so this is going to be fun.

1. What started it all off for you?
It started with buildings, for me: I work in the green building industry, and that opened my eyes to the myriad connections between the materials that we use to build our homes/offices/furniture and human health. From the paints we use to color our walls (you know that “new paint” smell? Yeah, that ain’t good for you!) to the glue that holds our cheap particle board bookcase together, there are unwanted nasties all over our homes that we’re bringing in, breathing in, and that may be causing some adverse health effects.

It’s scary stuff, but luckily there are healthy/greener alternatives available. I eventually began applying the same type of thinking to my beauty and skincare regime. And…here we are!

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