moisturizer

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…those Brits know a thing or two about green beauty. (Read: all the things.) There are so many London and UK-based skincare, bath, body and beauty lines that we covet. So, we were pretty pysched when newcomer Yours Truly Organics reached out to us about trying their products. This should tide us over (for a few months, anyway) while we continue to save our pretty pennies for an overseas green beauty JAMBOREE. Or maybe our UK-based bloggers pals can just Skype us in. We can dream.

Founded by Kelita Bignall, the line was developed based on her own acne struggles (to which we can of course relate). We found that the four-step Yours Truly Organics line works well with acne prone skin, AND skin with fine lines. (Who doesn’t have fine lines here and there? Really, who are you? We want to meet you and you can tell us about your deal with the devil. And where we can sign up.)

The line consists of the Take It Away! Gel Cleanser (£22 or $37 for 150 ml), Balancing Toner (£19 or $32 for 150 ml), Fix Me! Repairing Serum (£28 or $47 for 30 ml) and Face Base Face Balm (£25 or $42 for 100 ml). Overall, the line feels fresh and is very moisturizing. And the products aren’t skimpy – meaning that the gel cleanser is a thicker consistency than other natural cleansers we’ve used; the serum isn’t just a light oil – it’s a nearly opaque, gooey serum that dries matte; and the moisturizer is a thick lotion that also sets matte and makes a great, non-oily make-up base. Though the products themselves are substantial and feel heavier than we’re used to, we both agreed that the line doesn’t weigh our skin down. And the moisturized yet matte finish you’re left with is a huge plus. Did we mention these products smell GREAT? Citrus-y, so fresh and so clean clean.

The products are cruelty-free and bear the Ecocert label, which covers a lot of ground – Ecocert cosmetics must use sustainable packaging, can’t utilize GMOs, parabens or a bunch of other undesirable and non-natural ingredients, and more.

Here are our favorite parts of this new line:

Finally trying Osmia Organics after a half-year of writing this blog is sort of like Dorothy reaching Oz. (Except in our story, he really is a wizard.)

Osmia is a stand-out natural skincare + soap brand formulated from pure, gentle, all-natural ingredients. The products feel luxurious and are super effective. The ingredients are ultra-pure and thoughtfully curated.

A quick bit of background, because this meticulously formulated brand deserves explanation. Osmia, started by the incredible Sarah Villafranco, MD = “sense of smell.” And the website reads: “Every Osmia product is made with utmost attention to the scent and its aromatherapeutic benefits.” Well, ain’t that the truth. These products smell sweet, herbal, compelling and soothing. I’ve never met an Osmia product that my nose didn’t like. But there’s a deeper meaning in those beautiful smells, y’all:

Stop what you are doing and really see the color of the sky. Notice the taste of your coffee, even if it’s the same type you drink every morning. Feel how your child’s hand feels in yours – soft, little, warm. Hear not only the music, but the silence that happens when you turn off the music. Because if we don’t sense our lives, and all the precious beauty that can be found in a regular old day, well that’s really just silly.

Yep. This brand’s philosophy rules. And you know what else does? THE PRODUCTS. Here’s what I received in my haul:

Black Clay Facial Soap
Detox Exfoliating Mask
Luster Lip Gloss
Whisper Lip Gloss
Spot Treatment >> an all-time fave. Check out my review over here.
Purely Simple Face Cream >> I just ran out of my sample and I’m sad. Check out my notes here.

Two sisters means we have two favorite brands of argan oil and two love stories about our oil of choice. Here goes!

KATHRYNE: PURA D’OR
I found Pura D’or argan oil on Groupon. That’s right, I said it. At the time, I wasn’t even actively seeking it out. I had just heard really great things about it online: that you could use it on your hair, face, body, cuticles, you know. It seemed like an ideal product for someone like me who is always searching for a new way to de-age myself. Preserve? I don’t ever want to go under the knife or needles, so preservation is key!

I had this idea in my head that pure, organic argan oil was super duper expensive, thus it was a purchase I delayed for some time. When I saw a Groupon offering 4 oz. of Pura D’or’s 100% argan oil for 20 bucks, I jumped on it! In addition to being cheap, most brands sell argan oil in 1 or 2 oz. vials, at most, so this seemed like a killer deal. I researched the product and the company before I bought it, and it not only had stellar customer reviews, but it was praised as being “the real thing.” There are companies out there that are slapping together various oils, including soy and sunflower, in addition to argan oil, and marketing it as “pure.” I wanted to make sure I was getting true argan oil, and by golly, when it arrived, it was glorious.

A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to make homemade, all-natural body lotion and package it in cute little jars to give as holiday gifts. Easy enough, right?

Fast forward two months: five mediocre lotion recipes later, I finally figured out the secret to making DIY body lotion. IT’S WHIPPING, DUMMY (I say this to myself, not to you)! Just like you (or someone…on a dairy farm…) whip cream into butter, you can whip the ingredients for a nourishing body lotion into a thick, creamy body butter. I find the texture much more luxurious and enjoyable than just melting ingredients into a body cream/lotion.

I’ve finally landed on a recipe that is perfect for gift-giving, and fun to make. All you need are a few common ingredients and biceps made of steel!

Our New Friend from Overseas: Yours Truly Organics

The Osmia Experience

Love Letters to Argan Oil: Pura D’or and Acure Organics

Make It: All-Natural Whipped Body Butter