I’ve been using this Sweet Almond Oil on my body after getting out of the shower. Its [...]]]>

I’m talking about oil!  Not just any oil, I am not suggesting you cover yourself in Wesson. No, there are a few oils that are  easily absorbed and highly beneficial to both body and face. These are my faves.

I’ve been using this Sweet Almond Oil on my body after getting out of the shower. Its fantastic, imparting lots of moisture. I add a tiny bit of my Lavanila or Four Truffles  lotion  to make it scented since it really has no smell. Perfect! For those of you allergic to everything, give this a try. Its cost effective too, a giant bottle is about eight dollars.

Next is Castor Oil. I know what you’re thinking- gross! Just read on and consider this- castor oil is naturally derived from a plant and it has the ability to penetrate the layers of skin and hydrate and plump. It helps lengthen eyelashes without any side effects. It works on bruises, sores,  pimples, wrinkles too. Its a cure all for anything. Its also one of the main ingredients in many lipglosses, feel free to apply it to your lips for extra moisture! Add a few drops to shampoo to nurture your hair.

Heres a quick facial: apply all over your face, then press a warm washcloth to your face for a few minutes, when you remove, skin will look rosy and healthy. Castor Oil is less than four dollars a bottle and works just as well, or even better, than anything you can get from a fancy department store.

Last is Rose Hip Seed Oil. I have read that it’s effective for discoloration and scars but that is yet to be determined by me. It is  highly moisturizing- I particularly like this for around my eye area, its very gentle and does not have any fragrance. I have the roller ball bottle that comes from Aubrey Organics and think its wonderful for deep wrinkles. Ive been using a little of the castor oil plus this rose hip seed oil on my face and love the results.

 My “natural” month here on HelloDollface helped me discover oils that are ideal for those of us who are concerned with chemicals in products and want a more natural alternative. There are fabulous creams and lotions in the drugstores and department stores but explore using natural oils and see for yourself how going “natural” can be a very positive- and cost effective- change.

Mad Gab’s is a wonderful company started by Gabrielle Melchionda. Her products are “environmentally and socially responsible” which gets two thumbs up and a kiss from yours truly.

I tried the Natural Lip [...]]]>

In my quest to discover all natural beauty products, I felt it was karmic that Mad Gab’s Lip Shimmer information landed in my email!

Mad Gab’s is a wonderful company started by Gabrielle Melchionda. Her products are “environmentally and socially responsible” which gets two thumbs up and a kiss from yours truly.

I tried the Natural Lip Shimmers and I’m in love.  Made with shea butter and mago butter (yeah!) these lip tints come in Ballet Pink, Deep Plum and Light Rose. These colors look good all by themselves or combined. The color is subtle and as a gloss lover, I appreciate the shine.

I read over the list of ingredients, which I’ve been doing with everything I’m putting in or on my body, and I recognize and can pronounce all the words.

Mad Gab’s offers not only the Lip Shimmers but Lip Balm, Face Sunblock and Body Balms. Give natural, pure, products a try this month. Be inspired! Click here for more.

Enter Dr. Kiss by VanityMark. This [...]]]>

You know me, a complete lip gloss addict! Not only do I like having shiny lips but I love the feeling of gloss on my mouth. When I’m home, however, I am constantly licking my lips. And that habit inspires chapped lips which are so uncomfortable, not to mention unattractive.

Enter Dr. Kiss by VanityMark. This little bullet shaped lip product tastes and smells delish, like a vanilla! It keeps lips ultra-hydrated and imparts a natural pink tint to your mouth. Its small shape fits perfect in your purse or pocket. Slip it into your fanny pack if thats the way you roll. So convenient! Perfect for all ages too.

Dr. Kiss contains Kukui Nut Oil as well as vitamins A, C, and E. Your lips will be so smooth and soft after applying Dr. Kiss. Not only do I wear it around the house but I use it as a base for under my lipstick or lip gloss. Dr. Kiss is also a celebrity favorite!

For more information, pucker up and head on over to the VanityMark site!

And to kick off Hello Dollface’s Natural [...]]]>

Happy September 1st! For the month of September, I will be highlighting natural and organic beauty. Yes, I’ll feature other non-organic items too, but the focus is going to be beauty products that do not contain any harmful ingredients, products you can use knowing the ingredients are good for you!

And to kick off Hello Dollface’s Natural Beauty Month, I’d like to introduce you to Four Truffles.

What is Four Truffles? I’m so glad you asked. Read on:

“Four Truffles works directly with women-owned Argan Forest collectives in Morocco and Shea processing collectives in western Africa to get the best ingredients possible while simultaneously helping improve the social and economic status of rural women. All our products are natural, organic, 100% vegetarian, paraben free, dermatologist tested, never tested on animals, hypoallergenic, ideal for sensitive skin, made in U.S.A, eco-centric, contain indigenous ingredients that support women4women.”

I tried the Tangerine Lavender collection which included a body wash, scrub and lotion. The body wash was thick and the scent is amazing.  Im happy it does not contain any sulfites and the moisturizing ingredients include  argan oil, shea butter, olive and coconut oils.

The Body Smoother  is so delicious, I want to use giant handfuls of this scrub to buff and exfoliate every day. Its rich, with a sugary texture to gently slough off dirt and dead skin. Leaves skin smooth as silk. 

Last is the Body Butter which features “olive oil-based liquid crystals that mimic the lipids on the skin surface” and the feeling of this body butter on your skin is nothing short of heavenly. Argan, coconut and olive oils combine to give your skin a silky feel and the scent is wonderful.

I love the fact Four Truffles uses organic ingredients, the products are hypoallergenic and they are really luxurious. Find out more here!

 this review comes to us from Caroline Leavitt

I’m obsessed with ginger and the fabulous new nature-inspired Kenzoki line uses ginger plant water in their products which is especially cultivated for them in the Chinese province of Shangdong. What’s so special about ginger? It enhances your natural radiance and healthy glow and it reinforces anti-radicals. The [...]]]>

 this review comes to us from Caroline Leavitt

I’m obsessed with ginger and the fabulous new nature-inspired Kenzoki line uses ginger plant water in their products which is especially cultivated for them in the Chinese province of Shangdong. What’s so special about ginger? It enhances your natural radiance and healthy glow and it reinforces anti-radicals. The deliciously intoxicating Kenzoki fresh jelly and gum drops exfoliates and purifies the skin, and is naturally rich in essential oils, trace elements and mineral salts. Even better, you use this beautifier just twice a week.

 Even more gingery was the nightshift creme which regenerates skin cells and boosts cellular breathing while you sleep.  I chilled it the way the box advised to maximize its properties, which made it smell even more delectable.                 

 Both of these products have an intoxicatingly fresh, gingery scent, making them terrific skin cocktails not just for the body, but for the soul. The Kenzoki Euphoric Ginger line launches in September (thats tomorrow already!) Find out more here.

Do you find yourself longing for a trip to Hawaii? Would you like to take a deep  breath and smell not car exhaust and garbage, but sweet smelling island flowers? Then you are in luck because the perfumes of Saffron James are made with Hawaii in mind. Creator Kate Growney’snatural [...]]]>

Do you find yourself longing for a trip to Hawaii? Would you like to take a deep  breath and smell not car exhaust and garbage, but sweet smelling island flowers? Then you are in luck because the perfumes of Saffron James are made with Hawaii in mind. Creator Kate Growney’snatural oil based perfumes are  inspired by her time spent in Hawaii, growing up among the island florals. There are four scents to choose from:

‘Ume ($85) — Ginger absolute, waterlily, gardenia, yuzu, and mousse de chene.

Pūnono ($85) — Ylang ylang, pikake, carnation, vanilla, and Tunisian opium.

Nani ($110) — This scent, an homage to the Pîkake flower, pays tribute to the last crown princess of Hawaii, Princess Ka’iulani.

LE’A – Contains notes of Pink and White Plumeria, Pineapple Leaf, Passionflower and Hibiscus.

These smell amazing, with none of that heaviness some people associate with perfume. My favorite is Ume. I am so happy that they  are phthalate-, paraben-, and formaldehyde-free.

Next up we have Halle Berry’s fragrance, Pure Orchid.This is more dramatic, something I wear on a night out. The notes include, jungle cactus flower, lemon, blackberry creme, star anise, masdevallia orchid, giant sequoia and patchouli.

I wonder if Halle wears this one everyday?  On me, its slightly tropical learning towards sweet floral so a little goes a long way. You can find Pure Orchidat many mass market retailers (Wal-Mart, Walgreens etc.) and its about sixteen dollars for 15ml.

If you are more of a fragrance purist, may I guide you to Lavanila? Their delicious vanilla perfume is what I’ve been wearing most days. It smells like…vanilla! There’s nothing secretive about the notes, its all vanilla, tonka bean and heliotrope. It contains vitamins and minerals too.

What I like about this perfume, and the brand in general, is that it is created with pure ingredients,  no toxins or chemicals to harm the skin or cause major allergic reations. *Im a big fan of their deodorant too.

Mariah Carey’s Lollipop Bling was suggested to me by someone who knows Mariah. This person  happened to be hanging out with Mariah and asked what sperfume she was wearing because she smelled so good. And the answer was Lollipop Bling. So rest assured, Mariah does wear her own scent. And these are pretty amazing.

 There are three scents in the Lollipop Bling family.The scents are named after songs from her last album: Ribbon, Honey and Mine Again. Let’s break it down:

Mine Again features notes of magnolia, chocolate and raspberry. Ribbon is cool blue raspberry with floral tones. Honey,  honey-pineapple blend.  I have Mine Again and Honey and I love the way they smell, particularly Honey.

The site is pretty cute, check it out here. And turn up your volume.