Spring Skin Care Round-Up: My New Multi-tasking Heroes + exclusive discount

As many of you already know, I love me a brilliant multi-tasking product. I'm a doting collector. As time goes on and my skin issues change, so must the ingredients I seek. This Spring, a new batch of products have hatched into my life, and I'm excited to tell you about them. What's more, I've been given an exclusive discount code to share with you from Wild Naturals! Keep reading...

Wild Naturals Moisturizing Skin Cream 8 oz jar, $39.95
It wasn't long after I purchased and started using this cream for my red, itchy, cranky, broken skin that I found such profound relief, I had to fire off a late-night rambling email to the company, as I am known to do once in awhile. I found it on Amazon.com, sifting my search results for a couple of key ingredients I needed to have. Manuka honey and manuka oil: an absolute must. Hemp oil: non-negotiable. What else? How about CEHAMI: an Australian botanical which has been shown to have incredible anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Add to that blue-green algae, aloe vera, coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter, and we've just scratched the surface, really. Every ingredient has been carefully chosen and many have been purposefully left out (like water and mineral oil). It only takes about 15 seconds to take effect, and it cools the skin down lightning fast and takes redness and pain away-- and there are no shortcut ingredients like camphor or mint to achieve this effect.

The anti-inflammatory action is immediate, and the gentle hydrating properties are long-lasting. A thin layer works best, and it dries to an almost matte finish and is completely non-greasy. There's not much of a fragrance to speak of, except that it is faintly oat-like and milky to me, which I absolutely love. There is no person or type of skin I can think of that wouldn't benefit from having a cream like this in their beauty bags or their desk drawer at work. Wild Naturals Cream is top-notch, luxurious skin care, genius first aid and a beauty must-have. In other words, a no-brainer.

Currently available at Amazon.com in an 8 ounce jar for $39.95...
BUT WAIT! The very cool guy behind Wild Naturals, Philip Jepsen, has an exclusive discount code to share with the readers of this blog to give you 20% off your purchase: Q8U6CSQ4 (enter code during Amazon checkout process)

(product purchased by me for my own personal use)

Raw Gaia Hemp Heaven Moisturizer 2 oz jar, $41.50 (trial size and 4 oz jars also available)
Welcome to my balm-of-the-moment! Raw Gaia's Hemp Heaven moisturizer has an uncomplicated list of pure, organic and cold-pressed ingredients: cocoa butter, apricot kernel oil, hemp oil, wheatgerm oil, sweet orange and lemon essential oils. Perhaps it doesn't sound too special at first sight, but don't be fooled: contained within this jar is a powerful panacea for numerous skin problems, including regular ol' dry AND oily skin.

With only a little dab warmed between hands and pressed or massaged into skin, irritation is quelled, dryness is swiftly banished and all types of acne, psoriasis and eczema are battled. Each component of Hemp Heaven is prepared and combined in a way so as not to compromise the full integrity and potency of each ingredient. It is Mother Earth's healing genie-in-a-jar, and when all else fails me (which almost everything does at some point, unfortunately), Hemp Heaven is there to help patch me up again.

Thankfully, this impressive UK brand is available for US customers to purchase via Wave Healing Arts

(sample provided by Raw Gaia for my consideration)

KiwiGlow Body Oils, 4 oz ($35 each)
KiwiGlow makes organic, unrefined, cold-pressed sesame oils boosted with vitamin E and natural, plant-derived fragrance oils.These super-fine, silky body oils are incredibly scrumptious. The scents are not at all cloying and the oils can be used anywhere- body, face and hair. If there's just one product you throw in your beach or gym bag besides sunscreen, make it a bottle of KiwiGlow.

The lightweight consistency seals in moisture and is absorbed into skin quickly, but not so quickly that you can't use it for massage. My twice-daily self-massages (Ayurvedic abhyanga) have become a very important part of my day, and KiwiGlow fits the bill perfectly. I favor Verde for an energetic lift and Earth for that grounding, soothing calmness I need when my nerves are frayed.

Earth has hints of frankincense, patchouli and vanilla
Verde is infused with sweet citrus and eucalyptus
Amaya is infused with botanical notes and petals of dandelion, the fragrance is crafted to evoke lily of the valley.

KiwiGlow VERDE

(samples provided by KiwiGlow for my consideration)

We have a NEW WINNER for the HURRAW! Lip Balm trio giveaway!

The NEW winner for the Hurraw! Balm trio giveaway is...

ANDREA MURDOCK!

Please email me at eyelineronacat at gmail dot com with your mailing address and you will soon have your paws wrapped around your very own delicious HURRAW! lip balms.
**as before, if the winner does not come forward by Monday, January 6th by 12 noon Central Time, another winner will be chosen**

List Randomizer

There were 10 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Andrea Murdock
2. Suzy Lewis Ship
3. tzeni pap
4. Jackie Burns
5. Wendy
6. Sarah
7. Barbara B
8. Aliceatious
9. Elizabeth RB
10. Sunny

Timestamp: 2013-12-31 03:44:42 UTC

Organic Home Fragrance: NuboNau Trinity Candle in Refresh

Is it possible to create a luxury spa-quality candle with all of the proven aromatherapeutic benefits of natural, certified organic essential oils, with all the sophistication you desire, and none of the cliche trappings of aromatherapy (i.e. health food store smell, hippie, kitschy, crunchy)? Oh, yeah. It is.

NuboNau Organika candles are beautiful  in their simplicity, like a neutral-color Calvin Klein sheath dress for your personal environment. They burn cleanly and evenly, and the scent throw is excellent, yet it's never overwhelming. Each candle is hand-poured and fragranced with 100% certified organic (by the Soil Assn.) essential oils, sustainable vegetable and plant waxes are used, as well as lead-free, unbleached  cotton wicks. There are no synthetic stabilizers or boosters-- in fact, they contain nothing synthetic at all.

There are three fragrances available: Tranquility, Euphoria and Refresh. I asked Hazel, the owner of the NuboNau Skin Care Boutique in Encinitas, California, to choose a blend for me based on my scent preferences, and I received the Trinity (3-wick) candle in Refresh. It was immediately clear to me that it is perfect for my home environment, which includes a very picky husband. He loved Refresh instantly, as I did.

As for the fragrance, citrus oils are the most prominent scent element, with a persistent herbal undertone. It just makes me want to take deep breaths, and I can safely do that without any smoke-related carcinogens hovering in the air. I don't know exactly which oils comprise the Refresh aromatherapy blend, but to give you an idea of its scent, I think it probably contains a combination of several of the following:
eucalyptus, geranium, bergamot, neroli, juniper, cypress, lemon balm (melissa), lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, ylang ylang

This candle creation is not a passive object, it goes to work for you. It calms nerves, sharpens focus and squashes harmful inner monologues; it's literally an anti-depressant. From the sublime fragrance blend to the satisfyingly clean and stark presentation with a special silver lid etched with what looks like a Mandala, it's an unfussy ode to the simple perfection that exists only in nature.

I adore the re-usable magnetic-flap boxes!

I've also had the opportunity to try votives of the other two candle scents- Tranquility and Euphoria, and they are both lovely, but Hazel was spot-on by pairing me up with Refresh. We were just meant to be.

The NuboNau Trinity 3-wick Candle is $95 and is available on their website or in-store. The Duo Votive Set is $59 with a choice of 3 fragrances (Tranquility, Refresh, Euphoria). NuboNau also carries a lot of my favorite natural and organic beauty brands, and they also put together great little themed gift sets (of mixed-brand origin, which is wonderful). They also have The Facial Room, where signature facial services are offered using Aromatherapy Associates, Pai and Ila Spa products. I NEED one of those Pai facials. I'll add that to the list of reasons why I should visit California as soon as possible.

Remember-- eyeliner on a cat readers can get 15% off any order at NuboNau.com with code NN15 [thanks, Hazel!]


[product sample was sent to me by the company for my consideration. I have no affiliation with this company or any other]

Organic Beauty: New RMS Lip Shine in Sublime

There are only a scant few cosmetics companies that I feel that I must have everything they make. RMS (makeup artist and organic beauty guru Rose-Marie Swift) is currently at the top of the list. There's a brand new Lip Shine shade called Sublime, and sublime it is. Loaded up with skin-loving ingredients like coconut and moringa oil, Vitamin E and rosemary extract, RMS Lip Shines are cushiony-comfy to wear. The densely pigmented formula is buildable and can go from very sheer to near opaque depending on your preference. I've even used mine as a creme blush.

My favorite thing about the Sublime Lip Shine is the color. It's fresh, it's exciting and cheery, and it almost makes me want to hurl all my neutral/nude shades out the window. Almost. Hallelujah for blue-based pinks! There aren't enough of them, and this color does not exist anywhere else in the world of organic beauty that I could find (and believe me, I've searched exhaustively). It's a bright, bubblegum pink that I think would best suit cool and neutral skin tones, but I've been told by an esthetician on Twitter (shout out to @BarefootHoodoo!) that she has been using it on all her clients, and that it looks amazing on everyone.

RMS Lip Shine is also available in two other shades: Moment- a rosy brown shade, and Bloom- a very sheer neutral pink shine (see below). Bloom is next on my hit list.

photo credit: beingcontent.com

For versatility, color payoff, fabulous organic ingredients and the of-the-moment bright and flattering color of Sublime, I dub this Lip Shine my #1 must-have beauty product for summer. 

[I purchased mine for my own personal use at Spirit Beauty Lounge for $25. It's also available at NuboNao and other retail websites, and also direct from RMS Beauty]

NuboNau has been gracious enough to offer all readers of this blog a 15% off welcome discount for the store! The code is NN15, and the discount is not just for the RMS brand, but for all! 

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Enzyme Exfoliating Mask

I have recently become pretty obsessed with natural and organic (when possible) skin care products, mostly due to the influence and encouragement of my fellow blogger Nav of Beauty Huile. With a little nudge from her, I've decided that I'm going to start posting once a week or so about my experiences with skin care products as an ultra-sensitive skin type. I'll be using a rating system: 0-5, 0 meaning no sensitivity or irritation whatsoever, to 5, meaning that I pretty much burned my face off (nod to Victoria J, EauMG).

To start things off, I'll be reviewing Dr. Alkaitis Organic Enzyme Exfoliating Mask. Exfoliation is one of those words that gives me shivers down my spine, because I rarely know what I'm in for. That's because my skin is so reactive and so unpredictable, that I'll be sensitive to something today that I had no problem with last year. It's not an unusual occurrence. I broke out in red bumps all over my face as soon as I entered the pre-surgical area of the hospital when I had my gallbladder out a couple weeks ago. I was honestly more worried about my skin than the surgery, and I had the anesthesiologist in stitches over my kvetching.

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Enzyme Exfoliating Mask: Irritation Factor= 0 out of 5

This mask is one that comes in powder form (my favorite kind), and you mix a teaspoon of the mask with a teaspoon (or a bit more) of water and make a thin paste, sort of like pancake batter. There is enough in the jar for 25 masks. Application is sloppy, slimy fun, and it's left on the skin for 5-7 minutes. One major caveat: you must keep the mask moist on your face, or the enzymes will be inert. I take a wet muslin washcloth that I use specifically for masks and lay it over my face as I loaf until it's time to wash it off. You can also mist face with a spray-bottle at frequent intervals. The scent reminds me of steel cut oats soaked in milk, and I love that. After rinsing and completing my toning, oiling and creaming steps, I stared hard at my skin in the mirror. No redness, no irritation (not even when the mask was on), I see and feel a subtle, beautiful refinement in the tone and texture of my skin, and my complexion is calm and happy.

Trish and Dr. Saul Alkaitis, my most favorite father and daughter team ever

It's hard to believe something could truly exfoliate the skin without my even feeling a single tingle, but I'm a believer now. Not only are there work-horse enzymes contained in the mask to devour surface debris and dead skin cells, but also phyto-nutrients, antioxidants and minerals which are delivered to the skin. It brightens, and with continued use, even lightens, and it serves as an overall gem of an anti-aging treatment that is a pleasure to use. I am so into this brand. You can expect more reviews of this product line in the future, because I become a little more obsessed with it every day.

So, my sensitive-skinned siblings-in-spirit, Dr. Alkaitis' Enzyme Exfoliating Mask is not only acceptable for you, but I heartily recommend it as the only product of its kind that I've used that delivers visible results after just one use, and actually soothes angry, moody skin in the process. Put your mad scientist outfit on and get to mixing, because your skin wants this mask, like, yesterday, for its very own-- sooner rather than later.

EDIT: Trish Alkaitis mentioned that it's very important that everyone knows that this particular mask is only to be used twice a month, tops. Just because it doesn't sting doesn't mean it's not getting down to business. 

Ingredients list:
Organic Oat Buds*, Blueberry*, Bilberry*, Strawberry*, Raspberry*, Grapes* and Blackberry*; Extracts of Barley Grass*, Turmeric* and Cat’s Claw; Enzyme Exfoliating Complex consisting of Cellulase, Lipase, Lactase, Protease Complex, Xylinase, Amylase, Bromelain, Papain, Maltase, Beta-Glucanase, Invertase, Pectinase, Mannanase, Phytase, Alpha-Galactosidase, Arabinosidase and Glucoamylase.
* – Signifies certified organically grown. 


[Product purchased by me for my own use. It is available for $55 at several fabulous online shops, including Alkaitis.com, Spirit Beauty Lounge, Saffron Rouge and Bella Floria]