Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee Magic: Product Reviews, a Love Letter and an Interview

I'm just going to be blunt: I'm completely obsessed with Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee Magic products. I use them all, and each time I do, I thank my lucky stars to be able to have something so perfect for my skin at an affordable price. I'd like to think there's a perfect balm for everyone out there, and if you're still searching for yours, I can't recommend these enough. They have several multi-use formulas, all of which are far beyond capable of first-aid triage, healing a number of skin and scalp issues, basic or severe dryness, acne, skin sensitivity and reactivity, and just good ol' fashioned apres-bathing. To really enjoy their products, I allow them to transcend the necessity of their functions and to ritualize my time with them. Medicine Mama's were also the ones to finally get me to try dry brushing on my body, face and lips followed by Sweet Bee Magic (I now alternate days with the abhyanga I'm already doing.)

Confession: late at night, sometimes I get drunk on skin care products. Once in awhile, I've been known to write an email (or perhaps "love letter" is more fitting) to a deserving company in my delirious state. Eric Furrer from Medicine Mama's was the recipient of one such love letter, and he was so nice-- he even answered some interview questions for me, which you'll find below my product reviews.

What Would a Bee Do? (besides sit there lookin' all cute, I mean)

First, I'd like to review a couple of my favorite products of theirs-- the Ultra Beauty Balm and the Magic Wand. These will help describe the differences between some of the formulas. Their other formulas not reviewed here that I also use and love are: the original Sweet Bee Magic (2 and 4 oz jars), V Magic (2 oz jars) and Calendula Baby Balm (2 oz jars).

Ultra Beauty Balm (2oz, $32)

With twice the amount of their proprietary honey and propolis 28 day bio fusion called Melexylem, Ultra Beauty Balm stands out not just as a utilitarian skin care product, but as a multi-use beauty product. Why? Back to the Melexylem: this particular formula is incredibly fine and smooth, feels almost matte on the skin when used in moderation, and it makes the most comfortable makeup primer EVER.The hydration is profound and creates a calm, even canvas for liquid, cream or powder face cosmetics.  It also contains a dose of organic sea buckthorn oil, which is loaded with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.  Fine lines and imperfections are blurred and skin projects happiness and coolness all day. I actually use it on my face, hands, neck, decollete and elsewhere, so I wouldn't mind it if they sold this golden balm in a bigger size. I use it on my hands and cuticles (especially at night), neck and decollete twice a day, and on my face and under my eyes as the last step in my daily skin care routine. I really take my time massaging it into my skin, like, between five and ten minutes if I can. This increases circulation, which helps to heal and rejuvenate skin and hasten cellular regeneration-- that's the best beauty medicine there is. Since I began using Ultra Beauty Balm regularly, my skin is perpetually supple, elastic and line-free,

I'm also quite obsessed with the very faint musky bee scent of this stuff! I can't really pinpoint it, it just smells like exactly what it is-- all natural, bees and olive oil, and that's about as good as it gets in my book. I do have a very sensitive nose, so I'm not sure other people would even notice any scent at all. If only every other brand had a "what you see and what you smell is what you get" thing happening. The other Sweet Bee varieties tend to have more of a honey scent-- just a tad sweeter. 

ingredients: organic extra virgin olive oil, organic beeswax, organic honey, Melexylem, organic sea buckthorn oil, royal jelly, bee pollen

Sweet Bee Magic Wand (0.5oz, $12.99)

I use the Magic Wand mostly as a lip balm, or if I'm traveling or just away from home, I'll use it for everything. It has the original Sweet Bee Magic formula with a heaping helping of organic avocado oil and extra beeswax added to the mix to make it a bit richer-- it stays on the lips much longer because of the increase in thickness and viscosity. It also makes an absolutely genius cuticle and hand treatment to use at night before you drift off to sleep. I like to keep several of the Magic Wands on hand at home and in my favorite bags (and my husband uses them too). Once I totally ran out and had no backup. I was WAY more crabby than you'd think was appropriate for the situation. If I'm being completely honest (hey, why not?), I have occasional anxiety problems, and one of the only things that helps me is if I have something like this on hand to busy myself with. Five minutes of massaging my cuticles and hands with Sweet Bee Magic is the best therapy. The basic act of being kind to my skin reverberates through my whole being. It really translates to self-love in the simplest way.

ingredients: organic extra virgin olive oil, organic extra virgin avocado oil, organic beeswax, Melexylem- a proprietary blend of honey and propolis

THE INTERVIEW!

What follows is the result of an impromptu and fun interview I did a couple months ago with Eric Furrer of Medicine Mama's:

What is the shelf life of your products? (seems like it would be at least 5 years-- which is amazing-- you should start marketing to survivalists... they need skin care too!)

The shelf life of our product is two years. There's always a expiration date stamped on the label right below the bar code. Because they're all honey and oil based, they have no water and so they are completely protected from all bacterial influence. Water and honey mixed are just an invitation for bacteria to grow, but our olive oil and honey mixture keeps out the bacteria thus not needing any preservative or harmful chemicals to keep it fresh.

What is Melexylem, and is it something new to your products or did you simply put a new name to something you've been doing all along? Do all Sweet Bee Magic products have it?

Melexylem is a 28 day infusion with honey and propolis. It's trademarked and a creation of Medicine Mama's Apothecary. We've put years of testing and time into perfecting this science and it's our little secret. Shhh, but tell your friends!

What are the differences between your products and formulas? They're all very similar, it seems.

There are slight differentiations from the Sweet Bee Magic and our other product for different uses. Ultra Beauty has double the Melexylem. Baby Balm formula has no honey. The Lip Wand has extra beeswax and avocado oil for a heavier consistency and extreme element protection in sports chafing and lip protection. We follow a very careful mission with any product out of our shop, "What would a bee do?" and we try to remain consistent with the ingredients that have been proven through nature.

What makes your new Ultra Beauty Balm great for beauty use? What are a couple of things that it's particularly good at doing?

The Ultra Beauty Balm has twice the amount of Melexylem which acts as a gentle alpha hydroxy, smooths and tones facial skins and helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.

What's the most unusual use for Sweet Bee Magic that you've ever heard of or tried?

There once was a Bee Friend of ours who was visiting friends and had just gotten done moisturizing her feet when she realized the bamboo mat she was standing on had oil foot prints. Not knowing what to do, her instinct was to camouflage the prints with more Sweet Bee Magic. The mat looked so bright and vibrant the friends ended up asking about it and what she could have possibly done to make it look so beautiful?

Do you have any new products in the works that you can tell me a little bit about?

In the spring we'll have our newest surprise.
(ED: here's the surprise I just found when I checked the site today: Honey Facial Scrub!)

Dry Brushing: in a nutshell, why do you recommend it?

Trees have the healthiest skin of all organism because of constant agitation from weather, and pests. They are our role models in how to maintain our largest organ, the skin. Dry brushing releases dead skin and helps with circulation and blood flow to the surface. It also increases the cell turnover factor. The more skin is stimulated the faster the dead cells slough off, the faster new cells rise to the surface. Medicine Mama's next blog post will be discussing the importance of dry brushing your lips though the winter months.
(ED: HERE's that blog post)

Is there anything that Sweet Bee Magic CAN'T do? 

We have been trying to get it to do the dishes but so far it's not happening.

----------------------------------------------------

A huge shout-out, Big ups and major gratitude to Eric from Medicine Mama's and their whole team, who keep me and my skin super-mellow. If you're looking for a new (to you) indie skin care brand to get behind, I can't say enough good things about these products and the people who make them.

[all products were purchased by me for my own personal use. I have no affiliation with the brand. All photos via medicinemamasapothecary.com]

Taking it up a notch: Aftelier Organic Honeysuckle Face Elixir

Facial oils are a particularly delicious sort of treat for me to use, and I have oils for every occasion and whim. I adore all kinds, including those made with a combination of luxurious natural fragrance and skin-loving non-fragrant oils. There is room in my life for all of them, and I'd like to share my current favorite with you, Aftelier Perfumes Honeysuckle Face Elixir.

Ingredients: Honeysuckle absolute from Italy with rice bran, sweet almond, apricot kernel, camellia, grapeseed, squalene (vegetable-derived) and rosehip seed oils

I like to use Aftelier Perfumes Organic Honeysuckle Face Elixir (15ml, $65) a couple of nights a week, and especially on the weekend. It's got special spa duty around here--when I create custom beauty treatments with raw ingredients such as coconut oil or if I want to soup up my facial masques, I use a couple of drops of this brilliant oil. Also, sometimes I like to mix two drops into my nightly cleanser, massage into my face and remove it with an organic cotton muslin cloth. A little bit of well-formulated face oil with natural absolutes can transform your favorite skin care products, making them even more effective and totally soul-satisfying. If you're new to facial oils or if it's a subject you're well-educated on, Aftelier should be your first stop if it hasn't been already. This is the first time I can ever recall smelling real honeysuckle outside of the actual bush, and it's a real treat. Mandy has used her sourcing and alchemical genius to take true luxury up another notch. Less floral and more ripe melon-like fruit, it deserves to be showcased the way it has been in this face elixir. It's unusual, tender and very sultry.

Also consider Mandy's other face elixirs: they are all formulated similarly (aka brilliantly), but which one you should choose really just depends on your preference with fragrances. Also on the roster currently are Ylang Ylang and Rose blends. I personally use the Ylang Ylang most frequently because it has a particularly soporific effect on me that sends me off to dreamland on the fluffiest cloud you can imagine. It's a pastel peach-hued cloud, if you're wondering. If you're looking for an aromatherapeutic facial treatment oil that is all-natural, light as a feather and is versatile enough to customize your other skin care products, Aftelier's Face Elixirs are certainly not your only choice, but in my opinion, they're the best.

Screw-cap sample vials are also available for $6 each.

(sample provided by Aftelier for my consideration)

Most Likely To Succeed: 6 Ways to Update Your Skin Care Regimen

We all know how hard it is to get your skin regimen just right. Once you find your balance and get into the groove of it, something happens to disrupt it. Maybe the change in the weather is the culprit, stress hormones, exposure to pollution, or any number of possibilities. There's no need to start over by rearranging your entire regimen-- sometimes you just need to add one thing or switch one product out for different one. Here are 6 products that I've had great success with by adding them as an a la carte product as needed. These are my favorite fixers.


ATOPALM Moisturizing Skin Revitalizing Complex (1.0 oz, $35)
Note: get 30% off sitewide now with code: FALL30
If your biggest skin complaints include: Dry areas, redness, sensitivity, scaly or red patches, eczema or psoriasis flare-ups.

The benefits you can expect are: Consistent daily use will erase fine lines and wrinkles, fortify the skin barrier, smooth out the complexion and deeply hydrate. This impressive formulation supports the skin's ability to heal itself. This is a highly reliable moisturizer that provides a much-needed cushion between your skin and the world. I've been using it on and off for years with pretty amazing results. Atopalm has an entire range of products developed specifically for dry and sensitive skin on the face and body, and if you fall into this category, I'd urge you to try their other products as well. Other favorites: Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam, Moisturizing Cleansing Wipes, Intensive Moisturizing Cream.

Key ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, camellia seed oil and leaf extract (green tea), squalane, licorice root, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, grapeseed oil


Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (4.0 oz, $26)
Note: Get 15% off sitewide right now, no code needed (plus get $10 off if you're a new customer and you click on my REFERRAL LINK-- I get $10 too. I'm not affiliated at all with the brand, I just love 'em to death!)

If your biggest skin complaints include: dullness, breakouts (hormonal, cystic, whatever ya got), wrinkles, dehydration, sun damage, sensitivity

The benefits you can expect are: This product works so well and so fast (even on sensitive skin)-- that you'll likely be shocked. I was. It clears out pores and actually reshapes the pore lining, literally improving skin from the inside out. Cell turnover rate is increased and the surface of the skin looks more and more beautiful each day as it starts to function like a well-oiled (and well-behaved) machine. Paula's BHA and AHA exfoliants give you the biggest bang for your buck when your skin needs a serious attitude adjustment without the expense and pain of in-office derm procedures. This particular version is their strongest, yet is very kind to my sensitive skin. I've never gotten more than a slight tingle from it. When was the last time you were told to expect a tingle and in reality, all there was was a tingle? I've been lied to for so long that I feel like I've hit the lottery. There are 6 basic exfoliant formulations and another several treatment formulations for specific conditions like acne or if you're looking for a weekly treatment.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that twice daily use for a couple of months has changed my skin completely. It is now whole, firm, clear and happy. I like to use it underneath my nightly retinol serum.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, camellia leaf extract (green tea)


Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Spray (50 ml, $54)

If your biggest skin complaints include: Oil imbalance, dehydration and/or dryness from the elements and indoor heating, you need an extra layer of hydration before bed to seal in your serums, treatments or other moisturizers, you want a refreshing, anti-aging toner that delivers lasting moisture or if you don't want to use a heavy cream.

The benefits you can expect are: the revelation of a hydrosol and a face oil in one product. I like to spray 3 pumps into my hands and massage over  my face while the frankincense hydrosol and argan and rosehip oils merge. It simultaneously delivers the instant penetrating quenching of the hydrosol and then seals it in with healing, soothing organic oils. Frankincense and MSM (a form of sulphur, nicknamed The Beauty Mineral) are both effective, natural anti-inflammatory and anti-aging elements. Next to the sun, inflammation is your skin's worst enemy, and Raw Gaia's luxe, lightly fragrant facial spray is like sending out the cavalry to do battle. Those who need a bit of a product overhaul might just find that the MSM Beauty Spray is the answer to simplifying your regimen and making sure that your skin gets the royal treatment every day and night. One caveat: you do need to remember to shake it up well before you use it, because it naturally separates.

Complete ingredients: MSM crystals, cold-pressed, wildcrafted argan oil, wildcrafted frankincense essential oil and hydrosol, cold-pressed, organic rosehip oil


Koh Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water (300 ml, $39, 480 ml, $52)

If your biggest skin complaint is: You have sensitive skin, and you inadvertently rub your skin raw trying to completely remove your makeup (including waterproof mascara), your eyes are super-sensitive.

The benefits you can expect are: Quick and easy makeup removal-- no matter what kind or how much you've got piled on. I already loved Koh Gen Doh's All In One Spa Gel, so I figured that their micellar-type cleansing water would be a hit too. Best used with a good-sized, smooth-surfaced cotton pad (Koh Gen Do makes an excellent one). The product's effectiveness keeps the number of swipes required to get the job done to a minimum, and the inflammation-inhibiting extracts it contains really caters to those who have skin and eyes that are easily irritated by most cleansers. Never again will I use icky bi-phase eye makeup removers-- the Spa Cleansing Water quickly and kindly makes my skin clean, soft and ready for the next step in my regimen.

Key ingredients: Onsen-sui hot springs water, lactic acid, rosemary, lavender and sage extracts, ginger root extract, glycerin, birch, Perilla leaf (shiso mint), Japanese mugwort leaf extract


Trilogy Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream (5.0 oz, $42)

If your biggest skin complaint is: Your cleanser is drying you out, but you still need something that will exfoliate. You want a creamy, hydrating cleanser without the strain that physical exfoliation can exert on your skin.

The benefits you can expect are: Thank goodness for natural enzymes! This amazing cleanser has papaya and pineapple enzymes which gently exfoliate as you massage it in. It's got a texture that acts like whipped, slippery mousse (real mousse, not like whipped cream out of a can). It's luxurious-feeling and very kind to skin. I like to take my time massaging it over my face and neck, then leave it on for a minute or two for the enzymes to do their job. I easily remove most of it with an organic bamboo flannel in circular motions, then rinse away any extra with water. It provides a truly refreshing deep clean with the soothing effects of a moisturizing cleanser. This stuff is a good one to have in your corner for ongoing use to combat skin aging and it's brilliant when used with a Clarisonic or similar device. Definitely one of my favorite cleansers of all time. Ever.

Key ingredients: coconut-based cleansing agents, papaya and pineapple enzymes, licorice root extract, rosehip oil, chamomile, glycerin


Wildrose Magnolia Face Mask (3.4 oz, $20)

If your biggest skin complaints include: clogged pores, blemishes, dullness, unbalanced oil production (either dry or oily)

The benefits you can expect are: Smooth complexion, deep detoxification, reduction in frequency and duration of blemishes, balanced oil production, very clean feeling and appearance to skin without stripping and drying. I adore this powdered wonder. You can mix it with water, honey, organic extra-virgin coconut oil or yogurt, depending on your skin's needs at the moment. This jar contains all the power of millenia of holistic Ayurvedic wisdom, and Wildrose Magnolia serves it up in a no-nonsense formulation and a pretty jar to boot for only $20. It's enough to last at least 6 months with weekly use, Your face will be sooty for about 30 minutes, and then it washes away surprisingly easily with just water and a warm, wet face flannel. You can also use it as an exfoliating cleanser by mixing some into your regular cleanser or just with extra water. I like to use my little rubber mixing bowl and a spatula to mix it up and then a taklon fan brush to apply it. I beseech you to give up the semi-violent and potentially irritating and damaging effects of those nose pore strips, and clean out your pores with this beauty of this spa-at-home treatment. You'll be as obsessed as I am, I promise! More reviews of Canadian indie brand Wildrose Magnolia products to come very soon, including their delicious shampoo and conditioner and highly pigmented lip gloss.

Complete ingredients: fuller's earth (multani mitti), Morrocan lava clay (rhassoul), activated bamboo charcoal, raw cacao, ground sandalwood, green tea extract, seabuckthorn extract, raw Himalayan salt

[samples sent by Trilogy and Wildrose Magnolia. All other products were purchased by me]

Heaven + Urth Beelieve Hydration Balm

Heaven + Urth Beelieve Hydration Balm came into my life at exactly the right time. I'm constantly having to deal with the ups and downs of hormonal breakouts coupled with juggling a few vital products with active ingredients like retinol and beta hydroxy acid. It's a tricky dance that I must do twice a day, and every day I must find my comfort, somehow. Now, without exception, I need a product that heals and reinforces the skin barrier while sealing in serums and treatment products. It also needs to be natural and organic and let my skin breathe all day and night. Beelieve Balm has filled each one of my requirements and is such an important part of my regimen now. 

I've had to give up almost all balms I've loved, as they tend to clog my pores and one of my main goals right now is to keep them clear. Beelieve Balm is different in its formulation than other products in the same vein I had been using. It targets dehydration, lines and wrinkles and all degrees of dryness without just sitting on top of the skin. It's deeply penetrating and healing. Every one of the ingredients are helpful for troubled skin (except for those few who are averse to essential oils), and they all work in tandem to make my complexion absolutely glow. 

Ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, calendula oil, vitamin E, lavender essential oil, sweet orange essential oil

I always make sure to cleanse and exfoliate first, because it doesn't matter what you put on dull, old skin cells-- your skin just won't work as well. I use just a tiny pea-sized dot of balm warmed between my hands. That's all I need for my face and neck, and I still have a teeny bit left over to use on my cuticles and hands. I also use the balm on the ends of my hair and to tame flyaways, I use it on my dry elbows and heels, as a lip balm, makeup remover, overnight moisture treatment for skin and hair and under-eye line smoother. It's got the most beautiful, high quality lavender and sweet orange essential oils, which are universally uplifting and soothing.

Crystal + Tanya

The product is priced well and lovingly crafted by people who know a thing or two about the struggles of creating and maintaining healthy skin: they are aestheticians, skin care experts and best friends Crystal Surmanian and Tanya Robertson.

The effects of Beelieve on the skin are rapid and simply beautiful, and the longer I use it, the better my skin looks, feels and acts. My skin appears smooth, plump, glowing and hydrated. I wake up in the morning and dryness and dehydration are but a distant memory. Or was it a nightmare? Either way, supple, healthy skin is mine, and I'm not giving it back.

[Heaven + Urth Beelieve Hydration Balm is available in a 2 oz size jar (pictured above) for $39 and a 4 oz size for $73. Shipping is free, and the adorable little wooden spoon and a jute pouch are included with your jar. Product sent to me for my consideration.]

5 Problem-Solving Skin Care Products You Need Right Now (All Under $40!)

It's time for my newest short-list! This time, it's all about inexpensive solutions to common skin-care issues that I'm occasionally plagued by. Below, you'll find products that are new to me and quite impressive-- and everything can be had for under $40 (sometimes well under $40).

Ginger Chi Argan Wrinkle Roller $20

Ingredients: Argan oil, rosehip oil, hemp oil, vitamin E, rosemary oil, frankincense, geranium, German chamomile, fresh ginger oil, myrrh oil

One of the biggest surprises of the year so far for me has been the brand Ginger Chi. I'd heard the name before, but had I known how gorgeous and reasonably priced their products were, I would have jumped on them when I first heard of them. Their closely-edited selection of ginger-based, natural skin care products are so tasty, you'll have trouble choosing just one, so I made the sacrifice and did the work for you. (I know, I'm very self-sacrificing like that).

Ginger Chi Argan Wrinkle Roller is comprised of simple, organic, powerhouse ingredients that frankly, is just not available anywhere else in this exact combination. And it is this combination that works so well against wrinkles, blemishes, acne scars and much more. The rollerball packaging allows precise application of the product directly to the areas that need it, which is a nice bonus. Very neat, and nothing wasted. Argan, rosehip and hemp oils... just saying those words together out loud gives me a tingle at the base of my spine. If you love a smartly blended facial oil, buy this. Then, snag one or two of Ginger Chi's great little sets so you can try the rest of the line.

Wild Naturals Manuka Honey Eye Serum $39.95

Key ingredients: aloe gel, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, Vitamin E, manuka honey, cehami, vitamin E, retinyl palmitate

Not long ago, I expounded on the virtues of micro-micro brand Wild Naturals' only other product, their Manuka Moisturizing Cream. I've been waiting very excitedly for this eye serum to come out. Not only is it fabulous, but it's not just for the eye area. I heartily recommend that it be used on the entire face and neck. It's not a sticky gel, nor is it loaded up with silicones to create unnatural texture. It's soothing, cooling and comfortable on the skin while it's firming and toning. It blends and layers well with other products, and it's brilliant on its own. If you have sensitive eyes or sensitive skin in general, this gel-serum is a must-have. It works wonders on puffiness and brightens the entire eye area-- any time of day.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery $38

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, red algae extract (Ahnfeltia Concinna), oat kernel extract, hyaluronic acid, propolis, feverfew, licorice root extract, green tea leaf extract

I've been quite enjoying several First Aid Beauty products lately, and am really smitten with this one. It's meant to heal and smooth troubled skin, meaning: acneic skin, sensitives, rashes, clusters of hormonal breakouts, dry patches, psoriasis, and the list goes on. When you've got skin that has a compromised barrier, you just can't use very many things. Of the things you CAN use, even fewer don't hurt, sting, or itch when you do use them. That's why Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery rules. It's got the consistency of a toner, and you just pour some into your cupped palm, bring your hands together, then pat into the skin. It's helped me to heal areas of my facial skin that couldn't tolerate anything else. I love it so much that I'm now using it every day to keep my skin hydrated without needing to use much else on top. Sometimes, creams and oils can't do the job that a liquid can do. And I suppose that is the main reason why I've cleared a space for this one into my daily regimen.

HandcraftedGoodies on Etsy Hemp & Organic Cotton Facial Cleansing Rounds $12.50 for 25

I love these super-soft hemp/cotton rounds! They have a slightly different texture on each side. One is really soft but is still absorbent, and the other is a bit more exfoliating, but still soft. They're washable, eco-friendly and very inexpensive. I use them for toners, cleansers and masks, then I just collect the used ones in a mesh bag and toss it in the washing machine. Super easy, and NO lint that you get with disposable cotton rounds! There are several makers of these on Etsy and elsewhere, but I use and love the ones pictured here, by HandCraftedGoodies on Etsy.

Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish $18 for 7oz

Key Ingredients: walnut shell powder, bamboo stem extract, green tea, panax ginseng, ginger root, rice bran wax, geranium, glycerin, camphor

Japanese brand Yu-Be is the maker of one of my all-time favorite lip balms, so I was really excited to try their very popular body scrub. Its scent is very mild, yet incredibly, enticingly fresh, and it's a fairly low-foaming formula. I happen to think foam is a bit overrated, so it's actually perfect for me. It's pretty intensively exfoliating, so I won't be using it on my sensitive facial skin, but it feels so wonderful everywhere else. It leaves my skin feeling softer and silkier than pretty much every other body scrub I've tried, so it's a slam-dunk. If you are prepping your skin for swimwear, self-tanning, shorts, a cute minidress or generally just going out in public with any measure of your skin exposed, treat yourself to Yu-Be's Foaming Skin Polish.

Samples of Wild Naturals eye serum and Yu-Be polish provided by respective companies for my consideration. All others were purchased by me.

Voices in Natural Beauty Interview Series: Rebecca Buttignol of Wave Healing Arts

My contact with the lovely Rebecca Buttignol of Wave Healing Arts in Portsmouth, New Hampshire began in the most casual of fashions. She happens to be the sole US distributor for my most recent organic skin care brand obsession-- Raw Gaia (brand is UK-based). What started as a request for a timeline on when certain products would be restocked turned into an awfully pleasant ongoing volley of emails. We share a love of natural ingredients-- the Earth's generous gifts-- and I became curious about the work that she does with them at her holistic wellness and beauty studio/spa.

Rebecca is a trained expert in all things Raw Gaia, and so much more. She utilizes massage, many types of facials and skin treatments, energy work like Reiki, vibrational healing, customized flower essence blending and even leads a journaling workshop. All of her diverse efforts are focused towards helping to usher others into a whole and happy state of being. She's passionate, insanely knowledgeable, intuitive and kind. In other words, she's an adept healer whom you ought to know. She has also provided the inspiration I needed to start this brand new interview series about the interesting people you'll meet along the path of natural beauty and fragrance. I'm so pleased that she's helping me kick it off by allowing us a little peek into her world and also sharing a beauty secret or two!

How did you get into skin care? Can you describe why you decided to become not just an esthetician, but one that uses strictly organic products?

In 1987 I was living at Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox, MA and I received my first massage and holistic facial. I knew at that moment that I wanted to learn these services. Holistic is where I started and have always been inclined to a holistic lifestyle and have tried to stay true to that as best as I can. 

I think it’s safe to say that your approach to skin care and beauty is holistic in every way. How does that mindset translate into all the different modalities you utilize at Wave?

My additional education was in Counseling Psychology. I was in a graduate program to complete my Bachelors Degree and contemplated continuing with the Masters Degree; I decided not to but instead to put more focus in creating my work as a Holistic Bodywork Practitioner. I wanted to work in the healing arts but not have to be in the role of a counselor. I have studied thousands of hours of continuing education in holistic healing modalities which completely influence my approach to my work as an esthetician. 

What is your goal with your work at Wave Healing Arts? How can your clients expect to feel when they walk out the door, and what will they see in the mirror?

My goal as a holistic practitioner is to integrate body, mind, emotions and Spirit. When I offer facials I use the highest quality Organic Skin Food and I make sure that I am very present while I am doing my work. I incorporate energy work into my massage and facials which take my clients to a very relaxed and meditative place in themselves. The products naturally support the health of the skin and contribute to a glowing complexion. People consistently thank me for giving them an experience that was beyond their expectations. 

What are your top 3 skin care tips or important ingredients/products you’d recommend for everyone at home?

Real food and fresh water. 

“Real food doesn’t have ingredients, Real food IS ingredients.” ~Jamie Oliver 

Beauty really comes from the inside out with health as it’s foundation. Organic & Natural Skin, Body, Hair, Home Care products that make you feel really good. Enough sleep & some kind of stress release technique of which there are so many to choose from. Many paths to the same place of Inner Peace. 

Which Raw Gaia products did you initially fall the hardest for? What was it about the brand that spoke to you and made you become their sole US distributor and use their products in your wellness center?

The first products I tried were the MSM line. They are still my favourites. Though I totally love the Hemp Glow Spray as well! I have worked with many of the highest quality natural and organic skin care products from around the world. Raw Gaia is absolutely in that category. They are a small, personable company with a high standard of ethics. Those qualities really appealed to me and I loved the products and wanted to help share them in the USA. 

Do you have a favorite juice or food recipe that you prize for its beauty-boosting qualities? (If so, would you mind sharing?)

I’m on a turmeric kick lately! Turmeric contains curcumin, the polyphenol identified as its primary active component and which exhibits over 150 potentially therapeutic activities, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. 

Additional benefits: 

• Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, analgesic. 
• Boosts immunity. 
• Anti-carcinogenic. 
• Helps maintain cholesterol levels.
• Promotes digestive health. 
• Liver detoxifier. 
• Regulates metabolism and weight management. 
• High blood pressure. 
• Memory and brain function. 
• Various skin conditions.
• Neurological disorders
• Lowers Triglycerides. 
• Mood Elevator. 

Adding black pepper to turmeric or turmeric-spiced food enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by 1,000 times, due to black pepper’s hot property called piperine. By mixing turmeric and black pepper together, you increase your body’s absorption of the turmeric by 2000%! 

I mix a heaping teaspoon of turmeric with some fresh ground black pepper, a tablespoon of raw, organic honey and half a lemon in warm water and mix it all up with a spoon and drink that a couple of times a day. There are many turmeric drinks variations out there. That is the one I’m drinking these days! It is very tasty and beautiful looking! 

Also, there is organic turmeric in the Raw Gaia Chocolate Face Pack: 

“Turmeric has been used for centuries to bring a healthy glow to the skin and to make it soft and smooth. It also helps to promote an even skin complexion. In India for example, it is traditionally used for pigmentation spots and blotches. Turmeric can also benefit skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.” 

Can you recommend a fairly simple skin care spa ritual my readers and I can perform on ourselves at home using Raw Gaia products— things that are similar to what you might do at Wave Healing Arts?

The daily suggested routine is 3 steps: cleanse, tone & moisturize. On a weekly basis it is nice to give yourself a home facial which add an exfoliation and a face pack (mask). These are the steps I “perform” in every facial and when I treat myself at home. 

I begin with a warm compress to wrap my face; a warm hand towel to cover the whole face; then I pour a small amount of the MSM Cleansing Lotion in my hands and rub them together then massage into the whole face and neck and remove with warm compress. 

Then an exfoliation with the MSM Beauty Scrub, pressing it into the skin and rinsing and then following with a Face Pack for 5-10 minutes. After removing that with my warm compress I spray some MSM toner in my hands and press into the skin; face and neck and then “lock” all that hydration in with the MSM Beauty Spray and/or MSM Beauty Cream. 

One can choose their own favorite products but those are always the same steps. Of course in a facial treatment the real treat is to have the benefit of facial massage/energy work and relaxation. In lieu of that, it is nice to lay in the bath tub while giving yourself a facial and lay back and relax while the face pack is on!

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If you're not familiar with Raw Gaia and live the US, head over to the Wave Healing Arts website and treat yourself to a few trial sizes (my fave lines are Hemp Heaven and MSM Beauty). Raw Gaia makes wondrous, simple yet thoughtfully crafted products of superb quality that have really helped my skin turn a corner from weird, scary and unpredictable to calm and happy. The UK website is HERE, and they do ship to the US as well. If you have any questions about Raw Gaia products, Wave Healing Arts services or would like recommendations, you can email Rebecca, who is truly happy to help: rebecca@wavehealingarts.com

My Beauty Picks: The Best of 2012

I savor the thrill of new beauty products. Skin care, hair care or cosmetics- I love it all, but anything new does get preferential treatment. 2012 was a good year for beauty-- natural and otherwise. My eyes have been opened to the benefits of going organic whenever possible, so my obsessive label-reading habit has hardly abated, but has definitely changed a bit. I used to just look for the names of cosmetic chemical compounds which contain whatever it is I need in my products, now I scan for natural ingredients as well. Not every product will be ideal for everyone, but the following gems have really caught my attention and have made a difference to me.

In Fiore Visage Vitale
This treatment toner from In Fiore is like nothing else out there. Loaded with natural ingredients like aloe juice, Irish moss, apple cider vinegar, comfrey and willow bark, it's a superb non-abrasive exfoliating treatment and also the perfect product to use when your skin needs to detox. Its job is to boost circulation and clear the path for whatever actives you use next. For me, it makes my pores appear smaller and in the morning, my skin texture overall is much finer. It also goes a long way in preventing breakouts.

Aftelier Wild Orange and Blood Cedarwood Facial Oil
I'll be honest here, I have a gazillion face and body oils. This one is most definitely in my top 5 favorites EVER. Aftelier oils are unique in my collection due to how well they are absorbed into my skin and the generous amounts of creatively-used, high-quality ingredients in them. The Wild Orange & Blood Cedarwood oil is so light that my skin drinks it right up, squashes any and all dryness, and leaves the faintest healthy sheen that looks like you've just spent a half hour painstakingly applying luminizing cream. A huge bonus: when one of the most talented perfumers in the world creates skin care products, you just know they're going to smell amazing. The fragrance of the best wild orange essence and the best cedarwood oil graciously lingers on the skin for hours and makes me incredibly happy, which makes it a very effective aromatherapy product as well.

Aroma M Beauty Camellia Hair Oil
This little bottle is filled with heavenly things, and it's such a pleasure to use. I use it on damp hair and then air dry, while simultaneously enjoying the subtle, delicious scent of tuberose. It makes my hair extremely shiny and healthy looking, and it only takes a few drops for an entire long mane. I've come to realize this year that camellia oil (green tea) is a most beautiful and useful thing, and is wonderful for all skin types and hair types. This is definitely a must-have hair product that I hope to keep myself stocked well with.

LUSH Emotional Brilliance makeup line
I love this natural cosmetics line from LUSH. I love the bottles, the formulations and the wacky fortune-cookie-like theme to them. The colors are fantastic, and I do hope they add more of them in the coming year. With one mascara, a bunch of eyeliners, lipsticks and eyeshadows, there's lots of room for additions. Beautiful, well-performing and captivating colors.

Olie Biologique Radicale 005 Facial Oil
Here's my new fave from Olie Biologique- also a camellia-based facial oil, Radicale 005. The first time I used this oil, I looked at the supernatural glow of my skin and had to laugh, it was just too crazy how my skin went from kinda icky and flaky to glowing and super-hydrated in one minute flat. Along with camellia are a bunch of other radiance-boosting anti-aging ingredients that plump the skin up so well that you won't stop using it until the last drop is gone. Then, you will plot and plan how you're going to buy more. Truly fabulous.

ILIA Neon Angel and Inkpot Lipsticks
I mean, just look. I have both of these organic lipsticks, and I know they look a bit extreme in the tube, but they are gorgeous (and I mean BIG time gorgeous) on the lips- sheered out or full on. If you're looking for a cool-toned bright fuschia, look no further than Neon Angel. And for the slightly more daring set, Ink Pot offers an indigo-deep purplish shade that works beautifully as a stain and as an unexpected shade for full-coverage. The next time I have the opportunity, I'm wearing my Ralph Lauren tuxedo to a fancy event, and I'll have Neon Angel or Ink Pot on my lips and the rest of my face bare. I need to try and have a Tilda Swinton moment before I kick the bucket.

RMS Cream Eye Shadow in Karma and Lip Shine in Sublime
I adore RMS' organic pots of gorgeous, organic makeup. A couple of new shades were added to existing products that I feel were noteworthy. Directly below is Cream Eye Shadow in Karma- a wonderful sooty, muddy brownish black. Perfect for creating an imperfect smoky eye. Below that is the new Lip Shine color that I wore all summer long-- Sublime. Man, do I love a good cool-to-neutral toned pink for the face, I just can't get enough. The Lip Shine formulation is very hydrating and doesn't need excessive touch-ups like some glosses do. There is a major color payoff here.

Konjac Sponge Company French Pink Clay Sponge Puff
These facial sponges have come to the US from Korea, and I got mine via NuboNau.com, which is where I get pretty much everything. I will admit my initial confusion about the product, but it's pretty simple actually. There are different colors of sponges for different skin types, and they are infused with the kind of fine clay that is best for your skin type. In my case, I have sensitive, dry skin so I get the French Pink Clay. If I wanted to, I could also use the white or red ones (ultra-sensitive/baby and anti-aging/mature respectively. The sponge expands moderately in water, and it's very squishy and dense. You massage in circles all over the face, with or without cleanser, and the result is a porcelain-like smoothness to the skin. Yep, the clay infusion actually works as a gentle cleanser and pore-refining treatment. The sponges last 3 months, are reasonably priced and are just plain fun to use.

Now, as near as I can tell, the last two products on my list may not have launched in 2012 exactly, but when I discover products this good and vitally important to me, I'll let it slide with full disclosure. They're so much a part of my beauty routine now, that I feel I'd be gravely remiss by skipping them.


Badger Creamy Cocoa Butter Lip Balms
I am addicted to these lip balms. Nothing has come close to providing that intense, quenching feeling of having really well moisturized and protected lips since I've cut out all mineral oil and petroleum based products. I love everything about them-- the soothing, fragrant goodness of cocoa butter, the fact that they are organic, and I especially love not EVER having dry lips. Ever.

Original Moxie Get Clean! No Foam Shampoo
This creamy, non-lathering natural shampoo has saved me from quite a bit of color loss, dryness and scalp irritation in the several months that I've been using it. It's been a major revelation. Taking care of my super-long black, thick and slightly wavy hair is always a challenge, but it's so wonderful to have a product like this that is so nourishing and gentle that also cleanses really well. I'm so impressed by the Original Moxie line that I really don't like to use many products from other brands if I can help it. Nothing else is quite as good.

What were your favorite beauty discoveries of 2012? Are there any you can't live without now?

Holiday 2012 Gift Guide: Natural Beauty

This feeling of giddiness I'm experiencing at the moment could only mean one thing-- it's holiday gift guide time again! I have made many new discoveries over the past year and have found some beauty products that not only perform well, but are natural and/or organic, are pleasurable to use and have high quality ingredients. On this list you will find simply beautiful gifts for the discerning beauty junkies in your life. Without further ado, release the list!

[Gorgeous natural gift wrapping using burlap and organic cotton by The Ribbon Lady at May Arts: step-by-step instructions & free download-able tutorial  HERE]

Aroma M Camellia Hair and Face Oil Set $145
This beauty duo is inspired by the traditional formulas used by Japanese Geishas, and somehow it seems all the more luxurious for it. The hair oil delivers gorgeous shine and hydration and imparts the scent of tuberose with an earthy touch, while the face oil charms with a geranium-based floral blend. Best of all, camellia oil features prominently in both, which means  all types of skin and hair will benefit due to its versatility. A hardcore skin/hair care enthusiast's dream.

In Fiore Veloutee- $58
Veloutee is a gorgeous jasmine-scented natural balm for lips and under eyes that has an incredible number of anti-aging constituents, such as black current seed oil, calendula, carrot seed oil and marula. Loaded up with In Fiore's signature floral essence blend and housed in a chic metal compact, this is one sexy balm that will give anyone on your gift list a thrill.

ILIA Beauty Limited Edition Lips & Eyes
Inkpot Lipstick and These Days Tinted Lip Conditioner $24 each
Mascara in Asphalt Jungle $24
I am in love/lust with ILIA Beauty. Their colors range from everyday-wearable to wild and wonderful. Their newest limited edition collection is to die for. Inkpot Lipstick is richly pigmented and can be dabbed on as a purplish-berry stain or applied right from the tube for serious pop. They've recently launched a new mascara line that offers the same diversity that their lip products do. My favorite one is pictured below- Asphalt Jungle, a gorgeous charcoal grey for those who like to swim in the cool side of the pool. I love that ILIA's products are all organic, which is a huge comfort when faced with the statistic that a woman, on average, consumes about 2 pounds of lipstick/lip balm in their lifetime.

Holistic Silk eye mask with lavender $65
Holistic Silk makes these luxurious silk and velvet eye masks filled with organic lavender, and they come in a bunch of colors. Treat the frequent traveler on your list with one of these, and they'll be thanking you all year long.

Pai Sea Buckthorn Hand and Nail Collection $32
The gift sets that Pai has on offer this year are really amazing and well-priced. This hand and nail duo is the kind of thing you'd do well to buy a few of, because it will make everyone happy, including yourself. All organic, anti-aging and seriously moisturizing without greasiness, the Sea Buckthorm Hand Cream is the best and most effective hand cream I've used in some time. The Sea Buckthorn Cuticle Balm is exclusive to this gift set, and is a bedside-table must-have. Treat yourself every night before bed.

REN Trio Set for Men $85
This all-natural and organic trio for men contains Tamanu High-Glide Shaving Oil, High-Glide Cooling Shaving Cream and Multi-Tasking After Shave Balm. Once the man or men in your life try this once and realize that shaving doesn't have to be semi-painful drudgery, they will need no more convincing. Want to kick up your gift-giving prowess a few notches? Add a gorgeous silver Edwin Jagger shaving set for $125 (not pictured).

Kjaer Weis Beauty Reborn Gift Trio $140
Green make-up artist Kjaer Weis has created one of the most highly coveted lines of natural and organic cosmetics, complete with sexy, refillable metal packaging that lasts a lifetime. Each product even comes with a polishing cloth for the case, so it can double as a mirror. Spirit Beauty Lounge has a fabulous gift set available where you can choose your colors of Lip Tint (my fave is Bliss Full, shown below gift pic), Cream Blush and Eyeshadow. Weis has mastered the art of eco-luxe, and this stuff is just too good not to share.

Aftelier Ancient Resins body oil $40 for 50ml bottle
As you drink deeply from the sultry well of resins and spices present in Mandy Aftel's newest body oil, you soon realize that it's no small wonder that the ancient Egyptians would literally get high by enclosing themselves in spaces filled with frankincense smoke. It makes an ideal gift for anyone who loves intense, earthy fragrances, has chronically sore joints or muscles, or those who worship at the altar of Frankincense, one of the most perfect natural substances on Earth. The scent profile is rounded out by Balm of Gilead, benzoin, elemi and labdanum. This is the real deal, and it will blow your mind.

LUSH Emotional Brilliance Cosmetics: Liquid Lipstick in Perspective ($22.95), Liquid Eyeliner in Independent ($22.95), Eyes Right Mascara in Black (18.95), Liquid Eyeshadow in Intuitive ($22.95)
Makeup hasn't been this much fun in... well, ever. Whether you're in the store or online, you can spin a wheel with a different colored dots on the outside and the wheel will decree what mood you are in, and which colors you should be wearing. It is a gimmick, yes, but it's cute. Less corny are the cosmetics themselves. The liquid lipsticks are satiny and ultra-comfortable to wear, the liquid eyeliner comes in all kinds of fantasy colors and stays put indefinitely until removed, and the mascara is rich and gorgeous (and boasts a wheatgrass base). The colors I chose below are just a few of my faves, and at this time, the mascara only comes in black. The wide range of colors in the Emotional Brilliance line make it easy to customize your selections for the natural beauty-lovers on your list.

Vered Organic Botanicals Introductory Set $68
Vered Back is a master aesthetician and herbalist who makes a whole slew of wonderful face and body products. From her cult favorite, Le Chocolat Citrus Foaming Face Scrub (yes, it smells as gorgeous as it sounds) to my personal favorites, Therapeutic Balancing Face Oil and Herb Infused Toner, the array of trial sizes packed into this adorable kit are what I consider to be mandatory testing. If you buy this for someone on your holiday gift list, I highly suggest you do not pick through the contents prior to wrapping, or it will never reach its intended recipient. Or, you could just buy two.

This year, I feel I could have made my list three times as long as in prior years, there has just been so much brilliant beauty products that have hit the market in recent past. Oils are finally hitting the mainstream, thanks to tireless champions such as Nav Mundi, the woman behind Beauty Huile blog. Consumers are starting to realize that there are alternatives to what they've been using for so long-- ones that are healthier, natural, organic and in so many cases, far better than their synthetic counterparts.

This is why I love the small boutique lines. Some are made and bottled by hand by individuals and teams with vast amounts of knowledge and experience with botanicals, beauty and natural healing. They are in touch with their customer and possess a profound chicness that informs the ingenuity, integrity and quality of their products. My list represents beauty with brains and a lot of heart... I won't settle for less than that, and now that this sector of the beauty industry is steadily growing, I won't ever have to think of settling.