Body & Hair Care: Wise Earth

Organic. Wild-Crafted. Paraben-free. Sulfate-free. Made in Canada.



TRUTH Shampoo and Conditioner (available in Unscented or Citrus)

A little bit goes a long way with this sustainably awesome line of hair care from Canada. The thick shampoo requires only a dab mixed with warm water to leave your locks feeling luxuriously soft! For those of you looking to moisturize color-treated hair or tame frizzy fly-aways, this is a product you'll want to consider looking at. If you have oily hair, you may be better off with a different product since this line tends to add even more shine.

Check out the ingredients (citrus):

Shampoo: Purified Water, Organic Blend of Arctium Lappa (Burdock Root)*, Urtica Diotica (Nettle Leaf)*, Rosemary Officialis (Rosemary)*, Calendula Officialis (Marigold Calendula)*, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Decyl Glucoside, Coco Betaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp Seed Oil)Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Guar Gum, Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis (grapefruit), Citrus Reticulate (tangerine), Cananga Odorata (ylang ylang), Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (*Certified Organic)

Conditioner: Purified Water, Organic Blend of Arctium Lappa (Burdock Root)*, Urtica Diotica (Nettle Leaf)*, Rosemary Officialis (Rosemary)*, Calendula Officialis, (Marigold Calendula)*, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Simmondisa Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Oil, Oatmeal Protein, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Cetyl Alcohol (Plant Base), Polyglyceryl 2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Citrus Grandis (grapefruit), Citrus Reticulate (tangerine), Cananga Odorata (ylang ylang), Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (*Certified Organic)

TRUTH Body Wash (available in Unscented or Citrus)

This is a great body wash to use as a shaving gel or with a loofah. The blend works well to lather with water and doesn't leave the skin feeling stripped of natural oils like many other body washes may do. Our suggestion is to buy a lot of this body wash, however, because we found ourselves using copious amounts of it in both the shower and as a bubble bath!

Check out the ingredients (citrus):

Body Wash: Purified Water, Organic Blend of Arctium Lappa (Burdock Root)*, Urtica Diotica (Nettle Leaf), Rosemary Officialis (Rosemary)*, Calendula Officialis (Marigold Calendula)*, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Decyl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Coco Betaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Guar Gum, Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis (grapefruit), Citrus Reticulate (tangerine), Cananga Odorata (ylang ylang), Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (*Certified Organic)

FOR MORE INFO ON TRUTH PRODUCTS, VISIT: 

http://www.wise-earth.ca/index.html

Babo Botanicals: Babo Love Giftset, $9

For use while detangling, refreshing bed head, or simply restyling mid-day, the Babo Botanicals Detangler Spray is an instant cure-all for your hair! And just between you and me, this is mommy's favorite to spritz on mid-day to refresh my locks as well!

Does your child wake up with bed head? "We've found that our little ones have major bed head post-naptime when the hair on the back of their heads gets tangled and frizzy. It seems to be a constant battle trying to get the hair to look normal again after naptime without water, which is virtually all the time with any newborn. And so at my weakest points, I resort to simply putting a hat on his head and heading out the door."

This is when Babo Botanicals' wonderful natural products come into play...no longer are you forced to choose between fighting the bed head or pushing it under the hat!

The Berry Primrose detangling spray is delightful, the all natural scent is very fruity and kids like it just as much as mommies do! It detangles even the finest of hair and helps perk of those baby curls we all love so much. This wonderful set is the perfect gift to encourage your little one's independence (the detangler helps them comb/style their own hair and the soap is perfectly sized to fit into a toddler's palm, allowing them to wash themselves in the shower or bath).

EWG RATING: SAFE/GREEN (1) Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf*, Purified Water (Agua), Polyquaternium 80 (Sugar), Organic Calendula Officinalis Extract*, Organic Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract*, Wild Crafted Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress) Extract*, Organic Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu) Root Extract*, Glycerine (Vegetable), Glucono Delta Lactone (Sugar), Polyquaternium 10 (Vegetable Fiber), Organic Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis) Oil, Potassium Sorbate (Food Grade Preservative), Natural Berry Essential Oil Blend

Check out this wonderful set as well as the many other great products available at:

BABO BOTANICALS

Ava Anderson Non Toxic: Face Basics Set

Ava Anderson Non Toxic is a wonderful company dedicated to producing safe and healthy products for you! They do this by ensuring all of their ingredients are independently rated by the EWG as non-toxic, unlike most companies that simply decide on their own whether a product is safe or not without third party input. This month we had the pleasure of testing out their basic face care line of products, consisting of cleanser, exfoliator, toner, and moisturizer. 

The first thing you'll notice is that you can actually read and understand all of the ingredients! In fact, this company is a huge advocate of checking the back (ingredient list) on everything you put on or in your body.

Secondly, you'll notice the beautiful scent of the products - not because they are fragranced with cheap oils and perfumes, but naturally smell of delicious ingredients grown right out of the ground (not produced in some mad-scientist's lab).

Third, and perhaps the best, their products show you positive results within a few days! The most impressive result was when it cleared up one mama's postpartum acne outbreak, which is no easy task. Did we mention that it leaves you with a healthy, rosy glow to your skin?

A few notes we'd like to share: the exfoliator is coarsely textured and should only be gently massaged in circles on your face and neck. The cleanser is absolutely divine and removes all oil and grime from your face ~ you can actually feel the clean! The toner is by far our new MUST HAVE product!!! It works effectively as an underarm deodorant, to clear up acne, makeup remover, and as a general refresher for your face. Honestly, if you want to try just one item, go for the toner! And last, but certainly not least, the moisturizer is a creamy texture that absorbs well into the skin. However, I must say that with normal skin, we noticed that the moisturizer was only needed every few days as the product line does not dry your skin like many other brands do. All containers are made of 1, 2, or 4 BPA-free recyclable plastics.

The following is reposed from the Ava Anderson Non Toxic website as a guide to their basic skin care set:

• 

  STEP 1 | cleanser

  Our antioxidant and enriching cleanser leaves the skin clean and refreshed, with natural scent and sudsing. 3.4 oz, $19.95US

  
  

  
  

  

  STEP 2 | exfoliator

  Fine apricot kernels and skin-softening ingredients gently buff away dry skin, dirt and imperfections, leaving your skin fresh and radiant. Improves skin tone and texture. 2.7 oz, $21.95US

  
  

  
  

  

  STEP 3 | toner

  Spritz your face with our non-drying, non-stinging toner, as the first step in the moisturizing process. Yucca is a natural antiseptic, and witch hazel open pores and removes impurities. 3.4 oz, $19.95US

  
  

  
  

  

  STEP 4 | moisturizer

  Enriched with antioxidants, conditioners, emollients, nourishing oils and vitamins, to achieve radiant, youthful looking skin with improved elasticity. 2 oz, $20.95US

SHOP AVA ANDERSON NON TOXIC

Many thanks to Diane Possemato, a founding consultant, for supplying us with samples for testing and review!

Baby: Calendula Stater Kit from Weleda

As a new mom, it seems like everyday brings a new and interesting crisis to solve. Add in the hormones and it's no wonder why we're all stressed out, baby-toting basketcases!

One of the ways I've found that truly helps ease the potential meltdowns of the day is good preparation. That means, before you leave the house, make sure you have planned for the worst and then added a few levels to that. For example, imagine what you'd need if your precious sweetpea decides to blow out a diaper while simultaneously pulling an exorcism a la split pea soup moment AND just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, they're stricken with a faucet for a nose -- oh, and all of this happens on an airplane, camping, or some other place where you are completely limited to stock on hand for cleanup and treatment. What to do?

No worries! Why? Because you are SUPER MOM to the rescue, you're prepared, and you've got this in the bag. You whip out your handy dandy calendula baby starter kit from your diaper bag (or purse - it's small enough) and go to work. Within minutes, you have the baby all cleaned up and you're back in business. Now, let's just go back and I'll point out that this is not a hypothetical situation -- that's right, folks, and that little kit up there was my saving grace.

The Baby Starter Kit by Weleda ($13 US) contains travel sized samples of their calendula baby line of products: baby cream, lotion, body wash/shampoo, diaper care, & calendula oil. Calendula extract is known as one of the most healing plants for the skin and using these products helps your baby's skin (and yours) heal. My favorite in this kit is the calendula oil...just one drop on a cotton swab applied to the raw, chapped, and chafed skin on the upper lip from a runny nose has healed very sore skin within a day!

I must give honorable mention to their calendula diaper care cream which cleared up a nasty diaper rash within 2 days...that was pretty amazing too! Another awesome product that I keep on hand, though it is not included in this baby starter kit, is their children's tooth gel ($7 US). It has a yummy mint flavor that freshens breath and is really good at getting rid of "stinky milk mouth" - a condition that far too many mornings are ruined by. Just a pea-sized amount of this fluoride-free gel on their fingertip or toothbrush, cleans their teeth and breath anywhere/anytime.

I'd also like to mention something pretty neat I just came across, for all you other parents out there who are always googling for info to help your kids. Weleda recently created a website just for parents and caregivers, an entire community where you can find natural parenting tips and advice! To check it out, click here!

Great products, helpful online community, check this company out!

Visit Weleda

thinksport/LIVESTRONG Sunscreen SPF 30+

With so many sunscreens sporting more toxins than protection, it can be a real challenge to decide whether it is less risky to forgo it altogether. But then, in the back of your mind, the skin cancer questionwill always remain - nipping at you slowly but surely. And for those of us with aesthetic concerns, the idea of sun spots and wrinkles creeps in as an all too definite reality without sunscreen. What's a person to do?

LIVESTRONG and thinksport are making it a lot easier on us! How, you ask? They've developed a "formulation that is already top ranked for safe sunscreen by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and is free of biologically harmful chemicals." The active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide (20%) and this sunscreen is ranked safe (1-2) by the EWG.

Since zinc oxide is a physical sunscreen (meaning it blocks sun rays by reflecting them), it can be quite unattractive as solid cream on the skin. To minimize the opaque nature of zinc oxide, it is typically scaled down to 30 to 200 nm. This allows for less noticeable application to the skin, but still keeps it large enough not to cross through the skin (such as happens with nano-particles). According to the LiveStrong website and SmartSkinCare, "zinc oxide has a slight edge over titanium dioxide. While titanium dioxide is effective at blocking ultraviolet-B and short-wave ultraviolet-A rays, it is less effective than zinc dioxide at blocking long ultraviolet-A rays. Zinc oxide's ability to block different types of rays makes it one of the most effective sun protection products on the market at fighting the sun's rays. Zinc oxide is often combined with additional ultraviolet-B blockers to provide the most complete broad-spectrum sunscreen." The thinksport website has plenty of useful information to absorb too, including the differences between chemical and physical sunscreens, the truth about SPF ratings, and what's up with nanoparticles and why you should be very careful about your product purchases. You can read all about it here (scroll down to the "what else you might want to know" section!
With sunny weather quickly becoming the norm, we have been applying the thinksport/LIVESTRONG suncreen for a few weeks now and have found it to be very effective! Not only is it water-resistant, it has a SPF of 30+. Of course, the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (sunburn). So this means that you can stay in the sun over 30 times longer than you would normally be able to without getting burned! At the modest price of $15.99, your wallet will be just as happy as your protected skin! And as if that wasn't awesome enough, the purchase of this product guarantees a minimum $1.5 million donation towards the fight against cancer!

Shop thinksport

Body: Agape & Zoe Naturals Eau de Parfum Spray

Finding your signature scent is hard enough on it's own with the multitude of fragrances on the market. Unfortunately, many fragrances are synthetic with hidden chemicals, many of which are toxic. In a world where you want to smell life, not just live it, there is a very real need for pleasant scents that not only define your presence but compliment it whilst maintaining safety during use and promoting health rather than devastating it. In our years of investigating products available on the market, I can truly say that the Agape and Zoe Naturals line of spray perfumes is a magnificent treasure!

With a generous offering of 10 designer scents consisting of only organic grain alcohol and essential oils, Agape and Zoe Naturals has a little something for everyone. We are enamored with Sugared Crush, a playful scent that you're sure to like if you're switching over from anything from J. Lo to Victoria Secret's signature scents. The soft vanilla warmth of this perfume lasts over 8 hours, delicately lightening to a wisp of scent. Absolutely perfection for the young or young at heart!! 

If you're more earthy and prefer crisp and fresh over an alluring sprite of a scent, check out Green. A delightfully light fragrance that will remind you of cucumber, mint, and a hint of mandarin orange! This one works great to lighten the mood and freshen the air around you as well, lifting your spirits into a sunshine-filled day. 

Since each 2 oz. spray bottle is generously proportioned, we recommend you first purchase a sampler set to see which scent works best with your body chemistry. The 10-scent sampler set of vials can be purchased for $20 US here. These perfumes are so amazing, exactly what many of us have been looking for, so I recommend you invest in the sampler first to ensure you are happy with your long-lasting purchase.

GMO-free. Phthalate-free. Paraben-free. Petro-free. Not tested on animals. Vegan. Gluten-free. Like we said, pure certified organic grain alcohol and essential oils -- nothing else added except love!

SHOP Agape and Zoe Naturals

Body: The Keeper Menstrual Moon Cup

"Over 14 billion tampons, applicators and pads end up in landfills every year."  

Can you imagine what that mess looks like? 14,000,000,000 blood-soaked tampons, applicators, and pads. And then I think of all the diseases that are passed through blood sitting there in those piles. How many resources went into making all those disposables and how long it will take them to degrade back into the soil amongst the piles of trash. Then I think of the houses that are built on top of old landfills, the new homeowners not even aware of what is lurking under their soil. This chain of thought can go on and on, but suffice it to say that this is not a pretty picture in any sense of the word, environmental, health, or otherwise. Once it was brought to my attention (because, really, who starts off thinking of the impacts of all our daily actions), I had to do something. Here's how it all started for me.

A few years back, my interest was peaked when a new friend casually mentioned a menstrual cup in conversation. Being what I'd consider a typical woman in today's society, I felt too embarrassed to inquire any further. Of course, the instant I arrived home, I couldn't help but look up the product to see what it was all about. This was the beginning of an amazing change in my life.

You see, as a woman, I had already been searching for years to find the perfect solution - a miracle pad or tampon shall we say - but nothing ever seemed to be comfortable AND effective. Tampons always seemed to painfully dry me out, while pads were smelly and noisy (on more than one occasion, in a very quiet room, I had heard my disposable pad's plastic backing crinkle loudly and had hoped no one else knew what the sound was). Basically, it all made that one week a month much more exhausting and stressful than I really felt it should be. I all but forgot the hassles in the weeks between cycles and on week 4, the search began again. And then there it was, on the screen in front of me, a new possibility I'd never heard of or seen before...a silicone or latex cup that sits up inside the vagina and is emptied into the toilet when full. Intriguing, but it sounded messy. 

In reality, it was actually a lot cleaner and more comfortable than I could've imagined. And so I had at last found the perfect products for a happier period: a menstrual cup and cloth pads!

There are many brands and styles of reusable menstrual products, but for this review, I tried out The Keeper Moon Cup ($37 US). The moon cup is the silicone version, although they do offer a natural latex version as well. To insert the cup, you simply press your thumb into the side of the ring to fold it in half and insert it. Once inserted, it opens up inside of the vagina and stays put until you pull it out by the neck. Here is a photo of what it looks like when folded before insertion.

The Keeper Moon Cup fit quite comfortably and I couldn't feel it, except for the neck, which was just a bit too long for my preference. Luckily, it is easy to trim the neck with scissors to the length that is most comfortable for you, so this doesn't pose a problem. (note: it is not recommended to cut off more than half of the stem, otherwise it can be difficult to remove the cup) In comparison to my other menstrual cup, The Diva Cup (shown below right), the Keeper Moon Cup holds the tiniest amount less as it is a bit shorter and does not include ounce measurements inside as the Diva Cup does. Both fit in the palm of your hand and come with a discrete carrying case. However, as far as flexibility and comfort, they are both equal. The Keeper Moon Cup is made in the USA of clear silicone, while it's competitor is made in Canada of opaque silicone. I really do like the option of the natural gum latex Keeper cup as well for those without latex allergies, since latex is biodegradable and able to be sustainably produced.

When the cup is full, you simply rinse it out and reinsert. If you are worried about overflow, although I have to say that my flow on the brink of hemorrhage still allows me to empty this only once every 6 hours, you can simply wear an organic bamboo/cotton/wool cloth pad for protection (Fussybutt is my favorite #1-recommended brand)!

I urge every woman to try these alternative options for at least 2 cycles. You may be surprised to learn that there is no odor, the mess and stress is less, and it improves the quality of your life as well as the planet! Once you use a menstrual cup or cloth pads, you'll never go back! They are superior in comfort, ease, cost, eco-factors, and all around health!

To visit The Keeper website, click here!

Face and Body: Nessa's Naturals

The first and foremost thing to remember as you start on the green path through life is that NO product is perfect. You will likely be able to find someone to argue the effectiveness or problems with at least one ingredient in every product you will find. Does this mean that these ingredients are necessarily dangerous to you when properly used? No. This is where information meets intelligence, you must decide for yourself if the product falls within your personal acceptance policy.

Even the most well-meaning organizations, such as EWG, who we look to in order to assist us in deciphering the ever-evolving evidence against ingredients, have their downfalls. In many cases, certain ingredients are ranked higher {more dangerous} than they actually are in normal use conditions simply because they can be toxic in higher concentrations, during different use applications, contaminated from some suppliers while not others, etc. It is up to you, as an individual, to figure out where you draw the boundary line as to what you find acceptable to be exposed to.

With this said, I'd like to encourage you to never stop learning! It is the constant search for information that will aid you most in your progress to going green. As you continue to develop your own personal boundaries and green intelligence, you will figure out what fits best into your life, what is realistic, and what is not, for you. And to remember, the human body is an amazing machine - well built to deal with small amounts of just about everything found in nature. So yes, while honeysuckle and soy, for example, may cause slight endocrine disruption temporarily as they mimic estrogen, our bodies can filter this out rather quickly too - it is not bioaccumulative {it doesn't build up in our bodies}. And while some minerals can cause skin irritation, long term damage is unlikely. What we urge you to focus on are the 'unnatural' additives, synthetics, lab-created ingredients (and manipulated natural ingredients such as GMO genetically modified & nanoparticles) sometimes labeled as 'natural'...these mutants are not something our bodies have been trained to handle, these are more likely to cause damage than ingredients our bodies have adapted to over thousands of years!

And with this introduction, I introduce you to Nessa's Naturals product line. This small company produces body and face products, including cosmetics, which are a good first step for those of you who are still using traditional products and are looking to take a step in the right direction. Nessa's Naturals offers simple ingredients and has verified the purity of their vitamin e and grapefruit seed extract to be free of contamination, but they also offer synthetic options for fragrance and flavoring oils. If you are ready to go totally natural, they also offer synthetic-free options such as those we reviewed! Recommended are the Coco Pep Lip Balm and Dry Oil Mist with Essential Oils!

Check out the Nessa's Naturals Shop on Facebook to see all of their offerings!

Body: Daytime Restoration Creme from NONTOXIQUE

Natural age-defying relief for dry hands and feet! 

Description: Deeply moisturizing and packed with a powerful host of anti-oxidants, this creme provides safe and natural restoration to tired hands and feet. With the ability to penetrate the skins many layers, destructive free-radicals are slowed down allowing for wound healing, cellular regeneration, collagen and elastin support and reduced fine lines and wrinkles. 4 oz

Ingredients: Purified water, organic aloe vera juice, organic jojoba oil, organic virgin coconut oil, mango butter, mowrah butter, vegetable emulsifying wax, kiwi extract, avocado oil, vitamin E, gotu kola, comfrey, alfalfa, sage, tumeric, ginseng, calendula oil, xanthan gum, buriti oil, sea buckthorn oil, grapefruit seed extract, rosemary extract, anise, organic sweet orange essential oil

EWG: 2* (safe/green) - Click here to read the report!

Price: $30 US

Are your hands drying out from excessive hand washing? Are your tired tootsies aching for some nourishment and pampering? Treat yourself to a natural solution with NONTOXIQUE Daytime Restoration Creme.

Developed by a professional manicurist, this sweet smelling cream has a citrus scent that will remind you of lazy afternoons eating oranges on a southern front porch!  It glides on effortlessly with ease across the skin with help from it's aloe vera base.  And while it soaks in within minutes to provide hydration to thirsty skin, it does require re-application within several hours if your skin is very dry.

SHOP NONTOXIQUE

*Regarding the EWG report, please note the company has submitted a request for their product to be reevaluated as they have proof that their emulsifying wax does not contain contaminants, which is the only ingredient which prevented this product from being rated a 1 on the EWG database. At the time of this review being published, the EWG rating is still listed as a 2.

Body: Cleansease by White Witch

The easiest 15-minute facial ever...and more!

Description: Cleansease Balancing and refining masks with rhassoul clay and melissa and neem. Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin types. Made in Ireland. 5-pack.

Ingredients: Oatmeal, rhassoul clay, organic melissa powder, neem leaf powder

EWG RATING:  SAFE/GREEN (0-1)  Click here to read EWG report

Price: $20 approx. US

This 5-pack of facials are very similar to tea bags, you simply wet them with warm water and rub on your face and neck. Then go turn on some slow music and lay down to relax for 15-20 minutes. You will feel them tightening, shrinking pores, rejuvenating your skin. Once washed clean with warm water, your skin is left feeling moisturized and fresh.


White Witch offers many pure herbal products, including: milk baths, foot baths, eye compresses, and hair repair rinses. They carry absolutely everything you need to entirely pamper yourself with a spa night at home, the natural way.


Start your evening off with an almond milk bath, to moisturize your entire body. Place the eye compresses on your tired baby blues to refresh them. Use the hair rinse to repair your hair while adding highlights naturally. For a pedicure, soften your tootsies with a steamy tea bath of Footsease. Follow this with an allover body indulgence with the chocolate orange lotion bar - it melts on your skin!


These products are perfect for travel because they are all non-liquid; there is no restriction when carrying them on an airplane within the USA so you can pamper yourself when you reach your destination, without being limited to 4oz or less.  They honestly look like tea bags, but they're for your body! Just add a bit of warm water and you have yourself an effective relaxation package to go! Excellent gift basket idea or for an anniversary.

SHOP WHITE WITCH

Deodorant: Fragrance-Free Crystal Confidence by Tom's of Maine

Description:  Clincally tested 24 hour odor protection with just one application. Goes on clear with no white residue. Cruelty-free. Kosher.  Made in the USA.


Ingredients: water, potassium alum, xanthum gum, zinc citrate, benzoic acid


EWG Safety Rating: 2 (safe) - click for report!

Price:  $3.99 US

 ~*~*~

I am always skeptical about mass marketed brands, afterall, they require longer shelf life standards and are usually massively produced. When Tom's of Maine sent me their newest roll-on deodorant to try, I was anxious to enter their ingredients into EWG to see the safety rating. After coming up with a safe rating, I happily applied the deodorant to start testing.


I am a sweater, not the furry kind that keeps you warm in winter, no. The kind that makes you a set, dripping mess under your arms for apparently no reason whatsoever. I'm pretty sure it is linked to hormone changes with having children, but whatever the reason, it requires control to prevent odor. I've tried so many different deodorants in different forms (sprays, roll-on, stick, gel) and definitely have found that some do not work for me, whilst others work wonderfully! This deodorant falls into the latter category...it works GREAT!


Although it is not an antiperspirant, I swear I do not sweat as much while using this deodorant. As you may know, it is healthy for your body to sweat - it rids your body of toxins and prevents overheating! But, odor is not a necessary component of this, it's just a consequence, so you want to find a deodorant that controls odor and still allows you to sweat. I can say that over our 2 week trial, the Tom's of Maine crystal confidence deodorant worked through the day with a single application. 


On a side note, I had a bad reaction to the mineral salt crystal rocks sold as deodorant - resulting in a chemical burn and swelling for several days under my arms. Although this deodorant utilizes similar mineral salts to kill bacteria, I did not suffer a reaction from this product (not even when applied after shaving).


NOTE: The ingredient, potassium alum, is controversial. Although we have researched this ingredient thoroughly and have found it to be safe in this application (along with other independent research institutions such as EWG), there are some who are concerned about the possibility of aluminum toxicity through use of this particular ingredient. Here are some of the factors we considered in our decision to test this product:

• FDA-approved for use in foods (now as many of us know, this does not mean it is inherently safe, however it has been used for a very long time with no health effects shown in low doses)
• It is a naturally occurring mineral found within the USA (TN) - however, it can be synthetically created as well, and the synthetic variety is associated with minor skin irritation
• It is used to filter water and is an ingredient in baking powder -  if you drink water or eat baked goods (bread), you are already ingesting higher quantities of this ingredient
• Minerals are generally absorbed much more readily through ingestion than through topical/skin application, application method provides minimal exposure
• A very small amount is needed once daily on a small area of the skin only to be effective, thus exposure is minimal
• We have previously tested potassium alum crystal deodorants (the solid rock variety) and had severe skin reactions, however no reaction whatsoever was noted with this product
• EWG and many other well-respected scientific based institutions rate this ingredient as safe for topical/skin use

Toms of Maine Website

Organic Botanical Perfume Collection from Miessence

Green your fragrance!

Description: The sensual pleasure of performing the same ancient anointing ritual that has been part of the human experience for thousands of years creates harmony in our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves. For a lingering aromatic experience, apply your perfume to the body's pulse points: wrist, neck, cleavage and behind the ears. Our perfumes interact and blend with your individual body chemistry, creating your own unique fragrance that evolves over time. Includes 6 roll-on bottles of 1ml perfume each in a gift bag and box.



Ingredients (vary by scent): geraniol, citronellol, eugenol, benzyl benzoate, parfum (proprietary blend of organic botanical extracts, absolutes and essential oils), linalool, limonene, citral, isoeugenol, farnesol, coumarin, jojoba seed oil


EWG Safety Rating: 0-1 (safest/green)


Price: $12.80 for one scent of your choice or $70.05 for the collection of 6! For a limited time only, use coupon elyo20 to receive an additional 20% off any order! (valid only through link below)

You've gone through your cabinets, drawers, and closets...all has gotten "greener" except one last little thing...the one thing you're just not sure you can change: your signature scent! Yes, ladies, this has been the monkey on my back since going green...I just can't seem to find MY signature scent in an eco-friendly or non-toxic version. Now, I'm a rational person and I realize that it has to go, it just isn't worth pouring carcinogens and phthalates on my skin, why die to smell good, I know, I know...but gosh, it's just so hard to let go of a really addictive perfume!


In my attempts to green my perfume, I've tried so many options, but the hunt continues on and on...searching for the perfect one. If you are also looking to go green in one of the toughest product areas (perfumes), you might want to check out the Miessence organic botanical perfume collection!


First things first, it's labeled as certified organic, but what does certified organic really mean? Independent Miessence representative, Erin Ely, gives insight into this somewhat overlooked and often confused issue.

"When you see on the label "certified organic" that means the product meets the food standard for certified organic: These products contain at least 95% organically produced agricultural ingredients (excluding water and salt). The remaining ingredients (up to 5%) can be non-agricultural substances or non-organically produced agricultural ingredients, with strict processing criteria (eg: absolutely no GMOs or synthetic chemicals). These products bear the Australian Certified Organic logo and may also display the IFOAM and USDA logos, if issued."

Now that we understand what it means to be certified organic, let's look at each of the perfumes in the sample collection by Miessence. Nicely packaged in an organza bag inside of a sturdy gift box, are 6 bottles (1ml) with roll-on applicators. The six included scents are: Delicious, Love, Fire, Calm, Brave, and Wild. As any fragrance, each interacts differently with your body chemistry, creating a unique scent on each person; however, here is what each reminded me of when applied to my skin.


Miessence Love: Strong floral scent, best used in the evenings
Miessence Delicious: Maple candy or syrup scent
Miessence Fire: Softer, woodsy scent, best used casually in daytime
Miessence Calm: Reminds me of sea air and herbal water, renewal, best used in mornings/daytime
Miessence Brave: Spiced musk, warm and cozy, best used in evenings
Miessence Wild: Strong musk scent, bordering masculine


Amongst the six I tested, my favorites were Calm and Brave -- one for day use, one for evening. A great thing about the sample perfume collection is that you can mix and combine different scents to come up with your own signature scent. If you've been looking to try out organic perfume, definitely consider giving the Miessence Organic Botanical Perfume Collection a try!

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Samples, discount, and store link provided by Erin Ely, Independent Miessence Representative.
For a limited time only, use coupon elyo20 to receive an additional 20% off any order! (valid only through link above)

BODY: SpaRitual Infinitely Wise Fragrant Mist & Nail Lacquers

Nourish your body. Balance your mind. Feel beautiful.

Nail Lacquers by SpaRitual

Description: SpaRitual's color experts have carefully hand-blended each hue for superior shine, dry time and coverage and their signature brush is specially designed to allow for precise lacquer application. SpaRitual offers the first vegan family of nail lacquers, free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene.

Ingredients (vary by color): Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propyl Acetate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Butyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Benzophenone-1, Citric Acid, Dimethicone May Contain: Ethyl Tosylamide, Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Etocrylene, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Polyvinyl Butyral, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77019/Mica, Silica, CI 77163/Bismuth Oxychloride, CI 77491/Red Iron Oxide, CI 77499/Black Iron Oxide, CI 77510/Ferric Ferrocyanide, CI 19140/Yellow 5, CI 15850/Red 6, CI 15850:1/Red 7, CI 73360/Red 30, CI 15880/Red 34, CI 60725/Violet 2, CI 42090/Blue 1, CI 77520/Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Aluminum Powder, Tin Oxide, Aqua/Water/Eau.

Price: $10 US

Infinitely Wise Fragrant Mist by SpaRitual

Description: This fragrant mist helps to relieve mental and physical exhaustion. Use to rejuvenate body, hands and feet or to refresh your environment. Spray this light fragrance onto your yoga mat to enhance your practice. Each SpaRitual body treatment has therapeutic benefits blended to energize a specific chakra. The chakras represent seven forces within the body that work together as a delicate energy system. This fragrant mist helps to relieve mental and physical exhaustion. Use to rejuvenate body, hands and feet or to refresh your environment. Spray this light fragrance onto your yoga mat to enhance your practice. French Lavender essential oil balances the crown chakra. 7.7 fl. oz

Ingredients (70% certified organic): Alcohol Denat., Aqua (Water/Eau), Lavandula Angustifolia (French Lavender) Oil, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, Lilial, Limonene, Linalool

Price: $28 US

VEGAN. CRUELTY-FREE.

Our emphasis at ecoSAFE is to take baby steps in the right direction on the journey to going green. Since there are very few perfect products out there, it's important to always be informed about the ingredients in your products and choose the best option you can find.  When it comes to luxury products, ones which you may not need, but you certainly would like to use occasionally, you may be more lax with certain ingredients, those that are most likely to only pose concerns at higher levels or frequent exposure. Nail polish or lacquers are an excellent example of a product you can live without, but really enjoy having every now and again!

SpaRitual has developed the first line of vegan nail polishes, not only are they cruelty-free, but they don't contain many of the known toxic chemicals in most other brands! They have a fabulous selection of colors and offer one-coat coverage. My nail polish tends to chip within 2-3 hours post-application, it's just because I use my hands so much and the paint just can't hold up. This is the first eco-friendlier nail polish I've been able to use that actually lasted quite a bit longer; I started to notice the tips wearing a bit after 2 days and thinning at the cuticles at day 4-5. However, there were no chips, which normally happens, and I did only apply a single coat (no base or topcoat) so I have to say that this is pretty amazing!! 

Another really fun thing you can do with these polishes is to create your own colors, a.k.a. lacquer layering! Just select any two colors of SpaRitual nail lacquers and follow these instructions:

1. Apply 1 coat of your first color, wait 1 minute until it is tacky (not totally dry)!

2. Apply a thin coat of your second color!

Here are some possible color combinations from the SpaRitual newsletter:

Part two of our review consisted of testing the SpaRitual Infinitely Wise Fragrant Mist. I have to say, this is one of the most pleasant yet addictive scents I have smelled in a very long time. It is soothing, like reclaiming a memory lost long ago, and yet it leaves you wanting more. I'm absolutely enjoying this mist and have found that it is quite calming throughout the day to spritz around me. One concern I do have is the "fragrance" ingredient, as it is not disclosed as to whether this is synthetic or not. As there are so many wonderful benefits to this mist (vegan, cruelty-free, 70% certified organic, paraben-free), I would imagine it is phthalate-free, however I will need to check with the company and update accordingly. At this point, I would rate this as much safer than most perfumes on the market, though not verified as safe as others. Thus, it is a mid-level perfume in the going green journey...however, if you are using a traditional perfume, this is definitely a step in the right direction due to the many positives it does have. Plus, it really is a beautiful scent that will bring peace to your mind and body.


****UPDATE: Numerous attempts to contact SpaRitual regarding suspected phthalates in their fragrant mists have remained unanswered. Due to this, we do not recommend purchasing this product until we are confident it does not contain phthalates in any form.****

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