Brand Highlight: Whole Clarity Review Part I

PR samples

Whole Clarity is a Brooklyn-based brand that promotes beautiful skin and a beautiful soul. Their products and services are crafted with one idea in mind - to "create a more beautiful, conscious, mindful society through effective products and solutions."

Founder Connie Dasilva started Whole Clarity in May 2012 because she couldn't find any plant-based skin care products that worked for her. After many late night Google searches and trial and error batches, Connie was finally able to develop products with the right ingredients and Whole Clarity was born!

I was lucky enough to be sent her line to try out and today, I'd like to share my thoughts with you on a few of them!

1) Oil Pulling Mouth Wash - Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic dental practice that involves swishing a spoonful of oil (think Coconut, Sesame or Sunflower) in your mouth for about 20 minutes or so. It's best done on an empty stomach and once you have reached the desired time, you spit the oil out in a garbage can, then rinse with warm water. This technique is used to draw toxins out of your body, increasing oral as well as overall health. I've tried oil pulling before and I can definitely attest to the fact that I felt better after doing it, as well as noticing my teeth becoming more white. I generally prefer Coconut Oil for oil pulling and I love that Whole Clarity uses it as the base for their "mouthwash". I also like that they include Tea Tree and Peppermint oils for extra healing power and minty freshness!

Price - $20
Ingredients - Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tea Tree Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil


2) Stick Deodorant (Un-Scented) - I'm very picky when it comes to natural deodorants. It's difficult to find ones that not only contain ingredients I feel confident about putting on my body, but that also work and smell appealing to me at the same time! I've been lucky twice (with Piperwai and Bella Vita), and now Whole Clarity is the third brand to hit a home run with me! Although I was given the un-scented version, this still has a subtle, almost nutty fragrance due to the Coconut Oil and Shea Butter that I actually find quite nice. I found that this glides right on my skin and absorbs pretty easily, while leaving my underarms feeling moisturized. I have heard from others that it can leave an oily residue on your clothes, but if you let it absorb in before getting dressed, that shouldn't be a problem - at least I didn't notice it. As far as wetness and odor control goes, the combo of non-GMO Baking Soda and non-GMO Corn Starch work well to keep those at bay for hours! I only had to apply this once in the morning and I stayed fresh all day!

Price - $15
Ingredients - Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Candelilla Wax, Non-GMO Baking Soda, Non-GMO Corn Starch


3) Ph Balancer - For those who are a bit sensitive to Baking Soda, this product will help calm and balance your skin and reduce irritation. It's essentially a toner for your underarms and is to be applied before your deodorant (let toner dry first). Because this does contain Apple Cider Vinegar, be careful using after you shave, as it can sting a wee bit! And don't worry about the vinegar-y smell, it does dissipate after a few seconds! 

Price - $9.99
Ingredients - Distilled Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Frankincense essential oil


Right now, Whole Clarity is offering 15% off their deodorants on their Amazon shop (click here)! Choose from Lavender, Lemongrass & Peppermint or Un-Scented.


I am still testing the rest of the products they sent me, so stayed tuned for a part 2 review! ;-)

Have you tried Whole Clarity? What are your thoughts? Let me know below! 

Peace & love,
Sabrina xoxo

*Products were generously sent to me for review, however, all opinons are my own. 

Brand Highlight: Northport Naturals + A Coupon Code For You!

*PR Sample

Northport Naturals is a brand that is deeply passionate about the organic and natural movement and they strive to provide clean, effective and affordable skincare products that you can feel good about using!

Since I am always on the lookout for safer, effective and of course, affordable brands to try and recommend, I was very happy to be introduced to this line!

One of the things I am trying to incorporate more into my skincare routine are masks, and with my reactive and sensitive skin, I generally need a good detoxifying one to help calm down redness and heal those pesky hormonal breakouts!

The owner of Northport Naturals was kind enough to send me his Detoxifying Clay Mask, and after using it for a few weeks, I am ready to give you the 411.

First of all, let's talk about what's in this! The list of ingredients includes 6 different clays, all wonderful for the skin - especially acne prone!

Let's break them down:

• Calcium Bentonite Clay: Used for thousands of years to treat infections and various skin diseases, this clay is derived from volcanic ash and has strong antibacterial properties, making it great for acne prone skin. Bentonite clay is one of the most effective and powerfully healing clays out there and a good quality one should be cream or grey in color. Note: There have been concerns raised about bentonite clay being toxic due to lead content. I've spent quite a bit of time researching various sources on this and my conclusion is that since I am putting this on my face for a very brief time, I'm not going to stress myself out over it. One of my favorite articles on this is this one. 

• Kaolin Clay: Used in skincare as a detoxifying and cleansing agent, this clay contains a high content of the "beauty mineral", silica, and helps to remove impurities, toxins and excess oil from the skin. 

• Magnesium Sulfate: An inorganic salt compound that contains magnesium, sulfur and oxygen (and is commonly known as Epsom salt), this ingredient helps to reduce inflammation and excess oil in the skin. 

• Sea Clay: High in minerals, this clay draws out excess oil in the skin while also acting as a mild exfoliant.

• Rhassoul Clay: Mined in the Altas Mountains of Morocco, this mineral-rich clay has been used for over 1400 years as a beauty and personal care "product", and can actually help replenish depleted minerals in the skin! This results in firmer, plumper and clearer skin. Rhassoul Clay also has antimicrobial properties, making it an effective ingredient for acne prone skin! 

• Moroccan Clay: Also known as "Red Clay", Moroccan Clay has potent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties all which help to keep infection and inflammation at bay. This clay also gently detoxifies skin, without drying. It helps to re-balance skin while improving texture and elasticity.

• Rose Clay: A mild Kaolin Clay, Rose Clay is effective at drawing out impurities and toxins from the skin, without stripping the skin of moisture. It improves skin circulation by gently exfoliating. 

My experience:

As someone who continually suffers from acne, I am always looking to find products to help combat this issue. I've been wanting a good mask (to alternate with my Problem Solver) that is both detoxifying and hydrating, as my skin has a tendency to be both oily and dry at the same time! This mask seems to take care of each of these problems pretty well. It seems to balance out the excess oiliness, yet leaves my skin feeling soft after rinsing it off! Talk about a win win sitch! :-)

Since my skin can be pretty sensitive, I only leave this on until it starts to dry, before rinsing it off in the shower. And because the clays in this are cleansing in nature, on the days that I use this, I treat this as my facial mask/cleanser/exfoliator by massaging it in like I would a regular cleanser.

The other thing I like about this mask is that you get quite a big bang for your buck! Seriously, this is filled to the brim with product, and you need so little of it to cover your face that it will last you a loooong time! $24 for 4oz

Overall, I feel this is a lovely (multi-tasking) mask that is a good choice for people who have oily and acne prone skin, and I would love to try more of their products in the future! :-)

If you haven't yet heard of tried anything by Northport Naturals, I highly recommend you do so!

Also, they are graciously offering my readers a 30% off coupon at check out with code thebrunetteecoholic30! This coupon will be good for one month starting today! :-)

I'd love to know what you guys buy and your thoughts! 

Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xoxo

*products were sent to me for review consideration, however, all opinions are my own.
**Affiliate links were used in this post

Pure Daily Essentials Review

Pure Daily Essentials is a small, home-based business located in Langley, British Columbia that is dedicated to providing all natural skincare products using ethical ingredients.

All of their products are hand made in small batches and are made fresh to order. They are free from toxic chemicals, parabens and other "nasties", are eco-friendly and are cruelty free.

I was first made aware of this little Canadian gem, from fellow green blogger, Stephanie Edmonds of She's So Eco, and after reading up on them, I knew I had to feature them on my blog!

*PR Samples

Here is what I tried:

1) Lather Bar "Patchouli" - While I am not a fan at all of the scent of Patchouli, I am a fan of what it does for my skin - Patchouli essential oil is one of the best for soothing and nourishing dry or damaged skin. This soap produces a creamy lather that rinses completely clean, while leaving your skin oh so soft and supple afterwards. The scent is subtle and doesn't linger for very long either, which I was pretty happy about!

Price - $6.95
Ingredients - *Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, *Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aqua, Sodium Hydroxide, *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, *Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil *Certified Organic


2) Anti-Odor Bar "Lemongrass" - I've tried many natural deodorants, and though this one is quite good, I found that the more hot and humid the weather, the stronger of a formula I need in order to stay "stink free". Sadly, this just didn't hold up for me. That being said, this is still a great non-toxic option to try. I am going to try this again once the weather cools down a bit to see how it works for me. Who knows, this may end up being my go-to Fall/Winter deodorant! What I really am loving about this is the bright citrus-y fragrance to this deodorant and the way it goes on smoothly, leaving my underarms feeling very moisturized!

Price - $14.95
Ingredients - Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile) flower extract, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower extract, Cera alba (Beeswax), Cymbopogon citrates (Lemongrass) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract. 


3) Ageless Eyes - This rich, ultra hydrating eye cream was my favorite of the products I tried! With nourishing ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Cocoa Seed Butter and Castor Oil, your under eyes will feel so pampered! Since it is so rich, I have been only using this at night, and waking up to refreshed looking, even less lined peepers! Love this! :-)

Price - $30.95
Ingredients - Aqua, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil, Cera alba (Beeswax), Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter, mel mellis (Honey), Ricinus communis (Caster) seed oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) oil, Cymbopogon martinii var motia (Palmarosa) oil, Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) oil, Santalum album (Sandalwood) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Glycerin, Sodium borate, Xanthan gum, d-alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E). 


All in all, I was quite impressed with this brand, and would love to try more of their products in the future!

Have you tried anything from Pure Daily Essentials? If you have, what are your favorite products? Let me know!


Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Products were generously sent for me to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recent Fave Green Beauty Purchases Part One - Make Up!

Hey loves! Happy Friday! So, I've been wanting to get this post done for awhile, but have never been able to find the time until now. You know how it is, too many things going on...no time to get any of them done...too many ideas floating in the ol' noggin, then when you go to jot them down you get distracted by like everything...ok, maybe that's just me...anyways...

In addition to all of the amazing green beauty and wellness brands that I have shared with you here on my blog, I have also been discovering some new amazing products whilst perusing the interwebs or my local Target. ;-)

Below are just some of my new finds! I'll be posting my favorite skincare finds soon too (keep in mind though that 'soon' for me may mean a month from now,...).

All of the above were purchased by me and my credit card!

1) Sheer Miracle Minerals Extreme Close Up High Definition Finishing Powder - If you have ever used or wanted to use other popular brands HD powders, but weren't crazy about the ingredients, then this baby is your non-toxic dupe! It contains only one ingredient - Silica and receives a big fat ZERO on the EWG's Skin Deep Data Base! Woot! It provides a soft focus, almost airbrushed look and can be used under make up as a primer before foundation. This is truly one of my favorite finds, like ever! $16

2) Gabriel Cosmetics Liquid Radiance in Halo - Complexion looking a little "meh"? I think we all have those days (some of us more than others..sigh). On those days, I love how this instantly perks up my tired and lackluster skin! I use "Halo" - a soft, shimmery pink that is perfect for fair skin tones (especially ones like mine with a little yellow in them, this will brighten your face right up!). $12.50

Look at those colors! So gorge! You can also see which one I use most..

3) Pacifica Enlighten Eye Brightening Shadow Pallette -  I found this on clearance at Target and it has quickly become one of my favorite eyeshadow palletes in my collection! I especially love the color "Golden" - a rich, shimmery gold color that really seems to make my brown eyes pop and is perfect for day or evening. I've been wanting to try Pacifica's make up line as I am a fan of their perfumes and body lotions and I have to say, so far I am impressed! Another plus for me is that this is vegan and 100% cruelty free. $14 (on their website, I don't remember what I paid..I want to say $8?)

4) Gabriel Cosmetics Mascara in Jet Black - This actually came in a gift set that I bought on their website called "Heart of Gold" and consisted of this and "Champagne Bubbles" lip gloss. It was honestly cheaper to get this set than to purchase them separately! As far as how I feel about this mascara, well I like it. It doesn't irritate my eyes, lasts all day and washes off easily. The ingredients aren't too shabby either! $15.20

 Sooooo pretty!!

5) Gabriel Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Champagne Bubbles -  The second part of the "Heart of Gold" set, this lovely golden lip gloss has become an instant obsession of mine! Other than the gorgeous color, the texture is satiny and moisturizing and not at all sticky. Ingredients like Jojoba oil, Aloe Vera & Bisabolol provide hydrating, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits. Oh, and gluten sensitive gals will like that this product is completely gluten free! $16.75

6) Pacifica  Smolder Eyelining Gel in Midnight - This was another Target clearance find and I must admit, my first gel liner! What I love about this is that it has a lovely creamy texture, goes on sooooo easily (and for lid lining challenged peeps like me, this is a huge deal!), lasts alllll day without fading or wearing off, and the color is beautiful and dramatic without being harsh. If I am going out, I like to layer a powder shadow in a similar color over it for some extra staying power. Like the shadow, this is also 100% vegan and cruelty free. $14 (on their website, and of course I don't remember what I paid..sorry. :-( )

7) RawSkin Ceuticals Foundation Sampler in Neutral Fair to Light - What's great about this is that you get 6 samples in this kit - 3 BB creams and 3 Mineral powders all ranging from the lightest fair shade to the darkest of the light shades. This is my second foundation sampler purchase from them (I had tried out the Cool fair to light kit around Christmas time) and I am really loving the BB cream more than any other I have yet tried. It provides a medium to full coverage, doesn't cake or streak or change color and doesn't break me out. The mineral powder is lighter in coverage, has a silky-satiny texture and is also long wearing. For my acne-scarred skin, I like to layer the mineral powder over the BB cream and it provides a beautiful, matte look that lasts me all day and covers everything to boot! My perfect shade match is the N102 BB cream and N202 Mineral foundation. $12



Have you tried any of these products? Do you see any favorites or any that are on your wishlist? Sound off below! :-)

Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xx


*All pics were taken by Chickweed & Blush

Get Your Glow on with Acure Organics & Nordic Naturals!

Hey beauties! Today, I am excited to share a special promotional offer from one of my all time favorite natural brands, Acure Organics (read review here). They have recently partnered with Nordic Naturals to help spread the word to consumers about the benefits of using natural, organic skincare products and high quality, sustainable nutritional supplements for optimal health and beauty.

As part of this promotion, they are hosting a Pinterest Sweepstakes celebrating inner and outer beauty. By entering, you have a chance to win some seriously amazing swag from Acure & Nordic Naturals! Score times ten! ;-)

All you need to do is click on the link below and follow the instructions! So easy! Hurry though, this contest only runs through March 31st! Open to US residents only. Make sure to read the Official Entry Rules for all restrictions and what prizes you can win!! Winners will be randomly selected on or about April 3, 2015. 

#WholeBodyGlow

*Photos provided courtesy of Acure Organics

How do you get your glow on? 

#WholeBodyGlow #HealthYeah #InnerGlow #OuterGlow

Peace & love,

~Sabrina 

Holiday Empowerment Bundle from Rooted Beauty!

This year, I have so many products that are on my Christmas wishlist that it would take me until next year to list them all (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating slightly, but you get my drift..)!

One thing that I am definitely lusting after is the Holiday Empowerment Bundle from Rooted Beauty!

Photo Credit

Besides the delicious Razz Lime Lip Butter, you get a beautiful pair of handcrafted earrings courtesy of one of Rooted Beauty's partnering organizations, the Starfish Project. This project is dedicated to helping women in Asia escape exploitation and also to help them heal and grow through counseling, vocational training, language acquisition and health care access. The Starfish Project began this socially responsible jewelry business to provide alternative employment for these women, as well as a range of holistic care services. All income earned from jewelry sales is used for the needs of the project! :-)

The Rooted Beauty Razz Lime Lip Butter, which is fruity, yummy and keeps lips smooth and hydrated, helps to fund Project Suzi, which will help a courageous young woman named Suzi to pursue her dreams by attending a computer skills training course.

I really love the fact that this gift bundle allows you to double your give back impact! And as much as I love to receive, I honestly love to give even more, and especially when it is for such amazing causes as these! 

And speaking of giving...don't forget to use coupon code "cwrb2014" to receive 15% off your purchase on Rooted Beauty's website! 



What are you lusting after from Rooted Beauty? Sound off below! :-)

Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xx

Five Affordable Green Beauty Brands You May Not Have Tried Yet! And a Few on My Own Wishlist!

Last year (wow! Time sure does fly!) I shared some of my top picks for affordable green beauty brands (which you can read here), today I'd like to add to that list.

 My goal is to provide brands that are not only affordable to the average person, but are also good introductory brands to those who are new to green beauty. I personally know how overwhelming and confusing it can be to know which brands to choose in the green beauty world, especially when you are just starting to switch over, so hopefully these lists will help you newbies out (and also perhaps introduce new brands to you veterans too)! :-)

With that in mind, here are my 5 latest picks!

Top 3 photos by Chickweed & Blush; Acure and Blissoma from Google Images

1)  Batty's Bath -  I found this gem on Etsy, and was so impressed by what I saw both ingredients and price wise, that I ventured on over to her website and placed an order. If you have suffered or are suffering with skin issues like acne or rosacea, this brand is worth checking out! I ended up purchasing her Detox Kit,  as well as a few samples of other products. You'll save big on shipping if you sign up for her newsletter too, which is what I did! Prices vary from $2 (samples) to $50 (kit). Review to follow (hopefully soon!). 

2) Shea Terra Organics - I've loved everything I have tried by this brand, especially the Rose Hips face wash (see review here), Hibiscus Oil, and their Rose Hips and Carrot Perfecting Serum.  The ingredients are pure, therapeutic and ethically sourced. The prices are great and if you sign up for their "VIP Specials", you'll receive emails with discount codes and other deals. Prices range from around $3 to $32 depending on product.

3) Luminance Skincare - This brand is my new obsession. This is truly a unique brand, and the more I use their products, the more in love I fall with them. I especially love that they use Tamarind Seed extract, which is far more effective than hyaluronic acid in terms of moisture retention. See review here.

4) Acure Organics - Though I still have yet to try this brand, I have heard nothing but good things from my fellow bloggers, and I trust their opinions. Not only does Acure Organics use the purest, most effective fair trade natural and organic ingredients around, but they use a high concentration of Chlorella Growth Factor, which is proven to protect collagen and elastin fibers from the enzymes that would destroy them. I've got my eye on their Seriously Firming Facial Serum! Prices range from around $3.99 to $29.99

5) Blissoma - Another brand that is on my wishlist, Blissoma is not only extremely inexpensive for the quality of ingredients, but like Acure Organics, I have heard nothing but rave reviews about them. Founder Julie Longyear is one of the most knowlegeable people I've come across in the green beauty world. She is "fluent" in both chemistry and herbalism so you just know that her products will be amazingly effective. I'm especially lusting after the Smooth A+ Perfecting Serum and the Lift Intelligent Energy Creme. Prices range from about $3.50 (samples) to $33.99 (but full sized skincare kits can range up to $122).


I could probably list several more, but these are the current stand outs for me right now. As I discover more affordable and effective (which is key) green brands, I will be sure to share them with you! 

Have you tried any of these brands? If so, which are your favorites and if not, which ones are on your wishlist? Let me know! :-)


Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xx