New From Annmarie Gianni Skincare - Essential Oil Blends To Promote Harmony & Well Being!

Photo Credit

Oh, Annmarie Gianni Skincare, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

No matter how many amazing green beauty brands I try, there are always those few that are just so special, so nurturing, so utterly unforgettable that you just keep going back for more and more.

Annmarie Gianni is one of those brands. Their creations never cease to amaze and delight me. And now they have done it again with the newest addition to their family - Essential Oil Blends aromatherapy oils!

I was graciously sent their sample kit to test and let me tell you..these oils are pure heaven!!

Here's the 411 on each:

For Best Results (from their website):

Apply 1-2 drops onto wrists, or add to a carrier oil (such as pure coconut, olive, or grapeseed) and apply like a moisturizer. Use it in your diffuser, or add it to water to make a room spray.

1) Vibrance - Made with a combination of feminine florals like Jasmine and Rose and energizing citrus notes of Grapefruit and Lemon, this oil is perfect for when your mood needs to be uplifted and happy!

Ingredients: Essential oils of ruby red grapefruit, Italian lemon, bergamot, lemon verbena, lavender, clementine, jasmine sambac absolute, rose-geranium.

2) Passion - To ignite that passionate side of you, this is the one to reach for! Earthy notes of Vetiver and Buddha Wood mingle with the sensuous scents of Rose and Sandalwood to really help put you in the right mood! ;-) One of my favorites of the bunch for sure!

Ingredients: Essential oils of sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, rose moroc absolute, sweet myrrh, amyris, buddha wood.

3) Love - What's passion without love to really stoke the fires? In my opinion, pretty darn boring! Made with the intoxicating essential oils of Jasmine and Rose, this is a straight up aphrodisiac in a bottle! Sandalwood and Frankincense round out the sexy scent. Love combined with Passion is muy Caliente - and my favorite two of the bunch!!

Ingredients: Essential oils of sandalwood, rose moroc absolute, jasmine sambac absolute, frankincense.

4) Calm - With all the stress that has been in my life for the past few years, this is something I have been in desperate need of! With the relaxing scent of Lavender and the comforting scent of Frankincense, this really helps keep those negative emotions away! Needless to say, I've been using this a lot!

Ingredients: Essential oils of sandalwood, rose moroc absolute, jasmine sambac absolute, frankincense.

5) Grounded - This one I use as a companion to Calm and Vibrance - to help keep stress levels down, my mood happy and my emotions centered and positive. The scent is woodsy and earthy with just a touch of sweet spice that really makes everything nice! Sandalwood, a re-occurring guest star in most of these oil blends, is extremely helpful in reducing stress, depression, and even low self-esteem, while instilling a sense of inner peace.

Ingredients: Essential oils of sandalwood, amyris, peru balsam, cedarwood, vetiver, amber (fossilized), copaiba balsam, galangal root, patchouli, ginger root, buddha wood, turmeric root.



Have you tried these oil blends yet? What are your favorite scents to help calm, de-stress and uplift you? Let me know below!



*Products were sent to me for review, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

**Contains Affiliate link

8 Food & Nutrition Trends To Watch For in 2016!

Well, another year has flown by! Seriously, Father Time, slow it down a bit, will ya?! Anyways, I hope you guys had a great New Year's and that 2016 is all that you want it to be! :-)

I have so many things I plan to accomplish this year (many for TBE, many personal/health related) and I can't wait to get going!

But first things first...

The following post was inspired by an email I was sent and after reading through it, I felt it was interesting enough to share here on my blog!

Food, nutrition and holistic treatments have played a huge role in my journey to wellness - I am a firm believer in the whole "you are what you eat" message - so seeing that the natural food and wellness movement is just growing and getting stronger and more popular makes me want to jump for joy (but that may throw my back out, so I'll settle for a gentle happy dance)!

Take a look and see what you think!

Photo Credit

Eight Trends to Watch in 2016

Janet Little, Nutritionist for Sprouts Farmers Market

1. Ancient Sprouted Grains: People continue to seek authentic culinary experiences while trying to maximize their nutritional opportunities. Ancient sprouted grains are the perfect hybrid of these two trends. According to SPINS, a leading information provider for the Natural and Specialty Products Industry, sales of ancient grains such as Kamut, spelt and amaranth have been growing at a rate of over 100% annually¹. Additionally, the increasing number of people with gluten-sensitivities has led to an increased overall awareness of the homogenization of our diets as it pertains to grains. People are learning that there is a lot more out there than just wheat, and sprouted grains offer a strong boost of nutrition. In fact, packaged grains labeled gluten-free have shown a 29% increase in growth².

2. Plant-based proteins: With the attention being paid to the health and environmental consequences of eating meat, people are seeking ways to fulfill their protein requirements through plants. Sales growth of vegan products has grown by 10% at multi-outlet grocery retailers³. New combination-nut butters and protein-boosted nut milks along with products containing alternative ingredients such as pea protein and chia will continue to rise in popularity.

3. The Anti-Artificial Movement: Watch for companies to continue to “naturalize” their products as customers increasingly reject flake flavors and colors. Even major food manufacturers with heritage brands are getting on board and re-engineering their recipes. People also will seek “simplicity” in foods looking for products without a long list of ingredients.

4. Natural Alternative Sweeteners: As obesity rates have soared to over a third of adult Americans and diabetes affects 9.3% of the U.S. population, interest in alternative sugars is rising. Low-glycemic sweetener coconut palm sugar has shown a 78% increase in sales growth while still-hot zero-calorie stevia has grown 32%. Sugar-alcohols maltitol and xylitol have also shown growth at 33% and 23% respectively⁴.

5. Natural Baby Food: Baby food grows up! Consumers are increasingly rejecting anything artificial for themselves as well as their children and are choosing organic baby food both for health and environmental reasons. And the newest trends in baby food mimic those of adult food, with more sophisticated flavors, superfoods and protein.

6. Natural Stress Relievers: After years of over-caffeinating with coffee and energy drinks we are starting to see a growing need for products that relax us. “Calming” functional products such as beverages or supplements will see a rise in popularity.  

7. Better for You Desserts: There is an increasing awareness of the effect that high fructose corn syrup and sugar have on the body, which is leading to a trend of desserts with a higher nutritional profile. Companies such as Artic Zero and Miss Jones Baking Co. are capitalizing on this trend with dessert options that are better for you and devoid of artificial ingredients.

8. Millennials as Cooks: Now that millennials are coming into their own they are becoming more accomplished in the kitchen and looking for education and products to support their culinary endeavors. Spice blends and easy baking kits give millennials the convenience they seek while still feeling as if you are creating a meal from scratch.

¹SPINSscan Natural, 52 Weeks Ending 7/12/2015

²Ibid

 ³Ibid

⁴Ibid

~Thank you to Janet Little for sharing this info! 

What food and nutrition trends do you think will be big this year? Any from the list above or any not mentioned? I'd love to hear your thoughts!! :-)

Peace & love,

Sabrina xoxo

Tips For Starting A Brand New Skincare Regimen!

Hey, lovelies! I hope you have a fantabulous New Year's tonight! Anyone have any special plans? Me, I'm keeping it low key with the hubs and our furry babies - just a quiet evening of pizza, detox salad (which we'll need after the pizza - I'll share the recipe in another post if you'd like!?), roasted Brussels Sprouts, wine and maybe a movie! :-) 

I'm still trying to rest up as much as possible, but I get too bored easily - I'm literally the worst person when it comes to "taking it easy" (nervous energy?)! I'm trying to stay off of Social Media and I won't be really working much on my blog posts until Monday or so, but I do have a few contributed posts that I figured I'd continue sharing - it'll give me a chance to work on some of the changes I am making to "TBE" and also..rest...if I can handle that! lol

Anyhoo...this post is all about starting a new skincare regimen - and any of you beauty bloggers out there know how testing multiple brands can affect your skin - breakouts anyone? (goal #29383883379 for 2016 is to figure out a better testing timetable)! 

So, without further ramblings..I hope you enjoy this post! :-)

Peace & Love & have a safe and Happy New Year!!! 
~Sabrina xoxo

Tips For Starting A Brand New Skincare Regimen!

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The New Year brings with it resolutions and hopes of changing ourselves for the better. To start your new year off in the best way possible, why not start a new skincare regimen? It might not be as drastic as losing weight or cutting back on wine, but it’s something that will make you feel great. Treating your skin better will make putting your makeup on much easier and may even give you the confidence to go without. So if you’re ready to start pampering your skin a bit more, follow these tips!

Find out your skin type

Before you head to a store (or online shop) and buy all of the skin care products in sight, it would be beneficial for you to determine what kind of skin you have. Look in the mirror and take a good look at your skin. Does it look dry? Or oily? Or sensitive? Or is it a combination? Whatever it is you need to buy the right products to cater to your skin’s needs. Your skin is never going to look fantastic if you’re using the products that are aimed at a skin type that is different to your own. Do your research on products that will work efficiently on your particular skin type. Also, read other people’s reviews before you buy. Your skin might benefit from organic and natural ingredients or a deeply nourishing moisturizer. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from the experts to ensure you know which products will suit you.

Don’t mess with your skin

When you’re starting your new skin care regimen, as tempting as it might be, don’t mess. Your skin is more delicate than you think. Squeezing and pulling at your skin is not going to get rid of your blemishes and pimples, it will just make them worse. It will also damage your skin making it scar and wrinkle prematurely. Your fingers and nails will also cut your skin and fill your pores with oil and dirt. Which is likely to cause more spots and blemishes. This is obviously not what you want. Visit howtogetridofpimples.com.au to find out how to remove spots and blemishes safely and hygienically.

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Remove your makeup every night

While you are asleep, your skin repairs itself, which can be made more difficult when you have makeup on. One of the best tips for healthy skin is to remove all makeup before you go to bed. Invest in a good makeup remover which will remove the buildup of foundation that has become lodged into your pores. Taking off your makeup gives your skin a chance to breathe and feel lovely and fresh. Remember to make sure the remover is not too harsh on your skin but effectively gets rid of all your makeup (like this one found here).

Don’t be discouraged if your new skincare regimen doesn’t work instantly. It’s going to take time for your skin to adjust to the new products you are using. The key is patience and consistency and within a few weeks, you’ll be able to see changes occurring.

~This post was contributed by Amie Wright


What are your tips for starting a new skincare regimen? Let me know in the comments below!


*I received compensation for publishing this post. Post contains an affiliate link.

How To Keep Your Pets Safe & Stress-Free While You're Away From Home!

Hey guys! I know I posted on my Instagram that I was taking a break from blogging, social media, etc.. until after New Year's, and while I am trying to follow that as best as I can (which in all honesty is hard for me to just avoid it altogether! #addiction), I decided that it wouldn't hurt to schedule out a few posts I thought might be of interest in the meantime! 

This one I am sharing today is by contributing author, Beth Jones, and it focuses on keeping your pets safe and stress-free - which as a devoted animal mommy, is of huge importance to me! I personally utilize tip #2 (below) when my husband and I go away and to help keep pets' stress levels down, you can also check out some holistic pet treatments from Siddha Flower Essences (see review here)! 

Enjoy! 

Peace & Love,

~Sabrina xoxo

How to Keep Your Pets Safe & Stress-Free While You're Away From Home!

Image by Flickr

So you’ve packed your summer essentials ( if you live in the US, these would still work to keep that "glow" even in the Winter!) and you’re ready for the trip of a lifetime. But you’re worried about leaving your beloved pet at home. Worrying about our animals is something all pet owners do, but this is exacerbated when we are going away! We know they will miss us, as we will miss them, and we want them to feel as comfortable and calm as possible. Here is a list of options you can choose from so you can enjoy your trip and be confident that your pet is safe and sound!

Boarding

Kennels and catteries can become a temporary home for your pet while you’re away. But these can sometimes be stressful experiences, especially if your pet is not used to being away from home. Never book your pet into an establishment without reading reviews and visiting first. Each one will be different, and the one you choose initially may not be ideal for your pet. You want to find a kennel that has fantastic facilities and staff that take the time to fuss and care for your animal. Also, look at the other pets currently housed there, as this should be a good indication of how other people’s pets are treated. Do plenty of research before you go to ensure you’re sending your pet to the best one possible.

Ask Friends and Family

This is often the most common choice for pet owners who are travelling. It’s likely that the pet will have met the friend or relative before which is bound to make the process easier. If your cat or dog gets stressed out easily, then having a familiar face around can ease their distress. Your chosen friend or family member can check in on them at home, or they can temporarily move them to their house. It’s likely you will have to leave instructions on how to care for your pet but make it as simple as possible. The person you have chosen will have their own life going on, so don’t ask too much of them. Be reasonable and only ask them to do what is necessary.

Image by Flickr

Pet Sitter

If you don’t have friends and family nearby to ask for help, a pet sitter is the next best thing. It’s a big responsibility looking after your pet, so you need to ensure they are right for the job. You ideally need to screen a few pet sitters to choose from and to arrange a meeting beforehand. That way you can see how well your pet gets along with them. If you don’t feel comfortable around them, move onto the next one. Also, remember to check their insurance and reviews from previous clients. You can use this website here for a greater understanding of what pet sitting entails.

So, whether you’re going for a few nights away with friends or a full-blown vacation abroad, you have a number of options to choose from. It’s your responsibility to make sure they are properly cared for while you are away from home, so don’t leave it to the last minute.  Whichever option you choose, you can feel confident knowing they are in good hands.

~This post has been contributed by Beth Jones

What steps do you take to ensure your pet is safe & stress-free before going away? Let me know in the comments!

*I received compensation for publishing this post

Crushing On Candy Cane This Christmas With Lemongrass Spa!

PR Samples in travel size

For me, there are certain scents that are unmistakably "Christmas" - gingerbread, cinnamon and of course, candy cane! The pepperminty fragrance of that red and white striped candy immediately conjures memories of my childhood of tree decorating and cookie baking every time I smell it. And these holiday products from Lemongrass Spa invoke those memories perfectly!

I've been slowly making my way through the generous "gifts" that Lemongrass Spa has sent me and today is all about the candy cane (you can read my previous post on them here and here)!

For the holiday season, they have 3 lovely products with this scent:

1) Prebiotic 'On the Go' Foaming Liquid Soap - Gently clean hands without harmful SLS or triclosan with this foaming vegetable based soap! Using nourishing Coconut, Aloe and Glycerin to soften hands while cleansing, and scented with 100% Organic Peppermint essential oil, your hands will be smooth and delicious smelling!

Price - $6 (on sale for Dec for $4.80)
Ingredients - purified water, coconut oil, aloe, sea salt, kelp, citric acid, glycerin (plant derived), USDA certified organic peppermint essential oil.

2) Bath Crystals - I generally prefer showers over baths, but this time of year is when I like to indulge in some serious bath time! These crystals are enhanced with Vitamin E oil and Peppermint essential oil to soothe tired muscles and infuse skin with moisture! It's sheer minty bliss!

Price - $12 (on sale for Dec for $9.60)
Ingredients - (Sodium Chloride) Rock Salt, (Tocopherol) Vitamin E Oil and (Mentha Piperita) Certified Organic Peppermint Essential Oil.

3) Hand & Body Lotion - Keeping with the peppermint theme, this silky rich lotion absorbs quickly, leaving skin soft and smelling like Christmas! The fragrance isn't quite as pronounced as the hand wash, though it does linger for awhile, which I like. I honestly couldn't stop smelling my hands!

Price - $17 (on sale for Dec for $13.60)
Ingredients - Distilled water; (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf) Aloe Vera Gel, Almond Oil, Vegetable Emulsifier, Stearic acid, Glycerin, (Vitis Vinifera) Grapeseed Oil, Pomegranate Extract, (Prunus Armeniaca) Apricot Kernal Oil, (Cocos Nucifera) Coconut Oil, (Simmondsia Chinensis) Jojoba Oil, Primrose Oil, Shea Butter, (Tocopherol) Vitamin E Oil, certified organic Peppermint Essential Oil, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate and Optiphen.



What scents remind you of Christmas? Do you have a crush on candy cane too? Sound off below!


Peace, love, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Sabrina xoxo

*Products were sent to me for review consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Start the New Year Off in the Right Way!

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The holidays are here and shortly it will be the new year! I think that any time is good to reevaluate and see where you are in life. But what better time than the start of a brand new year? This next year can be your best yet! Here are a few little tips to make sure you start it off in the right way and get the best out of it.

Review the Previous Year

Did you set goals last year? If so, take stock and see how you did. Did you achieve all that you wanted? Hopefully, it was more, but if it wasn’t, you have got time to put it right. It is a great idea to write this kind of thing down, so you have a record of it and track your progress.

What things did you do to improve your life? Were the goals unrealistic last year? It all needs to be evaluated so that you can improve and set better goals in the new year.

Think about You

It may just be easy to think about errands that you need to do or small projects that you should have finished. It is important to have yourself as a focus in a new year. Making sure you are taken care of and can be on the right path to achieving what you want, will make you a better all round person. It is hard to help others feel good if you don’t feel too good about yourself.

Is there something you could do to give your year a kick start? Could you do with a boost? Changing something in the short term could help. How about a new haircut or colour or a beauty treatment like coolsculpting? Start the new year off feeling as good as you can.

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Set Realistic Goals

You may have on your bucket list to run a marathon. That is great and one day it might happen. If you haven’t been running for months and have a low level of fitness, it may not be a realistic goal this year. Have it as something to work towards and start off by aiming for a 10k race. Then perhaps a half marathon. You have to think about how much time you have to commit to your goals too. This isn’t an excuse to not aim high. You can still achieve a lot. You will achieve so much more, though, if the goals are realistic.

Clear Your To-Do List

You want to start the new year off with a fresh start. One great way to do this is by starting the year off with a clear to-do list. Wind up those errands that are on the list. Cross off things that are no longer relevant or required. There may be some things that you have been putting off. If you still need to do them, now is the time. You don’t want to drag anything with you into 2016. It is so satisfying marking things off your list, isn’t it?

A clear list going into the new year will make you feel positive and motivated. Good luck with your new year goals and plans!

*This post has been contributed by Beth Jones


What goals do you have planned for the New Year? Sound off in the comments below!

Peace & love,

Sabrina xoxo

*I received compensation for publishing this post

Looking For A Last Minute Green Beauty Gift? Check Out "The Majesty Gift Set" From The Savannah Bee Company!

PR Sample

There's always that one person (like me) that is still doing their Christmas shopping at the last minute, and with only a few days left to get it all done, it can be a stressful time indeed!

Luckily, Target (one of my fave places to shop) has been upping their natural beauty game, and they recently began carrying this lovely gift set from The Savannah Bee Company, which I have been testing and truly love. 

Born out of a passion for bees, beekeeping and honey, The Savannah Bee Company strives to live as the bees they so love do - symbiotically with nature while creating products that harness the healing benefits of hive ingredients (beeswax, royal jelly, honey and propolis).

Their "Majesty Gift Set" comes in a beautiful burlap travel case and includes a body wash, body lotion and lip balm in one of 3 signature scents - Blackberry Rose, Tupelo Honey (which I received) and Lemongrass Spearmint.

Here are my thoughts on each:

1) Tupelo Honey Body Wash - Honey is not only a gentle and nourishing cleanser, but it also helps to exfoliate the skin, which makes this body wash doubly delightful to use! It's very moisturizing and rinses completely clean while leaving your skin feeling soft and pampered. The subtle fresh scent was quite lovely too! 

2) Tupelo Honey Body Lotion - From the slightly sweet yet mild fragrance to the silky rich texture, this lotion is a real treat for hands, feet and body! I used a little bit on my hands after doing dishes, and they stayed soft and hydrated for hours after. This will definitely be traveling with me in my bag this Winter! 

3) Tupelo Honey Lip Balm - As a bonafide lip product junkie, this lip balm satisfies my "habit" perfectly! With ingredients like Coconut, Olive, and Hempseed Oils combined with Honey, Propolis and Royal Jelly, lips are guaranteed to stay kissably soft all day! It also tastes pretty good too! ;-)

Price - $14.50
Ingredients - Body Wash: water, cocamidopropy betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, decyl glucoside & disodium coco-glucoside citrate & sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, natural fragrance, glycerin & ROYAL JELLY (raw), pca glyceryl oleate, HONEY, d-panthenol (provitamin b5), PROPOLIS extract, sodium levulinate, potassium sorbate, sodium phytate ( from rice bran), & annatto fruit extract
Body Lotion: purified water, organic aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glyceryl stearate citrate, cetearyl alcohol, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, cetyl esters, natural fragrance, natural BEESWAX (cera alba), vegetable glycerin, glyceryl oleate, lauryl laurate, HONEY (mel), xanthan gum, glyceryl caprylate, sodium levulinate, potassium sorbate, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil, & sodium phytate (from rice bran)
Lip Balm: Cera alba (beeswax)*, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter)*, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, extra virgin olea europaea (olive) oil*, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter*, propolis extract, prunus amygdalus (sweet almond) oil*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil*, flavor, vitis vinifera (grape seed) oil, Cannabis Sativa (hemp) seed oil*, honey extract, royal jelly extract *Organic ingredient

What you won't find in any of these products are Parabens, SLS, or Petroleum and they never test on animals!

You can find the Majesty Gift Set on their website or at your local Target! 

Have you tried anything from The Savannah Bee Company? What are your thoughts? Let me know below! 


Peace, love & happy shopping!

Sabrina xoxo

*product was sent to me for review consideration, all thoughts and opinions are my own

Mad For Mad Hippie's Antioxidant Face Oil

*PR Sample

Mad Hippie is a brand that not only takes skincare (and ingredients) seriously, but they are also serious about environmental preservation. They constantly strive to make products that are safe, healthy, and effective while also reducing their carbon footprint.

Suffice it to say, Mad Hippie is a brand that delivers on its intent to create products that are not only clean and green, but effective as well!

 Also, how cool is their name?! Just saying...

I have been using their "Antioxidant Face Oil" for weeks now and today I'm going to spill why I am simply "mad" for this product! ;-)

Photo Credit

First of all, let's take a look at what ingredients are involved in this oil (info from Mad Hippie's website):

Argan Oil – Providing instant, non-comedogenic hydration to the skin while naturally occurring triterpenoids work to reduce the appearance of scars & inflammation.  Containing over 80% essential fatty acids, as well as naturally occurring vitamin E, this exotic oil works to moisturize & revitalize the skin.

Sea Buckthorn Berry – This berry native to the Tibetan Himalayas, is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, P, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols, folic acid & fatty acids. In fact, the buckthorn berry is the only plant in the world to contain omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 all together.

Blueberry Extract – This super fruit is rich in antioxidants including vitamins A & C that help protect the skin by neutralizing aging free radicals.  Blueberries have been shown to reduce the rigidity of capillary walls underneath the skin and are believed to promote circulation & aid in the reduction of redness & flushing.

Pomegranate Oil – Potent antioxidant that is a high source of ellagic acid, a polyphenol that has been shown in studies to help inhibit the growth of skin cancer.  Believed to also mediate the effects of ultraviolet rays & skin discoloration.

Camu Camu Berry – Amazonian berry with 30x the vitamin C of an orange.

Broccoli Extract – A recent study at John Hopkins found that broccoli extract applied topically reduced UV-induced redness & inflammation by an average of 37%.  This is thought to be a result of the sulforaphane found in broccoli.

Raspberry Seed Extract – High in antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids 3 & 6, raspberry seed extract is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic qualities.  High in ellagic acid, a natural polyphenol, raspberry seed extract helps neutralize aging free radicals and reduce the effects of photoaging.

Strawberry Extract – Another antioxidant-rich berry, Strawberry extract has been shown to have UV protective effects on the skin.

Goji Berry – Containing 18 vital amino acids, zinc, selenium, phosphorus and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C & E, goji berries provide the skin with essential nutrients and antioxidants. In fact, the superfruit contains more beta carotene than carrots, and even more iron than spinach.

Hemp Seed Extract –  Rich in omegas 3, 6 & 9, as well as antioxidants, hemp seed oil provides the skin with instant moisturizing and protective benefits.

Grape Seed Extract – One of nature’s most potent antioxidants, shown to inhibit UV generated skin damage and neutralize aging free radicals.

Sunflower Seed Oil –  Rich in vitamins A, D & E, as well as essential fatty acids, sunflower seed oil has natural moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.

Why I love this - I'm a sucker for a good face oil, and this one has definitely exceeded all my expectations. With an ingredients list that will make any ingredient nerd squeal with joy and a delicious fruity scent, this Anti-Oxidant Face Oil delivers deep nourishment to the skin, without feeling heavy or greasy.

A few drops applied to damp skin, and this light-weight oil absorbs quickly, leaving behind a healthy and dewy glow. I've been using this day and night and my sensitive, acne prone skin is in love! My skin looks brighter, less red and more plumped up! Definitely a cause for me to do my happy dance!

Price - $24.99 for 30ml
Full Ingredients - Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa), Pomegranate Seed Oil (Punica Granatum), Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus), Cranberry Fruit Extract (Vaccinium Macrocarpon), Pomegranate Extract (Punica Granatum) , Blueberry Extact (Vaccinium Angustifolium), Strawberry Fruit Extract (Fragaria Vesca), Kiwi Extract (Actinidia Chinensis), Watermelon Fruit Extract (Citrullus Vulgaris), Grape Seed Extract (Vitis Vinifera), Raspberry Seed Extract (Rubus Idaeus), Camu Camu Fruit Extract (Myrciaria Dubia), Acai Fruit Extract (Euterpe Oleracea), Goji Extract (Lycium Barbarum), Sea Buckthorn Berry Extract (Hippophae Rhamnoides), Hemp Seed Extract (Cannabis Sativa), Broccoli Extract (Brassica Oleracea Italica), Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus Sinensis), Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Have you ever tried anything by Mad Hippie? What are your thoughts? Let me know below! 

Peace & love,

Sabrina xoxo

*Product was sent to me for review, however, all opinions are my own.

Product Obsession: Neal's Yard Remedies - Frankincense Age-Defying Skincare Kit Review

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Neal's Yard Remedies is one of the top organic skincare companies in the UK, having started in a small depot in London in the 80's and driven by the belief that health and beauty should be more natural and less synthetic. Using ingredients that are pure, non-toxic, ethically sourced and sustainable, they create products that benefit mind, body and well-being.

You can read more here, here and here.

I had the pleasure of trying out some other of NYR's products (see here) and today, I am going to talk about their Frankincense Age-Defying Kit.

First of all, I really love the whole idea of trial/travel kits - they allow you to sample an entire range in a line (and sometimes the entire line itself, depending) in amounts that let you see how the products will work for you at a fraction of the price. It's perfect for those of us with sensitive skin or are on a budget!

What I love about this particular skincare kit is not only the price ($28 for 4 products and one sample), but the sizes are big enough for about 2-3 weeks worth of product usage (though if you are like me and only use a tiny bit of product or supplement other products in your routine, you can stretch it to 4-5 weeks).

The main ingredient in all of the products is organic and wild harvested Frankincense Oil - an oil renowned for its ability to improve skin tone and firmness, it's probably one of the most potent plant ingredients for treating aging skin. I love the benefits that Frankincense provides to the skin, so I was really excited to try out all of the products in this set!

Best of all, here is what you won't find in any of these products:

NO PARABENS – linked to estrogen overproduction
NO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES – many contain synthetic chemicals that are harmful to health
NO GMO INGREDIENTS – not enough is known about the long-term implications
NO animal testing – unnecessary and cruel
NO SILICONES – coat the skin, impeding its natural function
NO PHTHALATES – reported to have toxic impact on human and animal life
NO NANO – not enough is known about the long-term implications
NO MINERAL OILS – derived from petroleum, have a tendency to block the skin
NO EDTA – doesn't readily biodegrade
NO PROPYLENE GLYCOL – derived from petroleum
NO CARBOMER – derived from petroleum
NO DEA – associated with known carcinogens
NO ACRYLATES – derived from petroleum
NO BHT – linked to breathing and lung impairment

Here's what you get with this kit:

1) Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser - This luxurious cream cleanser is formulated with skin firming Frankincense, antioxidant & EFA rich Baobab and moisture rich Organic Cocoa Butter to make skin feel soft, smooth and hydrated. This has become my favorite creamy cleanser to date!

2) Rejuvenating Frankincense Toner - Sweep away any last trace of cleanser while prepping skin to better absorb oil or serum with this refreshing and cooling toner. Aloe Vera and Glycerin hydrate, while Frankincense and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 rejuvenate and smooth skin for some serious age-defying benefits. I love how soothing this is and how it leaves my skin feeling oh so soft too!

3) Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil - With nourishing ingredients like Macadamia, Hemp Seed, Castor Seed, Apricot Kernel and Grapeseed Oils just to name a few, this face oil is pure decadence for the skin! Apply a few drops while skin is still slightly damp from toner and let fully absorb before putting on your make-up. Skin will be left silky, not greasy, and so far no break-outs have occurred since using this either!

4) Frankincense Hydrating Cream - This rich cream moisturizer doesn't feel the least bit heavy on the skin, but rather leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and pampered. I found that I only need the teeniest amount so this 0.71fl oz jar will probably last me quite awhile yet! Lovely product for sure!

5) Frankincense Intense Cream (sample) - Using Gardenia Plant Stem Cells and a 3-Peptide Complex to firm, tone and lift, this moisturizer packs a hefty anti-aging punch! While it's difficult to gauge its efficacy from such a small sample, I can say that this does moisturize skin as well as the Hydrating Cream. At some point, I would like to try out a larger size of this product to see how well it actually works!

Price - $28
Ingredients - Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser Aqua (Water), Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil*, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil*, Glycerin, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter*, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sucrose cocoate, Sorbitan olivate, Cetearyl glucoside, Sorbitan stearate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Caprylic/Capric triglyceride, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) seed oil*, Alaria esculenta (Algae) extract, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil expressed*, Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil expressed*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Sclerotium gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Potassium sorbate, Levulinic acid, Sodium levulinate,Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool. * Organically produced ingredient. Natural constituent of essential oils listed.

Rejuvenating Frankincense Toner Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil expressed*, Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil expressed*, Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh) gum oil, Coco-glucoside, Levulinic acid, Potassium sorbate, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool. *Organically produced ingredient. Natural constituent of essential oils listed. Made with 97% organic ingredients.

Frankincense Intense™ Cream Aqua (Water), Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia) seed oil*+, Behenyl olivate, Octyldodecyl olivate, Glycerin, Glycine soja (Soya) oil*, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter*, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Argania spinosa (Argan) kernel oil*, Vitis vinifera (Grape) seed oil*, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) seed oil*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil*, Sodium hyaluronate, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Gardenia jasminoides (Gardenia) meristem cell culture, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Boswellia neglecta resin oil*, Commiphora confusa resin oil*, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil*, Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil expressed*, Citrus aurantium amara (Neroli) flower oil*, Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh) oil*, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Dextran, Levulinic acid, Sodium levulinate, Potassium sorbate, Dehydroacetic acid, Citral, Citronellol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool. *Organic. From essential oils. +Nut/seed derived ingredient. Made with 75% organic ingredients.

Frankincense Hydrating Cream Aqua (Water), Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Glycerin*, Cetearyl alcohol, Alcohol denat.*, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) flower extract*, Cetearyl glucoside, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Almond) oil*+, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) kernel oil*+, Borago officinalis (Borage) seed oil*, Daucus carota (Carrot) fruit oil*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Levulinic acid, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium hyaluronate, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Commiphora myrrha (Myrhh) oil, Limonene. *Organically produced ingredient. +Nut/Seed-based ingredient.Natural constituent of essential oils listed. Made with 91% organic ingredients.

Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia) seed oil*+, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) seed oil*, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) kernel oil*, Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil*, Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) oil*, Cannabis sativa (Hemp) seed oil*, Vitis vinifera (Grape) seed oil*, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil expressed*, Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil expressed*, Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh) gum oil, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, Tocopherol, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool. *Organically produced ingredient. +Nut/seed derived ingredient. Natural constituent of essential oils listed.

Have you tried anything from Neal's Yard Remedies? What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below! :-)

Peace & love,

Sabrina xoxo

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