Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Review

Hello Lovelies!

I hope the fall season has been treating you well so far.  

Today I'm going to share my thoughts on the highly sought after brand Drunk Elephant.  More specifically their Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense (tinted moisturizer).  Curated with ingredients like grape juice extract and marula oil it boasts lightweight spf 30 protection, as well as the ability to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.  

At first glance the product looks and sounds extremely appealing.  The little bottle of miracle facial lotion comes housed in a simple white squeeze tube adorned with brown graphics.  You get 2 ounces of product for a solid price tag of 36.00.  A little on the pricier side, but one must keep in mind the high end ingredients used to create this moisturizer.  Youthful skin comes at a cost...

Upon initial application the facial lotion feels nice.  Not too oily or heavy on the skin, but definitely more substantial in comparison to other lightweight gel formulations I've tried in the past.  I also do enjoy that it is completely fragrance free.  As someone who can be sensitive to even the lightest of scents, this is a major bonus.  Unfortunately as far as the hint of tint is concerned, it's definitely more on the hint side.  In fact I didn't notice any significant difference in my skin appearance wise.  When I examined my face up close in the vanity the only thing I could see was a very slight shimmer.  So you do get a slight glow with this tinted moisturizer, but not in the way I expected.  It was almost as if I had taken an extremely fine mica glitter and applied it to my face.  It wasn't really the healthy glow from within I had anticipated.

Overall I don't think I'll be repurchasing this beauty once it's gone.  I wanted to love it, but I'm the type of girl who wants a tinted moisturizer that packs a bit more tint (at least one that's somewhat noticeable anyway, especially considering the price).  On the plus side, a little goes a long way so if you were wanting a facial lotion with spf AND awesome ingredients than this might just be your Holy Grail product! 

   

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased this item myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Everyone Face Moisturizer Review

Happy Friyay Lovelies!! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful week! 

I recently ran out of my facial lotion, and since I'm currently travelling I decided to go ahead and just try something new.  I was able to run into a local Whole Foods to peruse their natural skincare section.  I ended up choosing the brand Everyone (gluten free, GMO free, synthetic fragrance free, and cruelty free).  The moisturizer I chose boasted of incredible ingredients including Argan Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Hyaluronic Acid and pure essential oils.  It was also a generous 8 ounces housed in a pump container for only 9.99! 

After using this facial lotion for the past couple of weeks I can happily report that I am impressed.  It applies smoothly with zero greasy residue, and is lightly scented with Bergamot, Lavender and Ylang Ylang essential oils.  I like that it sinks into my skin quickly and doesn't make my skin feel heavy throughout the day (some natural brands tend to do that due to all the oils/butters used).  I've also noticed it makes a nice base for makeup to apply smoothly on top.

Overall I really like this brand, and look forward to checking out the rest of their line.  My only complaint would be that it didn't offer any SPF protection.  However, I take part of the blame for not going out of my way to choose a facial lotion WITH that added benefit. 

If you're in the market for an all natural face moisturizer that leaves your skin feeling soft and supple without breaking the bank then definitely check it out!!

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased this item myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions. 

Found Tinted Lip Balms Review

Hello Lovelies!

My apologies for being MIA for so long.  Life happens.  

Anyway, I've been visiting out of state and was lucky enough to stumble upon Walmart's new all natural brand - Found Beauty.  They carry a full range of skincare and makeup products that are created with all natural and raw materials.  Part of their story explains that they are a brand inspired by ingredients and rituals from around the world.  They strive to produce on trend high performing products that are both environmentally friendly as well as cruelty free.  

When I saw how budget friendly the prices were for all natural products I couldn't resist picking something up.  I chose to start out with their tinted lip balms, as I'm a lip product junkie.  The tinted lip balms come in four shades - Honey Kiss (pink), Tulip Kiss (coral), Poppy Kiss (red), and Berry Kiss (purple).  They were priced for 7.88 a piece.  Compared to other natural tinted lip conditioners on the market like Ilia (26.00), Kiehl's (18.00) or Tarte (19.00), 7.88 is a steal in my opinion!

Unfortunately these tinted lip balms were a miss for me.  Although I did enjoy the fact that they were unscented (heavily scented products and I don't get along), I didn't enjoy the color pay off.  The colors were so sheer that they all came off about the same when applied to my lips.  It took several passes for the arm swatches to build up enough noticeable pigment.  The formulation itself was also a very dry and waxy consistency that just seemed to sit on top of my lips.  I prefer my lippies to feel a little more buttery upon application.  If you enjoy lip balms that provide just a hint of color without being too oily however then these might just be your new best friend.

Overall I regret not picking up a few of the lipsticks instead...maybe next time!




  

Etsy SALE (making lemonade from a huge lemon).

Hello Lovelies!  

Long time without a post, my apologies.  I had a huge wholesale order for my small business on Etsy that was sucking up all of my spare time.  Unfortunately the customer decided last minute to cancel the order...huge bummer for me, but perhaps a gain for you!  My all natural tinted lip balms in the shades Blooming Willow (lively summer pink) and Honeysuckle (peachy nude) are on sale for only 5.00 each.

Handmade with organic and unrefined ingredients, my vegan lippies are a delicious treat for your kissers!  They come packaged in a lip balm tube for easy travel convenience, and their oval shape makes for more precise application. They can be worn sheerly or built up for a more intense look.

Check them out for yourself - www.etsy.com/shop/ecojo

Here's to hopefully recovering the lost sale a little - my attempt to make some lemonade out of the lemons life dealt me.  Live and learn, right?!

Happy Fourth!!

REVIEW - REALHER lip liner & matte liquid lipstick

It's Friday - friyay!

As an avid lipstick lover I am constantly trying new lip products.  Whenever I go into a makeup store it's what I tend to gravitate towards the most, and I probably have about 10 to 15 lippies hanging out in my purse right now.  To be quite honest one might say I'm on the verge of being obsessed with them...but that's a different story for a different day.  

I first heard about the brand REALHER via a beauty guru I follow on YouTube.  The brand instantly captivated me with its sleek black and white lipstick tubes that are all labeled with different statements of empowerment.  After a little more research about the company I also discovered that their products are not only cruelty free, but paraben free, sulfate free, and overall formulated with natural ingredients.  They also donate 20% of all proceeds to charity!  

The items that I chose to try out were their Ladylove Matte Liquid Lipstick in "I AM FEARLESS" (vibrant magenta pink shade), and the best matching Expert Advice Lip Liner in "I AM UNIQUE" (intense wine shade).  The matte liquid lipstick comes housed in a smooth black/white tube with a standard doe foot applicator, and a clear bottom side so you can see the product color. You get 0.15 oz of product and they retail for 18.00 a piece. The lip liner is also in a smooth black/white pencil tube with the shade nicely displayed on the bottom portion. You get 0.04 ounce of liner and they retail for 12.50 a piece.  Each one is formulated with lip happy ingredients like shea butter, jojoba seed oil and hyaluronic acid.  The matte liquid lip offers 12 different shades from pale nude to vampy purple while the lip liner offers 6 that coincide.  

When I initially applied the liner and lipstick they both glided on like a dream with minimal effort and intense pigment payoff.  Although there was zero scent that I could detect in the lip liner, there was a light (almost floral) scent to the matte liquid lipstick. Nothing overbearing however, and once the lipstick dried down completely the fragrance disappeared.  It only took about 30 seconds for the liquid lippie to set, and once it had done so not only was it perfectly matte, but perfectly transfer proof as well.  

Overall, although the combination of the liner and liquid lipstick felt very lightweight, it was still pretty dry feeling.  Then again I tend to prefer a moisturizing lipstick over a matte one.  I was impressed at the wear time however.  For me it was so good that I had to apply some facial oil to my lips before I was able to remove it!  It would definitely be my top pick if I needed a lip combo for a busy day or an event where I didn't want to worry about my lipstick fading off.  

Next on my wish list is DEFINITELY their moisturizing lipsticks though!

*This post was not sponsored, I purchased these items myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.  

REVIEW - Andalou Naturals All-in-One Beauty Balm

Happy Sunday Lovelies!

We've been getting some serious warm weather where I live this week, and in my opinion there isn't a better time to break out the BB cream than when the sun's out.  The less makeup I can get away with wearing when it's hot and sticky out, the better.  So when I remembered I had the Andalou Naturals All-in-One Beauty Balm hidden away in my makeup stash, I knew it was the perfect time to try it!!

This particular BB cream claims to have an SPF of 30, sheer coverage, and a fruit stem cell complex to brighten the skin from within.  It's also Non-GMO, vegan, and cruelty free. It comes packaged in a 2 oz standard squeeze tube that retails for approximately 16.79.  

When first applied the BB cream goes on like your typical lightweight facial moisturizer, and it even has a nice light citrus scent.  The coverage (as expected) is VERY sheer, but perfect if you want something to simply even out your skin tone or provide protection from the sun.  Once I set it with my mineral foundation powder my skin looked even and velvety smooth.    

Shortly after initial application however is where things started to go downhill for me.  In less than an hour the oil began to surface, and by lunchtime I looked like a greasy mess.  I tried to keep the oil at bay with blotting, but my face still felt uncomfortably oily.  I was very aware (and not in a good way) of the BB cream on my skin, which was the last thing I wanted to feel on a "no makeup-makeup" kind of day.

Overall this product sounded amazing, and I had really high hopes for it.  Unfortunately it just didn't perform well for my skin type.  I think if you have extremely dry skin however, and you're wanting something with an SPF that this BB cream would be the perfect fit. Give it a try for yourself!

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased this item myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.  

SELF LOVE - the reality of mom life.

Hello my lovelies - is it Friday yet?

So I'm going to be 110% real when I say not all days are sugar n' spice. In fact, more often than less my days as a stay at home mompreneur consist of no makeup, dirty hair and the feeling that there is never enough coffee.  Today is definitely one of those days.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my babies and I LOVE that I get to work from home with them.  It isn't my intent to sound ungrateful in this post, but rather to be open and honest about life.  Although I aspire to look well kept daily, raise role model children and overall be successful in everything that I do, I also know that I'm only human.  

I set simple and realistic goals daily that I can feel good about being able to accomplish.  I also start my days off with the understanding that Murphy's Law is very real, and that as a mom anything that can happen, WILL.  Not everything in life will be "Instagram picture perfect", and I'm okay with that.  

Today my goal is simply to focus on taking care of the children and myself.  After a rough night spent taking care of a fussy infant, this momma bear is running off of fumes.  Sometimes it's okay to spend your free time snuggling the tiny humans rather than checking off your To Do List.  After all, they're only tiny once.  

So regardless of your profession, I hope you find some time for yourself (and for your family, if that applies).  Whether its today, tomorrow or in the near future - pat yourself on the back for a job well done, no matter what that job may be.  

Sunscreen FAVORITE.

Hello Lovelies!

With summer right around the corner, NOW is the perfect time to bust out the sunscreen/sun protective items.  There's nothing worse than spending a fun day out in the sun only to realize you forgot to shade your skin.  Feeling like a red hot lobster is the best, said no one ever.  

One of my absolute favorite brands for natural sunscreen is COOLA.  Their Hang Ten Classic Sport natural sunscreen is a must have for this momma bear.  The formula is free from harsh chemicals like parabens and synthetic fragrances, etc. that are typically found in a lot of traditional sunblocks.  Instead they use ingredients like Organic Aloe Extract and Organic Strawberry Fruit Extract, etc. to not only protect your skin, but to keep it moisturized as well.  Both of these factors allow me to use this sunblock on my tiny humans with peace of mind, as I'd never want to apply anything harmful to their fragile skin.  

Not only is the formula chock full of organic ingredients, but it also comes in a very convenient spray can.  Long gone are the days of having my hands covered with greasy white sunblock, and children who won't hold still long enough for you to rub it into their skin.  Anything that makes mom life easier is a win-win in my opinion.  With one click to unlock, you're able to easily mist out just the right amount of product in a matter of seconds.  It retails for approximately 12.99 (depending on where you purchase it), and you get 6 oz of SPF 30 protection that is water resistant up to 80 minutes.  Worth. Every. Penny.

And if everything I've mentioned thus far wasn't convincing enough...I forgot to disclose how amazing this sunscreen smells!  To me the scent is just the right amount of coconut mixed with warm vanilla.  Closing my eyes after application makes me daydream of sandy beaches on tropical islands.  Try it out for yourself!

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased this item myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.      

REVIEW - EOS Shimmer Lip Balm Sphere in Sheer Pink

Happy Sunday Lovelies!!  

There's always been a big curiosity for me behind the EOS lip balm spheres.  The shape of them is just so unique for a lip balm.  I'd been eyeing them for quite some time, but hadn't tried one until recently.  My sweet husband knew I'd been wanting to try it, so he bought one for me the last time he was at the drugstore.  

The shimmer version comes in 2 shades, sheer pink and pearl.  The shade I have to review is sheer pink.  These tinted lip balms come housed in the standard EOS sphere shaped container with a generous .25 ounce of product, and they retail for about 5.99.  

The lip balm itself applies smooth and creamy with a consistency that's more oily than waxy.  The pink color is very sheer as the name implies, and it gives your lips a pale pink sparkle and shine.  The scent is a little strange to me, like vanilla and plastic had a baby. Although it's not exactly off putting, it's not exactly the most pleasant either.  There is also a slightly sweet flavor whenever the lip balm migrates to your tongue due to the Stevia extract included in the ingredients.  

As far as the shape of the lip balm is concerned, its honestly not my favorite.  I prefer to be able to toss my lip products in a small space like a pocket or wallet, and the round shape of the container just doesn't cater to this.  However, if you enjoy displaying your lip balms on a vanity then this would make a lovely addition in my opinion.  I do also enjoy the satisfying click sound the container makes when you twist it open or shut.  

Overall I'm happy to be able to add this tinted lip balm to my makeup collection.  Although it's not the cleanest lip balm in the market, the more natural formulation that is both paraben and petrolatum free makes my lips smile.  My only wish would be that EOS would consider releasing it in one of their standard shaped tubes for travel convenience.  

Until next time, enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased this item myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.    
  

Why Natural?

Hello Lovelies - I hope you are happy and well!

Today I want to talk about why I made the switch to all natural beauty products.  Its been quite the journey/adventure, and to be honest it wasn't always easy to choose this lifestyle.  

For as long as I can remember I've always had an intense love for cosmetics.  My introduction to beauty products began when I was just 14.  My mom decided to host a Mary Kay party, and she decided I was old enough to have some of my own makeup.  She only allowed me to purchase mascara and lip gloss, but I remember thinking I was the luckiest girl ever nonetheless.  

From that moment on I was "hooked", and as I grew, my makeup collection grew with me. Cosmetic companies were always coming out with new products, and it was continually exciting to try out the latest trends.  It never occurred to me to look into the ingredient lists. 

The day I had my first health scare, was the day that all changed.  I had some disturbing symptoms that required a visit to my doctor.  Tests were run, and during an agonizing 2 week wait for results to come back in I did some research.  My eyes were open to a world of chemicals both good and bad, and some of the side effects that accompanied them.  Luckily for me, my bill of health came back crystal clear.  My want to continue using any beauty products with certain ingredients did not however.

Now I'm not sharing this in hopes of spreading fear or to make you paranoid about life.  I know plenty of people who don't think twice about the ingredients of products, and they have never had a medical issue in their entire life.  It's simply what triggered my own interest into learning about the aforementioned things.

It's been 5 years since I've made the switch to all natural beauty products, and I hold zero regrets.  Although I must admit the first year was rough...There were lots of cosmetic companies I had adored for years that were hard to let go of, especially when they would release a new item - BUT, I always had my knowledge of clean vs. toxic chemicals to fall back on.  

Fast forwarding to today I now have my own green beauty small business (link in bottom of the post), and the world of all natural cosmetics in general has grown immensely!  I no longer feel like I'll be missing out on something makeup wise because of bad chemicals or otherwise.  If I don't see a clean alternative somewhere then I just make it a goal to create it myself.

Eco-Jo is my happy place.  It brings me an indescribable amount of joy to create, and then to share what I create with others.  As a small business owner AND a mother I take great comfort in knowing that all the ingredients I use are safe.  I can kiss my babies daily, and I never have to worry that my lip color will cause them any sort of harm.  

Bottom line, I hope my simple story provides you with either a curiosity to learn more for yourself or at least a little inspiration to find your own happy place.  

*I urge you to do your own research if you so desire.  I am not a medical professional nor an expert on chemicals.  These are simply my own personal thoughts and feelings.
**www.etsy.com/shop/ecojo




  

REVIEW - Shea Moisture Mineral Eyeshadow

Happy Hump Day!!  

Today I thought I'd talk about Shea Moisture's Mineral Eyeshadow in Ametrine, Montana, and Onyx.  Shea Moisture is a brand that promises to deliver natural, organic and sustainable beauty products to their customers.  They also donate 10% of their community commerce sales to women led businesses, which I think is incredibly generous of them. For the longest time I'd only known them for their hair-care and body products, so when I stumbled upon their makeup display in Ulta I was SOLD.

There are currently 20 colors in their single eyeshadow line.  I chose Ametrine, Montana and Onyx.  Ametrine is a deep plummy purple shade with a satin finish, Montana is a light shimmery pink shade that applies almost glittery, and Onyx is just your standard matte black shade.  They come conveniently packaged in a snap closure style compact with a clear lid, and each one contains 0.10 oz of product.  At 5.99 each they're very reasonably priced, and if you shop smart you can probably catch them on sale as well.  

To be honest they aren't the most pigmented eyeshadows I've ever had in my collection before, but they do layer beautifully over an eyeshadow base.  I used my own Eco-Jo Vegan Eyeshadow Primer (available via my Etsy shop - link listed at the end of post), and the colors intensified immensely.  The shade Montana is also a somewhat chunkier formulation, but boy does it shine wonderfully!   Due to the drier formula of these eyeshadows I also suggest taking precautions for the possibility of fallout.  Overall I think these are great shadows if you don't mind having to pair them with a primer.  I also love how affordable they are - it shows that one doesn't have to spend a fortune to be able to afford all natural green beauty products.  

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased these items myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.  

**My Vegan Eyeshadow Primer can be found at www.etsy.com/shop/ecojo

REVIEW - Pacifica Sun + Lipcare mineral color lip balm

Hello Lovelies!

Today I will be sharing my thoughts on the Pacifica Sun + Lipcare mineral color lip balm. These lippies just released on Sunday at my local Target, and since I'm obsessed with lip products I had to try them for myself.

These tinted lip balms claim to have an SPF of 30, water resistantance up to 80 minutes, and are supposedly surfer approved.  Although I don't personally ride the waves, I do enjoy a good product that will provide protection from the sun.  They come housed in a navy blue and white tube that is slightly chunkier than your standard lip balm tube, but still small enough to toss inside your pocket or purse.  You get 0.15 oz of product, and my local store had them priced at 4.99 each.  

I only purchased 2 out of 3 of the shades in this line, because the 3rd option was just a clear balm.
The 2 colored shades were Peach and Nude.  Peach is your perfect summer coral shade - it leans more on the pinky coral side.  On my lips it's almost a MLBB (my lips but better shade), and will easily add just the right pop of color whether I'm going full glam or just want a "no makeup" makeup kind of day.  Nude is your standard tan brown nude, and comes off fairly sheer in comparison to Peach when swatched.  It still carries enough pigment to lightly mute out your lips however if that's the look you're trying to achieve. Both shades apply easily without a mirror, which is an added bonus for those who want something they can travel easily with this summer.

These lip balms apply smooth like butter, and they smell like the beach (a perfect blend of coconut, and sunscreen).  Due to their creamy consistency the wear time is only a couple of hours, but they left my lips feeling hydrated long after the color had worn off.  I also thoroughly enjoy the fact that they're made with all natural ingredients, vegan and cruelty free.

I definitely recommend grabbing one (or all 3 if you like) the next time you go out!

*This is not a sponsored post, I purchased these items myself.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.