I don’t wear foundation – I just don’t think it’s good for your skin; not even the green brands. It seems a little odd to put anything thick on in your pores. That said, I know that plenty of us want to cover some minor flaws, or even out skin tone. If you don’t want to use foundation, another way to go is with tinted moisturizers.  Tinted moisturizers aren’t new, and you have many choices, but it’s best to choose a green brand.

I recently tried out the tinted moisturizer from Organic wear and it’s way better than any foundation I’ve ever seen (yes I’ve tried foundation for reviews, I just don’t make a rule of using them).

The Product: Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer from Organic wear.

Basic product info: Lightweight 100% natural origin tinted SPF 15 moisturizer that not only hydrates skin but evens out skin tone with sheer and natural coverage. Formulated with 80% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and shea butter. Comes in four tones.

Suggested use: Shake well, squeeze small amount of moisturizer, and apply directly onto face using fingertips to blend. Apply evenly before sun exposure and as needed. You can follow up with a powder as well.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: (Pardon the bold – this is from the website; it’s not me screaming at you, it’s them). TITANIUM DIOXIDE 3.95% INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS FRUIT WATER*, WATER, ALCOHOL SD*, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL*, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL*, PERSEA GRATISSIMA OIL*, LECITHIN*, CANNABIS SATIVA SEED OIL*, TALC, TITANIU, DIOXIDE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII*, OLEA EURPOAEA FRUIT UNSAPONIFIABLES, GARCINIA INDICA SEED BUTTER*, ALGINIC ACID, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARYL WHEAT BRAN GLUCOSIDES, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE, HYDRATED SILICA, IRON OXIDE, XANTHAN GUM. *PRODUCED FROM ORGANIC FARMING

Eco Perks:

• ECOCERT certified organic
• 100% Free of Harsh Chemicals
• 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives
• 100% Free of Parabens
• 100% Free of GMO’s
• 100% Free of Synthetic Colors
• 100% Free of Synthetic Fragrances
• 100% Cruelty Free
• Recyclable packaging -  part of ECOCERT certification is that all packaging must be recyclable.

Skin Deep score: This product scored a three; a moderate hazard. There are some lower hazard tinted moisturizers, but also a lot more that are far worse.

What I think…

Product pros:

• All of the eco-perks listed above are obvious pros.
• Not a bad Skin Deep rating – mostly based on sun hazard (more on that in cons).
• Great informative website. Lists all ingredients, uses, and more. Very helpful info offered and no sneaky stuff.
• It didn’t feel like make-up at all. This moisturizer is tinted, but really feels light, not thick at all, and goes on super smooth.
• Works well with other products – i.e another moisturizer and face powder.
• Gave sheer coverage but didn’t look like I was wearing anything – for example, I have some freckles, and while the moisturizer didn’t blend them out, they did lighten their appearance. Also one day I had a little redness on my nose (too much sun time) and this product completely evened out the red. It’s always nice not to look like Rudolph.
• Fast – no blending of colors like you need to do with some foundations. Just a quick morning fix.
• A little goes a long way. All you need is a touch to even tone.
  

Product cons:

• Not too many shades to choose from – just four.
• The shades run dark. For instance everyone I know thinks I have a medium skin tone, but the shade that suited me best was their lightest – Ivory to Fair. I also tried the next shade up; fair to light, and thought it was too noticeable. I guess this would be more a suggestion than a con, go with lighter than you think you might need.
• Not the best Skin Deep score – although, as noted, there are far worse products out there.
• Not enough SPF. If you use this, you have to also use another moisturizer with extra SPF. 30 is honestly as low as you should go with facial spf – especially if you have light skin. Also keep in mind that you can’t add spf together. You can’t use two 15 SPF product to make 30. You need to choose a basic moisturizer with an SPF of 30 and use it under this tinted moisturizer.
  

Overall Score:

Four out of five pretty little trees. Because I’d like it better with an SPF of 30 it looses a point. However, I really liked this product. I like the natural ingredients, I like the light application, and it actually made me a  fan of tinted face products. This moisturizer simply evens out tone, without the fuss.

Learn more at Organic wear.

Have you used this? What do you think?

Razors pose a fairly large eco problem. Most are not recyclable. Most are not long life. Most are made of toxic icky junk.

That said, if smooth is your game, you’ve got limited choices.

• There’s the reusable straight edge razor, which can cut you up like no one’s business, but if sharpened can last a long time.
• There’s not shaving.
• And now, for a while, there’s been the recyclable Preserve Razor. It’s available in a triple blade and a double blade. Preserve Razors are cool because the handles are made from 100% recycled plastic. The Preserve Triple Razor package doubles as a reusable travel case and can be returned for recycling. 

Personally, I actually refrained from shaving for years, thus cutting my waste considerably. However, after moving to New Mexico, where heat is king, I couldn’t take any extra anything; body hair included. I started shaving again.

This was before the Preserve days, so I bought an old school Gillette Sensor Excel Razor. I don’t think you can even get these anymore. You can barely find the cartridges, so I’ve one, been in a fix, and two, never liked the fact that this razor is made from non-recycled plastic.

Since it’s getting harder to find my cartridge replacements, and because I’d like a lower footprint, I recently bought a Preserve razor – the triple blade version – to try.  And now, the face off. Which razor is better? The Gillette or the Preserve?

The contestants: One Gillette Sensor Excel in pink (that I’ve had for maybe three years – yes I clean it!) and one Preserve Triple Blade in the lovely sea green (brand new).

Smack down stats:

• I did four leg shaving sessions. Two each with each razor.
• I used a new razor blade in each razor, and shaved twice (four shaves total). I did not change out the blades for the second round.
• On the oddball chance that shave cream might make a difference I used two different types – the awesome vedaDUDE Glide Organic Shave Gel that I reviewed here (and loved) and Kiss My Face Key Lime Moisture Shave.

It’s important to remember: As previously noted I have sharp object issues. I always tend to cut myself. So I’m a hard case for razor reviews.

SMACK DOWN SHAVE TESTS:

The Gillette razor – When I used the Gillette with the vedaDUDE gel I didn’t cut myself once. I got a clean, close, smooth shave. While the Gillette didn’t fare as well with the Kiss My Face shave cream, it still performed ok. Not too many cuts and a decent smooth shave.

The Preserve razor – When I use the Preserve razor with the Kiss My Face cream, I got more cuts than normal. When I used the Preserve with the vedaDUDE gel, it was better, but unlike the Gillette, I walked away with some nicks. The shave overall was smooth, although, not in my opinion, as smooth as the Gillette, and the cuts were annoying.

SMACK DOWN WINNER:

Clearly my old school Gillette. This was much to my dismay I might add. Preserve toothbrushes are the only toothbrushes I’ll use, and I’m a huge Preserve company fan, so this was a major disappointment to me. I wanted the Preserve to win going in, but it just couldn’t cut it.

My thoughts and ideas: First of all, I’m so used to my old Gillette, that I’m thinking the Preserve handle threw me. It’s longer, thinner, and harder to hold on to. Also, Preserve razor handles can be used with Personna, Acti-Flexx, and Gillette Sensor blades so using a Preserve handle with another blade is an option. Overall I like the look and colors of the Preserve better, but I also like not being cut.

My best choice is to go with hanging on to the Preserve handle and using different blades. What I’d really like is one eco-razor that totally works though. I’ll keep looking.

What you think…

All this said, I’m just one girl (with sharp object issues I might add) SO I’m interested in your thoughts. Have you used the Preserve razor? If so, what do you think?

Product: Shea Butter Lotion from the Limited Edition Holiday Greenery Collection at Sweet Grass Farm. Shown below with the Holiday Greenery Liquid Hand Soap in the Sweet Grass Farm rust-free chrome caddy. 

Ingredients: Purified water, butter cream complex (olive oil, coconut oil, & shea butter), acetyl alcohol, stearate alcohol, green tea extract, aloe vera, vitamins A, E, & D, essential oils, fragrance.

Basics: From Sweet Grass Farm, “Our rich and moisturizing shea butter lotion formula will provide your skin with all the nutrients it needs during the busy holiday season. Lush with the fresh green fragrance of winter greens, the Lotion features shea butter to nourish skin, and absorbs quickly.”

Company information: Sweet Grass Farm creates good-for-you and gentle skin care products along with home items such as hand soaps, candles, and more. Most of the ingredients used by Sweet Grass Farm are natural and mild, although they also use some fragrances over plain old essential oils or natural scents.

The Limited Edition Holiday Greenery Collection consists of the Shea Butter Lotion, Liquid Hand Soap, Liquid Dish Soap, 100% Soy Candle, and Fragrance Sticks.

What I think:

Shea Butter Cons:

I didn’t think that this shea butter absorbed quickly on wet skin. To me that’s a large con, because if you use lotion after every shower, it’s time consuming to have a lotion that needs a lot of rubbing in.

I liked the scent; however, I think that this particular scent is not terribly appropriate for lotion. Of course this is a personal preference, but it’s a little strong and not a scent that I would associate with body care.

I don’t think that people who are sensitive to scents would like this product. It’s a little strong. And while the scent doesn’t hang around all day, it’s too much if you like subtle. Luckily I do like heavily scented items. But if you like a mild scent, this lotion is not for you.

Shea Butter Pros:

Did absorb quickly on dry skin. So, if you need a lotion, say by the sink, for after hand-washing, this would work well.

While this lotion did not absorb quickly, it did leave my skin ULTRA soft all day and into the next. I would absolutely try another shea butter or lotion product from this company and use it on days I have more time to lounge around.

Packaging is recyclable and is clearly marked as such. One of my biggest pet peeves about green beauty products are companies that miss this point. If your product can be recycled, tell me so. Sweet Grass Farm scores an A+ here.

Bonus points for pretty packaging – I like products that look great sitting out – if you visit their website, you’ll notice that all the Sweet Grass Farm products look beautiful and old fashioned, like they came from a small town country shop.

I really like the scent – it’s clearly earthy and a very wintery holiday scent. It reminds me of pine and cedar forests. While I didn’t love this scent as a lotion, I’d be super quick to snatch up a soy candle or some fragrance sticks from the Holiday Greenery Collection. Both would create a really nice holiday home atmosphere for the holiday season. They’d also make a nice holiday gift.

Holiday Greenery Shea Butter Lotion final score:

Three out of five pretty trees: This product only got three trees, because I would not buy this product. Normally, that means a product might get only one tree, however, in this case I’m giving it a three, because I would very likely buy a candle or fragrance sticks from the Holiday Greenery line; something I wouldn’t have known had I not tried the Shea Butter Lotion.

Also, I like that this company clearly lists their ingredients on their website and packaging. I like that they use essential oils, and I love how pretty their various product lines are. Also, their products are well priced for natural items.

Final word: So overall, I recommend not going with this Shea Butter Lotion, but I would try the Holiday Greenery candle or fragrance sticks or check out one of their other products. Personally, I like the looks of their lovely handcrafted soaps, their Baby Wash with Aloe Vera & Lavender Oil, and their Bath Salts. They have many other products to choose from as well.

$9.95  – Shea Butter Lotion (16.9 oz)

+ Sweet Grass Farm

Product: Cinnamon & Clove Comfort Natural Aroma Shower Steamer from Verikira Naturals

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Calcium Sulfate, Sodium Borate, Witch Hazel, and Essential Oils

Basics: This product is a shower steamer, which means you unwrap the steamer, place it in the far corner of your shower (away from the water), and as the heat and moisture activates the steamer, the essential oils are released into your shower, creating an aromatherapy shower experience.

Company information: Verikira Naturals creates specially formulated products for home and body, using natural and organic ingredients, essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and extracts from flowers, herbs, fruits, leaves, and roots. Verikira Naturals products are certified by the Vegan Cosmetics Organization and they follow the Natural Ingredient Resource Center (NIRC) criteria for labeling natural ingredients and products.

Two nice company perks include their handy consumer Education Center and their Pink Grapefruit Pink Ribbon Collection which supports breast cancer research. They also won a 2007-2008 American Package Design Awards Certificate of Excellence.

[Steamers also come in Peppermint Awakening and Eucalyptus Revival]

What I think:

I really liked these shower steamers. I tested two of them. One when I was healthy and one after I caught this flu I’m dealing with. Both times the steamer was a nice shower addition, but when you’re sick, it’s REALLY nice. I’ve felt terrible for a week, and this made my shower nice and relaxing, even though I’m tired and coughing. Cinnamon is a natural flu and cold fighter, and while of course, the shower steamer didn’t cure my flu, it did relax my senses and thus help ease up the body aches.

Other pros:

Subtle scent: Because they’re made with essential oils vs. chemical fragrance, the scent is subtle, calming, and lingering, without being overpowering. I like heavy scents, actually, and while this was scented enough for my taste, it would also be chill enough for someone not into heavy scents.

Easy to use – no mixing oils, no whipping up anything, just unwrap, and place.

Beautiful packaging – perfect as is for gift giving – no wrap required, thus saving paper resources. The steamers especially are nice, because they come in a long box, that would fit nicely into a stocking OR you could place individual steamers in many stockings or gift baskets.

Bonus – it left my bathroom smelling delicious for a couple of days after I used it. Too bad they don’t make home cleaning products!

No stain – my first steamer didn’t get all the way used up, but it didn’t sit and stain my shower either, it washed away with plain water.

Product cons:

I’m not sure about the recyclable of the box. There’s no recycling label on it. The label, foil, and paper decoration inside the box are for sure recyclable, but the box is an odd material. I couldn’t find info on it, but I’ll still try to recycle it. UPDATE: After posting this I heard back from the company who notes, “The shower steamer frosted box is made with 100% virgin polypropylene which is recyclable and Verikira Naturals tries extremely hard to use recyclable packaging at all times. Also, the crinkle paper inside is also recyclable.“ Nice. So, now we know, and this con becomes a full on pro. 

I think that if you’re really into green living, one whole shower steamer is too much. I take semi-quick showers to save water and the first steamer I used was only half gone by the time I was ready to jump out. My suggestion is to cut them in half. Which is a con, considering they don’t tell you this, but a pro, in that the product lasts longer. The only way you’ll get through one of these per shower is if you take REALLY long showers.

Safety note: These look like brightly wrapped candies. My seven year old son thought they were little chocolate oranges. Because my son is well-past the eat anything stage, I’m not concerned. If you have little ones though, this is a product to keep tucked away.

Cinnamon & Clove Shower Steamer score:

Five out of five pretty trees! I liked these a lot. They wouldn’t be on my list of products to buy right away, for myself, just because I have a basket full of essential oils. However, I would absolutely give these as a gift to someone. Great for birthdays and holidays. I also think that out of the box, they’d make cute wedding, or baby shower favors, along with other treats.

$24 – Cinnamon & Clove Comfort Natural Aroma Shower Steamer

+ Verikira Naturals

Long story short; sharp object and me have a long and dangerous history. If I use the best of the best razors to shave my legs, I still manage to get cut. Heck, if I use a plastic spoon to shave my legs I’d likely manage to get cut.

I’m always on the lookout for items that minimize my insane sharp object issue, so trying out new shave products is old hat. However, vedaDUDE Glide is not old hat by any means.

Basics: vedaDUDE Glide is an organic shave gel, made by vedaPURE, that may be meant for guys (hence the DUDE), but lacking facial hair (thankfully) I tried this product out on my legs.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Meadowfoam Seed, Organic Bilberry Extract, Organic Sugar Cane Extract, Organic Orange and Lemon Extract, Cranberry Extract

What I think:

Honestly, I think I’m in love with vedaDUDE. Soooooo many perks…

• Glides on perfectly.
• It only takes a small amount of gel to cover the average sized leg (an organic bargain).
• Smells great – very clean, not overpowering, and leaves a slight fresh scent lingering after your shave is done.
• Not sticky like most gels.
• Rinsed off cleanly.
• Left my legs feeling moisturized before I had even put lotion on.
• Best of all – NOT ONE CUT. I don’t know if they put magic fairy shave dust in this stuff or what, but for me, no cuts is pretty much unheard of. I was in shock. A shave gel that doesn’t require bandages is a perk to me.

Cons:

• I like a little more color in my gels usually. Although colors are usually bad because of preservatives and chemicals, they do aid in the not cutting your legs to shreds deal. In this case it wasn’t an issue, but if you like a colored gel, this one isn’t.
• I can’t tell if the container is recyclable, (nothing marked) and I can’t easily find this info on the vedaPURE website. I’m gonna give recycling a whirl anyhow, but some info on this would be helpful.

VedaDUDE Glide score:

+

Six out of five pretty trees! I’ve used other decent shaving products, (razors, gels, creams, etc), some of which I’ll be reviewing soon, but this, hands down, is my favorite shaving product to date. I wasn’t even trying to be careful, yet walked away cut-free. I highly suggest this gel; it’s worth every penny. If shave challenged me can use it, then imagine how nice it will be for someone who is more savvy with sharp objects. Toss in the fact that it smells great and is organic, well, go them!

Check out this and other products at vedaPURE; by the way, I think this gel tossed into a gift basket would make a great holiday gift as well.

SAVE MONEY: Right now, vedaPURE is hosting a holiday gift special – simply enter the code holiday at checkout and get 10% off your entire order.

$20 – vedaDUDE Glide

+ vedaPURE