Summer Loving: Products I Can’t Stop Using

I cannot believe summer is almost over! The time went by so quickly but there are some ways I’ll be keeping the sunny season with me all year round. As we say goodbye to summer, here are some skincare and beauty products I’ve currently been enjoying:

Strange Invisible Perfumes Leo Eau de Parfum, : I’m not going to lie, I have an initial attraction to products with a touch of kitsch. But leave it to luxury, all-natural brand, Strange Invisible Perfumes to turn a zodiac-based fragrance collection into something that’s actually quite chic and irresistible. When I first took a whiff of the entire Perfumes of the Zodiac collection at CAP Beauty it was more out of curiosity rather than a desire to purchase anything. Yet as I sprayed a bit of my own zodiac sign, Leo I was instantly hooked and left with a strange feeling that this perfume was made for me.

“Leo: The Ringleader, Element: Fire. Leo is the only constellation ruled by the sun. Hydro-distilled essences of neroli, bergamot, lemon, and cardamom reinforce Leo’s charisma and inviting style of leadership while smoothing out domineering tendencies. Ambrette seed and jasmine sambac tame Leo’s fire, making gratification come more easily.”

This botanical fragrance features deep, woody notes of neroli and bergamot while lemon and jasmine provide a hint of light, seductive freshness. This sexy, seductive and smooth fragrance definitely embodies the confidence and passion of a Leo. I love the exotic allure of this perfume and feel at my peak Leo-ness whenever I spray a little of this on. The gorgeous, minimalistic glass packaging and toteable spray bottle is also luxe enough for even the pickiest perfume-lover. As an August baby, it only felt right to wear this all summer as a parting song for the season, though let’s be honest, I’ll probably be wearing this perfume long into fall. Bravo, SIP for harnessing such flawless, celestial perfume-formulating powers! $125 for 15 ml, CAP Beauty, The Detox Market, Strange Invisible Perfumes.

Ingredients: Custom-distilled esprit de Cognac alcohol from non-GMO, pesticide-free grapes, A proprietary blend of ethically sourced essential oils* *Certified Organic, Wildcrafted, Biodynamic, or Pesticide-free

Tsi La Saqui Mini Perfume: For when I feel like smelling more floral and feminine, I have been wearing Saqui from Tsi La. Whenever I apply this perfume, the scent reminds me of fresh rain or a sweet smelling garden. Saqui flawlessly blends woody notes of ginger, clove and nutmeg with light and sweet notes of vanilla orchids, Valencia orange, Italian bergamot and pomelo. This handcrafted fragrance is ultra-feminine and instantly boosts my mood. I love how the scent is very seductive yet also something I can wear on a daily basis. The roller ball packaging is very compact and convenient to travel with. While it seems like a small amount of perfume, I have had this for about a year and still have not used it all up. Tsi La has since upgraded the packaging and look of their perfumes, but the formulas are still the same. I’d highly recommend this perfume especially if you’ve had a difficult time switching to natural fragrances. I think Tsi La is a perfume brand that’s often overlooked in the green beauty community and they definitely deserve more praise! $48 for 5 ml (Organic Living Flower Perfume Mini size), Tsi La.

Ingredients: Certified organic Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, natural and organic fragrance* (no synthetic fragrance, preservatives or artificial colors. 100% pure plant essences), certified organic Helianthus annuus (sunflower seed) oil*, Ricinus communis (castor) oil*, caprylic/capric triglyceride (coconut) oil, Moringa oleifera (moringa oil), Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) oil, organic Lycium chinense fruit (goji berry) extract*, organic Diospyros kaki fruit (persimmon) extract*, organic Aspalathus linearis leaf (rooibos) extract*, organic Sambucus nigra fruit (elderberry) extract*, organic Vaccinium angustifolium fruit (blueberry) extract*, organic Ficus carica fruit (fig) extract*, organic vaccinium Myrtillus (bilberry) extract, tocopherol (from a plant source).  *Organic ingredients. 80% Organic and 95% Natural. Untouched by alcohol, preservatives or colorings. Not tested on animals. Vegan. Made in usa.

ILIA Beauty Lipstick in Voila: I’ve never been one to shy away from bright lip colors before, but even this orange-tinted lipstick initially made the color-lover in me a bit nervous. ILIA Beauty’s Voila has become a summer lip staple for me this year as it provides the most flattering, bright pop of color. This unique tangerine lipstick appears on my lips as a sheer coral. While it is soft and very blendable, Voila can apply a bit patchy and I find it a bit drying on the lips over time. It’s not the most moisturizing product out there, but it still manages to feel very smooth on the lips. (I usually prefer ILIA’s Tinted Lip Conditioners.)

Voila is also an awesome product to mix with other colors to brighten up darker lipsticks. I love wearing Voila mixed with a red lipstick. I think Voila is the ultimate summer color and I actually love wearing it year-round when I’m feeling a bit nostalgic about sunnier days! $26, The Detox Market, ILIA Beauty.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Triisostearyl Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca) Starch*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil, Sage (Salvia Officinalis) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491), Red 7 CI15850, Red 28 CI45410, Yellow 5 CI19140. *Certified Organic Ingredients.

Jane Iredale Play On Lip Crayon in Charming: This is the lip color my makeup artist chose for me on my wedding day (paired with a matching lip pencil) and I haven’t stopped wearing it since that big day! I actually wore all Jane Iredale natural makeup on my wedding day and it being the first time ever using Jane Iredale products, I was very impressed. This Play On Lip Crayon was one of my favorite things we used. Charming is the most perfect rosy pink with a hint of fuchsia. This color is bright but wearable and it is also very moisturizing and long-lasting.

I never worry about having to reapply this product as it stays put for hours and still looks very fresh even if I’ve been eating or drinking. Thus, it was the best lip product I could have ever chosen for my wedding day and beyond! I would say the finish is more on the matte side but it is the most moisturizing, juicy matte lip product I’ve ever used. Can’t wait to try more Jane Iredale products! $18, Pharmaca, Jane Iredale.

Ingredients:  Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Isopropyl Lanolate, Synthetic Wax, Myristyl Lactate, Polybutene, Lanolin Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Acetate, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Wheat Germ Glycerides, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)(Aka 202), Red 30 (CI 73360)

Badger Travel Size bug repellant sticks*: This summer has been busy with lots of fun memories out in the sun. Whenever I know I’ll be outside and in buggy territories, I’ve taken these new travel size Badger bug repellant sticks with me. As a 100%  natural DEET-free bug repellant, the Anti-Bug Balm stick does its job at keeping bugs away though I find that for some situations, you may need something a little more heavy duty.  Sometimes an all-over bug repellant is necessary and this stick is mostly convenient for targeting certain body areas or sensitive spots like on the face. It has a very strong herbal scent thanks natural bug-repelling ingredients like tocitronella, cedar, and lemongrass, but the scent is also soothing to me. I’ve enjoyed using the After-Bug Balm stick most because it really does help with soothing bug bites instantly, no matter how nasty the bite. I love the cooling sensation after applying this balm and the organic Colloidal Oatmeal in this formula also helps to relieve itchy and irritated skin.

The thing I love about both these products is how they are convenient, gentle, and easy to use. I’ve taken these sticks everywhere with me this summer and have been thankful to have them by my side. $6.99 each, Badger Balm.

Anti-Bug Balm Stick ingredients: Active Ingredients: 10% *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, and Essential Oils of 5% *Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella), 2% *Cedrus Atlantica (Cedar), 2% *Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass), 1% *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), & 1% *Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium). Inactive Ingredients: *◊Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, and *Cera Alba (Beeswax).
 After-Bug Balm Stick ingredients: Active Ingredient: 10% *Colloidal Oatmeal. Inactive Ingredients: *Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax) , *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Seed Oil, *Menthol (Menthol Crystals),*Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Oil,*Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil, *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Extract,*Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, *Eucalyptus Staigeriana (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E). * = Certified Organic ◊ = Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Leahlani Skincare Mahana Coco Infusion: I’ve been meaning to write a big post about my newfound love for Leahlani Skincare but I’m going to start by introducing the one Leahlani product that started my obsession. The Coco Infusions are Leahlani’s popular body oils made from pure, unrefined coconut oil, cold pressed organic macadamia and kukui nut oils, gently infused with sea buckthorn oil. This luxurious tropical body oil from Hawaii is deeply nourishing and leaves my skin smelling absolutely magical. To me, Mahana smells of exotic getaways and warm summer days. Though this is an extremely hydrating body oil, I find it to be less oily and greasy than other body oils I’ve tried. I have the Mahana scent which is described by Leahlani as “a soft, gentle and mildly sweet fusion of organic vanilla and coconut cream. The Mahana scent will envelop you with the warmth of sunshine and tropical beaches.” I couldn’t agree more with that description! Another cool thing about Coco Infusion is that there are many uses for it: as a moisturizer, hair oil, or all-over body product. I’m looking forward to trying the other Coco Infusion scents! $24, Leahlani Skincare.

Ingredients: lots of aloha, coconut oil, organic macadamia oil, organic kukui oil, sea buckthorn, organic fragrance.

One Love Organics Healthy Locks Dry Shampoo: This product is hands-down the only dry shampoo that works with my hair and a product that I will continue to purchase. Though I use it all year-round, I find that I use this product more frequently in the summer as I’m more likely to skip days washing my hair or am simply a bit lazier when it comes to haircare. (It’s the summertime, can you blame me?!) The lovely blend of Georgia kaolin clay, hyularonic acid, and silica rich bamboo extract effectively absorbs into my oily-prone scalp and also helps to soften and nourish my hair. My hair always feels very clean and refreshed (even a bit more volumized) after I use this dry shampoo.

I absolutely love the scent too (it’s not too strong either), to me it smells like fresh gardenias. I cannot live without this dry shampoo, especially in the summer!  Starting at $12 for 0.8 oz, The Detox Market, One Love Organics.

Ingredients: Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Kaolin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Tapioca Starch, Bambusa (Bamboo) Arundinacea Stem Extract, Silica (and) Sodium Hyaluronate, Proprietary Natural and Organic Fragrance Compounds. Ingredients from Organic Farming

Solavedi Organics Healing Calendula Day Cream with EPF*: I wrote about this day cream from Solavedi in an earlier post and I’ve been wearing it everyday. I like that it is lightweight yet nourishing and very gentle. It also provides a bit of sun protection for daily wear whether I’m wearing makeup or not (most likely in the summer, not much makeup at all). I also love that the product formulations are based on ayurvedic medicine. If I need a bit more sun protection on my face, I’ll add Suntegrity moisturizer, and I’ve been using Sun Shield stick from MyChelle for times when I’m in the sun longer than normal. It feels like I’m always searching for natural day creams that have sun protection, so this one from Solavedi has been a nice addition to my collection! $49 for 2 fl oz, The Choosy Chick.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water),  Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)*, Helianthus Anuus (Sunflower Seed) Oil*, Coco Glucoside (beet derived), Calendula Officialis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao (cocoa) Butter*,  Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Persea Gratissimus (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Bayberry Wax, Daucus Carota (Carrot Seed Extract, Hammamelis Virgianiana (non-alcohol Witch Hazel) Rosa Damascena (Certified Organic Rose Distillate Hydrosol), Mangiflora Indica (Mango Seed Butter), Garcinia Indic (Kokum Seed) Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate 1.5% (organic vegan hyaluronic acid) Oneothera Bennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Vegetable (Non-Palm, Non-Soy) Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol (emulsifier), 2-Pheylethanol (Rose derived preservative), Turmeric Curcumin Compounds, Methylsulfomylmethane* (MSM, a vegan, organic natural anti-inflammatory compound essential to collagen repair), Citric Acid, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Lactic Acid, Vegan Herb and Fruit Based Stem Cell Blend, Non-nano Particle Zinc Oxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid   * organic ingredient

Veja Esplar Leather Gold Sneakers: Bit by bit, I’m trying to transform my closet by choosing more ethical and sustainably made pieces. I took a risk by ordering these Veja sneakers online to wear during my honeymoon, and I’m very pleased with them. I mention the risk because I have the tiniest feet in the world (I wear size 5 shoes) and luckily, Veja sells my size! Veja is an ethical shoewear brand from Brazil best know for their sneakers made from local, sustainable materials, and fair trade practices. The Esplar sneakers caught my eye because of the funky materials and low-profile look. This specific model has an inner sole made from recycled cotton and expensed rubber, while the soles are made of wild rubber from the Amazon. The sneakers run large and took me a while to get used to walking in as the soles are very flat. After 2 weeks of walking all around Italy, I was able to comfortably wear these and love how fun they look paired with any of my outfits.

I’m not sure I’d buy another pair of the Esplar models but I would be interested to try this jogger-type model next. I ordered mine from Yoox though the gold color I bought is now sold out and there are not many sizes left of available models. You can find the Esplar model at Zady or directly through Veja (though you’ll have to pay for international shipping fees.) $120, Zady, Veja.

Cuyana Panama Hat: Before I left for my honeymoon, I wanted to buy a nice sunhat that would keep my skin from burning under the sun. I searched high and low for the perfect hat that was ethically made, not too expensive, and would effectively fit my impossibly tiny head. This panama hat from Cuyana ticked all the boxes and has been a fashion staple all summer.

Handwoven in Ecuador and made from 100% Toquilla straw, this timeless panama hat is sturdy, breathable, and provides just the right amount of shade and style. This was my first purchase from Cuyana (most popular for their leather accessories and transparent, “fewer, better things” motto) and will likely not be my last. $65, Cuyana.

What natural or ethical products have you been loving this summer?

 

*Indicates products sent to me for consideration, however all words and opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links.