Current Obsession: Now Solutions Coconut Oil

I feel like coconut oil has become the IT cosmetic ingredient as of late (thanks for the tip Miranda Kerr).  I picked up a jar recently at the local organic grocery store to use as a hair treatment for my newly ombre-d hair (bleach can be super drying and I want to avoid/repair any damage to my ends).  Now's version is amazing.  It has no scent, which I appreciate.  It seems I'm one of the only people in the world who isn't a fan of the way coconut smells.  I used this as an overnight hair mask for it's moisturizing properties, and as a moisturizer on my arms and legs before bed. A significant amount of cellular repair and regeneration takes place as we sleep, so that's when I tend to use heavier moisturizers and treatments.   It is oil, and does take a bit of time to absorb, so take that into consideration when deciding which sheets you want on your bed when you're going to use it. 

Look for Now Solutions Coconut Oil at Fairway or Whole Foods.

Review: Becca Cosmetics Eye Tint in Baroque

I bought this tube of eye tint from Urban Outfitters ages ago, and it has become a staple of my day to day beauty routine.  Baroque a beautiful pinky-beige color and a little bit truly goes a long way.  


Pros:

• waterproof/sweat-proof, thus perfect for summer
• plays well with powder shadow  (I've found some cream-based shadows don't)
• a bit of a glossy sheen to the finish

Cons:

• sometimes, when I squirt it out of the tube to apply, it's a bit watery. 

Here's what it looks like alone...

though I usually add a bit of the darker shade of NARS Kalahari in the outer crease to add a bit of depth:

 

Ruling: Love. Will absolutely repurchase.

Review: Andalou Naturals Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

I try to keep my beauty (as well as my food!) purchases as green and natural as possible, and I am in LOVE with my most recent purchase:  Andalou Naturals Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask.

(image via: bodyandsoul.com.au)

I've been using this mask a couple times a week for the past three weeks and I have a bit of a crush on it!  It smells just like pumpkin pie and leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean and looking bright. 

Some major pros:  

• good for combination skin (like mine!)
• you only leave it on for 10 minutes
• easy to remove with cool water
• yummy smell! 
• organic pumpkin is rich in vitamin A
• no weird tightening feeling/stinging/etc that sometimes happens with other masks

One tiny con:

• my skin is a touch red for a few minutes after removal, but that would be the glycolic AHA working.  So I wouldn't recommend using this mask right before dashing out the door.

Andalou has it for $14.95 on their website, but I've seen it for as low as $10 on different websites.  Regardless, comparatively speaking, it's super inexpensive and super effective.  

Ruling: incorporating it into the routine & love. will absolutely repurchase