Instead of doing a holiday gift guide, because almost every other blogger did one of those (since they’re super helpful!) I decided I would do a recap of my favorite product discoveries from this year!
Since I truly started posting and getting serious about green beauty in July every product and brand I’ve tried has been a new experience. Some of the products are nice, but I probably won’t repurchase, and some have become staples in my routine – these are the ones I want to share with you!
Skin Owl - Beauty Whip
2 oz - $68
This was the side kick in the September Beauty Heroes box and it's AMAZING! Versatility is the number one reason Beauty Whip rocks. Moisturizer, primer, mask, it can do it all and I'm still discovering more ways it can be used. The consistency is actually a pre-mixed emulsion, it's light and airy and soaks right in. Get ready for plump, glowing skin. TIP: Don't use this as your primary moisturizer or first layer, use this as your very final step in your routine to lock in the moisture or as a primer before makeup. Apply all your other oils, serums, etc. first.
Pure Luxe Apothecary - Rosewater Hydrating Face Tonic
4 oz - $32
This has got to be my favorite toner of all time. I think it's the simplicity of it that makes it so great. This is purely rosewater, witch hazel, aloe juice, and rose essential oil. The rose calms, the witch hazel clarifies, and the aloe soothes. What more could you need in a toner!? It's also so gentle I use it morning and night.
Mahalo - The Bean
1.7 oz - $80
I discovered this mask in the August Beauty Heroes box and it's actually the reason I started Beauty Heroes and signed up! I knew this mask would be magical - it does everything. It's full of antioxidants for brightening, it exfoliates, detoxifies, and nourishes like no other mask I've tried so far. I also love it because it's a moist consistency that doesn't really dry so I've left it on for almost an hour letting my skin soak everything up. Worth every penny.
Earthwise Beauty - Tigress
1.2 oz - $100
I am in love with Earthwise Beauty in general, Ava formulates some of the most effective products on the market in my opinion. When she released this balm a couple months ago I knew I had to have it. The consistency is like a balm however it melts into your skin and soaks in like no other balm I've tried. It does not leave you greasy and the unique ingredients help calm and heal acne. I use this exclusively at night, balms are a little heavy for day use for me, and I'm amazed at how nourished my skin is in the morning.
Naturallogic - Luna
2 oz - $78
I was so happy to be introduced to Naturallogic this year. And even more excited when I discovered her red wine mask, Luna. This is a probiotic and antioxidant mask made with fermented grapes - it moisturizes, nourishes, exfoliates, and leaves your skin super plump and glowy. The texture is super soft, creamy, and thick, and it doesn't dry so I love it because I can leave it on for a long time and really let my skin absorb all the goodness. If you can't tell I love a mask that I can leave on indefinitely and relax with.
Osmia - Night Body Oil
4 oz - $64
Through green beauty I have discovered the amazingness of body oils and why ditching lotion is the best idea ever. I am a sucker for lavender which is why I knew I would this body oil. It soaks right in, leaves my skin super soft, and I love using it at night before bed because the aromatherapy of the lavender puts you in the perfect mood to drift off. The ingredients are also impeccable and I would expect nothing less from Osmia, you can't go wrong with any of Dr. Sarah's products.
Crunchi - Foundation
1 oz - $48
Amanda, of The Organic Bunny, has raved about this foundation so I finally tried it even though I don't like liquid foundation - I'm officially converted. I absolutely love this stuff and can't get enough! The coverage is light-medium but buildable and super smooth. And you get the most flawless finish by using the Crunchi Foundation Brush to buff this all over your face. I've been using this foundation every single day since purchasing over the summer and I absolutely love the way my skin looks.
Fitglow Beauty - Good Lash Mascara
$38
If you've been too lazy to use a lash serum in addition to a good mascara then this is your holy grail product. Fitglow Beauty released their new mascara earlier this year and it's a nourishing mascara, aka growth serum and mascara all in one! It also gives incredible length, volume, and separation due to the fat brush and amazing formula. Vegan collagen is one of the stand out ingreidents to help strengthen your lashes. After using consistenly I noticed that I was losing virtually no lashes each night washing my face and my lashes seem thicker and longer. This is pricey but remember you're getting a non-toxic mascara and growth serum all in one.
Jordan Seban - Le Baume
4 oz - $38
I don't think Jordan Seban's hair care gets as much attention as it should - he also has a gorgeous hair oil, but the stand out products is Le Baume (The Balm). This is the first styling product I've ever actually liked using on my hair that checks ALL the boxes. This lightweight balm uses botanical ingredients and silk proteins to strengthen and nourish. I use this on wet hair as a heat protectant and then once dry and styles I use it to tame fly-aways, moisturize my ends, and keep my front hair in place instead of hair spray.
Earthwise Beauty - Marshmallow Suds
4.25 oz - $58
I am an avid oil cleanser and have been for several years, however after reading the benefits of double cleansing I realized I really wanted to try a lathering cleanser as my second cleanse. No surprise that when I realized Ava (Earthwise Beauty) had a foaming cleanser I knew it was probably the best of the best - and I wasn't wrong. I love oil cleansing because it cleans without stripping and never leaves my skin feeling dry so that was my priority finding a foaming cleanser. Marshmallow Suds is moisturizing, super silky, creamy, and FILLED with top notch ingredients. It also seriously smells like marshmallows!
Sigil Scent - Aura
3.4 oz - $40
One of the hardest things to switch to non-toxic is perfume. As soon as I discovered Sigil Scent I knew that was about to change. Patrick has made perfumes made completely from non-toxic ingredients that smell incredible and last all day. I personally love Aura, and I'm horrible at describing scents so this is from the website: "Peaceful contemplation, still air of the desert, warmth beside a campfire, and star-filled midnight skies. Agarwood, palo santo, and grapefruit." It's SO good.
KHUS KHUS - Sans Age Face Serum
1.7 oz - $78
Here I am falling in love with another sidekick from Beauty Heroes. This was in the December box so I've only been using it for the past month but it has quickly become a part of my morning and night routine. My skin absolutely loves the blue tansy and german chamomile, it's been calming redness and irritation from acne and helping to heal it twice as fast. This lightweight serum feels amazing and gets absorbed right away. This will be repurchase for sure.
It was SO hard to pick only 12 favorites (special number to me) from the past year because I experienced and discovered a ridiculous amount of amazing products. I tried to pick a favorite from each part of my routine. These are seriously amazing brands and products and I would highly recommend each and every one of them.
It’s been a really fun and enlightening experience to get to know my skin and what it likes. What works for me definitely may not work for you, but that’s the beauty of discovering new products! I hope you recognized some favorites of your own and maybe found some new products to try.
The majority of these products were sent to me in my Beauty Heroes monthly box, purchased from The Organic Bunny store, or found on my own thanks to following a bunch of other amazing green beauty bloggers.
Thanks so much for checking out my favorites from 2017, I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store!
