Beauty

Pacifica Beauty Vegan Skincare and Makeup Review

Hello lovelies! Today I wanted to share with you my thoughts on a big Pacifica haul I got a couple of weeks ago!

Does this ever happen to you where all of a sudden you run out of all of your beauty products all at once? Yeah, I had a minor freak-out moment when I hit the bottom of my Sunday Riley Enzyme Water Cream and my Fresh Soy-Face Cleanser in the same day! Yikes!

Anyways, a re-stock was desperately needed and I also wanted to dive into some more budget-friendly drugstore items. Thus Pacifica was discovered!

You can find Pacifica at Target, Ulta, or on their website and let me tell you I have fallen in love with this brand! They are a 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and natural brand and they describe themselves as “…the most innovative, creative natural beauty brand on the market with a full range of cosmetics, perfumes and skin care. Brook has elevated natural beauty with her unwillingness to accept substandard performance in natural products and has made it her personal mission to uplevel the perception of natural beauty products.”

Their products are super affordable, the packaging is unbelievably fun and cheerful, and the efficacy of the products is I would say at the level of high-end brands. (This post is not sponsored by the way, I purchased all the items myself and I’m not being compensated for my opinions.)

So here is what I purchased:

  • Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash
  • Quinoa Sensitive Super Gentle Face Wash
  • Coconut Probiotic Water Rehab Cream
  • Pore Refine Deep Detox Mask
  • Solar Complete Color Mineral Palette
  • Stunning Brows Eyebrow Gloss and Set
  • Well Conditioned One Step-Gentle Cleanser & Conditioner
  • Tahitian Gardenia Body Butter

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Needless to say I was VERY excited when this giant box of goodies came in the mail!

But enough chit-chat let’s get to why you’re here and talk about how great (or not so great) these products are!

Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash ($10):

I have been using this face wash every night with my Clarisonic and let me tell you it gets you CLEAN. It foams up really nicely and you feel like your face gets a deep clean without being stripped of all moisture by the time you’re done. It is fortified with kale, seaweed, mangosteen, and coconut water so you feel like you’re actually doing your skin some good while you’re cleansing! I will definitely be repurchasing this one!

 

Quinoa Sensitive Super Gentle Face Wash ($10):

This has replaced my Fresh Soy Face Cleanser in the mornings and I have to say it works just as well if not better! This one is fortified with quinoa, calendula, and aloe and foams up really nicely. I notice that my skin is calm, smooth, and balanced after I use it and it is a perfect step to prep your skin for skincare and makeup. The fragrance is also very light and pleasant for first thing in the morning!

 

Coconut Probiotic Water Rehab Cream ($15):

I have to admit, I am absolutely in LOVE with the Sunday Riley Enzyme Water Cream, but at $65 a jar it is a luxury I can’t always justify. This cream by Pacifica though, is a very close dupe. It is deeply moisturizing with hyaluronic acid and coconut but is very light and absorbs quickly so there is no residue left on your skin. It has been perfect at balancing out my combination skin. The only thing this cream doesn’t do that Sunday Riley does is brighten and exfoliate with the enzymes. But hey at a quarter of the price I’ll take it!

 

Pore Refine Deep Detox Mask ($18):

I expected this mask to be a clay mask when I purchased it but it is actually a peel! It uses a cocktail of konjac root, strawberry, cactus, and tomato to mattify your skin while deeply cleansing your pores and smoothing any texture. I’ve been using this mask 3 times a week and I have noticed a tremendous difference in the size of my pores and the uneven texture I have on my cheeks! It is great for keeping those little blackheads at bay and I feel like it tightens my skin.

 

Solar Complete Color Mineral Palette ($32): 

So this guy was an impulse buy as I certainly do not need another palette, but the colors in this set are gorgeous and I wanted to test out some of Pacifica’s makeup products. I will start off by saying that the eyeshadows in this palette are awesome! They are super smooth, easy to blend, and highly pigmented, I would highly recommend. The blush and bronzer are not quite the right shades for my skin tone, so I was a little disappointed that the palette only comes in one shade. Now, the highlighters. The colors are beautiful, but the formula is absolutely awful. I was giddy with excitement as I swiped my finger over the highlighter and applied it to my cheekbones, but then I literally said out loud, “where’s the color?”.  They are not pigmented at all even if you layer! I was so disappointed because you get 3 colors of highlight and all of them were unusable. Now I am a person that loves an intense glowing highlight, so if you’re looking for the subtlest of glows I would say that you might be able to get these highlighters to work for you, I personally would never use them though. Overall I would say avoid this palette and buy the eyeshadows separately and save your money.

 

Stunning Brows Eyebrow Gloss and Set ($14):

I’ve been obsessed with Glossier’s Boy Brow and this is a perfect alternate for it! For about the same price you get twice as much product, and the product gives you bold beautiful brows in 30 seconds or less. The wand is super easy to use and big so that you can quickly fill in your brows. And the formula is great in that it doesn’t flake, dry out, or smudge once it’s dry! I would absolutely recommend!

 

Well Conditioned One Step Gentle Cleanser & Conditioner ($16):

I’ve been co-washing my hair for about 6 months and I’m never looking back. My hair is super thick and dry and co-washing has made my strands so much happier. This co-wash smells like passionfruit (YUM!) and gets my hair super clean and super moisturized in 5 minutes! I absolutely love this product and will be repurchasing.

 

Tahitian Gardenia Body Butter ($15):

I received this as a free sample with my order but I will be purchasing a full size when I run out! The fragrance on this body butter is divine. It’s floral without smelling like your grandma’s house and it’s sweet without making you want to vomit, it’s the perfect happy medium. The formula is wonderfully hydrating without leaving you feeling greasy and like you can’t turn a door knob afterwards. 5 stars on this one!

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And there you have it! I hope you found this post helpful if you were on the fence about any of these products or that it inspired you to try out natural and cruelty-free skincare! I’ve also reviewed Herbivore Botanicals and some LUSH products, both of which are natural and cruelty-free as well! ❤

Thanks for stopping by and let me know in the comments if you have tried any of these or if you have any other skincare buys that you love and can’t live without!

 

xoxo

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Oil Pulling and Why I Love It

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So by now I’m sure you’ve heard of the new trendy detox technique: oil-pulling.

What is it exactly?

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil for 20 minutes, on an empty stomach, in order to improve oral and overall health.

Basically, the act of swishing the oil is thought to draw out toxins and remove harmful bacteria that collects in your mouth.

Benefits include:

  • Whiter teeth
  • Fresher breath
  • Strengthens teeth and gums
  • Cures headaches
  • General detox
  • Overall improved oral health
  • It is also said to be helpful for people with depression and insomnia

I am obsessed. I mean come on, what’s not to love right?!

Okay okay, most people who try it say that the hardest parts are getting used to the texture of the oil and swishing for the FULL 20 minutes. But from my personal experience, it’s TOTES worth it. And here’s why I think so:

  1. My teeth were noticeably whiter within a few days!!! I’ve tried all the toothpastes and whitening trays and I have to say this was just as effective if not MORE so. PLUS it’s totally natural without any yucky chemicals.
  2. My gums have been slowly receding for a couple of years now, but since I have started oil-pulling they have actually grown back a considerable amount! And I hadn’t changed anything else in my daily routine so it MUST have been the magic of oil-pulling.
  3. It clears any grogginess I have in the morning. If I ever wake up feeling less than bright-eyed, I make sure to oil-pull because as soon as I’m done I feel focused and ready to go!
  4. Less breakouts. Now I can’t know for sure if I can give oil-pulling full credit for this one, but I have noticed fewer breakouts around my chin. Which typically is a sign of hormonal imbalance. So perhaps the reduction of toxins has helped balance my insides! Regardless, it equals less zits which equals a happy Andy!
  5. It’s like a built-in lip balm! I always manage to get oil on my lips as I do my 20 minutes which acts like a lovely natural lip balm! Which means less lip balm throughout the day! Bonus!

So there’s my personal testimony. I’ve been oil-pulling for about 4 months now and all I can say is that I am addicted. I have not experienced any negative reactions or side-effects and I must say that when I miss a day I can really feel the difference! You should definitely give it a try!

Here’s a how-to guide for all you newbies. 😉

  1. Choose your oil. I use an organic and raw coconut oil. It’s cost-efficient, the taste is pleasant, plus it has anti-bacterial properties! An added bonus to the detox you’re about to embark on. You could alternatively use just about any oil you’d like such as olive, hemp, or pumpkin. Just make sure it’s organic!
  2. In the morning* when you wake up, rinse your mouth out and drink a glass of water. Now take 1 tablespoon of oil and begin to gently swish it around, making sure the oil gets to all parts of the mouth. Set your timer.
  3. After 20 minutes is up, spit the oil out into the trash. (Don’t spit into the sink as the oil could harden and clog up your drains! No bueno.)
  4. Rinse your mouth out with water and go about your morning!

*If you choose to do your oil-pulling at a different time of day just make sure that you have not had food within the last 2 hours!

There you have it! Easy-peasy!

Now if you’re like me, you probably don’t have 20 extra minutes every morning. I fit this into my schedule by plucking my eyebrows, shaving, picking out an outfit, checking e-mail, or by making my breakfast while I swish. That way I am still being productive while I reap the benefits of this wonderful practice.

What oils do you use for your oil-pulling practice? And what benefits have you experienced? I would love to hear all your success stories in the comments below! 🙂

DIY Lavender-Mint Deodorant

Hello lovely people!

Today I have this awesome and super simple DIY for all you people out there trying to cut out chemicals from your daily beauty routine and for those of us who simply can’t afford to spend $10 every time you need deodorant. SERIOUSLY. What’s up with natural deodorant being so freaking expensive?!

While I was in London a few months ago I was looking around Whole Foods for a new deodorant. Now I sweat A LOT due to the nature of my work so I need something that actually WORKS. I decided to splurge (10 pounds, which is practically $17!!!!) and bought the honey and milk Lavera spray deodorant.

This stuff smells awesome and it actually makes putting on deodorant kinda fun, but unfortunately it was not the most effective product I’ve ever used. If you don’t do much physical activity during the day, it would probably work just fine for you.

But the take away from this trial and error was that I discovered I much prefer spray deodorant to a roll-on, and also John-John would kill me if I kept spending $17 on deodorant ;). So I decided to make my own version so that I could customize my scent, save a ton of moolah, AND still have a luxurious experience with something as mundane as covering up body-odor.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. 1/2 cup Witch Hazel
2. 1/4 cup Aloe Vera Gel (or juice)
3. 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (or more if you want it to be stronger)
4. Essential Oils of your choice (I used Lavender, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus)
5. Spray Bottle (bonus: I re-purposed the old Lavera bottle. At least that softens the blow of the price tag a bit.)

Instructions:

1. Combine the witch hazel, aloe vera, and baking soda in a cup with a spout for easy pouring later (you could alternatively use a bowl and a funnel).
2. Add around 5 drops of each essential oil to your mixture and adjust to your preference. (I find the Eucalyptus is what makes the fragrance really fresh.)
3. Pour into your bottle and DONE!

Seriously I don’t think it gets any easier than this.

And not to mention that all these ingredients are totes natural, good for you, and pretty household standard. The witch hazel is anti-bacterial which will help keep odor causing bacteria at bay, the aloe will soothe your underarms as it’s an anti-inflammatory, the baking soda neutralizes odors, and the essential oils also combat bacteria and make you smell oh-so-nice. Plus the spray aspect gives a wonderful cooling sensation on those hot hot days.

All together this product cost less than 5 bucks! What a steal!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Note: This is NOT an antiperspirant. I am a firm believer that our bodies know how to take care of themselves and I am not about to get in the way of a process that cleanses and detoxifies our bodies.

UPDATE: Today I put this deodorant to the ultimate test. I went for a 2 mile run in 95 degree weather (call me crazy) and then did a full ab workout with lots of pushups and some weight lifting. I was completely drenched by the end and guess what? I was B.O. free! This stuff is serious business and I am SO happy with how effective it is!