Review: Bubble & Bee Organic's Pit Putty Cream in Jasmint

Real talk: my BO, though not particularly powerful stench-wise, is very resilient.  To combat this, I always (except when testing a new product) layer a liquid and a cream/stick deodorant, and frequently change up which deodorants and deo-combos I use (generally every couple of days).  This is simply what works best for me.  Since shelf life isn't typically a huge concern, I tend to have 4 to 6 deodorants going at a time.

As a result of my methods of layering and frequent product switching, I am always on the lookout for new deodorants to try.  To be honest, the thing that really drew me to Bubble & Bee's Pit Putty Cream was the availability of the Jasmint scent.  Jasmine + mint.  How could you go wrong?  On a more practical note, I've always gotten along well with cream deodorants and I have a theory (more investigation required) that deos containing mint are particularly effective against (my) body odor.  I was also quite impressed with Bubble & Bee Organic upon exploring their website (they're the same people who run the awesome resource Chemical of the Day).  Bubble & Bee are dedicated to using organic ingredients as much as possible, and among all of the ingredients in all of their products, the only synthetics to be found are gentle, plant-derived surfactants.  The Pit Putty Creams are all-natural, 100% organic (minus the baking soda, of course), vegan, and, like all Bubble & Bee products, gluten-free.  The scent combined with my love for cream deodorants and Bubble & Bee's ingredients and integrity made purchasing the Jasmint Pit Putty Cream a no-brainer.

My high hopes were not disappointed.  I'll come right out and say that this is my favorite deodorant I've ever tried.  I was right to be excited about the scent: it smells exactly like minty candy.  The mint is definitely the stronger scent, with the jasmine coming through not as a floral note, but as a touch of sweetness.  It would be even better if the two were more evenly balanced, but I love it as is.  When applied directly after a shower, the deodorant's peppermint EO creates a cooling sensation in the pits.  

Where this deodorant really shines above all the others I've tried is in texture and application.  Pit Putty Cream is so smooth and creamy; it melts into skin in a positively dreamy way, leaving behind literally no residue and no gunky fingers.  Even taking into account that we're in the midst of summer, I'd say it's a bit softer than most deodorant creams.

Of course, the most important thing to consider with any deodorant is how well it controls odor.  I wasn't disappointed here either.  It's no surprise given the ingredients: baking soda absorbs odor and slightly raises pH, coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal, and the essential oils both prevent stinkiness and make you smell like an after-dinner mint (or whichever scent you choose).  There is also arrowroot powder to absorb wetness.  I've been pairing Pit Putty Cream with milk of magnesia, which is also a great de-stinker (if you give MoM a try, be sure to get one that contains only magnesium hydroxide and purified water; certain brands add sodium hypochlorite, a.k.a. bleach).  Together they leave my pits bullet-proof.  When I tested the Pit Putty Cream on its own, I was totally fine on lazy days.  On busier days, I had the teeny tiniest bit of odor at the end of the day.  I couldn't even smell it myself when I tried (am I the only one physically incapable of getting their nose close enough to their pits to give them a whiff?).  A brave loved one (hi Mom!) was willing to put her nose right in there and said she could detect just a little bit of not-that-pungent odor.  Those of you with less waterbear-like BO would probably be completely covered by it on its own.

A note on the baking soda: some people can find it irritating, though I've never had much of a problem with it.  I would think the ease with which Pit Putty melts into the skin without requiring a lot of rubbing would lessen the potential for irritation.  If you have had (or think you may have had) issues with baking soda, check out Bubble & Bee's blog post on underarm rashes.  In case you're still concerned, they have several other deodorant formulas (check out their handy comparison chart) including many without baking soda.  Personally, I intend to stick to the Pit Putty Cream.  Its formula and ingredients appeal to me the most and there are still six more scents for me to try.  Definitely a keeper.


Ingredients: Organic arrowroot powder, organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, (aluminum-free) baking soda, organic jasmine extract, organic peppermint essential oil.

Collection Review # 3: Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Infused Lip Love Lipsticks

Afterglow Cosmetics is a cruelty- and gluten-free company with high standards for ingredient safety and a proclivity for organic ingredients, as you'll see if you sneak a peak below at the ingredients for their Lip Love Lipsticks.  The two above have been part of my collection for 15 months and haven't gone through any changes in quality, texture or smell (which is to say they haven't gone bad).  

Enchant (sorry about the chunk [?!]) & Secret

As you can probably tell from the picture, these lipsticks are super creamy, and they feel very comfortable since they don't dry as they sit on the lips.  With one swipe, they go on a little sheer, but the color can be built to full opacity.  They are pretty long-wearing as well, and last time I wore one without a lip liner, it left my lips with a bit of a stain after I washed it off.  I love the sleek packaging, especially the part at the top that shows the color (this must have a name, but I certainly can't find it).

You can't really tell from the swatch, but Enchant is what Afterglow calls a shimmer; however, the little shimmery bits are so tiny that the overall effect is more of a light frost.  Enchant is a beautiful purple, a pretty even mix of red and blue, and a bit darker than it looks in my swatch.  The little bits are blue.  It would be perfect for a vampy night look, but I actually have worn it for day, keeping the other parts of my makeup look subtle to balance the boldness of the color.  Secret, a very wearable, versatile rose, is matte in that it doesn't have any frost or sparkly bits, but its creaminess creates a subtle sheen on the lips.

All of this said, will I be buying more Lip Love Lipsticks in the future? ... No.  It's all about one ingredient: beeswax.  I recently switched my diet from lacto-ovo vegetarian to vegan.  Even before this change, I strictly avoided ingredients derived from/produced by animals other than insects in makeup and personal care, but I never really had a "policy" when it comes to insect-derived/produced ingredients (even carmine).  I was a bit on the fence about things like beeswax, but, based on research I've done and, basically, a desire to be more of a purist, I have decided from here on out to extend my taboo on all animal products to makeup and personal care.  This doesn't mean that I will throw out all of the non-vegan products I already own; that would be far more wasteful than I could justify.  And there will still be forthcoming reviews of not-strictly-vegan products on the blog.  But it will influence my future purchases and eventually the blog will feature only vegan products.  

Ingredients: simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil*, barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf gel*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel*, cera alba (organic beeswax)*, candelilla wax (wildcrafted), tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), vitis vinifera (organic grape seed) extract*, punica granatum (organic pomegranate seed) extract*; May contain [+/-] iron oxide (77491, 77492, 77499), mica, titanium dioxide (77891)
*certified organic 

Collection Review # 2: Elegant Minerals Natural & Organic Mineral Lipsticks

The first thing you'll probably notice about the picture above is that two of those lipsticks are doing it wrong.  And the first thing you'll probably notice about the photo below is that two of those swatches are gross.  The exciting part is that only one lipstick is guilty of both offenses!

L-R: Pale Roses, Tropical Pink, Red Blossom

The advantage of doing a review of makeup I've had in my collection for a while versus brand-new makeup is that it allows me to give you an idea of how well the products keep.  Granted that they could be flukes, I'm afraid the news isn't great for these Elegant Minerals lipsticks.  Two of them have definitely gone off (they have a rancid oil smell and a sticky texture that drags across the skin).  Thirteen months passed from the time I ordered them to the time of creating this post.  I'm not entirely sure when they started turning, since I didn't reach for them that often, but I would really like my lipsticks to stay in useable condition for at least 2 years.  The one that hasn't turned (Tropical Pink) is the one that actually showed up in the mail already broken.  This is something that can happen with (natural, especially) lipsticks and not a huge deal, but these seem to be particularly prone to breaking.  Application is relatively sheer with one swipe, but can be built for opaque coverage.

As far as colors go, Elegant Minerals has a pretty nice selection.  Of the ones I own, I particularly like Red Blossom, which is very wearable for everyday, sort of a reddened MLBB.  Elegant Minerals' color descriptions, for these colors at least, are spot-on, while their swatches are decent approximations.  They don't tell you about the finishes, though – Pale Roses and Tropical Pink are both frosted.

If you take a peak at the ingredients down below, you'll see phenoxyethanol.  At this point, the inclusion of this ingredient would actually be enough to make me strongly question buying the product, since it's an ingredient I greatly prefer to avoid.  

At this point, Red Blossom and Pale Roses are going in the trash.  I have an (embarrassingly) enormous lipstick collection, so sometimes there are ones that get neglected.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to wear these many times before it was too late.  Tropical Pink will stay in my collection.  One lipstick with phenoxyethanol certainly won't kill me, and the breakage can be dealt with by depotting (sorry, bejeweled pink tube!).  

Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Avocado Butter, Stearyl Palmitate, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Castor Oil,  Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxide, Phenoxyethanol-SA, Provitamin B5, Vitamin C L-Ascorbyl Palmitate.


Have you tried the Elegant Minerals lipstick and perhaps had a better experience?

May & June 2014 Empties

My first empties post covers two months since I stewed over starting this blog for more than a month after I bought the domain (oops).  I may do these once a month in the future to keep the length down, but I'm thinking that May and June were heavier than average months for product-emptying, so we shall see.

Hair Care

Alaffia - Shea & Virgin Coconut Enriching Shampoo & Hair Lotion: These products have a gorgeous orange geranium scent and the ingredients are pretty clean, but beyond that, they weren't a success for me.  I found the shampoo slightly drying, though usable.  A little does go a long way, which is always nice.  The conditioner felt too light.  I like really dense saturation, which this guy just couldn't give me, so I ended up having to use a huge blob every time, meaning I went through the conditioner more than twice as fast as the shampoo.  The conditioner wasn't moisturizing enough for me and I ended up with a lot of frizzy-hair days while using it.
Verdict: I won't be repurchasing either, but if the shampoo fell into my hands, I would use it.


Acure - Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner - Triple Moisture Repairing: This is definitely my holy grail conditioner.  The smell is tantalizing (the shampoo smells even better), the texture is perfect (super thick), it seriously moisturizes, and it doesn't give me the frizzies.
Verdict: I finally bought the large-size bottle, which I'm currently using.

Intelligent Nutrients - Leave-In Conditioner: I use this as a styling product every day, generally in conjunction with another product.  On its own it gives my curls soft, natural-looking definition without making my hair look greasy or feel crunchy; pairing it with something like Oyin Handmade's Greg Juice gives much stronger definition, which I generally prefer.  This product has a strong scent that some might find off-putting.  It's very earthy and herbal and slightly spicy.  I really like the smell, but I don't find that it lingers in my hair, so I wouldn't worry about it either way.
Verdict: I have already started on a new bottle.

Bath & Body

Sample of Good Earth Beauty - Moisturizing Vanilla Soap: In terms of the formula, I feel sort of neutral about this soap.  I didn't love it, but I certainly didn't mind using it.  I would like, however, for the fragrance oil to be replaced with a natural ingredient.
Verdict: I don't have any plan to buy a full size, but if I got another sample I would use it.

Sunrise Soap Company - Essential Oil Soap in Peppermint, Lemongrass & Pumice (not pictured): I've tried several Sunrise soaps (all of them purchased through Honeybee Gardens), and have consistently enjoyed them.  They produce a pleasant-feeling lather and don't dry my skin.  The pumice in this one is quite scratchy, which I liked, but some may find it too intense.  The scent is also nice and invigorating, more peppermint than lemongrass.
Verdict: I'm conflicted on the issue of palm oil and I currently have a gigantic soap stash, so at the very least, I wouldn't be buying this again for quite some time.

Schmidt's - Natural Deodorant in Ylang-Ylang + Calendula: Schmidt's deodorants have been getting a lot of love lately, and understandably.  It's not the very most effective deodorant against my frustratingly persistent pit-smell, but, when I layer it with another deodorant as I always do, it works perfectly well for a regular day at the office.  The ylang-ylang and calendula scent is gorgeous!
Verdict: I am already well into a jar of the Bergamot + Lime and I like to mix it up frequently when it comes to deodorants, so I won't repurchase this right away – but I've got it on a list to repurchase eventually.  

eos - Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry: Remember that time when eos lip balms were super trendy?  Maybe they still are.  I never really got on that bandwagon, but I recently grabbed this to hit the free shipping mark on an order.  The smell is lovely, but I didn't love the balm.  It wasn't quite emollient enough for my taste, so I ended up applying it more often than I do many other balms.  I'm also not crazy about the packaging.  I know it's their trademark, but it's just not that convenient.  The size and shape make it a bit awkward to carry around and it seems unhygienic that so much of the balm is exposed.
Verdict: I probably won't buy one of these again.

Toothpaste

Sensodyne - Pronamel Toothpaste (mini tube): This product definitely doesn't meet my usual natural ingredient requirements, but I was given it by my dentist to help deal with intense hypersensitivity I've had lately.  As it turns out, the cause of the hypersensitivity is actually a recurrence of my TMJD, so the toothpaste hasn't been able to help me.  That said, this has a cleaner ingredients list than many conventional toothpastes, being free of SLS, artificial colors and some other common nasties.  If hypersensitivity is enough of a problem that you don't mind being a little lax about ingredients, Sensodyne's Pronamel formula is actually not that bad a way to go.
Verdict: I won't be buying this since it hasn't helped me, but I would consider it if it did.

Earthpaste in Cinnamon: Earthpaste is probably the simplest, most natural toothpaste available.  It is clay-based and completely free of all foaming agents, colorants, artificial flavors, and, most uniquely, glycerin.  I'm on the fence about glycerin in toothpaste.  It seems like there isn't much to back up the claim that it forms a residue on teeth, but it also doesn't have any actual benefits – so better safe than sorry, I suppose?  I got a bit tired of the cinnamon flavor by the end of the tube, but it's a pleasant, relatively subtle flavor.
Verdict: I may not return to the cinnamon flavor, but I'm  currently using the Wintergreen, which is my favorite.

Tom's of Maine - Clean & Gentle Toothpaste: I got this toothpaste because – confession – I recently got my very first cavity.  I had been using fluoride-free toothpastes since early on in my transition to natural products, but I got a bit freaked out when I found out about the cavity and went right out and bought one with fluoride (this one has it in the form of sodium monofluorophosphate).  Aside from the fluoride, which is somewhat of a controversial ingredient, the ingredients list is quite clean (it does contain glycerin) and it's SLS-free, unlike many Tom's of Maine toothpastes.
Verdict: I plan to repurchase this as an anti-cavity backup for my Earthpaste.

Skincare

Acure - Argan Stem Cell + Chlorella Growth Factor Brightening Facial Scrub: I've read a lot of positive reviews of this product and I couldn't agree more.  This is easily one of my favorite skincare products ever.  I love the experience of using the product and the results it achieves.  The scrub-factor is intense but not scratchy, and it leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth without any irritation.  I've been using it every 2-3 days for just under a year (the first tube lasted 10+ months) and I'm still completely smitten.
Verdict: I am already using a new tube and plan to continue using this product forever.

Honeybee Gardens - Alcohol-Free Facial Toner: This was the first skincare product I ever really fell in love with.  The first night I used it, the only thing I noticed was that I didn't love the smell.  The next morning, however, when I washed my face, I couldn't believe what I was feeling.  In a single night, this toner had made such a difference in my skin.  I felt so smooth and soft.  Continued use of this product has maintained a more even skin texture.
Verdict: I'm already working on another bottle ( I believe it's my fourth).

SkinFare - Lotion Stick in Verdant Remedy: The Verdant formula of SkinFare's Lotion Sticks is intended to lighten dark circles, scars and sunspots, so I decided to use it exclusively under my eyes and on some stretch marks on my hips.  To be honest, I don't think it did a thing besides moisturize for either area.  I love that all of the ingredients are organic and I like the stick application.  What I don't love about Verdant is the smell.  SkinFare describes it as smelling like grassy fields.  That's pretty close, and I don't like it.
Verdict: I wouldn't repurchase this particular formula because of the scent, but I would definitely consider the others since I like the base formula and the packaging/application.

Makeup

My lipsticks and cream blushes are spending their summer vacation in the refrigerator.  This is a double-win since it protects my precious products from the heat and humidity (and the melting and encouragement of microorganism proliferation that go with them) and gets me to work on using up my many samples.  My powder products are all still in my makeup drawer, but I've decided to go all out on all of my samples for the time being.

Sample of Real Purity - Powder Blush in Parfait: This is a very pretty bright pink blush.  The formula blends well on the skin and lasts a decent time.  The full-sized blushes are pressed, which is a plus in my book although not a deal-breaker.
Verdict: Given the size of my current blush collection, I'm in no need of new products, but this is one I would happily consider in the future.

Sample of Real Purity - Lipstick in Grape Sherbet: I love the formula of Real Purity's lipsticks.  They are highly pigmented and neither too balm-like nor chalky.  This color is also gorgeous.  It's a true purple, and while I usually prefer more of a matte lip, the frost here is lovely.
Verdict: I actually bought a full-size lipstick long before I finished the sample and I have no regrets.

Samples of Meow Cosmetics - Pampered Puss Foundations: Meow Cosmetics' foundation in the Pampered Puss formula has become my all-time favorite.  I ordered a number of samples a while back and, since minerals foundations are generally pretty forgiving in terms of color-match, I'm using up the ones that weren't an exact match.  The shades I finished were all 0-Inquisitive, the palest in their undertone categories ("breeds"): Siamese (neutral, which is slightly too yellow for me), Sphynx (beige/pink/peach, slightly too pink for me), and Himalayan (warm pink, slightly too white for me).
Verdict: I obviously won't purchase the incorrect shades, but I seriously love this formula.

Sample of Meow Cosmetics - Purrrfect Puss Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Siamese:  This simply isn't the right formula for my skin.  I can get away with it, but it tends to look a bit powdery, especially towards the end of the day.  The proportion of zinc oxide in a foundation is a major factor in determining how well it works on my skin, and this doesn't have any.
Verdict: Obviously I won't purchase a full-size, but I will still use the other Purrrfect samples I have.

Meow Cosmetics - Pampered Puss Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Mau: As I mentioned above, this is my favorite foundation.  It's definitely the best color match I've ever found, and given that Meow has 86 different foundation shades, I'm guessing a lot of people would be able to say the same.  The undertones of Mau are described as simply "warm," but I would say my undertones are more slightly warm with a helping of peach, a smidgen of pink, and absolutely no yellow at all.  The formula is also fabulous on my skin.  Even when I build up the coverage, it looks incredibly natural, especially after I use a setting spray (currently using George's Aloe Mister).  Even at the end of the day, I can get right up close to the mirror and still be impressed by how skin-like it looks.
Verdict: Even though I am using up my foundation samples, I just had to open up the new jar I had waiting.  Holy grail material.  

Collection Review # 1: Terra Firma Cosmetics Eyeshadows

Welcome to my first Collection Review, where I take a look back at makeup that's been in my collection for a while, show you some swatches, and tell you my thoughts!  Today's post is about Terra Firma Cosmetics, one of the first companies I came across when I decided to dump all my makeup with petroleum dyes, parabens, and other nasty synthetics in favor of products I could feel good about putting on my skin.  At that time, I pretty much depended on companies to tell me for themselves whether they used safe ingredients or not.  I've now become positively persnickety about reading ingredients labels, but these eyeshadows still stand up to my now more critical eye.

Terra Firma Cosmetics' Loose Mineral Eye Shadows, (or Eye Multi-Tasking Mineral Powders as they're called on the jars) are some of my all-time favorite eyeshadows.  They are consistently pigmented, easy to blend, and long-wearing.  They are also among the best eyeshadows I own in terms of their ability to last on my super oily lids.  I only own shadows from their original collection, but they have also released a second eyeshadow collection (they all appear to be satin or shimmer) and a collection of pure pigments.  The "multi-tasking" aspect comes from the idea that they can be applied either wet or dry, although I don't think I've ever applied any of them wet (I rarely remember that foiling is an option when I'm doing my makeup, let alone get around to doing it).  At $8.99 for a 10 gram jar, they're what I would consider quite reasonably priced.  Keep reading for descriptions of the finishes and colors.


Shimmer Eyeshadows

The extent of the shimmery-ness varies from shade to shade, but they all have some visible pieces of shimmer.  I must have taken about 300 pictures trying to capture the colors, and the photo still doesn't do them justice.

L-R: City Lights, Chocolate Diamonds, Eggplant, Disco Ball, Celestial, Starry Night

 City Lights: Basic shimmery white.  It is more shimmery than the picture would have you believe.

Chocolate Diamonds: I only have this one in a sample baggie, which makes the color very difficult to pick up.  This might be why it's a bit sheer (none of the others are).  It's a mid-tone, slightly warm brown.

Eggplant: Definitely not the color of an actual eggplant!  It's more of a deep maroon.

Disco Ball: This is one of the prettiest eyeshadows I own but the color was incredibly difficult to capture.  Even the swatch on the Terra Firma website shows it as a simple sparkly silver, but it's actually very complex.  The base is a beautiful pale greyish mauve.  The only silver is in the sparkles, which are more prominent in this color than in the other shimmer eyeshadows.

Celestial: This was another one that was difficult to photograph.  It's a pale old rose, not the ever-so-slightly-rose gold that shows up on Terra Firma's website.

Starry Night: Midnight blue that leans slightly towards indigo.


Matte Eyeshadows

The mattes are slightly less blendable than the other finishes, but they're still super high-quality.

L-R: Petticoat, Coffee Bean, Dark Chocolate, Burlesque, B-52

 Petticoat: Light brown with a teensy touch of pink.

Coffee Bean: Darkened taupe.

Dark Chocolate: Basic dark brown.

Burlesque: Cool, mid-toned purple.

B-52: An earthy greyish green.


Satin Eyeshadows

Satin is definitely my favorite finish, as you can probably tell from the number I have in my collection.  They (generally) don't have visible pieces of shimmer, but they catch the light and create a lovely sheen.  Some have different-colored shifts; some don't.

L-R: Couture, Driftwood, Beach Bum, Petal, Frenchy, Bathing Beauty, Laurel, Drama Girl, Electric Smurf, Ocean, Napa Valley

Couture:  I would classify this particular shadow as more of a shimmer than a satin.  The shimmer is relatively subtle, but it doesn't really have a satin quality to it at all.  Light, slightly warm-toned brown.

Driftwood:  This is such a beautiful neutral.  The base is a medium brown and it has a gorgeous silvery shift.

Beach Bum:  This color does not make a particularly interesting contrast against my skin, but it's a soft sandy gold.

Petal: A soft peachy pink.

French: This is another one that doesn't create a very striking contrast with my skin (I'm a ghost), but it's a lovely ballet slipper pink.

Bathing Beauty: The base is a light burgundy, but the silvery shift gives it the appearance of a cooler tone.

Laurel: Super bright orchid with a hint of gold.

Drama Girl: Pearlescent deep lilac.

Electric Smurf: Who knows whether I'll ever actually use this color, but I just couldn't resist.  Intense turquoise.

Ocean: A gorgeous light silver-blue.

Napa Valley: This color wears more subtle than it appears in the picture.  Light, cool green.


Ingredients:
Matte: Serecite, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Boron Nitride, Mica, Silk Powder, Magnesium Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Iron Oxide, (May Contain: Ultramarine Blue Mineral Pigment, Silicon Dioxide, Carnauba Wax).
Satin & Shimmer: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide (some colors may contain Boron Nitride, Silk Powder, Magnesium Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Silicon Dioxide, and Carnauba Wax).