As a little girl I was vastly intrigued with beauty products. I have a fond memory of when I was little and my grandmother had finished cleaning out her linen closet. She gave me a bag full of creams and lotions. I toted that bag around with me as if it were candy wrapped in gold. I'm sure this was her way of keeping me out of all the good stuff. Oh yes, I had the habit of snooping and getting my hands on the fancy looking bottles. One time I locked myself in the bathroom and managed to ruin a brand new bottle of expensive moisturizer due to tenaciously prying open the sealed bottle. The result, cream spewed all over the pristine floor. My great grandmother, who was baby sitting me at the time, beckoned me to open the door, knowing I was up to no good.
As I grew into my teens I had come to appreciate the purpose of these products and by sixteen I developed an anti-aging routine. I started with drug store fare then advanced to department stores. Somewhere along the way I came to realize that the "high-end" products sold in department stores weren't worthy of their high digit expense. This is when I discovered that online shopping networks offered a rather copious supply of every conceivable type of magic potion. Many times these wonder products were sold at a discount and offered a better value than department stores. The reality, however, is that it was the sales pitch that sold me every time. The presenters are extremely adept at marketing these products. In the end I was paying for a grandiose promise.
Education is key
Getting myself in dept is what proved to be a crucial time period. As I sought cheaper alternatives I discovered how much garbage is flooding the majority of products on the market. Naturally the folks behind the products seek to make a profit. The problem, however, is that there is a rather large dichotomy between the price of the product and the actual value of the product. This is because these products are comprised of ingredients that have been proven to be potential health hazards. Why are unsavory elements found in these products? because they are cheap, thus increasing the profit margin. You as a consumer are thus paying a hefty price for an inferior product.
A light at the end of the tunnel
It was when I sought to make my own products that I discovered that there is useful information on the subject to be found online. My endeavor as a chemist failed, but I have come to appreciate the import of self-education. Around that time I started blogging and my mission as a blogger is to educate consumers. Since I'm obsessed with lotions and potions, finding quality beauty products has been a paramount quest of mine.
Because I'm a blogger I've had a copious amount of products sent to me claiming to be 'natural', but were just a little too compromised for my taste. I've also received quite a few products from smaller mom and pop companies that were very basic and truly natural, however, they didn't actually delivery on results.
In over two years of seeking and searching there is only a handful of brands and products that I love and would recommend. This is why I wanted to comprise a list and showcase these brands. What they all offer is quality ingredients with the right blend that makes them effective. Another reason why I wanted to make this list is because these brands are quiet in that they don't have a lot of fanfare or recognition as their quality-deprived counterparts.
The common thread throughout these products is that they are natural and utilize nature by offering natural botanicals the are synergistically blended to provide beautiful results. They're also organic, cruelty free and vegan.
I'm introducing these product in no particular order because I love them all equally. *drumroll*
I discovered Hylunia via a blog promotion. The name is derived from hyaluronic acid which is a powerful humectant. What captivated me is that their quality line of vegan and organic skincare included anti-aging products with supreme anti-aging and age prevention ingredients such as Retinol and Peptides. Hylunia is a perfect marriage of nature and science. hylunia.com
You may already be aware of the internal and external benefits of Sea Buckthorn, but you may not be familiar with SeabuckWonders. They were the first to introduce this phenom resource to the states. They offer a skincare line that is both organic and vegan. These products are simply lovely. They're not the first skincare line I've tried containing Sea Buckthorn, but they are by far the best. They appear to sit quietly in the background while their inferior competitors take center stage. I hope this changes. seabuckwonders.com
VivodermNatural Skincare was one of the skincare lines that I came across that offered truly natural products. So natural in fact, that a good percentage of the ingredients are actually edible. Another example of science meets nature to produce products that are safe and effective. vivoderm.com
How do Moroccan women maintain beautiful skin among harsh arid conditions? the secret is Argan Oil. Eden Allure obtains their argan oil straight from Morocco. Those that work hard to produce this product, no easy task, benefit from their hard work. Eden Allure also retains strict standard for their oil by using a production method that ensures chemicals are left out and nutrients left in the product. The consumer is getting a high quality product at a very competitive price. edenallure.com
Moringa Oleifera is said to be the most nutrient rich plant known. Moringa Source is a highly ethical company that happens to be the largest US manufacturer of this superfood. Strict manufacturing standards results in a premium product. The 100% Pure Moringa Oil is much like argan oil and contains many beautifying benefits and is very affordable. moringasource.com
Based on the principle of Ayurveda, Au Naturel Ayurveda offers purely luxurious quality bath and body products with an added bonus of aromatherapy. Naturally high quality products that offer an extravagance without breaking the budget. aunaturelayurda.com
Annmarie Gianni has such high standards for her line of skincare that she wouldn't even allow the minutest trace amounts of preservatives and additives to touch her products. This is in spite of the fact that there's a lead-way in labeling "natural" and "organic" products. These products truly utilizes the wonders of nature and smell lovely. annmariegianni.com
I love my beauty gadgets. The Professional Skincare System by ToiletTree has replaced my beloved Nutra Sonic. The simple rotating technology feels amazing on my skin and gets the job done. No need to spend a fortune this unit delivers top results at a fraction of the cost. toilettreeproducts.com
That's it! my list was not a large one, but it is complete. My love for beauty products has metamorphosed from novelty to purposeful. The common denominator is that all these products deliver in both quality ingredients and results. These are the brands and products I love and use. I receive more compliments on my skin then ever in my life.
Like a precious gem all of these brands required a lot of digging, but unlike a diamond or a ruby the value of beautiful skin is priceless.
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54 comments:
I'd like to try the Papaya Enzyme Mask
I'd love to try the Vivoderm acne mask.
I love that Annemarie Gianni products are cruelty free!
Gigi
Annemarie Gianni started her skincare line after finding out how severely under regulated beauty products are. She also has a personal training business in Fairfield CT.
bookloon at gmail dot com
I am really looking forward to trying Iderma's Glow Minerals Sheer Tint Base and Glow Minerals Under Eye Concealer.
I Love bath and body products and honestly would love to try them all they all so wonderful it is hard to pick just one that I would want to try. Thank you for a very wonderful giveaway. Happy Holidays!
awesome products!!
twittted this today, 14/11
http://www.twitter.com/myspotme
I have terrible dark circles. I'd live to try the Glow mineral undereye concealer
The facial papaya mask
I would be looking forward to all of them .I have heard a lot about Sea Buckthorn and I am curious about it so will say Natural Skin Care Program
I really like that Annemarie Gianni has cruelty-free products. I am always supportive of product lines that are.
I have highly sensitive and dry skin so I can not wait to try these products!!! I would love to try the Sea Buckthorn products, and the make up !!! awesome give away for whoever gets it!:)
I would like to try the Vivoderm acne mask.
wow all this stuff is amazing! natural products are the best! I really like the ToiletTree professional skin care system!
I like the professional skincare system in pink and its not too expensive and has great reviews.
Kaci Guisinger Harrison
Wow this is really cool.. I would love to win this prize
Would love to try the Moringa Body Butter
I would love to try the oil for hair! Chicago weather kills my hair this time of year :)
Id like the shower mirror at toilettreeproducts.com
Annemarie Gianni products are cruelty free, that is awesome!
I want to try the Sea Buckthorn products
seabuck wonders.im just in love with natural products for the face. ive heard of them but have yet to give them a try.it would be nice.
the Vivoderm acne mask
The Moringa Body Butter is what I like, had no idea they have made it until now! I'm already a proud owner of the Moringa Oil, use it in skincare products that I make! <3
I would love them all but the SeaBuck Wonders sure does sound awesome!
How could you not like these wonderful products? What excitement to win these products at this time of the year!!!!!!! drmrs 11/30/2012
I would love to try the L’uvalla Balancing Day/Night Cream.
I'm excited to try the Professional Skincare System by ToiletTree
I'm excited to try the Professional Skincare System by ToiletTree. I did not see my post. NOT trying to double enter post.
The Herbal Facial Oil for Normal and Combination Skin from Annmarie Ginanni skin care looks fantastic! I like that it can help balance out your complexion!
vivoderm anti aging mask
great giveaway! hoping i win
amazing giveaway! hope i win
I would love to try the papaya facial mask
I am looking forward to trying the Iderma products if I am lucky enough to win.
I'm looking forward to trying the Toilet Tree Professional Skin Care System. In addition to your accolades, it got really high reviews on Amazon.com.
The Moringa Body Butter is what I'd like to try first...
Great giveaway love them all
Any of the sea buckthorn products I have used it before and it is awesome.
I would love to try them all but I could really use the Glow Minerals under eye concealer
I would be most excited for the professional skincare system!
[email protected]
I would like to try the Hylunia anti-aging products because I think they would be kind to my sensitive skin. But ALL of these products would be a joy to win and try.
This is such an amazing giveaway that its hard to pick what is my fave buy the Under Eye Dark Circle Serum and Seaweed Soap.
I'm looking forward to nearly all the stuff from Reviva ... :) The Organic Cleansing Milk, Under Eye Dark Circle Serum and Seaweed Soap! All of those sound great! But everything else sounds so great too ... sigh!
I love that Annemarie Gianni products don't harm animals
the au naturel products are looking mighty fine too
I am most excited about trying the Vivoderm Natural Skincare Anti-Aging Mask.
I like the sea buckthorn products
I would like to try the Age-Defying System
Normal/Dry/Mature
email/ [email protected]
fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski
seaweed soap and pretty much everything natural
amazing giveaway. tiny chance of winning. oh sure why not?!
<3
Cassie
[email protected]
dailydirtydiaper.blogspot.com
I am looking forward to trying the SHREE Jasmine Bodycleanser. [email protected]
I love to try new beauty products! I was the same way when I was younger, I would carry around my mom's old makeup and beauty products.
Annmarie has some wonderful products. I have never heard of some of these other companies though but you better believe i am going to go over and check out their sites to see what I can find. Thank you for sharing.
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