What I've Learned From My Beauty Obsession

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*

The conception of L'uvalla was the result of "outrage" in regard to lack of regulation in the skincare industry.  The words "organic" and "natural" tend to be deceptive on labels.  L'uvalla products are truly organic, vegan, green and Bio certified and 100% natural.  Their high standards have resulted in quality products that deliver on results. luvalla.com

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

Reviva Labs has been a permanent fixture in health foods stores throughout the US for quite some time. The Organic Cleansing Milk from Reviva Labs is fantabulous.  Actually there isn't a better quality cleanser at that price on the market anywhere!  All their cleansers are concentrated, so don't let the small size fool ya, they last like forever. I also love their bar soaps and specialty products.  revivalabs.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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