review: 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream

I recently bought this body cream or lotion or moisturizer from 100% Pure upon the recommendation of one of the organic/non toxic blogs that I have been reading. I am always in the look out for great non toxic beauty products, don't ask why, and I am willing to try anything as long as my budget permits.

image: 100% Pure Canada

But first let me share what other products I have tried before this.

We have been using Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (J is loyal to this) for the longest time and it's working just fine with me. It scored 5 in Skin Deep, with a 10 on PropylParaben, 8 on Fragrance, and 7 on DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser).

image: Jergens Canada

I also have the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (score: 4, with a 5 for Benzyl Alcohol and 4 for Petrolatum) but I am finding it really hard to apply.

image: Cetaphil Canada

As I have said I have tried Body Shop's Body Butter but I only liked the Almond. Last time I checked, Almond is not being offered anymore (But I checked today and it's back on stock!!!!), I have tried the Shea, Mango and Honey Mania. And half jar of the latter is still sitting on my dresser for about a year now. They all scored 6, because of the paraben ingredients and fragrances.

image: The Body Shop Canada

The Curel Moisture Lotion Daily Moisture Lotion for Dry Skin, Original (scored 4 because of paraben, fragrance and petrolatum) works fine with my skin too.

image: Curel Canada

I have tried Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Creme but I didn't like the smell and how it felt on my skin. I think I have only used it twice. I can't seem to find it in the Skin Deep database, though.

image: Burt's Bees Canada

I still have my first travel tube of L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream in my bag (scored 7: paraben, alcohol, fragrance).

image: L'Occitane Canada

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion I have on my desk works wonder on my hands. I have been using for about a year now at the office and I am liking it. I will be buying a bigger size and will try it as a whole body lotion. It scored 2 overall on EWG with a 5 on Benzyl Alcohol as the ingredient with highest concern.

image: Aveeno Canada

Back to 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. It scored 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database so it is safe and natural. I have been using it daily for about 3 weeks now. I chose the almond because I really loved the soft scent of Body Shop's Almond Body Butter. And 100% Pure's almost smells the same way. The consistency is thick and I really have high hopes for this product.

It came in easy to squeeze container and is also easy to apply. I must say it really moisturizes my skin. But sadly, only for a few minutes. Maybe it is my skin, maybe it's the pregnancy hormone making my skin really, really dry, maybe it's the weather here in Canada. But I don't think this is the right body moisturizer for me. My skin feels okay after applying it but immediately feels parched after just a few minutes of applying. As if I haven't applied any at all. It's not even winter yet, we are still above the normal fall temperature so I guess I shall stop using this for now and use it again come summer. Hopefully I can write a more favorable review when that time comes.

review: 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon

I am a lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, lip shimmer, lip-whatever-kind-of person. I have tubes of those products that I have only used once or twice. Why do I keep buying? Because.

I don't usually wear make up and the eye brows and lips are the only parts of my face that I can confidently put products on, on a daily basis. If I have something on them, I already feel made up.

And we all know that lip products are either a hit or miss. You have to buy it and try it to truly determine if it's going to work for you (unless you're comfortable on trying the testers at the store). Amongst all those that I have tried, these are the memorable ones:

DuWop Lip Venom (ca 2000):

image: DuWop

The Body Shop's Lipstick (only using it for occasions wherein I have to appear to be truly made up), I forgot the exact shade but it's reallyyy RED:

image: The Body Shop

Skin Food Tomato Jelly Lip Tint (just found out that they are still available up until now!):

image: The Skin Food

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.

image: Kiehl's

All of which I can't seem to find in Skin Deep database. 

And the latest that I have been using for about a year now is the Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Spicy Honey and Black Honey.

image: Clinique

I have also bought Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry but as usual, didn't work out fine.

image: Clinique

Clinique's Almost Lipstick works fine with me, specially the Spicy Honey. Although Black Honey has a lot of rave reviews, I find it too dark for me for everyday use. But I see it is a good Fall/Autumn shade. 

And since, I have been reading about organic/non toxic products, I decided to try 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon,

image: 100% Pure

I ordered it together with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. And came with sample products in sachets: shampoo and 2 other nourishing cream of which I gave to somebody else to try on to. 

I first used it when I attended a wedding. The color is rich and the feel is creamy and non-drying. However, the stain didn't last long and and it clumped on my lips. Again, maybe it's just my lips or pregnancy hormones. Our body chemistry reacts distinctively with each product. It doesn't mean that we'll have the same results so you have to try it yourself to see how it's going to work for you. Given, it didn't deliver the way I have expected it. But I still think it's a keeper and I plan to use it in replacement of the Body Shop Lipstick. I find the shade too festive for everyday use so I will use it on need-to-be-fully-made-up-occasions. I don't want to buy a tamer shade for everyday use because the price is a bit too expensive for me at C$22. 

I have bought 2 lip balm from Burt's Bees last week and I have been using it alternately for days now. I will write a review too after a couple more weeks but I am loving it, I want to buy another shade. At $8 a piece, not bad.

baby stuff: bathing and skin care

You know, sometimes, I get tired of looking into baby stuff? Spending time researching the best products to use, reading all about it, comparing products, debating with myself how far should go ... ? It's exhausting. Though, it's a good thing to know about these and that there are LOTS of sources to be familiar with these health stuff,  I know I can't be a full blast dedicated organic earth friendly person. And I am okay with that. I'll just have to do with what I can do.

One of the baby stuff that recently dived into is the area of skin care. They say the skin is the largest organ so we should be very cautious on what we put on our skin. Well, I think I have been for quite some time. But not really what you call "strictly" into it. I buy products that I believe is less toxic than the others. But I haven't reached the point of researching each ingredient in it or calling the company/manufacturer to really inquire about their ingredients/sources.

There are lots of option for toxic free and baby safe skin care (even for adults), one just have to google. My work friend is teasing me the other day, why don't I just use the regular store bought baby products. Anyway, I won't be able to sustain to keep on using those toxic free products on the baby. I jokingly told her,  I will use the regular products on to the new baby maybe after a year. Maybe by then his young body can handle the toxins. She told me, why not introduce it right away so he can adjust easily? I just smiled.

There are websites that I found credible and those are ones that I constantly consult with, they are in my Useful Links page. I read about their recommendations and ratings. And I would like to believe that they know what they are talking about.

After all that reading and deciding which products to use, the next hurdle is to see if those are available in Canada.

You see, my poor assumption before, is that, Canada and US are like sister countries. And since (almost) everything is available in US, I assume that it is also readily available in Canada. Right? Well, no. Some companies do not have a Canadian store and do not ship products in Canada. But as they say, seek and you shall find. I found Canadian retailers that offer those products that I would like to try. I just compare prices and shipping fees to see which is cheaper.

And below are those products. I got all of them from Well.ca. I got the photos of the products from their respective websites. You can click on the photo and it will redirect you their specific website, if you want more information.

Shampoo and Body Wash

Baby Lotion 

Diaper Cream

Sunscsreen

(will be used on Kid #1, too) 

I also bought sample/travel size of these ones. So that I can see and try why they have good recommendations too. 

Shampoo and Body Wash 

Body Cream

Natural Soap

I am hoping I can do my own review on these products. I have tried "organic" products before (remember, A'kin?), And if I remember it right, they are not really like the regular products that I am accustomed of using. Like they are not that bubbly or soapy as I expected it to be. So, we'll see. But don't expect my reviews to be "scientific". My review will surely be superficial and just in comparison with the regular store products, you know. 

i'm lovin' right now ...

... my A'kin mandarin orange shampoo and A'kin macadamia & wheat conditioner.


oh how i really love them for making me feel beautiful ...


they are earth friendly because they are organic. pure. chemical-free. 100% from botanical & gmo-free plants. contains no animal ingredients.


Ayos.


They are also safe for babies & children.


courtesy of mi esposo. thank you, daddy. Ü


to know more why i'm lovin' it, please visit http://www.purist.com/

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