Tropical Beach

Feel like your on a Tropical Beach

Smell Good All Day Long

Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Moisturizer, Coconut, 8-Ounce (See all Body Lotions)

Want to smell like you’ve been on a tropical beach sipping coconut juice?? Ahhhh, that would be the life…

According to My Beauty Match Insiders, Mountain Ocean Skin Trip (Coconut) ultra lightweight moisturizer soothes dry skin while leaving the most delicious fragrance of coconut.

Skin Trip is made in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera are two of the main ingredients that make this lotion so appealing!

Quick Tips:

• Use after shower, after sun or after swim
• Can be used instead of a perfume
• Family owed since 1971

Buy/More Info (See all Body Lotions)

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There are a lot of great new clean and organic lines that I’ve tried and that I’ve liked a lot, but I would never give up on Jurlique and I would surely never pass the opportunity to talk about any new discoveries I’ve made.

Before I go further, no, Jurlique is not a recession-proof line. This will be considerably more expensive than the lines you buy at the drugstore. If these are difficult financial times for you, this might not be the right line for you for right now. That said, it’s good to have this information on hand because regardless of your current financial situation, things will get better.

Jurlique products are more expensive because their ingredients are organic and they were grown using sustainable farming practices that help protect and maintain balance in the ecosystem.

Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty serum is my latest find and I really like it!

The first thing I noticed about this serum was that it was a bit thicker than other serums. I also noticed that when I apply it to my skin it absorbs immediately.

I’ve been using this lightweight serum in the morning because I’ve not been applying much on my skin at night and some morning, I feel my skin is a bit dry.

By applying the Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty serum before my moisturizer, I add an extra layer of moisture to my skin. The serum is light and won’t clog your pores. Since I have combination skin, I cannot use heavy creams in the winter and the only way I can keep my skin from falling off is by using a serum when my skin feels extra dry. This trick avoids acne breakouts and still protects my skin.

One thing that you notice quickly with the Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty serum is how it brightens and evens out the texture of the skin. I also found out that this serum helps fade discolouration!!!

Did I like this product? Yes, I did like it quite a lot.

Would I buy it again? I’ve been a client of Jurlique for almost a decade now and I intend to continue being a client for a long time.

The Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty serum retails for $75 USA/ $82 CAD for the 1.0 oz/30 ml bottle.

OVERALL REVIEW:

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For 24 hours you’ll be able to get all Kiss my Face products at a 50% discount when you buy them on their web site. If you’re interested in any Kiss my Face products, you’ll want to take advantage of this offer quickly because it ends on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 at 12 pm EST!

You’ll only need to go to: Kiss my Face and use promo code KMF50 (you’ll see it below)!

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Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel is milder alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) treatment formula that can be used every day.

It’s a potent enzyme peel made with organic apple, lemon and grape juices, willowbark and raw sugarcane. You’ll end up with a glowing skin minus the dullness and the antioxidants will incredibly nourish your complexion.

If you don’t have sensitive skin, then you’ll easily be able to use Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength that contains the same great ingredients, but that was created for people who don’t suffer from sensitivities. The Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength is a powerful weekly hydroxy-acid complex treatment that you’ll only need to use one per week for glorious skin … and it’s all organic!

The product retails for $39 USD/$45 CDN and it can be used by pretty much any skin type.

You should visit
Juice Beauty‘s

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Most of the skincare lines are pretty much in line now in terms of pricing and that’s why it was exciting to find Juice Beauty.

This super-affordable organic skincare line has been featured in many fashion magazines lately because the prices are unbeatable and you are guaranteed that the products don’t contain any pesticides, parabens, petroleum propylene glycol derivatives, no harsh surfactants or sulphates, no artificial colours, phthalates or synthetic fragrances.

One of their best-selling products is the Green Apple Antioxidant Serum. This serum is packaged with a age-defying cocktail of alpha lipoic acid, co-enzyme Q10, and vitamin antioxidants blended with a powerful hydroxy-acid complex of certified organic apple, lemon and raw cane sugar will help rejuvenate your skin and smooth fine lines. You’ll also notice that your skin will be firmer, more radiant and your skin tone will even out.

The product retails for $45 USD/$49 CDN and it can be used by pretty much any skin type.

Oh, before I forget, for those guys who are concerned with the list of ingredients in their skincare, Juice Beauty also has an organic line for men!

The easiest way for you to get your hands on Juice Beauty is to head to Sephora stores or visit the Web site at Sephora.com.

We’ve created a section devoted to organic skincare products. You’ll want to consult Anti-Aging Organic Skincare

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Jurlique has recently undergone a complete facelift of their packaging and they’ve also introduced a few new products to the line. Don’t worry, the quality has not changed, the entire line is still paraben-free, organic and biodynamic. A little packaging-rejuvenation has done nothing to alter the company’s commitment to consciously-chosen ingredients and resources.

I’ve been a longtime user of their Herbal Recovery Eye Gel, but I’ve just discovered that Jurlique has launched a new Biodynamic Beauty Eye Cream.

The eye cream is an intensive, highly hydrating cream to help fade dark circles and diminish dark circles and is a great alternative for those looking for a more affordable product.

Some of the ingredients used in the formulation are quite remarkable: euphrasia (aka eyebright), cucumber, arnica, algae extract, beech tree and hibiscus.

This is the very reasonable price point for anyone looking to try Jurlique products – $45 USD / $50 CAD (the Herbal Recovery Eye Gel costs $121 USD/ $156 CAD).

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I still remember when I first started using organic skincare, there were very few lines and most of them didn’t even bother including a range of anti-aging skincare products. Things have come a long way in the world of organic skincare and it’s partially thanks to pioneer companies such as Dr. Hauschka Skin Care and Jurlique Skin Care.

Today, we can thank the Brits for producing more organic skincare than any other country. If you’ve been reading my posts lately you’ll notice that August is looking like “organic” and “clean” skincare month.

I’m about to add to the already long list of organic skincare products I’ve reviewed from England!

Yuvalla, named after founders Yuval and Alla is the newest French organic skincare line to make it to North America. The line is a nice mix of “east” meets “west”. The entire line is based on the philosophy of the founders: promote balance in our everyday lives by respecting the earth.

Here’s a list of ingredients you won’t find in any Yuvalla products:

* No preservatives

* No colouring agents

* No synthetic preservatices

* No parabens

* No synthetic fragrances

* No genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

* No DEAs

* No sodium laurel or lauren sulphate

I tried Uvalla’s “Age Balancing System” (Yuvalla’s brands), which is a three-step system to hydrate, balance, nourish and protect oily-to-combination skin. This is ideal for anyone who wants a complete skincare line that is easy and simple to use. All the work has been done for you via this system. The “Age Balancing System” contains a cleanser, a moisturizer for combination skin and a toner. If you have dry or mature skin you might want to opt for the Uvalla “Age-Defying System”, which is a richer formula.

I also tried the oil-free and chemical-free SPF 20 sunscreen and the Yuvalla Anti-Wrinkle Eye and Lip Cream. The cream works wonders to relieve puffy eyes … especially on those nights when I worked too late.

When it comes to pricing, the Uvalla skincare line is very well priced for an organic line.

I quite like Uvalla’s products because they are perfect for my sensitive skin. I love the floral scents as well as the company’s philosophy!

Another thing you’ll quickly notice about Uvalalla is they are eager to teach their clients and make them more aware. The company uses their web site to accomplish this task. If you visit the Yuvalla web site, you’ll notice a tab on the left-hand side that says “meditation room”. You can click on that link to experience a one-minute, five-minute or 10-minute meditation session accompanied by soul nourishing mediation music. You also get to “choose” your meditation location. You can either transport yourself to “the beach”, “the garden”, “the sky” or “a sunset beach” for your meditation sessions. This is such an incredible little extra feature.

Uvalla is not yet available in Canada, but you can find the line in the U.S. You can also buy the entire line via Uvalla’s web site. American readers can also buy the line via Yuvalla’s web site or contact them directly to find the closest retail store near you. They also have a sister site that you can visit: L’Uvalla Certified Organic.

Photo of white flowers by Josef Stuefer

Nude is another line that I’ve been trying lately and I quite like it because it’s ideal for my sensitive skin.

Nude is part of the strong new trend we see coming from the U.K. If you’ve noticed lately, I’ve been featuring a lot of brands from the U.K. The Brits are taking up organic skincare with a vengeance and Nude Skincare is testament of the strength of this movement.

Nude Skincare is organic and very eco-conscious.

They’ve taken earth friendly to another level by creating containers that are biodegrabable, made from recycled material and fully recyclable (of course). Not only are these containers fully recyclable, but they are lighter than a lot of other products on the market, therefore demanding less transit emissions during the shipping process.

As if all of this is not impressive enough, the company produces its skincare using green energy and water-soluble and non-toxic inks.

With all this earth friendly consciousness, you simply need to toss it in the recycling bin once you’re finished with your Nude Skincare and you don’t have to lay up at night worrying about your carbon footprint.

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Nude Skincare — like a number of the newer organic skincare lines such as Lavera, Juice Beauty and Jurlique — understand that their clients want more than products that are devoid of chemicals. Their clients want “anti-aging” products that are devoid of chemicals. Nude Skincare’s Advanced Smoothing Complex is one of the company’s best sellers.

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to Nude Skincare, you might want to start with their basic skincare products:

1) Nude Skincare Cleansing Facial Oil ($52USD) or Cleansing Facial Wash ($34): If you have combination skin, you might want to stick to the Cleansing Facial Wash.

2) Hydrating Water or Clarifying Water ($34): I would recommend the Clarifying Water for combination skin. This is a fantastic product to use after the cleanser to help calm the skin. You can also carry it with you during the day to refresh your skin during the day.

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4) Advanced Smoothing Complex ($90): Hyaluronic Acid is such a MUST to aging well and I’m quite partial to any product that contains this fountain of youth. This serum also contains vitamin A-rich buriti (fruit from Brazil), vitamin C-rich acerola (aka Barbados cherry or wild crapemyrtle), vitamin E-rich lingonberry fruit and CoQ10 to help reduce the signs of aging.

I also should point out that I also tried Nude Skincare Hibiscus Monoi oil (hibiscus-infused pure coconut oil … need I say more?) and I cannot tell you how incredible this product is. Not only is it incredibly hydrating for the skin, but it smells divine (like every other product in the line).

Alas, the product is not yet available in Canada (not even Whole Foods Market), but there are a lot of stores that carry the organic line in the U.S. You can find the complete list of U.S. stores for Nude Skincare.

You can also purchase Nude Skincare at Sephora.com!

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That is such a powerful statement for a company to make! It speaks volumes about their mission statement and corporate values.

There is no doubt that we are all more conscious today about what how our lifestyle habits have affected the earth and because of this strong “green movement”, a lot more of you are more aware of the type of skincare you buy and the ingredients that are used in those products.

Origins Skincare has been in the skincare business since 1990. From the very beginning the company has made a conscious effort to choose ingredients that are good for the planet.

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Instead of the usually preservatives, you’ll find non-irritating ingredients such as organic soy, organic essential oils, organic lavender and organic sunflower oil. You won’t find any artificial preservatives or any unnecessary additives to the line. You’ll find a full range of products that also include hair care and body care products …. ALL organic!

The organic line has taken Paris by storm and French women are lining up to replace their current skincare lines with this greener alternative!

You’ll find Origins Organics skincare in a many stores in the U.S. and in Canada. Your best bet to finding the store closest to you is to consult their
store locator or submit a request via their customer support page. You can also simply purchase the products directly on Origins Web site, you’ll receive free standard shipping for any order over $75!

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Sophyto is the newest organic skincare line to cross the Atlantic and land on our shores.

Since I already highlighted the importance of reading labels, I thought I’d highlight the fact that Sophyto Organic products are certified by the U.K. Soil Association. In fact, the Sophyto line is created from exceptional high levels of certified organic ingredients, which average 95 per cent+!

It took a whopping eight years of advanced research in green science principles to create this new organic line of preventative skincare.

This organic line is referred by some of the top cosmetic doctors.  Dr. Frank Lipman, who counts Donna Karan, Dave Letterman and Kevin Bacon’s wife and some of the staff members of O Magazine as part of his list of clients, explains clearly the reason that motivated him to co-created such line of skincare: “Cosmetics are a major source of toxicity as our skin is an extremely permeable membrane and we leave products on for long periods. Unfortunately most consumers are unaware of the dangers of skin products and neglect using healthier ones.”

I will certainly be reviewing the products once I try them, but from where I sit, what I like the most about Sophyto Skincare is its simplicity. The line is uncomplicated. You basically have to choose a cleanser, moisturizer and a night time serum. That’s pretty much it. You can choose to indulge in their refining active peel mask or their purifying active mask, but I just listed the three main products that you’ll most likely be using daily.

For now Sophyto Skincare products are not yet available in Canada, but you can order them from the U.S. via the American Web site. American readers will also be able to order the products via the Web site, but more and more spas and beauty shops are starting to carry the line. You might want to check with Sophyto’s customer care department.

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The interesting thing with Liz Earle who is the brain behind Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is the fact that this former British successful health and beauty editor, beauty journalist and TV broadcaster is the author of 30 beauty books! Liz has a lot of experience in the world of botanical ingredients, natural health and well being and she’s been able to put that expertise into play in her skincare line.

In 1995, Liz Earle and her friend Kim Buckland (a former beauty industry marketing expert) turned their friendship and their passion for organic beauty into a burgeoning beauty empire.

Liz Earle products are not organic products, but all of the products in the line have been harvested from the potent powers of the finest quality ingredients. The ingredients are never synthetic and they don’t contain any of the usual suspects: chemicals, mineral oils, genetically engineered ingredients or parabens.

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare has a full range of skincare products that include your basic cleansing products, moisturizers, anti-aging skincare products, body products, sun care products and a line for men.

If you are heading to London anytime soon, you’ll easily be able to get your hands on Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare … they now have a boutique in the heart of London. In North America, you’ll want to check QVC’s Web site or Liz Earle’s U.S. site.

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A staggering 200 brands were launched in the U.K. last year! And a number of those brands are now available in the U.S. and in Canada.

This should be great news that so many companies are choosing to use better quality ingredients in their products, right? That would be the idea if all of the products launched under the “organic” label were in fact organic.

Yup, it seems that since there is no legal definition of what “organic” really means, the only way to know that you are actually buying organic products is to read the label.

“Real” organic products have a seal of approval. It means that you’ll need to be on the lookout for the “organic certification” from recognized regulating bodies. In Europe you’ll find organizations such as the “Soil Association“, “Farmers Association”, “EcoCert” or “BDH”.

In North America, we’ll soon be able to rely on OASIS (the first U.S. industry standard that will have the task of certifying organic beauty products).

There are a lot of companies who understand that organic products have become very important for a number of consumers and they won’t hesitate to use the word “organic” as part of their marketing message … even when the ingredients are not organic or when they’re not ALL organic.

Organic products are great if you are concerned with what goes into your skincare products, but don’t forget to look at natural lines such as REN skincare, Liz Earle and NUDE skincare, which are not organic, but they clearly state that they don’t use parabens and other ingredients that aren’t all that good for your body. Canadian readers, you’ll be able to easily find REN skincare in Canada. Canadians wanting to buy Liz Earle and NUDE skincare will have to order the products online.

I had always made the assumption that organic products were “greener” products for the planet, but it seems that I was wrong. It seems that unless a product is sustainable and can account for its carbon footprint, then it might not make much of a difference … especially if your “organic” product is not packaged in a recyclable container.

Photo by David Sifry

I’ve bought several thousand dollars worth of eye creams and eye gels since I was 17 and I still get excited when I find new products that are worth sharing with my readers.

I know that Paula Begoun disagrees with me and I did document my discontentment of her claims that eye creams are a waste of money in a recent post: I don’t agree with Paula Begoun, author of “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.”

That said, she is right when she says that you shouldn’t put on your face anything that you could not put around your eyes, but the truth of the matter is that the skin around your eyes is far more delicate than the skin on your face.

Most of us will see the first signs of aging around our eyes. I’m a true believer in eye creams and eye gels and there is nothing that Paula Begoun says that would change my mind.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to have discovered Eminence’s ‘Bright Eyes Purely Organic Eye Quattro Collection’.

Don’t let the long name scare you. The Bright Eye Quattro is a collection of four essential products for the eyes. Think about this as a little home-spa treatment for your eyes.

Now, if you choose to only use the eye gel or the eye cream, you will still get results, but you won’t get the full benefits of using all four products in the line.

The full line contains the following age fighting products: Naseberry Eye Exfoliant, Raspberry Eye Masque, Cucumber Eye Gel and the Wild Plum Eye Cream.

You see, the Bright Eyes Quattro was designed to target all the signs of eye aging: dark circles, puffiness and fatigue. The products are a base of refreshing fruit juices, vegetables and herbs.

Just like all Eminence products, the Bright Eyes Quattro is handmade weekly (in Hungary since 1958) in small batches using “ethically grown” ingredients rich in bioflavonoids, phyto-estrogens, vitamins and minerals. If chemical additives are one of your big no-nos, you’ll cheer when you find out that Eminence products don’t contain any parabens or sodium lauryl sulphates.

I’ve featured Jurlique Eye Gel as one of my favourite all time favourite eye gels. Well, I have to say that after trying the Bright Eyes Quattro, I think that the Eminence Wild Plum Eye Cream is fantastic and perhaps another one to be added to my list of all time favourites. Every time I use it, I wake up looking rested and fresh … even when I wasn’t able to get my full seven-and-a-half hours of sleep.

You’ll find Eminence’s Bright Eyes Purely Organic Eye Quattro Collection at most spas in the U.S. and in Canada. You won’t find this line at retail shops …which might explain why this power eye aging fighting quattro was voted “Best of the Best Spa Products” by Skin Inc.

Now, I’m not going to lie, the Bright Eyes Purely Organic Eye Quattro Collection is not inexpensive because using organic products is more expensive to produce and manufacture than using synthetic ingredients. The entire line will cost you at least $250 because each product sells for about $60. That said, if you could only choose one product out of the entire line, my first choice would certainly be the Eminence Wild Plum Eye Cream, followed by the Cucumber Eye Gel. Both of these Eminence products contain amazing nourishing oils, essential oils and antioxidants.

The easiest way to get your hands on these organic products from Hungary is to contact their customer support line: 1-888-747-6342. This is the best way to locate the nearest spa that sells Eminence organic products.

Not long ago, I was able to conciliate my love for Jurlique products with one of my favourite down-time activities: a facial!

Pure + Simple Spa offers a Jurlique Deep Pore Rejuvenation Facial … using all Jurlique products!

We’ve had the great pleasure of interviewing Kristen Ma, co-owner of Pure + Simple a number of times and not long ago she was responsible for making my skin glow thanks to their signature sea salt microdermabrasion and she did an equally stellar job with this Jurlique facial.

If you have concerns about the types of ingredients that are used in your skincare, if you have sensitive skin or if you also love Jurlique products, you’ll want to indulge in this facial.

Before going any further, I have to admit that a number a readers will have to do some leg work to find a spa that offers Jurlique facials, since I got mine at one of Pure + Simple Spa’s three Toronto locations. That said, if you find it challenging to locate the Jurlique facial, rest assured that many spas now offer organic or natural facials using skincare lines that contain little or no harmful chemicals.

At its core, the Jurlique facial offered by Pure + Simple Spa is really like any other facial: cleansing, extraction, massage, a relaxing hydrating mask, the post-facial massage and moisturizer. The main difference is that Kristen from Pure + Simple used all Jurlique products. The advantage to me is knowing that I won’t react to any of the ingredients used during my facial because my sensitive skin has no problems with Jurlique products.

Another big advantage for me is the natural scent of Jurlique products. I also have a fairly serious allergy to artificial scents and the wrong one will give me an instantaneous headache. Because Jurlique only uses natural ingredients I can indulge freely in their amazing aromas.

Jurlique has products that cater to different skin types … that’s why Kristen was able to use Jurlique products that were suited to my skin type and concerns.

Here’s the link to find the addresses to all three ‘Pure + Simple Spas’!

You’ll find more details on the Jurlique facial mask here: Jurilique Deep Pore Rejuvenation Facial

Photo by BingBing