Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Ursa Major is "Super Natural Skin Care"

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday weekend. I know I did. I was so busy having fun in the summery sun that I barely checked in on Instagram. However, it was the perfect time to take these Ursa Major skincare products for a test drive.

As you can see, I got this convenient unisex skin care from Petal & Post, which only sells products that are free from sodium laurel sulfate, sulfates, parabens, propylene or butylene glycols, petroleum, PEGS, TEA, DEA, phthalates, GMO, silicones, pesticides, BPA, lead, artificial dyes, harmful synthetic fragrances or animal by-products. In other words, you can be assured that brands purchased from this site are safe to use, like Ursa Major (and the Vitruvi oil I posted about a while back).

According to Ursa Major, the line was "created to provide a healthy and highly effective skin care solution that's also a real pleasure to use. Our advanced formulations artfully blend nature's most effective ingredients to provide exceptional performance and a truly sublime experience; that's why we call them 'super natural.' The result is clear, comfortable skin - and a kick in your step - so you can get out there and Live Major."

This line really buys you some time when it comes to getting ready for the day and washing the day off your face at night. The Ursa Major 4 in 1 Essential Face Tonic is easy to splash on your face in the morning to refresh your skin and prep it for moisturizer. It cleanses, exfoliates, soothes and hydrates with aloe, bamboo and lemon. It's very liquidity, so be prepared for that when it pours quickly out of the bottle. I love how it acts as both my cleanser and toner, getting my skin cleansed and balanced at the same time. I could see a bunch of men using this without moisturizer in a rush out the door (the soft herbal scent is neither too masculine or feminine), but it also works for women like me (I still prefer to follow this with a moisturizer).


In the evening, this face tonic also does a good job of removing my makeup, especially when used with a cotton round. These Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes, which are basically more convenient versions of the face tonic, also do the trick without irritating my eyes. They're nice for sprucing up on the go, whether it be on a hike, at the gym, beach, work, etc.


I like to follow this face tonic with the Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm with Aloe, Carrot, Kendi and Myrtle to calm, hydrate, nourish and protect my skin without clogging my pores or looking too shiny. Based on the name, I was expecting a balm in a convenient stick, but this is actually a light, fast-absorbing lotion that comes in a pump. It's soothing after a long day in the sun. It also keeps my skin soft and smooth, firm and toned, and overall younger looking. I'm totally impressed with the results I get in just two steps (the face tonic, followed by the face balm, which also worked well as my eye cream).


Lastly, I tried the Ursa Major Stellar Shave Cream, which is mainly marketed for men and their facial hair. However, I had success shaving my legs, bikini line and underarms with it. This cream is rich and non-lathering (although you'll still want to apply it to wet skin and rinse it away when you're done shaving). Be careful not to use too much, as it could clog your razor blades. When used sparingly, you can get a really close shave without any bumps. It's perfect for bikini season.

Are you ready for summer? What are your favorite summer beauty brands? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).


* Petal & Post sent me these Ursa Major products
for review. All opinions are my own :)

* This post contains affiliate links.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

"Forever Young" with OrgaMor pure argan

Since I've been on Instagram, I've made a lot of new friends and discovered various products that are new to me. For example, today's post is about this OrgaMor Forever Young Serum and Argan Oil Intensive Hair Care System that Erin (@fireflyfieldsliving) introduced me to recently.

First of all, you can't help but smile when you look at the packaging, especially when you have a 6-year-old fashionista with a good sense of humor in the house (she keeps me "forever young"). She couldn't resist popping the tassel-topped cap off and putting it on her doll's head like a hat. Seriously, it really was cute.

But enough with the silliness, this is some seriously good stuff. OrgaMor's main ingredient in it's skin and hair care is pure argan oil, harvested by Berber women in the small village of Golden Tree, home of the renowned Orgamor argan tree orchards. For generations, these women have carefully hand-selected choice mature fruit from these trees, which they dry in the Moroccan sun and gently extract the argan kernel by hand. Then, a low-temperature pressing process ensures the resulting argan oil is rich, pure and luxurious.

This argan oil is combined with other high-quality ingredients to create OrgaMor's line of natural beauty products. Obviously, I was immediately drawn to the OrgaMor Argan Oil Intensive Hair Care System. In addition to the argan oil, it contains prickly pear seed oil, sesame oil, black seed oil, ylang ylang essential oil, lavender essential oil and Atlas cedar essential oil. Together, these oils help add moisture back into your hair and protect it from damaging pollutants, hair dyes and heat tools.

My thin brittle hair is always thirsty for a good hair treatment, and this one is helping it heal from my heat-styled beach waves (I don't wear my hair like that very often, as my strands tend to pay the price for it over time). I prefer to put it in my hair overnight and wash it out in the morning, as it can be a bit heavy for my hair type. If I do use it during the day, I tend to put the tiniest amount on the ends only. It gives my hair shine, controls flyaways and reduces frizz (this humidity is definitely causing some frizz action in my wavy hair lately).

This hair oil does have an interesting smell right out of the bottle, although I don't seem to notice after a few minutes on my hair. I must be smelling the pure ingredients, without any added fragrances. The sesame is a bit of a standout, so it has made me hungry. LOL :)

The Forever Young Serum has a similar scent, as it also contains sesame oil. I also notice the hint of oregano oil in it, which is known for its natural healing properties. The other ingredients include argan oil, prickly pear seed oil and neroli oil. This balance of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids moisturizes and plumps the skin, leaving it with a youthful glow.

I like to apply it to my face and neck at night only, mainly because the bottle advises staying out of the sun while wearing this to avoid skin scorch. I massage it into my skin, focusing on any problem areas. Just be careful not to get it to close to your eyes. Although I only use it at night, my skin still appears "forever young" in the morning (or at least a little younger than my actual age). It really softens my fine lines.

I have to say a big thank you to Erin for the recommendation and OrgaMor for sending me these luxurious oils :)

Do you use products containing pure argan oil? Let me know your thoughts and favorites on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

* OrgaMor sent me these products for review. All opinions are my own :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Pearlesque Box is "Cool for the Summer"

I recently watched the Billboard Music Awards, which is why I have that Demi Lovato song ("Cool for the Summer") stuck in my head. It also sums up the contents of June's Pearlesque Box.

Inside this beautiful turquoise natural beauty subscription box you'll find "Your Summer Essentials from Rhode Island," specially from Farmaesthectics "Fine Herbal Skincare from the Farm." It's a natural luxury skincare line founded by Brenda Brock, the daughter of a 7th generation farming family from Texas. "She made her handmade herbal skincare preparations available to her customers in the summer of 1999 at an organic farmstand in rural Rhode Island. Today, her full line of 100% natural luxury skincare products are offered in the finest spas and retailers in the world ... With an enduring commitment to 'Sustainable Beauty,' all Farmaesthetics skincare products are 100% natural, utilizing time-honored recipes for skin health, and certified organic herbs, flowers, oils and grains from American family farms," according to the information on the card in the box.

The first item that grabbed my attention is this Farmaesthetic Herbal Hydration Complex Remedy Reserve Mask, as you know I love a good facial. "An Earth Day Beauty Award Winner for 'Best 5-Minute Complexion Makeover,' this Herbal Hydration Complex is an advanced, preventative, high level treatment mask to restore, support and maintain proper moisture levels, while eliminating excess oil and boosting skin's defense mechanisms against environmental damage," as stated on the info card. "Use when skin is inflamed, irritated or imbalanced, or simply to treat skin to a calming, beautifying natural reprieve, while bathing tissue in herbal moisture."

I happened to go with the latter, and used it to treat my skin (meaning as a treat, rather than to heal it; although, I bet it would be amazing on a sunburn). Anyway, it's packed with soothing aloe, oatmeal and shea butter, which is a delight when applied to the skin. It has a natural cooling effect, amplified by the lavender and peppermint essential oils. It's a moisturizing mask that doesn't dry, like a clay-based mask. It's very moisturizing, yet clarifying, probably due to the with hazel. It gets it's green color from chlorophyll, which I find to be quite interesting. I love how this mask makes my skin feel. It also worked to remove my makeup and as a substitute for my cleanser.

I like to follow this mask with a spritz or more of the Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist with Lavender and Bergamot. "Featured on ABC's The View as a 'Beach Bag Must-Have' and voted 'Best Post-Workout Skin Freshener' by Fitness Magazine, this simple aloe preparation is a multi-purpose product to restore and protect the skin. Cool Aloe Mist will offer instant relief as well as prevent further drying, peeling, flaking or toughening of the skin tissue."

The summer hasn't quite begun, so I haven't had to use this combination of aloe vera juice, witch hazel, lavender and bergamot essential oils and lecithin on a sunburn. However, my skin just drinks it up when I spray it. It's very refreshing.

The largest product in the box is this Farmaesthetics Nourishing Lavender Milk, which doesn't actually contain milk. It's a combo of soy oil, calendula, witch hazel, lavender essential oil, beeswax, lecithin, borax and xantham gum. "Voted 'Favorite Organic Product' by Harper's Bazaar beauty editors, this light, luscious, all-over complexion lotion is gentle enough for everyday use on the face, yet powerful enough to use on even the driest skin conditions," according to the info card in the box.

I have used it on my face and was surprised how nourishing it is and how quickly my skin absorbs it. However, I must caution that you not to apply too much or you will end up very slick. The first time I used it on my face, my skin drank it right up. Then, I opted to apply more, which just sat on the surface of my skin. Thankfully, it did not clog my pores and I woke up the next day looking very refreshed. This lotion is also nice on the rest of my skin.

Last, but not least, is the Farmaesthetics Tansynella Organic Bugscreen. According to the info card, "Tansynella is a 100% natural, highly effective, organic specialty oil for use in the bath and on body to repel insects while moisturizing skin. Apply Tansynella directly to body to ward off insects, mosquitoes and black flies."

I don't know about the black flies, but it seems to keep the bugs away when hanging out in the tall grass or outside in the evenings. We've had a lot of rain lately, so there are definitely mosquitoes around here. This will be perfect for watching fireworks on the Fourth of July, as those pesky mosquitoes tend to make a feast out of me each year when I don't wear bug repellant. This combination of sunflower oil, tansy, eucalyptus, citronella, rosemary essential oil and vitamin e is quite luxurious and smells nice, too.

The total value of this particular box is $119, but you can get it by subscribing to Pearlesque Box for $39.95 per month (shipping to the US is free). Pearlesque Boxes are packed with a minimum of 1-2 full-size and 1-3 travel-size skincare and bath & body products from different regions around the world. The previous box contained OSEA Malibu products, like the ones I reviewed not too long ago, so you know this subscription box is good.

Have you subscribed to Pearlesque Box? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

* Pearlesque Box sent me their June box for review. All opinions are my own :)

Monday, May 23, 2016

Pure BB Cream, Shadows & Pretty Naked II

I don't know how the usual April showers somehow shifted to May, but it's making it quite difficult to get some good photos around here. After many days of consecutive rain, I lucked out to have enough sunshine on Friday to snap some makeup swatch pics (it was our only dry day last week, so we also took a walk on the the local boardwalk and beach).

Now, I will admit that these aren't my best swatch photos (that's probably why I thought it would be fun to jazz them up with some frames), so I hope my descriptions will help you visualize these latest 100 Percent Pure eye shadows a little better, starting with the three Fruit Pigmented Shadows swatched above.

On the far left is Petal Tip, which is a soft mauve. Just ignore the container beneath the swatch, as it somehow appears darker and brighter in this photo than in person. I was mainly focusing on the color of the swatch itself. As you can see, it doesn't show up very well on my warm/neutral skin tone. I'm not surprised, because most of the reviewers who love this color seem to have fair/slightly more pink skin tones. I happen to like it when used in the crease. Since it is matte, it's very flattering on mature skin and is perfect for creating more natural looks.

The center color really takes center stage, as it gives a gorgeous golden glow to my lids, especially near my tear ducts. It's Gilded, a shimmery yellow gold. Both the eyeshadow container and swatch are quite accurate in this pic. It truly is a stunning warm gold that brightens my eyes and brings a smile to my face.

To the right is Sugared; the bronze companion to that gold Gilded. It's a shimmery hazelnut color that works well as a neutral. I bet it would be amazing with a tan. There is a glare on the container in the photo, but the swatch is accurate when applied heavy (this is a buildable color). I would wear this everyday. Btw, it also lasts all day.

The next three colors are hard to see on my skin. It's also a tad difficult to distinguish one shade from the other. However, I'm still drawn to them. They are three new 100 Percent Pure Satin Eye Shadows, from left to right (or bottom to top): Java, Caribbean and Jeju. They are soft, silky, shimmery, and so easy to apply with your fingertips. They are like subtle little highlighters for perking up those tired eyes.

Java is the closest to my skin color and looks very natural on me. I guess that's why it blends so well in the photo. The color reminds me of the RMS Beauty Master Mixer, if you are familiar with that product. It's nearly an exact dupe, except for the consistency.

Caribbean is slightly pinker and brighter than Java. It also has a nice shimmer. Again, I think it works well as a highlighter.

Jeju is more of a peachy ballerina nude (if you ever took ballet, you might know what I'm talking about; my ballet shoes always seemed to be various tones of pinks and peach). It provides a soft sunlit glow to your eye area.

If you're looking for more color, you'll be really excited about this 100 Percent Pure Pretty Naked II Palette (although I don't currently see it on the website). It's more dramatic than the original Pretty Naked Palette, while still sticking to more neutral tones. Inside, you'll find (from left to right) the Illume Luminizer, Afterglow Blush, and Beam, Splendor and Vivid Eye Shadow.

Illume is so pretty. This photo doesn't do it justice. It's like a white light illuminating your skin. I recommend applying it lighter than I did it the above pic, as I was just trying to get it to show up better (I also think I smeared a little Splendor next to it. Oops!).

Afterglow blends so well on my cheeks for a soft blushed look. It shows up much better on my skin tone than the Pretty Naked Blush from the original Pretty Naked Palette. Honestly, I've been known to use the Pretty Naked Blush on my eyes instead of my cheeks, because I preferred it that way.

The eye shadows in the Pretty Naked II Palette are a bit more intense than their predecessors, without being overwhelming. Again, I layered them on heavy for the swatches, but they can be worn much more subtly.

The lightest shade, Beam, is closer in color to the medium shade (which is Toffee) from the original palette. It's a light golden gray or a bit of a taupe color. I think it's lovely on it's on or paired with just Splendor for a softer look. Splendor is slightly darker with a little less shimmer. It works well in the crease.

For added drama, there's Vivid, a deep purple with a rose gold shimmer. It almost appears like a charcoal color in my swatch photo, but trust me, it's purple or blackberry, like the blackberry mascara or eyeliner. I tend to smudge it into my eyelash line to create a smokey eye. It's flattering on most eye colors, as it makes blue, green, hazel and brown eyes pop. If you are lucky enough to have Elizabeth Taylor's purple peepers, it will just blend with the gorgeous color you've already got.

A good base for all this color is 100 Percent Pure's BB Cream, which I have in 30 Radiance (it comes it three shades; the other two are 10 Luminous and 20 Aglow). It's a bit of a makeup hybrid, acting as your primer, SPF, soothing treatment, concealer and foundation in one. Since it's packed with so many benefits, it comes out of the tube a bit thick and tacky, but don't worry; if you prep and apply it correctly (I use a good moisturizer first and apply it with a damp makeup sponge/beauty blender), it blends smoothly and leaves a flawless finish. Even the color seems to adjust to a variety of skin tones, as I thought this would be too dark for me until I applied a thin layer to my face (however, I am concerned this doesn't come in enough colors to suit the needs of those with skin tones much darker than my own).

I'm a big fan of 100 Percent Pure's Tinted Moisturizer in Peach Bisque, so you can get an idea of my coloring (although the website recommends 20 Aglow for my color). This BB Cream provides more coverage than the Tinted Moisturizer, but might be lighter than the foundation, which I have yet to try. It is buildable, if you need more coverage than I prefer. In that case, I would recommend using a lighter shade (at least in my case).

The best part about this BB Cream is the light reflective pigments that provide an incandescent glow. I've been especially loving it during this raining season, as it brightens my skin even when the sun can't shine on it.

Have you tried any of these 100 Percent Pure products? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

* As a 100 Percent Pure Approved Blogger, I was provided with these products for review. All opinions are my own :)

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Gwyneth's Goop by Juice Beauty is that good

I'll admit it; I'm a huge Gwyneth Paltrow fan, although that wasn't always the case. In my younger years, a bit of unrealistic jealousy gave me a less than favorable view of Brad Pitt's then girlfriend, who also shared the screen with my celebrity crush at the time, Ethan Hawke.

I've matured over the years (and so has my skin), realizing that I was being totally ridiculous. In interviews, she actually comes across as someone I'd love to hang out with and swap foodie, fitness, fashion and beauty tips. Yes, she still has some things I wish I had, too, but a girl can dream without blaming the one who seems to have it all.

With so much available to her, it's no surprise that Gwyneth (I'm totally typing this like she's "my friend in my head," but don't worry, I can separate fantasy from reality) has the means to put out an amazing skin care line. Working closely with Juice Beauty, a company with more than a decade of experience making non-toxic beauty products, she and her lifestyle brand Goop help to formulate Goop by Juice Beauty, a luxurious, organic and effective skincare line.

In Gwyneth's words on her Goop website, she states, "we literally did not rest until we had a set of six products that are, quite simply, perfect. Safe enough for our daughters, and powerful enough for those of us who may have spent too much time in the sun. I hope you love them as much as I do."

I, of course, adore the four products I've tried in this Discovery Set (not just because I'm a Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop fan), which is the most economical way to test drive the line (hopefully, Goop continues to restock it, as it tends to sell out quickly). It contains the Enriching Face Oil, Revitalizing Day Moisturizer, Replenishing Night Cream and Exfoliating Instant Facial. It does not include the cleanser or eye cream, so I've been using this set with my OSEA Ocean Cleanser (I posted about it a few weeks ago) and sans eye cream (these moisturizers and face oil seem to do a good job around my delicate eye area on their own).


After cleansing my face, I've been lightly applying this Enriching Face Oil, morning and night. I only need a small drop in the palm of my hand. I use my finger to lightly tap the oil in my hand and dab it evenly over my face. I tend to start with those dreaded "11" lines (yes, they show up from time to time, especially if I've spent too much time of Instagram; that's some food for thought) and under my eyes, as these areas crave it the most. It's light and absorbs quickly, but still gets the job done.

This is what Goop has to say about it: "This nourishing, potent miracle oil sinks instantly into skin and starts to work. Made with a pure blend of organic oils, it leaves skin remarkably supple, soft, and glowing. It turbo-charges any moisturizer, but also hydrates beautifully on its own. It can even be patted on over makeup for a mid-day pick-me-up. The Enriching Face Oil is formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients and contains approximately 99% total organic content."

In the morning, I've been following this face oil with the Revitalizing Day Moisturizer, which is surprisingly rich for a daytime product, although still more of a lotion than a cream in consistency. I only need about a pea-size or lima bean-size amount to cover my entire face and neck. I use it the same way I apply the face oil, first pumping a small amount into the palm of my hand and dabbing it onto my face with my finger, making sure to concentrate between my brows and under my eyes like an eye cream. Although rich, this lotion absorbs quite nicely and works well under makeup. The best part is how it makes my fine lines almost instantly disappear.

According to Goop, "The Revitalizing Day Moisturizer is a lightweight daily cream that reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, softens and nourishes skin, hydrates deeply, and targets dark spots for a brighter, more even skin tone. Infused with linseed extract, Vitamins C & E and powerful peptides, this moisturizer works throughout the day to firm and rejuvenate the skin. The Revitalizing Day Moisturizer is formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients and contains approximately 73% total organic content."

I have to agree with its claims, as it really seems to be working for me. My skin looks fresh and smooth with a healthy, youthful glow.

In the evening, I've been moisturizing with the Replenishing Night Cream, which really is a thick luxurious cream. A little goes a long way, so even after more than a couple weeks of use, my container of night cream barely looks touched (I took this photo before using it, but it doesn't appear much different now). Not to sound like a broken record, but I use the same application process. It is a bit heavy in comparison to the day cream, so make sure you don't make the mistake of using it in the morning (I did, and it was a little too moisturizing under my makeup). The ingredients in this cream are very concentrated; I can feel a slight tingle when I apply it to my skin. It plumps and firms my skin, making me look better in the morning than I did before bed. It's like a beauty miracle, in my opinion.

According to Goop, "The Replenishing Night Cream is a luxurious, highly active night cream that works to plump, brighten, and firm skin overnight. The nourishing formula visibly improves skin texture, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and increases luminosity for a noticeable, healthy glow. Sandalwood nut oil helps to increase elasticity, while linseed extract and hyaluronic acid hydrate, lift and firm. The Replenishing Night Cream is formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients and contains approximately 79% total organic content."

The star of this kit is the Exfoliating Instant Facial. If you can only afford to buy one full-size product from this line, this face mask is the one to get. It's like a natural at-home peel. It literally reduces fine line and discoloration in an instant. You can actually feel and see it working (although it looks like the night cream in the container, you'll definitely know the difference once it's on your face).

Recently, I posted this pic of me using it on Instagram. To be honest, I put on way more than necessary, so you could see it on my face. I also left it on slightly longer than recommended to have time to take the photo (it only requires 2-3 minutes and a quick facial massage while you remove it). As a result, I resembled a lobster after washing it off and applying the facial oil and moisturizer. Fortunately, my skin calmed down and was left looking younger than ever. Each and every time I use it, my skin gets better (I've been masking a few times a week). It really helps to erase the years away.

The effects are similar to when I used Retin-A in my youth (I often wonder if that's why my skin has aged this well so far; now you know my deep dark secret). Not only does it make my skin appear more youthful, but it also improves my complexion when it comes to breakouts. Speaking of my complexion, similar to when I was a Retin-A user, I feel as though my skin has more pink in it and is more delicate. I'd recommend using sunscreen religiously with this product (then again, you probably should be anyway).

According to Goop, "The Exfoliating Instant Facial instantly brightens and softens skin to reveal a glowing, smoother-looking complexion. Natural alpha and beta hydroxy acids sweep away dead skin cells; plant-based cellulose beads exfoliate further while releasing soothing vitamin B5 -- leaving skin supple, soft, and utterly revitalized. The Exfoliating Instant Facial is formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients and contains approximately 86% total organic content."

No wonder this stuff reminds me of my days on Retin-A. Thank goodness, though, this Exfoliating Instant Facial is only rated a 3 on Skin Deep (the night cream is also a 3, and the rest of the line rates at just a 1; awesome!).

As a whole, I'm really enjoying this set. It's pricey, but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. This may be just a trial-size set; however, I can see it lasting at least a couple of months or more, if you apply it sparingly. I hope to try the cleanser and eye cream in the future (if Goop wants to send me any samples, I'm happy to review them). I'll keep you posted, if I do.

Have you tried Goop by Juice Beauty? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

* I received this Goop by Juice Beauty Discovery Set as a birthday present
from my hubby. All opinions are my own :)


* FYI, the background photos are from Gwyneth Paltrow's "It's All Good" cookbook.

Monday, May 16, 2016

100 Percent Pure adds three new lip glazes

In my last post, I introduced you to the latest 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipstick shades. Today, I have the three new colors of Lip Glaze.

These 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glazes are a lighter consistency than the Pomegranate Oil Lipsticks, but they still make a statement on your lips. The three new colors are fresh and bright for summer, as you can see in the swatches above. From left to right, you'll see Melontini, Coraline and Rhubarb.

Melontini is my favorite of the trio. I don't know if the "melon" in "Melontini" really describes this color, unless you're blending a cantaloupe with a watermelon. It's somewhere in between these colors, or more of a "Peach Bellini" (although it looks slightly pinker on my lips than in the tube). No matter what you call it, it's a light, yet bright summery shade that would look amazing with a tan or some 100 Percent Pure All Over Glow. You could get away with wearing this on the beach without looking too made up.

Coraline seems to be a bit of a punchy coral, meaning that it's a tad brighter than your average coral and makes my lips look like I've been sipping on punch. I love its glossy shine and the slight stain it leaves behind. Again, I think this would be especially nice with a tan.


Although Melontini and Coraline have the same texture as the other lip glazes in the line, Rhubarb seems to be somewhere between a lip glaze and the lipsticks. it's highly pigmented and has some staying power. It's as if the Pomegranate Oil Lipstick in Narcissus and Vitamint in Cherry Tomato had a baby. This is the boldest of the three shades, yet still suitable for summer wear.

Which of these three shades is your fave? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).
* 100 Percent Pure sent me these lip glazes for review. All opinions are my own.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Pure's New Pomegranate Oil Lipstick Shades

As you know, I'm a huge fan of 100 Percent Pure's line of Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipsticks. I blogged about all eight original shades last summer, and now I'm over the moon to report that they've added five more.

Being a 100 Percent Pure Approved Blogger, I was lucky enough to get my hands on four of the five new shades (Quartz sold out way before these were shipped to me; it's described as a white pink, which probably wouldn't have been flattering on me anyway).

If you missed it on Instagram, here are the four shades I received and swatched for you. From left to right, Peony (a pale pink nude), Hibiscus (a bright orange red), Dahlia (a deep berry red) and Calypso (a deep berry mauve shade).

I just had to take some pics of the names spelled out in lipstick, like I did with the first eight colors. Here's Peony, which seems to change color slightly, depending on the lighting. Sometimes this nude shade looks pale pink, but it also goes a little peachy. 

I was a bit concerned that a pale pink nude wouldn't flatter my skin tone, but the slight hint of peach seems to make it work on my lips. To my surprise, it looks rather natural and similar to Calendula, although I prefer Calendula (it's one of my faves). If Calendula wasn't quite right for you, maybe Peony is.

My favorite of the four new shades in today's post is Hibiscus. I've been wishing for a bright orange red in this line all along.

A lot of reds tend to go pink or fuschia the second I apply them to my lips (although Poppy, from the original eight shades, stays a true red on me). Warmer reds, especially those with a touch of orange, tend to resolve that issue. They also look amazing. This one in particular, reminds me of the Bite Beauty Cashmere Lip Cream in Sherry that I've posted as my lipstick of the day in my Instagram feed last summer. The difference is the texture; the Bite Beauty slides around more, while this 100 Percent Pure lipstick stays in place.

These 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Ant-Aging Lipsticks are highly pigmented, as you can see with these Calypso and Dahlia swatches. They leave a stain on your lips, even if food or a passionate kiss rubs some of it away. I also find them to be quite creamy and moisturizing.

Dahlia is a really deep berry red shade. It's bold and really makes a statement. When I wore it as my lipstick of the day on Instagram this week, I made sure to dress in neutrals, so that my lipstick would be the focal point. I'd say that this color falls somewhere between Poppy and Narcissus, and you know how much I adore those.

Calypso is a rather fun and festive color, as well. It's a bit of a deep berry mauve, which sets it apart from the other dark pomegranate oil lipstick shades. It's gorgeous.

Just like the other 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipsticks, these lipsticks are packed with fruit pigments, antioxidant-rich pomegranate oil and moisturizing shea butter to keep your lips super soft and youthful. They are 100% pure, natural and vegan, and don't contain synthetic chemicals, synthetic dyes, chemical preservatives or any other toxins.

Are you loving the new shades as much as I am? Which color is your fave? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable and/or Instagram (also @Rawdorable). Btw, I've been posting more on Instagram these days, which is why I always leave you a link to get there. You can see what else I'm loving there, even if you're not an Instagrammer.

* 100 Percent Pure sent me these lipsticks for review. All opinions are my own :)