Maracuja Oil does a foundation good

Recently, my daughter Hayden and I visited the 100 Percent Pure store to check out the new Maracuja Oil Air Cushion Foundation (it comes in a cute compact, which can be reused with refill packs). Dana, the store manager, was kind enough to let us test it out in the store.

Just look at the shiny pink compacts lined up in the store window, which represent only three of the six available shades (Alpine Rose, Creme, White Peach, Peach Bisque, Golden Peach and Toffee). I went straight for the Peach Bisque, as that is the shade I wear in my tinted moisturizer and concealer.

Before I could test the product on my skin, my daughter had to check herself out in the mirror. I think she wants the compact for herself.

I'd tell you more about my experience in the store, but since I now have my own Maracuja Oil Foundation at home, I'll explain with more detailed photos. It's a perk of being a 100 Percent Pure Approved Blogger (thanks 100 Percent Pure).

So, let's say goodbye to the lovely Dana. Thanks so much for your in-store demonstration. I hope to see you again soon :)

Back at my house, I took some better pics to show you exactly how this new product works (I know there has been some confusion out there). To start, there is a protective film over the mirror that you'll want to remove, if you actually want to see your reflection.

This is how the product looks when you open the compact to reveal the applicator puff (I actually left the film on the mirror during this photo session to avoid a reflection in the pics).

Beneath the applicator puff is another lid to separate the puff and mirror from the foundation. Lift the lid to reveal the instructions, as shown above.

After you remove the instruction sticker, you'll see the fresh, clean cushion. The liquid foundation (I've been asked if this is a liquid or a powder) is under this cushion, as you can see it faintly showing along the edge.

When you press this cushion with your finger, the provided applicator puff or other makeup sponge, the foundation makes its way up through the cushion. You can apply a thin layer of this sheer foundation (it's very sheer, so I'd recommend it to those who prefer a tinted moisturizer over a full coverage foundation) or build it for more coverage, although still on the sheer side. I personally like to use a little of my concealer on my nose and under my eyes, which blends beautifully with this foundation (I think the Maracuja Oil softens the concealer and prevents it from settling into fine lines; usually I mix my concealer with my eye cream for that very reason).

This foundation is very moisturizing and some reviewers have complained about it being too oily. I used the new Mattifying Primer under it, which kept my skin looking fresh and balanced all day (no oil slick here). I even think my skin looks softer and smoother when I wash it off in the evening.

Honestly, I think this foundation is excellent for those that just want to a natural look and aren't trying to cover up anything. It makes you appear more polished. If you are a tinted moisturizer kind of girl, this may be your new tint.

Speaking of a new tint, I finally got my hands on the Vitamint Fruit Pigmented Sheer Lip Color in Dragon Fruit (I reviewed the other five colors when they first were released).

Here's a swatch of this lovely hue, which reminds me of all those trendy smoothie bowls.

Finally, here's what it looks like on my lips. It's very pretty. It's the perfect pop of pink for summer.

Have you tried the new Maracuja Oil Air Cushion Foundation or this pretty Dragon Fruit Vitamint? Let me know what you think on Twitter at @Rawdorable or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

*100 Percent Pure sent me these products for review. All opinions are my own.

Someone in Brooklyn loves me ...

... and I love them, too. A couple weeks ago, I participated in the S.W. Basics Skin Cleanse on Instagram (make sure you check out the book by the same name, which was the inspiration for the cleanse). I removed my makeup for the weekend and took a break from my usual products.

I got brave and posted my bare face for the world to see. It was nice to give my skin some extra time to breathe. I highly recommend it. Your skin will thank you :)

While at Target, I took note of the sale on S.W. Basics products (I believe this sale is still in progress, as I type this). I love that they are so convenient to purchase now. All of the products are simple and natural, as they should be. They are made with five or less ingredients, and they're cruelty-free.

For my lipstick of the day post, I mentioned these organic lip balms. They come in a 4-pack, which includes Peppermint, Cocoa, Citrus and Cinnamon (it's my fave). You can find this particular "beegan" (they contain beeswax) 4-pack at Target, but you can order the vegan versions on the S.W. Basics website.

As an incentive to do the Skin Cleanse, S.W. Basics had a contest, which I didn't win. However, to my surprise, the company was kind enough to send me this lovely face mask as a thank you. I have been wanting to try this Hibiscus Mask for a while now, but it was either out of stock online or not carried by my local Target. I had seen all the fun other bloggers have had with this brightly colored concoction (it's made out of direct trade hibiscus, French green clay and organic lavender powder), and I couldn't wait to see what all the fuss was about. *Warning: the next photo of me trying out the mask is quite scary :)

Mixing this mask is as simple as its ingredient list; just mix 1 tsp. of the mask powder with 1 tsp. of water and apply it to your face like you see here. It looks crazy, but if you have kids, you'll have a blast scaring them out of bed in the morning.

I left the mask on past the drying time without irritation (it smells amazing, btw; somewhat fruity from the hibiscus). I just applied it after my workout in the morning and washed it off in the shower (I was afraid it would stain something at the sink). My skin was left soft, even and gently exfoliated. The clay component has been great for detoxing my skin of that sunscreen, etc., but without leaving it too tight and dry. I must say that I'm loving this product and would definitely buy more. Thanks S.W. Basics.

Have you tried S.W. Basics products or read "Skin Cleanse" by Adina Grigore (founder of S.W. Basics)? Have you used this face mask? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter at @Rawdorable or on Instagram (also @Rawdorable). I'm interested to know what you think.

*****

On another note, I found out the results of the Jem Raw Organics contest. Although I did not win the grand prize, all the entrants were given their own personalized awards and some Jem. You can check out the winners list here. Thanks Jem!

*S.W. Basics sent me their Hibiscus Mask for review. All opinions are my own.

Sundae & Shake Smoothies on a Sunday

As I said in my last post, it's not always easy for me to find time to blog during the summer, but I'll try my best to update you on what I've been posting on my social media (for those of you who don't follow me on Twitter and/or or Instagram, as well as to provide a few more details).

For example, I've been enjoying some scrumptious sundae and shake-inspired smoothies, like this Hot Fudge Sundae Smoothie I posted on National Hot Fudge Sundae Day. This smoothie starts with a n'ice cream smoothie base, made out of frozen bananas, coconut milk, coconut cream and vanilla. It's topped with a simple fudge sauce (Philosophie Cacao Magic Vegan Protein & Superfood Powder mixed with pure maple syrup), more coconut cream and a fresh strawberry.

A couple of days ago, I used the same n'ice cream smoothie base to make a Caramel Sundae Smoothie. It's topped with a caramel sauce, made out of date paste (dates soaked overnight and blended into a paste), pure maple syrup, cashew butter, sea salt and vanilla. Of course, I couldn't forget the coconut cream, and instead of a strawberry, I garnished it with a Corarao Confections mini raw chocolate caramel cup.

You may have noticed that I wore my Moana Melted Ice Cream Cone Onesie swimsuit in honor of National Hot Fudge Sundae Day. I happen to be a big fan of the brand, so I also ordered the Strawberry Milkshake Bikini when there was a flash sale.

Inspired by the sale (and my purchase), I had to make a Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie in a similar sundae-smoothie style. It has a base of frozen banana, strawberries, cashew milk, coconut cream and vanilla. I topped it with a strawberry sauce (strawberries blended with chia seeds and Philosophie Berry Bliss Vegan Protein & Superfood Powder), more coconut cream and a fresh strawberry. So good!

*****

Now, for those of you looking for some makeup inspiration, I was tagged on Instagram to share my daily makeup essentials. Here's what you'll find in my everyday makeup bag. It's mainly 100 Percent Pure products, which is no surprise (I'm a 100 Percent Pure Approved Blogger, if you hadn't figured that out yet). Most days I wear the new Mattifying Primer, Tinted Moisturizer and Long Lasting Concealer in Peach Bisque, All Over Glow in Deeply Sun Kissed, Eye Creamsticks (usually Naked Glimmer, Ecru Glimmer and Light), Creamy Long Last Eyeliner in Royal and the Maracuja Oil Mascara in Black Tea. I also use my trusty Boot's Botanics Eyebrow Pencil in Medium Brown. I didn't post my blush and lipstick, as they tend to change from day to day.

What are some of your daily makeup essentials? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable and on Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

What I'm Loving: Summer Beauty Essentials

It's summer time, which means I've been having fun in the sun with the kiddos and spending less time on my blog. I've found Instagram to be more convenient this time of year, but for those of you who don't follow my account, here's what I've been loving lately in terms of beauty essentials, starting with these cute Moana Bikini onesie bathing suits. I got both the striped one and the Melted Ice Cream Cone Onesies, since they are buy one, get one free with the code: GETONME.

Of course, these bathing suits require a bit of skin prep. Let's begin with the inside out (did I mention that those swimsuits are reversible?). I like to make slushie smoothies with frozen watermelon as the base. The above smoothie is just frozen and fresh watermelon (no liquid is required when you use both), blended with some Philosophie Berry Bliss Vegan Protein & Superfood Powder (you know how much I love Philosophie products). It's garnished with cacao nibs to look like watermelon seeds and cucumber slices to mimic the rind.

Philosophie Vegan Protein and Superfood Powder is also amazing blended into Suja Juice, which are wonderful on their own. There's no excuse not to get this fruit and veggie goodness in your body when these are so convenient (I buy them at Whole Foods, Target, MOM's Organic Market and the local grocery store), especially when the kids keep you too busy to be using/cleaning your own juicer. They are also rather economical for a cold pressured juice (usually about $3.99 each). I've been reading "The Suja Juice Solution," too. I hope to review it for you in the near future.

As for external skin prep, I'm so happy to have won Lovinah's recent giveaway. I received their awesome Stimulating Botanical Coffee Scrub in Laugh. It smells like fresh vanilla coffee, and it makes my skin feel amazingly soft and smooth. It exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. It improves my skin's texture and circulation. I highly recommend this product.

Speaking of scrubs, I still adore a good 100 Percent Pure sugar scrub, as well as a foot bath in their Lavender Sea Therapy Bath. It's nice to follow up with one of their body butters (I'm currently loving the Coconut Lime for summer) and a summery polish on my toes (I wish I've been able to paint my fingernails more this summer, too, but I just haven't had the time).

I'm also loving Acure Organics Firming Body Lotion after I get out of the shower. It provides exactly enough moisture without making me feel greasy (I don't need to add to the humidity outside). It has a slight firming effect, and as a plus, the lemongrass scent seems to keep the mosquitoes away.

Now that I've addressed the body, let's move on to the face. I tend to alternate between 100 Percent Pure and Josie Maran when it comes to facial products. I am currently using this Josie Maran Cleansing Oil and Argan Exfoliating Cleansing Powder, which I got for a great deal (it was $70, including the Josie Maran Argan Oil Light; a girl can never have enough argan oil), along with a bright beach towel. The cleansing oil deep cleans my pores without striping my skin of its natural oils. I also like this exfoliating powder. I've been able to use it daily without irritation.

Although I'm loving the argan oil, I've also been using this Leven Rose Pomegranate Oil. I've never used pomegranate oil before, with the exception of wearing 100 Percent Pure's Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipsticks. To my surprise, it's very light and perfect for summer (I applied it in the above foundation-free pic). It absorbs quickly, doesn't clog my pores and even softens fine lines and prevents blemishes. I also like to use it on the ends of my hair (my hair is damp in the above pic, so don't use it as an example. LOL).

Don't forget to protect your skin in the hot summer sun. I've been loving Coola and Bare Republic sunscreen this summer, as well as various other natural options. My favorite Coola product at the moment is the Coola Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion. Not only to I love it for after-sun care, but it's just a nice light moisturizer, in general. I need to get a bigger tube of it, asap.

Lastly, it is National Lipstick Day, so I don't want to forget to mention lipstick. Check out my summer edition lipstick post, if you missed it.

What are you loving lately? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

*I wasn't asked or compensated by any of these companies to do this post. These are all products I use. All opinions are my own. 

My Top 5 Lipsticks Summer Edition

My Instagram friend, @beauty.ro, just tagged me to share my Top 5 Lipsticks Summer Edition (check out her blog to see her faves and the stories behind them; I'm so impressed at how she takes the time to blog in both Italian and English). To some, this would seem like an easy task, but considering my love of lipsticks and the size of my collection, I had some trouble narrowing them down to just five (although I obviously did, based on the above photo).

Sure, I could take the easy way out and just refer you to my blog post about 100 Percent Pure's new Vitamint Fruit Pigmented Sheer Lip Colors, but I wanted to provide my readers with a variety of both colors and brands. Therefore, I started off with 100 Percent Pure's Vitamint in Vino to represent a berry shade. I like that it's sheer for summer. It's also romantic like the vineyard wedding my hubby and I attended for my cousin a number of years ago.

Speaking of 100 Percent Pure, the company is having it's Friends and Family Sale, which runs through Sunday, July, 26. Everything on the website (except gift sets and sale items) is 20% off with the code: FAMILY. You know I highly recommend this 100 Percent Pure Lip & Cheek in Cranberry Glow, which is perfect for summer. It's obvious multipurpose and can be worn as light or dark as you'd like. It reminds me of the Hawaiian Punch my mom would give me and the kids she babysat when I was a kid.

If you are looking for a darker red, I really like Vapour Organic Beauty's Siren Lipstick in Courage. I've already worn it for Memorial Day and on the Fourth of July weekend. Vapour donates 33% of the proceeds to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, benefiting wounded veterans. I'll probably wear this for Labor Day, too, so that I open and close the summer with this lipstick.

For a bright, but natural, pop of pink, I selected RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Modest. It's no surprise that I think a product made for both lips and cheeks is a must-have for summer, especially when it comes to packing for vacation. This color has been a favorite of mine since my hubby surprised me with my first glass container of it (along with various other RMS products) as an anniversary gift a few years ago. I've been a big fan of the line ever since then.

Lastly, I can't forget a nude in the summer line-up, so I picked Pacifica Beauty's Power of Love 100% Vegan and Cruelty-free Natural Lipstick in Nudie Red, which is yet another gift from my awesome hubby. I'm actually wearing it today for our 14-year wedding anniversary, along with my Emma McKinstry Save the Date necklace. Don't let the name deceive you, as it more of a nude than a red. My hubby likes it on me, because it still has red undertones (he likes it when I wear red, which is why I have so many red lipsticks).

Now that I've shared my Top 5 Lipsticks Summer Edition, I guess I need to tag @supernaturalegirl, @nz0424, @fruitybeauty, @fashionchicsta and @beautyinamin.

What are your Top 5 Lipsticks for Summer? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or on Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

Icebox S'mores on a Hot Summer Day

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but here, it's going to be 97 or more degrees F today. That's hot, and not in a good way. Therefore I decided to skip the campfire and make some chilled Icebox S'Mores. Just look at that ooey gooey goodness inside :)

To make these no-bake treats, you'll need to add 1 cup of almond flour, 1 Tbsp. Jem Raw Organics Cinnamon Red Maca Sprouted Almond Butter (my favorite), 1/2 to 1 Tbsp. coconut oil (depending on the thickness of your almond butter; mine was thicker near the bottom of the jar, so I ended up using the whole Tbsp. of coconut oil for consistency's sake), a drizzle of pure maple syrup (again, adjust for consistency), 1/2 tsp. vanilla and a sprinkling of cinnamon to a mini food processor, and process it into a crumbly dough (don't run your food processor too long or it will become too soft and oily; if this happens, you can try kneading in more almond flour by hand).

Press out your dough onto a slick surface, like a cutting board, Silpat or parchment paper. Form it into a rectangle and cut it equally into 8 squares. For the fun of it, you can make little decorative holes in each square, similar to the graham crackers you buy in the store. These no-bake graham crackers will need to set in the freezer for a bit.

When the graham crackers have set, scoop four balls of coconut cream right out of a chilled can of coconut milk that has been in the refrigerator overnight (the coconut cream will be at the top of the can; I kept the coconut cream balls the same size by using a small scooper designed for ice cream or making cookies). Flatten the coconut cream slightly, coat the sides in coconut sugar and place one on each of four graham crackers.

The coconut sugar will "melt" slightly, making the coconut sugar-encrusted coconut cream look like a toasted marshmallow, which can now be topped with chocolate. Jem Raw Organics Hazelnut Raw Cacao Sprouted Hazelnut Butter is perfect for this. Just spoon as much as you'd like on top of each coconut cream "marshmallow."

It's not a true s'more until you add the top. Carefully removed the other four graham crackers from your cutting board, Silpat or parchment, and use them to top off each s'more. Allow them to set in the freezer or fridge until ready to eat.

These are so good. Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or Instagram (also @Rawdorable), if you make them.

Enjoy your weekend :)

*Jem Raw Organics did not send me these nut butters. I'm just a fan of the brand.

These fresh donuts are quite peachy

I don't know why I always think of donuts when Jem Raw Organics comes to mind. I just keep making donut-inspired treats with yummy Jem products, like today's Decorated Donut Peaches (you may also want to check out my Decorated Apple Faux-nuts, AB&J "Unbaked" Doughnut Holes and my Raw Apple Pie Cronut). It must be because Jem Raw Organics nut butters are so decadent that they remind me of a cheat eat.

To me, the best part of a donut is the topping, although today's bases are pretty sweet, too. I used Donut Peaches, which are shaped like donuts. They are shorter and wider than your average peach.

Just like with my Decorated Apple Faux-nuts, I decorated the tops with scrumptious frostings and toppings. This time I used three different Jem spreads.

The idea started with this Cinnamon Red Maca Crumble Donut Peach. I topped it with my favorite Jem Raw Organics Cinnamon Red Maca Sprouted Almond Butter and sprinkled some crumbles of the almond butter mixed with almond flour on top.

I topped another donut peach with Jem's Coconut Cardamom Sprouted Almond Butter (this one is no longer on the site, so try this cashew one) and coconut flakes.

I decorated the last donut peach with Jem's Hazelnut Raw Cacao Sprouted Hazelnut Spread and cacao nibs. So good :)

As you can tell, I am a hug fan of Jem Raw Organics. The company is having an amazing contest at the moment to win 12 jars of its spreads, and I have my fingers crossed that one of my donut recipes has a shot. Check them out on Google+ as they are aiming to reach 100 reviews.

On another note, it's Amazon Prime Day and I'm hoping to get in on the action. I have a couple books I want to buy, such as "The Suja Juice Solution," "The Body Book" (I've checked it out from the local library, but I'd love to own it at today's price) and "Lookbook Cookbook" (you know I've been wanted that one. So, in honor of the Lookbook Cookbook, I took a pic of me sampling a delicious Decorated Donut Peach. Yum!

Also in the peach theme, my lipsticks of the day are 100 Percent Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze in Lychee, topped with the new Vitamint Fruit Pigmented Sheer Lip Color in Peachy in the center of my lips. I highly recommend layering your lipsticks to increase your lip color options.

*Jem Raw Organics did not send me these products. I'm just a fan of the brand :)