Tag Archives: sulfate free

Product Review: April Birchbox

Hey Rosés,

For April’s Birchbox, our favorite monthly beauty sample subscription service provided products with Mother Earth’s stamp of approval. Eco friendly and non-toxic beauty and lifestyle products to celebrate Earth Week.

Let’s take a look at this compilation of natural ingredients that even includes laundry detergent!

Juice Beauty Oil-free Moisturizer

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles


 

This oil-free moisturizer is part of Juice Beauty’s Blemish Clearing Collection that uses naturally derived ingredients to combat uneven skin, blemishes and acne, even for sensitive skin and allergies. I could feel the rich difference of it being loaded with high levels of fruit juice rather than water. The moisture lasted all day without extra touch-ups for my dry skin, and my skin felt flexible without any shine.

Ingredients: Organic juices of pyrus malus (organic apple juice)*, vitis vinifera (organic white grape juice)*, punica granatum (organic pomegranate juice)*, aloe barbadensis (organic aloe leaf juice)*, organic botanical extracts of cucumis sativus (organic cucumber extract)*, taraxacum officinale (organic dandelion leaf extract)*, salvia officinalis (organic sage leaf extract)*, melissa officinalis (lemon balm leaf extract), vegetable glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, panthenol (Vitamin B5), tocopherol (Vitamin E), algae extract, ascorbyl palmitate (Vitamin C), ethylhexyl (octyl) palmitate, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, xanthan gum, sodium hydroxide, phenethyl alcohol (sage derived), citrus aurantium (sweet orange & petitgrain) and cinnamomum camphora (ho wood) pure essential oils *certified organic by a USDA approved agency

 

Zoya TRUE Spring Collection Nail Polish in Tru

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

This metallic light grape red-toned purple is bold enough to wear year-round. The gold shimmer gives color-changing red and orange effects in the light. Zoya is a great non-toxic brand free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, and camphor which can easily irritate skin. With 2 coats and top coat, this color lasted 9 days before serious chipping.

Ingredients: N/A

 

Wonderstruck Taylor Swift Perfume

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

Similar to Taylor Swift, this is a fun, light and girly scent. It has an aura of flowers and fruit, perfect for daytime and weekend flair, but I wouldn’t recommend for evening or date night.

Ingredients: N/A

 

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

I love this deep conditioner! A creamy sensation made with natural ingredients that left my scalp clear and each hair strand fully hydrated. The Moroccan argan olil and obliphica oil nourish strands in this sulfate and paraben free formula. After using this as a deep conditioning treatment I was able to go three days without added water or product, and it kept its moisture without added frizz.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetrimonium chloride, Panthenol, Behentrimonium chloride, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene glycol, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Hippophae rhamnoides (Obliphica) oil, Ascorbic acid, Citric acid

Dropps Laundry Detergent

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

These eco-friendly individual laundry detergent packs are easy to toss in the washer. The ingredients are fabric friendly, excluding the enzymes used in typical detergents that can damage colors and fabrics. They also make dye and scent free for sensitive skin.

Ingredients:
Fresh Scent
Laureth (Plant Derived + Biodegradable Cleaning Agent), Polxoxyethylene Oleyl Ether (Plant Derived + Biodegradable Cleaning Agent), Propylene Carbonate (Progessing Agent), Hexylene Glycol (Processing Agent), Agua (Water)
Scent + Dye Free
Laureth – 7 (Plant Derived + Biodegradable Cleaning Agent), Polyoxyethylene Oleyl Ether (Plant Derived + Biodegradable Cleaning Agent), Ipa (Progessing Agent), Hexylene Glycol (Processing Agent), Agua (Water)

 

What are your favorite eco-friendly products?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

Posted in Body, Face, Hair, PRODUCT REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Curl On The Block: My Miss Jessie’s CurlBar Haircut

Hey Rosés,

 
Wall and vanity of Miss Jessie’s Original Products at CurlBar

A few weeks ago I attended the grand opening party for curly hair experts Miko and Titi Branch’s latest project, the Miss Jessie’s CurlBar Salon. The salon is a beautiful French parlor-style loft in Soho. They use their award winning products and I couldn’t wait to get an appointment!

Salon owners Miko and Titi Branch

On a sunny day, I was greeted by the friendly Miss Jessie’s staff who escorted me into the brightly lit salon and served me fresh hors d’oeuvres (cheese, crackers and curls…yum!). Next they gave me a full consultation explaining their services, products and a multitude of options. I picked the “Wash and Go” cut and style – see more details on that below.

 

Before pic: shaggy uneven hair, split ends

The Miss Jessie’s process includes first blowdrying hair straight (you can opt for a curly cut too), then trimming ends. They have a full look book (more like a curly hair bible!) where you can view real women with textures like yours, and simply point to what style you’d like. Next they do a full shampoo and condition with their award winning eponymous products, then style your hair after drying.

Each person’s routine and products will be custom to you, but here’s a breakdown of the “Wash and Go” transformation they gave me:

1. Blowdry hair straight using fingers and paddle brush

Blowdried hair: Didn’t even recognize myself with straight hair!

2. Trim ends in sections

3. Cleanse hair with Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo

4. Cleanse hair with Crème de la Curl (no suds, sulfate free shampoo)

5. Condition with Super Sweetback conditioner

6. Work through leave-in cream in sections by lightly pulling and stretching individual wet curls – use Curly Meringue for soft hold and definition

7. Place under a hood dryer

8. After hair is dry work through Baby Buttercreme for extra moisture and shape hair with a wide-tooth comb and fingers

After pic: defined conditioned curls, structured shape

Other services include two-strand twist outs, coil outs, a variety of curly styling and up-do’s, and smooth blowouts. My style lasted four days without any water or additional product! It was smooth, moisturized and easy to wear as is or add more styling. I simply wore a bonnet to bed and scrunched in the morning.

Prices are VERY reasonable, and you can purchase the entire product collection in-store. The products are made with quality ingredients free of heavy and dangerous toxins.

Get an appointment ASAP! Tell them Alicia from Champagne Beauty sent you!

Miss Jessie’s Salon
441 Broadway, Suite 2
(Between Grand & Howard)
New York, NY 10013
Monday through Friday from 10am-6pm

To Book Appointments Contact:
212.966.5600
Walk-ins Welcome!

What are your favorite Miss Jessie’s products?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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Product Review: March Birchbox

Hey Rosés,

This month Birchbox teamed up with Teen Vogue for a fun, playful and spring formal event-prep box of samples. Teen Vogue’s beauty guru Eva Chen also provided great makeup and hair tips for special occasions and everyday glam. Great sensitive skin and allergy-friendly brands like Tarte and Essie return with bright colors for spring. There were also great alternatives for the sporty girls, and anyone transitioning from processed hair to natural hair.

Take a look at some great finds for your next special event or to add a pop of color:

 

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Lucky

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

I was looking for a pale pink matte, and this came just in time! The giant crayon glides on smoothly with a texture in between a lip balm and matte lipstick. It has moisturizing vitamins A & E with a hint of color, clicks to refill (no pencil sharpener needed), and so sheer it actually looks nude. Perfect to wear alone or a great primer for lipstick or lip gloss. Be forewarned the strong peppermint oil smell and tingle, but has a sensitive skin-friendly formula: paraben free, sulfate free, mineral oil free.

Ingredients for Lucky: Octyldodecanol, candelilla cera/euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax/cire de candelilla, C12-15 alkyl ethylhexanoate, isopropyl palmitate, cyclopentasiloxane, silica, nylon -12, VP/eicosene copolymer, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax /cera carnauba/cire de carnauba, phenyl trimethicone, disteardimonium hectorite, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, caprylic/ capric triglyceride, propylene carbonate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, dimethicone, caprylyl glycol, sorbitan stearate, benzophenone-3, tocopheryl acetate, sodium saccharin, castor oil bis-hydroxypropyl dimethicone esters, retinyl palmitate, salicornia herbacea extract, dimethyl isosorbide, palmitoyl hexapeptide-14, tin oxide, mica. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), red 6 lake & red 7 lake (CI 15850), red 27 lake (CI 45410), red 40 lake (CI 16035), yellow 5 lake (CI 19140), yellow 6 lake (CI 15985), blue 1 lake (CI 42090).

 

Kate Spade New York Perfume in Twirl

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

Twirl is the perfect name for this scent, it’s a mixture of flirty and fun with fruit and floral notes. Light enough to wear during the day for work or brunch, yet stimulating for wear in the evening for cocktails or a date. Each spray makes me want to dance, either with a cupcake or a cutie ;-)

Ingredients: alchohol denat, parful/fragrance, water/aqua/eu, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, butylphenyl methylpropional, citral, citronellol, farnesol, geraniol, hexyl, cinnamal, hydroxycitonellal, hyrdoxyisohexyl, 3-cyclohexene carbonxaldhyde, limonene, linalool, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl, methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, orange 4 (ci 15510), yellow 10 (ci 47005)

 

Kérastase Elixir Ultime

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

This nourishing oil can be used as a leave-in conditioner or pre-blowout heat protectant, but I used it as a shine serum on curly hair. It’s thick but not greasy or heavy. It smoothed top-side frizz and added a hint of shine when applied to dry curly hair.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Zea Mays / Corn Germ Oil, Argania Spinosa Oil / Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Kissi / Camellia Kissi Seed Oil, Pentaclethra Macroloba Oil / Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Coumarine, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum / Fragrance.

 

Twistband Hair Tie

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

This fun evolution of the hair tie causes little breakage and maintains elasticity even when wet after the gym. It did leave a dent on curly hair, perhaps straight hair has better luck. Great for rosés transitioning from perms to natural hair, and athletes who don’t want breakage after a workout.

Ingredients: N/A

 

Essie LuxeEffects Collection in Set In Stones

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

Wear this glitter nail polish alone for a silver disco ball effect or as a top coat for a blast of bling. The formula is free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. Great for sensitive skin, and safer with out toxic chemicals. I’ve tried plenty of glittery nail polishes and this is one of the easier ones to get off without having to scrape your nails.

Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Silica, N-Butyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-4, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Benzophenone-1, Polyurethane-11, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate [+/- May Contain / Peut Contenir, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 15850 / Red 7 Lake, Ci 77000 / Aluminum Powder, Ci 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, Ci 60725 / Violet 2

 

What is your must have for a formal spring event?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

*All images via Birchbox
*All Items can be purchased on Birchbox for a discount with membership

 

 

 

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Spring Forward: Moisturize Dry Nose & Skin During Allergy Season

Hey Rosés,

Image via Getty

The Spring Forward Series provides tips and news for seasonal allergy sufferers to stay clear and beautiful during spring allergy season.

This morning, I woke up refreshed, excited for the weekend, and – achoo! I started getting dressed, made some breakfast then I – ACHOO! Ugh…warm beautiful spring weather means ugly irritating allergies for me. My sneeze attack was followed by a waterfall of a runny nose, and by the time I finished half a tissue box, my nose was dry and sore.

If you’re like me, you’re wondering…how in the heck can I keep my nose and skin from drying out after allergy attacks? And worse, how do I wear make-up over a Rudolph red nose? Whether you have dry patches, or rough tissues dry out your nose, today is your lucky day…

3 great moisturizers to keep your nose nourished and even with a touch of color and coverage:

1. Burts Bee’s Radiance Day Creme

Purchase: $17.99 drugstore.com

If you want all natural ingredients, this lightweight silky smooth moisturizer is perfect for quick touch-ups, spot treatments and all over moisture. It’s infused with royal jelly, which is great for eczema and psoriasis. I actually use it on my body when I see a dry patch.

Ingredients: aqua (water, eau), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, parfum (fragrance), stearic acid, kaolin, royal jelly, prunus serotina (wild cherry) bark extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, hydrolyzed jojoba esters, lecithin, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, jojoba esters, pollen extract, mentha viridis (spearmint) extract, betula alba bark extract, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel extract, arctium lappa root extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, equisetum hiemale extract, euphrasia officinalis extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract, humulus lupulus (hops) extract, pinus strobus cone extract, rosa canina fruit extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, xanthan gum, alcohol denat., sucrose stearate, sucrose polystearate, phenoxyethanol, amyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool.

2. philosophy Hope in a Jar Oil Free

Purchase: $39 sephora.com

Your favorite nourishing moisturizer got an oil-free facelift. This soothing lightweight but heavy-duty cream contains no parabens, no sulfates and no phthalates. It’s perfect for normal and oily skin, but will also keep dry skin moisturized throughout the day. It goes on matte, so perfect to touch up your nose or rough patch before adding powder or foundation.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acacia, Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Lauryl Lactate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Leaf Extract, Squalane, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Ppg-12/Sdmi Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

 

3. Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Purchase: $26 bloomingdales.com

This is the non-greasy liquid version of the oil-free hydrating cream that comes with a hint of color. Perfect for pre and post nose blowing, keeps your skin from cracking and covers any red irritation with sheer coverage and sunscreen. 

Ingredients: N/A

 

What moisturizers save your nose during allergy season?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

 

Posted in Face, Series | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

GO GREEN For St. Patrick’s Day!

Hey Rosés,

 

St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate the luck of the Irish, your favorite brew, and the childhood past time of pinching the lame kid who didn’t wear green. This year, instead of simply wearing green…GO GREEN! Beauty is more eco-friendly than ever, so do your part for the environment, your skin and don’t get pinched.

These brands are either organic, natural, fair-trade, or derived of eco-friendly ingredients, get lucky and GO GREEN for St. Patty’s!

 

Zoya Nail Polish in Midori

Purchase: $8 zoya.com

Zoya is the pregnancy safe brand that is free of irritating chemicals and carcinogens like no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor. This vegan friendly formula also lasts long (like shellac long!) and dries quickly. GO GREEN with this metallic apple green color with a hint of gold shimmer, the perfect spring accessory.

 Ingredients: N/A

 

Lamik Beauty Eye Decor Eyeshadow in Awkward & Mula

Purchase: $18 lamik-beauty.com

Lamik is an “eco-chic” make-up brand carrying facial care, cosmetics and lashes. This richly pigmented eye shadow has a velvety texture that is talc free (think baby powder) and paraben free. GO GREEN day to night with this olive or turquoise-green shadow packed in recyclable containers.

Ingredients: N/A

 

 

Cheers to Organic Beer (and Wine!)

Purchase: Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, natural health food stores

Your local restaurant, stores and even bars are offering more organic and healthier options for destroying your liver…err having a drink. Get GREEN tastebuds with these organic libations and remember to recycle your bottles!

Bison Brewing’s Organic Chocolate Stout
bisonbrew.com/product/Chocolate-Stout

Wolaver’s Organic Brown Ale
wolavers.com

Frey Vineyards – Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc 2009
freywine.stores.yahoo.net/bisabl20.html

 

What is your favorite eco-friendly product or drink?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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