An honest 2 year review

I hope you had a wonderful Easter:) This one was special as it was Avonlea's first time celebrating the  resurrection of our sweet Savior! My parents hosted in their beautiful home, and every fire place in the house was roaring as it was pouring rain outside. It was actually rather magical with the fires and tons of candles all over the house. My huge wonderful family had driven in for the event, and Avonlea got more than her fair share of cuddles. I barely held her, haha! Today I thought I'd share a review of products that have truly changed my life:)

It's been exactly two years since I was introduced to 100% Pure. I was in the beginning of my quest to rid my life of the toxins that I so cluelessly was rubbing all over my body (lotions, make-up, etc). I started my search at the local natural food shop, and found that the make-up there was just not cutting it.  I did an online search, but was overwhelmed with options. Finally, I read a review from another blogger on 100% Pure products, and thought "i'll give them a try". So, I bought some basics…foundation, mascara and a lip stick. When my package arrived, I excitedly tore it open and tested them out. I was amazed at how beautifully they applied, and then lasted the entire day!

Now…two years later, I can honestly say these products have changed my skin in the best way possible. If you are someone on the beginning of your search for a toxin-free lifestyle, I would really recommend trying out a few staples. Of course they are going to cost more than the products in the beauty aisle at the grocery store, but that's because they are made with only the BEST pure ingredients...free of all toxic chemicals and anything that will harm your body. I literally felt the difference the minute I put the make-up on, and my body did too!

Here are the staples I use on a daily basis. I hope you'll consider trying them for yourself!

I wash every morning and every evening with the Purity Facial Cleanser + Mask. It's amazing, and I will never part with it!

After washing, I rub a dollop of the Coconut Whipped Body Butter all over my face. I actually started using this on my face by accident, as one day I ran out of my face lotion and tried this. My face loved it so much i've been using it for about 8 months and my skin is so hydrated and no break-outs!

For make-up, my routine includes:
Mattifying Primer: This is a total STAPLE you should try. Game changer in my opinion! Regular primers make me break-out for sure, but not this one. It is smooth, healthy, and makes my foundation slide on my skin!

Fruit Pigmented Healthy Foundation (in Peach Bisque) : Another staple I will always buy. Great coverage and so smooth!

Maracuja Mascara: Black Tea: Best mascara i've ever used!

If you're into lipsticks, this one is my favorite. If you're looking for something more subtle, I adore this lip glaze, and if you like a good lip gloss, this one is my favorite!

At night, I wash with the Purity Facial Cleanser + Mask, and then apply a serum that they actually discontinued. Once I run out of the serum, I'm planning on trying their new night cream product called the Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm.

They also source baby products too!! I got this lotion, this shampoo, and this sunscreen for Avonlea. I feel super comfortable using them on such a tiny babe as they are all non-toxic and gentle as can be!!

So that's that! These are the staples I use on a daily basis! My advice is to start small, purchasing just a few foundational products (foundation, mascara, etc) and try them out! If you like them, then over time add a few more to your routine. Everything lasts a good amount of time, and I swear you'll notice the difference!

Hope this helps get you where you want to be with your more natural, non-toxic lifestyle:) And as a fun added bonus, in the month of April 100% Pure will plant a tree for every item you purchase! So cool, right?

Hopefully this week i'll be sharing my birth story and more pics of sweet Avonlea! Have a lovely day:)

Products that changed my skin…on sale now!

No other brand has changed my skin like 100% Pure. I know i've talked about it before, but I truly struggled with acne for a big chunk of my adolescents and into my 20's! (You can read more about that here). So if that's you, I can totally relate! 

It wasn't until I made some major life changes that my skin started getting better. The biggest change was throwing away all my toxic skincare and make-up, and starting over with totally PURE and CLEAN products, which is ALL 100% Pure sells!!

You can see my favorite make-up products here, and my favorite skin-care products here. I have one change i've made to my skin-care routine, which is that I started using the coconut whipped body butter as my every day moisturizer. It actually all started on accident, when I ran out of my old moisturizer, and all I had was the body butter. So I used the body butter, and my skin felt SO hydrated and moisturized! I've used it for about 6 months now, and I literally haven't had any break-outs that entire time and my skin feels so good!

Right now,

all products are 20% off,

there is free shipping,

and the body butter is even discounted!

(It ends Dec 15th, so get on it!!) 

So, if you've struggled with acne or sensitive skin…look no further. I promise you these products will truly change your skin!! To get your 20% off, just click on the link below!!

Huge free gift from 100% Pure

So…I love free stuff. And today, I wanted to share with you a sweet deal that 100% Pure is giving away with the purchase of only $65. In your free gift set, you'll get:

Lip Carmel: Truffle
Blackest Pencil Eyeliner
Black Tea Regular Mascara
BB Cream – your choice shade of 10, 20 or 30
Adorable 100% Pure makeup bag

Basically, it's a package that has a value of $119 and you're getting it for free. I've found many great products through the free gifts!! It starts today and lasts until Oct 2nd, so get on it!! 

And if you wonder why i'm sharing about this it's because 100% Pure has changed my skin, literally! If you don't believe me you can read how I've beat my struggle with acne through these products, and which make-up and skin care products are my favorite!! 

If you're ready, just click the link below and start shopping!! xoxo 

Happy Thursday friends!! 

a gift for YOU: 25% off everything at 100% Pure

So...just a quick Happy Friday to YOU to let you know that everything at 100% Pure is 25% off today!! Just click the banner below and start shopping!!

If you don't know this awesome company, you can read my stories below to learn more about them:
- My skin struggle and how I beat it
- My favorite 100% Pure skincare
- My favorite 100% Pure make-up 

Happy Friday! I'm off to Carmel this weekend for my brother's wedding. SO so excited for him to get hitched! Woo hoo!! Hope you have a great day:) 

On sale today: Amazing products (that I use daily)

First of all, if you haven't heard of 100% Pure- they are, in my opinion, the BEST make-up and skin care line i've ever used. Literally, my face has never been clearer and cleaner, and if you know me, you know i've struggled with skin issues for a while! Our skin is our biggest organ, and so we shouldn't be putting toxic crap on our face or body (and we all know most drug store brands are loaded with toxic chemicals!). Last year, I literally threw away all the drug store products filled with chemicals, and started investing in make-up and skin care that nourished my body in a natural way:)

For the last year, i've exclusively used 100% Pure products, both for my make-up and skin care routine. You can read more about the exact products I use each day for make-up and skin care.

1) Pretty Naked II Palette
100% Pure just came out with a new palette (complete with luminizer, blush and eye shadow) that I think is awesome. I've exclusively used their original Naked Palette the last year and have loved it, and now they are coming out with the Naked Palette II, which offers some variation in colors. This palette saves you the money of having to buy the luminizer, blush and shadows all individually. And it lasts forever! Right now, they are offering 10% off if you use the code ny10naked to purchase the Pretty Naked II Palette

2) Rose & Calendula Water Serum
This is one of those products that is pricey, but a total game changer! I use this under my daily moisturizer, and my evening nourishing oil. It hydrates and keeps skin nice and clear. It has been out of stock for almost a whole year, and i'm over the moon it's back in. AND, right now if you purchase this, you will get the Organize Rose Hydrosol Mist for free! Click here to check it out!

3) 20% off the scent of the month which is mangosteen, and 20% off the ingredient of the month which is jojoba beads. If you see any products with these, you get an automatic 20% off. All of their lotions are amazing, I must say, and perfect for staying moisturized this summer!

4) And, the best steal of a deal...
20% off $50+ orders
25% off $100+orders
30% off $150+ orders
No exclusions

Ends at midnight 7/26/16 (PST)
Save up to 30% off on 100% Pure online

If you feel overwhelmed, make sure to check out my posts on all the products I use on a daily basis (make-up and skin care) to give you an idea of how these products work and which ones I recommend. I've tried a LOT of their products, and definitely have my favorites! They offer free shipping AND free returns, so it's super easy to send something back if it's not your style. Total game changer. If you struggle with skin issues of any kind, I promise you will come to adore these products like I have!!

And if you just want to browse at your own pace, feel free to use my affiliate link here:) Thanks so much for supporting me in so many ways:) xoxo

Happy Wednesday!! 

50% Off all 100% Pure non-toxic nail polishes!!

Today through Sunday 100% Pure is having a crazy sale on their nail polishes. 50% off all of them! They originally retail at $12, so you will score these awesome little babies for $6!! Hurray!!! Just use  the code summertoes.

Funny story about nail polish...I never used to wear it. When I met Kevin, he mentioned that he loved it when I wore nail polish. It cracked me up because Kevin hardly makes any requests of me, so I now love to wear nail polish because I know he appreciates it.

When I became interested in ridding myself of non-toxic cosmetics, all my normal nail polishes went straight into the trash can. I was so excited to find 100% Pure's line of non-toxic nail polishes which are free from the big 10 chemicals normally found in regular polishes. 100% Pure Nail Polishes are "10-free" - free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients.

Currently I own Velveteen, Jam, Truffle and Kiss. And...I really do love them all. They stay on quite well, and it just makes me feel better knowing they aren't injecting crazy chemicals into my body. I plan to stock up on a few of these nail polishes for gifts and stocking stuffers (just starting my Christmas shopping early:) I also think I may snag their Gloss Top Coat Polish which will help the color last longer!!

And like all orders from 100% Pure, they offer free shipping!! Can't beat that:)

Enjoy the discount!! Happy Wednesday! xoxo 

Skin care I use on a daily basis (and how I beat my struggle with acne!)

Today I wanted to talk about all the skincare items I use on a daily basis. Let me preface this post by sharing a little of my "skin" story with you. Sadly, I was not blessed with flawless skin, far from it. And i'm not talking a few break-outs here and there. I'm talking about years and years of debilitating blemishes that truly haunted me. I've taken Accutane (twice!), and even after that things did not get much better. I spent years and years of crying while looking into the mirror, asking God "why?" and spending thousands of dollars on products that didn't work. It's all a tad embarrassing to admit, but it's my story and if I can encourage anyone dealing with severe acne, then I hope it's all worth it:)

Essentially, my skin went through ups and downs, but literally never stabilized until I started using 100% Pure products. Other things I did helped, like cutting out refined sugar and changing my diet for other health reasons, but these sealed the deal and I will never go back! I know I sing their praises, but it's because the products (which are all natural and non-toxic) have literally transformed my skin. I have next to no break-outs, my skin tone has evened out, and my skin feels normal (which is what every acne sufferer wishes for!!).

 So today, I wanted to share the products I use on a daily basis and then also give-away some fun products for you to try!! One thing I've noticed about these pure products is that my regiment has become more simple because each item truly gives me a lot of bang for my buck. Back in the old days, I had a crazy face regiment of 5 or 6 different products and things I would do each night. Now, I truly use the same 3 products on my face each day! Here they are:

1) Purity Facial Cleanser + Mask {Acne Detox}
This face wash is pure gold. The first ingredient is organic aloe, so it's very soothing, but also packs a punch and is loaded with Red Algae, Kelp, and bacteria killing plants like oregano, thyme and tea tree and eucalyptus! I have used this for over a year now and its amazing. I will never go with out it!

2) Coffee Cherry Cream
After I wash my face in the morning with the Purity Facial Cleanser, I pat it dry and then apply this deliciously smelling Coffee Cherry Cream. This stuff is hydrating!! My skin feels so smooth after I slather it on. I've tried a few of their moisturizers and this one is by far my favorite!

3) Nourishing Facial Oil
In the evening, after I wash my face with the Purity Facial Cleaner, I pat it dry and then apply this Nourishing Facial Oil. This product was recommended to me, and once I tried it I couldn't stop. I used to apply maracuja oil on my face at night, and while that was good, this nourishing facial oils is better.  Don't let the simple packing on this little bottle fool you, it's pretty awesome!
Above are the 3 products I use each day. Every now and then, I LOVE giving my skin some extra pampering (especially around times I travel after being on a germy airplane!). I adore these two masks:

4) Herbal Detox Mask
This mask gets rid of yucky toxins in the skin and makes it feel crazy smooth. I will skip going to get a facial at a spa and just do my own spa treatment at home with this mask!

5) Aqua Boost Hydrading Mask
Never have I found a more moisturizing product than this one! Made with aloe, cucumber and other natural soothing ingredients, your face will drink this up and be all the better for it. Again, instead of going to the spa, I will gladly put on this mask in the comforts of my own home!!After an airplane ride which literally sucks the moisture from the air, this always feels so nice on my skin!

I also wanted to give a shout-out to my new favorite shampoo, Glossy Locks (also from 100% Pure). There are 2 shampoos and 2 conditioners in their line. I have used:

6) The Glossing Shampoo and Grow More conditioner and they have been great. My hair smells divine and is nice and airy (not weighted down or stripped by the chemicals in normal shampoos and conditioner).

ps- If you do want to purchase anything from 100% Pure, I'd love for you to use my affiliate link on the sidebar of my blog:) This allows me to receive a tiny bit of commission. I love these products, believe in them, and purchase them, so your purchase allows me to keep purchasing these products as well:) Thank you!

Make-up I wear on an everyday basis

It's almost been a year since I discovered 100% Pure, and to say they've changed my skin is an understatement. I doubt i'll wear any other make-up because this stuff is the real deal. As someone who has dealt with skin issues since high school, I am so thankful I found this company. I wanted to share with you today the products that I wear every single day. I've tried a lot of their products, and some I like more than others..but the items below are products I love and will continue ordering. Here we go…

1. Mattifying Primer: I start with this product every morning. After I wash and dry my face, I rub a drop of this primer over my skin. Because this is 100% pure of toxins and chemicals, the nourishing ingredients include aloe, seaweed collagen, eucalyptus, tea tree, oregano, thyme and other natural ingredients. This is the first primer i've ever used that didn't break me out, but instead added an extra coat of silky support for my skin! And it's part of the huge give-away below:)

2. Fruit Pigmented Healthy Foundation {in Peach Bisque}: After applying the primer, I let it still for a few minutes while i'm working on my eyes. Then I use a beauty blender (total game changer!) to put on this healthy foundation. This foundation is amazing. It gives good coverage without being cakey. And, my first bottle I bought lasted me 9 months! I just recently had to purchase a new one.

3. Fruit Pigmented Sex Kitten Palette: I'm pretty simple with my eye make-up. I like good neutrals for my lids, and then use a darker shade to line my eyes. I used to use the Pretty Naked Palette (which I also love), but it doesn't come with a dark purple color (which the sex kitten palette does) which is what I use to line my eyes. The nice thing about these palette's is that they also come with a blush, so when I'm feeling like wearing blush, I can just use this one as opposed to buying another blush. And, all the colors are pigmented by fruit which is so awesome!

4. Maracuja Mascara: Black Tea: My favorite mascara ever. It smells delicious, and more importantly, doesn't make my eye lashes droopy or worn out. It makes them bright and perky, which I love. It is also packed with essential oils, which makes me happy.

5. Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipstick: I've tried almost all of 100% Pure's lipsticks and lip glosses. These pomegranate lipsticks are my favorite. They are so moisturizing because the majority of the ingredients are shea butter and fruits:) If you like bright colors, I love primrose (which is a bright pink) or poppy (which is a pinky red, may be my favorite). If you like a more muted color, foxglove is a good choice.

I hope that was helpful! In another post I have shared what skincare products I use on a regular basis, and hopefully this will inspire you to throw out those toxic products you use, and start treating your skin to non-toxic and gentle cleaners that actually work!!

Happy Wednesday friends!!

100% Pure Make-Up Give-Away

So this past April, I discovered my absolute favorite skin care and cosmetic brand called 100% Pure. I had been searching for YEARS for all natural make-up that worked and didn't melt off my skin or make me look cakey. I casually bought a few things from 100% Pure, expecting them to be like every other natural make-up brand that was just a pathetic excuse for make-up. Not the case AT ALL. I was actually shocked at how amazing their make-up was, and since April have tried so many of their products that i'm a total believer that make-up can be both toxin free AND flawless! 

I've always gone pretty natural in the eye shadow department, and 100% Pure has got me covered with their different options. They have 3 new palettes they've added to their line up, the Sex-Kitten, the Punk Princess, and the Mermaid. Each palette includes shades that are toxin free (no parabens, etc) and is colored with fruit pigments and other essential oils that nourish your skin! 

Today i'm giving away both the Punk Princess and the Mermaid Palette to 2 lucky ladies!! 

To enter: 

1. Like 100% Pure's FB & follow on IG {if you don't have FB or IG, no worries, enter anyway!} 

2. Leave a comment on this post with which palette you'd like to win

That's it!! The give-away closes this Sunday night, 12/6

And, as an added bonus, if you would like receive $30 off your next 100% Purchase you can use my affiliate link here to get it (You have ton spend $60 or more to get the $30 off, but still a great deal!!).  Even better, 100% Pure is having a huge sale now with tons of items on sale!  Check it out and get $30 off!! 

Happy Wednesday!
PS- Friends, i've been creating a magical 2016 calendar of all my Santorini pictures! It will be available for purchase starting Monday, so tune in to see it and swipe one while there are still some left!! xoxo 

{Mermaid Palette: above // Punk Princess Palette: below}

How to pamper your skin when you travel

One of the hardest parts about traveling is the damage it can cause to your skin! You better believe that my poor skin has gone through some rough seasons because of the wear and tear of travel. Airplanes suck the moisture out of your skin, and germs abound everywhere!  While i'm not paranoid about my skin when I travel, I do think it's important to carry around products that give your skin a little TLC! 

Lately, i've been searching for some all natural, spa-like masks that I can use to pamper my skin when I travel. Friends, i've found them…and they are the absolute best!! 

100% Pure is a skin care and cosmetics line that I fell in love with this past year. They have no toxins, and are made out of all natural ingredients (like I can read the label and know what every ingredient is!!). If you want to see the all natural make-up I use and love, click here. 

Recently, I tried out two of their newest masks, and to say i'm in love is an understatement! 

First is the Herbal Detox Mask! This masks is packed with powerful herbs that work to deep clean your face. I've used other masks in the past, but none that compare to the all-natural power this has to purge your skin of any yucky residue left over from your travels! I clean my face and pat it dry, then apply a very thin layer of the mask to my face, and leave it on anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Works like a  charm! On our trip back from Sweden, we had so many delayed and missed flights that I was not able to wash my face for over 24 hours (gross!). When I got back, I immediately relied on this baby to get me clean as a whistle! And let me tell ya, it worked!! I usually break out after traveling, but not this time!! 

Second is the Aqua Boost Hydrating Mask!  Holy Moly, I wish I would have had this mask since I was in jr. high! Literally, this baby pours the hydration into your skin so that it feels plump and loaded with moisture! My skin hasn't felt so supple in ages. I use this every few days and I can't tell you what a difference it has already made. I wash my face and dry it, and then put a thin layer over my skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes. After a few plane rides, my skin often gets flaky and dry. But on this last trip, my skin kept so hydrated, it felt great!! This might be one of my all-time favorite products i've ever used!! 

I like to think that having these masks is essentially like having my own personal spa in my suitcase!! I would absolutely recommend these masks to anyone looking for an extra something to help purge their skin of blemishes/bacteria, and hydrate their skin in an amazing way!

 Happy Tuesday friends!! It's my first day of my last semester of grad school! Hooray!!! 

*This post was sponsored by 100% Pure, but all all thoughts and opinions are my own!*