Bagder Balm Headache Soother

Aaah, Badger Balms. These cute little tin cans just smell so good.

What it says:

"Massage onto temples, neck, and forehead. Expect a calming, cooling sensation, silky smooth skin, nice aroma and a sense of well-being!"

Ingredients:

*Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Golden Yellow Beeswax, Essential Oils of *Peppermint, *Lavender, *Eucalyptus, *Mandarin and Sandalwood, and CO₂ Extracts of Rosehip & *Calendula.

* = Certified Organic

I bring along this tin can of Headache Soother everywhere I go. It comes in handy when I feel a headache coming on. I put it on my temples and nose or just sniff the balm and my headache is gone. It smells of peppermint and lavender, very soothing indeed. Just don't put too much on your face or it would be shiny.

It works for minor headaches but at least I don't have to drink pain killers all the time. I've used this during one of my migraine attacks during that time of the month (for women) and when I would usually be in bed the whole day even with intake of 2 kinds of meds, this kept me up and about. I just kept it beside me and sniffed and rubbed. The wonderful smell perked me up. Sometimes even if I don't have a headache, I sniff this and I feel good.

The balm would probably last long for me because sometimes the smell is all I need. It could be a bit greasy but just use a little bit and massage on forehead, temples, neck. You can find this at Rustan's Essences for P395 for the 1 oz. tin can.

Nature's Gate Extra Strength Spot Corrector

One of the things I recently bought from Healthy Options is this: Nature's Gate Natural Results SA Acne Tx Extra Strength Spot Corrector (Uh, really long name huh?).

As I've probably said a million times over, I love Salicylic Acid, or rather my face does. I am allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide, one of the main treatments for acne so this does it for me. Also BP made my face geisha like since I started using it as prescribed by my derma way back in high school. I never noticed that I was walking the world with a head that looked different from my body until I got into makeup 3 years ago. Then I had the problem of evening out my skin tone so my face and neck matched, haaay!

Anyway, back to the product, I got this for P300+ for a half ounce tube (sells for $9.99 in the US so it's much cheaper here in Manila). It's organic (hurray!) containing 2% salicylic acid as it's active ingredient plus other good stuff like lemongrass, echinacea, ginger root extract, pumpkin seed extract, etc. It is a bit thick going on but you just have to spread it well. Only a little bit is needed and the packaging dispenses just a little at a time since the nozzle is tiny. No product is wasted. Plus, there is no strong medicinal smell.

It is dermatologist-tested, Paraben free and can be used up to 2 times a day (I use it twice a day). And like all acne treatments, a good sunscreen should be used daily while using this.

I've been using it for more than 4 weeks now and it healed the little breakouts I had (from trying out a product to be posted later). It does help quickly but gently combat those nasty zits while not drying out my skin. Usually topical meds like this (especially extra strength ones) would give you the flakies but it didn't for me.

I will definitely continue using this because it isn't that expensive, it's organic and it works.

Healthy Options

Yahoo! I got my Healthy Options card last week! Mom and I combined our purchases so I was able to get one. Mom has had her own card for a few years and now I have mine too.

Healthy Options is one of my favorite stores and I've been frequenting it more recently. Been buying organic and natural products from there most of the time now even my little girl's sugar fix (ie. Vitamin C lollipops). No mall trip is complete without me dropping buy even to just look at what's new. And I almost always find something. I hope they have more organic beauty products available soon.

Miessence Organics and M.'s MMU

I got a lovely package from my friend M. of Canada a few weeks ago. She sent me samples from Miessence Organics of which she is an independent representative. She also sent me samples of her own mineral makeup creations so I could try them out as a fellow mmu addict.

Berry Radical - very strong taste of cocoa but a good anti-oxidant

organic foundation samples

I have tried 3 shades of the blushes and bronzers and they are really good. I've used them without primer and foundation but on top of just finishing powder and they applied silkily and lasted a long time. The peachy shades I tried suited me well and weren't shimmery but more on the satiny/ matte side which I prefer. No itchies at all and only very little particles were needed since they were pigmented. Can't wait to try out the other shades.

Hmm, the foundation and bronzer photos are missing. She sent me a ton of foundation samples too.

A week ago I stopped all other stuff I used in the morning except sunblock and started the Purifying skin care line of samples she sent me. I began with the Cleanser. This one didn't lather at all. I used an ample amount and massaged it on my face then rinsed. It smelled citrusy, really refreshing. It didn't dry out my skin.

The Cleanser was followed with the Skin Brightener. This was applied with a cotton pad and put on the face up to the neck. It smelled of vinegar (like the Apple Cider Vinegar I tried out before) but it didn't sting my skin at all. What I liked about this is that after a few days of use, it really did brighten up my skin.

The Skin Conditioner followed the Skin Brightener. This was applied all over the face and neck using clean fingers and is used to prep the skin for the Moisturizer which was applied last. Both of these smelled citrusy. My face was soft after the whole regimen.

I used all these for 4 days when I started to notice small breakouts on my chin and cheeks. So far no cystic zits have appeared except for the small bumps. I think my skin was adjusting to organic products so I suspended use of all these until my skin healed. It's unfortunate this happened because my skin has really brightened. Also, the ingredients are organic and all natural but I guess my skin still needs the power of salicylic acid to prevent breakouts. It does help clear skin of other people though. I have resumed the use of the products yesterday. Will update once I finish my samples.

Embodyment Organic Essentials

Browsing through blogs I came across another organic bath and body brand called Embodyment. I was curious about their products since it is locally made and not that expensive.

A week ago, while waiting for a movie to start (Night at the Museum 2) I saw a stall selling this at the GreenBazaar in Trinoma so of course I spent my time there. They had bath soaps, lip balms, body scrubs, body butters and other items. I seriously didn't know which one to get in such a limited time. I sniffed the samples and it was the Goat's Milk & Vanilla scent that I liked the best. I settled for the small sized body butter (P150 for 50 grams) and a few soaps (3 for P200) for hubby since I was only going to try it out.

The soaps I got were Glutathione & Oats, Glutathione & Sweet Pea and Classic Glutathione. (Hubby likes his whitening soaps because he is now so dark from spending time in the sun due to sports). We haven't used the soaps yet since we still have other ones open.

The body butter smells soooo good! I love vanilla scents and this smells like it with an added creamy (milky?) scent that isn't too strong nor cloying. My little girl loves it too. We both have been using this every night since I bought it. The texture is light yet thick and is absorbed well by the skin. It is not greasy and is easy to spread on arms and legs. The scent lasts long (well I can still smell it faintly when I wake up) and skin feels smooth. It is moisturizing enough for the dry skin on my arms and legs.

I may buy a bigger size once I finish this (and my other lotions) since this is a scent that I really love (I sniff my arm over and over again LOL!) and I don't have to order it overseas. I can also make this part of my list as presents for Christmas since it's never too early to start thinking whom to give this to.

Locally this is available thru re-sellers here. I think this is the same seller I bought from in the Green Bazaar.

Review: Human Nature organic products

I've been using the products I got from Human Nature (see post here) for almost a week now.  I haven't had much experience with organics to compare them with, except maybe with Lush, and I had/am having a good one so far.

Aloe & Guava Facial Wash:

(for oily and acne prone skin)

- I used this once or twice a day the past 6 days and my skin did not feel tight after washing as some facial soaps do.  This has a refreshing guava scent that isn't off-putting but mild.  It lathers really well that only a pea-sized amount is needed and it rinses off easily with no residue on the skin.   No breakouts nor allergies for my sensitive and acne-prone skin.  It also doesn't sting my eyes.

- My mom has been using the other variant, Calendula & Seaweed Facial Wash (for combination  & sensitive skin) and she said she is also happy with it.  My mom has more sensitive skin than me and rarely uses anything else other than her derma's facial wash.

- Will continue using this alternately with my existing facial washes.

Aloe Vera Nourishing Shampoo in Mandarin:

(Mandarin variant has extra virgin coconut oil for a silky smooth finish)

- I was surprised that this shampoo lathers well.  I've read reviews on how organic shampoos don't lather but this one does.  Scent is mild with NO coconut oil scent at all.  My hair felt soft even during rinsing but I followed it with the conditioner.  My hair feels light with no sticky residue after shampoo.  Shampoo with your eyes closed though, coz it stings the eyes.

Mango Butter Nourishing Conditioner:

(Mandarin variant)

- This has a very thin consistency that you tend to use more than the usual amount.  It does not lather like other regular conditioners just make sure to distribute it evenly through your hair.  I leave it on for a few minutes then rinse and my hair was very soft.   Scent is very mild.

Pearl Powder & Aloe Vera Strengthening Shampoo & Body Wash:

(Cucumber for silky smooth finish)

- Lathers well like the Nourishing shampoo although I felt my hair a bit stiff after rinsing.  Following with the conditioner makes it soft again.  I prefer the Nourishing shampoo than this one although their effect is similar for me.  Mild scent of cucumbers.

Aloe Vera Kids Shampoo Watermelon:

- My DD loves this scent!  It lathers really well that we're able to make lots of bubbles while bathing.  It has a no tears formula which I tested also on my own eyes (yeah, I rubbed it in, no sting if it accidentally goes into your kids eyes.  Don't leave it on too long though coz eventually it will hurt a tiny bit.  I tried this on myself).  Hair is soft and shiny after rinsing. 

- Safe for kids because there are no harmful chemicals in this shampoo.

Lip Balm in Coconut:

- This smells really yummy!  Like a sweetened coconut dessert.  Balm is solid in the jar but applies with a thin consistency.  It moisturizes the lips but reapplication is needed often as it wears off easy.  A thicker consistency would make this better for me.  Also, a tube is a better container than a jar for hygenic reasons.

Solid Perfume in Mandarin Eucalyptus:

- This one I really didn't appreciate much.  It smells like a massage balm to me and it didn't last long after application.

This is my initial review on the few products I've been using from Human Nature.  It is good to know that we are starting to make our own organic products locally.  I will order bigger sizes of the shampoos and facial washes for myself and my family since it is good for the skin and we can help local industries.

Human Nature Organic Products

I was reading the newspaper Saturday morning when I came across an article on locally made organic products. This one in particular is Human Nature. This company, Gandang Kalikasan, was put up by Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto's daughter, Anna Meloto-Wilk because of her passion to help save the environment and to invest in Philippine-grown products.

I quickly went to their website (they don't have a brick & mortar store as of now) and saw how very inexpensive the products were. Being the product junkie that I am, I ordered small sizes and some kits to try out for myself, my mom and my DD. That was Saturday morning and now, Monday morning, I got my package!!!

All these for P500!

Happy Shower Kit P99.50:

-Aloe & Guava Facial Wash

-Nourishing Shampoo in Mandarin

Survival Kit P199:

-Moisturizing Shampoo in Mandarin

-Mango Butter Nourishing Conditioner

-Calendula & Seaweed Facial Wash

-Lip Balm in Coconut

-Solid Perfume in Mandarin Eucalyptus

-Nourishing Shampoo Lemongrass P29.75

-Strengthening Shampoo Cucumber P32.75

Squeaky Kid Kit P149.50:

-Citronella Bug Spr ay

-Aloe Vera Kids Shampoo Watermelon

There are choices or variants for the shampoos, perfumes and lip balms. Plus, there are bigger sizes of the products. I only got the smaller sizes so I'd be able to test them out first.

Amazing isn't it? I have yet to try all these out and I hope they work for me as going organic is better for the body. Also, we would be helping out the environment and our countrymen.