Health & Wellness

Currently Coveting “Green” Beauty

From a health transforming probiotic, non-toxic mascara that actually works, & a $10 ice roller here's everything I'm loving in beauty now
Filed Under > Beauty & Tutorials

A roundup of the best non toxic beauty buys, including the best non toxic mascara

top to bottom: The best non toxic mascara, overnight resurfacing peel, eye rescue creamcoconut melt, seed probiotic, lemongrass sugar scrub, BC body lotion, perfume from Tulum that will have you smelling like the beach, orchid face oil, the only eyeshadow palette you’ll ever need, facial ice roller, Himalayan salt scalp scrub & wash, coconut sea mist texturizing spray

While I’m not a makeup obsessed person (my everyday makeup routine consists of less than 8 products which I’ll be sharing with y’all next week), I am a product-obsessed person.

It’s probably because I’ve struggled with my skin since the age of thirteen.  And while my skin is better than ever, it seems that every day there’s a new issue to tackle thanks to mother nature so I’m always on the hunt for the next best magic concoction. Plus, someone has to test all of those Waiting On Martha Home beauty products before they go on the shelf right?!

But today’s roundup doesn’t just have to do with what I’m currently putting on my skin, but also what I’ve been taking every day with my morning coffee.  I’m talking about the holy grail, the motherload, the best probiotic I’ve ever taken. And trust me when I say I’ve tried out at least a dozen probiotics over the past six or so years, but this one by Seed has been a gut-health game changer.

Along with my new probiotic, some of my favorite products I’m sharing today include a $10 ice roller that will roll the stress away along with your eye bags. A Himalayan scalp scrub that might be the best shampoo I’ve ever used. A perfume from Tulum that has me smelling like the beach all year long. A face oil with a cult following, and so many other great green, non-toxic beauty products I swear by.

And lastly, I have finally found a non-toxic mascara that actually works.  You see the problem with non-toxic or “green” mascara is they tend to flake before noon leaving me with a constant racoon eye I have to rub away.  Not with this one. Not only does it volumize as it says, but it doesn’t flake like the others. Plus it lasts, I can confidently wear this mascara all day, without re-applying once! Best non toxic mascara ever!

Keep reading below to see more in-depth descriptions of these thirteen products and how I use them. And if you’re following along via Bloglovin, please note you have to actually click into the post to see all thirteen products broken down. Truly, MKR

P.S. If you’re interested in why I’ve changed my entire beauty routine over to clean products I encourage you to read THIS.

Beauty Counter Volumizing Mascara

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I have found it, FINALLY! The best ever non toxic mascara! Made with natural fibers, this advanced formula increases volume by 385%* to create fuller, more dramatic-looking lashes without clumping, flaking or smudging.

Cleaner, plant-derived ingredients, like carnauba wax and rice bran wax, replace harmful emollients, while bataua oil helps soften lashes.

Overnight Resurfacing Peel

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Goodnight, dullness. Good morning, glow. Formulated with 15 botanically-derived acids, this leave-on AHA/BHA peel improves skin texture and minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and dark spots without irritation or over-drying. Glycolic, lactic, and malic acids clear away dull surface skin cells, while hyaluronic acid and essential fatty acids soothe and nourish to reveal a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion.

Why is it safer?

This Overnight Resurfacing Peel is formulated without synthetic fragrances, PEGs, and formaldehyde-based preservatives commonly found in peels.

Beauty Counter Eye Rescue Cream

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Hello, bright eyes. Formulated for the delicate eye area, this nourishing cream awakens eyes. Squalane hydrates skin, while betaine and phytic acid boost oxygenation to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and shadows for brighter-looking eyes. Breakthrough Bio-Mimic Technology harnesses the unique life-giving properties of plants to match the composition of skin, giving it precisely what it needs and nothing it doesn’t.

I use this in combination with One Love Organics Vitamin E Eye Balm. Trust me, it’s a winning combo!

Kopari Coconut Melt

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This coconut melt is unlike others, I’m not quite sure how or why, but it’s definitely the best I’ve used to date. You can use it as a hair mask, moisturizer, makeup remover, shaving oil, and so much more.  I love it as a chapstick. And it will last forever! A little goes a long way!

Heres a few more ideas… as a hair mask by applying it to your hair from root to tip and letting it sit from 40 minutes to overnight; slather it all over your body from head to toe to moisturize; dab a little on a cotton ball and wipe it over your face to remove makeup; or even massage onto dry or damp legs as a shaving oil. Scoop out a generous glob and drop it in a hot bath; dab underneath your eyes to reduce dark circles; massage it all over your baby’s skin; or rub it all over your pregnant belly.

  • Paraben-free; sulfate-free; phthalate-free; gluten-free; silicone-free; GMO-free; synthetic fragrance-free

Beauty Counter Sugar Lemongrass Body Scrub

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Energizing exfoliation at its best! While brown sugar buffs away dull skin, hydrating sweet almond, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils and mineral-rich evening primrose leave skin looking supple and smooth. Lastly, a blend of pure citrus and lemongrass oils leaves a fresh and invigorating scent.

Coqui Coqui Coco Coco Parfum

http://bit.ly/2MMgMir

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I picked up this perfume while vacationing at Alys Beach. Direct from Tulum, they couldn’t have captured the smell of the beach any better.  I loved it so much I got a candle as well! Thinking I would never find it again, I was thrilled to find that Net-A-Porter carries the entire line!

Herbivore Orchid Oil

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Lush, exotic floral oils give skin a bright new glow while gently preserving its youth and replenishing hydration. An exquisite blend of Orchid Extract, precious Jasmine Sambac, and Japanese Camellia Flower Oil combine to defend against free radicals, increase elasticity, and feed the skin with beneficial vitamins and fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6 to protect against premature aging.

I’ve tried all 3 of the face oils Herbivore makes and I understand why this one has the cult following.  While I liked them all, I loved this one!

 

Beauty Counter Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette

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The question I get the most on Instagram Stories is what eye shadow I use.  Well here you go! This ultimate anytime, anywhere eyeshadow palette includes 18 neutral shades, a double-ended brush, and a removable mirror. A trifecta of finishes—satin, metallic, and matte—creates endless looks for every skin tone. Though I use the brown tones the most, and highlight with the white. All shadows get their luxurious texture from naturally-derived cocoa seed butter. 

Pretty See Ice Roller

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The $10 miracle worker! Keep this roller in the freezer, and get ready to roll yourself into a zen state while it depuffs the lack of sleep you got the night before.

The roller is helpful to lessen wrinkles and moisture dry skin, release tension, fatigue, sunburn, sore muscles, bruises, and minor injury. It’s also great for shrinking pores. Use the ice roller after applying a mask to shrink pores and make your face more comfortable.

 

 

G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub

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I get migraines, so I was immediately sold when I read about Goops Himalayan salt scalp scrub. I mean doesn’t it sound so refershing?  What I didn’t expect was what an amazing shampoo it would be!

Made of exfoliating mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt, nourishing cold-pressed moringa oil, and pure unfiltered rose hip oil purifies and detoxifies all at once. The scrub cleanses the hair and scalp of product buildup, dirt, and oil, leaving both clean and refreshed. The cleansing scent—rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint—lingers subtly in hair and smells amazing as you wash.  

And I know its a bit on the pricey side, but a little goes a long way. This container lasted me about a month and a half.

Herbivore Coconut Sea Mist Texturizing Spray

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Formulated with the same salinity as the Pacific Ocean, this naturally fragrant sea salt spray will bring new life and beachy volume to flat uninspired locks. The essential oils of coconut and vanilla give off an exotic aroma. I use this spray whenever I’m airdrying my hair or want a little extra volume.

 

Seed Probiotic

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As I stated above, I’ve tried at least a dozen different probiotics over the years, but this one has been the biggest game changer.  My explanation here won’t do it justices because it involves a lot of science, so I suggest visiting their site and reading for yourself.  And if you do decide to give it a whirl, make sure you follow their dosing protocol to get started.  I ended up not reading the directions and taking the full dosage right away rather than working up to it and it made me nauseous.  Once I actually followed directions I was good to go!

Beauty Counter Countermatch Body Moisturizer

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Your skin is your largest organ, so what you put on it is EXTREMELY important.  That’s one of the many reasons I love this all over body moisturizer from Beauty Counter.  I can rest easy that I’m not slathering myself in chemicals and toxins. 

Created with patent-pending Bio-Mimic Technology, Countermatch adapts to your skin, delivering exactly the nourishment it needs and nothing it doesn’t. Rich yet rapidly absorbing, it softens without a trace of stickiness. The result? Refreshed, vibrant, radiant skin at its peak performance.

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter: rich in vitamin E, it boosts hydration and restores elasticity. Squalane: Derived from olives, it draws moisture into the skin and visibly restores elasticity. Plum Oil (Prunus Domestica Seed Extract): Rich in omegas 6 & 9 and vitamin E, it reinforces the moisture barrier for healthy-looking skin.

  • 100% said product spreads easily*
  • 97.06% said skin felt well hydrated*
  • 97.06% said skin felt softer and smoother*

 

Photography Rustic White Interiors

What I’m Reading: Vegetarian & Vegan Cookbooks

7 Vegetarian Cookbooks to consider adding to your collection...even if you're not a vegetarian
Filed Under > Everyday

The best vegetarian and vegan cookbooks

The Vegan Pantry, The Better Bean Cookbook, Superfood Soups, Vegetarian Tagines & Couscous, Deliciously Dairy Free, The Oh She Glows Cookbook, The Vegetable Literacy

8 years ago, I embarked on the journey of becoming a full-time vegetarian, part-time vegan.  And that journey all started with a book, The Kind Diet, and a movie, Food, Inc. 

During my 7 years of being vegetarian the number one question I received was, “what do you eat?” This always baffled me, because I NEVER felt like I didn’t have options at restaurants or recipes to make at home.  And to answer the question you’re probably thinking…no I did not eat a lot of salads.  In fact I’d say I only ate 1 or 2 salads a week.  Sure, I had to sometimes get creative with my meal planning, and I also invested in vegetarian cookbooks. Vegetarian and vegan cookbooks was the easiest way to stretch outside my cooking comfort zone.

Educating myself on our food system and how food fuels and functions in our bodies was one of the most important, and best decisions of my life.  And I urge you to do the same.  This post is not about guilting, or standing on a soap box of any sort. But I truly believe we are at our best when we stretch our boundaries and learn new things. 

Those boundaries can be as simple as eating one more vegetarian or vegan meal a week. That’s why Meatless Monday became a thing. Did you know that an estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. A single pound! Think about that. Anyway, I could talk about this all day, but my intention when I sat down to write this was simply to share the vegetarian and vegan cookbooks I’m loving now.

Today, while I’m no longer a full-time vegetarian (read about that here), I am still very invested in vegetarian cooking. In fact, I’d say I eat vegetarian/vegan about 60% of the time. So that’s why I still love picking up vegetarian and vegan cookbooks.  Especially now when it seems there’s a new cookbook on the shelf every week.

I’ve listed the vegetarian and vegan cookbooks I’m currently reading above and below. And if you need some other vegetarian recipes check out our vegetarian and vegan section in my recipe index. Some of my favorite recipes would be my breakfast nachos, stuffed sweet potatoes, and best every veggie burger.

I’d love if you’d share if you have a current favorite vegetarian recipe?  Truly, MKR


 

Santa’s Elves Reporting For Duty

Creating Santa's Sleigh with Esurance
Filed Under > Everyday

Between owning a Shoppe, running a Blog, and just living my life I spend more time in my car than anywhere else.  At the risk of sounding cliche; my car is my home away from home.  And while that sentiment rings true all year long, it’s never more true than during the holiday season when my car turns into Santa’s Sleigh. 

So with that said, it only made sense to partner with Esurance to celebrate their Holiday Campaign focusing on the creative ways we customize and love on our “home away from home.”  I mean my car already feels like Santa’s Sleigh each holiday season so why not actually turn it in to Santa’s Sleigh.

For me, my car’s transformation begins with that first trek to the Christmas Tree farm where I outfit both my home and my car with all things green.  For my car I always wrap the rails with garland and hang wreaths from the front grill and back window.  This can easily be done with green wire and my go-to command strips.  Just make sure everything is securely tied down.  Nothing is worse than losing a wreath on I-85.  Trust me.

I also make sure I have laods of holiday necessities in the car at all times.  Wrapping paper, boxes, tape and scissors because you never know when you’ll need to wrap that last minute gift.  Plenty of my homemade Chex Mix, tied up with a bow.  And I always keep toiletries, and a few extra pairs of mittens and hats in case I come across someone in need. 

Between the festive decor, holiday musts, and plenty of holiday music playing; my car always helps me to get and stay in the Christmas spirit while getting from point A to B.  It also helps that I’ve got my own little elf named Addison to help me! Happy Holidays Friends, I hope this helps you to get into the spirit this year. Truly, MKR

P.S. Thank you Esurance for such a fun project. Celebrating my “home away from home” was the perfect way to kick off the magic of the season!

Photography, Kathryn McCrary  |  This post is sponsored by Esurance, a brand I love and adore.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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