My "beauty" story reads like this: When I was twelve years old and began to experiment with wearing makeup it became apparent that I was allergic to it. Around the same time I discovered my skin was too sensitive to tollerate scented lotion any longer or perfume and, while we were at it, any artificially scented or chemical-full substance used for cleaning or filling a space with scent.
Friends felt sorry for me but honestly I was content being an "all natural" girl. Less fuss, much less expensive, and my skin was only being touched by the sunshine and fragrance-free, natural lotion. I wasn't complaining! At the age of twenty-two I'm still happy to be sporting my no-makeup face everywhere I go. So why are we talking about makeup all of a sudden? Frankly, because its winter in the Midwest and that means very cold, very dry and rather dark. It also means evening parties -- the only place that my natural face feels out of place.
I was in Target and decided to look for a lipstick or gloss that would match my natural lip color and serve two purposes: save my lips from getting chapped and keep them bright even on days where the color was drained from my face. I'm a big fan of Burt's Bees and their products are in the "natural beauty" aisle of our store. While standing there I noticed Pacifica products for the first time. Having no knowledge of their products I got on my phone and began researching reviews on other women's blogs. Sufficiently convinced by what I was reading to give them a try I went home and ordered a couple products from their website. This is what I got >>
Enlightened Gloss >> Opal
This is a very natural color, almost opaque. It goes on evenly and the shiny feel lasts for several hours.
$12.00
"Ingredients: Carthamus tintorius (safflower oil), oleic/linolenic polyglycerides, euphorbia cerifera (candlila) wax, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) esters, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, silica, olea europaea (olive) oil, parfum (natural), tocopherol eupatorium rebaudianum bertoni (stevia) leaf extract. May contain: calcium sodium borosilicate, eclipta prostrate extract (natural color), media azadirachta (neem) leaf extract, manganese violet c1 77742, titanium dioxide c1 77891, iron oxides c1 77491, c1 77492, mica, tin oxide."
I learned from becoming a conscious shopper of whole foods to read the ingredients label. Its amazing what can hide in there. I care what I put into my body and I also care about what is being put onto my skin -- especially the most delicate places: lips and eye lids. Ingredients are listed in order from greatest to least content amount so the first item listed is what the product contains the most of, the last ingredient listed is what it contains the least of. I can recognize almost every ingredient on this list as something that I could grow myself which is a sign that we are definitely in a "natural camp".
Devocean Natural Lipstick >> Tenderness
Goes on like butter and lasts half the day. It really soaks in and keeps my lips moist and bright. This color was the nearest to my natural pigment.
$14.00
"Ingredients: oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides (from sunflower oil), butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, diiostearyl malate, caprylic/capric triglyceride (from coconut oil), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) esters, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, euphorbia chinensis (candelilla) wax, cetyl alcohol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, flavor oil (all natural), tocopherol (vitamin E). May contain: melia azadirachta fruit extract, mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, tin oxide, vaccinium macrocarpon fruit (cranberry) extract, coccinia indica flower extract, daucus carota sativa root (carrot) extract, lycopersicum fruit (tomato) extract, and beta vulgaris (beetroot) extract.
Coconut Oil- Absorbs easily and keeps lips soft and supple. Helps to slow down the signs of aging.
Shea Butter- Rich in essential fatty acids that are super antioxidants. Provides moisturization and hydrates lips.
Jojoba Esters- Provides a buttery smooth application.
Vitamin E- Helps minimize fine lines and fights free radicals."
100% vegan - cruelty-free - and a portion of each product's proceeds go toward clean water
Stellar Eye Trio >>
This gift set was the perfect package to test the eye products on my skin. Though I would only use the shadow and liner for events a good mascara can be used any day of the week -- just for fun! I was pleased with how each item went on. The shadow was quite shimmery but was easily blended and softened with a finger tip. The pencil liner went on smooth and didn't feel chalky or heavy. It was also easily blended with a q-tip but lasted all day. The mascara was perfect, not greasy or clumpy. Washes off cleanly.
Unfortunately the products weren't natural enough for me. My eyes itched and watered on top of getting very dry during the day that I wore the products. Still, for under $20, I'm glad to have given it a shot!
Eye Shadow Duo >> Unicorn/Moonbeam
"Ingredients: Mica, caprylic/capric triglyceride (plant source), magnesium stearate, tridecyl trimellitate, polyethylene, dimethicone, silica, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylgylcerin, tocopheryl acetate. May contain: iron oxide (CI 77492, CI 77499, CIC 77491), manganese violet (CI 77742), titanium dioxide, ferroferric oxide."
"Ingredients: iron oxide CI 77499, hydrogenated simmondsia chinenesis seed oil, caprylic / capric triglyceride, simmondsia chinenesis seed oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, butyrospermum parkii butter, sclerocarya birrea seed oil, mica, candelilla cerifera cera, glyceryl caprylate, copernicia cerifera cera, tocopherol, helianthus annuus seed oil, ascorbyl palmitate
Jojoba Oil - Helps keep skin around the eyes moisturized
Shea Butter - Helps protects and moisturizes skin
Vitamin E - Provides anti-aging benefits in addition to helping reduce the appearance of fine lines
Vitamin C Antioxidant - natural preservative that helps fight free radicals"
$11.00
Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara >> Supernova
"Ingredients: Aqua, glycerin (vegetable), glyceryl stearate se, jojoba esters, tapioca starch, stearic acid (vegetable), copernicia cerfera (carnauba) wax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, arabic/acacia gum, acrylates, crosspolymer, potassium cetyl phosphate, microcrystalline cellulse (plant), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, panthenol (vitamin b), cellulose gum, gluconolactone, macrocystis pyifera (brown kelp) extract, hydrolyzed oryza sativa (rice) protein, sodium benzoate, iron oxides c1 77499.
Infused with coconut oil and Vitamin B for healthy lashes.
100% vegan. Cruelty-free. Formulated without FD & C color, parabens, talc and mineral oil."
$14.00
Pacifica products are well-priced and there is usually a sale going on. There is free shipping on orders over $50. When you join the loyalty program you earn points with purchases and by referring back to Pacifica on social media. When you earn 100 points you get a free sample. My free sample was of a solid perfume Pacifica makes as well as a bonus eye shadow duo.
"Pacifica’s Island Vanilla Solid Perfume contains organic cocos nucifera wax (coconut wax), organic glycine soja wax (soy wax), parfum (Pacifica’s own perfume blend with natural and essential oils), prunus armeniaca wax (apricot wax), caprylic/capric triglyceride (coconut source). No parabens, animal testing, animal ingredients or artificial colors. 100% VEGAN and Gluten-free."
