REVIEW: LaVanila Labratories "The Healthy Deodorant"

REVIEW: LaVanila Labratories "The Healthy Deodorant"

All of the BFF Beauty Girls rave about LaVanila Laboratories - The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut.  Finally there's an all-natural & aluminum-free deodorant that smells amazing and actually works!
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The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut first came on to our radar when BFF Beauty Girl, Alex, proclaimed "this stuff smells amazing, you have to try it!" 

Shortly after Alex announced her obsession with this product, the love for LaVanila continued to spread like wildfire as the BFF Beauty founders, Kristin & Jenni, tried The Healthy Deodorant in Alex's favorite scent, Vanilla Coconut, as well as in Vanilla Passion Fruit.
This stuff IS amazing!
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With three enthusiastic stamps of approval from Alex, Kristin and Jenni, there was only one Beauty BFF 'tester' left before being able to officially claim LaVanila's The Healthy Deodorant the BEST all-natural deodorant around.  Which brings us back to the current review... 

Continue reading to find out what BFF Beauty Girl, Carly has to say about Vanilla Coconut. Does she love The Healthy Deodorant too?  Could it be that we found the only all-natural deodorant that smells amazing AND actually works?
But first, a quick description from LaVanila Laboratories...
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

LaVanila Laboratories “The Healthy Deodorant”
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What it is:

A clinical-strength deodorant that is 100 percent natural, safe, and effective.
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What it is formulated to do:

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant uses beta-glucan technology to effectively fight odor while soothing, conditioning, and strengthening the skin. It goes on clean, with no sticky wetness, and delivers long-lasting, luxurious results.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This dermatologist-recommended, non-irritating, allergy-tested formula does not contain aluminum or mineral oils.

Key Ingredients in Vanilla Coconut:

• Beta-Glucan technology: Promotes healthy skin and fights odor with a complex of powerful antioxidants, anti-bacterial agents, and polysaccharides.
• Goji Berry: Provides powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, 21 essential minerals, and 18 amino acids.
• Japanese Honeysuckle: Acts as a natural preservative and an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
• Lichen Lemon and Tea Tree Oils: Prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Provide safe, long-lasting protection sans harsh chemicals or alcohol. 

CARLY REVIEWS VANILLA COCONUT:

It’s going on over 6 years now that I have been trying various brands of natural deodorant. I have tried countless different formulas with varying scents, and have never found any as effective (nor with a better fragrance) as “The Healthy Deodorant,” by LaVanila Laboratories.

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I have been using “The Healthy Deodorant” for close to a month now, and have already put it to some extreme tests. The most noteworthy of these “tests” being putting it on first thing in the morning (8:00 a.m.) and then going on about a busy and very active day—which included cycling up a mountain, and then coming home and quickly changing my clothes (no shower—didn’t have time!!!), so that I could relieve my babysitter…by now it is 2:00 p.m. and guess what??  No under arm odor!! AMAZING! And, this was not just one of those random days where maybe I just didn’t sweat as much, or didn’t smell as much for some reason—I have repeated this particular “test” multiple times now, among many other just-as-active days, and still no under arm odor!! Up until now, I have had to keep an emergency stash of aluminum and chemical ridden deodorants in my cabinet for those times that I could not chance being smelly!
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I am absolutely thrilled to have discovered "The Healthy Deodorant!" Finding a natural and effective deodorant has been a topic of discussion and conversations with many girlfriends, book club gatherings, and with the poor souls who work in the health and beauty section at Whole Foods, whom I have tortured with my questions about natural deodorants for years! (No exaggeration). I cannot tell you what a relief it is to find a natural deodorant that really and truly works! I am in love with this deodorant--I love how wonderful it smells, and I love the cool and refreshing feeling when applying it.

Creme Radiance Breathable Ageless Foundation - $58

Creme Radiance Breathable Ageless Foundation - $58

What it is:
An ultra-hydrating and smoothing full-coverage foundation cream.

What it's used for:
Sunday Riley Creme Radiance Breathable Ageless Foundation is a unique, moisture-rich, complete coverage foundation that allows the skin to breathe and actually correct itself while concealing flaws and imperfections. Infused with magnolia bark, biopeptides, tonka bean and biopeptides, this anti-aging makeup promotes cellular growth, reduces redness and prevents moisture loss.
QUICK TAKE: This is a lovely foundation, and it’s surprisingly light for being such a full coverage foundation. It’s a high quality product that’s richly moisturizing, loaded with active anti-aging ingredients and offers a beautiful and very natural finish.  I don’t wear this foundation all over my face because I prefer less coverage overall, however I do apply it to my T-zone and it blends perfectly with other makeup.

Creme Radiance blended onto my hand (right side) with nothing on my other hand (left side)

Both of Sunday Riley's Foundations (Liquid Light & Creme Radiance) are available in COOL ranges (100C-150C) and WARM ranges (100W-150W).

Below are the descriptions for the color shades of Creme Radiance. The same color descriptions can be applied to Liquid Light, but with one exception - I found that the Liquid Light does not have as much 'yellow undertone' in the 120 and 130 range. So when reading the descriptions below, replace "yellow" with "neutral" if referring to Liquid Light in the 120-130 ranges.

Sunday Riley Foundation WARM Range:
1. 100 W is an ivory for very pale skin tones with yellow undertones
2. 110 W is a fair to light beige with yellow undertones
3. 120 W is a light beige with yellow undertones
4. 130 W is a medium beige with yellow undertones
5. 140 W a big jump from the 130 W. This is for summer time golden-tan skin
6. 150 W is for dark golden-tan skin

Sunday Riley Foundation COOL Range:
1. 100 C is a pale shade with fair yellow undertones
2. 110 C is a neutral fair beige
3. 120 C is a light beige with neutral undertones
4. 130 C is a neutral medium beige
5. 140 C A huge jump from the 130 C. It’s a deep beige with neutral to rosy undertones
6. 150 C is a deep tan beige with a chocolate tone

In the following pictures you will see the Liquid Light Foundation 120W next to the Creme Radiance Foundation 110W.  I wanted to note that the reason I have a lighter shade in the Creme Radiance is because I typically only use it in the areas I need to 'lighten' up and more specifically cover up redness.  As we all already know 'yellow' covers up red, and if you notice under the color descriptions the amount of 'yellow undertones' become less and less the higher the number; and so 110W will have more yellow that 120W - hence the reason I use 110W on those red areas of my face.  Hopefully these pictures will better show you what I'm talking about with the 'yellow undertones'...

ROUGE BUNNY ROUGE FINE-SPUN LIGHT LUMINOUS SKIN WAND ($38)

ROUGE BUNNY ROUGE FINE-SPUN LIGHT LUMINOUS SKIN WAND ($38)

 Fine-Spun Light Luminous Skin Wand 

There is a woodland corner in the Enchanted Garden, where it is never dark, bathed in a dreamy glow of a Delight Constellation. There, you may hear the gentle swish of winged-elfin creatures, collecting the soft-glowing star beams to spin their precious light-thread. They weave it into gossamer mantles, draped to illuminate shadows and smooth reflections.

Rouge Bunny Rouge artisans have recreated the secret of this light-spun material, producing a concealing wand to banish dark shadows and imperfections from your complexion. As you spread these wings of light, luminescence will adorn the precious fabric of your beauty. Banish the shadows of tiredness and restore the glow of love and light.

This lightweight reflective formula can be used on the face and under eye area as a skin treatment and concealer. Its light diffusing properties diminish fine lines and minor blemishes, creating a flawless finish. It disguises dark circles and fine lines with a unique active ingredient Haloxyl™ to give a long-term reduction of under eye darkness; smoothes away under eye area and reduces puffiness with Fermiskin, made from Shitake Mushroom Extract.

This Luminous Skin Wand also contains Vitamins A, C, E and B5 for a full pamper effect.

Small tricks:

For a truly natural look, use FINE-SPUN LIGHT alone, or under a fine dusting of powder. If using Liquid Foundation or tinted moisturiser, use the Luminous Skin Wand first.

To disguise dark circles under the eyes, apply Luminous Skin Wand with the brush applicator directly onto the skin, using small dots. Blend evenly with the RBR Concealer Brush (# 004). Use over PRELUDE IN THE CLOUDS for a soft and dewy finish that conceals whilst hydrating and smoothing away lines.

To cover blemishes, put a small amount on the back of the hand and blend over the blemish with a finger tip.

To reduce redness or other imperfections, use the brush applicator to dot a tiny amount onto the area and blend with the RBR Concealer Brush.

To create the perfect lip shape, put a small amount on the back of the hand and then brush it onto the outer contour of the lips with the RBR Lip Brush (# 010). Apply a dusting of Flawless Face Powder, then apply lip liner and lipstick and/or gloss.

To reduce the appearance of lines (especially those from the nose to the mouth), apply tiny dots down the wrinkle line and then blend with the RBR Concealer Brush.

Orionis Color Description: Pink beige with a touch of peach

YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT RADIANT TOUCH ($40)

YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT RADIANT TOUCH ($40)

Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

The beauty secret of the world's top makeup artists and models, Touche Éclat is the original must-have for a radiant, flawless face.

Capture 8 hours of sleep with the click of a pen. With a few strategic strokes of this award-winning complexion highlighter—dark circles, fine lines and signs of fatigue virtually disappear. Powered by the radiance-boosting Luminocaptide Complex, skin is instantly illuminated, so you look rested and refreshed—even if you’ve been up for hours. Sleek and sophisticated, it discretely slips into a makeup bag for quick touch-ups anytime. It’s the one beauty essential no woman should ever be without.

New Shades: 2.5 Luminous Vanilla, 3.5 Luminous Almond, 4.5 Luminous Sand, 5.5 Luminous Praline, 7 Luminous Mocha

Luminous Vanilla Color Description: For warm and light tones

GUEST REVIEW: Acure Organics Night Cream

GUEST REVIEW: Acure Organics Night Cream

Carly is amazed when her skin is rejuvenated by Acure Organics Night Cream - it's natures nocturnal miracle!

ACURE NIGHT CREAM - Argan stem cell + 2% chlorella growth factor
Nature’s nocturnal miracle! Age-fighting Argan Stem Cells, shown to help the skin’s natural repair process, firm and moisturize while 2% Chlorella Growth Factor fortifies collagen and elastin fibers. Hydrating Moroccan Argan Oil seals the deal, truly making this nature’s own skin rejuvenating system.

Description: Lasting, visible results will cause double takes in the mirror

Features:

• Provides targeted nutrition for overnight age defying action
• Feeds and restores cells
• High in vegetarian RNA and DNA from organic green algae
• Great for all skin types
• Paraben free, Gluten free, Synthetic fragrance free, Silicone free, Phthalate free
• Fair trade certified ingredients

Ingredients:
Organic Curoxidant Blend (Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Calendula officinalis (Calendula), Organic Matricaria recutita (Chamomile), Fair Trade Certified™ Organic Aspalanthus linearis (Rooibos), Prunus armeniaca (Apricot kernel) oil, Persea americana (Avocado) oil, Vegetable Glycerine, Prunus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, glyceryl stearate (vegetable derived), cetyl alcohol, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, glucose (sugar), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (milk & sugar enzymes), Organic Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Chlorella Growth Factor), Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Oil, Hypericum perforatum (St Johnswort) oil, Marrubium vulgare (white horehound) stem cell culture, Echinacea stem cell culture, Lactobacillus/fermented resveratrol extract, Organic argan oil, CoQ10, Olive Leaf extract, Argania spinosa (Argan) stem cell culture, Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender) (Essential) Oil, Citrus Limonium (Lemon) Oil, Xanthan gum.

Directions:  Apply nightly to face, neck and chest after cleansing and toning.
Sleep soundly. Awake happy!

CARLY SAYS:

Thankfully it is getting easier and easier to find natural and certified organic beauty products on the market. Acure Night Cream is made by Acure Organics—a family owned and operated company, founded to honor the family’s grandmother who battled breast cancer for over 10 years.

 

It was for these good reasons that Acure Night Cream stood out to me amongst the many wonderful organic beauty products there are to choose from.

 Acure Organics products

I first tried the Acure Night Cream from a small sample that one of the BFF Beauty Blogs Founders, Jenni , generously gave to me to try. I tried it on an evening when my skin was looking particularly aged and in need of some emergency TLC. So I rummaged through my box of samples that I was saving up for this very situation and was allured by the Acure Night Cream Sample. I covered my face with the cream and noted the wonderful smell and texture and the way the cream seemed to immediately absorb. Then I went to bed.

The next morning I awoke and was quite amazed at how smooth and clear my skin seemed. I thought perhaps it was just a lucky coincidence—that maybe it was just a good night’s sleep, or all the water I drank the day before, or a random three days of good nutrition finally catching up with my skin…but I was curious enough to order a bottle from the Acure Organics Web site: http://www.acureorganics.com/NIGHT-CREAM-argan-stem-cell-2-chlorella-growth-p/006.htm and was shocked at how affordable it was. It was worth trying.

Acure Night Cream boasts “nocturnal miracle! Age-fighting Argan Stem Cells, shown to help the skin’s natural repair process, while 2% Chlorella Growth Factor fortifies collagen and elastin fibers.” 

I have been using it now for close to a month and have indeed seen quite a remarkable difference in my skin. I have to give the credit to the Night Cream (as well as Acure Argan Oil and the Acure Line Eraser which I will also review soon) because, otherwise, I didn’t change anything else in my beauty routine. The most drastic and dramatic results have been that all of my “splotchiness” and redness have disappeared and the deep lines in my forehead and around my mouth have smoothed significantly. My skin seems to glow and looks plumper and younger.

I have gained immediate, and lasting results from using this product (as well as two other Acure Products). I am sold, and will keep these products in my beauty line-up indefinitely. The packaging is calming and beautiful (you may have figured out by now, that I am easily sold by beautiful packaging) and it has a beautiful, natural smelling scent. I also really love that Acure Organics is family owned and operated and that their products are created with great conscience—no animal testing, no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and harmful preservatives and artificial colors. Lastly, I love that my purchase goes to support a cure for breast cancer. What more can I say? 

Acure Night Cream is available at:

acureorganics.com - $19.99

drugstore.com - $19.99 plus FREE Acure gift with purchase OR Spend $40 on Acure Organics items and get an Argan Oil FREE ($14.99 value).

CHANTECAILLE BIOLIFT CONCEALER ($69)

CHANTECAILLE BIOLIFT CONCEALER  ($69)

Chantecaille Biolift Concealer 

Chantecaille introduced this concealer as the very first one that actually works to erase fine lines as it covers them. With two-in-one impact, this powerhouse product combines innovative technology with ultra-smooth color coverage.

Its core delivers a concentrated anti-wrinkle hexapeptide that relaxes existing lines and prevents new ones from forming. It also contains a moisturizing treatment with botanical Squalane (a natural lubricant and protector), Soybean and Vitamin E. The surrounding color stick seamlessly covers dark circles and blemishes, smoothes uneven texture, and offers SPF 10.

Vanilla Color Description: Medium light. Even toned - not too pink or yellow

Special Features: 

• Anti-wrinkle hexapeptide relaxes existing lines and prevents others from forming

• Surrounding color stick creates smooth, natural coverage for dark circles and blemishes

• Botanical Squalane, Soybean and Vitamin E provide moisturizing treatment

• Non-chemical SPF 10

Dry Touch Creme-To-Powder Concealer - $28

Dry Touch Creme-To-Powder Concealer - $28

Available shades:
145W is ideal for dark skin with warm undertones.
145C is ideal for dark skin with cool undertones.
125W is ideal for medium-tan skin with warm undertones.
125C is ideal for medium-tan skin with cool undertones.
105W is ideal for light-fair skin with warm undertones.
105C is ideal for light-fair skin with cool undertones.

What it is:
A lightweight, long-wearing concealer that perfects the skin.

What it's used for:
Sunday Riley Dry Touch Creme-To-Powder Concealer conceal all imperfections with using a creamy consistency that dries to a flake-free, powdery finish. Formulated to mask all redness, blemishes, acne and scars without looking heavy, this flattering concealer works quickly and lasts all day long.

QUICK TAKE:  Not the best concealer for around the eyes but excellent for covering up blemishes, red spots or random imperfections.  What's so great about this concealer is the fact that you don't have to apply additional powder on top of it to set it in.  Due to it's unique cream-to-powder formula, it sets perfectly even when using it 'on the go' with just your fingers!

**NOTE** The pictures below are mislabeled.  The correct shade in the swatches is 125W and NOT 145W.

Sunday Riley Modern Skincare is available at:

• Sundayriley.com (Skincare only - no makeup)
• Barneys
• Bergdorf Goodman
• Nordstroms (*new* online only)
• Dermstore.com
• Sephora