Christina Alyce Beauty

K. Voss MagiK Shimmer Full Size/My Sample: 2oz - $28 I'm a shimmer and glitter addict, so I was really excited to try this lotion. It's lightweight and subtly shimmery, which would make it perfect for shorts weather! the grape seed oil, avocado butter, and shea butter melted right into my skin and left no residue on the skin. The sandalwood scent confirms that this is the perfect beachy, summertime product to make your skin glow.

Sahajan Restorative Eye Cream My Sample: 8 mL / $25.60 Full Size: 15 mL / $48.00 This brightening eye cream was inspired by the ancient practices of Ayurveda, by a former pharmaceutical executive. This product is the perfect marriage of  science and nature. Ingredients like honey, neem oil, and Triphala fight signs of aging while coconut oil, mango seed butter, and apricot kernel oil moisturize. I have been struggling with under eye circles lately, so I am really excited to see if this product is able to make a noticeable difference with regular use. But, as far as first impressions go, this product is hydrating and does not irritate my eyes. It also has a unique, herbal smell that I really enjoy.

Yarok Feed Your Ends Full Size: 8oz - $27.20 My Sample: 20oz - $13.20 This multi use spray is actually something I am already familiar with, because I won a full size in a prior giveaway from Goodbeing! I use it regularly after washing my hair as a heat protect and, and it is perfect for breathing life back into second or third-day curls. Jojoba, Grape seed oil, and apricot kernel oil add lightweight moisture to the hair and protect it from damage during heat styling. I'm happy that I have a travel sized bottle to keep in my bag for touch ups!

Au Natural Creme de la Creme Eye Shadow in Coffee Full Size: 4 grams - $24 My Sample: 3 grams - $18 I own many eye shadows, but strangely enough, none are cream formulas. Creams have always intimidated me, (until this year I had refused to wear cream blush!) because I am convinced they just don't blend out. This shadow has proven me wrong, with a silky texture that creates the perfect wash of color over the lid. I have really enjoyed wearing this shadow all over my lid without any other shadows, for a really simple look. The bronzy brown color is a shade I would have gravitated toward if I had been able to pick my shade, and it flatters my blue eyes.

I had originally planned to just keep this as a series on Instagram and Facebook, but I figured I might as well share it here, in its entirety, because I have a some links to detailed reviews and quite a few affiliate links!  

I started my green beauty just over a year ago, and I feel like maybe I should have been through more products by now! I always have multiples of every category of products open, and I tend to jump around, so maybe that's why. I have been a lot more consistent lately, so hopefully I'll get through things at a steadier pace from now on, and can post at the end of every month or season. My skin has certainly been appreciating consistency!




🌸 Blissoma Holistic Skincare Smooth A+ Clearing Serum
This serum has aboslutely changed my skin for the better! I have already repurchased it!
[Review] [Shop]

🌸 Dahliana Skincare Beauty Berry Collagen Booster
This was my first proper "green" face cream, and I really loved it. It kept my skin plump. I recently published a video featuring this cream, which I have linked below.!
[Video][Shop]

🌸 Mahalo The Unveil Cleansing Balm
Another recent repurchase because it's so darn good! I have a full review of this on my blog too, that I need to edit a bit because I just don't think it portrays how much I love this balm.
[Review] [Shop]

🌸 Silk Naturals Translucent Cloud Finishing Powder
This was just ok, it might just not have worked well with my Vapour foundations, or the concealer I was using, but it made my makeup have a weird texture. I won't repurchase it.
[Shop]

🌸 Fig + Yarrow Cleansing Elixir
 I have a review of this way back on my blog. I really enjoyed how gentle this was on my skin.
[Review][Shop]

🌸 Mullein and Sparrow Rosemary and Clary Sage Serum
 This was a nice serum, but I didn't notice any drastic changes in my skin while using it. It was just a sample size so maybe I would have noticed more benefits if I had used it longer!
[Shop]




  💦Mullein and Sparrow Sandalwood and Sage Face Mist  
This was really nice. My skin was a mess when I started using it and I think it helped. I think I would like to repurchase it.
[Shop]

💦 Glitter and Gratitude Dee Facial Toner 
This one was nice, and kept my skin under control, but I have decided that Tea Tree Oil and my skin just don't vibe. It's not a bad product by any means, it's just not perfect for my needs.
[Shop is permanently closed]

💦 Graydon Face Food Mineral Mist 
 I was using this during the 2 or 3 week period a couple of months ago where I actually had completely clear skin. I don't know if this played a part in that, but I really enjoyed using it and I think my skin really likes copper and Zinc. I would love to repurchase this and try other things from the brand.
[Shop]

💦 The Dirty Goat Rosemary Refreshing Hydrosol Toner 
Rosemary Refreshing Hydrosol Toner - This was the first hydrosol I tried, and it was so simple and exactly what I needed at the beginning of my journey to green. I love hydrosols now!
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💦 Valentina's Naturals Balancing Beauty Mist 
I found this little gem at TJ Maxx for like $4 and it was wonderful! My skin adores ACV and really enjoyed this toner.
[Shop]

💦 Fig + Yarrow Complexion Water 
I have a full review of this little guy on my blog that you should be able to find via the link in my bio. I enjoyed this toner a lot, it was very soothing.
[Review] [Shop] 






🌹 SheaMoisture Manuka Oil and Mafura Oil Body Wash
 this was super moisturizing, but I honestly hated the smell. I love Shea Moisture products but everything smells sooo strong. It has turned me off of so many of their products. I would love an unscented version of this.
[Shop]

🌹 Dr. Bronner's Rose Castile Soap
 I got this in a 2 pack at TJ Maxx for such a good price, I use it for everything from washing my hands, to doing dishes, to washing makeup brushes. I'm using the lavendar one now.
[Shop]

🌹 SheaMoisture 100% Pure Argan Oil
100% Pure Argan Oil - I use this in my hair before blow-drying and I love it! Argan is definitely my hair's favorite oil. I just repurchased this over the weekend after being without for a couple of months. I missed it!
[Shop]

🌹 Florapothecarie Love Body Oil
 I got this in Florapothecarie's product testing program, so I don't know if the finished product is exactly the same, but I loved this! I've been using more rose products lately and I've really been enjoying them. I would (and intend to) purchase a full size of this. The oil absorbed really nicely.

🌹 Florapothecarie Orange Sugar Scrub and Florapothecarie Whipped Body Butter
I loved these so much, repurchased both in full size, and wrote a detailed review. I'm traveling in the fall and I plan to save these containers to put some of the full sized product in. Love them!
 [Review] [Shop Scrub] [Shop Body Butter]


Now I can go repurpose, recycle, and have a little less junk to pack when I move! 
🌟Also, I want to announce that I'm having a blog sale! This will be a permanent page, which I will use to destash any items that just aren't working out for me. You can find the page at the top of my bog, by clicking the "shop" tab! All the info about how to purchase is on that page.

Products that truly make a positive difference in the appearance and health of your skin can be a challenge to find and afford. High performance ingredients are often costly, and even these luxury lines can be poorly formulated, leaving much to be desired for the price you have to pay.

The founder of Blissoma, Julie Longyear, believes in the importance of sourcing pure, potent ingredients and her masterful understanding of the skin and cosmetic chemistry shows in her finished products. She is a wealth of information, and helped me choose two wonderful serums to help my acne.

I have been on the quest for clear skin for what seems like an eternity, but in reality it's been about 4 years. In that time I have tried and essentially thrown away money on useless products. I never imagined I would eventually find my holy grail serum, much less one for $34! Blissoma's Smooth A+ Correcting Serum is that exact product that I've been searching for. I love that this product uses some less common ingredients to treat acne, instead of the typical tea tree oil, which is incredibly prevalent in natural acne treatments, and my skin does not particularly care for. Instead, Smooth A+ focuses on ingredients like rose, goldenrod, coriander, yarrow, and fennel for their antiseptic and soothing properties. One aspect I look for in acne care is gentle and soothing ingredients, because acne is essentially an inflamed, irritated pore. Attacking a spot with harsh ingredients will only further irritate the pore. With soothing ingredients like olive leaf, licorice, and heather, the pore has a chance to calm down and start healing. Something else that Smooth A+ offers that I don't often see in other acne products are ingredients like niacinamide which actually prevents breakouts in the first place, and prevent and reduce signs of aging and sun damage. For someone like me who has noticed a little bit of aging over the last year, this is an important ingredient to incorporate into my routine. Organic carrot and helio carrot CO2 lend the regenerative effects of beta carotene to increase cell turnover rate for faster healing and youthful skin. Smooth A+ contains no heavy oils, instead it features lightweight jojoba oil which makes it the perfect formula to wear in the daytime under makeup, or to layer under other products in the evening. I use Smooth A+ in the morning and evening. I love that I can barely feel it on my skin, and it has a beautiful fresh scent of frankincense, bergamot, and rose.

The second product I was sent is Restore: Deep Healing Oil Serum. I settled on this product because after so many years of attacking my skin (not only with harsh products, but I pick at my skin too) my complexion is a little worse for wear. Vitamin E oil is fantastic for diminishing old scar tissue, and Restore contains two sources of vitamin e; cranberry seed and grapeseed oil. Omega essential fatty acids from Evening Primrose oil and Pomegranate oil work wonders on inflammation and are both great antioxidants. Because much of my acne is caused by hormones, ingredients that are hormone balancing such as evening primrose and pomegranate work beautifully with my skin. Restore is a wonderful option for preventing aging and sun damage, with antioxidants and sun protection from tamanu oil and red raspberry oil. For existing signs of aging, Calendula CO2 can regenerate skin. I use Restore almost daily, only in the evening. It is such a smooth and soothing product, that it is my favorite part of my routine. The green scent is therapeutic and comforting. This product is most definitely an oil, and does not disappear into the skin the way Smooth A+ does. This does not bother me because I like the additional layer to trap in moisture, and it is not heavy or greasy feeling by any stretch.

Since adding these two products to my routine, I have noticed an immense change in my skin. I began using them during one of my worst breakouts ever, and after about 6 weeks I had an entire week with not a single blemish. Not one. That is an incredible accomplishment, because prior to that, I have not gone a single day without acne since I was 19. I have had a few breakouts since then, but they have stayed under control. I have noticed my breakouts clear much faster than they previously did as well, and overall my skin looks more youthful. I am so happy with the results I have seen, and I can't wait to explore more of the brand. I'm also excited to share that Blissoma is offering a 30% off sale to email subscribers on June 16th and 17th! This sale is especially important because Julie is trying to buy the beautiful building that is currently the hub of Blissoma. The sale is the perfect opportunity to try the brand and help Julie achieve her goal. I am curious to try the products Tone, Awake, and Flawless, as well as stock up on Smooth A+, so I can't wait for the sale!



Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links

Marin Bee Pure Honey Skincare recently reached out to me on Instagram to see if I would like to try out their Detox Masque, and after reading up on both the company and the product ingredients, I had a great feeling about working with them. Marin Bee promises that they "never use pre-made bases, parabens, PEGs, sulfates, phthalates, or synthetic fragrance. Our products are gluten free, never tested on animals, and help support Planet Bee Foundation." No nasty ingredients, and they support a wonderful initiative? Yes please! You can read all about their company's story, and how to get involved here.

I was lucky enough to win my very first Instagram giveaway a few months ago, and came away with a fantastic travel set from Florapothecarie. The Deluxe Travel Gift Set retails for $55, and contains 5 handmade, all natural, and vegan beauty products, as well as a beautiful handmade makeup bag. The packaging is beautiful- sleek labels, and clear glass jars which are my personal favorite. The set is semi-customizable, with your choice in scent of body scrub, type of mask, and a choice of either a facial toner or hair spray. The set always comes with Florapothecarie's best-selling deodorant cream and body butter, and you will not be disappointed with those two, trust me.


For my body scrub, I chose the Orange Sugar Scrub, and the sweet tropical orange aroma is absolutely mouthwatering, and the perfect pick-me-up this winter. The ingredients are simple- just cane sugar, jojoba oil, coconut oil, orange peel powder, vitamin , and orange essential oil - but it is so effective at sloughing off dry skin and leaving your body soft, smooth (it helps with cellulite!) and hydrated. I love sugar scrubs because they are just coarse enough to get the job done. I would definitely purchase a full size of this product in this scent, and I am curious to try out the Green Tea salt version as well.


The next product I chose was the Rose Clay mask. I had three masks to choose from, but I already have the Chocolate one which was featured in a Goddess Provisions box (and is totally dreamy), and I passed on the Charcoal option because I already own a handful of charcoal masks from other brands. So, I settled on the pretty pink-tinted Rose mask. The Rose Clay Mask is intended for all skin types, but is a particularly good choice for sensitive skin. It contains just three ingredients, rose kaolin clay, dehydrated coconut milk, and powdered rose hips. The ingredients gently exfoliate, cleanse, and mineralize the skin, leaving you with a radiant complexion. The mask is very simple to use, just scoop some out, mix with water until it forms a paste and apply. After 10-15 minutes, it's ready to rinse off. I did not have any irritation with this product like I do with other clay-based masks, nor did I have any breakouts. I do prefer the chocolate version though, because my skin did feel brighter and more hydrated after that one. The chocolate mask is a great option for those with mature skin.


The final of the 3 customizable options is the Rose + Tea Facial Toner, which I had to pick over the hair spray, only because I am a complete toner addict! I go through toner like water, so I will never pass one up when offered. Florapothecarie's toner is intended to balance and hydrate the skin with ingredients like rosewater, aloe, and witch hazel, while green tea gives the skin a boost of antioxidants. Toners are so important after cleansing to return the skin's pH to a healthy level, and before moisturizing to help products absorb more easily into the skin. I love that this formula uses classic and time-tested ingredients like witch hazel and rosewater to accomplish that. It leaves the skin feeling balanced and prepped for products to follow.



The fourth product in this set is the best-selling Deodorant-Cream, which shares it's gorgeous scent with the Orange body scrub. I am very hard to please when it comes to deodorant, because many just don't do the job. Luckily, this one preforms just as well as brands like Schmidts in regard to odor control, and I much prefer Florapothecarie's deodorant when it comes to the scent, and how it feels. My underarms can be sensitive to baking soda in deodorants, but I find that with Florapothecarie's product, I have no irritation whatsoever. I love that this product contains essential oils like tea tree combined with arrowroot powder to fight bacteria, and the coconut oil and shea butter base is incredibly moisturizing.


The fifth and final product of the bunch is the Whipped Body Butter, and this is by far the stand out product for me. I absolutely adore the natural cocoa butter scent, it is so simple and comforting. The combination of cocoa butter, shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil is perfect. A small scoop of product instantly melts into a luxurious oil and spreads easily onto the skin. I reserve my little jar for the worst of my dry skin days, because it packs quite the punch, and dry patches are soothed and moisturized instantly. I always keep plenty of lotions and creams on hand, but this one out- preforms them all. I will absolutely be purchasing a big 8oz jar of this when I finish mine!
I am so thankful to have won such a fantastic variety of products (and adorable travel pouch!), and I am so excited that I have discovered some new all-time favorites. This set is such a treat, and I love that it can be customized to suit anybody. I think it makes a great introduction to not only Florapothecarie's brand, but to natural skin and bodycare as a whole because the ingredients are pure and the resulting products are truly top-notch.