Aura Cacia Review and Giveaway (closed)

Aura Cacia is very easily the most affordable and easy to find top of the line Essential Oil company.  And of course for that reason my favorite.  I remember when I first started toying with essential oils.  I was in high school and didn’t know that difference between brands, and how they are processed and that the least expensive usually means the lest quality too.

Aura Cacia began in 1982, it has been a leader in aromatherapy sales and quality — as well as a key source of expert information that has fueled the widespread awareness of aromatherapy that we see today.

A key to Aura Cacia’s leadership is sourcing pure, authentic essential oils — dealing face-to-face with the people growing the plants and extracting the essential oil themselves whenever they can. Frequent trips to places like Europe, the Ukraine, Oregon and Australia to visit suppliers and processors illustrate Aura Cacia’s commitment to finding the best sources for their oils.

They also test every oil they receive to make sure it meets high standards. Aura Cacia industry-leading testing program — which now includes gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) — allows them to guarantee that they are providing its customers with the highest quality essential oils available. Whenever possible, they offer oils that are certified organic as well.

Aura Cacia makes aromatherapy accessible with innovative ready-to-use products that let even beginners realize the full benefits of their 100% pure essential oils in a variety of ways that can easily be a part of any lifestyle.

Aura Cacia cares about aromatherapy and the people who use it. This is evident in the quality and affordable pricing of their oils and each and ever one of their products.

I was blessed to have Aura Cacia reach out to me and send me a few items to try out. Of course I was familiar with their oils, but I had not tried many of their extra accessories and skin care items. One that was sent to me that I was honestly a little wary about is the Aura Cacia Patchouli Sweet Orange Body Polish. Why was I wary? I didn’t want to smell like a hippie! I have always loved the smell of Patchouli but have been around so many (dirty) hippies trying to cover up smells with it that the scent has lost its luster to me. (don’t get me wrong, I love hippies, just not the smelly ones)  Well Aura Cacia brought it back to me! The sweet orange balances the musky, spicy scent and leaves a really clean, slightly spicy and sweet scent. They know how to merge oils that is proven in this! ($10.99)

So how well does it perform? Hydrating, drenching, rough skin buster! Formulated with organic Fair Trade Certified sugar cane, grape seed oil, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and shea butter. How is that for a karate chop to dry skin? Use this on hands, feet and other rough areas like knees and elbows for a sensationally smooth feel. Because it has so much moisture it helps to heal and lock the moisture and the new skin in!

My skin gets so very dry in winter.  I work at keeping it hydrating on a daily basis.  One item Aura Cacia sent me is their Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath.  It is created with lavender and skin-nourishing organic milk powder and skin-calming organic whole-grain oat powder to really soothe overly dry irritated skin.  I think this would be perfect for someone post-fever too.  If you have ever been to Prissy Green before then you know I am a sucker for a nice bath!  I used this last satuday, and had my latest book.  I threw a mask on my face, one on my hair and soaked and soaked.  My skin came out soft and refreshed! ($3.29)

I am also trying out a sweet little Snowflake Diffuser.  We always had live trees for Christmas while I was growing up, so my senses only recognize Christmas if I smell the pine(y) scents.  The Aura Cacia Snowflake Diffuser is artisan-crafted from sustainable softwood maple and comes with a full sized bottle of Balsalm Fir Needle Essential Oil. (15.99)

My house smells just like a Christmas tree!  I love it!  Now I admit, we don’t actually have a tree….. I mean I would like one, but it would be up to me and, well that is a lot of work!  So I just have this sitting on the counter in between the kitchen and living room and the scent wafts up and fills the whole room.  Love it!  and it really would make a nice gift and is completely reusable next year, and the next!

I also this new card deck! The Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Deck is 54 cards containing information about essential oils, aromatherapy benefits, recipes for oils, and experiences associated with aromatherapy.  I think this is a really fun set for a novice essential oil user or even someone a little more experienced, as it has some really great information and some great recipes.  ($9.99)

Aura Cacia has tons of gifts for anyone on your list.  I know it might be late, but some of these you can find at stores near you too!  If not order today, December 17th!  I think today is last day to get items from most retail stores by Christmas.  (haven’t spoken to Aura Cacia about this, so i am unsure)

Aura Cacia has a Organic Baby line plus a kids line as well !  Essential oils can help to brighten a cranky child, calm a child before bedtime or just use in place of traditional drying soaps and cleansers!

And Aura Cacia wants to share all the items I reviewed with you too!  One Prissy Green Reader will win:

A Snowflake Diffuser

Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath

Patchouli & Sweet Orange Body Polish

Aromatherapy Card Deck

In total a $40 value!  But much more rewarding!

PLUS I have two extra bottles of Aura Cacia Rosewood Essential oil that I would like to share with two runner up winners!  $9.99 each!)

To enter, visit Aura Cacia and tell me an item you would most like to try out and why.

Please find something unique and not mentioned here.

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

• Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email. (2 entries)
  

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• Blog about this contest for THREE entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.

• Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like.  Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.

Contest closes at 11:59pm EST on 12/30. Winner will be drawn from Random.org and verified per the rules.  US only.

disclosure: I was sent items for review but was under no obligation to write a positive review. Opinions are my own and truthful.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Trillium Organics, Review and Giveaway (Closed)

You probably read, maybe even here about the USDA law soon to apply to personal care just the same as food? Well Trillium Organics is listed as company to trust from OCA. And is on their BUYcot list. =)

Trillium Herbal Company, Incorporated was started in 1994 by Karen Ciesar. Since its inception, Trillium Organics has grown to include over fifteen different products, most notably Organic Body Polish. A majority of Trillium’s most popular products are listed on the Skin Deep website, which rates toxicity in cosmetics. Trillium regularly shows up as TOP RATED and are some of the safest products in any of the categories.

Trillium Herbal Company, Inc., a Certified Woman Owned Business located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin has earned its Organic Certification from the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). From the beginning, Trillium has sought to produce a beneficial product using honest organic ingredients while creating a positive impact on the planet.

Trillium earned the Leaping Bunny certification from PETA, which denotes that the operations are 100% Cruelty Free. To that end, all of Trillium’s products are carefully hand blended in small batches. Trillium works with local, domestic, and fair trading suppliers and its operations are designed to support purity, consistency and certifiable authenticity. Trillium is certified to be a sustainably managed business by Green America (formerly Co-op America). To lessen its carbon footprint, packaging is all coded #1 PETE, and is 100% recyclable.

Trillium *scent* me their Clementine and Clove Collection.  There is not a better scent for this time of year out on the market.  It is slightly warming, fresh and with a sweet & spicy kick. It energizing with the clementine and the clove, well clove is an aphrodisiac.  So yes, it is quite sexy.  The set included:

Botanical Body Soap
Organic Shea Butter
Organic Body Oil
Organic Body Polish

My favorite item?  of course the Body Polish.  It didn’t leave me too oily or greasy, yet left my skin so silky smooth!  I actually used it, then applied just a tad more of the Body Oil over it and went to watch movies the first day I had it!  I was as smooth as a babies bum for the longest time!  I have been using the Shea Butter on my feet since it has the awesome warming effect.  It is slight, but it helps take the chill out before I layer them up with socks!

Trillium truly specializes in organic bath products for Mom & Baby.

Their OGmama’s line includes:

Organic Belly Polish which helps to nurture and aid stretching skin.

Organic Moisture Oil, light and fast absorbing, healing for all skin types.

Organic Gentle Soap, just a simple, cleansing soap gel that cleans with out stripping.

Organic Belly Butter which is perfect for all areas of expanding skin, plus knees, elbows, cuticles and anywhere else you might need it!

Trillium carries two organic bath lines for babies.  OGbaby’s Really Fragrance Free and OGbaby’s Breathe Free Tea Tree.

I was able to try out the OGbaby BFTT is it ever so scented with just the right amount of Tea Tree.  Enough to enjoy it and breathe deeply, but not so much to overpower the littlest of noses.  The OGbaby’s BFTT carries an Organic Gentle Soap and an Organic Chest Rub.

The OGbaby RFF line does contain a very slight amount of essential oils, but no fragrance.  NONE.

The OGbaby line includes:

Organic Gentle Soap which doubles as a baby shampoo.

Organic Moisture Oil with chamomile, calendula and lavender.

And Organic Barrier Balm, a zinc free, castor oil formulation to prevent diaper rash.

Trillium doesn’t even stop there.  They have products for acne, eczema and skin care tips for anyone that needs a little steering in the right direction!

And Trillium would like to give one of you a chance to try their line out!  They are offering one Prissy Green reader:

OGbaby Really Fragrance Free
1 3oz Barrier Balm
1 8oz Gentle Soap
1 4oz Moisture Oil
16oz OGmama Belly Polish
Total retail value being $56.92

To enter, visit Trillium and tell me something you learned.  Be original.  =)

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

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• Blog about this contest for Two entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.

Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 12/16. Open to US.

disclosure: I did receive items for review, but was under no obligation to report with a review.  opinions are still 100% my own.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Pregnant Women’s Bodies Polluted With Chemicals Found In Consumer Products

Pregnant Women’s Bodies Polluted With Chemicals Found In Consumer Products

The “Earliest Exposures” study, a research project conducted by Washington Toxics Coalition in collaboration with the Commonweal Biomonitoring Resource Center and the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition found pregnant women’s bodies were polluted with chemicals found in consumer products.

This first-of-its kind study investigated the living environment of nine fetuses through testing the blood and urine of the nine mothers taking part in the biomonitoring study. Tests measured the levels of five chemical groups, including phthalates, mercury, perfluorinated compounds or “Teflon chemicals,” bisphenol A (BPA), and the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A.

The women, all in their second trimester, were all found to have BPA, phthalates, mercury, and “Teflon chemicals” in their bodies. Cause for concern is that these toxic chemicals, known to disrupt development and hormonal systems cross the placenta and are absorbed by the fetus. They not only hinder fetal development, but the growing fetus has limited ability to detoxify these foreign substances.

Of the more than 80,000 chemicals found in consumer products today, only approximately 200 have been tested for safety since the inception of The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976. Until more strict regulations govern the use of ingredients in consumer products, consumers can take an active role in lowering their toxic exposure. Start by purchasing Phthalate and BPA free products, switching from flame retardant clothing and bedding to organic, and substituting conventional body care for third-party certified organic body care.

Karen Ciesar, Founder and Formulator of Trillium Organics states,

“I am sadly not surprised at these findings. The pervasiveness of petrochemicals in the modern world makes avoiding exposures a task which requires research and vigilance. Luckily, there are many non-profit organizations dedicated to informing consumers, some of my favorites are; SafeCosmetics.org (searchable database of cosmetic safety), Healthystuff.org (searchable database of family product safety), HealthychildHealthyworld.org, a comprehensive and informative site about environmental exposures, OrganicConsumers.org (an activist website about all issues surrounding Organic, food, personal care and fibers). It takes some time and effort to find safe products for your family, but every green purchasing choice you make increases your child’s chance at a healthy future in a greener world.”

Trillium Organics has recently been endorsed by the Organic Consumers’ Association as a “brand to trust” in their recent BUYcott campaign, Trillium Organics has been a leader in the movement for clean, safe personal care since 1994.

Look out for a review and giveaway from Trillium this week!

Naya Organics Review

Less packaging by buying bulk and reusing bags, boxes and containers = more earth friendly products at more affordable prices.

Less gas consumption in buying independent and locally = more clean air for us to breathe and more local businesses.

Less waste going into the landfill by composting and recycling = more space on the planet for plants and trees to grow.

Less harsh ingredients and unnecessary packaging = more paraben FREE containers and safer, cleaner, organic ingredients for your skin.

Less machine made products = more handmade goodness and valuable resources drained by plugging things in.

I was blessed to run into Naya Organics was browsing the web one day.  Only to later find the creator and I had some pretty similar background events to our lives.  This of course made me even more excited to try the line!

Sticking to the philosophy of ‘Less is More’ when it comes to your skin, NAYA Organics uses only plant & food based ingredients to create clean & SIMPLE products that nourish your skin and the Earth! There’s nothing hard to pronounce and the list of ingredients doesn’t go on forever… just HONEST organic goodness!

A clear standout is Naya’s Rose Hips Organic Body Oil. Just look at these ingredients.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – oleic acid and antioxidants, Shea Oil – anti-aging properties, Vitamin E Oil – healing and nourishing, Evening Primrose Oil – linoleic acid, Rosehip Seed Oil – skin elasticity, Rose Hips – Vitamins A, C, D, E, Rose Buds – sweetness, neutralizer, Rose Otto EO – anti-depressant, Almond Oil – emollient 9 oz.

I have been using this as a cuticle oil and for rubbing on my elbows.  The scent is sweet and light and moisture is LARGE.  Full of healing and relieving powers.  And just so no one is confused, there is no actual Rose scent.  Not flowery at all.

The area under my eyes is always so dry and I have been using this as a eye treatment too.  Just once or twice a week, and it has been healing that area and so far no pesky milia I sometimes get when really trying to lay on the moisture.

I also tried the Naya Organic’s Coffee Orange Body Scrub.  A real treat.  Just a slight hint of coffee and orange.  Mainly the scent is created from a mix of all ingredients.  Slightly coffee, slightly citrus but a nice rounded earthy tone.

Dead Sea Salt – absorbs toxins, Jojoba Oil – antimicrobial, Vitamin E Oil – healing, Shea Oil – anti-aging, Coffee Grounds – decrease cellulite, Orange Peal – revives mood, Bergomont EO – tames depression, Orange EO – mellows anxiety, Sandalwood EO – antifungal and antibacterial 16 oz.

Moisturizing, exfoliating with all natural organic goodness!

And Naya Organic’s has a lot of specials going on right now! All scrubs are 20% off. She is also have specials on her Garcinia Oil and sampler packs! If you are looking for a truly unique gift for someone special this holiday season, Naya Organics will have it!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Redflower Review

“an unforgettable living scent so pure, it touches the expanse of nature.”

-julie keller, american spa

A pure flower and herb distillation. Hand and wild crafted in usda certified organic concentrate.  Ambrette is the nature of man the pod of the tropical hibiscus flower, used as an offering to Kali and Ganesha in India, as a medicinal tea in mexico, and as a children’s pastime in indonesia.

red flower ambrette is a highly sophisticated, earthy musk, warm with a touch of spice, red rose otto and fresh herbs meld into the scent of the human pulse. With rose absolute, ambrette, patchouli, bitter orange, orange flower, frankincense, black pepper, geranium and clove.

Even with all of the musky and earthy scents this perfume actually has a sweet scent too.  The earthy tones are prevalent but the the sweet is the afternote.  It is a day or evening scent.  Oh so charming.  The more I wear it, the more I fall for it.

apply with over wrists, neck and pulse points. its scent upon touching the skin is a gesture of enlightened sophistication. a layered unfolding, like a crisp silk. created to offer a subtle gesture of the self and to touch the essence of the individual. for the knowing.  Box is 80% recycled paper produced and printed at 100% wind-powered plant in usa.

Redflower has so much to offer.  Especially for the holidays for dolling up!  or for gift giving.

red flower lives life fully.

red flower was founded by yael alkalay who was inspired to create a kind of beauty that is not easily bottled, one that focuses both on the internal and the external. always looking and trying to find, yael believes that true indulgence is personal and takes a lifetime. red flower’s inspiration finds its roots in yael’s cultural heritage, her grandfather was the first dermatologist in bulgaria, she descends from eight generations of turkish grand rabbis, kiev musicians and farmers from the pampas of argentina. traveling extensively to maintain family ties and traditions, she lives with deep medical, spiritual and agricultural sensitivity, rich household customs and everyday sensual moments.

Disclosure: I was sent the Ambrette for review. I was not under any obligation to write a review for Redflower.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Depth Body. Beauty from the Sea Review

Depth was introduced in 2008, but the idea for Depth was born a decade prior, when Tim Schaeffer and Korie Johnson met in graduate school, where they both studied to become marine biologists. Tim and Korie shared a love for the ocean and they soon found, for each other.

After graduate school Korie built her career as a marine biologist, protecting the marine habitats of endangered species, while Tim went to business school and subsequently worked in the natural products industry developing personal-care products that are gentle on both people and the planet. One of the many reasons Tim created the Depth brand is his strong desire to bring the beauty, abundance and therapeutic benefits of marine botanicals to consumers through their use of Depth products.

Today, Tim and Korie remain strongly committed to preserving marine life, so a percentage of the sale of every Depth product goes to Camp SEA Lab, a non-profit camp in Monterey Bay, California that offers authentic marine experiences to underserved children, instilling in them a sense of love and respect for the sea.

Tim and Korie, who married in 2004, have two young sons, Benjamin and Calvin. When they’re not working, it’s likely you’ll find the Schaeffers on the sand at the water’s edge, appreciating the sun, sand and sea, marveling at what lives beneath the surface.

When I first opened my package from Depth, I reached right for the Depth Bay Coconut Hand Soap, twisted off the pump and inhaled.  Such a light and airy coconut scent.  Some get it wrong and try and make is smell like a tropical sweet drink, but Depth has it right, just balanced, earthy and sweet.  It also has a great lather, that actually cleans under my nails with out too much effort and leaves my hands clean, but not tight.  I wash my hands a lot no matter what time of year it is.  And I am planning on ordering a couple more bottles so I can have it in each room I wash up in.

Depth products contain 100% natural aroma blends, a combination of pure essential oils and what are known as “natural aromatics.” Through a simple distillation process, natural aromatics are isolated from a range of botanicals and then blended with pure essential oils to achieve fresher and more complex aroma blends, completely naturally.

All of Depth’s Products are:

• 70% Organic
• SLS Free
• 100% Natural Aroma Blends
• 100% Vegetarian
• Artificial Color Free
• No Animal Testing

I also asked to try out Depth’s Drench Hydrating Shampoo and their Immererse Daily Conditioner.  Both have this lovely, clean scent, that is really light and sorta just smells like a sunny clean day.  No leftover rainy smells, just fresh and clean.  For being natural, it has an awesome lather, and really cleans my hair with out much scrubbing plus leaves it full of moisture but not weighed down.  Really balanced.  If there is one thing I am picky about it is hair care Depth passes my testing with flying colors.

Infused with a unique blend of sea botanicals, certified organic aloe vera, Sea Lettuce, mango butter, sea weed extracts and natural emollients, Depth Shampoos and Conditioners are ultra-hydrating, refreshing, and moisturizing. Plus with such unique ingredients they really stand out from the pack.

• Refresh Daily Shampoo – For all hair typesYour browser may not support display of this image. . Keeps hair soft, healthy and nourished with a nutrient-rich blend of vitamins and sea botanicals

• Drench Hydrating Shampoo – For dry and damaged hair: Gentle cleansers work to nourish and restore essential moisture, ideal for color treated hair

• Immerse Daily Conditioner – For all hair types. Nutrient-rich to maintain healthy, beautiful hair without weighing it down

• Submerse Deep Conditioner – For dry and damaged hair. This creamy conditioner provides deep nourishment and ultra-hydration for extra healthy hair

You can buy their line for $7.99-9.99 each at Drugstore.com and at Whole Foods.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©