Radiantly You Natural Products Review: Be Beautiful Naturally

Built out of necessity and desire to eliminate chemicals from their home, Radiantly You was founded by Melissa Brown, a Certified Holistic Health Coach and expectant mother. After researching the ingredients in some of the most highly used products in her home, Melissa was overwhelmed by what she found – toxic parabens, sulfates and {gasp} even fluoride?! Just like you, she wanted better, HEALTHIER options for herself and her family.

When I got a chance to review a couple of their products, I jumped on it. I love discovering new healthy skincare products. It really DOES make you rethink your body and hair care products when you look at the name brand labels and discover what is inside them. My skin deserves better than that and Radiantly You delivers.

They ended up sending me 4 products; a natural bar soap, body scrub, body butter, and chapstick. When I pulled these out of the box, they were individually wrapped in beautifully bright tissue paper. My immediate thoughts were luxurious, impressive, and lavish.
I love using handmade body products, I can always tell that love, hard work, and dedication are put into them. They aren’t manufactured in a large warehouse by machines! These are made by hand in small batches with absolutely no chemicals, additives, or dyes! All Natural baby!
These will be amazing to have on hand during the cooler months. Forced heat and cold weather naturally dries out the skin. These natural products are a splendid way to add that moisture back into my body.

As soon as I unwrapped the gorgeously handmade Sweet Orange Soap Bar, my senses went into overdrive. The Sweet Orange smell has always been one of my favorites. It is deliciously scented and smells like a lightened version of a orange sherbet.
The soap contains orange peel zest. Not only does this add the orange scent into the sweet sugary vanilla aroma, but it is also a natural skin exfoliator.
I love how amazing my skin smells after using this soap. Although it’s a light scent, it lasts quite awhile on the skin. It is detectable yet it isn’t overwhelming. I love how moisturized and healthy it makes the skin look and feel.
Usually I’m not a bar soap type of girl, I go more for body wash. I’m not a huge fan of how bars of soap make my skin feel dried out and stripped of it’s natural oils. Even if I was constantly applying lotion, my skin still feels dried out and I don’t like that. This bar of soap is nothing like that though, I never get the stripped feeling- only moisturized. I couldn’t even tell that I hadn’t used a body wash. Awesome!

Get Yours: Sweet Orange Soap Bar $5 a bar

The Vanilla with Lavender Bud Body Scrub is amazing. Although I love Lavender scented candles, I’m not usually a fan of Lavender scented body products. The reason is that they tend to be very strong and produce a medicinal smell. This is something that DOES lavender right! Not overwhelming at all.

I have always been a huge fan of sugar scrubs. The sugar naturally exfoliates the skin and feels downright amazing and heavenly on the skin. It is so relaxing, therapeutic, and scrubs the old nasty skin cells off. Without scrubs those dead skin cells can take awhile to come off naturally.

This scrub is mixed with a natural glycerin soap, so you can exfoliate and cleanse at the same time. I really enjoyed the fact that the scrub wasn’t swimming in oil, because most of the time they are. The lavender buds inside the scrub gave it an all natural look, which is pleasant. I was really surprised to find that they felt like really tender pieces of cooked rice. I’m not sure what I thought it would feel like, but rice never crossed my mind. The exfoliation is nice because it’s never scratchy!

I really love using this before heading to bed. The lavender scent mixed with the sweet aroma of vanilla is extremely relaxing and helps me unwind after a long day. A little bit of this scrub really does go a long way, which is always a good thing- right?

I especially love to use this scrub on my feet. I’d had a huge bout of dry skin on my feet due to the tanning bed. Using this helped speed up the process of peeling that dry skin off and adding moisture back into my feet at the same time.

Get Yours: Lavender Bud Body Scrub $12.50


The Amber Vanilla Whipped Body Butter definitely helps your skin take a stand against dry, flaky skin. It smells absolutely delicious! The scent of Amber blended with a warm vanilla scent is absolutely heavenly. It reminds me so much of Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance. The scent lingers all day which makes me love it even more.

This is a handmade body butter, so of course the ingredients separate at times (in colder temperatures). When the body butter ingredients separate it can make the texture kind of thick and lumpy. So, what I do is run really hot water in the sink and submerge the tub of body  butter in it while I shower or get ready. When I get done, the ingredients have melted back together and feels so silky and luxurious!

It marvelously melts into my skin and instantly silkens it. My skin always feels so soft, supple, and moisturized when I use this body butter. It is a smooth, clean, light scent that is great for everyday use no matter what season!

The scent is amazing. I get so many compliments from people who think this is a lotion that I’ve just applied. When I tell them it isn’t a lotion and I had been wearing it for “X” amount of hours they look at me in disbelief. It is such a sensual, light scent that truly makes the skin gleam with healthiness.

It sinks in extremely fast, which I love. I don’t have to wait 10 minutes before I dress after getting out of the shower. I love that it doesn’t leave an oily Crisco like after feel like some butters do. It does feel a bit “slick” because of the essential oils inside the butter, but it slowly slips in the skin and you can’t tell. Another A+ product that I love!

Get Yours: Amber Vanilla Whipped Body Butter $12.50


They sent me the Orange Vanilla lip balm which gets me every time. I adore how his smells. It isn’t an overpowering orange citrusy smell like you would think. The vanilla in the mixture sweetens the orange and ends up with an orange dreamsicle type of smell. YUM.

For those of you who like yummy tasting chapstick that you can taste as it is applied to your lips- this isn’t for you. Although it smells heavenly, it doesn’t have a taste. It’s made with Beeswax, Shea butter, coconut oil, orange & vanilla essential oils so no added flavoring.

The beeswax in this chapstick makes it feel like it is staying more on top of my lips rather than sinking in. The shea butter and coconut do help to naturally nourish and moisturize the lips but I’d love for it to sink it. I feel like I have to constantly press my lips together to spread the chapstick back on my lips. I still love it though because of course- because it smells divine and contains only natural eco-friendly products which is a huge plus!

Get Yours: Orange Vanilla lip balm  $4.50
Connect with Radiantly You online:
Facebook and Pinterest

About Radiantly You
Radiantly You was built by Melissa Brown, a work-at-home momma (mother to Noah – 2.5 yrs. old, Liam – 15 months old, and Lindsay - 1 month old) who followed her heart and her passion. Our company believes strongly in women having the opportunity to stay-at-home with their children WHILE making a fair living and doing something they love; we think every woman should get that option! Behind the scenes, maintaining the handcrafted quality of our products, are wonderful WAHM’s who are doing what they love AND staying home with their children. Feel good knowing that every purchase you make is going to support families across the country that are doing just that – building their own dreams.

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: Capriclear Natural Coconut Oil Spray Moisturizer

CapriClear Natural Coconut Oil Spray Moisturizer is the first ever spray on moisturizer made with all natural coconut oil. It is hypoallergenic and is made for sensitive skin and those who suffer from Eczema. It is dermatologist formulated and tested.

Both of my kids have sensitive skin. Not OVERLY sensitive, but some fragrances in moisturizers cause them to turn red and get a mild rash. The only ingredient that this has in it is pure, simple coconut oil.. so there’s absolutely no need to worry about them breaking out or turning red from fragrances.

What makes it easier is that is has a spray top bottle. If you’ve ever had to chase kids down and flip open a bottle of lotion while trying to put it on them, you KNOW what I mean. It’s hard! They wiggle, they move, lotion gets everywhere. This just reduces the need for all that. Just take the cap off, spray them down, and smooth it in!

It is colorless and odorless, so there is no need to worry about clothing or anything getting stained because it dries really quickly. The hydration lasts for quite some time too, so there isn’t a need to reapply it all the time like a lotion.

Not only do the kids benefit from this, but I do as well. Where I go to the tanning bed on a regular basis, my skin needs to stay hydrated. The more moisturized your skin is, the better it will hold a tan and it will hold it for a longer period of time.

Since I’ve been going my feet tend to stay dry, REALLY dry. I’ve never had my feet so dry before. I’ve tried all kinds of different scrubs, lotions, and foot moisturizers and my skin just keeps peeling on my feet. I’ve been spraying this on my body and feet after I get out, and it’s been doing an amazing job keeping my skin moisturized.

CapriClear® does not contain steroids, emulsifiers, fragrances, animal products, artificial dyes, preservatives or other additives such as sulfates, parabens or toxins that can lead to skin irritation.

Connect: CapriClear on Facebook,& @capriclear on Twitter!

Buy It! You can buy the CapriClear for $16.99.

 

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: Vita Liberata Untinted Deeper Deep Self tan Lotion & Application Mitt

It’s summer and that natural bronze look is craved everywhere. What do you do if you burn, don’t tan well, or don’t want to subject your skin to UV rays? Self tan, that’s what. I know what you’re thinking.. MOST self tanners are messy, goopy, and make of mess of everything within a 10 foot radius.


Image Credit: Fast Company

We’ve all had or at least HEARD of those ghastly stories of a bright orange tint caused by self tanners, causing the oompa loompa look. It becomes streaky, orange, and now semi-permanent? How does that come off? ONLY by wearing off by itself and maybe the help of a loofah scrubber and a great quality body scrub (or baking soda and water if you don’t have a body scrub on hand).

What about clothes and bedding that’s been ruined because of self tanners? The only way to avoid this is to sit very still without touching anything, without any clothes on until your entire body dries completely. This could take QUITE some time.
The Vita Liberata Untinted Deeper Deep Self Tan Lotion distributes an ultra moisturizing, sunkissed glow, lasting for up to seven days without the mess. It doesn’t bronze you instantly, which is why it doesn’t create a mess.

Exfoliate & Shave!
Before applying the self tanner (or ANY self tanner) make sure that you properly exfoliate your skin. This helps the dead cells and dry skin come off so that the self tanner can be applied without any spots or streaks. If you don’t exfoliate, those dead cells/skin will be on the very top of your skin and WILL attract the self tan.. and it will cause a problem.

I recommend using a high quality sugar scrub or an exfoliating body bar that aren’t oily. A sugar scrub is different than a regular body scrub, because it isn’t greasy. If you can’t find any, you can always make your own.. mix some sugar with a shower gel or body wash and you’re good to go.

Image Credit: Dreams Time
While you’re in the shower, go ahead and shave. Even if you already shaved on the previous day. Shaving will further help the tanning lotion go on as desired without attaching to those pesky hairs.

NO lotions 24 hours prior!
Try not to apply ANY kind of lotion AT ALL for 24 hours before applying the Vita Liberta Untinted Self Tan, unless you have severely dry areas. If you do have severely dry areas, apply lotion to only THOSE areas and make sure you dab them with a dry towel or washcloth after. Make sure the lotion is completely dry before applying the self tanner.

If you use lotion on parts of your body that doesn’t absolutely require it moisture from the lotion creates an “oil/gloss” barrier on your skin. That barrier is what keeps the self tan from getting to the pores in your skin. This affects the ability for the lotion to develop.

Apply!!

This is the part where I get out of the shower and step on my bathroom rug and dry off. Make sure your skin is completely dry before beginning to apply the self tanner lotion. I love that this has a very easy to use pump-action top. It makes it so much easier to get what you need out of the bottle without getting it everywhere.

Make sure you purchase a Vita Liberata Classic Tanning Mitt, which keeps your palms and hands from ALSO developing the tan as well. It is reusable and can be used on your body as well as your face. It’s very soft and is amazing at helping apply the tanning lotion.


It looks, feels, and applies just like an everyday moisturizing lotion, because it is untinted. Untinted means it doesn’t have an INSTANT bronzer in it, it continues to develop slowly over a 4-8 hour period.
It doesn’t smell AT all, which I like. Most self tanners have a very noticeable, harsh, musky smell that stays with you for awhile after you apply it. This is absolutely odorless, so you don’t have to worry about packing around a musty, musky, overwhelming smell.

The Self Tanner sprays just a little stream, which makes it easier to maintain. The pump top keeps the lotion from splashing or drizzling on anything. I start with my arms and work my way down. You apply the lotion in a circular motion all over your body.

I always do smaller circles on my arms and shins, while making sure I don’t miss any spots. Then for the stomach, back, and thighs I do larger circles so that the circles aren’t overlapping too much. Then I gently swipe my elbows and knees.

I could feel it dry as soon as I put it on, which was really weird for me because I’m used to waiting for awhile before I’m actually dry. Not having to wait on dry-time was a miracle in itself because I am a very impatient person. That’s the second reason I don’t use traditional fake bake tanning lotions.

As soon as you’re done applying the tanning lotion, make sure that you have a wet washcloth or an unscented baby wipe on hand so you can wipe off the excess from your knees, elbows, and ankles (where you are most likely to streak from buildup). If you accidentally got it on your hands, between your fingers, or on your knuckles—wash wash wash!

It contains a unique moisture-lock© system for 72 hour hydration, so you don’t have to apply lotion over top of the tanning lotion.. just let it develop on its own. After the 4-8 hour period is over, and you decide you want to further develop your tan you now can.

Just reapply it like you did before. Circling around and around your body until your whole body is covered with the lotion. The layering of the lotion will help you intensify your tan. You want to gradually develop your tan rather than trying to get “SUPER DARK” the first time. The layering will help the tan look more realistic.



These are pictures of the tan after the second application. I already had a good base tan before I applied the self tanning lotion, but this deepened the tan without ANY streaks! I love how the mitt kept my hands from becoming bronzed too. With regular self tans they show up right away, which is what causes the orange-tint, I think. It’s great to go with a gradual self tanner that develops slowly over time instead of instantly.


I looked very closely, and there wasn’t even ONE spot, streak, or discoloration to be found! I am truly amazed by this! Those of you who want to look tan but don’t want to be in the sun, have problems tanning, or are allergic.. this is definitely for you.

I chose the deeper deep lotion, which does produce the darkest coloring out of all the choices.. but you need to start out with something close to your skin tone. I am naturally dark, so this isn’t something you can pull off if you have very pale skin, you’ll need to choose the medium color!

I loved it though! No more messes, no more odors, and no more standing around completely naked waiting to dry. This DID dry instantly like a lotion does. I did wait an extra 5 minutes each times before putting on my clothes (while I was blow drying my hair), but I was dry before I began.

This easy-to-apply luxury lotion with marine and organic botanical extracts ensures optimum skin conditioning and a totally natural-looking, flawless fade. It has absolutely no parabens, sulfates , or phthalates inside, and is cruelty and gluten free. Dermatologist tested!

If you’ve never applied self tanner, or would like to know how to apply it so that it goes on smoothly without any incidents.. the video below is the tutorial for applying every kind of self tanning lotion, mousee, and gel on their website.


If you need help learning how to properly apply a self tanner, you can visit the Vita Liberata Tanning Tips If you need help choosing a color for your skin tone, visit the Vita Liberata Tan Matcher.

If you’d rather go with an instant tanner (that’s not going to make you orange) you should check out the entire selection on the Vita Liberata Website

Buy it:

Vita Liberata Untinted Deeper Deep Self Tan Lotion at Sephora for $37.50
Comes in 3 shades: Warm, Deep, and Deeper Deep

Vita Liberata Classic Tanning Mitt $6.50


Connect with Vita Liberta online:

Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Pinterest, & Instagram

 

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Shampoo, Conditioner, and Quick Dry Shake’n Spray Blow Out Spray

These three simple pink little bottles.. hmm.. what are they exactly? Why a blow-dry secret that’s for SURE! I received the My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Shampoo, Conditioner, and Quick Dry Shake’n Spray about a week and a half ago.

I love to blow dry my hair, I always have. I love the lift and natural volume it gives my hair. When I’m cut short on time, I have to pass up the blow dryer and throw my hair up in a ponytail and go. My hair is really long, so it takes me quite some time to actually get it dry without any wet spots.

This is a blow dry trio: Shampoo, Conditioner, and spray to help cut the blow dry time by 50%. Could it take the heat? Could it really blow dry my long, layered hair in half the time it usually takes me?

I immediately loved the simple yet stylish design of the packaging of all 3 of these products. The shampoo and conditioner have press-down flip-up tops. The pink is an eye-catcher and "feminine” so maybe I could keep Adam from using all my goodies lol.

First I’ll tell you about the My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo is a very creamy formula with a low lather. I didn’t have to use very much at all to wash ALL my hair, although I added a bit more just in case . Okay, I admit it.. I used a little more because it felt like liquid silk. As soon as this touched my hair, it transformed it. It was nothing but soft, silky, and felt so healthy!

As you can see it’s a yellowish color and it smells amazing. Even though it’s made with coconut oil, I couldn’t detect a hint of coconut.. only a sweet blend of fruits.  It is a volumizing shampoo, so not only does it help speed up drying time but it helps add oomph!

It also helps to protect the hair from heat damage, which can dry out the hair. It’s made with InstaDry technology (Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrosol). It also delivers antioxidants to the hair to prevent it from breaking!

This conditioner is nothing but luxurious and luscious. It’s rich and white as you can tell in the picture. I always use less conditioner than I do shampoo because I don’t condition my roots. I have naturally oily hair, so I try to avoid making it look even worse. I do deep condition the rest of my hair though, by leaving the conditioner on for 3-5 minutes.

The shampoo and Conditioner are both safe for all types of hair, it’s even color safe. Using these will not fade your color.  They are also free of parabens, sulfates, and phosphates. They are both made with VCOH (Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrosol) technology.

The coconut oil used is built with super-fine molecules , which run throughout your hair strands after washing and conditioning with the shampoo and conditioner. These super fine molecules is what helps speed up the blow drying process.

The coconut oil, frizz fighters, moisturizers, and shiners remain on the hair after you’ve blow dried it. This is what helps your hair transform into a luxurious, shiny, silky mane of hair! They remain to protect, nourish, and moisturize!

This is the last of the trio. This is the My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Quick Dry Shake’n Spray. It adds to the Shampoo and Conditioner by cutting dry time. It also helps to protect your hair from the damage that blow drying can do overtime.

You shake the bottle to blend the ingredients together. As you can tell the clear part (which always floats to the top of the bottle) is what helps drying time. The pink part is what consists of the sun protection and condition. It is amazing at detangling the hair, as well as adding nourishment.

I’ve been using this on my daughter’s hair JUST as a detangling helper. She usually hates having her hair brushed.. but when I used this NO crying. It smells like fresh fruit/flowers mix.. delectable and invigorating and the scent stays all day!

This is the after effect of using all 3 of these products. It usually takes me about 15 minutes to fully blow dry my hair without any wet spots. This helped me get it down to about 9, which isn’t half but close enough for me! It cut out 6 extra minutes that I could be doing something else!

Not only did my hair dry in a quicker amount of time but the volume was amazing. I love that it looks so healthy, shiny, and is manageable without looking heavy, oily, or weighed down with product! It felt moisturized and full of volume, I loved all 3! Even the next day my hair looks exactly the same, still no oil appearing in my hair!

Still going strong on day 2!

Buy It: My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Trio $78 for all 3

Connect with My Amazing Blow Dry Secret:

Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube

 

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: Godefroy Heated Eyelash Curler & Mascara Warmer

For decades, hairstylists have been using Godefroy to effectively cover the most resistant gray hair on brows, beards, mustaches and side burns.  From this foundation we have been able to deliver exceptional products with proven results to salons and spas.

So, I was excited to get to work with them! They have MORE than just eyebrow colors and shapers. I got to choose 2 products, which I will tell you about below.

Heated Eyelash Curler

This is the Godefroy Heated Eyelash Curler. This is a very MUCH needed tool. It’s what all the makeup artists use to create beautiful lashes! You can now WAVE goodbye to the traditional eyelash curler that can/might pinch your eyelids and make your eyelashes fall out!

This can be used with or without mascara, and can also be used before or after you’ve applied your mascara or both. It’s comfortable to use, because it never has to touch your skin. I love the way it leaves a natural curve to the eyelashes instead of a crimped look that the “squeeze” curlers leave.

It only takes about 20 seconds for each eyelash to curl, which is awesome. It also is great for perfecting your mascara. If your mascara ever clumps up or makes your eyelashes stick together, the heat separates the lashes and straightens out the clumps.

It’s very easy to use, and only takes a second to heat up. The bottom part slides out, where you insert one AAA battery (doesn’t come with the battery).

It’s slim, compact, and portable. It’s about the size of a pen, so it will fit right inside your makeup bag for on the go touch-ups or doing your makeup after you get to wherever you’re going.

It’s an excellent quality product for under $10, how can you beat that?

Buy it: Godefroy Heated Eyelash Curler $9.95

 

 

The Mascara Warmer

The second item I chose was the Godefroy Mascara Warmer. This is an amazing product for giving you that much needed and desired perfect mascara application free of clumping!

Before receiving this bad boy, I ALWAYS stuck my mascara under hot running water or stuck it under high heat with my blow-dryer to warm the mascara! Warming mascara before you use it is like melting butter before cooking—just absolute PERFECTION!

Now there is absolutely NO need for that! This plugs right in and has an off/on switch right on the back near the cord. It’s easy to use, and heats up super quickly!

As soon as you turn on the ON switch, the mascara warmer lights up blue. This is so you don’t forget that it is turned on, in case you just go ahead and leave it plugged up.

This is when it’s in the off position. I love that there is a spot on the right to place and hold the mascara when it isn’t in use! The best part about it is that it can be used with ANY brand of mascara!

In use, you just place the mascara inside the part that is lit up, and flip the on switch. Wait 30 seconds and you’re done, and it’s ready for use! I usually just plug this up, turn it on, and stick my mascara inside while I’m doing my primer, concealer, and foundation and it’s all the way heated by the time I get done

What I love most about the mascara warmer is that my mascara goes on SO smoothly. There aren’t any clumps, my eyelashes don’t stick together, and it lasts ALL day!

It helps my eyelashes to hold a curl better, which is amazing for me because I have SUPER long eyelashes! I also KNOW for a fact that this helps mascara in it’s shelf life. It extends it from 3 months to at LEAST 5 months!

Buy it: Godefroy Mascara Warmer $19.95

Connect with Godefroy:

Facebook & Twitter

Jessica Renee