Rooted Beauty™

Okay, I'm admittedly suffering from a little illness I like to call "Blogger's Guilt", which is the result of too many days without posting an exciting post on cool new products.  What kind of beauty blogger am I that I don't share right away when I've discovered some fun new products?

What products, you ask? Rooted Beauty™'s Raspberry Citrus Invigorating Facial Wipes* and Lip Butters in Razz Lime*, Orange Vanilla* and Passionfruit*, of course! And, not only does Rooted Beauty offer these great products in sustainable packaging, but they also use a portion of their profits to support their Woman2Woman Project.  This project helps women from all over the world escape the horrors of poverty and human trafficking that threaten their livelihoods everyday. If there's one thing I love more than beauty products themselves, it's knowing that the products I use could potentially have a positive effect on someone's life. It's kind of empowering!

As far as the actual Rooted Beauty™products go, I am also a big fan! The Raspberry Citrus Invigorating Facial Wipes smell like one of those fruity-girly cleansers that preteens (and us adults, secretly) go nuts for.  I've been toting these babies around in my schoolbag, pulling them out when things get sweaty or greasy during the day.  The tangy scent and gentle formula snaps me, and my complexion, right out of any Tuesday-afternoon funk I may be in.

Compost me!

As for the Lip Butters... where do I start? These three moisturizing lip balms all smell very strongly of their respective scents, but have very little flavor. It's nice for those of us who don't like to feel like we're taking a bite into a "Razz Lime" Popsicle every time we take a sip of coffee. Plus, the tubes these lip butters come in are compostable!

If you're asking my honest opinion on Rooted Beauty™, I am going to tell you that this company offers some great products and they also support a great cause.  Why wouldn't you want to buy them? To get a hold of the Rooted Beauty™ Line, click here.  Happy shopping!

 The * denotes a product which I was sent free of cost.  Reviews will remain objective, regardless of how the product came to me.

Quick Thoughts: What I've Been Up To

Hey, everyone! Oh my goodness, it has been wayyyyy too long since I've put up a decent post.  I'm sorry that, unfortunately, it's going to be probably another week before I can talk beauty with you people again.  Ugh, and I'm so ready to discuss the fun new products I've discovered!

Until next time, take a look at the music video for Avicii's "Wake Me Up".  It basically summarizes how I'm feeling about this next week and a half. "Wake me up when it's all over..." Let this hectic weekend begin!

The Fall Berry

While I admit, I am jumping the gun a little on this post as it's still pretty warm where I'm at, I just can't resist the call to talk about my favorite shade of lip/nail color ever: berry (most specifically, the Fall Berry). Every year, around this time, girls start incorporating darker colors into their wardrobe and makeup routines, yet berry always manages to sneak itself in as that little pop of color we all need from time to time, especially when the weather gets cold and dreary.

My favorite thing about the Fall Berry, a very subtle berry, is that it is universally flattering.  Bring me a girl who doesn't look good in a berry lip and I will be convinced the world is ending.  It just works...on everyone.  Of course, you do have to consider red and blue undertones, blah blah blah, but everyone looks good in some form of the Fall Berry.

These four products embody my idea of the Fall Berry.  Have a look!

Left to Right: Revlon Seductive, Sephora Raspberry Ink, Fresh Sugar Plum and Revlon Berry Allure

Top to Bottom: Sephora Raspberry Ink, Fresh Sugar Plum and Revlon Berry Allure

Revlon Nail Enamel in Seductive- $4.99

This nail polish is Fall Berry's deep older sister.  Seductive is to berry what oxblood is to red and it is absolutely perfect for the fall.  Though, if I could wear this gorgeous polish year round, I totally would.

Sephora Raspberry Ink- Discontinued

I actually picked this lip stain up on a whim at the Sephora checkout counter and it may be one of my favorite things I've ever purchased there.  It's this highly pigmented stain that lasts fo-re-ver.  Layer a gloss over this bad boy and you will have the perfect berry pout.

Fresh Tinted Lip Treatment in Sugar Plum- $22.50

I've actually posted about this balmy lip treatment before and I love it as much for the fall as I did for the summer.  Of course, it is the sheerest of the bunch, but perfect for livening up your lips nonetheless.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Berry Allure- $7.99

Does anyone remember when I discussed the best lipgloss ever a while back?  Well these two must be related, because Berry Allure is like the berry version of The Red- Shiny that looks good on literally everyone.  Plus, this new Revlon formula is pretty amazing.  It's not to sticky, but it is also tenacious enough to last through a few hours at a college football tailgate.

So, that is my Fall Berry Roundup.  What do you all think?  Do you have any Fall Berries you just can't live without?

R.L. Linden & Co.

If I created a perfume named "Simply Skin Deep," I am fairly confident that it would smell like roses. It would either smell like roses, or it would smell like R.L. Linden & Co.'s La Balmba Rosa Healing Rose Balm*, which basically smells like roses, only better and a little sweeter.  As you can tell, I am in love with my rose scents and I am now really loving R.L. Linden & Co.  Read on to learn more!

*Photo via Lindenbeauty.com

Along with La Balmba, R.L. Linden offers two other products: Thousand Petal Beautifying Mist* and Ms. Tilly Rosalie's Beauty Tea*.  My favorite thing about their entire line, apart from the fact that there is a hefty amount of rose in each product, is that each item is multi-purpose.  La Balmba can be used just about anywhere dry skin is to be found, especially on the lips and cuticles!  Thousand Petal Beautifying Mist can be spritzed all over your bod for a touch of refreshing moisture.  I specifically love this mist after YouTube yoga in the mornings (sorry I can't afford your Moksha right now, people).  It smells what I imagine Heaven would smell like on a fall morning.  And finally, Ms. Tilly Rosalie's Beauty Tea can be drank as tea (duh), poured into a bath or made into a facial compress.  I've tried it as a drink and loved it. I hope to try it as a compress and in the bath as soon as I have the time to spare.

*Photo via Lindenbeauty.com

*Photo via Lindenbeauty.com

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with every product in this range, but I have to say that my beloved La Balmba Rosa takes the cake.  Not only do I love the sophisticated packaging, but I adore how it's this perfectly subtle, glossy lip balm that actually moisturizes.  Believe it or not, I've used lip balms in the past that seem to just suck moisture right out of my lips.  This is not one of those.  I put it on at night before bed and wake up with super soft lips.  It's a lip balm miracle!

Another miracle in this product mix is the fact that I love the entire range (this doesn't always happen).  To learn more about the R.L. Linden & Co. and purchase their amazing beauty products click here.  Be careful around all that adorable packaging, though.  You might just have to buy something!

The * denotes a product which I was sent free of cost.  Reviews will remain objective, regardless of how the product came to me.

The Social Media Around Here

Hey, people! Unfortunately, I can't offer you much in the way of super exciting beauty news tonight, but I just wanted to say a quick word about Simply Skin Deep on social media (namely Twitter and Instagram).

So... I try to write blog posts at least two to three times during the week, but sometimes the blog combined with school and an internship can be too much to handle.  This is where Twitter and Instagram come in handy!  I post much more frequently on these accounts since I can do so much quicker than sitting down and cranking out an actual post.  Plus, I love using these channels to chat with followers who have something to say about my beauty ramblings.

Basically, this long intro brings me to my conclusion that I want you to follow me on Twitter and Instagram!  Click on the links below to reach each account.  I think you'll be glad you did!

Instagram: @SSDBeauty
Twitter: @AddieCain

Quick Thoughts: Primal Pit Paste

My search for the perfect all-natural deodorant started after I had already found a pretty decent eco-friendly formula.  I say "after" because my mom shamed me for using a deodorant that I had to apply using either my fingers or a popsicle stick (ok, yea, it was a little weird) and it was then I realized what I really wanted was a natural deodorant that I could apply like the mainstream deodorants in stick form.

*Photo via primalpitpaste.com

Enter Primal Pit Paste, the best thing to happen to armpits since... well, deodorant. *Disclaimer: I'm not really a sweaty person, so I can't claim that this will keep each and everyone of you dry all day.  But, what I can say is that if I apply my Primal Pit Paste in the morning around 9 a.m., I'm still smelling fresh around 7 p.m.  Surely it would give those of you with more active sweat glands at least five to eight hours of wear.  Plus, Primal Pit Paste offers a "Strong" variety, as well, which I have yet to try.

The lavender scent of this deodorant is amazing.  Sometimes lavender can give off a cleaning-supplies-vibe, but Primal Pit Paste in Lavender just smells really fresh.  For those of you that aren't into lavender at all, they also offer Thyme & Lemongrass, Spice, Orange Creamsicle and Unscented for the sensitive pits out there.

At $10.95 a stick, this might be what some would consider an "investment deodorant", and the grit from the baking soda and arrowroot powder may take a bit of getting used to, but finding a deodorant in stick form that doesn't contain all the usual bad-for-you chemicals (which you can read about here), that actually works, is really priceless.  Buy your Primal Pit Paste here or here.


Have you found a natural deodorant formula that you really enjoy (stick form or otherwise)?

Brands to Watch: MIYU Teas & Beauty

The person who coined the phrase "all the tea in China" must've really known what they were talking about.  I realized this when I was in China over the summer.  There was tea absolutely everywhere!  Huge tea shops were around every corner and most people carried around a water bottle of freshly steeped tea all day.  With all of this heavy tea drinking going on, I couldn't help but wonder if tea was partially responsible for the Chinese women's gorgeous complexions.

Connie Tai, founder of MIYU Teas & Beauty, seems to think so, as she has developed a whole line of facial mists and teas that are centered around Traditional Chinese Medicine, which of course involves a lot of herbal blends often found in tea.  I had the pleasure of sampling some of the MIYU Beauty Teas, which supposedly hydrate and reenergize the skin from within.  I received two tea samples, one De-Stress Mi Tea * and one Hydrate Mi Tea*.  I am pleased to say they were both delicious, but my favorite was the De-Stress Mi Blend.  As for whether or not they rehydrated my skin, it is a bit harder to tell.  I feel like when you're consuming something in the hopes of improving your complexion, you need to use it for at least a few weeks.

One of my favorite things about these teas, however, is the little pearls in the teabags.  I'm not too sure what purpose they serve, but they're just so pretty!  If you're looking to purchase some MIYU products, head to their website.  Each of their "pairings", each containing one facial mist and one tea, work together to improve your complexion.  I encourage you to check out their "Our Philosophy" section as well.  They are truly an interesting brand.

Have you found any unique brands lately that are worth sharing?

 The * denotes a product which I was sent free of cost.  Reviews will remain objective, regardless of how the product came to me.

Wednesday Roundup

Good morning!  It's going to be a beautiful day.  I can just feel it!  Before we get down to things, though, I would like to take a minute to remember our 9/11 heroes.  I was only about eight years old on this horrible day 12 years ago, but I won't ever forget watching the Twin Towers fall on the television in my third grade classroom.  Today, we are still fighting to bring justice to the people who perished that day and I appreciate everyone who serves or has served our country.  Thank you for all that you do! 

Now, let's talk a little bit about beauty....

What's New and What's Next {Courtesy of August Skin}
If you're super into beauty like myself (you're reading this which means you probably are), then you'll love this 30-minute video where some of the industry greats discuss the latest and greatest in beauty and fashion.  I can't actually put the video in this post, so click here to view it.

An Aloe Plant
Holistic skincare is my jam these days, so I went ahead and bought an aloe plant because it's apparently great for healing spots, hair growth, psoriasis and everything else in between.  Plus, this aloe plant is acting as my pet.  I've wanted a dog forever, but at the moment, I think a plant is the only thing I could keep alive.

Ok, so maybe it's not as cute as a puppy.

Karlie's Kookies
As if she couldn't get any more perfect, Karlie Kloss went and teamed up with Momofuku Milk Bar to make Karlie's Kookies.  These "kookies" are gluten- and dairy-free, plus they probably turn you into a super model.

Well, that's what I've got for today.  How is your Wednesday going so far?

Marie Veronique Organics Treatment Cleanser

It's not every day that one comes across an organic skincare brand that exudes luxury.  Luckily, I've discovered one.  Hang on, you Chanel-cleanser-buyin' skincare big spenders, I'm about to rock your world.  Not only does Marie Veronique Organics offer luxurious skincare options, but they're also much better for your skin and your wallet than your usual department store faves.

*Logo via MVOrganics.com

The product I tested from MVO was the Treatment Cleanser*, designed specifically for mature skins that suffer from acne-related issues. Currently, my skin is behaving itself, but that's not to say is doesn't act up quite often (edit: I wrote this part yesterday and today I've got a couple spots by my eyebrows...jinxed it). There's been quite a few times I've found myself pining for my old bottle of Neutrogena On-the-Spot, but hey, this is a natural skincare routine and benzoyl peroxide is not my friend.

So, anyways, I'm happy to have discovered the Marie Veronique Treatment Cleanser. The gentle combo of lactic acid and salicylic acid sloughs away those little dead skin particles that clog pores and create more blemishes (yum... what a nice picture I just painted). Plus, unlike the typical drugstore cleansers geared towards acne prone complexions, this one contains glycerin and honey, so it isn't going to dry you out like crazy.

The singular complaint I have with this product is the scent. I actually enjoy the herbaceous scent, but as a girl with sensitive skin, heavily fragranced products give me the heebie jeebies sometimes. This is truly a personal preference, though (and this cleanser has not caused me any problems with occasional use). If scented cleansers float your boat, you will love this one.

Marie Veronique Organics products can be purchased online, here or here.  I highly encourage you, especially my more mature readers, to check out the rest of her products as she offers an impressive selection of cleansers, masks, lotions and other gorgeous goodies.

Have you tried anything from Marie Veronique Organics?

 The * denotes a product which I was sent free of cost.  Reviews will remain objective, regardless of how the product came to me.

Wednesday Roundup

Good morning, everyone! It looks like that time of week again, a.k.a time for the Wednesday Roundup.  Let's see what's up this week...

NYFW: A Night for Green Beauty
Alright, people, if you're a budding "cosmetic hippie" like myself then you will be thrilled to know that today marks the day of the first ever "A Night for Green Beauty" event during New York Fashion.  Also, if you're like me, then you're wishing you were in NYC instead of in Kentucky, rotting away in Spanish class.  Oh well...we can't have it all!

*Photo via OrganicBeautyTalk.com

The PSL is Back!
Geez, what's with all of the acronyms today?  Anyways, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks.  However, I personally don't feel right drinking one until I can wear a chunky cable knit outside without burning up.  Thick sweaters and PSL's are two of my favorite fall traditions.

*Photo via Starbucks.com

Marc Jacobs' Sally 
If ever there was a time that I wished it was colder outside so that I could wear fall nail colors, it is now.  I am in absolute head-over-heels love with Marc Jacobs' Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Sally.  It's dark green or black, depending on how the light hits, but gorgeous no matter which way you look at it.  So amazing!

*Photo via Sephora.com

So, readers...how are your weeks going?  

Makeup Crush Monday: ILIA Beauty's Complete Mascara

Supposedly one of the biggest challenges of "going organic" or "natural" with your beauty routine is replacing your mainstream mascara with a cleaner formula.  I don't know if I missed that boat or what, because I've already found an amazing natural mascara. So... let's talk about ILIA Beauty's Complete Mascara in Night Fall.

Sophisticated, no?

First of all, I really do not know if anything will ever fully replace my beloved Maybelline Great BIG Lash.  That mascara has seen me through some sweaty parties, weepy nights and humid afternoons.  However, as far as natural replacements go, ILIA's Complete Mascara makes a pretty good go at it.

This mascara is super glossy and after even a few coats, you won't find a clump in sight.  I wore Night Fall on my first three days of class. I'm pleased to announce that not only did it last throughout the day, but well into the evening also.  Now that's a good mascara, folks.

Night Fall is the perfect jet black.

Another mark of a good mascara is one that lasts all day, but when it comes time to cleanse at night, it comes right off without requiring you to tug at your lashes.  That is exactly what ILIA Beauty's Complete Mascara did, much to my delight.

ILIA Beauty is a brand that creates products using up to 85% organic ingredients.  This is a big accomplishment for a company as interested in ingredient quality as they are with wearability.  I will definitely be testing out more ILIA products in the future.  Check out the ILIA Beauty line here or here.