fave products // fleur & bee serum and creams

Y’all know me- I love a good line of natural, non-toxic products that won’t irritate my skin, but are actually effective. Not surprisingly, this has been even more true throughout my pregnancy over the last several months. That’s why I was stoked to find a new, local brand called Fleur & Bee, which specializes in 100% vegan skincare! So far this minimal line includes just the essentials (think serum, face & eye creams, toner), but is made with quality, cruelty-free ingredients, and none of that toxic crap! Plus, it’s all super affordable, so you don’t feel like you have to skimp on it each time you apply. Maybe the best thing about the company, however, is that they donate 1% of sales to help distribute menstrual hygiene products to girls in need. How amazing is that?

By now I’m sure you’ve heard me applaud the many benefits of a vitamin C serum. I recently added their Nectar of the C Rejuvenating Vitamin C Serum to my routine, and I have to say I’ve been pleased with the results. This baby helps soften the appearance of fine lines and leaves me with glowing skin, which just goes to show that natural can still be powerful! It even stands up to serums that cost 2-3x as much! I’ve also been testing out Fleur & Bee’s creams, and they’ve been equally as impressive. The Crème de la Cream Moisturizing Face Cream is gentle and lightweight, but packed with potent botanicals and vitamins like Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, aloe vera and pomegranate to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated. Plentiful antioxidants help fight wrinkles and even skin tone as well! The Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream helps combat tired, puffy eyes and dark circles thanks to ingredients like vitamin E, squalane, caffeine, and green tea! It definitely helps me to awaken looking more well-rested in the morning (even if that’s not necessarily the case lately thanks to the wonder that is pregnancy). So smooth and hydrating! I definitely recommend checking out Fleur & Bee if you’re on the hunt for some new non-toxic, cruelty-free skincare that won’t break the bank!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // w3ll people nudist lip butter

{GIVEAWAY ALERT- READ ON!} On a day to day basis, I tend to wear pretty neutral lip colors. Of course, every once in a while or for a fun night out, I love a bright red lip, but for the most part, I keep it pretty simple. The most important factor for me when choosing a lipstick, gloss, or balm, is that it’s hydrating and nourishing. Something that keeps my lips from becoming dry and crackly is key in my book, and bonus points if it comes in pretty shades as well. W3ll People Nudist Lip Butter checks off all these boxes, and goes on super smooth. I love that they call it “the vegan love child of a lip stick and lip balm”, because honestly that description could not be more accurate. The organic omega oils and aloe help calm stressed lips, and leave them feeling soothed and supple! It’s my go-to lip choice when I mainly want some nourishing hydration, but wouldn’t mind a subtle pop of color as well. The nude shade is great for everyday, but I also love the cherry shade for something a little brighter. I find the lip butters to be a bit buildable, so adding a few extra coats can give you a more dramatic look. If you prefer no color at all, I suggest the natural shade for a simple, buttery finish. For added brilliance or to create a bit more of a statement look, top your lip butter with a swipe or two of the W3ll People Bio Extreme Lipgloss, and you’ll be set for a night out! As always with W3ll People products, everything is formulated without the potentially harmful artificial chemicals that are found in most conventional makeup products, so you can feel good about supporting this brand!

{ GIVEAWAY DETAILS }

For all my readers, as a thank you for your support this year, I’m hosting a giveaway with W3ll People! Comment on my latest Instagram post for a chance to win a $150 W3ll People gift card! Perfect for stocking up on all your fave products, or some last minute holiday gifts! All you have to do is:

1) follow @b_maren on Instagram

2) follow @w3llpeople on Instagram

3) comment on my post with the product you most want to try!

Winner announced December 17th!

* This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

healthy detox // sakara life 10 day reset

I’m not one to ever really need a super intense detox or diet. I try to live a healthy lifestyle all the time, which means tons of vegetables and moderate exercise (I love barre!), plenty of water, but also daily sweets (I’m addicted!). It’s all about balance, for real. While it’s possible to do it alone, I love finding products that can supplement this lifestyle of mine, and make things a bit easier for me- especially when I’m on-the-go. Sakara Life offers 100% plant-based, gluten-free and organic meal plans, snacks and supplements, delivered straight to your doorstep. How easy is that? You can basically think of them as your personal chef and nutritionist rolled into one. Founders Whitney Tingle and Danielle DuBoise created Sakara to help overcome personal health struggles, and were able to transform their lives using food as medicine. With a focus on nutrient-dense foods, healthy fats, sulfur-rich veggies, and NO calorie counting (among others), they intend to share these nutritional pillars of Sakara with as many people as possible.

Although I haven’t tasted their ready-made food just yet (I love cooking for myself too), I have gotten the chance to try their new 10 Day Reset. This box of goodies contains energy & detox bars, a daily probiotic blend, detox tea, beauty & detox water concentrates, and plant-based protein powder! Everything is plant-based, vegan, and gluten free, and packed full of healthy ingredients. These have been ideal for me to keep in my travel bag- I’m never without the nutrients my body needs while on-the-go. They also come in handy for supplementing my daily food at home, or for an extra snack between meals. I love using the Life Source protein powder in my morning smoothie, and the energy bars are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up! If you have trouble getting in your suggested daily glasses of water, sprucing them up with a few drops of beauty or detox water concentrates may help. Your skin will thank you for the extra dose of hydration! Everything in the box stays fresh for quite a while, so I suggest getting a 10 Day Reset for yourself ASAP to keep handy whenever you feel the need for a reset. You’ll get some pretty tasty recipes as well (think garlic tahini kale fritters and pulled butternut squash tacos with all the fixings), so you can actually look forward to detoxing the right way, and soon!

fave products // w3ll people narcissist foundation cream

w3ll ppl narcissist2.JPG
IMG_0288.jpg

Considering the fact that our skin absorbs 80% of what we put on it, I'd say it's pretty important to know the quality of ingredients in our skincare products. W3ll People uses none of the artificial chemicals that can be so harmful to our complexions, but instead only 100% natural ingredients that deliver flawless coverage and soothing protection. Enter W3ll People Narcissist Foundation, a creamy formula that melts instantly into the skin, giving it a fresh, healthy glow. I find it works great at balancing my skin tone while diminishing the appearance of imperfections, and I love its weightless, satiny finish. Not to mention, the stick design makes it easy to toss in your bag for on-the-go application. You can use it simply as a spot treatment and to cover redness, or over the entire face, creating buildable coverage as needed. I can safely say Narcissist is one of my fave new go-to's in my makeup bag, and I definitely recommend you try it out for yourself!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // lilah b. multipurpose makeup palettes

Y'all know I'm a sucker for clean beauty. Meaning skincare and makeup brands that are made from natural ingredients, with no crazy chemicals or fragrances. Lilah b. is just that, and their goal is to make beauty simple by offering a minimalistic collection of multi-purpose products that give you a finished look with less. I mean, couldn't practically everyone benefit from a movement to declutter, minimalize, and simplify? I know I could! You'll find ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and agar in their products, which work to soothe and hydrate the skin while adding any coverage or color you may want. Their palettes come in beautiful, sleek and modern stone compacts, and are an ideal addition for those looking to streamline their morning routine!

Lilah b.'s All You Need Discovery Set really is all you need to give you a simple, but beautiful look thanks to their three multi-tasking best-sellers. I'm not typically one to wear foundation, but The Flawless Finish Foundation is more of a silky, weightless powder that doesn't feel heavy or leave you with that caked-on makeup look. Although it's buildable for those seeking more coverage, it still gives my skin that naturally luminous glow I crave. It also comes in a variety of shades, so there's something for every skin tone. The Palette Perfection Eye Quad in b.stunning is the perfect combination of neutral shades, giving you multiple options for eye looks whether you're looking for something more natural or more dramatic. I even like using it as a bronzer or contour if I want a little more golden glow! The Divine Duo Lip & Cheek palette in b.lovely is great for adding a little pop of color to your look. It's creamy, but with a matte finish, so it won't leave you looking too shiny. I found the blendable color to also be super long-lasting, which is key. Thanks to lilah b., you really can be more, with less!

fave products // w3ll people nudist multi-use powder duo

Truth be told, I rarely mix up my blush. I've used NARS Orgasm forever, and why fix what ain't broke, am I right? However, lately I've been exploring more natural, non-toxic skincare and makeup alternatives, and I'm really loving the products by W3ll People. I recently started using this Nudist Multi-Use Powder Duo, and one of the best things about it is its versatility. You'll find both the Nude Blush and a Nude Glow shades in this palette, and while you can use the darker to sculpt and the lighter to highlight your cheekbones, you can also mix them together for an easy, but radiant flush of color. I like that the duo gives me that healthy summer glow, without being too shimmery. Plus, you can use it as an eyeshadow as well! Multipurpose products are key for jet-setters like me- the less stuff to pack the better! If you prefer a cream blush, I also recommend trying out the Nudist Multi-Use Color Duo for lips, cheeks & eyes! Same subtle glow, but with a satiny, creamy finish :)

* This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!