Then I thought back [...]]]> I was recently sent a sample of Maya Essentials’ Rose and Olive Deep Facial Cleanser, and I have to be honest, the “olive oil” ingredient freaked me out a bit. I was like, “Is this going to be super slick and greasy, impossible to wash off and cause me to break out?”

Then I thought back on a time when i was beyond obsessed with DHC’s Deep Cleansing [Olive] Oil… it was the greatest thing ever! After I couldn’t verify whether it was vegan or not, I stopped using it… but lemme tell you, it was überly moisturizing, ant-aging, it washed off super easily (and yes, olive oil was the main ingredient), it didn’t leave any funky, slimy residue, and it made my skin feel exquisite! There have been many times when I’ve reminisced and craved that magical, wonderful formula of skincare bliss…  only to be bummed out with the inevitable womp-womp—until NOW!!

Maya Essentials not only came out with a vegan, cruelty-free version of this a-maaaaahzing cleanser, but it’s also organic, completely natural (and infused with a beautiful blend of rose, lavender and lemon), handmade in NY, and it comes in recyclable packaging. Score!

For your chance to win your very own Maya Essentials’ Rose and Olive Facial Cleanser ($23.50 value), leave a comment below and tell me which cruelty-free facial cleanser you currently use. For multiple entries, simply “like” Vegan Beauty Review on Facebook and/or follow VBR on Twitter (and leave a comment below for each letting me know you did so). A winner will be randomly selected and notified on April 11. Good luck!

Did you catch my recent “Favorite Vegan Things” video? If not, then you missed my review of Sun Chlorella Cream. It’s unlike any other wrinkle cream I’ve ever tried. It goes on luxuriously smoothly, it’s intensely hydrating, it’s paraben-free and propylene-free, and it contains Chlorella Pyrenoidosa extract, Grapefruit Seed extract, Artemisia Capillaris extract, and Clove Flower [...]]]>

Did you catch my recent “Favorite Vegan Things” video? If not, then you missed my review of Sun Chlorella Cream. It’s unlike any other wrinkle cream I’ve ever tried. It goes on luxuriously smoothly, it’s intensely hydrating, it’s paraben-free and propylene-free, and it contains Chlorella Pyrenoidosa extract, Grapefruit Seed extract, Artemisia Capillaris extract, and Clove Flower extract.

Basically, this magical nutrient-rich cream contains my favorite algae/superfood—chlorella (neck-and-neck with spirulina). The Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) found in this cream, is a source of highly beneficial nucleic acids that is found within the nucleus of the chlorella cell—which aids in healing and tissue growth. (Jigga wat? That’s like science ‘n shit!) In layman’s terms: this creamy concoction will make you look dope and forever young-looking like a fresh olallieberry. Yeah, dawg!

For your chance to win this Sun Chlorella beauty cream (we’re giving away two), simply “like” Vegan Beauty Review on Facebook and leave a comment below letting me know, and tell me which day/night cream you currently use. Two winners will be randomly selected and notified on March 22. Good luck!

Hells yeah! Nothing is sexier than being vegan, right? And if you’re gonna be doin’ the deed, you bettah be doin’ it vegan-style! ← What does that mean?

Ditch those nasty, toxic, animal-derived ingredient sexy time products for some organic, vegan ones!

I recently reviewed Blossom Organics’ intimate care products (100% vegan), and they are beyond fab! Wanna [...]]]>

Hells yeah! Nothing is sexier than being vegan, right? And if you’re gonna be doin’ the deed, you bettah be doin’ it vegan-style! ← What does that mean?

Ditch those nasty, toxic, animal-derived ingredient sexy time products for some organic, vegan ones!

I recently reviewed Blossom Organics’ intimate care products (100% vegan), and they are beyond fab! Wanna try them, too? For free even?

Here’s what you gotta do:

1. Email, Facebook or Tweet Blossom Organics one (or several) toxic ingredients that you are eliminating from your intimate care by recycling the questionable product.
2. In return, they will send you a FREE Blossom Organics Natural Moisturizing Lubricant to replace it (while supplies last)! Make sure to inclue your name, address, phone, email, etc.

Feel free to share this with your friends!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post with a name for this new shade (feel free to be as wild, funky and creative as your beautiful [...]]]> Johnny Concert Glamour is giving VBR readers the opportunity to name and WIN their newest vegan, yellow, organic eyeliner shade pictured here:

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post with a name for this new shade (feel free to be as wild, funky and creative as your beautiful ♥ desires), and tell us why you picked it.

So to recap…

1. Go to www.johnny-concert.com
2. Check out their names and colors (to get a feel for their style)
3. Tell us in a comment what this next color should be named

This is a worldwide contest and you may enter as many times as you like! One lucky person will get to name this vibrant shade, get credit on JC’s website, and be the first to own it before it launches this spring! A winner will be notified Feb. 28, 2011. Have fun and good luck! Let the creativity commence! 

*UPDATE* The winner is Lorien’s “Crime Scene”! Congrats!

Soy Candles By Phebes has an extensive line of  hand [...]]]> Did you know soy candles are not only more environmentally friendly than conventional, petroleum-based paraffin candles but they also last twice as long?  I’ve been a huge soy candle fan for quite some time and I always have a blast discovering new brands of soy candles.

Soy Candles By Phebes has an extensive line of  hand crafted soy candles and soy tarts that are made out of 100% soy wax. They are also phthalate-free, kosher and very affordable.

Each 8.5 oz. Soy Candle by Phebes is $13.05 (free shipping on orders over $25). They have over 90 scents to chooses from and each scent is unique and exquisite. If you go to their website and read the descriptions for each scent, you’re going to find yourself wanting all of them.

Here are a few really fun ones: Puppy Breath (creamy sweet florals, coconuts and vanilla), Jamaica Me Crazy (fresh, fruity, tropical), Fruit Loops (smells just like the cereal) and Butt Naked (I’ll let you look up the description on their website for yourself) *wink*

I was fortunate to sample some of these candles and let me just say, these are some of the most amazing, beautiful smelling candles on the planet. Here are some scents I had the pleasure of trying…

Vanilla Pear: It definitely smells like vanillia-y pear… or a peary vanilla. I love vanilla everything and this one definitely wooed my nostrils. It kind of smells like white chocolate and reminds me of a specific German sweet I grew up with… nostalgia.

Spa Bliss: This is one of their best sellers. It combines spearmint and eucalyptus with hints of  corriander and vetiver. This candle will turn your bathroom into a sanctuary for relaxation. This would make an excellent housewarming gift.

Whiskers: At first, I thought if this candle smells anything like my furry, feline babies, this could could be strange. It turns out, this candle smells gorgeous! It’s vanilla-y with notes of pinion, patchouli and sandalwood. It has a beautiful exotic vibe. I would love to wear this scent as a perfume.

Red Currant Tart: This is one of their best selling scents and I can totally see why. It smells like wild cassis buds with hints of apple and a touch of gardenia. It’s the perfect combination of fruity and floral – It smells like Spring to me!

Two very lucky VBR readers are going to each win 3 amazing Soy Candles by Phebes. That’s a $40 value!

All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment on this post (feel free to enter as many times as you like).  I’d love to hear what your favorite candle scent is. Two winners will be randomly selected and announced on March 2nd. Good luck!

Also, check out what Mike Hipp, the owner of Soy Candles by Phebes is offering to all VBR readers: “I want to extend a special Vegan Beauty Review to your readers! Go to http://www.soycandlesbyphebes.com and place an order for three candles and I’ll give you a fourth! Simply say you heard about us on Vegan Beauty Review on the free text area of the order and also include (if you wish) a scent choice for the fourth candle. Don’t worry, if you don’t choose, I’ll choose for you based on your purchase.” What a deal!

For more info: Soy Candles by Phebes

Enter [...]]]> So many amazing vegan goodies hail from Portland, OR. One very awesome, groom conscious, green beauty find from the City of Roses is Bikini Kitty. They make spa quality, paraben-free, non-toxic, cruelty-free, organic, vegan, gentle and effective shaving and waxing care kits – no more ingrown hairs and irritating rashes. Purrrrr to that!

Enter to win Bikini Kitty’s Clean-Up Kit (usually $39, on sale for $30 as a Valentine’s Day promo, but could be yours for free if you win) includes a 30 day supply of the following: Bikini Kitty’s Everyday Magic Spray (removes dead skin that clogs pores, smells like ripe lemons and oranges), Bikini Kitty’s No-Bump Body Brush (exfoliates), Bikini Kitty’s Smooth Shave Gel (softens hair, smells like fresh lavender), Bikini Kitty’s No-Nick Razor Oil, some sample single blade razors and complete instructions on how to use this full system.

One lucky VBR reader is going to win this Bikini Kitty Clean Up Kit. All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment on this post (feel free to enter as many times as you like). A winner will be randomly selected and announced on February 16th. Good luck!

All of these goodies are presented in super cute packaging with thorough instructions and useful quick tips and interesting facts about shaving. A couple things I learned: 1) Never use bar soaps to shave unless you want really dry, thirsty legs and 2) Single blade razors prevent ingrown hairs while multiple blade razors are key culprits for those nasty bumps.

I’ve been using the Bikini Kitty Clean Up kit for over a week now and I have to say it’s pretty remarkable. This stuff is amazing and works wonders on all of my sensitive areas (i.e. arm pits and my sacred region). I’ve also been using these products on my legs too, and my skin couldn’t be happier! My skin is so soft and smooth and free of any bumps or red spots. I also want to point out that the essential oils in these products smell awesome. I’m a big fan all around. Honestly, these products make shaving sessions something to look forward to (and that’s saying a lot).

Bikini Kitty also has a Waxy Care Kit ($24.95) which contains their Everyday Magic Spray and No-Bump Body Brush.

For more info: Bikini Kitty

The men’s version: Dirty Dog

Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Scrub ($38, 8 oz size): This is one of Lather’s best sellers! Body scrubs are a perfect way to help even out your skin tone and exfoliate all those surfacey, dry, flaky layers of skin. This rejuvenating body scrub contains bamboo, sea algae and herbal extracts, [...]]]> This is what you’re in for…

Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Scrub ($38, 8 oz size): This is one of Lather’s best sellers! Body scrubs are a perfect way to help even out your skin tone and exfoliate all those surfacey, dry, flaky layers of skin. This rejuvenating body scrub contains bamboo, sea algae and herbal extracts, almond proteins and essential oils of lemongrass, geranium, petit grain, vetivert and ylang ylang, which make this scrub a beautiful aromatic concoction. I personally like to use body scrubs on my hands.  I love pampering myself with hand scrubs followed by an emollient hand cream. Whether I’m using a salt scrub, sugar scrub or otherwise, the lil’ scrubby bits hit all the tension points in my hands and it’s über relaxing. I try to treat myself to a hand scrub about every other day. This scrub is honestly unlike any other scrub I’ve tried. The lil’ scrubbers (powdered bamboo and walnut shell powder) are tiny and granular, giving this scrub a finer, softer feel. I love it and I bet you’ll love it to!

One lucky VBR reader is going to win this Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Scrub. All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment on this post (feel free to enter as many times as you like). A winner will be randomly selected and announced on February 9th. Good luck!

For more info: Lather