Superhero Skincare to the Rescue!
We’re definitely cup half full types. Though, when we hear a company make claims, like you will not find any chemical preservatives, artificial fragrance or color, phthalates, betaines, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, phosphates, silicones, EDTA, glycols/PEG’s, parabens, gluten or petroleum based ingredients, we get a little – a lot – skeptical. Let’s face it: hundreds of companies spend more time greenwashing than they do sourcing natural products.
So when we saw the Ella’s Botanicals tweet asking for product reviewers, we jumped at the chance. A couple of days later, we received a care package that we could skin-test.
First up was the Skin Soother Beauty Bar Soap for face and body. We shower-tested it after long cold runs in this horrific long winter; after long freezing walks (same harsh conditions); after good night’s sleeps and bad night’s sleeps; and after some very sweaty yoga classes. Each and every time it was like an uber-mini retreat. First of all, the natural oil combos create instant rejuvenating aromatherapy. Don’t mean to paint the wrong image, it is an unscented bar, but given its natural ingredients it still has a lovely non-scent – think hemp seed oil, olive oil and oat flour all permeating your shower. The properties associated with these oils cause moisturized skin, and reduce inflammation and skin irritations. It was actually the perfect bar for this dramatically cold winter that always left our legs itchy, numb and red from the -20° (or colder) temperatures. The bar size was easy to handle, in comparison to some other non-Ella bars that were too large to hold when slippery. The only downside is that this bar, given its pure ingredient list, didn’t last long. Regardless, it’s definitely a great soap to use as a weekend bath treat or when your skin is feeling irritated – given that it was developed specifically for customers who are prone to eczema.
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They say that some of the most intense memories we have are olfactory memories. Play along with us just for a minute: maybe it’s the smell of baby powder that reminds you of your grandmother, or the smell of tiger lilies that remind you of your first piano recital. Certain scents can trigger us back to some of our youngest days. Muscle Rescue Balm is our new memory jog. It will forever be the rub that helped some of our non-skier friends recover from a full day on the hills. One of our team members had tried skiing as an adolescent, couldn’t quite figure it out, so abandoned the sport entirely. Now 30 years later, she took lessons, got the hang of it in half an hour, then spent the afternoon skiing! You can imagine how tense and overexerted her muscles must have been. She was ready though: she lathered Muscle Rescue Balm all over – from hip top, to toes – and then the botanicals, like magic fairies, went to work! The next day our intrepid friend woke up refreshed, renewed and pain-free! If you eyeball the ingredient list, you get a sense of what wonders were at work: Olea Europa Oil (Olive), *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter/Beurre de Karité), Cera Alba (Beeswax/Cire d’Abeille), Arnica Montana Flower, Hypericum Perforatum Flower (St Johnswort), Calendula Officinalis Flower, Menthol, Origanum Marjorana Oil (marjoram), Zingiber Officinalis Oil (Ginger), Mentha Piperita Oil (Peppermint), Lavandula Angustifolia Oil (Lavender/Lavande), Eucalytpus Radiata Oil, Cypressus Sempervirons Oil (Cypress), Rosmarinus Officinalis Oil and Leaf Extract (Rosemary/Romarin).
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This has to have been the best winter to test the Lavender Bliss Magic Balm. Although it’s good for hands and feet as well, we were stoked to find out we could apply this balm to our lips. Given our love for all things outdoors, we normally suffer from dry, rather cracked hands and cuticles, the roughest of heels, and chapped lips so destitute they would often bleed. Yeah, lovely. Anyhow, back to the lip-test. We have tried every single natural lip-specific product on the Canadian market. We have asked all our outdoorsy friends (skiers, snowboarders, walkers, runners) about what they lather on their puckers. Everyone gives you a half-hearted answer, like “I use X, but it’s not my favourite. I don’t have a favourite. Haven’t found my match yet”. Well, we must say, this cocktail of Ontario beeswax, organic fair trade shea butter, and pure essential oils R O C K S ! Don’t take our word for it, go directly here and order NOW. STAT.
You’re welcome!
Have you found any amazing, best-thing-you’ve-ever-tried products lately? Leave a comment and let us know what you think ROCKS.
