Juice Beauty - Oil Free Moisturizer

First of all, I love the concepts of this brand. Not only are their products 98% USDA-certified organic, but they are a cruelty-free brand listed on the PETA website - both things that are very important to me when looking at a cosmetics company! It's great to know that not only am I putting something natural on my skin, but I'm avoiding animal cruelty at the same time.

I first tried this, like many of you, as a Sephora sample. I love the scent - light citrus with a hint of something sweet, like vanilla, and not at all synthetic. I have sensitive skin that can be dry in the winter - but I really HATE the feel of thick lotion or lots of makeup on my skin (I tend to use tinted moisturizer instead of foundation!). This goes on smoothly and absorbs without a trace (be careful not to use too much though - or it will feel sticky and not absorb properly!). I have found that it feels good on my skin and leaves it soft and healthy-looking.

I've read a few reviews saying that the juice has left skin feeling tingly or irritated. I have to say, I'm really surprised to hear this. I have very sensitive, pale skin that burns in about two seconds flat and can't handle any strong chemical products without getting pink and irritated - but I haven't even felt a hint of a tingle with this! So it's definitely a product that differs between people.

I certainly think that this is suited more to people with oilier skin or who don't like the feel of heavy moisturizer - and won't work in harsh winter climates. But with summer coming up I've stocked up and definitely see myself sticking with this in the future!


Ratings:
Packaging: 4.5/5 (can be hard to get the last little bit out)
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Yep.
Would I purchase again? Already have! 

Cruelty-Free? Yes - appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list.

Where to find it: Juice Beauty online, EBeauty online, Sephora in store or online. 

Burt's Bees - Citrus Facial Scrub

 I recently picked this up at Whole Foods (I'm trying to buy natural products more often) and love it. The consistency and method remind me of a LUSH product, Angels on Bare Skin, which I loved back when I worked there.

The trick with this is to take a small amount (slightly larger than pea-sized) and work it into a paste with a little water. You then massage the paste over your face, rinse, and voila! Just don't try to pre-mix it in the jar as it will get all gooey and will not work properly! Also, because it doesn't contain chemicals, mixing it with water will breed bacteria more quickly and is not hygienic!

I love how smooth and soft this makes my skin without drying it out at all. It also smells like mince pies! Mmmmm.....

 Ratings:
Packaging: 4/5 (the jar is glass and I'm clumsy, so I do worry about dropping it in the tub!)
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Very.
Would I purchase again? I think this will always be in my shower!**Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from Burt's Bees.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of Clorox, which appears on their list of companies that do test on animals. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.