Natural by Design Cosmetics was started to showcase the bevy of hair and skincare products made with natural and naturally derived ingredients.  Natural by Design Cosmetics refuses to add any parabens, mineral oil or petroleum to anything that is created. A majority of the products offered are vegan as well.  One of the main reasons that Platinum Product Junkies exists is to bring to you our loyal readers new and innovative products that you might not have other wise heard of and Natural by Design products certainly fit the bill.

We are excited to offer you a chance to win a sample pack from this innovative Etsy Company. Included in the Sample Kit are:

• Curl Magic Leave in Conditioner
• Peach Coconut Moisturizing Hair milk
• Curl Magic Cleansing Conditioner
• Body Basics Body Lotion
• Body Basics Body Wash
• Body Basics After bath Moisture Splash

To enter the contest, register at Platinum Product Junkies forum then leave your screen name in the comment section below!  We’d love for you to introduce yourself in the “Introduce Yourself” thread and jump right into the conversation.

To earn additional contest entries

1. “Follow” the Platinum Product Junkies and Natural by Design Cosmetics  on Twitter.
2. “Like” the Platinum Product Junkies and Natural by Design Cosmetics on Facebook.

Please note: Giveaway is open to US residents only. Contest winner has 48 hours to respond to email notification (please double check your email in the comment section), with a valid shipping address.

Good Luck!!!!

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March has come “in like a lion and out like a lamb” and it’s now April and spring is officially here…at least that’s what my calendar says even if the weather man doesn’t agree.  The temps in March here in DC have been up and down…nice warm balmy 60 degrees one day and a freak snow storm the next.  With such weather fluctuations, it can be difficult to find products that work in both weather extremes.  Here is a quick look back and round up of some of my favorite products from March.

• C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion: This lotion works equally well in warm and cooler weather by delivering great moisture without leaving you greasy.  It also has AHA which helps sloth off dry scaly skin to leave your skin soft and even toned.  Check out my more in-depth review of this product here.

• Philosophy “The Present” Clear Makeup:  Philosophy calls this clear makeup but it’s really a primer…and a darn good one to boot!  Nefertiti and I like to call this “makeup glue” because whatever makeup you apply sticks to it and lasts ALL DAY.  It’s great when the weather is cooler because it locks in moisture from your moisturizer, but when the weather warms up; it keeps your makeup in place and prevents the “melt down”.  I’ve been using this daily for the past few weeks after taking a break from it to test and try other things and I couldn’t be happier to have it back in rotation!

• Ulta Super Blending Sponge:  I never really got the hype over the beauty blender…I always thought it was just an overpriced sponge and surly my makeup brushes provided just as good application or better.  While pursuing Ulta one day, I decided to try this “generic” version and now I FINALLY get it!  I have been using this sponge daily for a few weeks and my foundation has gone on sooo smooth and flawless.  The real selling point for me is that I get coverage without that “heavy” feeling that some foundations can leave.  This blends out the tiniest amount of foundation perfectly and my skin looks like skin and not “foundation on top of skin”.  LOVE this thing and I’m going to pick up a few more!!!

• Hairveda Almond Glaze:  I haven’t been doing much lately with my hair other than twists and puffs.  My hair has grown out of its pixie cut and I’m on the fence about cutting it short again, letting it grow, or locing so I’m just letting it be for now until I decide.  After washing and conditioning, I apply my leave in de jour and seal in the moisture with this.  I LOVE that it’s all natural yet shields my hair from the temperature fluctuations.  It leaves my hair soft and shiny without being too greasy (unless you over apply).  I can apply it directly to my scalp in areas where it gets tight and dry or I can apply it to the ends to keep them from drying out.  My jar is almost out so I’ll be picking up 1-2 more to add to my stash!

•  Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15: If you know me from Curl Talk or any of the natural hair forums, then you know I’m a HUGE fan of Kiehl’s products, especially their facial moisturizers.  I have extremely oily acne prone skin and it can be difficult to find a product that adds the perfect amount of moisture without causing a breakout.  I have found that Kiehl’s products perform exceptionally well for my skin in this regard.  As the days have started getting longer, I wanted to add in a lighter SPF to my routine (I use SPF 50 in the summertime).  This product provided enough moisture on those bitter cold days, without being too heavy for the nice balmy days we’ve had in March.  An added bonus is that the SPF doesn’t leave that dreaded white ashy cast to my dark skin.  I’m not sure if I could use this in the summer as it might be TOO heavy once the humidity sets in, but for late winter/early spring usage I have found this to be a winner. 

What products have you incorporated into your routine over the past month?  What are your standout performers or favorites that have amazed you?  Share them with us in the comments.

FTC Disclosure:  The item discussed below ( C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion) was purchased with personal funds.  This is not a paid endorsement.  All thoughts and ideas expressed are those of the reviewer.

Product: C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion, Vanilla Butter scent

The premise and claims (from www.drugstore.com):

“Simple, natural, trusted.

Why should faces get all the special treatments?  c.Booth believes in equal rights for the skin below the chin.  Take a close look at yours and see if it doesn’t deserve the four fabulous benefits of this extremely busy lotion:

4-in-1

1. A potent combo of alpha hydroxy acids works tirelessly to ditch dead skin cells and even out skin tones so even sun-damaged areas look healthy and happy.
2. Sweet almond, apricot kernel and shea butter oils work in perfect harmony to hydrate needy skin.
3. Vitamins and minerals perform like superheroes, valiantly fighting off the dastardly deeds of the harsh environmental forces that threaten our skin.
4. Caffeine firms and tones less-than-taut skin, making it feel youthful, revitalized and wide awake. “

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (Coconut), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter (Cocoa), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Shea), Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) (Vitamin E), Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A) (Vitamin A), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond), Prunus Armeniaca Kernal Oil (Apricot), Sea Salt, Lactic Acid, Maleic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, BHT, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, 2 Bromo 2 Nitropropane 1, 3 Diol

Size:  32oz (1L)

Price:  Varies, but is generally priced between $8-$10.  I usually purchase on sale at Ulta when it is BOBO ½ off or BOGO Free.

Availability: Ulta, RiteAid, Wal-mart, Drugstore.com, and select major drugstores and supermarkets

Consistency/Application:   This is a slightly thick body lotion.  It’s very moisturizing without being greasy and would work for most people year round.  It glides on smoothly to the skin, sinks in fast, yet keeps ash at bay all day. 

Scent:    I’m not scent sensitive so the vanilla butter scent seems very faint to me.  It fades away fast and doesn’t interfere with my perfume.  This lotion comes in three scents (vanilla butter, coconut fig, and lemon sugar) so if you are not a fan of vanilla, you have other options.  I generally prefer unscented body products so I would love to see an unscented version of this product in the future.

Over-all Impressions:  What I really like about the C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion is the addition of the maleic and glycolic acids which help to sloth off dry skin and help with cell turn over.  My knees, elbows, and hands have taken a beating in the gym doing planks, various yoga mat work, and lifting weights.  This lotion sat in my product stash for a while before I decided to try it and I couldn’t be happier with it.  It keeps my knees and elbows from getting scaly and it has also helped with the mild body acne and keratosis pilaris on my shoulders/upper arms from all the sweating my workouts produce.

I can’t really speak to the skin tightening benefits of the caffeine because I believe that nothing really tightens loose skin except removing the excess skin and everything else is temporary.  All in all for the price and quantity you receive, I think this lotion is a winner.  If you’re in the market for a good all over moisturizer that does what it’s supposed to without breaking the bank, I’d highly recommend this product!

Grapefruit Ginger Sea Salt Scrub

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

 
Lackluster, dry, itchy skin? Body discoloration? Need more circulation? There’s nothing better than sea salt scrubs!  They exfoliate, tone and detoxify the skin. They feel amazing. I prefer them to sugar scrubs, because I like a little more “scrub” in my mix. I live at Etsy.com, so I’m always looking for new hair and body products to try. Discovering Naki Nagi Body Scrubs on Etsy reminded me of my need to get my skin ready for the arrival of Summer- the time for bare skin, sandals and light clothing.

Rachel’s sea salt and sugar scrubs contain an antibacterial soap, and she also offers a sulfate-free option. Her scrubs can be used on the face and body, and she makes a peppermint scrub for the feet. I ordered the Grapefruit Ginger Sea Salt Scrub, and I’m SO glad I did!  I love the smell of citrus and ginger, and the combination is heavenly. My shower experience was exhilarating – I’ve been experiencing the itchies, so the gentle, yet effective scrubbing action worked wonders. The soap in the scrub keeps the “oilies” down – the scrub rinses off, with no greasy residue. My skin felt stimulated and insanely soft. I glowed  Wow. Note: This is not a “foaming” scrub. Do exercise caution in the shower.  The shower/tub will be slippery.

Shipment was quick, and my package arrived safely (no leaky jar).  The scrubs start at $15.95, and now thru the month of April there’s a $5 coupon code – SPRING

Enjoy!

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

Organic Lip Butter

I’m a collector of lip balms/butters.  I own a gazillion tubes and pots.  I’ve tried them all.  Yes,  I’ve tried your favorite too.  Most are nothing special.  A few need to be pulled from the store shelves,  and a few are noteworthy.  You’d think it would be pretty easy to create a stellar lip lubricant – there’s so many butters, oils and waxes to choose from.  Yet, the average lip balm is nothing more than souped-up Vaseline™.   I got a little giddy when I stumbled upon Lisa’s Lip Melts Organic Whipped Lip Butter Etsy store.  My eyes quickly found the Blood Orange and Vanilla lip butters, and after reading the descriptions I decided to pull the trigger and find out if these lip delights are truly hype-worthy. Lisa’s order turnover time is about two (2) weeks, so I tried not to get too anxious. I waited patiently for my order to arrive.

Okay, here’s the deal:

These lip butters should work fine for those who don’t need a heavy duty lip lubricant.  I kept the Vanilla and gave the Blood Orange to a friend. I had to reapply several times during the day, and it didn’t give me that “smooth” feeling of waxier lip balms.  If you need a bit of slip, before applying your lipstick, or if you’re in search of a light  lip conditioning product,  Lip Melts would probably be a good choice. However,  my lips  need a heavier, waxier product for the winter season.

The ingredients: butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter) fruit, theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter, helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) seed oil, olea europaea (Olive) Oil, rosa canina (Rosehip) fruit oil, ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil , oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) oil, euphorbia cerifera (Candelilla) wax, tocopherol (natural Vitamin E), essential oils.

Sephora Fragrance Sampler

The power of scent is undeniable.  It has the ability to envelope us in warm nostalgic memories, invoke peace and calm in the face of turmoil, or spark passion and romance with a significant other.  Humans have used the power of scent for centuries, and now I offer that power to you. Use the form below, to enter the giveaway. Follow the instructions, and check your email! Giveaway ends Friday, 11/30/12 @ midnight (EST). Winner will be announced on Saturday, 12/1/12. One (1) lucky reader will win a Sephora Fragrance Sampler, which  includes a voucher for a full-size bottle of your favorite scent from the included samples. 

The Fragrances

• Betsy Johnson Too Too Pretty
• Coach Poppy – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• DKNY Be Delicious – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• Givenchy Very Irrésistible – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• Gucci Guilty Intense – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• Hanae Mori Butterfly – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur redeems to a 2.5 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• Marc Jacobs DOT – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• Narciso Rodriguez For Her – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• Prada CANDY – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• Versace Bright Crystal – redeems to a 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

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Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter

Yum! Josie Maran is my source, for the best Argan Oil products for hair and body. I love her stuff, and when I stumbled upon her Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, I almost fell out in Sephora! I want you to fall out too!  One (1) lucky winner gets both the Sweet Citrus and Vanilla Apricot Butters! Wanna win this dynamic duo? Use the form below, to enter the giveaway.  Follow the instructions, and check your email! Giveaway ends Friday, 11/30/12 @ midnight (EST). Winner will be announced on Saturday, 12/1/12.

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Indulgence by SV Soaps

I love premium, handmade soap!  Indulgence by SV Soaps is an Etsy shop I discovered, a few years ago. I received a bar of Silvia’s soap as a gift, and I was hooked.  Silvia’s soaps are beautiful, smell divine, and leave your skin soft and fragrant – doesn’t get any better than that. If you’ve never tried handmade soap, you’re in for a treat. One (1) lucky winner gets to try six (6) bars of my choice (see the pics above and visit her shop to see even more beautiful soaps and bath goodies). Use the form below, to enter the giveaway.  Follow the instructions, and check your email! Giveaway ends Friday, 11/30/12 @ midnight (EST). Winner will be announced on Saturday, 12/1/12.

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