The Bees Knees

This is not my usual beauty post.
My friend Christine has started an Etsy jewelry shop.
Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissCorvina to take a gander at bee necklaces and my personal favorite "The Camille".

Christine is the gal responsible for my blog template and my deep love for Duran Duran pins.
She is going through a difficult time.
I wanted to surprise her and try to drum up some business.

Is anyone else struggling with a bad week?
Last week was the devil.
This week is not much better.
Is something in retrograde?

Beauty blogging will be back Wednesday morning.

Skincare Finds from Etsy

Day 22: BathLife on Etsy
by Jessica M

I first started browsing on Etsy.com when I was looking for vintage jewelry, and then I discovered that the site also carries hand made bath and body products. Danger ahead, I thought. Too much temptation. Then again, I noticed, most of the choices didn’t look very unusual or appealing: lots of pre-blended scents and pre-made bases, too many cheap ingredients.

BathLife is one of the noteworthy exceptions that I’ve come across. As you can guess from the name, this seller (basically, a lovely lady named Kimberlee) carries plenty of scented soaps and body butters.For me, though, the real draw is its smaller line of “specialty products” for the face. They’re effective, they're a pleasure to use,they’re packed with natural ingredients, and they’re fairly priced.

Here are three products that I’ve ordered and reordered from BathLife:

FaceTime Gentle Makeup Remover: This mousse-like pink cream works to dissolve makeup (perfect for days when I'm wearing long-wear foundation) while it also provides light exfoliation. Pink clay gives it its rosy color, and macadamia butter creates a fluffy texture. Ground adzuki beans and joboba beans scrub the surface of the skin ever so gently, while shea butter and babassu butter keep things soft. The scent is a refreshing note of geranium essential oil. Just a fingertip of FaceTime is enough for each use; I spread and massage it over my face, rinse off, and then use my regular cleanser.($3.75 for a .5 oz. trial size, $9 for a 2 oz. jar)


Purify Facial Soap: This plain-looking bar has become my favorite nighttime cleansing product. It's a gentle facial soap spiked with Dead Sea clay, which (according to BathLife) has a "high content of over 26 minerals, algae, sodium, and sulphur." Purify gives my oily skin a deep-cleaned feeling, but it doesn't leave my face feeling stripped or tight, since it also contains macadamia oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil for nourishment. Skin needs a diet rich in fatty acids, just like the body does!($3.75 for a 2 oz. bar, $6.95 for 4 oz. bar)



Detox Purifying Facial Mask: Once a week, I apply this mask for even more thorough cleaning. It's easier on my skin than some of the clay masks I've used in the past, and it has a nice, simple ingredients list: Dead Sea clay, dark cocoa powder, and aloe powder. The clay’s detoxifying effect is balanced by the cocoa powder’s antioxidants and the aloe’s soothing properties. I mix a teaspoon of Detox with a teaspoon of water (you could also use honey or plain yogurt, for added moisture), apply a thin layer to my face, and let it dry for ten minutes. It's also fun to use, because it looks and smells just brownie mix when it's wet!($13 for 2 oz.)

I've been happy with all my orders from BathLife, since Kimberlee also offers excellent customer service (and cute packaging) for all her handmade products. Do check out her site at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BathLife if you're in the market for some new natural skincare.

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer
Credits: Images via BathLife on Etsy
Credit: Melanie Parker /Veronica Lake in I Married A Witch.