EXFOLIATING COFFEE & ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACE MASK DIY

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Since I am already a huge fan of activated charcoal and all its detoxifying benefits, I thought I’d share one of my favorite ways to use it with you, in a face mask! Both my boyfriend (that’s right, this charcoal face mask works for men too) and I use this mask to get all the guck off our faces that build up both in our pores and on the surface of our skin throughout the week. The addition of coffee and coconut to this charcoal face mask DIY also adds a smell to the mix that awakens the sense and leaves your skin hydrated. Sounds pretty good, right?! If you are curious as to how to make this charcoal face mask DIY at home too, keep reading!

COFFEE AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACE MASK BENEFITS

This all-natural face mask exfoliates, hydrates, and purifies your skin leaving it soft, smooth, and fresh. Activated Charcoal pulls impurities and toxins out of the skin while coffee grinds exfoliate dead skin cells away and coconut oil moisturizes. I recommend leaving this activated charcoal face mask DIY on for about 10-15 minutes before exfoliating and washing it off gently with warm water. For glowing skin, follow with vitamin C serums and your favorite moisturizer! ♥

* Please Note - Some links in this post may be affiliate links *

SHOPPING LIST:

Small Containers - I used 4 oz Glass Jam Jars  
2.5 oz Organic Coffee Grinds (fine) - per jars you want to end up with so (2.5 x # of jars = how much you will need)
1.5 oz Coconut Oil***- per jars you want to end up with
Activated Charcoal - I got capsuled ones and removed the charcoal from the capsules, 1-2 for each 4oz jar
 

*** If you have a problem getting the coconut oil out of the container like I did I recommend using a technique called "sous-vide".  Please note that the container has to be made of glass to do this. To do this, placing the glass jar of coconut oil in a bath of water and heat the water up slowly in order to melt the coconut oil. Use a cloth when removing the glass jar from the bath as it will be hot. Pictures included below!


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DIRECTIONS:

Wash and dry your jars fully

Place the coffee grinds in the food processor (you may have to do this in parts!) , add in your coconut oil and activated charcoal. Blend until well mixed well together.

If you did this in parts transfer food processor contents to a large bowl and repeat coffee, coconut oil, and charcoal mixture until everything is done. Mix large bowl contents together one last time with a whisk. The mask should look black and have a thick grainy consistency!

Scoop out and fill jars! 


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I hope you had as much fun making this easy charcoal face mask DIY as I did! Please let me know your comments below or if you have any special requests!!!!! I would love to hear from you ♥ ♥ ♥


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SPARITUAL - VEGAN NAIL POLISH REVIEW

I recently was introduced to this line of vegan nail polish called SpaRitual and absolutely loved it. Now, I have heard many things about vegan nail polish including that they lose their luster, don’t last, and chip easily, but I did not have any of those problems with this brand. Not only is it good quality, but it is free from 5 of the most harmful chemicals found in nail polish including DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde resin. SpaRitual makes many vegan products, not just nail polish, and I look forward to experimenting more with this brand in the future. If you are pregnant or looking to live a more vegan and chemical-free lifestyle I highly recommend you also check out this brand. If that doesn’t sound like you, well I am sure you can still appreciate a good manicure and this rad color.


CHECK OUT THESE EASY BEAUTY DIY’S


To see all the SpaRitual colors available click HERE

Usually, they run about $12 a bottle - I got two, Spellbound (pictured above) and Loving in Pink which almost looks like pink chrome.


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I hope you enjoyed this vegan nail polish review of SpaRitual nail polish. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below!


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CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE IN LOVERSLAND!

* USE PROMO CODE ‘ISTHATSOH15’ FOR 15% OFF YOUR PURCHASE *

If there ever was a year I wanted to put behind me, 2020 takes the cake! Things have been so hard for so many and although it personally has forced me to slow down and appreciate the things I have often taken for granted, I’m excited to bid adieu and say farewell!

This year, Danielle Gulic and Yvonne Reidy of Toronto’s Loversland help me put together three beautiful New Year’s Eve outfits perfect for anyone looking to end the year with a celebratory BANG! I mean, who said intimate parties can’t be glamorous too?

Loversland is a marvellous *not just bridal* women’s boutique on Ossington in Toronto that carries both local and international womenswear designers like Ronny Kobo, Soft Focus, and Birgitte Herskind! I had a chance to take a few of their dresses home last week and I have to say I can’t quite make up my mind as to which outfit I love the most. Care to share which dress tickles your fancy? Share it with me in the comments below!

P.S. Loversland is still serving customers via their online store during the pandemic and is offering curbside pick up if you are worried about not receiving your online orders before the New Year! You can also use my promo code ‘ISTHATSOH15’ for 15% off! your purchase!


CAN’T GO WRONG WITH A CLASSIC

This polka dot RIO DRESS BY BIRGITTE HERSKIND is an absolute timeless, sweet heart of a dress. If you have a classic style and love dresses that are both playful and puffy, this dress was made for you! With it’s high neck and beautiful frill details this dress exudes iconic glamour in every way.


FEELING FANCY IN MY PJ’S

If staying in your Pajamas on New Years Eve is wrong, I don’t want to be right. This PJ JUMPSUIT BY SOFT FOCUS bring luxury to lounge wear with a silky take on your classic sleep set. Worn either loose or cinched at the waist with the matching belt, this PJ jumpsuit is a great way to stay comfortable while ringing in the New Year at home.


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IN THE MOOD TO PARTY!

Bound to make heads turn this JADE DRESS BY RONNY KOBO not only hugs the body in all the right places but brings the ‘i’m in the mood to party’ energy to the party. Made from a printed leopard jacquard and featuring a high revealing slit, this dress balances sophistication with sex appeal perfectly.


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SHOP MY HAVANA, CUBA OUTFITS!

Hey friends! As promised I just released a quick round up video of all the outfits that I wore in Havana on IG and also wanted to pair it with this post so you can get some product links. I tried as much as possible to find working links for you but some of the pieces I got a year or two ago and couldn’t find them anymore. I will keep checking to see if I can find any suitable ‘doops’ later on and will be sure to update this post for you on what I find! What was your favorite outfit? Tell me in the comments below!

OUTFIT #1

This is the best outfit for those super hot days while on holiday where you are running around trying to do it all. It’s flowy, light, trendy and the best part - the skirt is actually a skort! Unfortunately the Gucci fanny I am wearing is no long available on their website so I couldn’t link it for you and the two tops are old pieces from Zara but I will update this post as soon as I find suitable replacements, so make sure to check back!

OUTFIT #2

Definitely my favorite outfit of the whole trip was this yellow dress from Fitzroy Rentals. It was the perfect cut and really shaped and showed off my body in all the right spots. It also looked great in photos and paired well with pretty much any Havana backdrop. Since I would wear this walking around all day I paired it with neutral snake skin sandals and a cream/natural woven bad - both from Zara. Also guys I feel awful but the hat is no longer available at Forever 21 and I cant even link it for you. :( If it comes back up i’ll make sure to update this post! In the meantime here is a good ‘doop’ from Lack of Colour.

OUTFIT #3

The perfect one piece jumpsuit for a sunny vacation. It was airy, had the cutest silhouette and was of course white. I loved the cut out shoulders, waist cutout detail and the side slit on the pants. I paired the jumpsuit with textured sandals and a seashell beaded bucket bag (both from Zara)… and of course the largest staw hat in the world (that goes with just about everything! HA!) to round out that Caribbean vacation vibe.

OUTFIT #4

This red dress was definitley my favorite ‘going out to dinner’ outfit while in Havana and really turned some heads, not to mention looked great against the vintage cars. It paired perfectly with this leopard print scarf which I wrapped around the handle of my bag as an extra accent. Unfortunatly, for this outfit I found the bag in a vintage store and the shoes a purchase from Forever 21 a couple years ago so I couldn’t find links for you guys. I will keep my eye out for good ‘doops’ and will post them when I can find some.

OUTFIT #5

Romance was in the air with this gorgeous Self Portrait dress from Fitzroy Rentals. I paired it with my tortoiseshell round Prada sunglasses and a big hat for that classic look. I also decided to keep it neutral and casual with flat sandals and my Zara creamy textured woven bag.


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LUSH COSMETICS - CHRISTMAS 2016 PRODUCT LINE REVIEW

Lush Cosmetics has been one of my favorite brands since I was first introduced to them in high school and was definitely one of the first cosmetic companies to ignite my soon-to-be obsession with beauty products. Lucky for me, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics also later became a great influence and educational benchmark for me on what fresh, natural, and ethical cosmetics are.

I remember the first time I saw, or rather smelled, a Lush store. I was instantly attracted by the bright colors, floral and citrus smells, the never ending array of bath bombs filled with sparkles, and the mounds of products you're actually allowed to touch and smell (for me at 14 this was a big deal!). Since that first experience I have become an avid customer and have been known to give their products as gifts for Christmas!

Recently I had the pleasure to team up with Lush Cosmetics to sample and review some of their seasonal Christmas products. I was very surprised to receive the products so quickly but after days and nights of experimentation I am happy to share my product review with you.

Bubbly & Rose Jam – Shower Gel

First let’s talk about Bubbly! I loved this shower gel and it instantly became my favorite out of the two. I tend to always navigate towards citrus-based products because of how fresh and vibrant they are. I also find that if I am using something repeatedly it’s easy to get olfactory overload, however if it is citrus based I tend not to get sick of it so quickly. Two additional great things about this product are that it is vegan and doesn’t dry out your skin!!!

Bubbly starts at $9.95 - $32.95 depending on size

Rose Jam is perfect for any floral and citrus scent lovers! I love floral scents, but can sometimes find them overpowering - but not this one! The Rose Jam shower gel also has hints of vanilla and as an added bonus contains argan oil. Argan oil is an incredibly nourishing and hydrating oil. It is filled with vitamin A, vitamin E, and antioxidants and is known for its amazing healing powers when it comes to skin infections, rashes and bug bites. When applied to the skin it can ease inflammation while moisturizing your skin! P.S. This product is also vegan and all Lush Cosmetic products are not tested on animals – BONUS!

Rose Jam starts at $21.95 - $32.95 depending on size

*Someone suggested to me to mix the two – I did and it was fabulous! Try it! I double dog dare you!

Santa Baby – Lip Tint

When I first saw this product my expectation of what it was, was completely different. First of all anything that comes in a tube I automatically associate it to a texture of a lip balm or something that applies smoothly and appears shinny, but probably leaves your lips feeling dryer then before. It’s not uncommon for lip balms such as ChapSticks and lip plumpers to cause severe irritation on and around the lips because of ingredients that can actually dry out the lips like —menthol, camphor, and phenol. These ingredients are what give the tingling sensation but actually have no real nourishing benefit.

That is why when I tried Santa Baby for the first time I was super surprised because it is a) Shea and Coco butter based - meaning its super nourishing and moisturizing but does not slide on in a slick, filmy kind of way and b) because it’s a lip tint and gets its tint from cherries and dates, you don’t need very much to see the effects of the pigment. In terms of scent there is only a slight hint of spice, perhaps cinnamon, but nothing that is too pungent or that overly stands out.

If you are not into red natural looking lips this may not be a product for you, however I am curious to try this product on my cheeks even as a soft natural looking blush! There are potentially numerous applications here!!

Santa Baby - $9.95 per 5g tube

Christingle – Body Conditioner

I was super excited when I received the Christingle Body Conditioner because I had never tried anything like it before. After reading the description “Invigorating peppermint and menthol crystals energize skin with tingly holiday excitement.” I practically jumped in the shower right away! So in order to use this product properly you are supposed to shower/wash as per usual and then as a final step apply the body conditioner to your wet skin thinly and evenly and rinse off before lightly towel drying. Upon exiting my hot shower I instantly felt a rush of the cool tingly sensation all over my body however I am not sure if I was that into it to be honest. Even after getting dressed and putting on layers of clothing I continued to shiver and feel very cold. I feel like the menthol may have defeated the purpose and enjoyment I get from a hot shower…. especially in the winter. Perhaps menthol is not my thing, but on the plus side my skin felt super hydrated after and I smelled really good like fresh peppermint! I think I’m going to save this bad boy for the summer when its hot out and I could use a little winter refreshment. 

Christingle - $14.95 for 90g tub

Mistletoe – Bath Bomb

God do I love a good bath bomb! I have tried many times to replicate Lush Cosmetic bath bombs but have never come quiet as close in smell, size and level of enjoyment that I receive from theirs - and the Mistletoe bath bomb was no exception.

First of all this bath bomb is so big you only really need to use half. Since it already comes with a ridge in it you can easily cut it in half and save the other half for another occasion. Even before it explodes you can smell the sensual scent of Jasmine – a scent that to me evokes memories of summer evenings and gentle breezes. It is a lifting scent that is known to relax the body and mind in order to encourage intimacy and has historically been used to do just that!

Once I dropped the bath bomb into the water it instantly came alive, revealing pink and purple streaks – these streaks of colours and bubbles were a source of inspiration for my #bathart series seen below. Feel free to experiment with different Lush bath bombs yourself and come up with your own series! Don't forget to hashtag #bathart on social media when you show off your series.

*I have to admit that this bath bomb does leave a pink glittery ring around your bathtub but don’t worry it comes off really easily.

Mistletoe Bath Bomb - $7.95 per Bath Bomb (200g)

Luxury Lush Pud – Bath Bomb

The Luxury Lush Pud bath bomb was another welcomed surprise. I love anything lavender scented because of its comforting properties. This bath bomb is again big enough for you to split and use over two occasions however I found that it was not as easy to split as the mistletoe because there was no defined ridge – but whatever that didn’t stop me. I recommend really putting aside some time when you use this bath bomb and getting your setup/Netflix all ready because once you experience this bath bomb you won’t want to get out of the bath for hours! It’s a perfect before bedtime soother to get you all relaxed and cozy before crawling into bed for a good night’s rest.

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb - $7.95 per Bath Bomb (200g)

To read more about Lush bath bombs and see a video on how they are made click HERE


Before I go I also want to talk about Lush Cosmetic outstanding core values, values you do not often see in cosmetic brands today. Lush Cosmetics makes all their products by hand and use only the best and freshest ingredients. They believe that when it comes to packaging, less is more – so our environment incurs minimal waste. All their products are 100% vegetarian – 80% of these are actually even vegan and they actively do not buy ingredients from companies that test on animals. They are also 100% transparent with what is in each product and you can go on their website or grab a catalogue in store and see all the ingredients in every product they release! And if that’s not enough for you – well they are also a Canadian company!

Visit Lush Cosmetics to learn more about the brand and beat the lines by shopping their entire Christmas product line online!