I'm a bit of a beauty products addict, and I'm also a sucker for gifts with purchase, so I wanted to share my current obsessions. I'm pretty keen on avoiding the usual nasties - parabens, phthalates, and sulfates but I need products that work well too.  I get a lot of things to try from gifts with purchases - which I think are a bit like Christmas year round! Feel free to follow me on twitter and I'll share the GWP's I'm snagging but one of my favorite blogs for keeping up on the great gifts is www.gwpaddict.com and of course I'm a huge fan of slickdeals.net!  

1. Laura Geller Glamlash Dramatic Volumizing Mascara. I got a free sample in a box from birch box and I am in LOVE with this mascara. I have very sensitive eyes and can hardly wear any mascara brands but I have no problem with this and my lashes look long and luscious. It can smudge if I get super sweaty or rub my eyes (hey, I run a farm so I sweat!) but for general wear, its pretty smudge proof and it comes off easy without making me rub my eyes with toxic remover. Available at Amazon* or at Beauty Brands: Use code EC12618 right now at Beauty Brands for $3.50 off your order of $10 or more. Plus they have a great gift with purchase (GWP) going on now.  Or if you want to try out Birchbox for yourself, please use this link* and also use RIFLEBOOKS to get a free Rifle Books notepad when you subscribe to the monthly box (just $10  month for 5 travel size samples). 

2. Dr Jart BB Cream*: My new favorite foundation replacement - I traded my Josie Maran foundation for this as the JM was starting to feel a bit chalky! This goes on smooth, gives sheer coverage, and lasts all day. Love.  

3. Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream. No parabens, sulfates or phthalates and it has the most AMAZING rose scent. I am an essential oils and aromatherapy snob and I can't stand most rose scented products (they usually smell very fake) but this cream smells divine. Rich and soothing and a perfect night cream for me. 

4. Carols Daughter Monoi Reparing Shampoo and Conditioner. This stuff smells DIVINE - bordering on almost too perfumey, but it stops just short of cloying. I get so many compliments on my perfume when I've washed my hair with this. And I'm not wearing perfume ;) It is supposed to stop breakage and it really does seem like I have less hair on my brush when I use this. I find it works best if I alternate it with my bliss shampoo and conditioner every couple of days, otherwise it seems to build up a little. My daughter loves it for her long curly hair too, although the amount she uses makes it expensive to buy for a tween!

Recent Misses
There was a cleanser in a jar that smells a lot like lanolin and makes my skin just a tad too greasy... 
And the mascara with fibers that made my eyes swell up... 
​Should I name names? 

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Ok more to come soon but I wanted to post this before I head off to a nice long soak in some gorgeous bath salts I'm trying out! I would love to hear about your faves in the comments!