Product Review: Chillessence "Be Great" Body Care Line

Chillessence is a new brand from the US dedicated to providing all-natural and eco-friendly products. Launched in April 2008, the company currently has a body care line and some jewelry collections. Chillessence is committed to making products without artificial, toxic or harmful ingredients. All the packaging and shipping use recycled and recyclable materials.

This is a review of their Body Lotion, Body Wash and Body Bar from Be Great body care line. The products from the line come with a light floral scent that is infused with a blend of essential oils.

Be Great Body Bar

The body bar is an all-natural cleanser free of parabens, petroleum, sodium, artificial colors or fragrances. It looks like a green translucent jade. If I place it by the natural light, it infuses the dull atmosphere with a zen-like radiant. The body bar has a clean floral scent with a faint hint of green note. The scent is clean and refreshing for the summer.

Be Great Body Bar Unpacked

My skin is constantly dry, even in the hot summer time. Body bar soap tends to leave my a dry and tight after-feel. Be Great Body Bar is 100 % vegetable-based, which does not make my skin feel dry. What I really like about this bar is it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean.

Be Great Body Wash
"be great" Body Wash has a liquidy-gel texture that feels lightweight on the skin. It is kept with the same floral scent from the "be great" line. It offers a good lather and cleanse the body effectively. After my shower, my skin feels soft and hydrated without the feeling of soapy residue. I found the Body Wash is quite moisturizing and gentle for my skin, making it a great everyday-use body wash for me.

Be Great Body Lotion
Just like the Body Bar and Body Wash, "be great" Body Lotion is blended with organic aloe, lavender, lemon verbena, mandarin, orange extracts, olive and jojoba oils, shea butter, grape seed, green tea, Vitamins C and E for moisturization and protection against free radicals. The The Body Lotion has a light texture and gel-cream consistency. The lotion is quickly absorbed. It makes my skin feel soft and hydrated without greasy residue or sticky build-up.

You can find Chillessence products at its website. Be sure to check out the Promotions section for bargain deals. Until July 30, 2008, newly registered members will receive a coupon code for 10% off the first purchase!


*These samples are provided by Chillessence. However, this review is solely based on my personal opinions after using this product.*


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Cargo Plantlove Botanical Lipstick

Product Review: EcoTools Cosmetic Brushes and Bath Accessories

EcoTools is one of the eco-savvy lines on the market devoted to promote the green consciousness and earth-loving products. In conjunction with Earth Day (April 22), I am bringing you a review of some EcoTools cosmetic brushes and bath accessories.

Launched in March, 2008, EcoTools features a collection of makeup and bath accessories. Every detail of the collection is naturally chic:

• Makeup brushes: the handles are made of bamboo. The brushes are made of animal-free synthetic taklon bristles. Ferrule is made from recycled aluminum.
• Bath accessories: they are primarily made of natural plant or vegetable like ramie (a flowering plant as one of the oldest fiber crops), loofah (made from natural vegetable fibers), 100% cotton and bamboo. Bathing sponge is made from recycled plastic bottles

In addition, EcoTools will donate 1% of its annual sales to "1% For The Planet", an organization committed to leveraging their resources for a healthier planet.

EcoTools Makeup Brushes from the Left: Powder Brush, Blush Brush,
Foundation Brush, Eye Shading Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Lash & Brow Groomer

Review on EcoTools Makeup Brushes:
There are 6 sort of brushes in the EcoTools collection, including Powder Brush, Blush Brush, Foundation Brush, Angled Eyeliner Brush and last but not least, Lash & Brow Groomer. Compared with my other brushes made of natural hairs or synthetic bristles, I am amazed how soft EcoTools makeup brushes feel on skin. These bristles not only are dense and thick for picking up shades, they are also very durable. They are very easy to apply and efficient to blend colors.

EcoTools Makeup Brushes from the Right: Powder Brush, Blush Brush,
Foundation Brush, Eye Shading Brush, Eyeliner Brush and Lash & Brow Groomer

I like all of them except the Lash & Brow Groomer. Compared to other brushes in the line, the bristles of Lash & Brow Groomer are less dense. So the brush is a little too thin to work the job for my brows. Second, the bristles are a little stiff for my skin.

EcoTools Makeup Brushes

My favorite pieces from the line are Powder Brush, Blush Brush and Eye Shading Brush. I love the soft, fluffy texture the brushes feel on skin. The sizes and shapes of these bristles work efficiently setting makeup. They help deliver an even finish.

EcoTools Bath Accessories from the Right: Bamboo Foot File,
Bamboo and Loofah Facial Buffs, Ramie Bath & Shower Mitt and Loofah & Cotton Body Buff

Review on Bath Accessories:
The Loofah & Cotton Body Buff, Ramie Bath & Shower Mitt and Bamboo Foot File do a good job exfoliating the skin. Loofah has a coarse and hard texture. I find loofah buffs feels a little too hard on my skin even after soaked wet. My skin is dry and sensitive, so I normally don't use a facial or body buff on a daily basis.

I do prefer to use Loofah & Cotton Body Buff once or twice a week for the elbows, knees and feet, and use the facial buffs to gently scrub my face in small circles once a week, prior to my moisturizing mask time. It is good to get rid of dead skin and allow facial mask to fully moisturize my skin. Ramie Bath & Shower Mitt, however, is perfect for everyday use.

Part of the EcoTools Bath Accessories

Overall, EcoTools makeup brushes are soft, pliable and easy to apply for a flawless makeup coverage. The bath accessories also work great exfoliating and cleansing the face and body.The brush accessories range from USD$2.99 to $10.99, while the bath accessories range from USD$1.99 to $5.99. The line is available at select Walgreens, Kmart and Ulta stores. The prices are a bargain! It is definitely easy going green!


*This sample is provided by EcoTools. However, this review is solely based on my personal opinions after using this product.*


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I am not a plastic bag!

I am not a plastic bag!

Anya Hindmarch's "I am not a plastic bag" is definitely the hottest accessory of the season. The canvas tote worths only USD$15, already hitting the waves from UK, the US, to Asia. It had sold out in every Anya Hindmarch boutique everywhere. It is talk of the town for every fashionista.

I am lucky enough to own one before it was sold out the first time. For a month, I have carried it around for grocery and running errands. Sometimes, I was asked by passersby where to get the bag with such a sense of humor. Truly, I think every fashionista and even non-fashionista would fall in love with the tote. The tote is simply stylish. Most importantly, I find it is very sturdy. The handle is designed very comfy to carry.

Anya Hindmarch began to design this environmentally-friendly and affordable bag with the U.K. activist organization We Are What We Do two years ago. The goal is to encourage citizens to shop with their own green bags / reusable bags, and reduce the use of plastic bags. It started out as a good intention, surprisingly, it has come out huge success.

Soon later, the controversy following the success broke out over issues on worker rights, fair pay, fair-trade cotton, carbon emissions, etc. Anya Hindmarch responded that all bags are made in a reputable supplier in China where workers are paid double the minimum wage, and the factory has been monitored to ensure the highest ethical standards. Bags are shipped by sea to reduce carbon emissions. Anya Hindmarch has never hid the truth that the bag is neither organic nor fair-trade. "Im Not A Plastic Bag" was aimed to be a fashionable, reusable bag that would raise awareness of this green issue.

Alright, regardless of the controversial issues, regardless of the high demand stemming from popularity, regardless of the crazy inflated prices of the bag, I want to give Anya Hindmarch credits for launching the bag with a "do-good" intention. Fashion sells. Anya Hindmarch knows how her brand in a position to influence the world. Afterall, she offers an alternative to the use of plastic bags, and try to promote green awareness and a green living style.

For gals who missed the chances of grabbing one, you still have a chance. A new edition of the bag is hitting the shelves at selected Whole Foods markets in the New York and Tri-State area on July 18th.

Eco-chic lipstick!

The Plantlove Botanical Lipstick ($20) collection launched by Cargo is environmentally-friendly inside out. It is the first ever lipstick case manufactured by bioplastic technology on the market! The lipstick case is made from corn-based polylactic acid and is easily biodegradable. Most importantly, it is mineral oils and petroleums free. In other words, it lets you pretty and fabulous but minus greenhouse gases. The packaging box is made of recycled paper embedded with wild flower seeds. The cool thing is it grows into flowers after the packaging is moistened and planted in the garden.

The lipstick contains Orchid Complex, meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba and shea butter. There are twelve shades in this line. Five shades are designed by celebrities, and the rest of them are inspired by seven national parks around the world. Two dollars from each Plantlove lipstick sale will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help children with cancer. Alright, beauty isn't skin-deep anymore! Cargo's Plantlove Botanical Lipstick collection is embracing beauty, eco-awareness, and charity!