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Monday, October 6, 2014

The Love List and The Lust List | The Organic Pharmacy

Purchased by me (Affiliate Links)

It is no secret that the magnificent products from The Organic Pharmacy long ago swept me off of my feet. Not only are their products remarkably potent and effective, but they are loaded with safe ingredients that rival exceed the efficacy of their chemical-laden luxury counterparts. If you seek clean antioxidant rich anti-aging products that boast impressive efficacy while being a true joy to use-- then prepare to be thoroughly impressed and delighted by the wonders of The Organic Pharmacy. I remain a faithful enthusiast of the line, and thought that I would share what I absolutely love from the line, and what I really want to try.
The Love List:

1) Rose Balm ($69.00. Reviewed here; and featured here): This delightful multipurpose balm is packed with 7 super plant oils, "from argan, pomegranate, rose hip and calendula to nourish, repair and keep the skin and any part of the body looking fabulous." I love to use it on my lips and cuticles, but also anywhere that needs added moisture. I will never be without this rose treasure!

2) Rose Plus Anti-Ageing Cream ($235.00. Review forthcoming; and featured here): This antioxidant rich anti-aging powerhouse cream employs cutting edge technology to create an herbal, cosmeceutical and botanical masterpiece. This earthy rose cream lifts, tones and evens skin tone while softening lines and wrinkles. Furthermore, skin is left deeply hydrated and undeniably radiant.

3) Carrot Butter Cleanser ($74.00. Review forthcoming): If you are among the many people to have discovered the wonders of cleansing balms and cleansing oils, then The Organic Pharmacy's Carrot Butter Cleanser is a definite must-have. This amazing cleansing butter is free of all unhealthy synthetic ingredients, and is amazing in its ability to remove every bit of makeup and dirt effortlessly. The silky oily texture melts everything away and leaves the skin unbelievably soft and supple. Be forewarned, once you try this you will never want to be without it!

4) Rose Plus Brightening Complex ($198.00. Review forthcoming; and featured here): This is the brightening serum to end all other brightening serums. It really is that good! Not only does this impart an unprecedented level of radiance to the skin, but it also works over-time fading hyperpigmentation. If that wasn't enough, it also smooths, hydrates and refines the skin. It contains Papaya proteolytic enzymes that exfoliate dead and damaged skin cells-- revealing soft and smooth skin. Furthermore, Fruit Acids from Hibiscus, Cucumber and Mulberry "act on the production and accumulation of pigments through inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase as well as a second exfoliation action." My skin looks and feels amazing whenever I use this visionary product, and if The Organic Pharmacy ever stops making this I will cry.

5) Rose Plus Marine Collagen Complex ($235.00. Reviewed here; and featured here): This antioxidant rich anti-aging complex is The Organic Pharmacy's "ultimate anti-ageing skin smoothing serum" that helps to reduce fine lines while stimulating elastin and collagen production. The end result is  silky smooth skin that is hydrated and lifted. On particularly warm days I can use this with their Antioxidant Face Firming Serum in lieu of a moisturizer. 

6) Antioxidant Face Gel ($110.00. Featured here): This is a very powerful anti-aging gel that is very light in texture, but very rich in herbal extracts and cosmeceuticals.  It lifts the skin, minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, and "mops-up free radicals and reduces wrinkles."

7) Antioxidant Face Firming Serum ($160.00. Reviewed here): All longtime readers of Lola's Secret Beauty Blog know that I have a serious penchant for luxury beauty oils, and The Organic Pharmacy's Antioxidant Face Firming Serum remains one of the very best that I have ever used. It is an antioxidant rich super serum, "that has been nicknamed ‘the instant face lift’. It reverses skin damage, lifts and tones the skin, reduces wrinkles and mops up free radicals." Furthermore, the delectable citrus scent delights the spirit while one's skin experiences new levels of luminosity and clarity. This is an astounding achievement, and if you love luxury face oils you owe it to yourself to try this one!

8) Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil ($60.00. Reviewed here; and featured here): This is yet another masterful anti-aging and repairing treatment oil. It "repairs and reverses sun damage, reverses premature ageing from the sun." It also reduces scarring and wrinkles while deeply nourishing and hydrating the skin. 

9) Flower Petal Deep Cleanser and Mask ($67.00. Reviewed here; and featured here): This dual action exfoliator and mask not only deeply cleanses the skin, but it also draws out impurities with such vigor and precision that you might be a little shocked to see what comes out of your pores the first time that you use this amazing product. My complexion is deeply cleansed and left beautifully radiant every time that I use this highly effective mask. It is also very gentle and kind to the skin!

10) Enzyme Peel Mask with Vitamin C and Papaya ($79.00. Review forthcoming): "The enzymatic and peeling action gently removes dead skin cells, reduces blackheads, diminishes age spots, reduces fine lines and leaves the skin nourished, radiant, soft and renewed to its natural perfection." You will get no argument from me there! This beautiful mask is a very refreshing gel that transforms the skin in a mere 10 minutes. You will look and feel as though you received a professional facial in record time, and will want to make this a regular part of your at-home beauty routine.
The Lust List:

1) Rose Facial Cleansing Gel ($85.00): A gorgeous Rose and Rose Hip infused wash. Gently cleanses the face and refreshes the skin. An Aloe, Rose Hip, Rose and Bilberry infused cleansing gel that gently cleans and conditions the skin leaving it fresh and glowing.

2) Gene Expression Serum ($330.00): Inspired by the science of how our genes can affect our ageing made possible by advances in gene mapping and how we can protect our cells by using and taking the right ingredients. Gene Expression Lifting Serum is the culmination of years of research and the latest innovation in a serum that helps dramatically improve the appearance of the seven signs of aging.

3) Expression Treatment ($90.00): A targeted treatment cream that is aimed at reducing lines on the forehead, around the eyes and mouth. Hyaluronic acid spheres along with a Peruvian herb that helps to work on muscles to smooth and relax wrinkles.

4) Cellular Protection Sun Cream SPF 50 ($69.00): A natural mineral sunscreen that combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. No nano particles just finely micronized minerals protect the skin from premature aging and sun damage. Also infused with Aloe, Rose Hip, Shea Butter and Calendula to nourish and protect this light cream is easily absorbed and leaves no white residue.

5) Hair Serum ($43.00): A serum to give shine and moisture to hair. Gives dull frizzy hair a smooth glossy appearance. Jojoba and Rose Hip have superb moisturising and repair action for the hair. Enriched with Lavender, Cedarwood, Rosemary and Arnica this superbly moisturising serum means you can kiss dry, frizzy hair goodbye. Leaves hair silky and soft with wonderful shine.

6) Rescue Skin Oil ($75.00): The ultimate skin oil, specially designed for stubborn, dry flaky conditions. Restores elasticity to the skin and reduces scarring. For dry flaky skin. Specially designed for stubborn dry flaky conditions, this ultimate skin oil contains extracts of Chickweed, Evening Primrose and Tamanu, a unique extract from the South Seas that instantly calms and protects the skin. It restores elasticity to the skin and reduces scarring. 

What are your favorite products from The Organic Pharmacy?
Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

16 comments:

  1. What's wrong with me! I want everything, madly. I need these in my life.
    How are you doing gorgeous one? Life here is madness but in a good way: a lot of work, a lot of wonderful incredible readings, gorgeous books (I actually thought about you a lot reading Bracha Ettinger's The Matrixial Borderspace) so I am fine. Exhausted and happy. These are good days and I don't want them to end. I wish I could stay here. This place is wonderful. Yes it is boring, small, and slow but it has done magic things to my temporality. Now I just need a kitty or two and I can declare absolute ecxtasis. I need to sleep tonight for may many hours and I know tomorrow I'll feel better.
    How is life down there in sunny LA? How's school? the lovely furries and yourself, of course? Write an email whenever you have time. I know you are a busy bee so no rush ;)
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Hi wefadetogray! The Organic Pharmacy makes such luscious and gorgeous products! IT is definitely a line well worth considered exploration!

      Things are going well, aside from the fact that I have been down with a nasty bug! :-(

      I can't tell you how happy that it makes me to know that you are so elated-- clearly this is a very good fit. IS there any possibility of being in the pool for a tenure track position after the post doc? Of course you know where I would love for you to end up!!!!

      I'm so touched that you thought of me while reading Bracha Ettinger's The Matrixial Borderspace!

      LA is still pretty warm! I am not teaching this quarter-- so I have a little time to catch up on other things, but the Winter Quarter is just around the quarter-- so before you know it I will be back at it! As soon as I turn the corner on this bug-- I will sit down and write you an email to really catch up! Keep well, my darling friend! xoxoxox, Helen

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  2. Hi Lola

    Have not post for a long while but I have been reading your post. This lust list is killing me because I love the organic pharmacy products! I do have one of them - the cellular sun cream SPF 50, I am on my 4th tube now, it is just fabulous. I tried many other sunscreens and this one is simply the best.

    I am dying to try the gene expression but I have not seem much reviews on it so I want to wait a bit before I spurge and this is a big spurge...hey, maybe you can do it! hint hint! lol

    I have been using eminence organic products lately and they are great, have you tried them? I would love to see your review on them.

    Have a great evening!
    Veronica

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    1. Hi Veronica!

      It's so wonderful to hear from you! How is life treating you?! I remember you telling me about this sunscreen last year, and I still haven't purchased it! Wow, you 4th tube is such a ringing endorsement! It's definitely on my must-get list!

      I'm dying to try their Gene Expression Serum as well, and I am definitely contemplating it seriously, but it is definitely a big splurge.

      The only Eminence product that I have is their Citrus and Kale Potent C+E Serum, but I haven't used it long enough to review it yet. My impressions are very favorable though, and I am finding myself curious to further investigate the line! Keep an eye out for my review!

      You have a wonderful day!
      <3 Helen

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    2. Hi Helen

      I have the Citrus and Kale Potent C+E masque and it is great. I have a few of their other masques and I like them all. You can mix them as well.

      I want to try the Citrus and Kale Potent C+E serum too, please write a review on it soon.

      Cheers
      Veronica

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    3. Hi Veronica :-)

      Oh, the masks sound VERY promising! I will have to take a closer look and put them on my list! The Serum is a very nice product-- I will adjust my editorial calendar and review it sooner than planned. I just need to use it a bit longer to give you a meaningful and useful review :-)

      Have a wonderful evening!
      Helen

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  3. Jessa (jessakins@gmail.com)October 8, 2014 at 6:26 AM

    I'm so glad I came across this post *after* placing an order! I've been using the discovery kit and rosehip oil for almost two weeks now and I am smitten! Fortunately for my bank account I really don't have too many aging-related concerns yet, and I don't actually like the scent of rose so it's not so hard to talk myself out of a lot of these products for now... but I'm having a very hard time convincing myself that I don't need the Carrot Butter Cleanser when I already have a perfectly effective cleansing oil. I went ahead and ordered a full bottle of the Antioxidant Face Firming Serum, though, despite the fact that I still have a few weeks' worth left in the sample bottle!

    I also got myself a bottle of the Neroli-infused Marula Oil from African Botanics, mostly on your recommendation, and I'm thrilled with it! Now the only problem is figuring out how to juggle using all three oils when I just want to put all of them on every time I wash my face! (And I'm holding out for deep winter here in NYC to try out the Ladi Avokanto, which has sounded so deeply appealing ever since I read your review.)

    Thanks for sharing such wonderful products with all of us! You've thoroughly converted me. :)

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    1. Hi Jessa! I was just getting ready to answer your lovely email when I found this fabulous comment! I still have that nasty bug, but am finally feeling semi-human again!

      I can't tell you how happy I am that you are smitten with The Organic Pharmacy products that you have from The Discovery Kit! Not liking Rose scented products will definitely narrow the field of some of your choices, but it will say that neither of the Rose Plus Serums smell very rosy! The Carrot Butter Cleanser is definitely worth having, but since it's a regular part of their line there is no need to hurry to purchase unless you really don't want to wait! I'm thrilled that you ordered the Antioxidant Face Firming Serum-- it is such an amazing luxury face oil!

      I'm also so happy to hear that you purchased the Neroli-Infused Marula Oil from African Botanics-- it remains one of my all-time favorite oils! I'm so excited that you love it!

      As far as deciding which one of your beautiful oils to use-- I would suggest assessing the needs of your skin each time that you are ready to use one of your oils, and then choose the most fitting oil based upon your skin responds to it. For instance, if your skin is particularly dehydrated and you find one oil to be more hydrating than another-- then use that one. This is how I approach which products to choose. If, however, my skin isn't needing anything specific then I simply choose whichever oil that I am in the mood to use. For me, part of what I love about using beauty oils is the varied textures and scents-- and often times I let those features dictate my choices!

      Ladi Avokanto is a very very lovely oil, and I think that it is a great choice for the deep winter in NYC! It is very nourishing and moisturizing, and it is so pleasant to use.

      I'm so glad to hear that you are so diligent about applying your SPF since you are using tretinoin, and I certainly understand not always reapplying it throughout the day! I really need to get much better about that!!!!!!

      Rodin Olio Lusso definitely is a wondrous oil, but given the price I don't blame you at all for wanting to try it out first! Since you live in NYC you should ask for a sample the next time that you are in the neighborhood of Barneys-- I don't think that they have pre-made samples, but you can ask for someone to make one up for you. If you don't know a SA there-- go talk to my friend Irene who works at the Chanel counter and tell her that I sent you! SHe is delightful, and I'm sure that if they have any tiny little sample bottles that she can make a sample up for you. You might even contact Rodin directly through their website and ask whether they could send you a sample.

      Since you don't like the scent of rose very much you should definitely try to smell the evanhealy Rosehip Oil before buying it-- it doesn't smell like Rose perfume, but the rose is detectable. If you have a Whole Foods or a Pharmaca nearby you can easily go try one of their testers to see if it is to your liking.

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    2. It definitely smells a little more like roses than does The Organic Pharmacy Rose Hip Oil that you went with instead. Evanhealy has several different oils that you might like-- so I would definitely recommend going to see them in person.

      I haven't used the African Botanics Pure Marula Oil long enough to tell you how, or if the results differ markedly from their Neroli Infused Marula Oil, but I can say that their Pure Marula Oil is amazing. I will do an in depth review as soon as I have used it long enough to really assess it.

      Sponge's Ladi Avocanto oil is an avocado and olive oil based face oil that is very nourishing and hydrating, and while I absolutely love this oil I can't say that it is more moisturizing than the Neroli Infused Marula oil that you already have. I'm certainly not trying to discourage you from trying it because it is a very lovely oil, but I think that you will also find the oils that you have will nourish you through the winter as well. That said, I personally love variety and I love having lots of different oils to choose from! I can definitely see why Ladi Avokanto has struck a chord with you, and my love for it has not lessened!

      As to whether I have a logic to the oils that I pick for the morning vs. the evening-- I would say that it is the same "system" that I described above in that I assess the needs of my skin at any given moment in time, and then choose the oil that bests suits my needs at that time. That said, there are some differences in the choices that I adhere to when selecting my day vs. nighttime routine. For instance, I use the Colbert MD Illumino at night because it contains retinol-- so I avoid that during the day. I also tend to pick heavier oils at night since they make take longer to sink into the skin than their lighter counterparts.

      I think that you could easily use The Organic Phamacy's Antioxidant Serum and their Rose Hip Seed oils interchangeably, and frankly you could even mix them. That said, I think that listening to the needs of your skin will really help you decide which one is best at any given moment. If you see no difference in your skin with the vitamin C serum then you are using by the time that you get to the bottom of the bottle-- I think it's safe to say that it's not going to be worth repurchasing for you!

      Thank you so much for the Darshana hair oil recommendation! It's going right to the top of my must-try hair oil! Since you have dry hair that is wavy/curly, and it works so well for you-- I imagine that it will for my dry curly hair as well! I'm also thrilled to hear thta it smells lovely!

      Have a wonderful day! :-) Helen

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    3. Hi Jessa <3

      Wow, that's seriously super fast shipping-- YAY Barneys! You can definitely stretch your bottle even further by making sure that your skin is quite warm and damp when you apply it, but you already know that! :-) I'm glad that you are seeing the benefits/results by layering your oils-- each nourishes differently, and it definitely makes sense to use the Rosehips oil day and night to work on the scars. Actually the other product that I would recommend (and LOVE) for hyperpigmentation and/or fading scars is the Rose Plus Brightening Complex from The Organic Pharmacy (shown above on the Love List). It's a seriously beautiful product, albeit pretty expensive. It helps to fade hyperpigmentation and scars, and leaves skin with a luminous glow that is AMAZING!

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    4. I'm definitely excited about trying the Darshana oil-- thank you for the link!!

      I'm so happy that you are loving the Marula Oil-- African Botanics is a truly magical line-- I love everything that I have from the line!

      I wonder if the other products in the Discovery Kit would work better for you once the weather cools down a bit, or maybe they just aren't well suited to your skin. That's such a lovely gift for your mom, and what a lovely way to pamper her when she gets back from Africa (what a wonderful sounding trip!

      No need to thank me-- I, too, am utterly delighted by our talks! Have a wonderful evening!
      Helen :-)

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    5. Oh, hey... I got mixed up about the Brightening Complex--I thought that was the $300-plus serum. Maybe I can think about getting that one after all! Yay!

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    6. Looks like my previous comment didn't post, I think. I'll have to try to reconstruct it tomorrow. :-P - Jessa

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    7. Hi Jessa! Thankfully it's not $300.00! Still, at $198.00 it's not cheap, but I definitely find it worth it given the results! Both posted-- unless there was another one that I did't see. :-)

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  4. Hey girl! I have to say that I agree with wefadetogray-- I want everything on your love list and your lust list! You have amazing taste in skincare, and you are one of the very few bloggers who writes well reasoned thorough reviews. I also like that you really take the time to investigate lines so closely, and you really have introduced so many of us to amazing lines like The Organic Pharmacy and African Botanics (to name a few). I have made so many purchases based upon your reviews, and in every single case you have been spot on! Plus, as far as I'm concerned you are the most well informed blogger when it comes to beauty oils (and skincare for that matter). You also have amazing taste in makeup, and your makeup lust list ad me drooling and nodding my head! Thank you so much for your hard work. :D

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    1. Hi J! Thank you so much for your very kind words-- you always say such lovely things. I'm really happy that you find my reviews so useful, and that you have found so many skincare loves , and I'm thrilled if I was able to play any part in those discoveries! The Organic Pharmacy and African Botanics both make such unbelievable and magical products, and I am just thrilled that you have experienced their benefits! Ah yes, beauty oils-- my true skincare weakness! I love them so much that it nearly defies anything rational, but of course their benefits are so many! Thank you for such a lovely comment- you really made my night! xoxo, Helen

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