WINNER ANNOUNCED: Cactus & Ivy – Cruelty Free and Vegan Bath & Body Products

If you’ve been reading my blog for some time now, you know that I’m a vegetarian and that purchasing green products is important to me.

So much so, that I seek them out whenever possible.  Imagine how surprised I was to find out a dear Twitter friend, Lisa,  is the owner of Cactus & Ivy, a cruelty free and vegan bath and body shop!

Lisa’s online store is adorable and jam-packed with information about her products. It’s southern flavor is evident and the photos stunning.  Her products match the quality of her presentation.  Lisa sent me Cactus & Ivy Traveler Sampler – just the right combination of products to try in a perfect size.  The Traveler Sampler includes:  .35oz Peppermint Tree Foot Balm, .15oz Coffee-flavored Perk Up Lip Balm, 2oz Chocolate  Bliss Bath Grains;  2oz Mint Jasmine Moisture Body Lotion; and  a Key Lime Vanilla 2oz Body Wash!

Meet Lisa!

I immediately tried out the lip balm without looking at the label. I’m not fond of coffee so it was a real shock – it smelled just like coffee!  I loved the feel of it but couldn’t get over the smell so my coffee-loving mother became the new owner of the lip balm.  She also ran off with the full-size Cactus Nail Balm.  My mom has very brittle nails and terribly dry cuticles.  I did get to try it out before it disappeared.  I LOVED the fragrance and it was a smooth as petroleum jelly going on.  The Cactus Nail Balm was not part of the travel kit.

Next I tried out the Peppermint Tree Foot Balm. It’s the perfect nighttime treatment for dry, cracked heals.  The Peppermint Tree Foot Balm goes on like an underarm deodorant and tingles just a bit – avoid getting it on your mouth or eyes, it burns (ask me how I got foot cream on my mouth – wait, don’t!).  I thoroughly enjoyed the scent and it was very long-lasting.  I’ve used it several times over the last week and there’s still plenty to enjoy.  I also enjoyed the Mint Jasmine Moisturizing Body Lotion – I love anything mint, but this was so sensual with the added Jasmine.  It’s fragrance was fresh, like just-picked flowers.  The lotion went on smoothly, absorbed quickly, and left just a hint of fragrance behind, exactly how I like a lotion to behave.

Finally I tried the two bath product – first the Chocolate Bliss Bath Grains. I’m not a bath girl, I prefer showers, but I made a sacrifice this one time for my friend .  Lisa promises that the bath grains will soak away your troubles.  The grains contain coconut milk powder, cocoa powder and shea oil, creating a creamy and chocolaty environment to relax. Comforting, yet spirited aroma of vanilla, patchouli and rose.  Did it work?  Uh huh!  But I’m still a shower girl so I LOVED the Key Lime & Vanilla Body Wash – I imagine it smells like a Key Lime Pie would (no, I’ve never had one!  I’m a Northwest girl – we don’t have cactus or key limes up here!).  It’s just the right amount of lather and can be used as a shampoo or bath bath.

So, overall I loved all of the fabulous vegan products! None have ever been tested on animals and each is carefully crafted.  I’m also going to be purchasing some of her vegan bar soaps – if you’ve never tried handcrafted soaps you’re missing out!  You’ll never go back to commercial soap again!

WIN A TRAVEL SET OF CACTUS & IVY PRODUCTS!

Wanna try some for yourself?  Lisa has generously provided a Travel Sampler just like the one I tried out (less the cuticle balm) for one of my readers!  Visit the Cactus & Ivy site and tell me what you think in the comments below.  Want extra entries?  Follow Lisa on Twitter and leave a separate comment below.  Regular contest rules apply.  US, UK, Canada Ok! Contest ends 03/21/09 8pm PST.

Photos © Cactus & Ivy and used with permission.

PRODUCT INGREDIENTS:

• Cactus Nail Balm Ingredients: Olea europaea (olive) oil, equisetum arvense (horsetail), prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax and tocopherol (vitamin E).

• Key Lime & Vanilla Body Wash Ingredients: Saponified organic oils of cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, olea europaea (olive) oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, vegetable glycerin, organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice and rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary oil extract).

• Peppermint Tree Foot Balm Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, tocopherol (vitamin e), mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil and menthol.

• Perk Up Lip Balm Ingredients: Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, coffea arabica seed oil (and) hydrogenated vegetable oil, theobroma cacoa (cocoa) seed butter, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, tocopherol (vitamin e) and coffea arabica (Arabian coffee) seed oil

Enjoy!

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Related articles by Zemanta

• Step-by-Step Facial by Weleda (agirlsgottaspa.com)
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