FGW: Garden Girl Skincare

Before I launch into my thoughts on the Garden Girl products, I just want to say that I love the fact that you can host a “Garden Party” in your home as well as simply purchasing these products online.  Just because someone is buying from a home party doesn’t mean they should be handed a bottle full of junk for twice what it’s worth. SO many home sales companies are offering little more than cheap fillers and harsh ingredients and I am so happy to see a responsible product in a setting that reaches so many more consumers. There aren’t too many consultants (yet, if you want in then do it now!) but you can have a sample party and still get some goodies for being a hostess while offering your friends some of this  paraben/petroleum/sulfate/phthalate free goodness.

Okay, that part of my fawning is over with, let’s move along….

I’m definitely not the first to get the word out about Garden Girl products, and Joycey Couture beat me to it over at Bionic Beauty, but I was pleased to read her review today and find that she had the same results I did…lots o’  love!

Joycey loved the You’re Fresh Herbal Face Cleanser ($25), but I wasn’t quite as smitten as she was. I experienced a bit of dryness and flaking, but this winter has been worse for me than most, so I might give it a try again this summer, when my skin isn’t so roughed up. My skin was certainly  clearer than normal, but it was dry and itchy too, so I’ll give it a  half win. The other thing I had a hard time with was the scent. It sure smelled clean, but heaven help me I couldn’t stop thinking “PineSol” every time I used it. Things like that are so individual though, so there’s really no telling how everyone else will like it.

The At Long Last Cleanser ($30) however, oh, I’m so in love! There are so many things I like about this cleanser, most notably the fact that my skin has remained so much clearer during my usual breakout period. The fragrance is light and  fresh, it gives me a little pep in the mornings and a little soothing at night. Most cleansers for oily skin have way too much lather and strip your face, but this gel has a minimal amount of lather and leaves my face feeling soft and loved while providing great cleansing and noteworthy makeup removal. It doesn’t take much to get the job done either, so I consider it a good value. Aptly named and a definite thumbs up from me!

Like Magic Anti-Aging serum is another product that seems like it was made just for me. I’m not in need of intense wrinkle fighting and I don’t want something super harsh. This is a nice serum that looks goopy at first but is remarkably light. Chock full of some of my favorite things like Hyaluronic Acid (which our skin has naturally but is broken down by the sun, wear sunscreen!) and Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (which gently relaxes your facial muscles so you have less wrinkles in the first place) and a much better value than most serums at only $44.

Nature Nurture is a good all around cream that offers AHA’s to help reveal fresh skin , but not quite as much moisture as my winter skin needed. It wasn’t instantly penetrating either, requiring some massaging before my skin absorbed it. I wore it at night and a separate cream in the day and was still pleased with its performance. I didn’t have any breakouts or adverse reactions from this either, so while I wasn’t totally in love with it there’s certainly nothing to hate about it. As always, be sure to wear a good sunscreen when using Alpha Hydroxy products.

While I did get a bottle of Even Ste(ph)en toner, it worked its cap loose in transit. The box seemed to really enjoy the effects of the toner though! Joycey also enjoyed it, so check out what she had to say….
Not sure what you’d like? The Face it Sampler lets you pick and choose from product options to create your very own routine for a test run and is only $29!

And, saving the best for last, I cannot wait to tell you about my absolute favorite thing from this line so far. Starting Over Microdermabrasion Scrub.  It’s no secret I love a good scrub.  I am exfoliator obsessed!  This product kicks those wimpy exfoliators to the curb! This scrub packs so much more punch than a plain old exfoliator. The tiny particles are evenly distributed and stay that way, no bunching up on one spot while scrubbing. It only takes gentle rubbing to get a fantastic result, fresh smooth skin that positively glows. It’s rare that I find something new I have to add to my skincare routine, but this will absolutely be on my counter from now on because I ADORE IT!  Per usual, sensitive or thin skinned individuals should steer clear of scrubs like this, but everyone else should absolutely try it! The 2 oz jar will last you for ages and is $38, and only $28 for an eco concious refill after that! Refills are also offered for the No Worries Face cream, Nature vs Nurture Face Cream, and the Cookies + Cream Masque which everyone loves and I am dying to try!

Garden Girl also offers a hearty selection of body products, baby products, and gift sets, with Men’s products coming soon!