fairtrade beauty finds

social justice and human rights are incredibly important to me. one way I've tried to make a difference is via Fairtrade - a trade justice system that ensures farmers get paid fair wages, have safe working conditions and that the environment is respected (look for the green/blue symbol!).

Okay, this picture is a little outdated...

I'm all about Fairtrade coffee, tea, sugar and chocolate, and recently I've been exploring Fairtrade beauty items!

This sugar scrub is seriously incredible. It leaves your skin feeling SO soft and it smells amazing. Within one use, it became one of my favourite beauty products. It's also made in Vancouver, so it's great to be supporting small, local businesses!

This Fairtrade shea butter lip balm from Ten Thousand Villages pretty much instantly heals up your lips. It feels so smooth - and my lips were noticeably better within a few hours.

This Fairtrade foot lotion is my go-to solution in the winter. It'll leave your feet feeling happy even in those sad, dry winter months - and it smells lovely!

So there you have it - my [current] Fairtrade beauty favourites. This is one thing I'm always on the look out for - so if you have any favourites please let me know!!

new things

Okay, I love trying new things. Especially new makeup and beauty products... but sometimes, it can be a little bit intimidating because you don't want to spend eight billion dollars to try a product that turns out to completely suck! [this is why I'm obsessed with getting sample sized products!]

In April, I tried a few new beauty products and I thought I would write about my experience with them here.

scrub your nose in it
okay, as TMI as this may be, I have huge pores. I'm not sure why or how this happened, but when I saw that this scrub reduces pore size, I had to try it out! It was a little bit on the expensive side, but so far I've really liked this product. I actually have noticed a reduction in my pore size and my skin has been so much softer! it also smells amazing. definitely worth trying if you are looking for a new scrub!

they're real
to be honest, I don't know what I think of this product. I'd read on a lot of other blogs that it was awesome, but I've found it to be a bit of a letdown. It works, but it's a bit clumpy and a bit heavy and my makeup remover has a hard time taking it off. I also only wear it when I'm going out in the evening as it always feels like a little much for work - although I'm not sure why.

watts up
I am OBSESSED with this product! it's my first highlighter and it gives just the right amount of sparkle and shine without being too overwhelming. this is my favourite thing to put on if I'm having a blah day and I want to lighten up. it's seriously fantastic.

High Five for Friday

It's Friday! Yay! This weekend I'm going to a retreat with the executive of my student group and I'm really excited. I'm giving a mini workshop on nonverbal communication and I have about a billion improv games planned - I'm sure my fellow executives (all introverts) are probably just thrilled. lol. Oh well.

Today I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for a five greats from the past week post called High Five for Friday! Yay! Here are my five: 

1. I got a sticker from Aerie Real's new campaign - they're no longer retouching their models which is really exciting to me. I hope this means we're one step closer to letting go of the ideals of photoshop altogether.
   
2. This week I managed to get ahead in my classes. I don't have any midterms or assignments now until after reading week, so I'm resisting the urge to slack off.
3. It's currently international week at the university and today was also Chinese New Year - I got to see some really fantastic lion dancers! They were seriously fantastic; I couldn't look away! Hence the poor photo quality. 
   
4. This week I went to see Dallas Buyers Club with one of my besties. It was absolutely incredible and I definitely recommend seeing it if you are into pharmaceutical history, AIDS prevention/treatment or if you just enjoy an amazing and emotional plot.
5. Today was filled with really good chats with friends. These hands belong to an inspirational and incredible friend of mine. I love Henna. Also she's holding a glass jar and I'm pretty much obsessed with glass jars so I forced her to let me photograph her hands! :) 
   

Hope your week was filled with many high points and have a great weekend!