Growing up, it’s safe to say that my self-care regimen was lacking, to say the least! On worse days, non-existent. As a teenager, I used whatever we had lying around the house, swiping my mother’s Noxzema (remember Noxzema?!) until I’d saved enough pocket money to buy my own cleanser! Back then, it was enough to simply wash your face every day.

Nowadays, there are so many different options out there – it can be a little overwhelming at times! There’s a science behind skincare now and the internet makes it easy to educate ourselves on best self-care practices. While this abundance of literature can be super helpful in pointing you in the right direction, my rule of thumb is that you’ll never know what truly works for your skin (and lifestyle) until you try it!

I’m no beauty expert and I certainly don’t follow trends like I used to in high school, but I’ve been fortunate enough to be introduced to skincare that not only makes me feel good about myself but is actually good for my body. I’ve been using Shiva’s Delight products for the better part of a year now and have always admired Casey’s knowledge, love and passion for her craft.

And when you love something, you tell people about it! And I love this local business and the ethical way in which everything is created. Each small-batch product is 100% cruelty-free, vegan, natural and eco-friendly. And it actually works! In starting my blog, I knew that one of my first beauty posts would be about this amazing skincare line. Below, are those five products that have drastically changed the way I self-care. Happy reading all! 🙂

1. Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar

I made the switch to shampoo bars almost a year ago and I’ve never looked back! Not only are they super easy to travel with (they take up zero space in your luggage + no messy cleanup), they last twice as long as bottled shampoo and are 100% biodegradable (this was the main reason why I made the swap!). I came across these bars at a summer fundraising event last year by happy accident and am so glad I did. As a result, my love for Shiva’s Delight was born!

Casey’s bars are fantastic! To start, they have the most wonderful scent! The Rosemary Mint bar has that perfect combination of rosemary and peppermint organic oils – the scent isn’t overpowering and doesn’t smell artificial. I also love how easily these bars get sudsy, too. It takes no time (and little product) to get that lather going. Since shampoo bars aren’t made with the same chemicals and detergents found in traditional shampoo, my hair feels soooo soft and healthy after drying. And I’m not mad about the volume guys!

I’ve used a variety of shampoo bars – from those at Lush to ones I’ve purchased online through Amazon – and I am the hugest fan of these ones. They’re not awkward to use (some bars can be too big or too small to handle) and I love knowing that I’m supporting a local business! To show my bar only the best TLC, I make sure to wipe it down of any excess water and store it in a dry place after each use. This helps to prolong its lifespan and avoid any soap buildup!

2. Moor Mud Beauty Bar

This tiny bar makes my skin look amazing! I’m talking the freshest and brightest I’ve seen it in a long time. With over nine years on the scene, the Moor Mud Beauty Bar has truly evolved into one of those tried and true products that delivers what it promises. I feel very fortunate to have found this gem!

Ingredients like shea butter and hydrating plant oils nourish and rejuvenate the skin, breathing life into even the dullest of winter complexions. Moor mud, itself, is packed with more than 1,000 herbs, plants, grasses and flowers that help to deeply penetrate the skin’s surface, smooth away wrinkles and shrink pores. As someone who has always struggled with crazy large blackheads on their nose, cheeks and chin, this cleanser is a lifesaver. I like to think of it as a gift from me to me: healthy, lit-from-within skin done up with a bow!

Other facial cleansers leave my skin feeling tight and dry. With this bar though my skin feels incredibly soft and hydrated, so much so that I sometimes skip the moisturizer. It’s incredible how a simple change in your self-care routine can somehow reprogram your skin to no longer rely on the things we think we can’t go without. I honestly never thought there’d be a day when I could leave the house without slathering my face with lotion. Now, I use only a small amount of SPF 30 before I head out the door!

I practice the same after-use care with this bar as I do with my shampoo bars. Showing your natural skincare products just a little TLC will not only help you get the most out of them (this little guy will give you four months worth of cleansing!), it is a surefire way to reduce your waste consumption and expenditure on toiletries!

3. Lavender Calendula Body Butter

I always use this butter on my legs after I shave them – it’s one of the most important post-shower habits I’ve incorporated into my self-care routine! When winter hits, my skin immediately gets super dry and itchy. I need this butter in a bad way! Not only does it soothe and condition my flaky skin, it also helps to reduce redness and irritation.

Because of its concentrated formula of essential oils and plant extracts, its potency makes it the perfect moisturizer. A little goes a long way – I use about a nickel-size amount per leg. Rather than a liquid-y consistency, this butter feels more like creamed honey. And it has the most delicious (borderline edible!) fragrance out there; a subtle combination of both citrus and floral scents that reminds me of the tastiest candy. The Chocolate Tangerine version smells exactly like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange! Pure decadence!

If you’ve ever looked at the ingredients of a commercial skincare product, you’re bound to see water listed first. Most of these products contain a larger percentage of H2O (essentially, an inactive filler) than any other ingredient listed. The rest? Harsh chemicals and additives that strip the skin of its natural moisture. This butter nourishes the body and locks in moisture, leaving it soft and smooth. I love knowing I’m feeding my body only the good stuff!

4. *Rosehip French Clay Mask

Now that I’m a bit older (hittin’ the big 3-0 in June! Eek!), I’ve realized the importance of a good quality face mask. A heavy-duty treatment for your face, masks help address specific skin concerns while complementing your everyday cleansing product. They’re a great way to indulge in your own self-care (pour yourself a glass of wine and put your feet up!) and provide that little extra oomph to your skincare regimen. I look forward to this experience because I really feel like I’m doing something good that’s just for me!

Chock full of natural antioxidant plant extracts of rosehip, hibiscus and soothing chamomile, this mask helps gently draw out toxins and impurities from the skin. Rosehip oil has an amazing amount of healing properties, helping tone the skin and rejuvenate skin cells! My face feels baby soft and looks fresh and vibrant. I am loving the healthy flush to my cheeks and I’ve noticed my face has that coveted just-back-from-a-tropical-vacation glow! It’s the perfect addition to my winter skincare routine. Hello radiant complexion!

I use this mask twice a week, creating a paste with water in my cupped hand over the sink (sometimes powder can have a mind of its own!). This dusty rose powder becomes a soft, pottery clay-like paste (in both texture and colour!) that is fun and easy to apply. A little goes a long way so it helps to experiment with the ratios until you get the right consistency. Once dry, rinse your face with warm water, pat dry and bask in your own radiant glow!

5. Lavender Cedarwood Beard and Hair Oil

If your hair is anything like mine (SUPER CURLY!), it takes only a slight increase in temperature to go from relatively presentable to hot mess! I used to use hairspray for my pesky frizz but that takes a very light hand (or, rather, finger) to avoid those crunchy strands. And store-bought serums that promise curl definition and frizz control just make my head look permanently wet. Yikes!

Enter Lavender Cedarwood Beard and Hair Oil! It is wonderful! It has fast become a staple of my toiletry bag! I use this serum fairly liberally on the tips of my hair (great for hydrating those split ends) and a little more conservatively on my roots. All I need is a couple of drops in the palm of my hand to smooth out any flyaways and I’m good to go. This baby lasts a long time!

I’ve had my fair share of trips to the salon for a colour treatment, so this serum is really handy when it comes to making my mane look (and feel) incredibly soft and healthy. The nourishing combination of oils – grape seed, sweet almond and avocado, to name a few – add shine without looking greasy or weighing my hair down and its scent isn’t overpowering. This oil is a great moisturizer for the skin and scalp too!

Do you have any favourite vegan beauty products you’ve incorporated into your self-care routine? I’d love to know what you swear by and how it has changed your skin for the better!

K

*A special thank you to Casey for introducing my skin to this wonderful clay mask, free of charge! What an amazing product! I’m hooked! 🙂