There’s been so much green beauty excitement over the release of Laurel Whole Plant Organics’ new Winter Radiance Collection.  Why all the buzz? Well, the brand has a huge following and this is a limited edition box of Laurel’s own, personal ritual that she performs on her skin over the cold Winter months.  The whole ritual is just so well executed, from the skin-softening cleanser, hydrating toner, balm and serum, to the nourishing mask, calming compress and, my latest obsession, the Spiritual Warrior Essence (two years in the making and it’s just out of this world beautiful).  The Collection was designed to be an all-encompassing slow beauty ritual to help you relax, to lift your Winter mood, to get you take time out for yourself and to nourish your skin and soul.  

What’s in The Winter Radiance Collection?

Winter Clarity Cleanser  I am in full belief that everyone should be using an oil-based cleanser, and the Limited Edition Winter Clarity Cleanser is the very definition of why.  Not only will this cleanser give your skin a great cleansing (feeling absolutely lovely as you massage it in to loosen up makeup and impurities) but it will also leave it so moisturized.  Having an oil-based cleanser as pure, nourishing (I’m so serious) and beautiful-smelling as this is the ultimate for me. This cleanser will work with your skin to heal and protect it during the Winter.  There’s a running theme that I noticed within this ritual:  every product aids in healing, calming, moisturizing and protecting the skin while offering mood-uplifting scent. The ingredients in the Winter Clarity Cleanser are as pure as it gets: Sunflower Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Black Cumin Oil, Rosemary Extract, Turmeric Extract; essential oil blend of Green Mandarin, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary. 

Winter Feast Compress, Winter Clarity Cleanser + Winter Nectar Facial Elixir

Winter Nectar Elixir  Toner fans?  You’re in for it. I dread the thought of running out of this limited edition Winter Nectar Elixir, I really do.  I love a great toner, but nothing beats this one with its clean, truly natural ingredients.  This elixir is so effective as it hydrates, leaves your skin feeling balanced and the warm and spicy scent makes you feel…well, happy…an cozy. A spritz of this before the Anti-Inflammatory Serum helps the serum absorb right into your skin. It’s been a challenge not to leave it on my desk and use it throughout the day as I’m trying to really savor it…and keep the ritual, in tact.  With a long winter ahead and this being a limited edition, I’m sure you can understand my plight, right?

Ingredients:  Calendula Hydrosol, Frankincense Hydrosol, Orange Blossom Hydrosol; Whole Plant Extracts of Astragalus, Solomon’s Seal, Licorice, Calendula, Marshmallow, Hawthorne, Turmeric, German Chamomile; essential oil blend of Sandalwood, Carrot Seed, Green Mandarin, Petite Grain sur Fleur; Flower Essence

Winter Feast Compress  This, I love.  I can’t remember the last time I used a compress and I think it’s just brilliant that Laurel thought to add one into the ritual. I recommend doing the compress when you’re staying in for the night and you’re going to follow the entire ritual (mask and all).   In a nutshell, you’ll heat up filtered water, allowing it to steep and then after cleansing, you’ll strain it, pour it over a clean towel and wrap your face and relax. Between the smell, the warmth, and how detoxifying it is, it made me feel like I had just done yoga…just a total “ahhhh” feeling. It completely opens up the pores and gets them ready for the mask to follow.   To get an idea of how beautiful it smells, look at the ingredients…Calendula, Chamomile, Licorice, Red Clover, Marshmallow, Rosehip Fruit, Elderflower, Hawthorne Berry, Yarrow Flower, Ginger.  Again, this product is another limited edition, created especially for this collection.

Antioxidant Mask  If you know anything about me, you know that I love a mask.  I especially love a mask that brightens and cleans my face without drying it out.  But the Antioxidant Mask does something even more: it feeds the skin with superfoods, vitamins, mineral and antioxidants.  This mask is super nourishing and the smell of it is just bliss (jasmine and sandalwood).  As you wash it off, you’ll also get a gentle exfoliation.  Dare I say it’s one of my top favorite masks (along with her Honey Berry Enzyme Mask)?  The Winter Radiance Collection also includes a bowl and special Laurel Whole Plant Organics’ fan brush for application…so luxe!  How could you ever go wrong with these 100% whole plant organic ingredients?   Rhassoul Clay, Acai Berry, Noni Fruit, Nettle, Dandelion Leaf, Lemon Balm, Echinacea Root, Red Clover, Fennel, Spirulina; essential oil blend of Jasmine, Sandalwood, Myrrh

Anti-inflammatory Serum, Antioxidant Mask, Healing Balm + Spiritual Warrior Essence

Anti-Inflammatory Serum Gosh, this is a toughie…how do I even speak of this serum? There are so many heavy-hitter ingredients in this serum like Borage, Rosehip, Evening Primrose, Red Raspberry, you would be hard-pressed to find a more potent and effective serum.  Not only does it feel wonderful on the skin (no heaviness, goes on smoothly, no oily feel) it smells so beautiful and absorbs lightening fast.  So fast, in fact, I wasn’t even sure if I had applied it a few times because I was able to put on
my makeup so quickly after using it.  Why an anti-inflammatory serum?  Well, some signs of inflammation are uneven skin tone, collagen loss, dry skin, broken capillaries, breakouts, making an anti-inflammatory serum a universal star.  This serum (like all of Laurel’s other serums), contains plants linked to sun protection like Red Raspberry Seed, Cranberry Seed, and Jojoba.  Smoothing this over your skin after you’ve done your compress is a dream…you will be hooked.

Ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Borage Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Tamanu Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Rosemary Extract; in-house biodynamic proprietary blend of Chamomile, Licorice, Marshmallow, Baical Skullcap, Calendula, Lavender, Nettle, Gotu Kola, Astragalus, Comfrey; essential oil blend of Helichrysum, Myrrh, Lemon Balm, Neroli, Blue Chamomile

Healing Balm  I’m a balm woman, so I was happy to see a balm added to this collection in addition to the face serum (you’ll need a balm in the Winter). The Healing Balm is for everything: dry areas on the face and body, cuts and scrapes and any skin irritation.  When it’s cold out, I always keep a balm in my bag and put it on my nose, cuticles, lips and any other dry areas.  This balm, I’m pretty shocked to admit, doesn’t feel heavy at all and it becomes one with the skin fast.  I just put some of this on as I was writing about it and it has already absorbed…I’m very impressed.  So, if you fear balm due to the heaviness factor, this will be a game-changer for you.  Plus, this is the perfect size for carrying in your bag.  Oh, and the scent?  Bright and pretty, yet somehow subtle.

Stellar ingredients:  Shea Butter, Tamanu Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Pomegranate Oil; in-house biodynamic proprietary blend of Calendula, Comfrey, Lavender, Yarrow, Marshmallow, Self Heal; essential oil blend of Lavender, Lemon Balm, Helichrysum

Spiritual Warrior…oh, my!

Spiritual Warrior Essence  Set for release in Summer 2016, this takes the CAKE! Oh, my word!  The smell of this is just over the top.  Let’s put it this way, I had two friends over the other night and neither of them have really ever tried non-toxic skincare.  So, as I was was explaining how wonderful it is, I took out my Winter Radiance Collection and put some Spiritual Warrior on them (I felt like the Avon lady).  They flipped out and could not stop sniffing themselves.  It’s that pretty.  It’s a very subtle, calming, intoxicating scent made from plant oils, essences and gem essences.  I am using it as a perfume/mood-changer (carrying it in my bag and then putting on my desk during the day). Plants and gems have energy and that’s what is behind this essence.  I smell Palo Santo, black pepper and…flowers! Lots and lots of flowers!  This essence should be made into a scented body oil, asap. If you are in the market for a new scent, may I strongly suggest you become a Spiritual Warrior?  Laurel, my friend, you hit it out of the park with this one.

Ingredients:  Jojoba Oil, Plumeria, Sandalwood, Black Pepper, Myrrh, Marjoram, Palo Santo, along with Gem and Flower essences eager to join you on your path

ONLY 50

Only 50 Winter Radiance Boxes were made and I strongly suggest you get yourself one before they are sold out.  I have no idea how many are left, but trust me, it’s a gift for yourself for the entire Winter or a gift for someone that you really, really, really love.  The Winter Radiance Collection is $360 and can be purchased here.

* Each and every product in the Winter Collection is 100% whole plant organic.