Pure + Free // Blissoma Skincare Package GIVEAWAY (Worth $90!)

A little over a year ago, I was introduced to a natural, handmade skincare label called Blissoma.  I'd been in search of a line of face care products that wasn't loaded with chemicals for years, but the majority of organic and natural products I'd used didn't seem to work very well for me.  After trying Blissoma for a couple of week, I was overjoyed with the results (you can read my original review here), and have been a fan and regular user ever since.  So I was pretty excited when Julie, the creative chemist behind Blissoma's skincare goodness and September's featured sponsor, asked if she could send me two of their brand new products to try out: Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex, and Free Herbal Gel Cleanser.  And I was even more excited when Julie told me that she was also going to offer Bubby and Bean readers a chance to win a set of these amazing products plus a $40 gift certificate: a $90 value!  Read on for my experience and how you can win...

My skin changes on a regular basis (one week it's dry, the next it's normal, the next it's laden with zits), and lately it's been unusually sensitive.  So the opportunity to test out gently-formulated products like these couldn't have come at a better time.  Over the last few weeks, my regimen has been very simple.  I start off by cleansing with the Free Herbal Gel Cleanser, and follow that by patting a few pumps of Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex under my eyes, then smoothing it on my face and décolletage.  Once a week or so, I also use the Refine Clay Renewal Treatment (aka my favorite skincare product of all time).

So far, I've been quite impressed with the Free Gel Cleanser and how well it removes dirt and oil without stripping my skin.  I tend to be one of those pore-obsessed people who can easily (and foolishly) convince myself that only heavy duty cleansers that leave my face flaky and aching for moisture are actually getting it clean, so to see a gentle product work so well is pretty amazing.  It even washes away my waterproof mascara in an instant, with no irritation.  And the name "Free" couldn't possibly suit this cleanser better - it contains no alcohol, no harsh chemical or acids, not even any essential oils.  Love that.  Certified organic, food grade Quillaja extract provides a subtle lather and gives a "soapy" quality without the alkaline PH that usually accompanies most soaps.  This makes it ideal for around the eyes for makeup removal - it's super mild and the same PH range as skin.  Other ingredients include red clover, heather flowers, alfalfa, and yerba mate. Yerba Mate gives it a nice punch of antioxidants and energizing qualities (and actually contains more active compounds than Green Tea!)

The Pure daily soothing complex has been equally as impressive, especially in its ability to smooth my skin and equally heal both my blemishes and my dry patches. It's light without being too watery, and allows my face to look and feel calmed and balanced.  Like the Free cleanser, it's also seriously gentle - unscented and free from all chemicals and allergens (including gluten, alcohol, nuts, petrochemicals, parabens, phenoxyethanol, and even common botanical allergens).  As I get older, I notice myself becoming more sensitive to beauty products (and in general - my allergies are ridiculous), and this is one of the only moisturizers I've used in the past couple of years that hasn't aggravated my skin at all.  I've also started to notice more wrinkles around my eyes recently (noooooo!), and my allergies tend to reveal themselves as gloriously attractive under-eye bags.  So I was really pleased to discover that I could use Pure around my eyes.  It leaves them looking bright and well-moisturized without a heavy, oily feel.  It's also full of all sorts of healing goodness, like Marshmallow for soothing mucilage, Plantain leaf for anti-redness, Heather Flowers which provide the anti-allergenic flavonoid Quercetin (yay for new collagen!), Butcher's Broom for a host of minerals, Rutin to strengthen capillaries and areduce inflammation, and Baobab and Pumpkin seed oils, which provide Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids along with vitamins A, C, D, E and Zinc.

All in all, I have to say that I'm quite impressed with the way my skin looks and feels after using Pure and Free.  It also feels really good to know that I'm using eco-conscious, healthy products.  I can't wait to continue this regimen in the coming weeks!

And now for the best part...  You have the chance to try out these incredible products for yourself, for free!  Julie has also generously offered a $40 gift certificate in addition to the skincare set, so that you can refill your set after it's out or try some of her other stellar products.

This giveaway is open to all Bubby and Bean followers/subscribers.  (If you're a new reader, just make sure to subscribe first using GFC or one of these readers). Then just leave a comment with your favorite item in Blissoma's shop!

Once you've completed the mandatory entry above, you can also gain one additional entry for each of the following.  (*Please put each extra entry in a SEPARATE comment in order for it to count).

• Like Blissoma on Facebook 
• Follow Blissoma on Twitter (please list your username) 
• Follow Blissoma's blog, From the Bathtub 
• Tweet this:  Win a Natural Skincare Package in Bubby & Bean's latest GIVEAWAY!  >> http://bit.ly/c6j9XX via @MotM_EcoFashion & @blissomagirl 
• Sign up for the Blissoma Newsletter 

This giveaway is open through October 3rd. The winner's name will be randomly chosen and announced shortly after.  Thank you again to our featured sponsor Blissoma by Irie Star for giving Bubby and Bean's readers the chance to win this amazing skincare set and gift certificate!

(Botanical images via Wikipedia.)