I just finished the second round of sample bags for donation to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation through AZ Spa Girl’s Summer Spaaah Series (three left to go!).  This is what my box full of 200 green organza bags filled with our Cocoa/Lime Hemp Lip Balms and sample size Tangerine Creamsicle Body Butters looked like before we shipped it out.  Temperatures reached 110 degrees yesterday (the day they were scheduled to arrive in Scottsdale), so we made a trip to Lowe’s over the weekend and bought some mylar bubble wrap to protect the lip balms and body butters from the heat during shipment.  They were a lot of work to make — I hope they made it there o.k.!

This week’s AZ Spa Girls’ event is on Friday night, July 2nd at Dolce Salon & Spa at the Borgata, Scottsdale.

Purchase tickets online at:  http://www.summerspaaz.com

Learn more about Fresh Start Women’s Foundation:  http://www.wehelpwomen.com

When we created our product line in 2007, we made a conscious decision to not use any animal-derived ingredients in our formulas.  We wanted our products to be effective, luxurious, and cruelty-free.  All of our products are 100% Vegan-friendly and contain no animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients.

Being animal-free means NEVER using:

• beeswax (often found in lip balms and mascaras)
• milk (found in soaps)
• collagen (skin strengthener derived from cows)
• carmine (a colorant from beetle shells)
• bone char (used in processing sugar to make it white)

Instead, we use these cruelty-free ingredients:

• candelilla wax (made from plants) in our Cocoa/Lime Hemp Lip Balms
• natural organic coconut oil and other non-animal-derived oils for moisturizing
• iron oxides, chromium oxides, and ultramarines for colorant in our Whipped Sugar Scrubs
• natural unrefined cane sugar in our Whipped Sugar Scrubs

I’m making more of our Cocoa/Lime Hemp Lip Balms today. When we first created them and passed them out to friends I remember that they were surprised that there were so few ingredients, that they were 100% natural, and Vegan-friendly.  So, what exactly is in our lip balms?

• Organic Coconut Oil:  Coconut Oil is high in natural antioxidants, which protects skin from damaging free-radicals. It also helps keep skin firm and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Coconut Oil can help heal and repair the skin and make the skin smoother and more evenly textured by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells.

• Organic Cocoa Butter:  Hothouse uses certified organic cocoa butter that is expeller pressed and unrefined. It is a solid fat derived from the roasted seeds of certified organically grown African Theobroma Cacao tree. It has a chocolate aroma and an ability to moisturize the skin and provide a breathable barrier against the elements. Cocoa butter also has antioxidant properties due to tocopherols as well as certain polyphenols that suppress free radicals and soothe skin irritation. The benefit and value of cocoa butter has been known for thousands of years.

• Hemp Seed Butter: The industrial Hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa, should not be confused with the marijuana plant Cannabis Indica, a distant cousin. The appearance, planting patterns and uses of the two plants are quite different. Cannabis Sativa belongs to the hops family.  Benefits include: high in oleic acid (57%), high in omega-3, omega-6 and 1.7% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and extremely beneficial for mature or dry skin.

• Candelilla Wax: A natural plant wax derived from the leaves of the Candelilla shrub.

• Natural Vitamin E: The Vitamin E we use is a natural certified GMO (Genetically Mutated Organism) free oil obtained by vacuum distillation of vegetable fats (Certified GMO free wheat, corn, soy or canola sources). Considered an antioxidant superstar, Vitamin E functions in the body and on the skin to protect cells against free-radical damage and preventing skin damage. It can increase SPF, improves the surface of the skin, promotes wound healing, and has moisturizing and anti-aging effects. Vitamin E is an umbrella term for a group of compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols.

• Lime Essential Oil: Obtained from the peel of the lime fruit, this citrus essential oil is stimulating and uplifting.  It has astringent, toning and refreshing properties.

Gigi from BeautyXpose.com reviewed our Cocoa/Lime Hemp Lip Balms for her article, “Chocolate Craving: Lip-Licking Good Beauty Products.”  She enjoyed the unique chocolate lime flavor of the lip balm and loved its effectiveness.  “We automatically noticed the difference; it was as if our lips had been drenched in moisture.  And unlike a lot of drug store options, the balm didn’t wear off after only a few minutes.  Considering the quality is so much better than a generic balm, we love the fact that it is just as cheap at only $3.99.”

Karissa from PrissyGreen.com has reviewed our three organic perfumes: Licorice Candy, Love’s Embrace, and Seductress.  Karissa explains that, “I really thought my favorite would be the Seductress, which I do in fact enjoy, but I was quite surprised that I love the Love’s Embrace!  I am not usually a fan of florals but this is pieced together so nicely it is just tender and sweet. The Licorice Candy is also a nice change from the normal and if you are experiencing a low sex drive this might be a perfect match!  They are so unique being solids but not being the overpriced solid perfumes at the retail shops, there are affordable and portable!  So easy to throw in your bag and take on a trip, or take for refreshing at night!”

Enter to win our three organic perfumes:

1. Visit Hothouse Botanicals and pick out one other Hothouse product you would like to try out.
2. Then go to PrissyGreen.com and leave a comment for Karissa letting her know which product you’ve picked.

For two extra entries you can follow @Hothousebotanic on twitter and tweet this giveaway (be sure to leave the link and post two comments on PrissyGreen.com)!

Good luck!

Keep your lips deeply moisturized with our refreshing lip balm made with Organic Cocoa Butter (which gives it a natural chocolate aroma) and Lime Essential Oil.  Our lip balm contains vitamin-rich Hemp Butter (containing Omega 6, Omega 3 essential acids, and GLA), Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, natural Vitamin E, and Candellila Wax (a natural plant wax derived from the leaves of the Candelilla shrub instead of beeswax to make it Vegan friendly).  Let your lips drink in the benefits!

Ben from Chillicothe, OH says that, “Ohio weather is no match for your Lip Balm!! Our cold winters are hard on the lips, but your product comes through with welcome relief. No more cracked lips!!”

I just received news today that our Pampering Gift Set has been included in Dermascope Magazine’s Holiday Gift Guide in their November issue!  Our Pampering Gift Set includes a Cocoa/Lime Hemp Lip Balm, an Aromatherapy Bath Salt, and a Whipped Sugar Scrub and retails for $35.  Each gift set is packed with full size products in a white gift box with white crinkle cut paper and a ribbon that matches the color of the scent.  An enclosure card is also included, which you can personalize with your own greeting. Both gift sets are available in our four signature aromatherapy scents:

Bergamot/Ylang Ylang: exhilarating and inspiring

Bourbon Geranium: stress relief

Lavandin/Litsea Cubeba: relaxing and uplifting

Vanilla/Lime: comforting and refreshing

Sunny Subramanian, the editor of Vegan Beauty Review, just reviewed our Aromatherapy Bath Salts, Body Butters, Whipped Sugar Scrubs, Fizzy Foaming Bath, and Cocoa/Lime Hemp Lip Balms.  Sunny reviews vegan beauty products on her website and also is a member of the LA based animal rights group The Vegan Vixens.  We are pleased to announce that she highly recommends all of our products!  Here are a few excerpts from her review:

“If you’re green and you love to incorporate aromatherapy in your beauty regimen, get ready to fall in love …. Omg, the smell of the Bergamot/Ylang Ylang Bath Salts is such a sexy one. These bath salts are on sale for an amazing price. I’m going to stock up on these for Christmas presents… for myself! ”

“I gravitated to the Bourbon Geranium Whipped Sugar Scrub ’cause word on the streets is that this bad boy helps relieve stress and fight PMS, and I was like, “Yes, I’ll take 10 of those.” This sugar scrub is seriously unique from any other scrub I’ve ever used in that it’s creamy. It’s sugar cane crystals are whipped with shea butter and essential oils. It leaves your skin so incredibly soft. It’s a treat… and it’s an amazing deal.”

She also mentions our limited time sale (25% off) on all sugar scrubs, body butters, fizzy foaming baths, and bath salts, and that we offer free shipping on all orders of $40 or more.

Read the entire review here: Vegan Beauty Review