Welcome to the crossroad where “clean beauty trends” and “what I personally am crushing on HARD” collide. AKA? This Organic Girl’s Quarterly Faves.
I publish my quarterly faves at the end of March, June and September along with my big “Best of” post at the end of the year. “Quarterly Faves” is a nice way to highlight some exceptional products along the way.
Be sure to come back each quarter for a refresh on what’s hot + TOG exclusives.
Summer clean beauty trends
Here’s what we’ve been loving lately—call it the dish on our latest beauty crushes. Have you tried any of these?
biophile’s Root Bionic Refining Essence | $78
I tried the entire biophie line and Root Bionic Refining Essence is the product I flew through first. This is a 3-in-1 treatment that preps skin like a boss—even the most sensitive of skin types.
You can use this two ways. Either a few drops applied to cleansed skin before your serum and moisturizer OR you can dampen a cotton round and apply it to skin (which is my personal fave). In my opinion, this method freshens and lightly exfoliates in more of a manual, see-instant-results way.
This treatment uses lactobionic acid (with antioxidant and prebiotic activity) combined with willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid and biophile’s nutrient-rich roots biotic broth to resurface, regenerate and support the skin’s microbiome.
My skin feels so soft, smooth and fresh after using this essence. And maybe it’s just me but I also love looking at a cotton pad after using it on my face. Something about seeing any residue on the round gives me so much personal satisfaction. Tell me I’m not alone!
Fantastic for all skin types. (Nicolle chimes in: I’m SUPER sensitive and this + the other two biophile products have my skin looking its best EVER. No lie.)
RELATED: Read my interview with the co-founders of biophile here and our review on microbiome skincare here.
BLÜH ALCHEMY’s Nocturnal Repair Active Emulsion | $58.95 if you buy Beauty Heroes’ Box!
Nocturnal Repair Active Emulsion is BLÜH ALCHEMY’s latest drop. In fact it’s so new, it’s not even available on the BLÜH ALCHEMY website yet. But lucky you because you can experience founder/formulator Becky Bluh’s latest brainchild via this month’s Beauty Heroes.
I was obsessed with Nocturnal Repair from the first time I used it. (And I wasn’t surprised, because this is par for the course when it comes to me + anything BLÜH ALCHEMY!)
Nocturnal Repair is meant to be worn at night time but I’ve been wearing it both day and night because I’m a rule breaker like that—lol. It’s super plush and leaves my skin feeling plump, hydrated and supple. I actually can’t figure out if I like it better under my face oil or over my face oil, which is fine with me because I just keep using it and playing with it and my skin just keeps getting better and better in the meantime.
Why? Nocturnal Repair features chebula which Beauty Heroes explains “intervenes in the glycation process stopping collagen breakdown in its tracks.” Plus, in true BLÜH ALCHEMY fashion, it’s packed with skin pampering, cutting edge, cellular extracts and active botanicals.
PLUS! Via this Beauty Heroes experience, you also get to try BLÜH ALCHEMY’s Antioxidant Face Oil which is another personal fave. Technically, you’ll be covered with both your daytime (Antioxidant Face Oil) and nighttime (Nocturnal Repair Active Emulsion) moisturizer—but play around with them and see how you like them best.
This is a $180 value that you can get your hands on for just $58.95—no commitment!
TOG X Olive & June Summer Nails Kit | $80
All the summer nail colors you need in one easy and fun kit!
This summer we are seeing nails trending toward neons, ombre and “Skittles nails” with each nail painted a fun, bright, different color. I’ve got you covered so you can rep each of these trends in style with the hottest colors. Check out the TOG X O&J Summer Nails Kit here!
PLUS be sure to sign up for the TOG x O&J Mani Masterclass on July 27, 2021 where O&J’s painting expert will guide us through how to get the perfect mani at home. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! See you there!
Use code THISORGANICGIRL at checkout and save 20% off your O&J x TOG Mani Kit (which includes all my favorite colors 🤯).
True Botanicals Renew Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream | $78
The newest True Botanicals drop is making waves. I’m SO GLAD True Botanicals finally came out with an eye cream. When it comes to eye treatments, I personally just don’t like using eye oil. They never seem to soak in and they are tough to layer makeup over. So then I can only treat my eye area at night and I have nothing to use during the day. But I love a cream because they soak right in, treat and hydrate without any fuss.
The star ingredient in True Botanical’s Renew Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream is the Resurrection Plant, which is the same plant we see in African Botanics Resurrection Cell Recovery Serum. This has been called nature’s most resilient plant because it has a moisture retention complex that allows it to survive life in the desert.
I looked this up and it’s pretty fascinating. When the resurrection plant does not have access to water, it curls up into a dried-out ball so it can be blown by the wind. Once it gets blown into a source of water, it unfurls again and returns to its lavish green self. If this new water source dries up, so does the plant and it blows around all dried up like a tumbleweed until it gets blown into its next water source—bouncing back to life again. More here.
It also has tree bark to treat dark circles, coffee and licorice to depuff and brighten and turmeric to calm the skin.
BONUS: True Botanicals ran a clinical trial on this and 100% of people who tested this cream showed an increase in hydration by 130% after just one use (in just 24 hours).
Sold?! Me too.
EVOLVh’s SuperFinish Polishing Balm | $32
My everyday hair staple, especially in the summer! WHY? This gem defrizzes, adds moisture, softness, shine, strength, prevents breakage, splitting AND provides UV and heat protection. I know. I KNOW!
But the best part, and why I love this formula so much, is it does all of this without adding weight or texture to my hair. This is a water-based formula that you layer in before blow drying that just disappears into my strands. In some ways, it’s like adding everything and in other ways, it’s like adding nothing.
Okay I know I said that was my favorite part but really my favorite part is it truly leaves my hair so shiny and soft. I’m like, What is this? VELVET?!
The other thing I want to point out is this is actually a UV protectant too which is #essential for anyone with gray hair. Gray hair turns yellow or brassy from many factors including heat styling, medications, product buildup, salt, chlorine, environmental pollutants, and…THE SUN! So layering this in before blow-drying and hitting the streets has become mandatory for me. More on how to take care of gray hair here.
SAVE: THISORGANICGIRL will save you 15% on your first order.
Solara Suncare Road Trip Trio Kit | $78
The sunscreen brand you need to try in 2021! Let me start off by saying, this ain’t yo mama’s sunscreen. This is skincare + suncare all in one—check it out.
Solara delivers biocompatible + adaptogenic ingredients like antioxidant-rich chlorogenic acid, brightening sacred lotus, anti-inflammatory ashwagandha, and vitamins C, D and E, plus omegas 3 +6 found in kakadu plum, pomegranate, perilla leaf, raspberry leaf and sunflower, all which nourish and support the skin barrier, and leave your skin feeling great even after a long day outdoors.
Solara says, ”Our SPF moisturizer is like a multi-vitamin for your skin.” And we can’t get enough.
Solara is also EWG VERIFIED, vegan, reef-friendly, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, dermatologist + pediatrician approved, tested safe for sensitive skin and fully recyclable. AND, just announced they are now a 1% for The Planet member and will be donating 1% of annual sales to environmental causes. (!!)
Recommending their Road Trip Trio Travel Kit so you can try it all and see for yourself!
Jenny Patkintin Rose on Rose Body Roller | $125
Two days after my first post-pandemic hot yoga class, the lactic acid had settled in and muscles I forgot I had were raging. I picked up the Jenny Patkintin Rose on Rose Body Roller and ran it across that muscle that joins your shoulder to your chest and I straight up melted in a puddle of sweet relief on my living room floor.
I’m not even kidding when I say this tool is the next best thing to a real massage from a real person. I’m talking shoulders, chest, neck, computer forearms, calves, FEET—all of it! And it’s so easy to roll anytime, anywhere with no prep or oils…I just do it over my clothes or on my straight skin.
Nicolle can concur. She has one too and she is just as obsessed as I am (“It’s true,” says Nicolle. “Me and my husband mildly fight over it.”). I’ve already gifted this to my sister too who also now, can’t stop rolling. This is some black magic ish right here.
TOG X Fitglow Lip Serum Duo | $69
I’ve been sweating Fitglow’s Lip Serums since I first tried them a few years ago. These are refined lip glosses that deliver beautiful ingredients and a polished look. But Lip Serums are not just another pretty face—they actually work to treat lips by moisturizing, conditioning and even plumping too.
Fitglow reached out a few months ago and asked if I wanted to create my own Lip Serum color, I said yes faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition (as they say down here in the south—lol).
So I took a few of my favorite shades out of my kit, mixed them together and sent an inspo pic to Fitglow and together we made Rise!
Rise sits at the corner of peach, coral, pink and tangerine perfection. You can wear this shade as just a subtle wash of color or build it up for more of a pop.
These are lip treatments that transcend age. They look as fantastic on a 16-year-old as they do on a 60-year-old. They have a low-gloss finish with zero stickiness. And are super easy to apply on the go (read: no mirror needed).
We’ve paired Rise with my favorite neutral from the entire Lip Color Serum collection, Buff. Basically, with this duo you will have a Lip Serum for every occasion. I love Buff as a neutral because it has warm base notes and doesn’t wash out my look.
This duo was only available through June 30.
Maya Chia The Super Lift C-More Treatment | $110
The world has been waiting with baited breath for a treatment like Maya Chia’s new The Super Lift C-More Treatment.
Packed with three types of shelf-stable vitamin C, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid esters (plant source), niacinamide, peptides and stem cells…The Super Lift C-More Treatment works to soothe the appearance of fine lines, brighten and get this…LIFT.
Yup. Believe it or not, this formula has a temporary tightening/smoothing effect that you can actually FEEL taking place after you apply it. It’s subtle—I mean, you are not going to instantly look like you just got a Thread Lift, but you will feel the tightening effects for sure. This is temporary but what’s not temporary is the effects of prolonged use delivering more radiant, even-textured and toned skin.
This is a light, fast-absorbing, creamy serum that you apply before your moisturizer. You can wear it both day or night but I prefer to wear it during the day for its lifting action and also brightening effect.
Obsession status? Fully. Fully obsessed.
Prima Skin Therapy 275mg CBD Ultra-Rich Body Butter | $38
Do you ever wish you had a body cream that was like a face cream but for the body?! Girrrrrrl. Pull up a chair.
I tried Prima’s Afterglow Cream 500mg CBD + Hyaluronic Acid (face cream) and I pretty much retired from beauty blogging on the spot because I found THE face cream of my dreams (always go out on a high note right!?)
Anyways, you can imagine how flapped I became when I cracked open Prima’s Skin Therapy 275 CBD Ultra-Rich Body Butter (body cream) and discovered it’s basically like their face cream—but for the body.
I’m talking a rich, creamy, buttery (but not oily…the first ingredient here is water so even though this is labeled a “balm,” it’s actually technically a water-based cream) treatment that goes on with intention, soaks right in and is like: SKIN? I AM HERE FOR YOU!
Seriously, this is a dream come true for someone with dry skin (and even normal skin, like me).
So so so so so so so so good.
What are you completely in love with this summer?
TOG Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TOG uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TOG stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Diana
June 29, 2021Would it be possible to do an article about the best “drug store” or inexpensive organic options? I’m just starting my organic adventure and I can’t picture shelling out $75 to $150 for one item in my skincare routine when I don’t know if I’ll have a reaction or not. I’m turning 40 soon and am looking for anti-aging as well. Thank You!
Lisa
July 18, 2021Hi Diana! Thanks for this! A couple of resources to check out: 101 Natural Beauty Products under $20, Organic Budget Beauty, 50 Affordable Brands and our Big Book of Swaps! Hope this helps in the meantime! xo, Lisa