Showing posts with label Small Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Business. Show all posts
Sun Kissed Beauty Shop is a shop that sells chokers, key chains, and their famous brush cleaner. I've seen it around so much on twitter that I just had to buy it. I also bought a ton of chokers for affordable prices. It is run by a lovely lady who takes pride in what she does. She also has a partner business that creates 3D printed items for people to use. 


I wanted to see what the hype was all about with the Brush cleaner. I had been wanting to try it out for some time but never could afford to. Until she had a nice sale and free shipping, I always fall for free shipping. I bought the 8oz Urbandoll collaboration. Mostly because it was pink, not gonna lie. It attracted me the most with its beautiful pink color. The others seem really nice as well and I have no idea if they are any different than the one I bought other than scent of course. I assume it's sort of like the candy Nerds. They have different colors but all taste the same. One day I might be able to test it out if I buy them all. 

My very first impression when opening the package was that it was very nicely packed, I got free goodies one of which my boyfriend loved. A Blue Raspberry Jolly Rancher; it's his favorite. The bottle is sleek, and filled to the brim in a very cute bottle. What I did find just a bit odd was that if you want a pump nozzle you have to purchase it separately. Which isn't bad, it's just something I've never really seen before. Though I think it's a wonderful idea so you can only buy one nozzle for all the future ones you purchase. Less plastic waste is always good in my book. 

Upon looking at the bottle I noticed something that threw me a bit off. It doesn't list the ingredients. Which is a must in most laws, even if you list the ingredients on the site you must have them on the product as well. There is room in the back for all the missing requirements to belong. Reading it on the site is fine and dandy but it has to be on the bottle as well. 

The scent of the cleaner is very... perfumey? I can't quite put my finger on it. it's fruity and floral at the same time as clean smelling. It's a unique scent for sure that is quite nice, I don't mind my hand smelling like it once I am done cleaning my brushes. It's a pretty sweet scent that fits its pretty pink color. The soap itself looks like normal pink soap, if not just a tad more watery. It suds up nicely and cleans like any other soap would. 

I compared both with regular soap, the Dove I have and the cleaner. The soap took more effort to clean and having to always go back for more while the brush cleaner, I only needed one pump. It is a time saver that much is certain. The effects of it though are not too different. The soap cleaned it nicely and so did the brush cleaner. The only noticeable difference is the softness of the bristles. For the brush cleaner they are noticeably softer and dry much better than just regular soap. Soap can also leave that gross white film on things and the brush cleaner does not. 


Being completely honest I would love for this to be hand soap, my hands are so soft after using it to clean them all. Moving on though to old make up sponges and brushes. It did not get all the product out of my sponges, some was still there. I haven't used those sponges in a year and wanted to test out if it worked great on old make up. It did a great job but it did not remove everything. That is to be expected, I'm still pleased with now nice my weird looking sponges look now. Same goes for my brushes that had old product on them as well. 
I cannot find the before picture so here is the after

I didn't just want to test make up so I tested them on my artist brushes as well. To which I was very surprised. They worked wonderful! I have three brushes that my mother gave to me and I never use because they are so old. The bristles are ready to snap off at any moment. But I keep them because they were hers. The brushes are older than I am and not in the greatest condition. However, after cleaning them with the brush cleaner some life was brought back into them. The bristles feel softer, almost usable and to my surprise they didn't just snap off when I was trying to clean them. The brush cleaner also cleaned off some 10+ year old paint off the wand of the brushes as well. 


Then I tested it on my cheap sponge I use to give texture to things. Now that had a lot of old paint on it. Just like the sponge it did not clean it all off but it did a great job at removing most of it. It also made the sponge more softer since it had grown hard over the years. Over all I had better results testing on my artist brushes than the make up brushes but both still worked wonderfully. Even with fresh paint on one of my cheap plastic feeling brushes. It took the paint off in one go and even got some old paint out of the bristles. It made plastic feel soft. That is no easy feat. 


I will be using this for all my brushes in the future and it is better than soap but it didn't fully live up to the hype. That is to be expected, it's still a great product that I will buy once my other one is empty. It has brought life into dead brushes and cleaned things I never thought would be clean again. It's a wonderful product and much much safer than regular soap. If you use a lot of brushes, make up or art, then it's something worth buying. Not to mention it's totally affordable and the site has a ton of sales. Below will be links to their site, instagram, and twitter as well as some of my previous reviews. 

Where To Find Them

Previous Reviews

Look out in the following days for a review of the site itself and the other products I purchased. 
About Tarabusi Creek
Tarabusi Creek is a small business based in Michigan that focuses on your skin care needs. They are cruelty free and vegan and is run by a lovely woman who creates wonderful products that you can spoil yourself with. Luxury for under 15 dollars. Tarabusi Creek offers a wide variety of products such as: soap, candles, face masks, face scrubs, and even bubble bars. She is always striving to provide more products and improve on ones already in stock. Tarabusi listens to their customers ideas and improves upon what they don't like. They are a business worth checking out. 



Ocean Mist Clay Face Mask

The Ocean Mist Clay Face Mask is a very thick mask since most of it's components are indeed clay. It is made out of bentonite clay and kaolin clay, which are not ones to absorb oil so they are not ideal for extra oily skin but perfect for those with dry to combination skin. The ingredients also include coconut milk which gives your skin a nice boost of vitamin C. What that does is help the elasticity of your skin. Which is good going down the line as you age. It also contains Aloe Vera gel which soothes the skin and gives it plenty of moisture. Below is the list of the full ingredients of the product. They use preservatives to give it longer shelf life but do not use the harmful ones most large brands put into their products. 

Ingredients 
bentonite clay, kaolin clay, coconut milk, aloe vera, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, fragrance oil, mica colorants, phenonip, glycerin, water, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sorbitol, propylene glycol, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, stearic acid, sodium chloride, diozolidinyl urea, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate

I want to make sure that you know to always read the ingredients on the site before you purchase in case there are allergies you might have in there. On the container it's very small since I purchased a 1oz but that is not really an issue since it's listed very clearly on the site itself.  I can't stress enough how important it is to not only read ingredients but for small businesses to list them all as well. 

I did purchase the small 1oz bottle of the mask since I was afraid I might be allergic. I was willing to purchase it to test it out, I was so happy to find out I had no reaction at all. The 1oz container is filled to the brim with product, it's completely full and you get your money's worth. For 3USD it is totally worth it if you are wanting to try it out. It's the cheapest 1oz on the site so far but that does not diminish the quality.  


The formula of the mask is very thick due to all the clay in it.  That makes it hard to apply and you have to really scoop out a lot of it if you want to do a full face. So if you are the type that only does full face then I suggest purchasing a larger size such as 2oz if you like it. A little bit does not go a long way in this sense. But the mask is very lovely once it is on the skin. The scent of it is very strong and makes me feel as if I am walking on a beach. It makes me want to drive the two hours to see the beach, that is how lovely it is. However, it is a bit strong, all their product scents tend to be on the strong side which is not a bad thing. Though if you have a sensitive nose like I do it takes a bit to adjust. This one was almost an exception since the scent is just so lovely. 

The color of the mask is quite beautiful, though with handmade products it tends to vary from batch to batch. Mine was a beautiful gray blue color which made me feel as if I was putting that mud on my face from those hot springs. Once it's on your face it does not move and it feels very nice on the skin. You leave the mask on for about 10-15 minutes and then wash off with water. However, when the mask is on I noted no burning sensation, a slight cold tingling feeling which I love, and I could wear my glasses while I had it on, which is always a plus in my book. 

The mask was easy to wash off and it bubbled up just like the rest of their products. A feature I truly love, makes it so much more fun to take off. Once the mask was off my skin felt a bit textured and I was worried it didn't really do anything to my skin. Though after about 10 minutes my skin started to become softer and softer. So if that happens to you don't be worried about it, just give it time, you did just rub your face after all. Your skin will start to soften and feel luxurious like it does with the other face mask I reviewed. 

Overall this mask is lovely and it is one I find myself getting excited to use. I would purchase a larger version again in a heartbeat. Not only is the company cruelty free and vegan they also have so many wonderful promoters on twitter. They will be there in a flash to give you their 10% off code which will save you a lot in the long run. There are always restocks, and always discounts if you use promoters codes or subscribe to their site via email to get special discount codes during restocks. Below are the links to their site, twitter, and instagram. 


Previous Tarabusi Creek Reviews



The Tarabusi Creek Sugar Cookie Facial Cleaser Mask is the first face mask I have used that wasn't a sheet. The first thing I noticed about it was the color. On the site it's a light brown color (like cookie dough) much darker and with a slight green tint. When I first got it I was taken back and thought maybe I got the wrong one. But it smells sugary and like vanilla. After looking a bit online of people who also purchased it I noticed it was the right actual color. So keep that in mind when purchasing. It's not that it's a bad thing, colors change with changes of recipe. Colors change with what you use.That is to be expected when purchasing from small businesses. They do everything by hand so usually each batch might be a bit different than the last. Most of all colors change when you take photos. Light hits a certain way, settings on your camera and editing to make the image look nice. Mine turned out a light brown almost peanut butter color in my photos after touching them up so they look decent. Keep in mind when buying anything online that colors will hardly look like what's in the photo.


It is not a very appealing color but that matters little if it works. The scent is strong and very sugary. Almost a bit sharp and made me a bit nauseous when I first used it. However, I have a sensitive nose and overly sweet scents don't agree with me. I still wanted to try it out. The second time I used it I was used to the scent and liked it a lot more than the last time. The scent stays with you well after washing off so if you don't want that make sure to wash your face a lot to get it off the most you can. But that is only if you don't want to smell like a sugary sweet snack. Also if you aren't fond of sweet smelling things it can feel as if you skin wasn't really clean so be sure to wash it off carefully and thoroughly if you are like that. 

This face mask is coconut oil free which is the main reason I bought it and because I love the company so much. It has some nice natural ingredients as well as the preservatives and additives that every skin care person should know. The owner takes no risks and handles everything with the utmost care and knowledge. Which is why Tarabusi Creek is the only small business I currently get my skin care from for a reason. 

The mask itself feels a bit watery but it sticks to your face and doesn't run. It's sort of like putting really wet mud on your face which feels very refreshing. It sticks to your skin and you don't have to worry about it getting everywhere. Still as a warning don't wear high collard shirts, tie your hair back, and be careful. That goes with any facial products you put on. You leave the mask on for ten to twenty minutes, whatever you feel most comfortable with and I love how that is right on the lid so you see it every time you open it. It was a nice detail that not a lot of people do. 



If you put on the mask right after using one of their scrubs it will burn for a few seconds (only way I've tested it, it could be different or not). Once that passes you don't feel much of anything. I didn't feel any tingling or it getting cold which if you don't like that then it's great. The very first time I used it I had a lot of fun putting it on. A little bit of the stuff goes along way so don't overdo it or you'll have to restock soon. 

The fun part about this is washing it off. It's not exactly easy to do simply because if you use a napkin like I do it will start to lather up like a soap! It was so fun to see that and it felt like I was really washing my face as I was wiping the mask off. I don't know if it says it on the site but it was nice to see. I loved washing it off of my face, watching the mask turn into white suds was like watching a science experiment on my face. I find myself getting excited to wash it off now every time I use it since it does that. It feels like it's working extra and that is big points for me. 


Once it's all off your face it's best to splash your face with some water and rub your fingers on your skin, to make sure you get it all off and that helps with the tightness you feel as well. It will make your skin feel a bit tight after it's all washed and dried but that fades after a few minutes. The instant it's off you can notice how much smoother your skin looks, how brighter it looks. If you touch it, it feels so soft and smooth that it surprised me. It hydrates so well that I only have to do it once or twice a week. It keeps my trouble spots hydrated to perfection. 

It is a great product to use if you don't mind really sugary scents and if you need something that is coconut free. It hydrates, it's fun to wash off and it keeps your skin feeling soft for days. I personally prefer more subtle and floral smells so I am not positive if I will order this again for myself but I would gladly buy it for a friend. I would highly recommend for those with dry sensitive skin like myself and those with allergies. Also, as a little note that has no real pull on the review. Using the mask during the holiday season made me feel extra festive. 


There is one more thing I wanted to touch on but this is about the company itself. The customer service is so amazing. I received a wrong item and I messaged them the instant I noticed. Not only did they reply relatively quick but they sent out my new product quick. I get extremely nervous when talking to people, especially when something isn't right. She made me feel happy, welcome, and a bit less shy. Small businesses work very hard and those who are like Tarabusi Creek deserve to be in the spotlight. Within a few days I received the correct item which was this mask that I am reviewing. The wrong item I received is going to be put to good use by a possible future customer, one of my friends.  

Thank you so much for being such a great business that I hope to purchase from for years to come. The company has made my skin feel so much better and honestly has made myself feel better. The owner is extremely sweet and hard working. Nothing can ever always be perfect so be kind when small businesses get your order wrong. They work extremely hard to give you your products. Go check out the site if you haven't. The link is below! 





I purchased the 2oz Tarabusi Creek Sweet Apple Sugar Scrub. This is my first impression review on it. I will write another one once I've used it for a bit to see if there are any long term notices with my skin. If you don't know about Tarabusi Creek you should! It's run by a lovely lady who works hard to create handmade and completely vegan bath and body products for all under $10USD. Not to mention everything is cruelty free which is a huge plus in my book. At first I thought it might have been a bit too pricey for 4 dollars + shipping for a small container of face scrub but once I saw it in person I realized I was mostly wrong. Sure, something you use daily will go away quickly and only 2oz will go even quicker. However, a little bit of this stuff goes a long way. Unless you prefer a nice good lather then of course use more. I always use things in moderation and just some on the cap was enough to wash my whole face and make it feel smooth. Not to mention the container it came in is sleek, fits in a small place, has the cutest information sticker I've seen with handmade items, and it's sturdy. My only issue with the design is that the ingredient might be hard to read for some peopel. Luckily she's amazing and she lists the ingredients on the site so always read that before purchasing. Even if you don't have allergies like I do.




There is a ton of sugar in the scrub which gently exfoliates your skin, leaving it smooth and getting away that pesky dry skin you struggle with. This scrub is great for people with dry and sensitive skin. It goes on smooth and easy, the sugar starts to dissolve after a bit which feels kind of nice in my opinion when I rub it in. With all exfoliates always rub gently, don't push into your skin or you can do more damage than good. A gentle touch is needed with all and this one is no exception. The jar is filled to the brim with product which I love, some people don't fill up the part where the cap screws on, but not them. They fill it up and gives you your money's worth. The scent is strong and once you put it on you skin it stays on for quite some time. It's rare to find things like that these days with good products. Usually the scent is dulled down and goes away within minutes. Not this one! It stayed on my arm when I tested it on my skin and my face when i finally used it. For a good four hours I smelt like Sweet Apples and I loved it. However, if you aren't into that sugary sweet scents then perhaps try another scrub. If you want to go out and not smell sweet then try another one that I am sure is just as great. 




After I used it for the first time I didn't notice a huge difference in my skin but that's to be expected upon first use. My skin however did feel very soft and unlike other exfoliates I used I don't get that filmy tight feeling on my face, nor did it dry my skin out. I struggled finding facial scrubs until now. It pairs well with a nice facial mist. The one I used is an orange blossom water toner that also has a lot of nice benefits. However, after just the scrub my skin felt refreshed and clean. But if you have extremely dry skin like mine you still need a bit more to keep your face from drying out naturally. You scrub it in your skin and lather it up and once it's all done the product is easy to wash off with some warm water and I use soft napkins than a towel since my skin is touchy. All in all I will be buying more facial scrubs and any other product that has none of my allergies. It's worth the money I put into it for what I'm getting out of it. The next day I haven't washed my face and it still felt smooth. Though my trouble spot which is my forehead will take a bit longer to feel as nice as my cheeks.



If you haven't tried any of Tarabusi Creek's products i highly suggest it. Not only will you be getting a great product but you'll be supporting a small business and a person who works hard to make products for everyone. They deserves the support you can give them and your skin deserves the Sweet Apple Sugar Scrub. Check out their twitter for updates, promo codes, and any deals they may have. Or visit their site to see what all they have to offer. 


this review was not paid for. Item in review was purchased with my own money.