Blue Morpho Apothecary Review, Interview, and Giveaway

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to meet with Brandie Maraziti, the amazing creator behind Blue Morpho Apothecary.  We chatted over coffee at a local Austin joint about our love for green beauty. It’s incredible just how passionate she is about the importance of nourishing our bodies from the outside in, specifically the skin.

I was able to pick this lovely lady’s brain and the resulting interview comes after the review. If that wasn’t enough, this beautiful green soul also agreed to a giveaway, so keep reading!

A little about Brandie Maraziti:

“It all started with a trip to Costa Rica a few years ago. What began as just a study abroad course observing animal behavior in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve quickly developed into a deep interest and passion for herbal medicine, living simply, and what I like to call “eco-liciousness.” Having been raised by parents who I would affectionately call “health nuts,” I did my best to rebel against their alternative/natural health school of thought during my teen years. (Oh, how I loathed being that weird kid who didn’t drink sodas and used a different brand of deodorant than all my friends!) but, somewhere deep within this cloud forest i began to experience a connection with the local ticos, and ultimately — with my youth and myself.” Read more about Brandie here.

I was thrilled when Brandie brought not one, not two, but three of her unique creations for me to try,  which included: Vanilla-Lime Body Polish, Detox Soak with Organic Seaweed & Dead Sea Salts, and Organic Dry Shampoo / Hair Powder.

Vanilla-Lime Body Polish Description:

“Our organic sugar scrubs not only combine the exfoliating power of sugar with moisturizing oils like coconut and sweet almond, but are also mixed with a touch of our handmade liquid castile soap. These three-in-one powerhouse scrubs will cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize in a quick one-two punch! POW!”

My Thoughts: This body polish is truly unique. I’m a huge fan of castile soap, and I had never used a body scrub that contains it like this one does. I was super excited to test this product out, especially since Brandie created her own blend of castile soap! The scrub did not lather, but I did feel a soapy texture. My skin felt cleansed and the aroma of sugar cookies overtook my senses. Oils like coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, and olive oil moisturized my skin without leaving it overly oily. The sugar scrub was not harsh, but still effective, and I focused on rough areas for exfoliation. I really enjoyed this body polish, it was truly a treat!
Ingredients: organic sugar, organic coconut oil, organic sweet almond oil, local honey, castile soap, organic hemp seed oil, organic jojoba oil, organic olive oil, distilled water, potassium hydroxide, borax, organic vegetable glycerin, organic lime peel powder, organic vanilla powder
Price: $21.00

Detox Soak with Organic Seaweed & Dead Sea Salts Description:

“This organic detox bath salt is my version of thalassotherapy—a Greek word involving body care ingredients that have been derived from the sea. This treatment is meant to induce an exchange of minerals and toxins between your body and the water, drawing out the toxins while your skin absorbs nutrients from the bath.”

My Thoughts: After a hard work out at the gym, I like to light some candles, play some music, and relax in a hot bath (my own little spa treatment). I had never soaked in a detox bath, so this was quite an experience. The product came with a muslin bag which is used to scoop product in to avoid a messy bathtub. I simply hung the bag over my faucet and allowed the water to run, but you can also let the bag float freely (which I did afterwards). Brandie advised the water would turn green and not to be alarmed. I was left with a nice detoxing green bath that did not stain the skin or the bathtub. The water felt soft, like water from a new water softener. I rechecked my bag and all the salts where gone, the only remaining product was the seaweed ingredients. The directions indicate to soak for a maximum of 20 minutes. I was left both relaxed and rejuvenated, who needs a hot tub? Overall, a great experience for relaxation.
Ingredients: epsom salt, pink himalayan salt, dead sea salt, black lava salt, bentonite clay, organic white rice flour, organic bladderwrack, organic kelp powder, organic wakame, organic dulse flakes, chlorella powder, organic essential oil blend (grapefruit, juniper, lemon)
Price: $32.00

Organic Dry Shampoo / Hair Powder Description:

“Our dry shampoo is made from truly natural, certified organic ingredients that are specially formulated to nourish your hair while absorbing excess oils. Instead of using cheap fillers like talc, cornstarch or baking soda, we have combined powdered botanicals and oil-absorbing clays that will leave your second-day (or third!) hair with a fresh smell, extra volume, and light texture (perfect for providing grip when braiding, creating up-dos, or teasing!).”

My Thoughts: I am obsessed with this product! I don’t like to wash my hair everyday due to it drying out. I try to wash it a least three times a week, depending how oily my scalp gets. I’ve tried my fair share of dry spray shampoos and baby powders, but all I was left with was either my hair still oily or horrible white residue. Blue Morpho Apothecary created a product that not only absorbed my hair’s oil but also matched my hair color. Brandie offers dry shampoo tints for both blondes and brunettes. This product has really extended the life of my hair in-between washes. I can now wash my hair twice a week without worrying that it looks too oily. The darker tint does contain cacoa powder which stained my fingers a bit when I rubbed it in, but that’s nothing good ol’ soap and water can’t fix! I recommend you give this product a try, especially if you practice the no poo method.
Ingredients: organic arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, rhassoul clay, organic horsetail powder, organic cacoa powder, organic orris root powder, essential oil blend (organic rosemary, organic cornmint)
Price: $16.00

Blue Morpho Apothecary carries a variety of face and body care, as well as teas. It’s a relief to know that you are truly using natural, certified organic, raw/vegan, and ethically wild harvested ingredients. You’re bound to find the perfect product for you! So go and check out this outstanding brand and give them a try!

http://www.bluemorphoapo.com/

Check out my interview with Brandie Maraziti below:

1. What inspired you to create Blue Morpho Apothecary?
I had started making some DIY beauty products for myself – mostly bath bombs, some salves, and soap. I really enjoyed working with my hands and creating different combinations of scents and natural colorants, but I very quickly had way more products than I could use myself! I started giving them to family and friends before the idea came to me to sell a few on Etsy, and it’s just grown by leaps and bounds since then!

2. Which product has been the top seller, what’s your all-time favorite product or the product that you’re proudest of from the line?
Sleepytime bath salts are consistently my best seller – they smell amazing and make the perfect gift for your mother, a friend, or just as a special treat for yourself. But, dry shampoo is probably my favorite product because I use it ALL the time – it’s a great time saver in the mornings and it helps to keep my hair healthy + shiny since I’m not stripping it of beneficial oils from a daily shampoo.

3. What is your favorite ingredient to work with?
I love working with essential oils! There’s so much to learn, but I am constantly amazed by their power + potency.

4. What sets Blue Morpho Apothecary apart from other natural skincare brands?
I think that I am what sets Blue Morpho apart from other brands – it’s not just a faceless name as a brand or machine-made products in bulk. Instead, I make everything by hand, and oftentimes even make products to order to ensure that you aren’t getting something that has been sitting on the shelf for who-knows-how-long. I also love taking custom orders because they allow me to flex my creative muscles even more (e.g. eczema cream or tea for hormonal acne). Further, I really enjoy connecting with customers and talking to them about skincare issues, natural remedies, etc.

5. What does your skincare routine look like?
My routine is pretty simple – I like to oil cleanse in the morning with a combination of carrier oils and essential oils. This leaves my skin perfectly moisturized, soft, and smooth – the perfect canvas before putting on any makeup! In the evening, I usually remove my makeup with a toner and, depending on the time of year, I may apply a night cream before bed. On the weekends, I’ll add in a gentle face scrub and mask to exfoliate and draw out any impurities.

6. What tips would you offer to someone looking to make the switch from conventional skincare products?
Start small. It’s so easy to think that you’ll throw away all of the ‘bad’ products and start fresh, but that’s kind of wasteful and can get pretty expensive! Instead, start doing your research and learn about ingredients, but be careful not to be fooled by green-washing. When you’re almost out of a product, find a better one to swap it out with. Then, just keep swapping until you have found what works best for you!

Now, for the best part, a GIVEAWAY! Blue Morpho Apothecary, has offered to give one lucky reader one of the products mentioned above. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Sorry to all my international loves, but I hope to have an international giveaways in the future.

Please enter giveaway below, ends 8/31/14:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is over, thanks to all who entered!

*I received this product in exchange for an honest review. I have not been paid for my review, nor does the fact that I received the product for free influence my opinion.*

Forever Clean and Green,