Saturday, May 22, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Skin Free Skincare CLOSED



Summer is just around the corner, which means I'll soon be wearing tank tops, camis, capris and skirts. If I want to show a little skin, I need to make sure it's in tip top shape. Soft and smooth. No razor bumps or ash. So, it was perfect timing when I was contacted by Skin Free to review some of their skincare products.

Skin Free products are designed and formulated by owner and practicing pharmacist, Julie Hinton, who has over 30 years of experience in compounding and natural skin care. After moving to the Blue Ridge of Virgina, her friends began calling her a "gypsy", so it was only natural she named her distribution company Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio. Having grown increasingly frustrated when asked to recommend products for patients with difficult skin problems and allergies, Julie decided to fill the void in the market with her own line of wholesome, natural skincare products.

Skin Free ingredients are all-natural, vegan and contain:
  • No Perfumes
  • No Petroleum
  • No Harmful Chemicals
  • No Steroids
  • No Colorants
  • No Greasy Feeling
  • No Animal Testing

The naturally-occurring vegetable oils and butters in Skin Free products have nutrients, antioxidants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antibacterial agents that petroleum-based oils lack. The natural oils absorb directly into the skin without feeling greasy. They also come from replenishable sources, which makes them environmentally-friendly.

Skin Free products work to maintain the integrity of your skin, reduce exposure to antigens, and prevent acute outbreaks, making them a great option for people with the following conditions:
  • Extreme Dry Skin
  • Skin or Fragrance Allergies
  • Psoriasis
  • Dermatitis
  • Eczema
  • Diabetes
  • Renal Disease
  • Radiation or Chemotherapy
They are also perfect for pregnant moms, babies and the elderly. Skin Free is one of few companies who have achieved a "0" toxicity rating on the reputable Cosmetics Database.

Julie sent me her Sweet & Smooth Sugar Scrub in Mandarin Vanilla (ARV $14.99) and the Honeysuckle Soap from Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio (ARV $4.99)

The sugar scrub is simply exquisite. I use it at least 3x/week as an exfoliator. The texture of the sugar crystals is very fine so it isn't at all rough on your skin. It's just grainy enough to slough off the dead skin cells and leave behind soft, touchable skin. It's worlds better than using lotion alone. I don't think my skin has ever felt this good after showering! I feel totally confident baring a little leg after indulging in my sugar scrub. The Mandarin Vanilla scent is very warm and relaxing, although I feel the almond oil sort of masks the citrus. Nonetheless, it is delicious! The only downfall is that it can get rather slippery in the shower so you don't want to be overly liberal with the application. But that is the case with any scrub really.



The Honeysuckle Soap is also great. I loved that it came packaged in feminine floral paper with ribbon. The presentation would make a great gift for someone. The two-toned bar was so pretty and it smelled so nice, I almost didn't want to open it.



Made of coconut, olive and palm oils, shea butter and scented with essential oils, I found the soap very moisturizing. Most bar soaps dry out my hands so this is a much more pleasurable alternative. The honeysuckle smell brought me back to my childhood and was better than potpourri. I keep it in our guest bathroom and I've had several comments on how great it smells. I would love to try the Winter Yuzu fragrance once fall rolls around.

Bottom line: If you want safe, sumptuous skincare, Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio are the place to go.

BUY IT: You can purchase unscented Skin Free products from www.skinfree.net and essential oil-scented products from Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio at www.blueridgegypsy.com. Both sites have a shared shopping cart for easy shopping and convenience.

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a $30 gift certificate to use at Skin Free and/or Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio and tell me what product(s) you'd choose if you won. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Skin Free on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Spruce up your skin for summer with a $30 gift certificate to @skinfree from @kris10chumley! Ends 6/6 http://bit.ly/azUsk2

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on June 6, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As noted above, I received a sugar scrub and soap bar from Julie at Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

118 comments:

debbie said...

I would love the tuscan lavender soap. We have really dry and sensitive skin, so I would love to try this.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

cloud10277 said...

I would buy the Skin Free Spa Scrub Power Pak.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Following with GFC
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Following you and Skin Free on Twitter
@cloud10277
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/14562268314
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Fan of Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio on Facebook
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/14624119520
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Denise S. said...

I'd love to try the Acai Scrub for Sparkling Skin.

aledol said...

Sugar Scrub

aledol said...

G rd~fd

aledol said...

Skin Free
~FB

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/14731475946

Rebecca Orr said...

I would start with the Extra Moisturizing Soap & Shampoo Bar! And then go from there....there are just so many things I want to try out. Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Follower of the blog via gfc. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Subscriber via email. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Following both on twitter: @bekki1820cb
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/bekki1820cb/status/14745951733

bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Became a fan of SRSC/BRGS on FB: Bekki Orr
bekki1820cb at gmail

Lillian-Juda Leonard-Beach said...

i follow on gfc

Lillian-Juda Leonard-Beach said...

i follow SF on twitter

Lillian-Juda Leonard-Beach said...

im a fan on FB

Lillian-Juda Leonard-Beach said...

buttons on my blog!
http://judaleonard.blogspot.com/

Lillian-Juda Leonard-Beach said...

i love the
Sweet & Smooth Sugar Scrub
and
Mandarin Vanilla soap

txgiggles45 said...

I would get the Butter Cream Hand & Body Lotion in Tuscan Lavender and the After Shower Moisture Spritz in Winter Yuzu! ;)
txgigggles@yahoo.com

llinda29 said...

I want Tuscan Lavender

Katie said...

I would like the Eczema Relief Kit from Skin Free!
catherder44 at yahoo dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/14807914409

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/14857269141
cloud10277@hotmail.com

AlamoFood said...

I would like to try the face power pack
beafox19 at satx -dot- rr -dot- com

Jolee said...

Love to try the Life Moisture Day Cream. joleehamlin at comcast dot net

Jolee said...

email subscriber joleehamlin at comcast dot net

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/14881126122

throuthehaze said...

I would love the Whipped Tamanu Body Butter
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

fan of Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio on Facebook-Rae Pavey
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Roxy said...

i'd get the Hand-made Shea Butter Soap - 4 oz. bar from Blue Ridge Gypsy

hockiemack at hotmail.com

Roxy said...

blog follower

hockiemack at hotmail.com

Amanda said...

The after shower moisture spritz sounds wonderful!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Amanda said...

I'm an rss subscriber
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15068869572

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/15139844598
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Jenn S. said...

Would choose the Honeysuckle bath salts from Blue Ridge Gypsy.

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15223633313

Elena said...

I would choose Super Moisture Body Balm, Super Moisture Butter Creme and Extra Moisturizing Soap and Shampoo Bar from Skin Free!

elenaamble at yahoo dot com

Elena said...

Follow on Google Friends Connect.
elenaamble at yahoo dot com

Elena said...

Subscribe to RSS feed in Google Reader.
elenaamble at yahoo dot com

Elena said...

Subscribe via e-mail
elenaamble at yahoo dot com

Elena said...

Follow you and Skin Free on Twitter (anatolyevna) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/anatolyevna/status/15262543515

Elena said...

Facebook Fan (Like) of Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy (Elena Amble)

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15293278948

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/15341625532
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Elena said...

Tweet 6/3: http://twitter.com/anatolyevna/status/15354141746

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15388401064

heaventrees said...

I would like to try the Mandarin Vanilla Bath Salts.

heaventrees said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect. (Christie)

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/15421784268
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to try the niaouli scrub for blemish prone skin.

ailanna at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow via GFC (Jennifer Mo)

ailanna@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I like the Skin Free Spa Scrub Power Pak. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

Elena said...

Tweet 6/4: http://twitter.com/anatolyevna/status/15441555812

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15463172564

idahomom said...

My son really needs Eczema Relief Kit

idahomom said...

following both
http://twitter.com/idahomom7/status/15484264730

idahomom said...

Kathy N Scott likes SKIN FREE SKIN CARE from BLUE RIDGE GYPSY STUDIO on facebook.

idahomom said...

email subscriber

chlorinebrain said...

I would love the Corrective Face Nectar from Skinfree & the Hand-made Shea Butter Soap in HOneysuckle from Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio

ky2here said...

Daytime Light Moisture™ - 1 oz - $22.99

ky2here at msn dot com

ky2here said...

Twitter follower ky2here1, here's my tweet:

http://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/15509460987

ky2here said...

Google friend connect follower kycouple2000.

annemarie562000 said...

I would choose the Truest Rose Soap & After Shower Moisture Spritz, and the Winter Yuzu Soap & After Shower Moisture Spritz!

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

annemarie562000 said...

I subscribe via email.

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

annemarie562000 said...

I follow via Google.

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

annemarie562000 said...

I follow you and Skin Free on Twitter. I tweeted. http://twitter.com/annemariez3/status/15525907590

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

annemarie562000 said...

I am a fan of Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio on Facebook. (Annemarie Zito)

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karen P said...

I like "Honeysuckle Butter Creme"

Bakersdozen said...

I would get the Hand and Body Lotion - 8 oz. bottle and the after bath moisture spritz. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Robin T said...

I would love to try their Mandarin Vanilla soap

Falon H. said...

I would choose the Acai Scrub for Sparkling Skin and/or the Tuscan Lavender After Shower Moisture Spritz.

falongoesgreen @ gmail dot com

Falon H. said...

Following via google friend connect!

falongoesgreen @ gmail dot com

Falon H. said...

I am an email subscriber!

falongoesgreen @ gmail dot com

Falon H. said...

Following you and skinfree on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/falongoesgreen/status/15570165796

falongoesgreen @ gmail dot com

susan1215 said...

Lite Moisture Cream for Daily Use -

alli said...

I would choose the Green Clay Mask for Blemish Prone Skin!

northssclub at yahoo dot com

alli said...

I follow your blog!

northssclub at yahoo dot com

alli said...

I became a Facebook fan of Skin Free/Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio (as Alli Tsao)

northssclub at yahoo dot com

lisa said...

I am interested in Super Moisture Butter Creme from Skin Free and Natural Liquid Soap from Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I follow your blog. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I follow you both on Twitter(samasam). Tweet: http://twitter.com/samasam/status/15572477743

msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio on Facebook fan(lisa smith). msmith572@yahoo.com

angie lilly said...

Natural Liquid Soap - 12 oz. bottle in the Mandarin Vanilla and the Woodspice would be my purchases!
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I follow you via blogger.
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I follow you via GFC.
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I subscribe via email.
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I subscribe via google reader.
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I follow you both on Twitter and tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/FotoMacro/status/15572640164
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I am their FB fan, Tofu Fairy
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

Kathy P said...

id choose the Skin Renewal System - $32.00

Kathy P said...

like sf on facebook Kathy L Pease

DG said...

Sweet & Smooth Sugar Scrub and the Whipped Tamanu Body Butter! :)

dreamzz12{at]aol{dot}com

DG said...

Sweet & Smooth Sugar Scrub and the Whipped Tamanu Body Butter! :)

dreamzz12{at]aol{dot}com

DG said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/15579176743

dreamzz12{at]aol{dot}com

DG said...

email subscriber

dreamzz12{at]aol{dot}com

DG said...

facebook fan of skin free and blue ridge gypsy studio - Dee G

dreamzz12{at]aol{dot}com

Scott said...

Niaouli Scrub for Blemish Prone Skin is one thing I would get for sure!
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Scott said...

follow w/google
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Scott said...

follow w/blogger
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Scott said...

subscribe w/email
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Scott said...

follow and tweeted http://twitter.com/RePurrPussed/status/15580496219
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Sarah said...

I'd get the Hand-made Shea Butter Soap - 4 oz. bar and the reed diffuser in Tuscan Lavender.

Sarah said...

Following via GFC

msrodeobrat said...

id like the Butter Cream Hand & Body Lotion in Tuscan Lavender

addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15600177878

Unknown said...

I like the honeysuckle and patchouli soaps.
fatmeatloaf1 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Following you publicly via GFC.

Unknown said...

Following you and Skinfree on Twitter and tweeted:http://twitter.com/fatmeatloaf1/status/15602179646

lilyk said...

I love the Whipped Tamanu Body Butter!

lilyk said...

I became a fan of Skin Free and Blue Ridge Gypsy Studio on Facebook.

tina reynolds said...

I really like After Shower Moisture Spritz - 8 oz. bottle thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

tina reynolds said...

i follow your blog

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