Product Review & Giveaway: Petite Marie Organics

Yesterday I reviewed Julie Gabriel's newest book, Green Beauty Recipes (my review). Today I'll be reviewing one of the products from her all-natural beauty line, Petite Marie Organics.

Allow me to start by saying that the products made by Petite Marie Organics come in recyclable containers, are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan, and have a low carbon footprint. Now that's what I call "green beauty"! You can take comfort in the fact that by using these products you are minimizing your personal impact on the environment.

I was sent the exfoliating cleanser to try (please note that the product that I linked to is not exactly the same as the one that I received). My skin is an at awkward place right now. It's in the early stages of "aging", but at the same time I do get periodic breakouts, which are embarrassing. On top of all that, my skin is combination skin, meaning that some of the products that I use on my face are too harsh for some spots on my skin, and not effective on others. I've tried many cleansers before, and have not been overly satisfied with any of them. One of the most recent ones that I tried actually led me to getting more breakouts, rather than decreasing their frequency! Understandably I was excited to try this one.

My first thoughts? Wow! This product feels like it is sucking the oil right out of my skin! The first time that I used it I had just developed a small pimple on my chin. I used Petite Marie Organics Exfoliating Cleanser and by the next morning the pimple had disappeared. In fact, since I have started using this product (about 4 weeks ago) I have only experienced one small breakout, and that was probably because I forgot to take my makeup off after a night out. I am beyond impressed with the quality and effectiveness of this product. Best results occur when this product is used along with the appropriate toner and moisturizer, but I experienced great results using it on its own.

If you are scent sensitive it is important to note that this product contains tea-tree oil, so it does have a fairly distinctive smell.

In addition to supplying me with a product to try, Julie Gabriel supplied me with a product to give away to one of my lucky readers! One lucky person will win Petite Marie Organics Scar Eraser, which helps to fade scars and blemishes. Here is the description of this product from the website:

"A daily topical treatment serum to help fade post-acne marks, acne scars, and skin discolorations.

A source of fruit AHA acids, the Scar Eraser stimulates the eradication of unevenly pigmented skin layers, minimizes post-acne marks, reduces uneven skin tone, and leaves skin glowing and younger-looking."

To win:

1. Leave me a comment to let me know that you would like to win this product. Please include your e-mail address so that I can contact you for your address if you are the winner. No e-mail= no entry!

2. *Bonus Entry* Visit the Petite Marie Organics website and tell me in a separate comment which product you would be most interested in trying.

3. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect and let me know in a separate comment that you are now a follower.

4. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest- Facebook it, add it to your sidebar, blog about it, Tweet about it, whatever! Leave me a comment to let me know what you did to spread the word.

Since I will be personally shipping this product, entries are limited to those who have a Canadian or US mailing address. It will run until October 22, 2010 at midnight, and winners will be contacted by e-mail.