The Beauty Librarian

The Bohemian Collection is a special assortment of natural and organic herbal skin care handcrafted in small batches for the ultimate in wholesome goodness.  After admiring nearly every ingredient blend in the Collection, I knew that the products would be amazing, and they absolutely are (more on that in a bit). What caught me a little more by surprise—and has left me in awe—is the positivity, passion, and intentionality that founders and formulators Dominique and Syeed Harris put into every aspect of their creations and their business—from formulating their products only when they can bring a positive energy to the process, to enthusiastically educating customers on natural living, to generously sharing their own keen insights on passionate marriage, positive parenting, and financial peace on social media. In their mission to share and educate, the Harrises manage to be refreshingly genuine, down-to-earth, and authentically inspiring. If you do not already follow @nattynaturals, @bohemiancollection, and @allthingsonatural on Instagram, I encourage you to do so, because the Harrises are not only gifted makers but also passionate, generous, and enlightened individuals with a remarkable family.  Just one example: Ms. Harris homeschools their four children while she and her husband run their bustling business All Things O’Natural, which consists of both Natty Naturals and The Bohemian Collection.  They do this all from home while maintaining order and keeping a tidy, loving household!  (As a mom of three myself, I am utterly impressed.)  The Harrises are worth getting to know. Please do not miss my interview with Ms. Harris, which can be found here.

 

 

The Harrises generously granted me the opportunity to try two lovely products from the Bohemian Collection: their Kijani Enzyme Mask and Kijani Green Goddess Beauty Balm.  First, let’s talk about Kijani Enzyme Mask.  This mask is suitable for anyone with normal to oily skin, and it’s especially great for those of us like myself who are acne-prone. It has a rich base of healing Manuka Honey (UMF 15+) and is loaded with detoxifying and antioxidant Matcha, vitamin-rich and enzymatic Pumpkin and Banana, as well as anti-aging Gotu Kola and Gotu Kola extract, healing and antiseptic Brahmi, antibacterial and antioxidant Ceylon,  anti-inflammatory Tumeric, balancing Rosemary CO2 extract, vitamin-rich Strawberry, soothing Calendula extract, and Essential Oils of Bergamot, Lemongrass, Sweet Orange, and Manuka.  The use of this last active caught my eye because although I had read about Manuka Oil’s virtues when researching actives for taming acne because although it appears to be widely used in New Zealand, I had difficulty finding it in products here in the US. Seeing Manuka Oil featured in more than one Bohemian Collection product (see also their Cacao Clay Cleanse) immediately told me that the Harrises dig deep when it comes to finding and using the most effective ingredients, opting for lesser known but more effective gems over more obvious choices. Why am I so excited about this?  Manuka Oil is 33 times as potent an acne-fighting antibacterial as its more commonly used cousin Tea Tree Oil, making it an excellent addition to this blemish-taming mask.  This is an amazing mask for healing and gently exfoliating acne-prone skin, while truly taming and preventing blemishes with its special Manuka-Oil-containing blend. As a huge bonus, the mask has also got all sorts of fabulous ingredients for taming inflammation and facilitating cellular regeneration.  Kijani Enzyme Mask is truly active-packed and a wonderful calming-yet-acne-fighting remedy for fussy skin. It also smells amazing and is a delight to wear.

Kijani Enzyme Mask Full Ingredients: Raw Honey, UMF15+ Manuka Honey, *Matcha, *Pumpkin, *Banana, *Ceylon Cinnamon, *Tumeric, *Brahmi, *Gotu Kola, *Rosemary CO2 Extract, *Calendula Extract, *Gotu Kola Extract, Essential Oils of: *Manuka, Sweet Orange, *Bergamot, *Lemongrass

* = Organic Ingredients

 

 

The perfect complement to Kijani Enzyme Mask would have to be Kijani The Green Goddess Beauty Balm. This luscious, ultra-hydrating balm blends together 22 whole plant oils, butters, and extracts, all of which come together in a nourishing, skin-calming balm.  As someone with dehydrated, acne-prone skin, I often have trouble finding sufficiently rich hydration without exacerbating blemishes, and Kijani Beauty Balm is a wonderful and rare find in this regard, offering lasting, exquisite hydration without breaking ever me out or leaving me congested. This versatile balm is one of few products I’ve tried that I feel wholly comfortable recommending for nearly any skin type (dry, mature, sensitive, acne-prone).  Kijani Beauty Balm combines skin saviors like moisturizing yet non-comedogenic Hempseed Oil, chlorophyll-rich Avocado Oil, hydrating Sweet Almond Oil, omega-rich Chia Seed Oil, healing Tamanu, GLA-rich Evening Primrose, anti-aging Rosehip Seed CO2, antioxidant and antibacterial Rosemary CO2 Extract, healing Sea Buckthorn Co2, anti-inflammatory Blue Chamomile and more for an array of nourishing and healing benefits. Although the website states that you can use Kijani Beauty Balm as a cleanser using the dry oil cleansing method, I have not tested this out, simply because I love the feel of the balm too much to remove it!  Kijani Beauty Balm has a lovely aromatic scent and leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, soothed, and hydrated without clogging pores.  This is a beautiful balm for anyone, but I particularly recommend it to anyone like myself with problematic or acne-prone skin.

Kijani the Green Goddess Beauty Balm Full Ingredients: Hempseed Oil, *Avocado Oil, *Sweet Almond Oil, *Chia Seed Oil, *Tamanu, *Evening Primrose, *Rosehip Seed CO2, *Rosemary CO2 Extract,*Sea Buckthorn CO2, *Non GMO Vitamin E Oil, *Cupuacu Butter, Beeswax, *Blue Chamomile CO2, Essential Oils of: *Geranium, *Bergamot, *Myrrh, *Yarrow ,*Lavender, *Sandalwood, *Rose, Carrot Seed, Jasmine Absolute

* = Organic Ingredient

 

 

I loved the experience and the results of using the Kijani products so much that I had to add to my Bohemian Collection stash with a purchase of my own. (When I feel compelled to spend my own money on a line this quickly after trying PR samples, you know it’s a standout!) I ordered the Cacao Clay Cleanse, a wildly popular cleanser/mask that is the most frequently repurchased item from Bohemian Collection.  Cacao Clay Cleanse is the most delicious-smelling product I have ever put on my face—imagine a decadent, rich chocolate dessert topped with floral notes, and you may get a hint of the sensory experience Cacao Clay Cleanse offers. (Full disclosure: it smells so good that I have been extremely tempted to taste it, and each time I’ve opened the jar I’ve had to muster all my restraint not to pop a dollop in my mouth.) This beauty combines Kaolin Clay, Raw Honey, Cacao Powder, Rhassoul Clay, Marshmallow Root, Need, Rose Hydrosol, Neroli Hydrosol, Witch Hazel, Apple Cider Vinegar, Pumpkin Seed Oil, and more in one brightening, gently clarifying, balancing blend.  It can be used as a deep yet nourishing cleanser or as a brightening and detoxifying mask/spot treatment.  Personally, once I put Cacao Clay Cleanse on my face, the aroma is such a delight that I am reluctant to take it off, so I love to use this as a mask and spot treatment.  It’s very effective at calming down blemishes, and it’s like having a guilt-free dessert at the same time. Treating my skin with Cacao Clay Cleanse is a stress-relieving self-care ritual that eases my mind and leaves my skin balanced and brighter. Masking has never been more delicious!

Cacao Clay Cleanse Full Ingredients: *Kaolinite (Kaolin) Clay, ***Raw Honey, *Theobroma (Cacao) Powder, *Rhassoul Clay, *Marshmallow Root, *Neem, Rosa damascena (Rose) Hydrosol, *Citrus aurantium (Neroli) Hydrosol, *Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, *Theobroma (Cacao) Extract, *Cucurbita pepo L (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary in organic olive oil base) CO2, Lactobacillus Ferment, Potassium Sorbate, Essential Oils of: *Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka), *Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh), Sweet Orange, *Juniperus virginiana (Cedarwood), *Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium)

* = Certified Organic

*** = Wildharvested from unsprayed local bee farms

 

 

These three Bohemian Collection treasures have some of the best, most nutritious, and skin-beneficial ingredient blends you will find anywhere, and to top it off, you can sense the love, care, and positive intentionality that has gone into crafting them. As Dominique explained in a previous interview with Melanglow, “I believe what we are feeling, our emotions, are transferred into the products; it’s all a connection. The ingredients are from the earth, which holds a ton of energy and our personal energy as humans should merge and create something dynamic. For instance, neither my husband or I will create a product if we are not in a good place mentally or spiritually that day.”  The result of such care is a skincare line that is a treat for skin, body, and spirit.  Highly recommended.