Your Daily Vegan

The Your Daily Vegan reviewers are at it again!  This time we take a look at a natural vegan company, Cactus and Ivy.  Cactus and Ivy began nine years ago when Lisa Rodgers decided to go into business for herself making natural spa and body products.  And I’m thankful she did because we would be out some fabulous products if she hadn’t!

We tested three products from the Cactus and Ivy line.  The Peppermint Tree Foot Balm, Cactus Nail Balm and the Orange Vanilla Butter Me Up Body Balm.

I’m the lucky one who was the tester for the Peppermint Tree Foot Balm.  And now that I’ve discovered it, I can’t imagine living without it.  First, it comes in this cute push up container.  Think deodorant style container.  I love that!  It was really easy to just swipe on my feet.  The balm has a very distinct smell of menthol.  It isn’t unpleasant, rather, it’s really comforting.  I couldn’t (still can’t when I use it) stop smelling it.  Yes, it smells that good.  The comfort continues when you use the balm.  This stuff is amazing and all tingly when you put it on.  I garden frequently and thus, I have gardeners heel.  They get dry and cracked.  Not very cute for summertime sandals, let me tell you.  One night using the balm and my reptile foot was gone!  Two nights and the cracks were gone! I’m hooked.  Enough said.

Our next YDV tester used the Cactus Nail Balm.  This is some serious stuff.  It contains olive oil and horsetail to moisturize and heal dry, brittle nails.  The bottle comes with it’s own applicator, making it easy and convenient to use.  Our tester loved the bottle because she could take it with her to work and not worry about a mess happening.  Our tester works in a mechanically intensive industry that is rough on her hands.   She reports that her paws began to look great soon after using the balm.  I asked if she would purchase the balm once the sample ran out.  A resounding “hell yes” was her answer.  Sounds like we have another winner to me!

Our final tester was given a sample of the Orange Vanilla Butter Me Up Body Balm.  It also came in a push up container, which our tester thought was clever.  The balm got high marks for the no mess applicator and portability.  The scent of the balm is lovely, although our tester wished that it was a bit stronger.  She loved the way the oils made her skin feel overnight, but didn’t care for it during the day.  It was, to her, too heavy on her skin.  Used nightly however, she liked how her skin looked and felt.  She gives the balm a big thumbs up for it’s intensive moisturizing property and lovely (but light) scent.  I didn’t get an opportunity to use the balm but I did get to smell it.  It smells like a yummy creamsicle pop, good enough to eat!

Overall our testers (myself included) were really happy with the products from Cactus and Ivy and would (totally) recommend them to others.  Not only do they work, they smell great and they are 100% VEGAN!  What more could you ask for?  What?  A discount?  Well… okay!  Since you asked for one…

Cactus and Ivy is offering YDV readers a special limited time discount!  From now until midnight on July 31, 2009, enjoy a 15% discount on any Cactus and Ivy order. Use promo code YDV2009 at the checkout.  And if that isn’t great enough, orders $75 and over get free (FREE) Priority Mail Shipping!

I know, it rocks!  Head on over to www.cactusandivy.com to take advantage of the savings.  It’s cool, you can thank me later!

These products have been rated “Check it out” by the review team at YDV.  Look for more products with the “YDV Rated” symbol to get our opinions/experiences/loves/hates/etc. We’re always passionate, often controversial, and sometimes unbelievable- you can bet we’re gonna give you an honest look at vegan products. If you have a vegan product you would like to have reviewed, please contact us.