Bow Tied Beauty | Natural Beauty Blog

New Product Discovery Round-up & Catch-up

2015-05-24T23:01:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it's been several months since my last post, and whilst I haven't unfortunately been writing about my latest finds here, behind the scenes I am ever still the green-beauty addict, with a towering load of products always present. I'm more than excited now to be getting back onto the blogging bandwagon, and as there's so much to catch-up on I thought I'd start with just a few of the products I've discovered during this period that have become my absolute favourites, as well as ones I'm about to try for the coming summer months.

Many of my new discoveries include brands I've been wanting to try for some time including; Josh Rosebrook, Tata Harper, Odylique, Andalou Naturals, The Body Deli and Well People. In fact, a couple of these were on my wish list I compiled closer to the start of the year, which I feel may still take a while still to get through!

I can safely say that I'm already an addict of the gorgeously scented The Body Deli Coconut Creme Body Scrub, as well as a new convert to Josh Rosebrook products, and whilst it took some time, my first Tata Harper purchase was also undeniably worth the purchase. I've also returned to some lovely star brands including Jane Iredale, Our Tiny Bees and Vapour, and can't wait to start trialling my first Odylique goodies which arrived yesterday.

This is just a small taste of upcoming posts on the blog over the next few weeks, including one giant Vapour review soon! I can't wait to delve back into reviews and start posting again, so I hope a few of you might still be here with me!

Herbfarmacy Organic Skincare Review

2015-02-12T21:24:00.002+00:00

For a few weeks now I've had the pleasure to try out some products from herbfarmacy. I'd long wanted to try out products from the brand, a good many of which are geared towards sensitive skin and eczema, so really couldn't wait to open the jars and pots, and lavish in all the natural goodness.

Created by Dr Paul Richards, who has been growing herbs organically on his farm in Herefordshire for 30 years, he used his in-depth knowledge of formulating herbal oils and balms naturally to create a unique, organic skincare range. Some of the herbs grown on the farm include Marshmallow, Calendula, Comfrey, Cornflower and Starweed, all containing wonderful properties for the skin and it's also amazing to know this brand takes the time to harvest and grow their own organic ingredients, with key herbs then selected for each product according to skin type. Just to note though, whilst many products are vegan, some contain beeswax, and there are also mild preservatives for some of the products containing water.

Herbfarmacy products are all Soil Association Certified, and I've been lucky enough to try out their Pure Hydration Serum, Just Face Cream, Skin Rescue Balm, Mallow Beauty Balm, Just Eyes cream and Wash Off Cleansing Mousse, with a couple of samples of their Working Hand Cream and Just Body Lotion generously thrown in too.

The first product I tried was the Wash-Off Cleansing Mousse* - 95g | £15.50

I couldn't wait to try this as I'd just run out of my current cleanser, and I hadn't used a mousse formula in a very long time. With 80% organic ingredients and key herbs of chamomile and marshmallow included, I knew this was going to be perfect for my skin. Fortunately I was right, and this has been an absolute pleasure to use each day! You can apply it in the evening to remove makeup, but I prefer this as a morning cleanser and to use a heavier balm-based product at night. The consistency has a fluffy, light whipped texture to it that's also creamy and conveniently comes out of a pump. The packaging is practical and sturdy, and best of all, this leaves my very sensitive skin soothed, comforted and nourished. I do have to apply a moisturiser on top after, but it provides a perfect balance for my skin, not stripping anything away, and leaving it squeaky clean and feeling refreshed.

Ingredients: Aqua, *Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), *Prunus armeniaca (Apricot kernel) oil, *Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil, *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) hybrid oil, sodium stearoyl lactylate (vegetable emulsifier), *Cera flava (beeswax), cocoamidopropyl betaine (mild vegetable surfactant), *glyceryl stearate, *glycerine, cetearyl alcohol (vegetable emulsifier), tocopherol (vitamin E oil), *Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) extract, *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, *Calendula officinalis flower extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract, *Pelargonium graveolens (Rose geranium) oil, *Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) oil, lactic acid (from sugar), phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate (Mild preservativesystem), *citonellol, *geraniol, *limonene, *linalool, *eugenol (Last 5 essential oils ingredients). * = organic Contains nut oils. Made with 80% Organic Ingredients

I quickly used up the two samples I also had, which were the Just Body Lotion and Working Hands Cream.

Just Body Lotion* - 50g | £5

The Just Body Lotion is a new addition to the site and currently comes in a travel size, and contains no essential oils or perfume. This has been a treat to apply, and something that didn't irritate my skin, felt gentle on, and certainly a product I would think about purchasing in the future.

Ingredients: Aqua, *Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), *Persea gratissima (Avocado oil), *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower oil),*glycerine, *Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose oil), sodium stearoyl lactylate, *glyceryl stearate (vegetable emulsifiers), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) extract, *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), cetyl alcohol (vegetable emulsifier), phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate (Mild preservative system), *Prunus armeniaca Apricot kernel oil), *Cera alba (beeswax), tocopherol (Vitamin E oil), lactic acid, *Calendula officinalis, *Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse chestnut), *Arctium lappa (Burdock root), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary extract). Contains nut oils * = organic

Working Hand Cream* - 100g | £15.95

I especially had some extra anguish saying goodbye to the hand cream sample, designed to repair and renew hard working hands, which has a light but silky feel to it, and left mine feeling so soft every time I used it. With essential oils of Lavender, Rosemary, May Chang and Peppermint, it also has the loveliest herbal scent.

Ingredients: Aqua, *Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower oil), *Macadamia tetraphylla (Macadamia nut oil), *Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose oil), sodium stearoyl lactylate (vegetable emulsifier), *Prunus armeniaca (Apricot kernel oil), *Stellaria media (Chickweed) extract, *glycerine, *glyceryl stearate (vegetable emulsifier), *Cera alba (Beeswax), cetyl alcohol (vegetable emulsifier), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) extract, *ethanol (ethyl alcohol), phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate (Mild preservative system), tocopherol (Vitamin E oil), lactic acid, *Symphytum sp. (Comfrey), *Calendula officinalis, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary extract), *Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender essential oil), *Mentha piperita (Peppermint essential oil), *Litsea cubeba (May chang essential oil), [Essential oil ingredients include: d-limonene, geraniol and linalool] Contains nut oils. * = organic

Just Eyes* - £16.60 | 15g

This cream is described as rejuvenating, nurturing, especially suitable for sensitive eyes, and one of the many appeals to me is the fact that it's un-fragranced. It has a light texture and seemed great for day wear with my dry skin, and when I did wear it, it absorbed quickly and worked well under makeup. The second main ingredient in the formula is Arnica, known to help with darkening around the eyes, with Cornflower also being a main ingredient in the list that works to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation. Sadly for me though, even with a stellar list of ingredients, I somehow suffered a reaction and found that I couldn't sadly continue using this! I'm trying to work out which ingredient I reacted to, as even with the purest of products I can sometimes suffer a bad reaction with my highly sensitive skin.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), *Arnica montana flower extract, *Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower) extract, sodium stearoyl lactylate (plant-based emulsifier), *glycerine, *glyceryl stearate (plant-based emulsifier), *Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose oil), *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower oil), cetyl alcohol (plant-based emulsifier), *Prunus armeniaca (Apricot kernel oil), *Macadamia ternifolia (Macdamia nut oil), *Aloe vera juice powder, Eleutherococcus sentinosus (Siberian ginseng) extract, (Green Tea) extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary extract), tocopherol (Vitamin E oil), lactic acid (from sugars), phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate (Mild preservative system). Contains nut oils. * = Organic

Just Face Cream* - £16.60 | 50g

The Face Cream is meant to deeply moisturise and replenish, again fragrance free, making a fantastic line for those with sensitive skin. The product combines different herbs and oils, with the main ones including Marshmallow, Calendula and Gingko Biloba & Rosehip. The texture again of this I would say is light and absorbs well into the skin, and I can see how it would be nice to wear during the day or at night for anyone with more oily skin. Unfortunately for me, I also had a reaction to an ingredient in this, and appeared to be having the worst luck!

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), *Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower Oil) seed oil, *Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia) seed oil, *Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) oil, sodium stearoyl lactylate (plant-based emulsifier), *glycerine, glyceryl stearate (plant-based emulsifier), *Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) kernel oil, *Rosa rubiginosa (Rosehip) seed oil, cetyl alcohol (plant-based emulsifier), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, *Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, *Calendula officinalis flower extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, tocopherol (Vitamin E), lactic acid (from sugars), phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate (Mild preservative system). Contains nut oils.* = organic.

Pure Hydration Serum* - £24.50 | 15g

Luckily success was had with this one! This light-weight, easily absorbed serum is designed to be hydrating and moisturising, and I can testify to both. The serum is quite thin and smooths onto the skin easily. It feels incredibly soothing and nourishing, providing a smooth and plump base for moisturiser. I've been wearing it during the day and really love this. Again, like many of the herbfarmacy products, I also really love the handy and practical packaging that allows you to pump out the small needed amount each time.

Ingredients: Aqua , *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, *Polygonum fagopyrum (Buckwheat herb) extract, *Rosa damascena (Damask Rose) flower water, *Citrus aurantium amara (Orange Blossom/Neroli) flower water, +glycerin, *Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) oil, glyceryl stearate (plant-based emulsifier), cetearyl alcohol (plant-based emulsifier), *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, *Helianthus annuus hybrid (high-oleic Sunflower) oil, sodium levulinate (natural fragrance), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary leaf extract) leaf extract, *Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder, glyceryl caprylate (plant-based emulsifier), biosaccharide gum-1 (humectant), Sclerotium gum (thickener), xanthan gum (thickener), sodium hyaluronate (humectant), sodium phytate (chelating agent), sodium anisate (natural fragrance), potassium sorbate (preservative), alcohol (preservative), lactic acid (pH regulator)

* = Organic + = Organic origin

Lastly I tried out the Mallow Beauty Balm and Skin Rescue Balm.

Mallow Beauty Balm* - £8.75 | 15g

I love the list of simple ingredients, which are all 100% organic, and this has been very much appreciated by my overly dry skin. The mix of gentle Sunflower seed oil with Marshmallow extract and Mullien is so lovely, gentle and one giant sigh of relief for my skin. The texture is of a balm, but also has a dreamy soft consistency to it, without any heaviness. I've actually been using this at night in place of moisturiser and really have felt the benefits. In three weeks I've had several dry patches clear up, and applied overnight it really does seem to have some wonderful effects. The scent is also very soothing and calming, a mix of Rose Geranium, Grapefruit and Ylang Ylang.

Ingredients: *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, *Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, *Cera flava (Beeswax), *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, *Calendula officinalis flower extract, *Verbascum thapsus (Mullein) extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, *Pelargonium graveolens (Rose Geranium) leaf oil, *Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) peel oil, *Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil, *linalool, *limonene, *geraniol, *eugenol (Essential oil ingredients)* = Organic

Skin Rescue Balm* - £7.75 | 15g

Again this balm is made with 100% organic ingredients, with a simpler formulation that includes sunflower seed oil as the main ingredient and also includes Marshmallow, Calendula, Chickweed and Comfrey, with calming essential oils of Roman Chamomile, Lavender and Helychrysum. Again my skin loved this, with the balm used to soothe and protect sensitive and problem skin, or areas in need of a boost. This is a slightly heavier balm, and I use this sparingly on patches of eczema or any rough areas that either are inflamed or quite rough.

Ingredients:*Helianthus annuus (Sunflower oil), *Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba oil), *Cera flava (Beeswax), *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) extract, *Symphytum sp (Comfrey) extract, *Calendula officinalis (Calendula) extract, *Stellaria media (Chickweed) extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, *Anthemis nobilis (Roman Chamomile) oil, *Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) oil, *Helychrysum angustifolium (Helychrysum) oil, *linalool, *limonene, *farnesol, *geraniol, *eugenol (Last 5 essential oil ingredients) * = Organic

For both pots, you really receive such a generous amount for the price, and if you don't have ultra-dry skin like myself, then I can see both lasting a very long time.

I've loved trialling this gorgeous range and couldn't be happier with the results. Whilst unfortunately I did have a small reaction to a couple of products, I'm putting this down to bad luck and really do think what I've tried is great for those with sensitive skin like myself, as well as for other skin-types too. I think the price point is also very good for the quality and amount you receive with each product, and whilst I'm stocked up for now I can't wait to return and sample more herbfarmacy products in the future.

You can find all the products mentioned here on the herbfarmacy website, where you can also purchase sample sizes to trial the products and find out more about the brand.

*PR Sample

A Slight Tea Addiction #2

2015-02-11T19:43:00.001+00:00

My tea cupboard situation is getting ridiculous. When I open the door, I often find myself bracing for impact from a mini avalanche of boxes...although that can often be put down to laziness when putting them away I will admit. As you can tell from the picture, I'm a huge herbal tea addict. Not only are they a calming and relaxing aid, but also often contain beneficial properties for both overall health and skin health. So here's the second official round of my current tea addiction...

My favourites at the moment are coming heavily from Yogi Tea, which I buy at my local health shop, replacing the many Pukka varieties I'd stocked up on before. They have an over whelminging great selection which is affordably priced. I'm especially loving their Calming mix, a blend of Camomile - for relaxing the mind, Lemongrass & Gotu Kola - used to support the nervous system, as well as organic Lavender Flower & Liquorice. I'm also loving their Classic Cinnamon Spice, a great warming treat to have on a cold night. I'm also drinking pure organic Camomile tea from Heath & Heather almost every evening to help with sleep, and I find this really does have a natural sedative quality. Along the same theme, I've found more 'calming tea', this time from Marks & Spencers in the most adorable packaging containing a blend of Camomile, Lime Flowers & Lavender. The mix is soothing and has a hint of sweetness that I love. Lastly I picked up a couple of fruity blends from Twinings that I'll often have in the morning, and can't get enough of their Mango & Cinnamon variety at the moment.

I think I'll stop there before I bore anyone into a tea-induced coma, but if you do like discovering new tea brands or hearing about what I'm currently sipping-on, let me know and I'll probably update these posts occasionally :)

OneSelf Hawaiian Flower Lei Perfume Collection Review

2015-02-10T11:33:00.003+00:00

Today I'm reviewing the much buzzed about organic Hawaiian Flower Lei perfume collection* from OneSelf. Capi, the brand owner, got in touch with me a little while ago asking if I'd like to review this lovely set, and of course I couldn't wait.

The collection comes in beautiful packaging, in a lovely designed box made from sustainable materials, printed with soy ink, and I also received a very sweet hand-written note from Capi herself, along with a little more about the brand.

OneSelf perfumes are made are made with flowers all native to Hawaii, which came about as Capi herself has trained in Naturopathy and herbal medicine, beginning a journey to research and find the purest ingredients to include in her luxury organic line. Inspired by her sister's wedding, Capi then worked with a local Hawaiian perfumer to create the handmade Hawaiian Flower Lei perfumes.

The collection is really just pure luxury, and the price does reflect that at $79.95. That might deter some, but the products have been some of the loveliest I've had the pleasure to try. You receive a perfume oil (10ml) and balm (7ml), which both come in glass packaging with beautiful decorations printed on them. The ingredients are made up of Hawaiian Gardenia, Frangipani, Tuberose and certified organic Hawaiian Coconut Oil, all of which come from sustainable farming on the big island.

The scent is a sophisticated floral blend, and not usually something I would have opted for initially, but a scent I now can't get enough of. During the day I'll apply a bit of the balm which feels luxuriously soft on the skin, and in the evenings I've been applying the oil which lasts all night. The fragrance can seem a touch overpowering at first, but soon enough becomes a delicate and calming mix that's lovely to wear and has many layers to it.

I'm so glad I got a chance to try the collection out which has been such an indulgent treat to add into my daily routine. Everything about the brand has a high quality feel to it that takes into account all the work Capi has put into making the brand and line something that is handmade, organic, with locally sourced ingredients all thoughtfully created into something truly unique.

You can purchase the collection and view the range here.

*PR Sample

Food, Glorious Food - Recent Finds and Brand Discoveries

2015-02-08T18:54:00.002+00:00

Whilst I'm not going to state I'm ultra-healthy (or, well any where near it), I've taken strides to be a little more conscious about what's going into my body these past few months, whilst also making the journey towards being a fully-fledged vegan, one step at a time. Along the way I've come across amazingly tasty products and alternatives to main stream items from some great brands in the ever-expanding natural market. Here's a little peek into some of my most recent discoveries and current food addictions...

If you were a cheese addict *raises hand* before, and are now trying to cut out dairy, then Nutritional Yeast is your new best friend. Ok, it might take a little bit of adjusting to at first, but I've been using Marigold's version recently which has a distinctly nutty, cheesy flavour and also has a good helping of vitamin B12. I've sprinkled it over potatoes when roasting them as well as mixing it in a sauce to make a vegan béchamel. My other cheese discoveries (whilst not pictured) have come from Violife, i.e. the best fake cheese brand out there. Having a soy allergy makes life a little ridiculous when it comes to finding fake meat and cheese that don't contain it, so their products were not only a wonderful discovery, but also very close to the real thing in terms of texture and taste.

Other regular cupboard additions include Biona's Coconut Oil and Cocobella Chocolate Coconut Butter. The first I mainly use for cooking and roasting veg, and the latter is addictive spread onto toast, made just from coconut, cocao powder and coconut blossom nectar - this, I've thought also might be good heated and drizzled onto pancakes, something to try next!

In the morning if I have porridge or muesli then I'll usually sprinkle a little of Lindwoods Milled Flaxseed with Biocultures and Vitamin D. It doesn't taste of much to me, but it's a great and easy way to get in some extra omega-3 and nutrients. I've also had this bag for about 6 months and it seems to refuse to go down, so a pretty good bargain for the price as well. Along with this, I've also been using Sun and Seed's Organic Chia Seeds with breakfast, although I'm not loving them as much as other people seem to, so I'll be experimenting a little more with the best way to use them.

My most recent find has come from Tru Ra, with my flatmate gifting me two of their products for my birthday, which include their Drinking Chocolate and Sweet Nibs. Both are cold-pressed, organic and of course vegan. The cacao nibs are delicious, rich and bitter with a crunchy texture, perfect to munch on, and I'll be trying them sprinkled onto some banana nice cream soon. I'm now sadly almost out of the hot chocolate powder, which I pretty much have used every evening mixed into some rice milk with a heaping spoonful of date syrup - the best indulgent evening treat.

I also recently came across this vegan brand above, Sprout Into Life, and my friend ordered a few items from them, including their Brown Bread Mix and Wrap Mix, with instructions found inside and all the ingredients you need to make fresh bread at home, which I'll report back on soon. They also sell scone and pizza base mixes, all very tempting!

Are there any food items you can't get enough of or brands you've recently discovered?

15 Brands To Try in 2015

2015-02-06T18:39:00.001+00:00

For several months now I've been oohing and ahhing over so many tempting brands and products I've spied on other blogs and in reviews, and as I haven't done a wish list in quite a while I thought it provided the perfect opportunity to share my top 15 brands and products I'm aiming to try out this year.

As quite a few of these are American brands I can't say with shipping costs and all that trying every single one is going to be a realistic goal, but a girl can dream right?

1/4 - May Lindstrom

With a line of the most luxurious products and so many rave reviews, I've been eyeing up many items for a while now, with both the Honey Mud Gentle Cleansing Silk, and the Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm Concentrate on my wish list.

2 - Kiss The Moon

I most recently spotted this over on Fragmented Splendour, where I came across the Dream After Dark Body Oil. Besides the utterly gorgeous and sleek packaging, the products also sound like pure indulgence, which were created for a peaceful night's sleep, with soothing ingredients and signature blends. There's both a bath oil and facial oil range.

3 - Shay and Blue

I'm a big fragrance person, but I've recently realised that I haven't purchased a perfume in almost two years. That thought and the feature of Shay and Blue products over on Beauty Balm has tempted me to no end, with a vast range of gorgeous sounding fragrances, including Salted Caramel, Watermelon and Blood Orange. The range is also fairly priced, with samples available for just £5 each... and, yup I'll be purchasing one of these very soon!

5 - Therapi

This brand is centred around using natural and organic ingredients with the addition of honey, with 5% of profits going to bee conservations projects. I particularly want to try their Honey Gel Cleanser and and Organic Moisturiser from the Rose Otto range.

6 - Caralis

I recently came across this brand and their Triple Oat Cream from a review on Sugarpuffish. I'm always on the lookout for soothing products to calm my irritable skin and I can't think of anything that sounds better than this to try out next. Various forms of oats are used specially in certain products to help eczema conditions, together with cold-pressed oils, butters, essential oils, plant extracts and flower absolutes.

7 - Gressa

The Gressa Minimalist Foundation is something I've only read good things about, and also sounds perfect as a summertime buy. Although a little pricey, the Foundation is packed with carefully selected botanical extracts making it a 'multivitamin for your face', made with wildcrafted, organic and sustainable ingredients. Sounds pretty good to me.

8 - Josh Rosebrook

I hadn't heard of this lovely brand until about a month ago, and now keep spying his products everywhere. The two that I would love to sample this year would be the Cacao Anti-Oxidant Mask and Hydrating Accelerator.

9 - Being

This brand makes small batches of handcrafted, organic and vegan bath and body products, designed to be nutrient rich. Their Release Bath Milk is filled with coconut milk, rose petals, rose absolute and sandalwood essential oil. Their overall selection of bath products looks addicting, but that one in particular I can't wait to try out.

10 - Skin and Tonic

This London brand has the sweetest labels and packaging coupled with some lovely looking, unique products. There are full size products as well as samples on offer, with the Calm Balm and Steam Clean calling my name.

11 - Antonia Burrell

I most recently came across this after seeing several reviews for the New Mask Supreme 7-in-1 which is meant to be a powerful pot full of ingredients to treat the skin to produce brighter, smoother and healthier looking skin. It's more on the high-end side of things, but just reading the description of each product gives me more of a longing to try each one out.

12 - Lyonsleaf

Ok, so I may have already tried and discovered this amazing brand in 2014, but I won't be stopping there and plan on pretty much trying out the rest of the range this year, after falling in love with the Calendula Healing Balm which was a life-saver for my eczema.

13 - Little Barn Apocathery

There might be a pattern here with me being drawn to brands with gorgeously sweet packaging, and Little Barn Apocathery caught my attention right away with their hand-crafted, simple appeal. I do want really everything in the collection, but might limit myself to a couple of scrubs and a little something from the facial collection. Well, we'll see haha.

14 - Botanicals

There's such a wide selection of products to choose from this company, with a few even winning at the Free From Skincare Awards, such as the Moisturising Balm and Body Polish. The balms and oils appeal to me most this time of year, with simple, natural hydrating ingredients included.

15 - Andalou Naturals

With this brand, I've been swooning over their Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk for Dry/Sensitive skin, but the whole range of natural products looks fantastic.

What's on your wish list for 2015?

Vapour Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation Review

2015-01-27T11:29:00.000+00:00

Up until a few months ago I'd been trialling Vapour makeup products through samples and loving each one. So I decided to finally take the plunge, saved up a little, and bought my first full-size Vapour product - the Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation.

Vapour products can be pretty pricey, and this one in particular was £43 - not a purchase I would usually make, but judging from the sample I tested it seemed like worth saving up and worth the purchase... and I also told myself this would be a 'special occasion' product.

The foundation is supposed to provide a more even complexion as well as achieving the look of radiant, healthy skin. It's suitable for all skin types, and gives a soft, satin finish. With Vapour's light reflective technology, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores are also supposed to appear diminished. The product is made from all natural ingredients, with 70% of those being organic, including pumpkin and papaya extract, and 30% natural mineral pigments to produce the colour, of which there are a good 12 shades to choose from. (I purchased mine in the shade 100 - the 2nd lightest in the range for my very fair skin, which it perfectly suited).

Well, I've just finished the bottle which took me a little over three months and as you might have guessed I couldn't quite keep to my initial compromise of it being used for special occasions. The foundation has been lovely to use and overall I've regarded it as something that really has helped give my skin a boost and just look much healthier. Importantly for me, it doesn't cling to any dry patches, and goes on well, blending in a dream. You also only need to use a little of this to get a nice effect, and I would say it has a good medium coverage, enough to cover up marks and redness or uneven skin tone. The finished look is dewy and always seems to make my skin glow. I can't speak as much for wrinkles, but I can say I definitely see a reduction in the look of pores whilst wearing this, and overall it's something that is lovely to wear for those evenings out where you want to achieve a flawless look or really a great product for any bad skin days. For me, it's been hard to stick to that and I couldn't help but use this nearly everyday! It's something I'm sure I'll come back to in the future, but for now I might return to something a little more budget-friendly.

You can purchase Vapour Soft Focus Foundation from the Vapour website, or from UK stockists, such as Being Content. 34ml - £43 | $50

Have you tried any Vapour products before?

Back To A Brand Favourite - Dessert Essence

2015-01-24T12:34:00.002+00:00

Since I first laid eyes on Desert Essence I've definitely become a fan, with this natural American brand being both affordable and their products always seeming to have a high quality feel to them. For some reason I get a longing to return to the brand in winter, probably due to the indulgent scents, and so recently stocked up on their Vanilla Chai Body Wash, Coconut & Lime Body Lotion, and Ginger & Green Apple Shampoo.

Spicy Vanilla Chai Body Wash - 237ml | $8.99/£7.49 (UK link)

I've talked about this product before in an earlier post, as well as recently in my winter essentials. It's truly a perfect one for colder weather, with an addictive scent of vanilla mixed with warming spices that easily makes you want to jump into the shower each morning. The formula suds up well and feels gentle and soothing on the skin, always leaving mine soft and comfortable.

Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf (aloe vera) juice*, camellia sinensis (black tea) leaf extract*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, SD alcohol 38-B*, glycerin (palm), hydrolyzed jojoba esters, jojoba esters, stearic acid (coconut), cetyl alcohol (coconut), leuconostoc radish root ferment filtrate, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, natural fragrance/flavor (parfum/aroma), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, vanilla planifolia fruit extract*, tocopherol (vitamin E), lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, eugenia caryophyllata (clovebud) oil, xanthan gum, sodium phytate, water (aqua) *Certified organic

Coconut & Lime Body Lotion - 237ml | $8.99/£7.49 (UK link)

I recently decided to also purchase the Coconut & Lime Body Lotion after coming across this in my local health store and not being able to resist the scent, which is as good as it sounds. There are rich notes of coconut and more subtle hints of fruity lime, combined into a heavily tropical scent. The lotion itself however is a little on the light side for me at the moment, and probably a product more suited to the summer as I tend to need a richer and more intense formula in the colder months for my dry skin. I've also had a small issue with it sometimes irritating my eczema, and I have wondered if this might be down to the amount of lime extract high up in the ingredients list or the bit of organic alcohol included, both which might prove to be irritable. The fragrance is also not clearly stated, but is listed as the ever daunting 'Parfum', which could contain a number of things, and I've found it a struggle to find out whether the fragrances are 100% natural or not, with the brand being fairly vague about this on their site.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera) Juice*, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, SD Alcohol 38-B*, Glycerin (Palm), Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Stearic Acid (Coconut), Cetyl Alcohol (Coconut), Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Natural Fragrance/Flavor (Parfum/Aroma), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Water (Aqua) * Certified Organic

Green Apple & Ginger Shampoo - 237ml | £7.49 (UK Link)

After running out recently, I opted for this Desert Essence shampoo after again coming across the range in a health shop. This is specifically for fine hair and promises to add volume and shine, as well as help strengthen. I've used it a few times now, but almost gave up on the first try after my hair was left feeling a bit worse for wear, with tangles and knots, however after persevering and trying the 'two shampoo' method often required with natural brands, I did get a much better result. My locks definitely looked healthier and felt softer after the second time, although I can't speak so much for the volume. The scent is again lovely, with rich notes of apple mainly coming through which makes the product a pleasure to use. Whilst I haven't experienced any irritation with my sensitive skin, there is Sodium Coco-Sulfate listed in the ingredients which helps to 'foam up' the shampoo, but might be a toss-up for some in buying the product. There is otherwise a good list of ingredients included, with Aloe Vera being the first and main ingredient as with most of the Desert Essence line, as well as Pro-Vitamin B5, known to help with building strength.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract*, Coco-Glucoside (Coconut/Sugar), Sodium Coco-Sulfate (Coconut), Lauryl Glucoside (Coconut/Sugar), Decyl Glucoside (Coconut/Sugar), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin (Palm)*, Natural Fragrance/ Flavor (Parfum/Aroma), Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract*, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract (Maca Root)*, Yucca Brevifolia Root Extract (Yucca Cactus)*, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (Comfrey)*, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract*, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract (Sea Kelp)*, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract*, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate

Whilst I do refer in the title of the post as coming back to 'brand favourite', it's been a bit of a toss-up for me as to whether I want to keep purchasing Desert Essence products, especially after the irritation caused with the body lotion. It's been a great budget introduction brand for myself as a green beauty newbie a while back, but it's probably a brand I'll be using less of in the future in an effort to move towards products with overall cleaner ingredient lists and formulations.

You can purchase Desert Essence from their site or from a number of online UK stockists such as Nature's Health Box, with a varied price point dependant on the site, with many health shops and larger chains such as Whole Foods and Planet Organic also carrying the range.

Living Nature Extra Hydrating Toning Gel Review

2015-01-21T22:58:00.004+00:00

A few months back I was sent the Extra Hydrating Toning Gel* by Living Nature. I've liked my previous tries from this brand, so was excited to give this a go, especially with 'extra hydrating' in the title.

Living Nature is described as New Zealand's 'original natural skincare company', founded in 1987 by Suzanne Hall, who was inspired by the healing powers of native plants to make her own remedies. Today the brand has largely expanded, and now export their certified natural skincare to 14 countries, including luckily the UK. The Living Nature Toning Gel comes in two forms, one for Oily/Blemish-prone skin, the Hydrating Toning Gel, and one for normal to dry/mature skin, the Extra Hydrating Toning Gel. I, of course, opted for the latter, with my skin always being on the dry side. Having only ever used hydrosol toners before that feel very light on the skin and often come in spray bottles, I was really intrigued to try out the product, which upon opening seemed to have a half gel/half cream consistency. It's designed to soothe, calm and restore the skin's PH balance, which is always something I look for given that my skin can easily react, and I often see this as a toner's job. Importantly this product does not contain alcohol, so won't strip the skin, but is actually meant to help repair dehydration by drawing moisture in with ingredients such as Manuka Honey, Shea Butter and Flax Gel.

Having used this for quite some time now, I can safely say that I'm impressed. The first thing I noticed when I started applying the gel was the cooling effect it had. With all the rubbing and scrubbing taking off makeup can involve, it's been a welcome addition after cleansing to soothe and calm any redness or irritation. I've also seen a difference in terms of the toner helping to retain moisture, rather than stripping off the good work of my cleansing balm that I've found other toners can do. It also gives a nice clean, soft and plumped feeling after each use, making a great base to apply a good moisturiser on top of. It's overall a light and soothing product, one that helps to keep your skin in check and great to ensure thoroughly cleansed skin that feels comfortable. I now use this every evening and it's been lasting me quite a while, but I would point out that the price is a little on the high-end side of the market, but still a product I really would recommend giving a go.

You can purchase the Extra Hydrating Toning Gel from Living Nature or Botanical Brands for UK customers. $43 | £29 - 100ml

Have you tried this or any Living Nature products?

Ingredients: Aqua (water), Glycerin (vegetable glycerine), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil**, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter**, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl palmitate, Sorbitan palmitate, Sorbitan olivate, Galactoarabinan, Sclerotium gum, Glucose, Mel (manuka honey), Phormium tenax leaf juice (NZ flax gel), Parfum (fragrance)*, Olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, Glucose oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) oil. *From natural essential oils: Limonene, Linalool. **Certified organic.

*PR Sample

The Winter Essentials

2015-01-19T19:56:00.001+00:00

This winter hasn't been too kind to my skin so far, and as per usual I've taken this time of the year to stock up on all things balms, butters and oils. I've been returning to a few of my favourite products, as well as trying out several brands for the first time and some of their highly recommended items, leaving me with a now tried and tested assortment of essentials which have seen me through these last couple of months.

1 | Desert Essence Vanilla Chai Body Wash (link)
I usually return annually to this one, and there's a good reason why, with an indulgent scent and
warming mix of sweet and spicy notes. It feels lovely on when washing with it as the formula
gently suds up and is chocked full of natural, nourishing ingredients that leaves my skin soft and
smooth.
Full Review

2 | NEOM Christmas Wish Candle (link)*
I've been rotating a few different candles this winter, but the scent of NEOM's Christmas Wish has
to be a hands-down favourite for me. The mix of Mandarin, Tonka Bean and Cinnamon fills the
room with warm and comforting notes that has been perfect for cozy nights in. The gorgeous
packaging is also a bonus, which makes it a lovely addition to have in the home.
Full Review

3 | Conscious Skincare Rosewood, Cedarwood & Grapefruit Bath Soak (link)*
If like me, winter equals baths, then this is one product you have to try. The uplifting and relaxing
scent makes for a stress-reducing soak that also leaves my skin hydrated and silky soft.
Full Review

4 | Naked Hydrating Skin Balm (link)
I received this balm in the December Souk Souk box and I'm so glad to have come across and
now tried this brand. Filled with rich oils, beeswax and essential oils of Sweet Orange and
Frankincense, it not only smells wonderful, but the buttery smooth texture is so lovely to apply.
I've been using it for eczema, for dry patches of skin and as an intense moisturiser for my hands
before bed. It's such a great multi-tasker and a great little pot to have on hand if you're forever
needing a rich, hydrating balm in the cold weather like me.

5 | The Earth Works Regenerating Face Balm (link)
Simply put this rich balm has been an amazing addition to my evening skincare routine and a life-
saver for my dry skin. I've been using it in combination with a couple of different face oils, which
together have helped nourish my skin overnight, leaving me with soft, hydrated skin and a much
perkier complexion in the morning.
Full Review

6 | Lyonsleaf Healing Calendula Cream (link)
I recently did a review for the full size product of this, but also luckily have had a handy sample
I've been carrying around in my bag. These last couple of months have unfortunately flared up my
eczema quite badly, especially on my hands, but this has really helped to soothe, comfort and
slowly heal the affected areas. With constant application I always see an improvement and now
have to have this around.
Full Review

7 | Organic Essence Whipped Shea Butter Vanilla & Coconut Body Cream (link)

I've almost finished this pot and it's been one of those products that you discover and then

practically have to hold back the tears when you attempt to scrape out the last few bits. This has to

now be not just one of my favourite winter products, but an overall favourite body cream that I'll
be coming back to time and time again. A whiff of this stuff is amazing, with prominent vanilla
and coconut notes, combined into a heavenly ice-cream like scent. The first ingredient is Shea
Butter, which gives it a soft and fluffy consistency, which is also equally nourishing and hydrating.
I'll now be purchasing this again and will do a full review soon after.

8 | Neal's Yard Remedies To Roll in Relaxation (link)
I've had this for such a long time and it's forever in my bag for those stressful everyday moments,
filled with a calming and grounding mix of essentials oils. Recently I've been reaching for it more
frequently, dabbing a little on my wrists and sometimes on my temples before bed, even as an
aid for yoga.

9 | Angela Langford Clean Sweep Luxury Chamomile Cleansing Balm (link)*
I couldn't be happier with this balm, and mentioned it in a full review only a couple of days ago
alongside some other lovely Angela Langford products. I've used it every evening to take off my
makeup for a couple of months and each time have been left with smooth, soft skin that feels
plumped after. The rich balm sinks into my skin and coupled with a warm muslim cloth to get rid
of the days dirt and grime, I feel like a have a mini facial each time. It's been such a great product
for me and one that I've been glad to have discovered.
Full Review

What have been your favourite products so far this winter?

*PR Sample/Gifted Item

Angela Langford Skincare Review

2015-01-17T15:00:00.001+00:00

Way back in May, Ria from Naturia Beauty held an amazing giveaway to celebrate one year of blogging, and I was stunned to find out that I'd won a prize of Angela Langford goodies! I'd never tried the brand before, but having heard lots of good things I was so excited to get to sample a few things from the range.

Angela Langford is a natural and organic skincare brand, with the products hand-made in small batches by Angela herself in Somerset. The products have been formulated with individual skin types and needs in mind, and as I have very sensitive and eczema-prone skin, Angela was lovely and accommodating in getting in touch with me to discuss exactly what products would suit me. After a couple of emails back and forth we settled on the Clean Sweep Luxury Cleansing Balm, Freshen Up Toner and Radiance Restoring Face Oil, and I also generously received an Organic Muslin Face Cloth.

The products came in the most beautifully wrapped packaging with a personal note from Angela, making it all a lovely and personalised experience.

Clean Sweep Luxury Chamomile Cleansing Balm - £21.50 | 100ml

I decided to save the Clean Sweep Luxury Chamomile Cleansing Balm for the winter months as it sounded like my skin might be in good need of it then! It's gentle enough for sensitive skin, but is designed for all skin types except oily. The balm has a soft, rich and creamy consistency with a faint sweet and herbal calming scent. I've used this every night now for the past few months to remove makeup and I honestly can say that I couldn't have been without it this winter. Not only does it do a perfect job at easily getting rid of the day's dirt and grime, but it even removes stubborn eye makeup with ease. My skin is left soft to the touch, soothed, and feeling firm and nourished, with no greasy residue or heavy feeling left afterwards. This is such a treat to use in the evening, and has even meant that I have some motivation to power through the evening skincare routine when I'm feeling lazy. It feels like a luxury treat and one that I absolutely love!

Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus* (Sweet Almond), Carthamus Tinctorius* (Thistle), Simmondsia Chinensis* (Jojoba), Butyrospermum Parkii* (Shea Butter), Ricinus Communis* (Castor), Theobrama Cacao* (Cocoa Butter), Prunus Armeniaca* (Apricot Kernel), Tocopherol Acetate, Glycine Soya Oil, Helianthuus Annuus Seed Oil (Natural Vitamin E), Cera Alba* (Beeswax), Citrus Limonum (Lemon), Chamaemelum Nobile* (Chamomile), Cupressus Sempiverens* (Cypress), Eucalyptus Globules* (Eucalyptus).

Freshen Up Rose, Geranium & Orange Blossom Toner - £10.50 | 100ml

The Freshen Up Rose, Geranium and Orange Blossom Toner is a product I've also been using non-stop, mainly after using the Cleansing Balm. It's suitable for all skin types and helps to remove the last traces of cleanser and dirt, to leave skin feeling fresh and ready for moisturiser/serum. This is the perfect partner to the balm as it easily and gently wipes away anything left over, whilst soothing the skin. Most importantly for me is that fact that my skin is left comfortable, and with this product I had no tight or tingling sensations afterwards. I use it by spritzing a little onto cotton wool and then applying softly over the skin. The scent is an uplifting and invigorating blend, which has citrus notes at the forefront, and really makes the toner a pleasure to use. It's been lasting me a fair while and I still have over a quarter of the bottle left after using it for about around 4 or 5 months now. The only thing I would point out though it that I was a little hesitant with the ingredients list initially as there's a fair amount of essential oils included, as well as a mild preservative, that I thought together might irritate my skin. However I've not experienced any sensitivity whatsoever and in fact my skin seemed to be calmer after each use.

Ingredients: Rosa X Damascene* (Rose Water), Pelargonium Roseum Will* (Geranium Water), Citrus Aurantium* (Neroli Water), Aloe Barbadensis*(Aloe Vera), Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerine*, Symphytum Officinalis*(Comfrey Glycerol Extract), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin (Gentle preservative) Essential oils: Boswellia SP* (Frankincense Oil), Citrus Aurantium* (Neroli Oil), Aniba Roseodora* (Rosewood Oil), Citrus Reticulata* (Mandarin Oil), Cymbopogon Martini* (Palmarosa Oil), Aniba Roseodora* (Rosewood Oil), Rosa Damascene (Rose Oil), Santalum (Sandalwood Oil), Piper Nigrum *(Black Pepper Oil), Daucus Carrota *(Carrot Seed Oil), Commiphora Myrrha *(Myrrh Oil).

Bloom & Glow Radiance Restoring Face Oil - £22.50 | 25ml

Lastly, I've also had the pleasure of using this face oil for the last few months as another addition to my winter evening skincare routine, rotating this with other oils, including my Green People recent try. The Bloom & Glow oil is concentrated with some amazing ingredients including Rosehip, Camomile and Seabuckthorn Oil, all of which have been miracle workers for me in treating my dry and sensitive skin in the past. The oil is touted as helping to improve skin's elasticity, restoring radiance and giving a healthy glow to the skin. With consistent use I do feel like my complexion has shown an improvement in terms of looking a bit brighter and perkier, and in general it's definitely given my skin a much needed boost, and goes perfectly well with the other two products. It isn't too heavy and also absorbs fairly quickly, so I can see it also being a perfect winter product for those who have normal/oily skin types too.

Ingredients: Rosa rubginosa*(Rosehip) oil, Oenothera biennis* (Evening Primrose) Oil, Salvia hispanica* (Chia Seed) oil, Simmondsia chinensis* (Jojoba) oil, Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E), Coenzyme Q10, dl-alpha-tocopherol, alkyl (C12-15) benzoate (Q10+Vitamin E), Hippophae rhamnoides* (Sea Buckthorn Extract), Bisabolol ( Natural Active Bisabolol from Chamomile), Citrus aurantium* (Neroli) oil, Pelargonium graveolens* (Rose Geranium) oil.

My first experience using Angela Langford products has been such a positive one, and I really have to thank Ria again! :) Everything I've tried has not only perfectly suited my skin, but also helped perk up my complexion after looking a little lacklustre in the past couple of months, as well as doing a great job at nourishing and replenishing my dry skin, especially with the Cleansing balm, which has been the star product for me.

You can find all the products mentioned here and more on the Angela Langford website.

The Earth Works Cosmetics Review

2015-01-14T23:31:00.003+00:00

The Earth Works Cosmetics is a brand I've wanted to try for quite some time after seeing so many positive reviews and after browsing their range of indulgent and tempting looking products. A little while ago I finally caved in and bought three items to help see my skin through the winter months.

The Earth Works products are all natural, vegan and are also designed to be affordable, whilst not compromising on quality.

I've seen lots of other green bloggers talk about their Regenerating Face Balm and the lovely results, so that was my first port of call. Once that was firmly in the online shopping basket I was also in need of a good body oil and body butter. I settled on the Lavender & Sweet Orange scent for body oil, which sounded like the perfect combination to me, as well as the Lemon & Geranium Body Melt, which I'd also heard a lot about.

Regenerating Face Balm - £15.50 | 45g

When I bought this a couple of months ago the weather was becoming chilly and miserable here in England, and my skin was starting to noticeably feel it. I was getting some eczema flare-ups, as well as general dry skin and flakiness, so a good face balm to combat this for this time of year is always an essential for me. With the product being described as rich, smooth and hydrating, as well as perfectly suited to dry and sensitive complexions, it pretty much sounded ideal! I've now been using this most nights with my evening skincare routine and I've really felt some benefits. The balm just sinks easily into my skin and absorbs well, even though it can seem a little heavy at first. The texture is a little grainy, but soon becomes smooth once I warm it up between my hands, and once on I have to try and not continually touch my face as it just leaves such a silky smooth and soft feeling! The best part is waking up in the morning and feeling like the product got to work and did some healing and restorative magic over night, with a much perkier and hydrated complexion as a result for me, due to the star list of ingredients including Shea Butter, Rosehip and Borage oil. Whilst the description says to use the balm when your skin needs a little extra TLC, I've been pretty gung-ho with this pot and use it mostly every night to soothe and combat my dry skin. With that said, I'm still only half way through it as only a very little amount goes a long way. This is definitely now a staple for me at the moment, and I think it'll also be a product I'll keep coming back to regularly in the colder weather.

Ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), Rosa canina (Rosehip seed oil), Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond oil), Borago officinalis (Borage oil), Simmondsia chinensis cera (Jojoba wax), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba oil), Tocopherol (Natural vitamin E), Citrus Senensis (Sweet orang essential oil), Pogostemum Patchouli (Patchouli essential oil), Styrax benzoin (Benzoin resin), Canaga odorata (Ylang ylang essential oil), Salvia sclarea (Clary sage essential oil), Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl cinnamate, Geraniol, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Farnesol (allergens naturally occurring in essential oils)

Lemon & Geranium Body Melt - 80g | £12.50

You'll have to excuse the photo above, as you can see I got through the product so quick that I forgot to take a 'before' picture! You might just have to take my word that the texture of this light and creamy Body Melt is a pleasure to use. Scooping out a little feels like a real treat, and it also easily smooths onto the skin, leaving it again feeling soft and nourished. The Earth Works products really have a pampering and indulgent feel to them, made even better by the luxurious combination of scents. In this case I wasn't sure that Lemon & Geranium would work, but I couldn't stop using this after falling in love with the calming floral notes mixed with hints of refreshing citrus. It's again something I've enjoyed applying at night as it's not a product I could easily use and then rush out the door with in the morning, but great to apply before bed. The formula is filled simply with rich butters and oils that include Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Macadamia Butter and Sweet Almond Oil. Now that I've used this up I have my eye on the Virgin Coconut & Lime Body Butter!

Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond oil), Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia butter), Theobroma cacao (Cocoa butter), Borago officinalis (Borage oil), Tocopherol (Natural vitamin E), Citrus medica limonum (Lemon essential oil), Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium essential oil), Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood essential oil), Canaga odorata (Ylang ylang essential oil), Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Benzyl benzoate, Farnesol (allergens naturally occurring in essential oils)

Lavender & Sweet Orange Body Oil - £9.50 | 80g

Lastly I tried out the body oil in Lavender, which is just as lovely of a product as the other two, and I can't really do much else than sing its praises. Made purely with Sweet Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E, as well as essential oils, my skin drinks this up. I've been applying it generously to my dry skin in the evening, combined with the Body Melt, and it's significantly helped heal some dry patches and overall been great at nourishing and hydrating my skin, whilst not causing any irritation to sensitive areas. The scent is again lovely and the price of all are great for the quality and amount you receive, with beautifully designed as well as sturdy packaging and well thought-out formulas. I've really appreciated the packaging with this product especially as I'm not a fan generally of open bottles with screw tops for body oil that tend to end up going everywhere. Instead this secure pump makes it easy to use, and it's also great for travelling without having to worry about any spillage

Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond oil), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa butter), Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Citrus medica limonum (Lemon essential oil), Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium essential oil), Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood essential oil), Canaga odorata (Ylang ylang essential oil), Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Benzyl benzoate, Farnesol (allergens naturally occurring in essential oils)

If you're one for indulgent scents and pampering products then I think Earth Works Cosmetics will be right for you. For the price, they're certainly an affordable range with a heap of impressive ingredients included, making the products well worth a try, especially to perk up and nourish your skin in the dreary winter weather.

All the products mentioned can be found on the Earth Works Cosmetics website, with delivery available to the UK.

3 Natural Deodorants: Tried & Tested

2015-01-13T11:17:00.001+00:00

Since switching to green products, deodorants have been the bain of my beauty buys. I've struggled to find one that works effectively and is pleasant to use. But for me, using a natural deodorant is important and something I've talked about before in an earlier post. To sum up, the average deodorant contains some typically nasty chemicals, including Aluminium, Phthalates & Triclosan - that not only block pores, but are also linked to health issues and a wide variety of side effects. Using a product with natural ingredients is not only important because this is what our body will absorb through the skin, but also because we need to allow this area to breath. Over the past few months I've been trialling three deodorants from some great natural brands.

Schmidt's Natural Lavender & Sage Deodorant - $9 - 2oz | £12.50

I got a sample of this product a little while back and have been using it non-stop since. The scent is full of calming lavender notes, which I personally love and makes a change from the typical deodorant smell. Schmidt's do also have a wide range of other scents, including fragrance free. The texture is interesting and something I had to get use to at first, with a creamy consistency that's also a little powdery and can fall apart slightly when scooping out of the pot. You soon get used to it though and it's really very easy to apply. The formula is simple, all-natural as well as vegan, with the main ingredient being Shea Butter that feels nourishing and gentle on, and has also been designed to contain antiseptic and anti-oxidant properties. For me, I love using this now and the little pot also makes it handy for travel. When I have this on, even with sport, I never have a problem with it wearing off or being less effective, and it really seems to last well throughout the day.

Ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), Maranta arundinacea (arrowroot) powder, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, Salvia sclarea (clary sage) essential oil, Lavandula (lavender) essential oil, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Humulus lupulus (hop) extract

Schmidt's deodorants can be bought on their website or from A Beautiful World for UK customers.

Primal Pit Paste in Orange Creamsicle - $8.95 | 2oz

Primal Pit has been a much blogged about brand, and something I really wanted to try. Similar to Schmidts, it comes in a jar with a creamy formula that is all natural and filled with simple ingredients, scented with organic essential oils, and both also use baking soda to gently neutralise odour. For both, I used a pea sized amount and this goes a long way with a 2oz pot! What definitely attracted me to Primal Pit was the scents in the range that include Lemonade, Jasmine, Unscented and my pick - Orange Creamsicle. This is actually one of their 'kid scents' haha, but has the same strength formula as the rest. This is a product I've also enjoyed using and one that is lovely to apply due to the creamy and moisturising texture and amazing citrus-vanilla scent! It's again one I've been reaching for daily, but not one I would recommend for sports or when you're having a more active day as it hasn't been as effective for me as Schmidt's formula in terms of wear. Still, I would definitely recommend it, especially if like me you're draw to the tempting scents, and Primal Pit also offer many other products including a stick version as well as body powders and creams.

Ingredients: Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Arrowroot Powder, Aluminum Free Baking Soda, and Essential Oils.

You can purchase Primal Pit Deodorants from their US site, which does have some charges for UK buyers.

Crystal Spring Salt of the Earth Natural Deodorant - £4.96 | 90g

The last deodorant I've been trialling has been the Salt of the Earth Deodorant, which I've also seen blogged and talked about for some time. Unlike the other two, this comes as a stick based on a natural crystal formula that is all vegan. This is a UK brand that been going for over 20 years with many other products offered from the brand, including skincare and haircare. The stick is made from pure Potassium Alum, a natural mineral salt that has been used as a deodorant for hundreds of years, with no scent added. You use it by simply applying the stick to damp skin, making sure to then dry it after each use. I had high hopes for this one, but sadly it hasn't been that effective for me compared to the other two, which is a shame as I love the stick formula which feels really nice on the skin and refreshing to apply. The stick is very gentle and has never irritated, but for me just simply doesn't work unfortunately throughout the day, and I wouldn't take a chance with it for exercise. Maybe this is different for everyone though as I've read plenty of rave reviews for this product, and it might be a case of it being more effective for some and not for others. For myself though, this won't be a repeat purchase.

You can purchase the Salt of the Earth Deodorant on their website, with worldwide shipping.

What natural deodorant are you currently using?

Yes To Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream Review

2015-01-12T13:51:00.002+00:00

It's no secret that I'm a concealer addict, and this is simply because of being one of those unlucky people with noticeably dark under-eye circles. It's a pain, but I always get a tinge of hope when I do come across a product that might be able to help, even slightly with this problem. Having tried other Yes To products, and always being happy with the results, I thought I'd give their Yes To Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream* a go.

My expectations weren't high with this, as permanently erasing dark circles is not something you'll be able to do with a cream, but I was intrigued as to whether there would be a slight improvement, and if the cream in general would help to brighten and nourish this area.

Yes To state that the cream is a lightweight eye treatment that's clinically proven to help diminish the appearance of dark circles within four weeks, with Grapefruit in the ingredients list being the main factor in helping to fade age spots and increase luminosity in a 99% natural formula.

Ingredients: Aqua, Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethyl Palmate*, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Alcohol*, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Mica, Glycine Soja Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Citris Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Beeswax, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Limonene, Lecithin, Parfum, Sodium Ascorbate, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide,Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol.

Having now trialled the cream for over a month I can say that I'm actually undecided about this one. The product itself is nice to apply, it's lightweight and feels refreshing on, so perfect to wear under makeup during the day, as it also leaves my skin feeling nourished and less puffy by the end of it. However, I haven't seen any real improvement with the overall appearance of my dark circles as promised. The cream has a tint to it and also has the addition of Mica, and that's what I personally think helps diminish the appearance of your dark circles temporarily with this product as a combination of these two provides an instant brightening effect.

I have enjoyed using this product because it's great as a light eye cream to use during the day to quickly brighten that under-eye area and provide a base for concealer - I would even praise it as a good primer. As for the other claims though, I can't say sadly that I've seen much of a difference.

You can purchase Yes To Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream on MyPure , £12.99 for 15mls.

Have you tried this product or any under-eye cream for dark circles?

*PR Sample

Green People Age Defy + Cell Enrich Facial Oil Review

2015-01-11T10:45:00.005+00:00

My official first try from the much coveted brand, Green People, has finally - and about time too - come in the form of their Cell Enrich Facial Oil*. This green & organic beauty company has been high on my list to try for quite some time, so I was more than pleased when the opportunity arose to try out one of their wonderful products.

Green People has been around for quite some time, founded in 1997, and often viewed as a tried and tested company for those of us with sensitive skin issues. Today, with over 100 certified organic products to choose from, you're really spoilt for choice and there's many fantastic ranges within the brand.

Their Cell Enrich Facial Oil is made from 100% natural ingredients, with 96.6% organic, formulated from a potent blend of antioxidants and nutrients, including a base of Jojoba oil and a great combination of other nourishing oils, including Pomegranate, Rosehip and Evening Primrose Seed Oil.

Ingredients: SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL*, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL*, ROSA MOSCHATA (ROSEHIP) SEED OIL*, LECITHIN* (VEGETABLE SOURCE), OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) SEED OIL*, PERILLA FRUTESCENS (PERILLA) SEED OIL*, TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM OIL*, SQUALANE (FROM OLIVE OIL), PUNICA GRANATUM (POMEGRANATE) SEED OIL*, VACCINIUM MACROCARPON (CRANBERRY) SEED OIL, RIBES NIGRUM (BLACKCURRANT) SEED OIL*, AROMA [LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) HERB OIL*, CEDRUS ATLANTICA (CEDAR) WOOD OIL, CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA (HO WOOD) BARK OIL, PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS (ROSE GERANIUM) OIL*^, CYMBOPOGON MARTINI (PALMAROSA) OIL*^, CANANGA ODORATA (YLANG YLANG) FLOWER OIL*^, CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) PEEL OIL*, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (CHAMOMILE) OIL*^], TOCOPHEROL, BENZYL BENZOATE, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRAL, CITRONELLOL, FARNESOL, GERANIOL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL. *96.6% ORGANIC

The product is designed to restore suppleness and elasticity to skin, as well as promote cell regeneration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Whilst I can't speak too much in terms of wrinkles just yet, I was more than happy to try this product after reading the ingredient list and for some of the other benefits. It's claim to soften skin and leave it supple sounded perfect for me, as I continually suffer from dry skin, especially in this weather.

One pump of this is more than enough, and for me it's been a great oil to apply at night underneath moisturiser. The scent makes it such a treat to use, with a mix of calming herbal and floral notes, that's not too much and hasn't caused me any irritation. It actually reminds me of Neal's Yard roll on remedies, with an instant relaxing quality, making it perfect to use before bed.

Whilst light, the oil can be a little greasy and I've found it does take a minute to absorb, but once applied this really does help perk my skin up and leave it feeling soft and smooth in the morning. It's a product that I've also noticed gets better with time and has helped to improve my skin's condition in terms of softness, and yes suppleness as Green People promise! For me it's a great oil to improve dry skin and overall gently nourish the skin overnight.

For my first try from Green People I've been really impressed, and as you can tell from the above pictures I've been applying it non-stop, and am now dreading using up the last few pumps! My sensitive skin has loved this gentle but effective formula, and I'll be trialling more products from the range this year.

You can shop the Cell Enrich Oil on the Green People website, which is priced at £29.95 for 30mls.

What are your favourite products from Green People, and any suggestions of what to try next?

2015 | New Year Resolutions

2015-01-10T19:02:00.004+00:00

After reading so many great New Year posts, I thought I ought to join in and offer what you can look forward to seeing from Bow Tied Beauty this year as well as a few own personal goals tagged in.

I can't believe 2015 will mark my official 5th year of blogging, crazy. With that said, I have some simple and attainable goals in mind for this year.

1. Blog more. Such a simple one, but such a hard goal for me to keep to. Ever the un-organised one
lacking the blogger schedule, however this is going to be a goal that I know is reachable and
something I'm going to make myself stick to. So if you see me slacking, feel free to tell me to get
on it.
2. Include more creative posts & DIYS. I really love creating something from scratch, and making
natural products as well as crafts will be something you will see more regularly this year, and one
thing I'm very excited to try more of.
3. Include small brands more frequently. I love discovering niche, smaller organic beauty and
skincare brands, yet I haven't included as many as I would have liked to so far. This year I want to
research and write about more of the many wonderful companies out there.
4. Collaborations with other green bloggers. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time,
but never had the initiative to start. I've seen so many fantastic collabs with other green beauty
bloggers and I'd definitely love to do something similar this year.
5. Make the blog a home. I'm not sure why but I've never truly felt 100% comfortable writing on my
blog. Although I love the design, having trained in graphic design this past year, I'm aiming to re-
design it myself to make it more personal to me and truly feel like a comfortable space.

For myself personally, unlike previous years, I've realised putting a list together of widely out-there ideas isn't always the best route, so like before I'm trying simple and obtainable:

1. Eat Healthily. This is something I've been getting better at recently, but still would like to try and

improve, as well as be more creative with, in terms of nutritious meals. Having been veggie for four

years now, and no longer eating dairy, I also have the goal in mind of going completely vegan by

the end of the year.

2. Achieving a 10k. Oh fitness. It's a bit of a stranger to me, and something that I've never been very

good or determined with. As I'm gaining more interests in different sports and already feeling the

benefits for taking a more active approach in the past few months, I think running a 10k later in the

year would be a real achievement to me and hopefully one I can reach.

3. Be kind. We can all be a little harsh on ourselves, and I've learnt the hard way that self-criticising

and judgment aren't helpful tools. Having a little more belief in my own capabilities is something I

struggle with sometimes, but also a habit and attitude that can be changed.

4. New experiences. This year I'd definitely like to say yes to more, do more and experience more.

If you're looking for inspiration for yourself and need a gentle push into the motivated direction, here's just a few great posts I've bookmarked...

Liz from Well Meaning Being discusses her 15 goals for 2015 with an always inspiring and well thought-out message.

Ru talks about how to ease into yoga on Short, Small & Sweet, in a collab, offering some great first-timer tips. These tips were incredibly useful for me being a complete newbie, and I've paired them with the 30 Day Yoga Challenge by Yoga With Adrienne. (Started a little late, but currently on day 4 and will write an update once I've finished!)

Last, but not least, here's a few quotes and graphics from A Little Opulent to send you off into the year ready for anything.

So that wraps up my 2015 goals/resolutions. What are yours for this year?

Lyonsleaf Healing Calendula Cream

2015-01-01T13:29:00.001+00:00

I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve yesterday, and with 2015 here I thought I'd take a quick look back at one product that helped solve my skin woes this past year. As some of you might know I really struggle with eczema, and was more than glad to have discovered Lyonsleaf in 2014.

After hearing many other bloggers sing their praises, I looked a bit further into the brand and found out that it's run by a couple that started selling products in 2010, and grow many of the ingredients themselves, choosing to formulate products with natural ingredients that are in the most unprocessed state possible, including cold-pressed and unrefined oils. The recipes are also all water-free, so don't require any preservatives or emulsifiers.

Given that I was suffering with bad eczema at the time, I opted to try their Calendula Balm, which contains generous amounts of homegrown Calendula oil (see below for the full list of ingredients).

Ingredients: Cold pressed almond oil, Organic shea butter, Cold pressed apricot kernel oil, Calendula flower extract, Cold pressed borage oil, Vitamin E oil, Juniper essential oil, Frankincense essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Geranium essential oil. Note: the essential oils naturally contain: citral, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, linolool

Given that any time in the past I've tried a natural eczema cream with calendula I've often seen a good improvement in the state of my skin, I was quite excited and optimistic to give this pot a go and see if it lived up to the hype. I decided to purchase the bigger size containing 120ml for £14.95, but there's also a smaller 30ml jar available for £8.99. If you're only looking to cure a patch of dry skin or just keep this in case of emergencies I would probably suggest the latter as I've come to realise that a little of this great stuff goes a long way. After the first application and every time since my skin has felt instantly calmed and soothed. Over time, with constant re-applying, the redness around my eczema has gone down quicker than I've known any other cream to do. On top of that, the scent is a calming herbal mix which makes me want to reach for it every time, and I haven't stopped at just using this for flare-ups of eczema, but keep this handy for stubborn rough patches, as well as recently applying it sparingly to rosacea to see if it makes a small difference. Lyonsleaf also point out on their website that it is a general healing cream and can be applied to minor abrasions and rashes, as well as to scars and any inflammatory skin disorders.

Unlike other creams and balms I've tried in the past, a major difference here has to be the texture and consistency, which is smooth and creamy with no greasy residue. For me this is such a winning formula that feels great on and I don't have to worry about the cream taking an age to absorb! With so many multitasking uses and a proven result for me every time, I can definitely say the cream lived up to the hype and I will be an official repeat purchaser, with more reviews to come from the Lyonsleaf range in 2015.

Have you tried any products from Lysonleaf?

Christmas Gift Idea #3: Last Minute Stocking Fillers

2014-12-21T15:28:00.002+00:00

With just a few days left before Christmas, if you're still on the hunt for budget gifts or stocking fillers, there's just about time to place your last-minute orders, and I have a few to share from some great natural brands just in the nick of time!

1 - Oh! Organic Rose Eye Cream - 20ml | £9.95

This product comes highly recommended from Vanessa's Choice & is chocked full of nourishing,

natural ingredients.

2 - Seascape Soothe Sleep Oil - 8ml | £10

A lovely choice for anyone who appreciates essential oils and natural bedtime aids to get a restful

night's sleep. The oil contains 100% natural Lavender, Grape Seed, Sweet Almond, Bitter Orange

Flower and Mandarin Orange Peel.

3 - NEOM Tranquility Bath Foam - 200ml | £22

As a firm addict of NEOM, I have to say the luxurious quality and indulgent scents make their

bath time products especially tempting at this time of year. The tranquility range is lovely, and

whilst this is the most expensive stocking filler I've included, it would make an extra special treat

for someone special.

4 - Green People Skincare Stocking Filler Gift Pack - £12.50

This skincare starter set contains Gentle Cleanse (25ml), Fruit Scrub (25ml) and Firming

Eye Gel (10ml). Perfect for an introduction to the brand and a great festive treat with the merry

packaging!

5 - One Love Organics Rose Clay Konjac Heart - £11

Perfect for those with sensitive, dry or mature skin, this little heart is so sweet, and more than that

is made from 100% pure konjac plant fibre, perfect to use to remove makeup and help smooth skin

and pores at the same time. Did I mention it's also just incredibly sweet?

6 - AS.AP Lip Balm 06 - 5ml | £8

A blend of cocoa, coffee and orange, the amazing scent is perfect for this time of year and sounds

addictive to apply. The balm itself is made from cocoa butter, beeswax, honey, avocado oil and

olive oil.

7 - Bloom Remedies Organic Lip Balm Gift Set - £7.95

This gift set contains two lovely scents; Mango & Lime, and Caramel. They both sounds

good enough to eat and you receive generous 15g pots!

8 - Pacifica Radiant Shimmer Coconut Multiples - £15.49

Coconut-infused multi-use creamy colours for cheeks, eyes and lips with a natural and vegan

mineral makeup formula. I don't think I have to say much more than that.

9 - Balm Balm The Organic Facial Cracker - £17.50

I love the sets that Balm Balm have this time of year, and their products are so lovely and

absolutely worth giving a go if you haven't tried the brand yet. These four mini organic facial

skincare products and a muslin cloth come all wrapped up in a festive Balm Balm cracker.

10 - Eco Tools Mini Bamboo Brushes - £3.99

This great budget buy is also really handy, and contains six applicators, all made from recycled

materials, to use on eyes lips or face.

11 - The Wellbeing Guide To London - £10

For anyone interested in natural beauty, health and wellbeing living in the capital, I truly think

this little guide would be such a treat to receive. Inside you'll find in-depth reviews of well-being

hotspots by Sally Lovett, with everything from organic eateries to yoga studios.

Christmas Gift Idea #2 - Conscious Skincare

2014-12-19T13:16:00.001+00:00

My second Christmas Gift Idea comes from Conscious Skincare and their sweet Indulgent Organic Mini Spa Set*. I've always loved using this brand's gorgeous products and have raved about them in past reviews, so was excited to see their many tempting gift-sets on offer this year, and I can't wait to divulge more about what's inside this collection . . .

The set is a hand-picked collection of the brands favourite body products in 50ml mini sizes, presented in an organic, fair-trade cotton bag that come in the gorgeous scents of Grapefruit, Lemon & Cedarwood, and Sweet Orange & Frangipani.

The products include:

Body Wash
Body Lotion
Body Oil
Body Butter
Body Polish
Bath Soak

All are free from synthetic preservatives, SLS, parabens and phtalates.

This set is really so lovely to receive as a present, with a generous amount of products stocked inside and a perfect chance to try out many from the Conscious Skincare range. The Body Butter in particular will always be a favourite of mine and an extra special one to use this time of year as a nourishing treat that has the texture of whipped mousse and a calming, luxurious scent. The Polish and Bath Soak have also been lovely to try, both leaving skin soft, hydrated and feeling pampered. The soak especially makes for an indulgent evening in and I will definitely be trying to make the bottle last as long as possible!

The Body Lotion and Wash are full of zingy, uplifting notes of Grapefuit and Lemon, perfect for a pick-me-up in the morning with such a bright and lovely scent that lasts on the skin but isn't overpowering, and made with truly gentle formulas that nourish skin throughout the day.

The collection is suitable for all skin types, and my dry/sensitive skin has really felt the benefits from all the products in this lovely collection. All are also lovingly made using certified organic ingredients, and what makes this set even more special is that the bag itself is made by ladies in India under the Freeset enterprise scheme. Each bag is unique, with the lining made from different recycled sarees that go toward making a difference in these women's lives.

The Indulgent Organic Mini Spa Set costs £19.99, and can be found on the Conscious Skincare Website, with many more lovely gift sets available that are also well worth a peek.

*PR Sample

Graham's Natural Skincare Review

2014-12-18T09:55:00.000+00:00

Whilst new to the UK, Grahams Skincare has been a top selling brand in Australia for some time as treatment products for eczema and sensitive skin conditions. Being a long-time sufferer myself I always love the opportunity to try out new natural brands that specifically target this problem, and was thrilled to be able to test out a few things from the range.

Grahams Skincare was born out of a father's desire to help his son's debilitating case of eczema, who then spent years experimenting with plant extracts and natural ingredients to develop the range today. The products available now treat mild to more severe eczema and psoriasis flare-ups.

The first thing I tried from the range was Grahams Natural Soap*. Made simply with Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Water, Sodium Hydroxide (evaporates in the soap-making process), Honey and Neem Leaf, I knew this would be a bit of a treat to use. The company's philosophy is to use mild formulas that contain no harsh chemicals, colours and fragrances.

The soap itself is fragrance free which I quite like as there's no overpowering scent which I've often associated with irritation in the past, and having now used this for a couple of weeks I can say that I'm definitely impressed. The product is so mild and non-drying that it's a real contrast to other soaps I've used before and really feels lovely on my skin. I can't say that it's healed or improved my eczema but it's an excellent product to gently use on yours or your child's skin when washing to ensure the condition is not aggravated and feels soothed afterwards. The great point about this product is also the price of £5.50 for an 100g bar, which is more than affordable.

Next I also had the pleasure of trying Grahams Natural Shampoo* and Conditioner*. Again both are meant for those with sensitive scalps and skin conditions, but can also be used with other hair types, and are formulated from a gentle blend of organic and herbal ingredients:

Natural Shampoo: Purified Water, Coconut Betaine, Glycerine Stearate (vegetable), Coconut dea (vegetable), Chamomile Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Manuka Honey, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Olive Leaf extract, Wheatgerm, Vitamin E, Panthenol B5, Phenoxyethanol.

Natural Conditioner: Purified Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate (vegetable), Chamomile Extract, Citric Acid, Manuka Honey, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Olive Leaf extract, Wheatgerm, Vitamin E, Panthenol B5, Phenoxyethanol.

Both products are also again very affordable at £11.99 each for 250ml.

From trying both out for a couple of weeks I'm again quite impressed with the quality of this affordable and natural range. The shampoo as described doesn't irritate my scalp but leaves my hair feeling refreshed, whilst the conditioner gives a shine and soft appearance to my locks after. I'll definitely be continuing to use both and I've really loved the results so far!

If you haven't tried this great budget brand yet, I would definitely recommend adding them to your list. One note though that I have to share is that there a couple of products in the range I wouldn't buy at this time, such as the Calendulis Plus Cream which contains both mineral oil as well as emu oil (an animal derived product that I don't personally find necessary to include in skincare products). I'd be interested to see if the inclusion of these might be something that changes in the future and will update this post once I hear from the brand.

If you'd like to purchase Grahams Natural Skincare or view the range then you can find everything online on their website.

Have you tried Grahams Natural Skincare? What are your thoughts?

Christmas Gift Idea #1 - NEOM & Giveaway Winner

2014-12-17T10:59:00.000+00:00

With Christmas now soon approaching I thought I'd throw a few gift ideas out there from some amazing natural companies if you're still stuck for any ideas for getting that perfect present. NEOM are a luxury brand, known for their luxurious scents and indulgent home products, and I really couldn't think of anything better than a big NEOM box waiting under the Christmas tree. Read on to see what's inside...

This year the range of Christmas candles from NEOM are perfectly festive, with a choice between 'Christmas Wish', a scent filled with notes of mandarin, cinnamon and tonka bean, as well as 'Perfect Peace', a calming mix of pine, myrrh and lime peel. For myself, I opted to try 'Christmas Wish'* and was so excited to receive this gorgeous box.

It's easy to see why NEOM are regarded as a high quality and luxury natural brand with the amount of care and thought that goes into their products. From opening the box you find lovely printed watercolours patterns and a sweet hand-written styled message inside, before delving into the lovely treats inside.

The gold packaging of the candle and box it comes in are both lovely and such a great addition to add into your home at this time of year. Also included is a small, handy leaflet of NEOMs collections, as well as little cards about other products and a very generous £20 complimentary Spa Voucher for NEOM Wellbeing Treatments. In the candle box itself, you'll find at the bottom a very sweet little additional pull out information card. It's little thoughts and touches like these that make a NEOM present so lovely to receive!

The scent of the candle itself is made from pure essential oils, with 30-40ml in each candle that provide therapeutic benefits for both mind and body. The wax is also made from natural, vegetable wax, with nothing else added besides the scent. NEOM products are also naturally and ethically sourced and crafted in Britain, with absolutely no artificial ingredients.

Having now had the pleasure of burning this luxurious candle this winter, I have to confirm that the scent is also pure joy. I don't think I could come up with a better combination of tonka bean, mandarin and cinnamon, which has made the perfect accompaniment to evenings in, filling the room with rich, warming spices. NEOM describe it as a 'freshly baked Christmas cake', and I can definitely agree it's a near-equivalent!

NEOM Christmas candles are available in a smaller size of 185g (1 wick) - £32, or a larger 420g size (3 wick) - £45.

You can find the entire NEOM Christmas range on their site, where you'll find many other luxurious collections and indulgent gift ideas equally as tempting!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I also have a quick announcement for the winner of the Stencilit giveaway! I have to apologise in how long it's taken me to get to this, but very excited to say the random pick was Amber. Congrats and I will be in touch to send the stencils over to you!

*PR Sample

Faith In Nature Shampoo and Conditioner Review

2014-11-13T07:51:00.001+00:00

Haircare with natural products is often a tricky area and one I've never had much luck with. The good thing is though that there are plenty of brands to choose from in this expanding market, and recently I was kindly offered the chance to try out a shampoo and conditioner from the lovely range at Faith In Nature.

I hadn't yet tried many Faith In Nature products, but the products are widely available and I often see them in supermarkets and local stores, with the great selling point of being both a natural and budget beauty brand.

The products are all cruelty-free with no animal-derived ingredients, that are all naturally sourced, made locally in Lancaster. There is also no SLS, synthetic fragrance or colour, parabens or artificial preservatives. For me, that's a great reassurance that even though the products are more affordable, there's still an underlying ethical principle the brand upholds and no need to worry about potential reactions or irritations, being an eczema sufferer.

Browsing over the many choices on the Faith In Nature site, I was pretty happy to find more than a few tempting choices - the chocolate and coconut scents being two of them! But, as my hair is more on the oily side, I opted for the Pineapple & Lime Shampoo* and Conditioner*, a combination that sounded good to me being a fruity, citrus fan.

As soon as I opened the bottle I was hit with the loveliest fruity mix that was refreshing and addictive, that also lasts after the wash as well, and straight away made me fall in love with using it.

The shampoo for me is the star product which really works better than any other natural one I've tried so far. It not only leaves my locks super soft, but also quite bouncy with more of a healthy shine and no scalp irritation whatsoever.

Ingredients: Aqua, Ammonium laureth sulfate, Maris sal, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Polysorbate 20, Ananas sativus fruit extract , Mangifera indica fruit extract, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantifolia oil, Glycerin , Glyceryl laurate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Parfum, Sodium benzoate , Potassium sorbate, Citric acid, Curcumin CI 75300, Limonene, Linalool

The conditioner is equally gentle, and I usually just leave this on for a few minutes after shampooing. Whilst this leaves my ends a little softer and hydrated, I don't think it's a miracle worker, and hasn't for instance, helped with split ends or really made a visible difference. Still, it's a nice product if your hair is on the less damaged side than mine!

Ingredients: Aqua, Cetearyl alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ananas sativus fruit extract , Mangifera indica fruit extract, Citrus aurantifolia oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Parfum, Cetrimonium chloride, Sodium benzoate , Potassium sorbate, Citric acid, Curcumin CI 75300, Limonene, Linalool

Altogether I feel like I've had a real success with my first venture with Faith In Nature products. I definitely know I'll at least come back to the shampoo as a regular buy for the lovely results and scent, and can't wait to test out a bit more of the range in the future.

Pineapple & Lime Shampoo - £5.50 | 400ml

Pineapple & Lime Conditioner - £5.50 | 400ml

You can have a peek for yourself at all the wonderful Faith In Nature products on their website.

*PR Sample

Update & A Giveaway | StenCilit

2014-11-12T00:55:00.002+00:00

In the past few months I haven't been able to keep up with blogging for a few reasons, one of them being a few life updates and changes. It's been a hectic, busy and stressful time, but I finally feel settled again to re-boot the blog and get back to something that I love.

One of the changes was moving home, something that took quite an adjustment, but it's been a good one. Setting up house and making a fresh start always feels nice with a sense of new beginnings.

Living with a friend who's just a much a food enthusiast as myself, healthy habits and lifestyle have begun to felt easier again, and cooking up nourishing meals has become more important and even exciting territory.

One thing that is never hard to maintain is the ever-growing collection of beauty and skincare products, now stocked in my bedroom, in various baskets. Along the way I've succumbed to a new discovery of supplements and super foods to help with health issues, with some great brands and products added to my cupboard, all of which I'll no doubt be discussing in soon-to-come reviews.

In the past month, with home finally felling like just that, decorating it has been one of the best bits. I've loved browsing on Etsy to discover new, independent brands. In the same time, I was contacted by the lovely Merili and Petrica from StenCilit. Both share a passion of handmade and homemade projects, with most of their beautiful stencils designed by Merili herself, inspired by the Scandanavian lifestyle, it's nature and people.

The designs themselves are stunning with thoughtfully designed patterns that look gorgeous in the home, so I was thrilled when I was offered the chance to try out one of the lovely designs for myself. However, now being in rented accommodation, after a some thought (but a lot of temptation) I thought it might not be the best idea to start painting the walls here myself.

Instead, with Merili and Petrică's permission I thought it would be a great way to give someone else a chance to try one of these lovely designs for themselves.

A little bit more about StenCilit from the owner. . .

"Hi, I'm Merili and I am an interior decorator in our company StenCilit. We are designing Scandinavian style stencils. I have a background in design of decorative arts. I have worked with screen printing and tapestry designs. I consider important the stylistic and the idea, as well as historic and theoretical context of patterns.

Scandinavian design shows love for the simplest things in life. Every one of us has affection for some small things in this crazy-amazing world. I love pattern of wood or dandelion seeds in the wind or sunlight between the pine forests or the sound of a harsh winter. And it all comes in my mind in certain pictures. And I make patterns".

The stencil I chose was the Siberian Taiga, which looks absolutely lovely shown painted on StenCilit's Etsy Shop. The packaging is also just as thoughtfully designed and really made the product a pleasure to receive, with a a small leaflet also packed into the tube to tell you exactly all you need to know if a first time stenciller.

Now I'm excited to say that all you have to do be able to win this stencil for yourself is follow this lovely company online. Below is a rafflecopter form that you can enter through to state how many points you've earned and how you've followed Stencilit.

The giveaway will end on the 1st December.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone who enters and remember once you do to say a friendly hello to Merili and Petrica at StenCilit!

Petit Vour August 2014 Review

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Each month I always look forward to receiving my Petit Vour* box - if you didn't know it's a subscription service where vegan and natural beauty goodies are delivered to your home each month for $15 (USA) and $30 (internationally). Because the company is international, there are always new brands to try and new products to sample that you probably wouldn't have had the chance to try yet, which is what I love about Petit Vour, and personally makes getting the box well worthwhile getting ash month in my opinion. August's selection has been one of my favourites so far, here's what was in this month's box . . . .

I was already loving the theme of 'Beauty 101', and again I had never tried any of the brands contained in the box, making it really exciting to un-box and sample everything:

Harvey Prince Journey Perfume (sample)

Whilst I've said this is one of my favourite boxes, this perfume sample was probably my least favourite item in the box. I do like to receive natural perfume to sample, as I've yet to find one I really love, but this one did not help in changing that. For me, Journey, is more of a mature fragrance, filled with floral notes that just don't appeal to me. | Normal Price - $26

EarthBody Brighten Cleanser and Mask (sample)

This is a product I'm so glad to have discovered. The first time I tried this my skin thanked me big time. I've been using it regularly as a mask since to smooth and brighten my skin, and I can truly say it works and will definitely be a new staple in my routine. Whilst the sample looks small, you just need a very little amount of the powder, mixed with water, so I can only imagine how long a full sized product would last! | Normal Price - $24

Rose Mira Sweet Coconut Body Butter (sample)

If you're a coconut fan like myself then I advise getting yours hands on this stat. As soon as I opened this I knew I would love it. It has a true, authentic coconut aroma that is just addictive and the butter itself has a creamy constancy that's melts onto skin and really hydrates. The full size is looking pretty tempting to me. | Normal Price - $44

Beauty Without Cruelty Natural Eye Pencil (full size)

I'm definitely behind with the times for not having tried this brand yet, so was more than excited to receive their eye pencil. Having now used it a couple of times, I'm definitely in love. The pigmentation is great, I've never had an issue with smudging and it's quick and easy to apply. Love that I now have a great new addition to my makeup bag! | Normal Price - $18

Me-Mi Tangerine Hydrating Lip Butter (full size)

If you suffer from dry lips like myself, then Me-Mi's lip butter will probably help with that! It's a lovely treatment lip product that gets to work and really hydrates. Made up of pure butters and oils, I love applying this at night and feeling the results in the morning - this will no doubt be my winter saviour this year. | Normal Price - $10

Petit Vour ship internationally and you can find their August box along with a shop of fantastic natural beauty brands on their website

What did you think of August's box?

*PR Sample

Trilogy Aromatic Body Oil Review

2014-09-11T22:42:00.000+01:00

Trilogy Aromatic Body Oil | £16.50 - 100ml

With the colder weather setting in, it seems to be that time of the year again when skin is in need of extra nourishment, which for me comes in the form of body oils. These always seem to give a good boost of hydration and dose of nourishment for my dry skin, and having recently come across Trilogy's lovely sounding Aromatic Body Oil*, I couldn't wait to try it and see if it might possibly become my new staple in my routine for the months ahead.

Trilogy is a natural brand that I've always loved since my first try from them. The quality and care which goes into their products is excellent, and there always seems to be a well crafted scent to accompany which I absolutely love. In this case, the scent has lovely, rich herbal notes that makes it so calming and relaxing, perfect to apply in the evening just before bed. The formulation is a blend of pure plant oils, designed to be fast-absorbing and moisturising, to help soften and smooth dry skin, with some of my favourite oils featured, such as Rosehip and Rice Bran oil, which are fantastic for treating rough/dry or sensitive skin.

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (and) Gl, Persea Gratissima (Avocado Fruit) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Parfum, Citral, Eugenol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool

After using the oil for a few weeks now, I can definitely say that I've seen a difference in my skin. I only apply this in the evening, but I can really tell in the morning how much better my skin will look and feel. Not only have a couple of rough/dry patches cleared up on my body, but I think it may have even helped a little with my eczema. The formula is truly soothing and nourishing, and for me has really helped calm my easily irritated skin. I do find however that it does take a little longer than Trilogy say to fully absorb, but I'm quite content to apply this in the evening as a treat and have the lovely bonus of the calming aroma whilst it sinks in.

The bottle is also designed as a handy dropper, so the oil will come out steadily and you don't have to worry about spills which I'm personally always cautious about due to a combination of being a tad clumsy sometimes and lacking spatial awareness. The price may be a little steep, however I really do find that Trilogy products are well worth the investment and I know that this product will definitely be lasting me some time to come.

You can purchase Trilogy's Aromatic Body Oil from MyPure

What have you tried from Trilogy before?

P.S. Hope everyone's enjoying this great week of celebrating Organic Beauty! If you didn't know, there are quite a few offers on, such as from Essential Care (free toning butter with code: SEPTFREE) and Vanessa's Choice, (15% off everything for the week), with plenty more brands joining in to celebrate too.

*PR Sample

provided by My Pure