NaturalU for a more natural you

Hey eco babes!

Long time no blog! I have been so busy but I am finally back with another review.

Lately, I've been trying out some body balms. What I love about body balms is that they are so compact and versatile too.

The balms I've been using are by a brand called Natural U. Started by two mums looking for a remedy for their dry and itchy skin, Natural U provides natural and organic (certified by the Soil Association!) skincare products that come in such adorable little glass jars.

Catherine, one of the founders, kindly sent me each of their two products to try. They are the All Purpose Balm and the Daily Body Rub.

The All Purpose Balm (from £9.99 for 30g) is simply that - a balm for whatever needs moisturising. And my lips are definitely in need of some extra moisture! What I like to do is to use it on my lips and whatever is left on my fingertips I use on dry areas of my face. It's incredibly light so I didn't experience any breakouts.

One of my favourite things about this balm is the yummy smell. It has a light smell that reminds me of sweets. I'm guessing that comes from the manuka in its formula.

Another product in the range is this Daily Body Rub (from £10.50 for 30g). The Daily Body Rub is very similar to the all purpose balm but it is also described as being great for soothing tired muscles thanks to the eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree oils. The smell is quite delicate so I'm not sure how it would work on very sore muscles but the scent is calming when massaging into your skin after a stressful day.

I hope you enjoyed reading my review. If you want to find more about the brand, visit the Natural U website, where you can find all of their products. You can take advantage of their 2 for £15 deal when you buy each of the 30g jars. They also have trial sizes for only £2.99 each.

Do you use body balms? Let me know your thoughts :)

xx

Get your skin sunshine ready!

Hey Angels!

Oh my, it feels like I haven't blogged in quite a while! But now that my uni dissertation is out of the way, I can reward myself with lots of pampering and blogging.

The latest pamper products I've been trying out are by Myroo Natural Skincare*. With all this beautiful  weather we've been getting, it's the perfect time to get my skin ready to see some sunshine. I thought I'd polish my pins with the Mint Tea body scrub and the Lemon body butter.

How cute is the packaging!

The Mint Tea body scrub is a lovely soft and buttery salt scrub with a fresh peppermint scent. Unlike many scrubs I've tried, the 'butter' holds the salt together so it is very easy to spread all over the skin and the grains don't wastefully fall into the bathtub. I've found that this soft and buttery texture means that this product is most suitable for everyday buffing around the body and not on very dry areas.

This scrub is great for shaving because not only does the exfoliation prevent ingrown hair, it leaves a moisturising oily layer on the skin, allowing the razor to glide so smoothly. After rinsing away the oil, my legs feel and look silky smooth.

To make them even more moisturised, I finish off with the Lemon body butter.

So whippy! Yumm!

The lemon scent is so fresh and really does smell like fresh lemon juice as opposed to the fake lemon scents you normally get with other products. The texture of this body butter is scrumptious! It has a light, whipped cake batter texture, which I really love. It is light enough to spread all over the skin. Even though it isn't absorbed into the skin very quickly, it doesn't leave a sticky residue.

Overall, I enjoyed using both of these Myroo products. The Mint Tea scrub is great for everyday body exfoliation with the added benefit of being moisturising too. The Lemon body butter has a luxurious texture whilst being very moisturising. The two products together have a summery lemon and mint smell and will leave your skin soft and smooth.

The Mint Tea scrub is priced at £8 and the Lemon body butter is £15.

Check out both of these products and more at www.myroo.co.uk.

xx

*Products were sent to me by Myroo. Opinions are 100% honest as always.

Eden Nail Polish Remover

Hello angels!

I hope you're all having a lovely March. Spring is just around the corner so I'm getting a head start in painting my nails in all these different bright and pastel colours. I just can't wait for spring to arrive!

I normally use an acetone based nail polish remover on my nails so I was happy to hear about a new natural nail polish remover called Eden by Fresh Therapies.

The first thing I noticed about this product is that there is none of that strong smell you get with acetone nail polish removers. Instead there is a lovely and mild herbal and lime smell. It is a lovely calming scent.

When using the product, I did have to rub my nails with a little more effort than usual. But it was nothing exhausting at all and my nail polish still came off pretty quickly. Usually, after using nail polish remover, my nails start to feel quite dry and brittle. However, after using the Eden natural nail polish remover, I didn't experience this at all.

So if you're looking for a natural nail polish, I would recommend you give this one a try. You can buy it directly from the Fresh Therapies website.

So, tell me... what nail colours are you currently loving?

xxx

This review is based on a miniature sample sent to me by the company. 100% honest opinion as always.

Weleda Baby Calendula Face Cream

Hey all!

Remember the Weleda Skin Food I blogged about a few days ago? Well, I got the chance to try out another one of their great products: Weleda Baby Calendula Face Cream.

I know, it's from the Baby range! But trust me, it's great to use on your skin no matter your age.

Compared to Skin Food, this face cream is lighter and less oily, making it perfect to use on the face. Because it's much lighter, it's absorbed quicker so I have no problem applying it right before my make up.

Normally, I would use a product a few times to see the results then I would blog about it. But I saw results after just one application of this product. I found that the dry and flaky area around my nose was so much smoother and and the dryness had completely gone.

Just because it's a face cream, it doesn't mean you can't use this anywhere else, of course. I've used it as a hand cream too and it made my skin soft and smooth.

Overall, I really like this product. It works from the first application and it's light, yet efficient, enough to use anywhere around the face or body. I'm not surprised that this range won a ton of awards, including the Mother & Baby Award 2012 Silver award for Best Premium Baby Skincare Range.

Weleda Baby Calendula Face Cream is affordable at only £6.95 for 50ml. You can get it from the Weleda website, Love Lula (free delivery!), Boots, Waitrose and many independent health stores.

Have you tried this product before? I would love to hear your thought.

xx

Weleda Skin Food Review

Do you know how some girls are obsessed with lip balm. They buy every lip balm out there and are always applying it to their lips. I'm the same way with hand moisturiser. I've been told many times that I'm always putting something on my hands. It's not only because I need to protect my hands from this harsh weather but there is something comforting about massaging my hands with cream and breathing in the calming scent.

As someone who has tried so many creams, I'd like to share my views on Weleda's Skin Food, which they kindly sent me to try*.

Firstly, I must comment on Weleda's brand. I have a lot of respect for Weleda because it has a long heritage of being ethical. I'm never taught on the ethical side of business on my degree so I always find companies such as Weleda very inspiring.

So, onto the product. The consistency of Skin Food is very different to many moisturisers on the market. Because it is mostly made up of sunflower seed oil, it melts instantly onto my skin and it's quickly absorbed without leaving a damp and oily residue.

The smell is very calming thanks to the extracts of Chamomile and Calendula. It also has a mild grassy smell, reminding me of spring, which I am really looking forward to as it has been one long winter!

As soon as the cream is absorbed, my hands feel very soft and the calming scent lingers on my skin.

Surprisingly, this great product doesn't come with a big price tag either. A 30ml tube costs £4.95 and the 75ml tube is £8.95 on the Weleda website.

Have you tried Weleda Skin Food? Let me know what you think.

xx

*100% honest as always :)

Phytocare PURE Papaya Ointment review

I don't know about you but I don't normally change my skin routine with the weather. But after being contacted to try out Phytocare PURE Papaya Ointment and seeing the difference it made to my skin, it made me realise my skin really needs extra tlc in the cold weather.

Now, my hands aren't exactly dry but they do look dehydrated instead of plump. And they do say that old age shows up most on the hands! Not my favourite body part I'll tell you that!

I've been moisturising my hands more regularly these days but I haven't been using anything to prevent them from getting dehydrated. I mean, other than a pair of gloves is there such thing that will protect my hands from the harsh weather?

After massaging the soft, pale yellow paste onto my hands, which instantly melts and leaves no sticky or oily residue, I found that this ointment not only moisturises but leaves a lovely silky protective layer,  trapping moisture into my skin. Just like an invisible silk glove. Do you know how petroleum jelly traps in moisture? This is similar except it's completely petrochemical-free and its 100% natural ingredients are super moisturising. Once this layer is completely absorbed, my hands feel beautifully soft and hydrated.

What are these magic ingredients do you say?

Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Macadamia ternifolia oil, Simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) oil, Carica Papaya (papaya) ferment, Tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), Caprylic triglyceride (coconut derived), Sorbitan Olivate (olive derived emulsifier), Fragrance (naturally derived), Styrax benzoin resinoid, Calendula officinalis flower extract.

The product has many uses around the body such as on insect bites, burns, nappy rash or as a lip balm.

Overall, I love this product and will definitely be using it for the cold months ahead. It's definitely a handbag essential for me.

You can buy PURE Papaya from their website. Prices start from £9.99 for the 25ml tube. It comes in a pot too but I find that the tube is both convenient and sanitary for applying on the go.

xx

Winter Wonderland

(Clockwise from top-left)

Ski Hat by Liv

Kington top by Liv

Lily Lolo natural lipgloss in Whisper

Brass Sheet ring by Made

Moto Vintage Blue Organic Baxter Jeans (Topshop)

Priti NYC nail polish in Ginger Snap Orchid (Cult Beauty)

Angelic eyeshadow by Lily Lolo

Keep warm! xx

Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion review

I've been using this product for a while after getting it as part of a cute set from my friend on my birthday. The product isn't completely natural but very close with 98.2% natural ingredients.

As you can see, it is more or less like your average body lotion with a runny consistency. You only need a very small amount as it spreads so well. Unlike your average lotion, however, it contains mica, which gives a glowing effect. You can't see the tiny mica particles in the photo but you should be able to see the beautiful glow it gives off. Once massaged onto the skin, you can't see any 'sparkles' unless you really focus but you can see from this photo how it made my skin really glow.

I find that this is ok as an everyday moisturiser to use around the body but I wouldn't recommend it for dry skin as it doesn't seem to be strong enough to be effective. I'm happy using body oil instead.

I find it really good if you want to give your skin a very subtle colourless glow whether for daytime or for an evening occasion. I'm not a fan of the sweet smell and I have dry skin so I reserve this product for occasions to give my arms and legs a lovely healthy look.

I have more Burt's Bees product reviews coming up so watch out for those!

xx

Autumn Gold

Dress - People Tree

Earrings - People Tree

Ring - Made Jewellery

Lip gloss - Peachy Keen by Lily Lolo

Butter London 3-free polish in West End Wonderland

Bangle - Just Trade

Mineral eyeshadow - Gold Dust by Inika

Thea Skincare Rebalance Clarity Creme Foaming Face Cleanser and Moisturiser

Thea Skincare is a completely natural skincare line with products to suit different skin types. The products I'm reviewing are the Rebalance Clarity Creme Foaming Face Cleanser and Moisturiser for oily/ acne skin.

I got sick of using oily cleansers as they left my skin greasy, especially when natural cosmetics contain a lot of oils too. So I was happy that there is a cleanser that is suitable for oily skin. The cleanser is a light gel that can be quickly and easily massaged onto the skin to create a little foam.

It has a beautiful sweet smell (floral perhaps?) which I absolutely adore. It is very easily washed off unlike oily cleansers which require a lot of rubbing and if anything gets in my eyes (and something always does) it doesn't sting my eyes at all. I am left with a completely cleansed face without the natural oils stripped from my skin. It's not exactly a make up remover but it removes make up very gently. Removing mascara requires some working in of the product so I recommend using an eye make up remover if you don't wish to rub your eyes.

I don't normally use moisturiser after cleansing but after using a microdermabrasion system my skin was fairly dry and sore for a few days. The Clarity Creme Face Moisturiser was a lifesaver as it cooled down my skin and reduced the soreness and also kept my skin moisturised, hydrated and soft without making it greasy.

I don't like the smell so much.. it's a little medicinal. There isn't a full ingredients list on the website or the packaging so I'm not entirely sure what it is. But the smell is very mild you wouldn't even notice. The fact that no fragrance is added was perfect for me as my skin was feeling sensitive and fragranced moisturisers made it feel more inflamed. Even though the consistency is a thick cream, it isn't greasy at all, it is absorbed really well and it didn't give me any blemishes.

The only flaws I can find are the double cap on the cleanser (see above), which is a bit of a waste, the bigger cap comes off really easily when in an overnight bag for example and the lack of a full ingredients list on the website. Other than that I can't fault the products at all and they work amazingly well.

Overall, I love these products. They're not fussy with packaging and fragrances and clearly focus on making products that work great. I think from what I've tried from this range so far, it is very good quality and one of the best natural skincare ranges I've tried.

So if you have oily or acne skin and find natural products too oily then I would recommend trying these products out. If you have a different skin type then check them out as they have something for everyone. Oh and also check out the lovely gift sets too!

The cleansers costs £7.95 for 50ml and £13.95 for 100ml and the moisturiser is £22.95 for 50ml at Theaskincare.com.

xx

Rawganic Organic Face Cleansing Balm

A few days ago, I reviewed the Rawganic 3-in-1 facial wipes. But did you know that they also have an Organic Face Cleansing Balm in their range too?

This is a moisturising and cleansing balm that comes in a cute little tin. It has a beautiful rosey smell.

The consistency is quite oily making is very easy to spread around the face and on the eyes. It solidifies in cooler temperatures so you just need to rub your fingers in it a few times to warm it up and get enough to cover your face.

It removes make up very easily. I do use natural make up which is easy to remove anyway so I wouldn't know how well it would work on heavy professional make up. With eye make up, it removes it well but only after rubbing my lashes a few times, which I'd rather not do as the skin around my eyes is quite thin and sensitive.

Once my face is completely cleansed, it feels moisturised. If you have dry skin then it might be of benefit to you but if you have oily skin then that might not be something that you'd want. However, instead of leaving an oily film over your face, which can clog pores, it is absorbed into the skin after a few minutes.

A great thing about this product is that it's so space saving and multifunctional when you're travelling and don't want to take a lot of products with you. It also fits into your make up bag if you want to cleanse and reapply your make up during the day. What I love about this, and I really am surprised that it wasn't marketed this way, is that it makes a great correcter. Do you know how sometimes you make a big mess of your eyeliner or you blink and get mascara around your eyes and have to remove the whole thing and start again? I like to get some of this stuff onto a cotton bud and it removes the uh-oh right off. So it's useful to have this in your make up bag at all times.

Overall, this is a good product that cleanses the skin from make up and dirt. However, it is moisturising so I wouldn't recommend this if you have oily skin. But I would recommend it for any other skin type, including sensitive, as it's very light and gentle. I would also recommend this to use a correcter for make up mistakes for any skin type.

Rawganic Organic Cleansing Balm can be bought for only £4.90 at Naturisimo.com.

Apodea Propolis Geranium deodorant

Apodea is an Italian brand that has recently hit the UK with its range of  natural skincare and haircare products that contain propolis sourced using biodynamic beekeeping at the founders' farm in Umbria, Italy. One of their products is the Propolis Geranium deodorant.

The Propolis Geranium deodorant is an all-natural roll-on deodorant made from 96% organic ingredients:

hyssopus officinalis water*, mentha piperita (peppermint) water, melissa officinalis (lemon balm) water*, potassium alum (natural rock alum), propolis* (extracted in 1:1 organic alcohol, where alcohol is evaporated), xantan gum, pelargonium asperum juglans regia extract*

*Demeter certified

It has a beautiful rose smell but also has a creamy smell too like a moisturiser.

Unlike other deodorants, I didn't have a problem using this after shaving. It doesn't sting and irritate at all so I can put this on right after having a shower.

By the end of the day, my underarms feel completely dry. In warmer days they don't feel completely dry as it is not an anti-perspirant. Our underarms are supposed to breathe and let out toxins so this is a good thing. However, the great thing about this deodorant is that my underarms don't feel sticky or 'creamy' as other deodorants leave them feeling.

I was worried that this deodorant wouldn't be strong enough to prevent odours as I used to use an unscented alum crystal deodorant, which worked great at times and not so great at other times. Fortunately, this one leaves me 100% odour-free, which is the most important thing for me.

Overall, I love love LOVE this product. The ingredients are organic and it works amazingly well without leaving my underarms feeling icky. The only thing I don't like is the price as it's a bit steep at £12. But if price isn't a concern for you, then you'll love this product too.

Find the Propolis Geranium deodorant and more at Apodea's online store.

xx

Lulu & Boo Organics Calendula Cleansing Milk Review

Lulu & Boo Organics is an award winning certified organic skincare range. They also have a range specifically formulated for mothers and babies.

I was kindly sent the Calendula Cleansing Milk to review.

The Calendula Cleansing Milk is described as a light and creamy cleansing milk that purifies and softens skin, removes make up and dirt gently and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. It contains many oils such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and castor oil as well as calendula extract and camomile extract, to name a few.

To use this product, you spread it on your face, wipe it off with a damp cloth or some cotton then rinse your face with water. The consistency is quite thin and it is easily spread around the face as it melts into an oily texture. When wiping off the cleanser with a wet facial sponge, the make up was removed very gently and quickly. It did break down my eye make up making it easier to remove but it took a while to get it all off as it has a thin consistency unlike heavier make up removing lotions.

After rinsing my face, it left my skin feeling moisturised. I normally have combination skin (normal, dry and oily) and do not go for cleansers that leave an oily film on my face no matter how light it is as I prefer my skin to feel completely oil-free. But I have been using a microdermabrasion system recently (more about this in the future) which left my skin feeling sensitive and in need of moisture. I've been using this cleanser both before and after the microdermabrasion treatment so I can now see how well suited this product is for different skin types. I wouldn't recommend this cleanser for oily, normal or combination skin,  however I would recommend it for sensitive, dry and flaky skin types as this may help cleanse your face gently while moisturising it.

My favourite things about this product are:

• How light and gentle it is. Even when I get it in my eye it doesn't feel irritating at all.
• I'm a sucker for nice packaging and think the bottle is just adorable.
• I love the lovely yellowy-limey colour of the cleanser.
• If you have dry skin you will enjoy the moisturising properties.
• It's 97% organic
• You only need a small amount. A little goes a long way.

The lovely colour of the cleansing milk

My not-so-favourite things about this product are:

• I don't like the smell that much. I can't quite describe it but I'm guessing it's either the camomile or the calendula. Not the kind of smell I prefer but it is bearable.
• I don't think it is suitable for every skin type as it is oily

Overall, if you are looking for a light moisturising cleanser, this is a great product. It removes dirt and make up quickly and gently and the natural oils moisturise your face.

The cleanser costs £15.95 for 100ml, which is most than a lot of cleansers but it is full of organic products, which justifies the price.

Check out Luluandboo.com to see more of their organic range.

xx

Spot-free the natural way

I've been getting so many spots the past few months. I assumed that they were stress-related as I had so many assignment deadlines but they went on for months and months. On top of that, I was using a lot of natural products on my face, which tend to contain lots of oils, so that might have been another contributing factor. It was only when I started using tea-tree oil, which is anti-bacterial, that I've realised that the cause may be bacteria clogging my pores. 

I was unsure whether tea tree oil would do anything but I thought I might as well give it a go. Within a few days, the amount of spots has drastically reduced. I simply add a few drops of tea-tree oil to a damp facial sponge and wipe it across my face, especially the most spotty areas, after cleansing my face. I lightly pat my face dry so to not wipe off the tea tree oil. It has now become a crucial stage of my skincare routine.

I expected it to have a fresh smell like mint or menthol for some reason. But it has a strong smell quite like tarmac perhaps? It's really weird.

The one I use is by Absolute Aromas, which I got from my local Revital store. I use the organic one, which is £4.95 - only 45p more than the non-organic. You could use a toner which contains tea tree oil but I think many toners are just diluted tea tree oil and more expensive too.

There are different causes of spots so if you suspect that it could be bacteria-related, try this out. It definitely works for me.

xx

Betty Hula Review

Aloha!

I'm not in sunny Hawaii, sadly, but the Betty Hula products I've been testing have put me in a sunny mood on this damp autumn's day. 

If you haven't heard of Betty Hula, it is a range of handmade skincare products made up of natural and fair trade ingredients. They have three moisturisers and a body oil so far and they will be widening their range to include lip balms, gift sets and body scrubs too.

I heard about Betty Hula a while ago and I've always thought that their jars look so beautiful and colourful but I've never had the chance to try what's inside them. They kindly sent me some samples to try of some of their moisturisers and The Secret body oil.

Moisturisers

The moisturisers I received are Champagne & Spice and Rum & Blackcurrant.

The ingredients* are: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E.

As you can see from the ingredients list, it is full of natural moisturising, anti-inflammatory and healing ingredients so you can use it for different reasons whether you want to use it for your eczema or as an aftersun cream. I'm surprised that fragrance isn't on the list because there is definitely fragrance in there! I've been told that the fragrance is natural but it undergoes a manmade process so they would describe the product as being 99% natural.

I imagined the consistency of the moisturisers to be like whipped shea butter but they're more like a heavy lotion (or a light cream) as you can see in the picture below.

Unlike some of the other creams I've reviewed previously, this product doesn't melt into an oil once it touches the skin. It's pretty much like most creams and lotions in that way. But it is still absored very quickly into the skin and doesn't leave my hands sticky.

I was also very curious how the creams would smell as they sound very unique and like nothing I have tried before. I actually imagined them to have a boozey smell but, thankfully, they don't smell like that at all!

Champagne & Spice has a sweet smell. It is very difficult to describe as it isn't like anything I've smelled before. It does smell familiar though. Like perfume except not overpowering. Do you know how some perfumes have a spicy smell? Kinda like that.

Rum & Blackcurrant is quite similar to Champagne & Spice in that it is also very sweet. It has a lovely fruity smell, which I quite like.

I really wish I could describe these scents better. They're just too unique to compare to anything. Overall, very nice smells. A little too strong first thing in the morning or at bedtime for me though, especially the Champagne & Spice, but it makes a nice evening treat after a bath. I love using it when I'm out as the smell is very comforting. Out of the two, I think I prefer Rum & Blackcurrant as I don't like the spiciness of the Champagne & Spice.

I haven't been using them long enough on my body to comment on how well they work but I'm happy with using it as a hand cream. My hands feel soft and hydrated.

I quite like the creams and would buy them if they were a little cheaper. Until I find them on offer, they're going on the (never-ending) wish list. I think it's great that there is a natural cream that has a fun smell as many brands tend to follow the fragrance-free path, which isn't very exciting. There is also a Kiwi & Lime scented one that sounds delicious.

RRP £14.99 for 120ml

The Secret

The Secret is a body oil that is described to be moisturising, repairing and anti-ageing. The ingredients* are: Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Kemel, Avocado Oil, Hemp Oil, Vitamin E, Rose Absolute, Jojoba Oil.

I love that they use a range of different oils that are known to have anti-ageing properties so the skin benefits from them all. I don't have any wrinkles or scars but I have been getting stretch marks. I haven't been using it much though as I keep forgetting to but I'll try to use it more often and report back if I can. Again, it has a lovely smell that is 100% natural and I won't even attempt to describe it.

Whether it works for me or not, I would rather buy rosehip oil, which is less than half the price of this and I've read numerous recommendations for it. But if you're looking for a fun smelling alternative to rosehip oil or a luxurious yet useful gift for a mamma-to-be, this seems like a great product.

RRP £15.99 for 50ml

Sounds tempting? Betty Hula is available at Bettyhula.co.uk and selected Sainsbury's stores. Get 15% off at Bettyhula.co.uk with the code BHB15. Plus free shipping!

*EDIT: I am unsure about the full ingredients list. The ingredients list on the Sainsbury's website differ.

xx

Rawganic 3-in-1 Facial Wipes Review

You come home and just feel like going straight to bed... but you need to remove your make up. It happens all the time. I have always made the effort to cleanse my face as the thought of sleeping with my make up on terrifies me. But using cleansing wipes makes things so much easier. With Rawganic Organic 3-in-1 facial wipes you can cleanse, tone and moisturise with just one wipe so you can kill three birds with one stone (not my favourite idiom).

I was sent a pack of these to try by Rawganic and I was so happy to give them a go as it isn't easy finding wipes made from only natural ingredients.

The ingredients of this product (96% of which are organic) are:

Aqua, Cotton*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice powder*, Benzyl alcohol, Maltodextrin*, Coco-Glucoside, Betaine, Dehydroxyacetic acid, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) leaf extract, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid.

*Indicates certified organically produced ingredients.

The first thing I noticed about these wipes is the two holes punched in the middle of the wipes. I thought maybe they help split the wipe into two smaller ones. *attempts to rip the two parts apart* Nope! I have nothing against holes but I'm curious to know why they're there so if anyone has any idea, let me know.

The scent of the wipes is barely there. It has a clean smell like baby lotion. I quite like it.

Now for the most important part.. how well do they work? Extremely well actually. Just one wipe of this across my face and all traces of make up, heavy eyeliner and mascara included, are vanished. You wouldn't think it with how light and gentle these wipes are.

After my face is cleansed, my face feels a little damp. Hydrated rather than oily. Within a minute or so, the 'stuff' is all absorbed into my skin and it feels clean and soft.

So I'm very happy with these wipes and would recommend them.

The wipes cost £3.30 for 25. Available from Naturismo.com.

xx

Natural beauty on a budget

The natural beauty niche market is full of highly priced brands, which aren't affordable for everyone especially if you have to shop for the whole family. I think natural products should be affordable for everyone so I've put together some products that won't break the bank.

Find these products at Love Lula. Naked Produucts are available from the Naked Bodycare website.

xx

Dr.Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Body Oil review

As promised, I'm finally reviewing the Dr.Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Body Oil.

This product is described as 'This invigorating oil enhances the skin's elasticity and helps to discourage cellulite.'

This sounded great for me. I had no cellulite when I used to go to the gym but as I've been gaining weight, it came back. Booo :(

I don't know whether this product just discourages cellulite or it reduces it too but from what I've heard, lemongrass oil is great for decreasing fluid retention in the body. I haven't been using it long enough to personally see any difference on the amount of cellulite I have but even so it would still be difficult to know whether any reduction in cellulite is caused by the oil or the massage.

Whether it will do anything for my cellulite or not, the moisturising properties of this product is amazing. I've been using lotions and creams on my legs for years and could never find anything to get rid of the keratosis pilaris on my outer thighs. But my legs must love the oil as they soak it right up really quickly and I've noticed a big difference even after the first application. No more bumpy legs, yay!

Another thing I love about this is how easy it is to massage around my body. I get annoyed with some creams that take forever to spread and be absorbed but it's super quick to apply this after a shower.

I also LOVE the smell. Lemongrass smells delicious.

So even though I'm not so sure about the cellulite busting properties, I would recommend this as a body oil if you have really dry skin or keratosis. Seriously worth the money!

Dr.Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass body oil is available at Love Lula for £17.95.

xx

Pai skincare review

Pai skincare, who are an organic skincare brand certified by the Soil Association, sent me a sample set of a cleanser and two moisturisers in a cute little pouch for me to try*. 

Camellia & rose gentle hydrating cleanser

I've been using this as a make up remover and it removes make up, including eye make up, very easily and gently without irritating the skin. I got a little in my eye and I didn't feel a thing!

The consistency is very light so the oils are absorbed quickly but my skin felt hydrated rather than greasy. However, because the product is absorbed quickly, I found that I had to use more of the product.

Geranium & thistle combination skin cream

I've being using this on dry areas around my face, especially around my nose. Even though it has a thick consistency, it is absorbed very quickly and my skin felt softer from the first application.

Macadamia & rose dry skin cream

As I'm using the Geranium & thistle cream on dry areas, which is much suitable as I wouldn't want blemishes to appear in the surrounding oily parts of my skin, I am using the macadamia and rose dry skin cream on my hands instead. Again, the cream is absorbed really quickly so I don't have to wait long for it to dry or end up with sticky hands. The sample pot is a great size to pop into my handbag too.

My favourite things about these products is the thick consistency that melts on my skin and how cold they are. And I love the mild rose smell, which is great because I don't like overpowering smells. I think these products have a lot of great properties and are truly of premium quality.

The cleanser costs £25 and the moisturisers cost between £19 and £26 so they aren't cheap. They are absolutely great products but I personally wouldn't spend that much on them. If you love premium skincare or are looking for something that would work on dry or irritated skin, then I'd recommend getting a free sample set and trying them out. You only have to pay for p&p.

*Views are my own as always! :)

Miss Polly Organic Tootsie Treatment

Miss Polly has a lovely selection of natural skincare products from soap to facial skincare. The whole look of the products are simple adorable. They look perfect to give as a gift or to spoil yourself with.

Miss Polly herself recently sent me her organic Tootsie Treatment in peppermint. I chose this product because my feet are one of the driest parts of my body and I love anything that smells like sweets.

The Tootsie Treatment is made up of the following ingredients:

Butyrospermum parkii (organic shea) seed butter, Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) oil, Theobroma cocao (cocoa) seed butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mentha piperita (peppermint essential oil), Limonene* (naturally occur in essential oil)

It has a firmer texture than whipped shea butters but it's still soft enough to scoop out of the cute glass jar.

I do prefer whipped butters but as this is so packed rather than aerated, you certainly get more in the jar. On the skin it melts instantly making it easy to massage onto the feet.

It is absorbed really quickly when I use a small amount but when I use a generous amount I find that it takes a while longer to be absorbed than other butters I've tried. As I like to use lots for my dry feet, I use this before I go to sleep or when I'm relaxing with a cup of tea. This also makes it perfect for foot massages.

Peppermint essential oil is known to have a cooling effect on the skin and the massaging motion of my hands certainly adds to the relaxing effect. The sweet minty aroma gives tired feet a fresh smell as well as awakening the senses, especially after a tiring day.

Overall, I think this is a lovely product that not only serves its purpose but spoils you with it's pretty packaging and sweet smell. It's not as moisturising as some other moisturisers I've tried but definitely better than most as it's a concentrated product unlike watered down lotions. If your feet aren't extremely dry anyway (lucky you!) then I would totally recommend this for keeping them in good condition.

Visit misspolly.co.uk and have a look at the rest of the range. The soaps are the cutest I've seen and the gift sets are perfect for the ladies in your life.

xx

* 100% honest as always :)