bath salts

30 June 2020

Get a good night sleep with natural aromatherapy room and pillow mists
(this is not sponsored)

Everyone has a lot on their minds and you might be struggling with sleeping just as I am. There are many suggestions for sleep aids but I've always been a fan of pillow mists. On the whole my allergic self can tolerate them in my room and on my bed linen. Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to soothing the mind, body and spirit. Essential oils are used for many different ailments and a pillow mist may help ease stress, agitation and anxiety. No one can promise a miracle but it's worth a trying a pillow mist for yourself.

25 July 2017

Series Swap High Street Favourites for Natural Skincare
Before I start this swap article I must say its been nice to see natural brands mentioned on YouTube by vloggers who I class as drugstore and mainstream consumers. So far I’ve seen recommendations for Therapie, RMS, Antipodes and Tata Harper which is great but makes writing these posts a little tricky as my work is already done. I was even a little surprised that when I researched a mention for Kat Burki Vitamin C Moisturiser it looks like they actually have a good ingredients policy. 

So lets jump in now to some products I picked out from videos and give you some swaps for consideration.

Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak – Lots of lovely alternatives out there including Weleda arnica muscle soak, Plant Apothecary's Super Soak Organic Healing Bath, The Isla Apothecary Relax and Recovery Bath Salts, Bloom Remedies Aromatherapy Bath Oils.

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil – I probably said this a million times but it's super easy to avoid mineral oil based cleansers found on the high street. I could recommend Handmade Naturals Face Cleansing Oil with Japanese Camellia & Rice Bran, Skin & Tonic Makeup Remover, Mallow & White (they have 3 cleansers depending on your skin type), Balm Balm Super Light Coconut Cleanser and Siskyn Skincare Oils Camellia & Safflower Hot Cloth Cleansing Oil.

Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow - described as “give your complexion an instant pick-me-up to create an effortlessly dewy look” with this in mind I would consider 100% Pure Luminous Primer and Vapour Stratus Skin Perfector. Also there is a limited edition collection from Tata Harper containing trial size essentials for a "luminescent glow".

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Self Tan Lotion Light Medium With Chia Oil – a number of alternatives are available, firstly look at Eco by Sonya and TanOrganic who have a range of self tanners. Others products to consider are Green People Self Tan Lotion, Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel, Trilogy self tan instant bronzing gel and The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan.

Perfect World Double Chocolate Chip - since we are having warmer weather and this ice cream came up in a favourites video I thought I'd include Vegan alternative since Perfect World is free from milk but not eggs. My absolute favourite is Jollyum Double Chocolate as it's rich and indulgent, when I first tried it I kept checking the label as I wasn't convinced it was dairy free, its that good. Other alternatives to look for are Booja-Booja hunky punky chocolate, Swedish Glace Chocolate, Alpro Hazelnut Chocolate Ice Cream, Frill The Frozen Smoothie Intense Chocolate and Coconut Collaborative Dairy Free Chocolate Snowconut.

You can purchase the skincare products mentioned from my favourite sites Content Beauty and Naturisimo.com. If you would like to read my last swap article click here - No 7 - Green Beauty Alternatives featuring Akin, Zao, Kjaer Weis and Intelligent Nutrients

Sarah x

4 April 2017

Love to B Natural Skincare Handmade Dorset
Digging through my archives I realised it had been a long time since I had talked about Love to B (they recently re-branded from Chilly B Soap Company). Julie has grown her business to a point where she has up-sized manufacturing from the family home to a new unit in Ringwood (Dorset). I managed to squeeze in a visit on Friday to see the new premises as we have family in the local area and were passing by.

14 February 2017

Pure Thoughts Eucalyptus & Rosehip Natural Soap
I've known Pure Thoughts for a very long time, in fact I think it goes back to pre-blogging days. I've featured a number of products from them over the years (many of these products have long been retired) but I was always a fan of their face masks and shea butters.

Leanna, the founder of Pure Thoughts, has entered a new chapter that has evolved once again with new branding and range. Pure Thoughts has now become 100% Vegan, they have reformulated the soaps bars making them Palm Oil free and added an aromatherapy skincare collection and soy wax meditation candles.
Pure Thoughts Gratitude Meditation Candle
The new range looks stunning and whilst I am yet to place an order, I've my eye on a number of products particularly the pulse point oils. I know a number of Green Bloggers who love using charcoal soaps so you will be pleased to hear there is one in the range. I also think the new candles and bath salts would make beautiful gifts. 

Pure Thoughts is a natural brand that you can trust so I highly recommend you bookmark their website for when you want to treat yourself or a love one. You may also enjoy reading their blog also found on the site.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - this is NOT sponsored

Archives

4 April 2015

Sugarpuffish Empties March 2015

I had spent the afternoon recording a video but I've had technical difficulties with the sound being out of sync. It's very frustrating so I am now here writing this post instead. I did not have many products in the empty basket this month. 

20 March 2015

Pure Nuff Stuff Shaving Soap Review
UPDATE 13.04.15: After reviewing it came to light that Pure Nuff Stuff should not be using the Leaping Bunny logo on products/website. I've had confirmation from Cruelty Free International that certification was terminated in 2013. I am saddened by this information because I bought products in good faith. To date PNS have failed to respond to my email.

I have made a few orders with Pure Nuff Stuff, first it was shaving soap for my other half, then I decided to buy shower gel and foot soak shots. Pure Nuff Stuff is a brand I have had my eye on long before I started this blog. Products are free from the usual suspect “nasty” ingredients (SLS, parabens, synthetic fragrances & colours, petrochemicals etc).

Slowly but surely I have been encouraging Mr Sugarpuffish’s to “clean up” his choice of facial products. I must admit I buy the products and strategically place them in the bathroom. I bought the shaving soap with a bowl (refills available) and I recommend picking up a shaving brush if you don’t already have one. 

Mr Sugarpuffish tells me he is happy with the soap. It took him a bit of practice to master the right amount of lather but otherwise he has been managing fine with the switch from aerosol shaving gels. This soap is scented with clary sage and lime but it is not a heavy fragrance. I suspected Mr S was mildly sensitive to mainstream shaving gels and I have noticed improvements in his skin, previously he would get a rash over his chin and I don’t see this when he uses the shaving soap. You certainly do get value for money as the soap with a bowl costs £6.50. I bought it at the end of September 2014, it is used weekly and plenty of product remains at this time.

Pure Nuff Stuff Body Wash & Bath Shots Review

I had previously mentioned the Squeaky Clean Bath & Shower Gel in a post about unscented products. I am really pleased I took the plunge to order this. The ingredients are simple and the option to buy without fragrance is always welcomed where my skin is concerned. This shower gel lathers up nicely on my Konjac sponge and I am very happy in the knowledge that it does not strip or irritate my skin.

I chose the bath shots because I love the concept, they are budget friendly and you can pick scents depending on your mood. I recently have been enjoying foot soaks so I bought Fresh Feet and Arch Angel. My only criticism is the product was compacted into the tube so it did not pour out, I ended up using the handle of a sundae spoon to release the product but aside from this I think they are very nice salt soaks.

Pure Nuff Stuff has a large product range and I definitely recommend taking a look at their website. They may not have the most fancy of packaging but you will find honest ingredients and prices.

Sarah x


3 March 2015

Bespoke Aroma Bath Tea Infusions

I accepted an offer to sample Bespoke Aroma Bath Tea Infusions*. Now this tea is for dunking your body in not some weird new diet that has you drinking from the bath tub. These bath soaks contain oatmeal and Dead Sea salts plus a selection of herbs and oils to meet the needs of different skin types and moods. As you can tell from the picture (and as the name suggests) these really are similar to tea bags, just larger in size than your traditional brew.

Bespoke Aroma Bath Tea Infusions

I was particularly interested to try the soothing infusion which is aimed at those with irritated skin, eczema and psoriasis. It contains ingredients which I gravitate towards and know work well for me. Burdock, comfrey, raspberry, calendula, chamomile and bergamot all contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and the oatmeal and sea salts help condition the skin. 

I enjoyed my time in the bath tub. You know I am not about to make any miracle claims but my skin felt nice and the soak did not appear to irritate my patchy and mild eczema. I would of course advise caution if you have a skin condition or allergies but worth a try if you know the ingredients are suitable for you as you would find it a challenge to patch test this product. 

Check out Bespoke Aroma because the bath teas are just one of several natural and organic products in their range.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - *PR samples, links are not affiliated

17 December 2014


LouLouBelle London Natural Aromatherapy Skincare
(update September 2021 - sadly LouLouBelle has ceased trading)

Let me introduce you to a skincare brand that I recently discovered online. LouLouBelle London is a boutique aromatherapy company and their mission is to create beautiful skincare from natural ingredients. Products are handmade in small batches using essential oils, plant essences and floral waters. They have chosen to formulate without bleaching agents, parabens, sulphates, bulking agents / fillers or artificial colourings or fragrances. I originally wrote this article  in 2014 which is when the company launched and over the years they have become an award winning brand. I have come to know LouLouBelle as entrants for the Free From Skincare Awards.

So what type of products can you purchase from LouLouBelle? There are a  wide range of options available under the categories of Skincare and Bath & Body.  You can purchase cleansers, toners and moisturisers for various skin types, along with gorgeous body creams and oils plus pampering treats of bath milks/oils. If you are looking for a special treat then check out the gift sets. For those with sensitive skin, LouLouBelle has a "Nude" range with several products formulations without the inclusion of essential oils

Sarah x

20 September 2014

Chilly B Lavender Lullaby Luxury Bath Soak

UPDATE 2017 - CHILLY B re-branded to LOVE TO B

I am not a bath person, it stems from my childhood years of missing out on Mr Matey and having to bathe in paraffin eczema treatments. Recently, I have been trying to take some “me time” and relax in the tub. I’m still not completely swayed but I have enjoyed the excuse to buy bath products.

I placed an order with Chilly B and they kindly included Lavender Lullaby Luxury Bath Soak. This soak is a combination of Dead Sea and Himalayan salts with added Shea and Cocoa butter. The butters give a luxurious feel and after bathing my skin feels silky but not greasy. These salts also contains lavender petals which I think makes a pretty addition to your bathing experience. I love the packaging for its cute and pretty labels. The bath salts are available in screw top bottles or clip top jars.

Quintessentially English Lavender Fields Bath Bomb
I purchased a Quintessentially English Lavender Fields Bath Bomb from Adore Naturals. The ingredients are simple - Water (Aqua), Bicarbonate of soda, Citric acid, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool. The subtle lavender scent was the only minor disappointment. I find lavender a comforting fragrance and would have preferred a bit more of it.  

I enjoyed bathing in the tub with both products and did not experience irritation or noticeable dryness to my skin. I definitely suggest adding both Quintessentially English bath bombs and Chilly B Luxury Bath Soak to your wish list and with Christmas (yes I dared to mention it in September!) approaching they would make lovely stocking fillers.

Sarah x


Disclaimer - Chilly B bath salts sent free of charge with my order, not sponsored, no affiliated links

21 June 2014

Beridan Naturals Botanical Apothecary
A late night discovery which I wanted to share mainly with my US readers although international shipping is available. I simply fell in love with the beautiful display of products on Beridan Naturals website. I think elegant simplicity is the best way to describe this company. Products are free from harsh ingredients, 100% natural and no animal testing. Browsing the website is a delight and I am loving the idea of oatmeal and coconut bath milk.

Sarah x

2 June 2014

Abahna Bath Salts
Abahna Sleep Aromatherapy Bath Salts (400g £12)

At some point towards end of last year Abahna kindly sent me Bath Salts from their Sleep Collection. It suddenly dawned on me that I had not featured them on my blog (shame on me!). You have probably figured out from all my body wash reviews that I prefer showers to baths. I think this stems from having eczema. I must have been highly flammable as a kid from all the petroleum bath oils I had to soak in, bathing was not something I enjoyed.

If you enjoy using therapeutic Dead Sea bath salts, then this Abahna product has your name written all over it. The aroma is beautiful and comes from lavender, neroli and clary sage. This is a natural brand with clean ingredients. Whilst I would not buy bath salts for myself, as with all Abahna products the packaging is gorgeous and makes a perfect gift. Thinking ahead to Mother's Day, I can tell you my Mum loved the Abahna gift I brought her last year. I recommend you go and browse their website.
Purely Natural Moisturiser
Purely Natural 0 Tolerance Moisturiser (50ml £6.95)

You may remember last year I reviewed the Eczema Cleanser from Purely Natural. It was not my favourite product to use but I appreciated the 100% natural ingredients policy of the company. My Dr Organic cream had run out so I used it as an excuse to see what else I could try. I ended up on the Purely Natural site and chose to purchase the 0 (zero) tolerance moisturiser. Simple ingredients and budget friendly pricing was the attraction.

I was slightly disappoint when it arrived as I describe it as a soft balm or ointment. I was looking for a traditional face cream like Dr Organic. Despite the initial disappointment I decided to put this to use as a night cream. You need the smallest amount so it is very economical. My skin absorbs with ease after a couple of minutes. As an eczema sufferer my skin lacks natural oils so that is why I rarely find balms greasy or heavy. I do think this is a good product and I'd recommend it to those of you who have dry and sensitive skin type. 

Have you tried any products from Abahna or Purely Natural?

Sarah x


Disclaimer - bath salts are PR sample, moisturiser purchased with my money, links are not affiliated

5 March 2014

"Sensara Kolure is a family run business based in the heart of the Sussex countryside where all our luxury bath salts are lovingly handmade in small batches to ensure you receive the freshest and most vibrant products possible. Purity and quality is important to us so we source 100% natural and organic ingredients and don’t use any artificial or synthetic chemicals in our products. We hope you’ll love our colour therapy bath salts as much as we do." www.sensarakolure.com

I do love a company with good free from credentials. Sensara Kolure products do not contain parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), synthetic fragrance, artificial colours, artificial preservatives and Animal products. There is no denying that Sensara Kolure caught my attention because I was drawn to the brightly labelled jars. The blend of aromatherapy oils are intended to transform your mood and emotions. Who can resist products with names like Magical Purple, Flamenco Red or Sunrise Yellow.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - Introduction posts are my virtual shopping list which I like to share with readers, 
this is NOT a sponsored post & links are not affiliated

22 July 2013

UPDATE 2020: this scrub has been discontinued but Pure Thoughts are still trading, the new product range includes soap, bath & body and candles 

I like products from Pure Thoughts and I have dip in and out of their range over the years. It had been a while since my last purchase so I decided to place an order. If you have been following my YouTube channel you will have heard me mention the Raspberry & Almond Face Scrub.

“Wake up with the sweet scent of real raspberries, ground almonds and a dash of honey. Together they create a healthy exfoliating treatment to help prepare sleepy skin for the day ahead.” 

This scrub is a powder which you mix with water. It can be a bit messy but I do not mind. The beauty of a product in powder form is an extended shelf life and free from preservatives. I do not exfoliate regularly so usually a scrub will expire before I reach the end of the tube. Most of the time a muslin cloth is enough exfoliation for me but every once in a while I like to have a deeper polish. It is a gritty scrub so may not be suitable for everyone but I do find by varying the amount of water I can adjust the consistency to suit me. I will advise that you need to be careful with scrubs as too much, too often can be damaging to the skin. The bright pink/red colour from raspberries just makes me smile. Your face does look like a horror movie when applied as it momentarily stains in colour. 



Overall, I think this is a nice product which does the job it was intended for and it makes my skin feel softer and brighter. I think value for money is great, a 30g jar costs £7 which Pure Thoughts says should be enough for 10 treatments. I also stocked up on some face masks when I placed my order as I like the Banana & Yellow Clay.

Sarah x

22 May 2013

Love to B skincare
Sadly Miss Polly Natural Skincare has ceased trading. I'd like to offer an alternative recommendation in Love to B. Back in 2010, the Love to b story began in Dorset when an anxious Julie was looking for an effective natural and non-steroidal treatment for her daughter's eczema. If you love handmade, natural skincare then visit Love to B shop in Ringwood, Hampshire or order online, you will not be disappointed.

8 February 2012

Pure Thoughts Natural Handmade Soap Bars
UPDATE 2020: the face mask mentioned in this review has been discontinued but Pure Thoughts are still trading, the new product range includes soap, bath & body and candles 

I love products from Pure Thoughts and they make lovely gifts so at Christmas I stocked up on goodies to give to my Best Friend. I had forgotten that I had also ordered a little something for myself and re-discovered it at the weekend. 

Pure Thoughts are now offering 'Try Me' sizes for some of their products. I bought myself a ‘Try Me’ Banana & Yellow Clay face mask. Face masks are not something I use on a regular basis, in fact I think until recently, it has been a number of years since I invested in one. 

Saturday night I decided to pamper myself as the snow was falling out side it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a pick me up. The sachet contains enough face mask for one application. It is a powder which you mix with a small amount of water (I used warm water from the tap). I found the best way to mix the mask was to empty the sachet into a bowl and add one teaspoon at a time, mixing in between, until I achieved the consistency I desired. Then I applied to my face and let it do its magic. 

The instructions do not advise a time frame to leave on skin, it simply says to remove when dry. For me I would guess this took around 10 minutes. The mask smelt neutral, I did not smell like a giant banana, that might be disappointing for some but I was not upset. As the mask dries you feel your skin tightening. According to my Boyfriend it made me look like a wax work at Madame Tussauds. One look in the mirror and I looked amazing. Only joking but it was funny, the mask almost matched my skin tone so I looked airbrushed and wrinkle free.  I found the easiest way to remove the product was with a damp muslin cloth. It came off easily and I did not need to scrub at my face. 

The Banana & Yellow Clay mask is said to “Nourish neglected skin to leave it feeling bright and revitalised”. It certainly did that for me. My skin looked wonderful, that dull winter greyness had been replaced by a glowing pink complexion. My skin felt soft and smooth. I had recently, tried a different brand of clay mask and had an allergic reaction. This on the other hand was gentle and my pink complexion was down to circulation rather than irritation. 

Overall, I highly recommend this treat and Pure Thoughts products never disappoint. There are a variety of  masks  on offer for different skin needs. Choose from Strawberry & Pink Clay, Apricot & Yoghurt, Cranberry & Raspberry, Pineapple & Mango, Yoghurt & Green Clay, Mango & Peach. The best thing about these masks is Pure Thoughts products are free from SLS, parabens, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance & colours and preservatives. 

Sarah x

4 August 2011

Pure Thoughts Whipped Shea Butter

UPDATE 2020: the body butter mentioned in this review has been discontinued but Pure Thoughts are still trading, the new product range includes soap, bath & body and candles 

I cannot remember how I came across the website but I have known about Pure Thoughts long before I have been blogging. In the past I have purchased their soaps as they make lovely gifts. All the products made by Pure Thoughts are free from parabens, SLS, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, colours and preservatives.

This time round I decided to indulge myself in the skin care line and purchased the Lavender & Jojoba Shea Butter body cream/butter. This cream is super thick, rich and very luxurious. It is not something you slap on when you are in a hurry, this is a product to take your time with and pamper every part of your body. It takes a little while for the product to sink in so I use it before bedtime and then when I wake up in the morning there is no residue just super smooth soft skin. You are definitely going to love this product if you have extremely dry skin and I can see myself really benefiting from it during the winter months. A little goes a long way and Pure Thoughts recommend using this body butter sparingly. It is available with other fragrances – peppermint and tangerine plus there is an unscented version. 

I would also like to compliment the company on fast delivery and attention to detail as my order included a free mini soap. Delivery is limited to UK Mainland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.

Sarah x

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