body butter

19 November 2023

Unscented Body Butter for sensitive skin and those prone to allergies

For dry skin, prone to sensitivity, eczema and essential oil allergies try unscented Body Butter to hydrate all year around but especially during cold, winter weather

Akamuti Cocoa and Almond Body Butter

Conscious Skincare Pure Body Butter

Ezape Naturals Mango and Cocoa Butter or Shea Body Butter

Fushi Wellbeing Shea Butter

Green Woman Green Cream Unscented Body Butter

Heavenly Organics Unscented Body Butter

Hurray for Shea Whipped Body Souffle Fragrance Free

Kutis Skincare Naked Body Butter

Liha Raw Shea Butter Gold

Mrs Frisbee's Jojoba Butter

Naturally TIWA Yara Body Food

Nudge Boutique Fragrance Free Whipped Body Butter

Wild Seed Botanicals Naked Whipped Shea Butter (nut free)


(provided for information only/not sponsored/no affiliate links)

26 December 2022

Green Beauty Brands that stood the test of time: A look back at 2011 Blog Posts

As 2022 draws to a close I thought it might be interesting to look back on my first year of blogging. It all began in May 2011 and I was curious to see how many of those early posts had stood the test of time. Sadly there a several brands that no longer exist but there are some products that remain staples in my home.

Whilst the Faith In Nature Cacao Body Wash has long since disappeared I'm still using their products. Currently in my collection I have the Jojoba and Avocado body washes and Dragonfruit hand wash. I've always found Faith in Nature to be a reasonably priced brand and these days you can find on the high street and local refill stores. I had paired up my original body wash review with a post about Nakd raw fruit & nut bars. I'm still a loyal customer and eat them on a daily basis. Current favourite flavours are Bakewell and Peanut.

I don't use Dr Bronner's as often as I once did but you'll still find it in my home as it's the best liquid soap to use for washing out makeup brushes. Over the years I found it a little too drying on my skin so for me, its main purpose is now household cleaning.

I'm still using Naturtint Hazelnut Blonde hair colourant but honestly I'm now contemplating whether it's time to ditch it and embrace the grey; only time will tell.

I can safely say that I'm still bitter that Alpro still haven't launched the Macchiato drink which I had on my trip to Amsterdam.

Konjac Sponges have remained in my life but I now only use the body sponges. Over the years I tried out several brands but we (my husband and I) are currently re-purchasing from Friendly Soap.

I'm still sadden to this day at the loss of Brownearth body butters. They were a favourite for a long time. You can of course find lots of decent green brands offering different variations of shea body butters either with this standalone ingredient or combining with others such as coconut or cocoa butter.

I'm can't quite believe that I first discovered Evolve Organic Beauty back in 2011. I remember the branding was very different back in the day. Evolve is definitely one of those brands that I revisit over and over again, dipping into products as the range has expanded. Currently I'm trying out the Bio-Retinol + C Booster and I've placed an order for the Bio-Retinol Gold Mask in the Boxing Day sales!

I remember using Organic Surge shower gels regularly back in the early years. I thought they were lost forever but recently discovered they re-branded to Organic Works (OW).

Oh my the photo on this post about TK Maxx is terrible but I wanted to say that I still visit stores looking for beauty bargains.

In my first month of blogging I wrote about my struggles with sun cream that was suitable for eczema prone skin. I just wanted to say that through many trials I eventually settled on Green People. This is a brand I had been using long before the blog started. It is very much a staple to this day. I am a fan of their scent free moisturisers and of course facial sun cream.

I hope that you have enjoyed this look back over 2011 and comparing it with 2022. At this time I'm not sure whether I'll continue blogging into 2023 but you can always find me over on social media if you'd like to connect.

Happy New Year to you all!

Sarah x

3 January 2022

Top 8 Natural, organic and vegan skincare for 2021
(includes items gifted by PR which have previously been featured on this website)

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I would have a look back at 2021 and let you know which products have made a lasting impression. 

I'd rarely used hand sanitiser before the pandemic because it can be very unkind to delicate, eczema prone skin due to the high alcohol content and fragrance allergens. Needs must over the past couple of years and I was grateful that one of my favourite budget brands launched a sanitising gel which was free from linalool. Since my initial review back in January you can guess we've been through several bottles of Organii Purifying Hand Gel.

In March it was Silvan Skincare Pure Face Cream that was a hit. I recall a lovely whipped texture with ingredients that are calming on sensitive skin. Finding a decent fragrance free moisturiser has been a mission for many years and this is up there with my favourites.

Since April I've been through several jars of Maison Meunier Skincare Gentle Cleansing Gel Balm. I like this cleanser because it's an balm-oil to milk formulation. It has a beautiful golden syrup like texture which feels great massaged into my delicate skin and can be easily removed with water or damp cloth.

Over the summer Lily & Rabbit added to their product range with a vegan soap bar collection. The Coconut soap has been a pleasure to use and the bar recently came to an end. I've been impressed with how well it lasted and of course how gentle it has been on my skin.

I'd always been a fan of Odylique Repair Lotion but it can back into my life in last year and has been here to stay. I use it top to toe including on my face. Despite the name it's not a watery, runny product and is very much a light but rich cream. I've been using it as a general moisturiser but it is perfect on itchy eczema patches.

I was on a huge cleanser kick in 2021 and the next product to win me over was Adaptology Red Avert Cleanser. I loved the beautiful and unusual blue colouration from Blue Tansy with an aroma that reminded me of candy. As I mentioned balm-oil textures are one of my favourites and this one did not disappoint. 

In November I wrote about Nudge Boutique Whipped Body Butter and it has been a joy to use. I've seen a lot of body butters over the years but this one stands out. Not only do I enjoy the coconut aroma but it rarely feels greasy on my skin. I've always had a sensory aversion to heavy products and I think it stems back to years of eczema emollients. It is probably a odd thing to mention but my skin doesn't feel overwhelmed or suffocated by this product.

I rounded off the year with a review of Terre Verdi ThéBianco Camellia Oil. I think it beautifully sums up my love of simplicity. Skincare doesn't have to feel complicated and there is joy to be found in stand alone ingredients.

I don't know about you but I'm already excited to see what I discover in 2022.

Sarah x

6 November 2021

Review Nudge Boutique Cocoa & Avocado Oil to Milk Cleansing Bar and Fragrance Free Whipped Body Butter
(Purchased Products)

2024 - THIS STORE IS NOW CLOSED

I adore oil to milk cleansers and happily received a recommendation over on IG to check out Nudge Boutique (thank you Emma). I decided to order the Nudge Boutique Cocoa & Avocado Oil to Milk Cleansing Bar and Fragrance Free Whipped Body Butter.

By now you've realised that using skincare that is free from essential oils is of huge benefit to me. I will always champion new and innovative products that consider consumers with sensitivities. Nudge Boutique Cocoa & Avocado Oil to Milk Cleansing Bar stands out from the crowd for being a solid cleanser. This is a great way to reduce waste and refill options are available. It's also super handy for travel because I'm sure like many of you know leaking bottles can be a problem. There is nothing worse than loosing a precious oil to your wash bag.

Nudge Boutique cleansing bar fits perfectly into the palm of your hand which makes application easy. All you need to do is rub the bar over dry skin and your natural warmth melts the cleanser to leave a lovely oil on the surface of your face. Then you can take the time to massage across your skin to remove dirt and makeup. When you are happy to finish cleansing simply apply water to emulsify the oil into a milk and rinse away. After a bit of experimenting I decided my chosen method is not to emulsify on the skin but to wipe the oil away with a damp cloth. Not only is this cleanser a joy to use but it has a delightful aroma that naturally comes from cocoa butter.

I've been using Nudge Boutique Cocoa and Avocado Oil to Milk Cleansing Bar for weeks now; morning and evenings dependant on my mood. It has felt kind and gentle on my skin. I have to be honest and say that sometimes I experience a little dryness immediately after cleansing but there could be a number of factors for me to feel this way. It's not unusual for me to experience this when using an emulsifying cleanser. As it's only an occasional issue then I am happy to continue using the product. It would not be recommended to do so if you felt this way after every cleanse.

You can say that overall the cleansing bar has been effective and enjoyable to use but for me it's the Nudge Boutique Fragrance Free Whipped Body Butter that has made a lasting impression. This body butter contains delicious ingredients perfect for dry skin like mine - Coconut Oil, Kokum butter, Murumuru butter, Shea butter and Cocoa Butter. There is no added fragrance so it's aroma comes naturally from all the ingredients but in particular coconut oil. I use a spatula to scoop the butter from the jar as it's not as soft as other butters I own but it will melt when in contact with warm skin. What I love most is this feels like a 'dry' body butter and by that I mean it doesn't feel overly greasy. The absorption rate on my skin leaves me feeling silky smooth without any lasting stickiness. This experience has been quite unique in comparison to other body butters. I really rate how it vanishes fairly quickly. I find the best time to use a body butter like this one is straight after a shower. I feel comfortable using Nudge whipped butter on all areas of my body and it keeps dry, flaky skin at bay for the entire day. 

On behalf of consumers with sensitive skin, I'd like to thank Nudge Boutique for offering fragrance free skincare. It's lovely to see this inclusion and consideration when formulating products. I recommend you check out Nudge Boutique and browse their entire store. 

Sarah x

20 June 2021

Bloomtown, Butterwhips and Grüum
(gifted/unpaid)

Here we are again with a round up of products I've been testing from Love Lula. An important note for readers with allergy prone sensitive skin, these products are fragrance free and do not contain essential oil allergens.

Bloomtown The Spring Sweet Almond & Shea Sugar Scrub - I know this brand having sampled their products on the judges table for the Free From Skincare Awards. Over the years I have stayed away from exfoliating because my delicate skin can't handle it and it can be damaging. Saying that the one place that gets a yearly scrub is my feet as my tough trotters can handle the course sugar grains which I can't tolerate anywhere else on my body. I'm really bad at looking after my feet. I'm guessing most of us have had that moment of panic when the sun starts shining, the flip flops came out and the horror of cracked heels are unveiled to the world. Bloomtown sugar scrub is course and gritty but with the right amount of oil to give moisturisation and not a trip to A&E (slippery bath tubs are not what we want). Spring is the unscented version but there are five fragrant options in the sugar scrub collection. It comes in two sizes, I have the smaller 60ml jar which gives the perfect amount to road test before investing further. Overall a good product but I'd use sparingly as over exfoliating skin can cause issues.

Butterwhips Perfectly Pure Apricot Whipped Butter - If you enjoy using shea butter for hydrating your skin then I am sure this brand will appeal to you. Rich and luxurious which works well for dry skin. I have been using this butter on my legs which leaves them feeling silky smooth and lasts the day. I'd sum up Butterwhips as simple recyclable packaging with honest and straight forward ingredient formulation. Fragranced versions are available.

Grüum Pür Gentle Moisturiser - having previously shopped directly with Gruum to purchase their facial sunscreen. I'd refer to Grüum as affordable, uncomplicated, genderless and no gimmicks. The gentle moisturiser isn't promising to deliver any miracles but it will hydrate as expected. It's a lightweight lotion which works well on my mature, naturally dry skin. I will say that my skin generally glows in the summer months so it's easier to look after in comparison to the dryness of winter. The only criticism I have is with the packaging. The compact size is great to reduce waste but I struggle to squeeze product from the bottle. I have to shake hard, hold upside down and nudge the cream out. 


Sarah x

16 May 2021

Gallinée Prebiotic Perfume Free Cleansing Bar
(gifted/unpaid)

Back in March, I reviewed the Silvan Skincare Pure Face Cream and it quickly become a firm favourite in my skincare routine. As that product comes to an end it reminded me that I hadn't featured the other items included in my February delivery from Love Lula.

Gallinée Prebiotic Perfume Free Cleansing Bar - an interesting brand because products contain prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to support the good bacteria on your skin. I'm a bit sceptical about the use of these ingredients in skincare as I have questions about the effectiveness in products without stable packaging. Apparently the original scented Cleansing Bar is a best seller and now Gallinée have followed up with a fragrance free version. At first I thought this bar was intended for facial cleansing but the formula is gynaecologist tested and can be used over the body. 

Gallinée are very keen to inform customers that their cleansing bar is not a soap. You may be wondering what makes soap, soap free! It's all in the ingredients. Soap is formulated with natural oils or fats, sodium hydroxide (or other strong alkaline solutions) and surfactants. A 'soap-free' cleanser doesn't contain these ingredients.

This cleansing bar looks, feels and lathers like soap. It promises to be gentle and non-stripping on the skin. I'm going to be honest and say I'm struggling with this product. I'm sitting on the fence with my opinions in that I don't hate it but it hasn't got the 'wow' factor. For me, it may be better as a body cleaner but I lost interest in using it.
Lamazuna Solid Cocoa Butter
Lamazuna Solid Cocoa Butter (Frangipani) - first up this one smells delightful because I find it hard to dislike the scent of Frangipani. The tropical vacation vibes are what we all need right now. Lamazuna's ethos is zero waste which I am sure will appeal to many people. 

I'll be honest and say I have struggled with the concept of a solid moisturiser. Some people like their skincare waterless however I think my dry and eczema prone skin is better suited to creams and lotions. I've ended up using this solid cocoa butter to scent my skin rather than provide long lasting moisturisation. I simply don't feel as if I can get the traction and moisture that my skin craves. If you have an uncomplicated skin type and you crave plastic free skincare, then give Lamazuna Solid Cocoa Butter a try, you never know you may end up loving it.
Organically Epic Conscious Cotton Buds
Organically Epic Conscious Cotton Buds - there is nothing thrilling about cotton buds but I do like to use them for various beauty tasks. These buds are made from sustainable bamboo and organic cotton, they are compostable and recyclable. I do limit my usage but I'm also conscious about not contributing to plastic waste. These cotton buds are an easy product to recommend as there isn't anything to dislike about them.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the items featured here, please visit websites for more information.

Sarah x 

22 September 2020

review eden days sensitive soul whipped body butter
(Gifted PR sample)

There is nothing I love more than simple, honest, natural skincare and I feel Eden Days ticks this box. Eden Days is run by a mother and daughter team who are passionate about skincare that is ethical, vegan, sustainable and eco-friendly. Products are handmade, packaging is recyclable, ingredients are ethically source, biodegradable and palm oil free. The range of products varies from body butters, soaps, face care, hair care and pets.

I was introduced to Eden Days Sensitive Soul Whipped Body Butter from the Free From Skincare Awards. This body butter is targeted towards people who experience sensitive skin and may be prone to eczema and psoriasis. It's formulated with cocoa, coconut and shea butter but the key standout is Redbush. This herb is known for high contents of iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamins a natural alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) and antioxidant. When topically applied I'm sure that can only be a great for our skin. As expected this body butter is rich and luxurious, fragile to heat but creates a gorgeous oil when applied to the warmth of your skin. Body butters are intensive emollients which easily hydrate dry skin with lasting effect. Unlike lotions or creams, body butters are formulated without water so are concentrated formulations that also don't require preservatives. I adore the scent of cocoa butter and coconut oil so for me this is a heavenly natural fragrance. 

A quick review but I am more than happy to recommend Eden Days Sensitive Soul Whipped Body Butter. It honestly feels wonderful on my skin and improves dry patches. I love to apply on my legs after shaving, it adds a silky texture whilst combating dryness which I am prone to. If you'd like to explore the range of products available then please visit the website - Eden Days

Sarah x

9 June 2020

Natural skincare brands Happy Carrot Skincare, Naturekissd, Skin Genius
(This is not a sponsored post, the following brands are known to me through the Free From Skincare Awards, Skin Genius did gift press samples in 2019)

There are so many amazing skincare brands out there and I want to introduce more of them to you. I can't review every single product but I can offer some background information which in turn might lead you to visit their websites. I think now more than ever it's important to support small business. With this in mind lets explore the following brands.

Happy Carrot Skincare is sure to bring a smile to to your face with their bright and cheerful branding. Their "superhero" range is plant based, vegan, cruelty free and eco-friendly. It focuses on a maximum of ten natural ingredients which are high in anti-oxidants to help keep combination and acne prone skin happy and glowing. The product range is small but perfectly formed and includes - Incredible Carrot Hero Balm to cleanse and moisturise, Terrific Tomato Facial oil to nourish skin and Awesome Apricot Lip Balm to hydrate and soften your luscious lips. If you fancy trying Happy Carrot Skincare but are not to sure about committing to full sizes then choose the mini versions. To learn more please visit happycarrotskincare.com

Naturekissd was founded by organic Skincare Formulator Mary Cummings, out of her desire to tackle her family's sensitive skin, naturally. Mary realised that with three of her family members trying to cope with different skincare challenges, drastic changes had to be made. Many of these changes were initially to the hair and skincare products they had been using for years but hadn't given a second thought to - some of which were laden with common skin irritants. Naturekissd's focus is on using botanicals that heal, soothe and moisturise sensitive skin. Core products are unfragranced moisturisers and body butters. Additional products include botanical facial oils, a gentle hand wash, and a treatment set formulated for people with a sensitive scalp. For more details please visit etsy.com - naturekissd

I was introduced to Skin Genius last year when they achieved Bronze in the Free From Skincare Awards. Julia, the founder, experienced spots and acne throughout her teens and early 20s so the product range was created on the basis of this personal experience. Skin Genius receives excellent feedback from customers of all ages and is multi award winning. Products are formulated using natural plant derived vegan suitable ingredients which target bacteria, redness and inflammation associated with breakouts. The range includes cleansing face wash, leave-on purifying gel, soothing moisturiser and a pocket sized spot treatment to target individual pimples. Visit skin-genius.co.uk for further information.

Sarah x

1 April 2020

Introduction to Naturally Tribal Skincare
(this article is not sponsored)

During this difficult time I am offering to blog about small businesses that are still trying to trade. This idea was triggered when I was looking for Birthday gifts. April is a month of celebrations in my family and we are all spread out across the country so I can't hand deliver parcels to doorsteps. I would like to surprise loved ones with gifts for as long as I possibly can. I appreciate that non-essential shopping has been controversial however indie brands are self employed and trying to maintain an income under difficult circumstances. If I can support them in some small way through my website then I'd like to help.

9 April 2019

New beauty innovations on show at Natural & Organic Products Europe 2019
I thought I would share with you some of the new natural beauty innovations which launched at The Natural Beauty & Spa Show 2019. The original list was extensive so I've selected brands that I know and I'm happy to support/recommend.

12 June 2018

Guest Post Conscious Skincare 'Pure' - a collection of Fragrance Free products
Please note this is a guest post written by Conscious Skincare, this is not a sponsored post

Hello, I’m Rebecca Martin, founder of Conscious Skincare, a multi-award-winning organic skincare and body care company, based on the gorgeous west Wales coastline.

Like many of you, I live with a couple of health issues, asthma and an under-active thyroid, which mean I have to be careful about what I put on my skin and what I expose myself to. In fact, it was a severe allergic reaction that my husband experienced that kick-started Conscious Skincare in the first place. My husband got some wood stain on his skin and didn’t realise. It got into his system and he became very ill and hypo-allergenic to just about everything so I scrambled around, going through all my notes to come up with products he could use safely. It was a very scary time in our lives.

Day to day, an under-active thyroid means very dry skin, random pains for no reason at all, fatigue, anxiety and intense feelings of being ‘overwhelmed’. I have learned over the years to manage the anxiety with yoga, exercise, breathing and meditation but this anxious state means higher levels of cortisol in my body which can lead to burn out and worse still, organ damage so keeping an eye on how stressed I’m feeling is key! 

With my thyroid, I can manage and control how I respond; avoiding stressful situations, a good diet and taking good care of myself. My asthma however, is a different beast! It started after a whooping cough vaccination when I was 6. The main trigger is smell which is usually completely out of my control! It was terrible when I used to commute on the tube in London; body odour, stale air and my biggest nightmare, other people’s synthetic perfumes and after-shaves. 

Shopping was like running the gauntlet. Have you noticed how department stores force you to walk through a chemical mist as you enter the store? The cosmetic counters are right by the main entrances. These chemically laden mists are full of allergens and known toxins and you walk straight into it! It kills me every time and I have to cover my face, close my eyes and literally run through it. There couldn’t be more asthma and allergy triggers in one place if you tried. It’s alarming that many high end designer brands of perfume and after-shave still routinely contain known carcinogens and allergens. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics run by the Environmental Working Group in the U.S listed 38 secret chemicals in 17 top brand perfume brands. The average fragrance contained 14 chemicals that were not even listed on the label. Amongst the chemicals found were those associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions. Even more worrying was that many of the substances found had not been assessed for safety in cosmetic products. There couldn’t be a stronger argument for ditching perfumes and after-shaves! 

When I started Conscious Skincare, ‘parfum’ would never have a place in our products. We only use high quality pure essential oils and we only use them for the benefits they bring to your skin, not for fragrance. We have launched a specific range which is free from any essential oils called ‘Pure’. Perfect for those of you who, like me, your allergy triggers are smells too! 

To see the full range, go to www.conscious-skincare.com and to find out more about us.

5 June 2018

review Mallow and White Soothe Balm Fragrance Free
A few weeks ago I received a surprise package with a little card inside that read “I was thinking of you when I concocted this balm”. I was not only extremely honour but also delighted that Mallow & White had sent me their Soothe Balm (fragrance free) to test out.

For anyone new to Mallow & White they make skincare products based around the ethos of six ingredients or less. They demonstrate perfectly how skincare doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Often ingredients lists can be lengthy, even with natural brands and I've always believed simple is best. When people speak of skin issues the first thing I say is “strip back your routine”. I feel many people complicate their skincare and stress their skin out by overloading it with too many ingredients and products.

14 November 2017

Review Poppy's Natural Skincare balm body butter lip balm
Poppy’s Natural Skincare sent me a few products to try and kindly adapted one to my sensitive skin needs. I’ve been testing the Super Moisturising Organic Body Butter (Unfragranced), Super Hydrating Organic Lip Balm in Unscented & Vanilla and the Soothing Neem & Chamomile Balm (this was adapted to exclude linalool).

If you are prone to eczema then I’d start with the Neem & Chamomile balm as it’s been formulated with this skin condition in mind. It contains ingredients known for their soothing and calming benefits - Chickweed, Neem, Borage and Chamomile. I find balms are perfect for very dry skin as they are thicker in texture and feel longer lasting (fewer applications). I don’t mind if a product takes a few more minutes to disappear into my skin. This balm feels soft once scooped from the jar and melts easily in contact with warm skin. 

The body butter is a gorgeous whipped texture making it light and airy. Shea butter has been combined with mango butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter and almond oil so this makes the product very rich and hydrating. For me body butters are perfect for flaky winter skin and I particularly prone to this on my legs. I like to take my time with body butters as they feel luxurious so I apply at bed time allowing the cream to sink in overnight. An unscented version eliminates the worry about sensitivity to essential oils but if you enjoy fragrance then you can choose Neroli or Vanilla. 

I think lip balms are a staple product in most people’s pocket or bag. I’m not overly fussy what I use as long as it’s natural and easy to apply. The unscented version offers an alternative for sensitive skin but if you like flavours then opt for Lime, Orange Mandarin, Peppermint or Vanilla. Unfortunately the lip balms and Neem & Chamomile balm are not suitable for Vegans due to beeswax but you can opt for the body butters, clays and face oils. 

I’m happy with the four products I’ve been testing so I feel able to recommend Poppy’s Natural Skincare to readers. Poppy is also on hand to offer advice and more than happy to discuss your individual needs to find suitable products. 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR samples

27 October 2016

Brand Focus Evolve Organic Beauty Natural Skincare
Evolve have fast become one of my favourite brands in recent months. Everything I’ve tried has been amazing. I’ve gathered a little collection of their mini sized products, some I have bought and others came from our Gorgeously Green event as Laura (the founder) was one of our brand speakers.

I’ve been banging on about the Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir for ages now so I won’t repeat myself but I totally love this stuff. In recent weeks I have started using the Daily Renew Facial Cream and not only does it smell gorgeous (vanilla & coconut) but it’s free from linalool, hooray! I’m using this morning and evening and a little goes a long way. Over the past week I’ve noticed my skin is looking good and this keep my face feeling hydrated by working on those pesky dry patches. 

I finished up the Miracle Facial Oil in recorded time (well for me it was fast!). It has an unusual fragrance which grew on me over time and again free from linalool. This oil was sure to be a winner for me as it contains rosehip but the argan oil and black cumin seed oil are an interesting addition. I love facial oils so it’s very hard for me to be critical over them. They just work so well on my skin and this is no exception.

I bought the Satin Leg Gloss for my sister’s summer wedding, if I was going bare legged in photos I wanted them to look good. Once again Evolve hits the spot with fragrance and it smells fantastic. This oil is a combination of camellia seed, bisabolol and caster oil with mineral mica and titanium to add sparkle. You need to shake the bottle before use as the minerals settle at the bottom. The satin leg gloss does live up to its name. This doesn’t give any coverage of imperfections but adds sheen. I perhaps would like even more sparkle but that aside it feels wonderful on my skin.

Tropical Blossom Body Butter is another product that lives up to its name with a delicious scent of Tahitian Manoi and Coconut. I love body butters especially as the weather gets colder and this one is perfect. You can’t beat shea butter on dry skin, it leaves your body feeling baby bottom soft.

As you can tell I am completely smitten with Evolve and I recommend you explore the range. The mini sized products are great for sampling, patch testing and travels. Evolve are a Vegan brand. 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - contains PR Samples

11 October 2016

Series: Swap YouTuber Favourites for Green Beauty Alternatives #4
(contains affiliate links marked *)

I hope everyone is enjoying this series of blog posts? They take me a while to put together but I have fun looking for Green Beauty swaps. In most cases I can give a personal recommendation but other times I'm virtual window shopping which is dangerous as I'm adding to my wish list!

Clarins Stretch Mark Minimizer - nice an easy one for me to suggest swaps and whilst I don't have experience of pregnancy you all know that it doesn't stop me using Mum to Be products. Straight away two that spring to mind are Nom Nom Camillia and Vanilla Stretch Butter and Ermana Sooth Mama Body Oil

Zoella Hand On Heart Hand Cleanser - looks like Zoella has been influenced by those Bath & Bodyworks PocketBac Sanitizers that are popular on YouTube. I understand that there are occasions when you can't get to soap and water but the ingredients in these products are terrible. Swap this one for Dr Bronner’s Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray, *Green People Organic Children’s Sticky Hand Sanitiser or Intelligent Nutrients Organic Sanitizer

Lush Love & Light Hand Cream - you're probably surprise to see me suggesting a swap for Lush but sadly their products are not to my standards when it comes to ingredients, they are still using parabens. Swap this one for *Odylique Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie or Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream

Garner Pure Active Micellar Water - I have a sneaky suspicion that micellar waters not as popular in the Green Beauty community. I could be wrong but many of us like balms, oils and double cleansing however there are a couple of alternatives out there. Swap for the newly launched Evolve Liquid Crystal Micellic Cleanser or Sukin Micellar Cleansing Water.

Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder - high street powders tend to have a few added ingredients that you wouldn't see in natural mineral brands, for instance from my research this powder contains Dimethicone. I believe Nars is a cruelty free brand but they are owned by a parent company that tests. Personally, my favourite mineral make up brand is Everyday Minerals and they offer a range of setting/finishing powders.

If you would like to read my last swap article then click here - No 3: Green Beauty Alternatives featuring Lyonsleaf, Evolve Beauty, Ere Perez

Sarah x

25 February 2016

Review Heavenly Organics Skincare Unscented Body Butter and Hand Balm
Heavenly Organics* is owned and run by Mary-Anne, who is a vegan living an organic lifestyle. This range of handmade products has you covered from head to toe with unscented and scented options. 

9 January 2016

natural organic skincare for winter

For reference, my skin type is dry, sensitive & prone to eczema.

Products mentioned in this video listed below (*indicates PR sample)
Vedani Botanicals Bespoke Cleanser & Facial Oil* 
Evolve Cleansing Melt
Angela Langford* Repair & Renew oil
Green Keratin Rosaforte Oil & Anti-Oxidant Boost Serum* 
Skin & Tonic Naked Beauty Oil*
Crazy Rumors & Hurraw Lip Balms
Nom Nom Stretch Butter 
Deep Steep Snowflake Argan Oil Body Butter
Herbfarmacy Mallow Beauty Balm
Chilly B Foot Butter*
FOM Hand Serum*

Sarah x

29 December 2015

Review best body lotion Deep Steep Snowflake Argan Oil Body Lotion
I have mentioned this product a few times in videos so thought it was about time I wrote about it. Rummaging through TK Maxx beauty shelves is very exciting especially when you score some Green beauty products. I have been a fan of Deep Steep for a long time and when I found the dreamy scented Snowflake body lotion it was love at first sniff.

I am going through a phase at the moment where I have switched from butters to lotions. The weather hasn’t been particularly cold and my skin is manageable in terms of dryness. Snowflake Deep Steep Argan Oil Body lotion is rich enough to combat flakiness but not so heavy that it feels sticky or takes a long time to absorb. I use this body lotion from head to toe and it also makes a nice hand cream. Among the ingredients are shea butter, cocoa butter, argan oil and olive oil which work wonderfully to naturally combat dryness. The scent is heavenly and reminds me of lemon sugar cookies, my goodness I just can’t get enough of it. 

Snowflake is a seasonal scent so I am not sure how easily you can get a hold of it. I notice that Feel Unique have down sized their Deep Steep products and the festive ones are not listed so your next option aside from TK Maxx is to order online through Amazon or iherb.com.

Sarah x

15 October 2015

Kris D'Amour Intensive Soothing Face Moisturiser Deep Nourishing Cleansing Balm Review Vegan
Kris D’Amour first featured on my blog back in 2013 when I reviewed on of their room & linen sprays. Over the last few weeks I have been trialing some of the skincare line aimed at sensitive, dry and eczema prone skin.

16 July 2015

The Green Woman and Fit Pit Deodorant
I love to support local companies and was thrilled to discover The Green Woman on Twitter. I know many of my readers are keen to discover natural deodorants (Fit Pit is Vegan & Organic) so I reached out and asked if they would like to be interviewed for my blog.

Tell us a little bit about how The Green Woman began? 
Our co-founder Eve left a career in Chemistry to focus on climate change work. She stopped using mainstream cosmetic products and began making her own natural alternatives for the basics she needed. 

Eve gave a selection of her products to her sister Suzanne (a Graphic Designer), who had been looking for organic alternatives since becoming a mum. She loved them so much and thought others would too, so after much discussion, a few hugs and a year of hard work The Green Woman was born!

The Green Woman and Fit Pit Deodorant

What does The Green Woman do to limit its impact on the environment and how does the company support a more sustainable future? 
Ethics are the heart of every decision we make, from our mission as a company right through to the day-to-day running of the business. Everything we do is made ‘with love and a conscience’ and is always ‘100% organic, vegan and earthkind’.

We never use plastic and our packaging is always reusable, compostable or recyclable. All our products are pure and organic so a little goes a long way, so we can use less packaging too. We use reclaimed materials wherever possible - our ‘mini’ glass jars are salvaged from a hotel and our packing boxes and materials are all reclaimed from local businesses. We also give money off for any jars returned to us in reusable condition. Change the business not the climate!

The Green Woman supports a number of ‘Green’ projects including ‘The Buzz Tour’ and ‘Reclaim Power’, and 10% of our profits will be given to projects supporting work against climate change.

Why is natural/organic skincare important to you? 
Your skin in the largest organ in your body and much of what you put on it goes in. If you look at the ingredients listed on the back of mainstream cosmetic products they are usually extensive and mostly unrecognizable. We believe that you shouldn’t have to be a chemistry expert to understand what you are putting on your body and what the long term effects might be. If there is less demand for these chemicals less will make it into our environment too. We believe in reducing the chemical loading on your body by providing simple organic alternatives that really work. 

The Green Woman and Fit Pit Deodorant

What do you find most challenging when formulating products? 
Finding organic suppliers for specific ingredients is often very difficult. There is currently low demand for organic ingredients in comparison to mainstream ones, so it’s not always cost effective for suppliers to offer organic. We want to help drive the demand for organic ingredients so that more suppliers will consider going organic in future and make it more accessible for other companies too.

What have been the highs and/or lows of establishing The Green Woman? 
Every time we get a 5 star review it’s a big boost for us and really makes our day. It’s a fantastic feeling to know that we made someone feel that way about us.

Probably our hardest point so far was during our testing phase. All our products have to go through a strict approvals process, which is reliant on third parties. It takes a lot of waiting and buckets of patience. But it’s worth the wait!

What does the future hold for The Green Woman? 
Following on from the success of Fit Pit, we are continuing our focus on basic body care needs and are now developing our next range of products. ‘Green Cream’ is a 100% organic, vegan moisturizer that will be ready in 2016.

Do you have any skincare tips to share with readers? 
We would say less is definitely more when it comes to products. Trust in your skin, let it breath and if you do need to use something use it sparingly. Coconut oil is a great all rounder and has many uses. As well as a great moisturizer it makes a great makeup remover too. 

The best skin regime of course is plenty of water, a good diet, fresh air and sleep!

.....end of interview....

Thanks so much to Suzanne for agreeing to take part in this feature. Check out the The Green Woman website to buy products (mini sizes are available) 

Sarah x

Instagram

Sugarpuffish. Theme by STS.