28 September 2017

Review Ihana Skincare Beri-Activ Cleansing Cream
Back in August I decided to buy Ihana Skincare Beri-Activ Cleansing Cream. I discovered Ihana through the website Only Naturals and after buying a sample I upgraded to the 50ml size (also available in 100ml).

Ihana Skincare is a luxury COSMOS certified, vegan and cruelty free brand. At the heart of their products is a signature Beri-Activ Antioxidant Complex which is a unique blend of seven antioxidant Arctic berry oils and extracts. It was the ingredients that first grabbed my attention.

26 September 2017

Love Lula Natural Skincare Acure Sukin Preserve
Disclaimer –  contains affiliate link. I'm part of the Love Lula Blogger Programme and can select PR samples each month, I am not obligated to review and all opinions are my own. Prices correct at time of publication.

How are you doing? I'm writing this with a stinking cold feeling very sorry for myself. The month started well as I went to Majorca but within 24 hours of being back on home turf I was struck down with germs. So moving on from my endless complaining, once again I find myself writing about products I chose from Love LulaI really hope you are finding these mini reviews of use, if you have any feedback leave me a comment or send an email.

Acure Organics Day Cream
The Acure cleanser I tried last month won me over so I decided to try the day cream. It’s become a firm favourite and I am really enjoying how it feels on my skin. I probably say this quite often when it comes to moisturisers but it gives me that nice balance between hydration without feeling too heavy. The scent is an added bonus, it’s citrus specifically orange and reminds me of chewy candy but without being overbearing or sickly. The only minor criticism I have over Acure is in the USA this brand is known for being affordable. Through Love Lula you will pay £26 which puts it up there with Antipodes and Trilogy but I guess that’s the price of importing goods. 

Preserve Recycled Plastic Eco Friendly Toothbrush (Medium) 
I wrote about Preserve back in 2012 and I’m slightly embarrassed to say it took me this long to try a toothbrush. The concept is great. Preserve make the handle from recycled yoghurt pots and they have a scheme to take back your old brush for recycling (applicable for both USA & UK more info on their website). I must admit I threw this toothbrush into my basket with no expectations and its ended up being my favourite find. The curve on the brush is fantastic as I’ve always struggled to reach my back teeth and with this it’s so easy. I ended up dragging out all my old brushes (I use them for cleaning around the home) and none of them had the same degree of angle. These are more expensive than my usual toothbrush but I’m sold on the fact that I can comfortably clean my teeth; it really has made a difference. Of course the eco-friendly nature of Preserve products is an added bonus. I’ve been using for a month and the bristles still look in good shape. My one criticism is you can’t pick the colour when you order.........yes I am that person! 

Sukin Super Greens Nutrient Rich Facial Moisturiser 
I’ve once again encountered an issue with Love Lula not listing ingredients correctly. I’ve ended up passing this moisturiser on to my husband because there are essential oil allergens on the product label which are not listed on Love Lula's site (F.Y.I - I avoid linalool that's why it matters to me). I've used other Sukin products so it is a brand I trust and recommend. My husband is a man of few words but he tells me he likes this moisturiser, he's happy to use it, his skin feels nice after application and he would replace when it runs out. I think it has a unisex fragrance which is not too overpowering and it’s affordable. I’d recommend as a good all rounder for most families.

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned? What are your thoughts on them? If you missed my July picks then follow this link - Love Lula Reviews for July - Acure Organics, Madara, Trilogy.

Sarah x

23 September 2017

Travel Playa de Alcudia, Majorca, Spain
Left to Right - Top Row: Our Hotel, Middle Row: Breakfast & Dinner I created from buffet in Hotel & Playa de Alcudia beach , Bottom Row: Puerto Alcudia & Old Town Alcudia

I've been a little under the weather this week, I return from a restful week in Majorca to find myself taken down by a cold. It totally sucks and I can't seem to get rid of it. Anyway this article isn't about my germs instead I wanted to talk about our recent holiday as I enjoy documenting our travels.

My husband and I are usually independent travellers in the sense that we arrange everything ourselves but this time around we were both feeling worn out from life and took the easy option. We booked 7 nights at the Hotel Delfin Azul through Thomson. Package holidays are a means to an end. I enjoy the laziness of hotel pick ups and drop off, a full suitcase is a perk rather than an extra charge but the resort reps with their chipper attitudes just grate on me. Sorry but I don't want to go to the Waterpark or Pirate Shows! We ignore this element of the holiday package and prefer a little more independence once we reach our destination.

I can't fault our hotel. It was clean, modern and a comfortable room. The entertainment was not to our taste and the pool view room had its disadvantages being situated above the loud music. Yes I am an old fart, late nights are not my thing but we got on with it and accepted we could make up lost sleep with afternoon naps on the sunbed. We were half board which was a bit of a gamble considering my dietary needs. On the whole I managed fairly well as it was a buffet style set up. Food wasn't labelled for allergies so you needed to advise staff so that someone could explain what options were suitable. I admit I never bothered, being a non meat eater most hot foods were ruled out anyway. I ate a lot of salad and chips but topped this up with some treats from Lidl (5 mins away where I found soya yoghurts & fake Oreos). I did spot a corner of the restaurant (away from all other food) dedicated to gluten free staples like bread and biscuits. For breakfast I was impressed that every day I had the choice of soya, rice and oat milk. There was a lack of cereal options but since I don't drink fruit juices (it's an OAS thing!) I enjoyed a glass of plant milk each morning. 

Playa de Alcudia is a large resort with miles of beach. I was slightly disappointed that Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut were all within easy reach simply because I wanted Spanish foods, you can't beat good tapas but it wasn't obvious where we'd get some. We ended up getting away from the area by exploring on foot or using a local bus. From our hotel it was about a half hour walk to the original old town of Alcudia which had a lovely authentic feel but a little tourist driven. On Tuesdays and Sundays there is a huge market which we had a wander around but if you don't enjoy crowds you'd be best to avoid the area. As you'd expect there were lots of little shops and cafes so you can easily sit down and people watch. I love patatas bravas but we got ripped off in one place as it wasn't authentic, we were served potato and ketchup which was disappointing. 
Travel Playa de Alcudia, Majorca, Spain
Puerto Pollensa, Majorca

We caught the local bus to Puerto Pollensa which turned out to be a stunning area of natural beauty with a laid back and quiet way of life. There were few large hotels and we got the impression many places were private apartment rentals. We enjoyed strolling around the bay and then sat down for lunch and ice cream (sorbet for me). Only downside was it lacked a good beach, there were small patches of sand but a lovely marina.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't always kind to us and we had several large rain storms during our stay. It was a little tricky to get out and about however come the afternoon the sun came out. One lunchtime we sat down outside a restaurant, ordered food and the heavens opened. Sheltering under the awnings and eating soggy sandwiches wasn't ideal but we laughed about it. We failed at being British, no umbrellas or rain coats, flip flops and short for us.

Reading this back to myself it possibly sounds a little negative but we did have a nice time. I was feeling relaxed and I enjoyed not having a schedule. I read three books on my Kindle which is totally unheard of for me. Our one regret was leaving our driving licenses at home because in hindsight hiring a car might have been a good option for exploring. If I recall correctly this is my third time to Majorca having visited Sa Coma as a child with my family and returning as an adult. I think that childhood holiday might have been the first time I'd ever been on an airplane. Majorca (Mallorca) is a lovely island so don't be put off by the package holiday reputations. Just seek out the parts that are still authentic and away from the nightclubs and Burger King (who don't even serve a veggie burger how rude!).

Sarah x

19 September 2017

National Eczema Week 2017 Natural Skincare for those prone to eczema
Disclaimer - PR samples

Eczema is part of who I am. I'm very fortunate that the atopic eczema I experience as an adult is very mild in comparison to my childhood but it doesn't make it any less irritating. There are different types of dermatitis so it has to be treated individually but letting people know what you use can perhaps help narrow down choices. I'm mindful of recommending products because what works for one person might not be the answer for someone else.

As it's National Eczema Week (16-24 September 2017) I thought I would bring together some brands who have recently approached me. These products have been formulated by people who have first hand knowledge of eczema and whilst they can't label them as eczema products (because that's a medical claim) the ingredients have been chosen based on suitability for sensitive skin. This in theory should help reduce the likelihood of irritation but of course with every product I must stress that you patch test first.

Honest Elements Truly Gentle cleansing balm certainly lives up to its name. The formulation is fragrance free and contains natural ingredients but Honest Elements make sure to avoid natural allergens and irritants. The cleansing balm is lovely to use and transforms from gel to milk with a splash of water. This product is British made, suitable for vegans and cruelty free.

Mrs Frisbee offer a fragrance-free service which could be ideal if you have sensitive skin prone to reactions. I often find avoiding essential oils can be beneficial at times of flare up.

Poppy's Natural Skincare Soothing Neem & Chamomile Balm has been formulated with eczema in mind. The key ingredients of Neem and Chamomile are known for soothing properties and helping to treat dry and sensitive skin. Poppy kindly formulated my balm without linalool something which they can do for customers. I've also been using the Unfragrance Super Moisturising Body Butter which is a simple blend of shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, almond oil and cocoa butter. It's super rich with a lovely light whipped texture and ideal for very dry skin.

XO Balm was created by founder Charlotte, a long-term sufferer of contact dermatitis. XOBalm is a natural, multi-purpose balm containing emollient ingredients ideal for sensitive, dry and eczema prone skin. Free from preservatives, sulphates and fragrance. Packaging is a mirror compact tin with applicator perfect for daily use. As the formulation contains beeswax I find the balm very firm so you need to scoop and warm it up before applying.

Visit www.eczema.org to find local events in your area for National Eczema Week. A past post that might be of interest - 7 Tips for managing Eczema - speaking from personal experience

Sarah x

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