blogger interview

17 July 2014


Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm and Inika foundation powder
The gorgeous Chesca of Fern & Moss agreed to take part in my series about Blogger Holy Grails. I love Chesca's blog because she has excellent taste in natural and organic skincare and is passionate about good ingredients. She recently took an amazing Californian Road Trip and I loved reading about her holiday.  Here is what Chesca has to say about her favourite products.

Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm
I think I'm in love with this cleansing balm. I've never used a product that has made my skin so much better in such a short space of time as this has, and I can't use anything else. 100% organic and blended with a variety of beautiful oils, it draws dirt and impurities out of the skin, but whilst still retaining moisture and nourishing your skin to keep it plump and healthy. It includes calendula oil to sooth skin, grapefruit oil to refresh and frankincense to rejuvenate (as well as give it that beautiful scent). I have very breakout prone skin, but this has kept my skin clear and free of spots for the first time in my life. At only £7.99 it's amazing value, and I usually buy two at a time so I know I'll never run out. I highly, highly recommend Balm Balm products. They are an amazing company with wonderful ethics and even better products.

Once you use a good mineral powder foundation, it's easy to become addicted to how good it makes your skin feel. This one from Inika is easily a rival for the more conventional Bare Minerals Foundation. It has excellent coverage but is very light, feeling like a second skin yet still covering up redness and uneven skin tone. I apply this with a medium powder brush, and it gives an airbrushed finish with a healthy, natural glow. It doesn't mattify my skin as it's not a pressed powder, and instead softens my skin, looking better than a liquid foundation does on photographs. Made without bismuth oxychloride, it's a genius blend of mineral pigments with the added benefit of SPF 15. Inika are another brand who have incredible ethics, whilst also making amazing organic make up that rivals that of conventional cosmetics companies.

I am a huge fan of Balm Balm products but so far I have not tried anything from Inika. What about you? Do you like these brands or are they on your wish list?

Sarah x

8 May 2014

Acure shampoo and conditioner
Slowly but surely I am still managing to sway Bloggers to take part in this series. Let me introduce you to Julie (aka Jules) from The Natural Junkie. She's based in Virginia and her blog covers green & natural beauty, health and lifestyle. I am a recent follower so I'm still getting to know what product Jules enjoys using. Here's what she has to say about her Holy Grail products.

It was definitely hard to choose just a few Holy Grail products since I have so many favorites! I decided on a few affordable and effective products that will always be essential parts of my routine. 

Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner – This shampoo and conditioner has become a staple in my hair care routine. The shampoo gently cleanses without stripping the hair of its natural oils. The conditioner is extremely moisturizing, leaving my hair soft and manageable. It’s the perfect combination for my dry/curly hair.The shampoo also smells amazing with strong notes of sweet almond oil and a hint of berry essential oils.

S.W. Basics Vegan Citrus Lip Balm – I am big lip balm junkie but this lip product from S.W. Basics is one that I always come back to. It moisturizes and softens my lips better than any other lip balm I have ever tried. I love the light citrus and cocoa butter scent and the simplicity of the ingredients. It only contains cocoa butter, coconut oil, candelilla wax, and lemon & orange essential oils. This is one lip balm that I am never without!

Both these brands get a lot of love in the Green Blogger Community. I was introduced to S.W. Basics when it was known as Sprout. I love the ethos behind the products and the simplicity of ingredients. Anyone else have these products on their wish list or are they already your favourites?

17 April 2014

Acure and Kahina Giving Beauty
Another installment for this blog series and this time I'm showcasing the holy grail products of Canadian Blogger Caitie from Naturalla Beauty.

When Sarah asked for more contributions for these Holy Grail posts, I was quick to volunteer, but once I actually sat down to pick products, I really had to mull it over! I knew I wanted items that I keep coming back to, but I also didn't want to repeat any of the favorites already mentioned by other bloggers. I finally settled on these two...

Acure Organics Unscented Cocoa Butter + CoQ10 Ultra-Hydrating Body Lotion - I'm quite picky about scents, so when it comes to lotion – or anything else that gets slathered all over - I usually opt for unscented products. My favorite to date is from Acure. The ingredients are top notch and it rubs in easily and won't leave your skin feeling sticky or tacky. And, unlike a lot of other fast-absorbing lotions, it still manages to do a fantastic job moisturizing the skin. I think I'm on my fourth or fifth tube of this stuff!

Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser - I love argan oil and I have a soft spot for creamy cleansers, so it's not altogether surprising that I fell hard for this cleanser. Alongside Kahina's signature argan oil, it also contains aloe vera to keep skin hydrated, willow bark to eliminate toxins and impurities, and papaya enzymes to brighten and lightly exfoliate. It’s gentle and suitable for sensitive skin and also smells lovely, removes makeup, and has the most perfect light cream/milky consistency that I just love. Kahina is something of a luxury brand, no doubt, but before you let that deter you, keep in mind that you get a full 200ml (6.7 oz.) of product here, so ounce-for-ounce, the price ends up being comparable to a lot of mid-range brands. You also don't need to use a lot - I bought my bottle in early December and it's still got about 1/4 remaining.

I'd like to thank Caitie for taking part in this series. Acure does appear to be a very popular brand across the pond, bloggers are always complimentary about products. If only it was more accessible in the UK without the need for international shipping *sigh*. Please do pay a visit to Caitie's blog, it's one of my favourites and I know will interest many of my readers.

Sarah x

11 April 2014

Fushi and Balance Me
Ria of NatuRia Beauty started her blog in 2013 to document her transition to natural beauty products. She has a lovely blog and I have followed her with great interest. Here is what Ria has to say about her Holy Grail products.

Fushi Organic Avocado Oil – I’ve only added avocado oil into my skincare routine over the past couple of weeks, but it’s already reached Holy Grail status for me! I mostly use it as my nighttime face moisturiser. It sinks in so easily (I can even use it in the daytime under makeup too) and it’s amazing for hydrating and increasing elasticity of the skin. It’s also great as a cleanser, hair conditioner, as a base oil for DIY skincare and even as a salad dressing!

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm – I never thought I would get into cleansing balms but this is the product that totally converted me! This oil-based face balm makes easy work of removing my everyday makeup and it’s been perfect throughout the winter for gently exfoliating dry patches. My last tube of this lasted me over 6 months making it great value for money and I’ll definitely be repurchasing it again and again!

Thank you to Ria for taking part in my blog series. I hope you enjoyed reading about these products and will visit Ria's blog.

Sarah x

24 March 2014

George's Aloe Spray Mister and Now Organic Jojoba Oil
Ecoholic Beauty
Jess is a natural beauty enthusiast from Alberta. She has a blog but also a YouTube channel which I enjoy watching. Even though she is across the pond and the products she loves are not always available to me, I find her passion for natural health addictive. Jess has tackled taboo subjects of women's health and I recommend you check out her informative videos. I was delighted that she agreed to take part in this blog series and here is what she has to say about her Holy Grail products.

Both of my Holy Grail picks are simple, effective, affordable, and multi-use. They are staples in my natural beauty routine and, while especially lovely for my dry skin, would probably work well for a range of skin-types!

George's Aloe Spray Mister - I absolutely adore this 100% pure aloe vera distillate, it’s been a staple multi-use product in my skincare and beauty routine for ages. It’s a refreshing spray that goes great under or over makeup, and my skin loves aloe’s moisturizing properties. I like to spritz a bit of George’s Aloe on my face before I apply serums, oils, and moisturizers to help these products soak into my skin. My favourite use for this product is to spritz it on my face as a makeup setting spray. It keeps mineral foundation from looking cakey on dry skin and helps powder products set nicely. I also love the price point (just over $5 CAD on iHerb).

Now Organic Jojoba Oil - This outstanding product isn't actually an oil, but rather a wax ester. Because jojoba oil closely resembles human sebum, it penetrates the skin easily, moisturizes like a dream, and is suitable for all skin types (but especially normal to dry skin like mine). I use it to remove my makeup (either by massaging it into my face with my fingertips or swiping it across my face with a cotton pad). I love using jojoba oil to remove makeup and cleanse my face because it does an exceptional job of lifting impurities from the skin without the use of harsh chemicals. I also love using a few drops of jojoba oil as a facial moisturizer. Jojoba oil can be used all over your body, and for your hair too!

Christopher Drummond's Duo Phase Concealer
Makeup by Mary B 
If my memory is correct, I've been following Mary's blog for almost as long as I've been writing my own. We did a beauty swap back in 2012 and I still have fond memories for the Livpurely Coconut Oil she sent me. Here is what Mary has to say about her Holy Grail products.

Picking one or two holy grail products is a hard task for a beauty blogger! At this point, I've tried hundreds of products, and I tend to like having a variety of everything. But there are two things I just cannot see myself without at this time. 

The first is Christopher Drummond's Duo Phase Concealer. This stuff has amazing coverage, a beautiful finish and it's so versatile. I didn't think it was possible for a natural company to make a product like this! I use it everyday mixed in with my tinted moisturizer, and it creates a natural, dewy-finish foundation that covers almost everything. I also use it to conceal my undereyes and blemish spots. I just finished my first bottle of it in the color Light, and I just bought two more in Light and Fair.

The second is Egyptian Musk perfume. Right now I have about 6 different brands of the scent, and I can't pick just one that's better than the rest. But I can tell you that this fragrance is the only thing I want to wear, and I'm more than a little obsessed. I can appreciate many different scents, but when it comes to what I actually want to smell like, it's just Egyptian Musk. It's a sweet, light, subtle, and mysterious; almost soap-like at times. My roommate was actually the one who first discovered it at a store in New Orleans' French Quarter called Pharaoh’s Cave. Once I got a bottle from there, I was absolutely hooked. You can usually find different brands of Egyptian Musk at Whole Foods and other natural stores, and street and bazaar-style vendors often have it as well. In the picture are some of my favorites: Abdul Kareem, Auric Blends, Inesscents and a non-branded one from Pharaoh's Cave. Scent is such a personal thing, so I know not everyone will love it as much as me. But I do know there are many women out there who have a loyalty to this fragrance that stretches for decades, and I will probably be one of them someday.
Fat and the Moon's Lip Cheek Stain and Acure
Unsullied
I am actually a new follower to Jennifer and Kathryne's blog but I have quickly become a fan. They describe their blog as "our happy place" and focus on an all round healthy lifestyle which includes beauty and food. Here is what they have to say about their favourite products. 

JENNIFER
I feel like I've been blogging, tweeting, and talking up this product until I'm blue in the face (or, rather, flushed with a lovely rosy glow, a la the product itself!). Fat and the Moon's Lip & Cheek Stain has replaced ALL of the blush compacts, brushes and lip glosses I used to tote around in my purse. It's an all-natural, beeswax based stain that's buildable in color and universally flattering. I use it daily as a lip color, applying more when I'm feeling, y'know, vixen-y, and also as a cheek tint. The .5 oz tin has lasted me more than FOUR MONTHS - seems impossible, I know, but the stain is very solid, so you'll only use a tiny bit of product for each application. At $12, this is a STEAL that I'll be re-purchasing until the end of time!

KATHRYNE
I am loving this combo of Acure products that I have been using for the past few weeks. I have already seen HUGE improvements in the fine lines on my skin! I put on the Acure Radical Wrinkle Complex after toning, and then apply the Acure Line Eraser to my forehead, laugh lines, dimples, neck, corners of my eyes...um...pretty much most of my face (just because it feels so good!) and then let it sit or sleep on it. My forehead lines are smaller than they've been in years, and I honestly cannot believe the results I have seen, especially for the short time span I have been using these products. In love, and honestly, I can't see myself living without either of these... ever. (And I'm picky!)

A big thank you to Jess, Mary, Jennifer and Kathryne for agreeing to take part. They have a lot of knowledge to offer the green beauty community and I am sure you will enjoy reading/watching their blog/vlogs.

Sarah x

17 March 2014

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Rose Water
Small Bits Of Loveliness

I love to read about natural skincare around the world. Jana is from Slovenia and describes herself as having "a soft spot for all things natural and organic". Don't worry if your Slovenian is a bit rusty she also translates her blog posts into English. Here is what Jana has to say about her Holy Grail products.

Rose Water – oh rose water, you glorious thing! Ever since I first bought it a couple of years ago I can't live without it. I use it every day without fail, it's a great thing to have. I love using it in the evenings, I find it so soothing and relaxing. It works wonders as a setting spray and don't get me started on that amazing fresh feeling of rose water on your face when you run around the city on a hot summer day. Nothing beats that!

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil – gorgeous face oil that is definitely worth the hype, I love it more every day! Lightweight, moisturizing, powerful. The oil really calms my skin, it works great as an overnight treatment when I have some spots or redness on my face. It fades uneven pigmentation and scars and makes my skin really soft and smooth. Totally recommend it!


Elaa Skincare’s Cleansing Fairy Dust and Niora Naturals Facial Intensive Moisturizer
Chickweed and Blush

Sabrina's blog is about natural and organic lifestyle. She covers a wide range of topics from skincare and cosmetics to healthy recipes. Here is what Sabrina has to say about her favourite products pictured above.

The lovely Sarah from Sugarpuffish kindly asked me to share one or two of my “Holy Grail” products and I must say, this has been quite a difficult task! There are so many products I love and have had such great success with that it has been hard to narrow it down to just a few. I ended up picking two that not only help keep my skin break out free, but are major multi-taskers as well.

Elaa Skincare’s Cleansing Fairy Dust is one of my all time favorite products. It’s an amazingly versatile product that can be used as a cleanser, exfoliant, mask and even an overnight spot treatment to heal really angry blemishes. I love that it contains lavender, which is one of my favorite blemish busters and skin regenerators. Full review is on my blog. 

Niora Naturals Facial Intensive Moisturizer - I recently reviewed this product on my blog and I have been obsessed ever since. Not only does it leave my skin hydrated, but it helps to soothe and heal any breakouts I may have. It contains natural fruit acids to exfoliate, jojoba and argan oils to nourish and vitamin C to brighten. I’ve noticed since I have been using this that my skin is not only smoother and clearer, but firmer as well. It also makes an amazing primer for under foundation.

Thank you to Jana and Sabrina for agreeing to take part in this blog post. They are lovely ladies and I hope you will enjoy reading their blogs as much as I do.

Sarah x

10 March 2014


This Natural Bee favourite products featuring Oskia and Bodhi & Birch
Amber is the founder of a blog called This Natural Bee, like the rest of us she describes herself as a beauty addict who enjoys natural and organic skincare. She adores Bees and now runs her online store Nectar and Bumble. Amber has kindly agreed to participate in my series where I ask bloggers and friends to share their current holy grail skincare products, here's what she has to to say....

"When Sarah asked me to write a few words about my holy grail product, I found it so difficult to choose just one! I figured I would choose two as they have been working so well together for my skin for the past month or so! In fact, my skin has never looked better! The first is the OSKIA Renaissance Gel Cleanser which is a bright orange gel, that melts into an oil as you rub it into your skin. It removes makeup effortlessly and cleanses my skin leaving it feeling soft, smooth & radiant. It smells like rose too which is gorgeous! The second is a product that I will be reviewing soon on my blog and is the Neroli Lucé Facial Oil from Bodhi & Birch. This oil has been working so well on my blemish prone skin. It smells like sweet oranges, sinks in quickly and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy. I have had hardly any breakouts since I've been using these two products together and they are both ones I will definitely repurchase in the future!"

Thank you Amber for sharing these products with us. Will you be adding them to your shopping list?

Sarah x

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