nail polish

20 November 2018

christmas gift ideas at love lula
(Gifted) 

I hope that my Christmas Gift ideas are helpful. I enjoy putting them together and often I’m buying them for friends and family. I enjoy the gift of skincare. I love introducing people to natural products and helping them to discover new brands. If people are unsure or reluctant to take their first steps to Green Beauty you can assist in this for Christmas. Love Lula offer a range of products for all budgets and ethics so I decided to choose some gift options and share my ideas with you.

Benecos Winter Dream Gift Set & Men’s Gift Set (£10.95/£11.90)
If you caught my recent review of budget shower gels you’ll know that I’ve enjoyed trialing Benecos products. I think Benecos offer affordable prices for everyday essentials which are not only BDIH certified but also suitable for Vegans. There are a handful of gift set options organised by scent, each presented in a gift bag. The Winter Dream set contains Winter Dream Shower Gel, Winter Dream Body Lotion and Vanilla Lip Balm and the Men’s set contains 3 in 1 Body Wash and After Shave Balm 2 in 1

Ermana Mini Balms Gift Set (£24)
I’ve tried a couple of products from Ermana and enjoyed using them. This set is beautifully presented in a box with ribbon and contains Cleanse mini balm, Refresh balm and Comfort mini balm (each item is 15ml size). I have previously reviewed the cleanse balm and think this is a lovely way to introduce someone to multipurpose products.

Madara Smart Glow Vitalising Moisture Soap 300ml and Madara Smart Glow Multi-Layer Hand Cream 75ml (£9/£8)
Another one of my favourite brands and I regularly use their products. Madara recently re-vamped their hand creams but I’d been a big fan of their Protecting Hand Cream for quite some time. I thought the Smart Glow soap and hand cream could be gifted together as a set or individually. I like to think this as a useful and practical gift which would look lovely next to the bathroom or kitchen sink. Both products are suitable for Vegans.

Crazy Rumor Lip Balms (£3.99)
I’ve been a fan of Crazy Rumor for years in fact I first reviewed them back in 2013. The packaging looks different these days but they still have a fabulous range of flavours such as Hot Cocoa and Pina Colada. I think lip balms make the perfect stocking fillers and Crazy Rumor are suitable for Vegans.

Benecos Natural Nail Polish Sharp Rose (5ml £4.95 or 9ml £6.95)
Another great stocking filler idea and I like that Benecos have two size options. I picked up the 5ml and it’s the cutest size. You could create your own pamper manicure gift set by pairing a nail polish with Madara Infusion Vert Repairing Multi-Layer Hand Cream 75ml and a nail file.

If you would like to shop for these products or discover other gift items then head over to Love Lula

Sarah x

31 May 2016

ten 10 summer holiday essentials vacation
I am looking forward to my Summer holiday and whilst chatting about it with Amber of Amber's Beauty Talk, we decided to write a collab piece on our summer holiday essentials. Here are my ten picks for your suitcase this summer.

1. Suncream
We all know the importance of using SPF but in the past I have found some natural formulations too heavy or sticky and ended up with prickly heat rash. Saying that I have found over the years natural SPF formulations are improving and I often use Lavera

2. Lip Balm
Sometimes we forget to protect the smaller areas of our bodies like mouth, ears and bottom of our feet. The latter are worth protecting when dangling them over the edge of a boat on a sailing trip. For lips I’d suggest Hurraw Sun Lip Balm which is vegan and uses non nano zinc oxide for sun protection. 

3. Hair care
Sunshine, swimming pools and the beach can often have a negative effect on my hair so I like to protect my colour and limit the frizz. I find hair oil is a great way to add softness and moisture. I’m currently loving Evolve Nourishing Hair Elixir which is available in two sizes – 30 ml & 10ml – the smaller size is handy for travel and airport security. 

4. Skincare - Facial
Tinted moisturisers are great for summer days and warm evenings. There are plenty of natural and organic options with or without SPF. I like the Madara Moon Flower Tinted Fluid but if you want a product with SPF then I know the Green People Age Defy SPF15 DD Tinted Moisturiser is popular. 

5. Skincare – Body
If you have spent time in the sun your skin should receive some extra pampering and an aftersun product is essential. Your favourite body butter or lotion is a great place to start but if you have caught the sun and need soothing then the old faithful aloe vera is a must have. You might like to try Sukin Aloe Vera Gel.

6. Travel stress
Some of us find travelling stressful and at times like this I rely on aromatherapy products. I am never without my Bloom Remedies Serenity Slumber Pillow Mist which also comes in a pulse point roll on which is pocket/purse friendly. Check out the Bloom Remedies Wellness Therapy range which also includes Peaceful Mind, Clear Vitality and Deep Release.

7. Insect repellent 
Exotic locations might mean you have to protect yourself against pesky little biters. Try Odylique Mosimix a body oil with a lemony aroma or Intelligent Nutrients Bug Repellent Serum.

8. Nails
I don’t know about you but flip flops need some glamorous toes to shimmer and sparkle at the pool. Little Ondine is a firm favourite. I love the fact that you can change up your look quickly because these polishes simply peel off (also one less product to carry as you don’t need nail polish remover). Use my *code ASC10 to receive 10% discount on orders.

9. Wet Wipes
I always have a pack of wet wipes to hand. They are great for sticky fingers and freshening up at the beach. I discovered the Yes To range on my last trip when I grabbed a travel pack in the airport. Even though these are facial cleansing wipes I have used to clean my hands. Yes To’s ingredients were a better choice in a Boots store when compared to other brands available.

10. Hair removal
If you are someone who opts to shave rather than wax then Bathing Beauty And Personal Ladies Shave Oil contains calendula and hypericum to calm and soothe the skin when shaving. For the men there is the Up Close shave oil. 

Sarah x

16 April 2016

Wedding Bridal Makeup Natural Organic
Disclaimer - *PR sample, contains affiliate links

I never got around to uploading this blog post before the Wedding. I mentioned a few times about experimenting with makeup for the Big Day. I had shown you a few product hauls in the run up but here is what made the final cut. I asked my sister to help me on the day and I think this covers everything we ended up using. A couple of products were missed from the picture.

Everyday Minerals Semi Matte Foundation (Rosy Beige 3C)
You’ll be familiar with Everyday Minerals because it’s the only foundation I use and I am forever talking about it. I could have gone out and found something new but instead decided to stick to what I know works well for me.

I am using this as a base for my foundation just to give me a boost and provide longevity for my mineral powder.

This was the favourite blusher out of all the ones I tried. At first I wasn’t sure about the shimmer but now I like it, this eliminates the need for a highlighter

This is a slightly pink toned shimmery cream which for someone like me who doesn’t wear makeup, gives a hint of something but without being OTT and not looking myself. I think my sister did end up applying Silk Naturals Score to give a very subtle "smoky" eye effect.

Inika Natural Mineral Eyeliner in Crystal White
I intend on using this as an inner corner and brow highlight. The Crystal White has a really nice shimmer and is soft so easy to blend out. 

Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Mascara
This mascara gives a natural boost to my lashes and doesn’t smudge, it held up for the day so I was very pleased

Silk Naturals Beach Bunny Bronzer 
I am not confident with bronzer but my sister worked her magic with this little sample I had ordered on a whim. Beach Bunny is recommended for pale skin.

This is my perfect colour, it is similar to my natural lip but just gives a little extra something without making me feel uncomfortable. I had intended using the gloss Bridesmaid but it was left out on the day.

I generally wear nail polish on my toes but have decided to go the whole way and paint my finger nails. As it was slightly out of my comfort zone I wanted colours which were natural and not too crazy but I had to have a little sparkle for my ring finger.

Sarah x

31 March 2016

Swap YouTuber Favourites for Green Beauty Natural Organic Alternatives
Even though I am part of the Green Beauty Community on YouTube, I still enjoy watching videos from Vloggers who shop on the high street. It might seem odd but I like to keep up with trends and enjoy the challenge of finding greener alternatives. With this in mind I decided to take a vlogger’s March Favourites and show you some Green Beauty swaps.

Morphe 12NB Palette - this consists of 12 eyeshadows in warm shades of bronze, chocolate and rust. Lily Lolo isn’t a brand I mention often because some of their range contains carmine but the Laid Bare Eye Palette does spring to mind for this swap. Jane Iredale have a number of palette options, I particularly liked the look of the Triple Eye Shadow compact which come in several colour ways. PHB Ethical Beauty have recently launched palettes and they are a Vegan brand. Finding palettes is a little tricky but you can certainly match the colours individually. 

Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer - in the world of Green Beauty there are lots of cream and powder bronzers but I’m not aware of many liquid ones. There was one that did spring to mind, Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint.

By Terry Terrybly Velvet Rouge in Lady Bare - this is described as a liquid lipstick and it’s a nude shade. I'm not sure if we can match the By Terry formulation but there are many great natural and organic lipstick and lipgloss brands. Inika Naked Kiss looks like a great nude shade lipstick. Other brands worth checking out are ILIA, Red Apple Lipsticks, Nvey Eco, Lavera, Living Nature, PHB Beauty, NATorigin and Odylique.

MAC Lip Pencil in Boldly Bare - As with lipsticks the above brands also have pencils, others you can add to my list are Green People, Zao, Avril, Benecos.

Tom Ford Nail Polish in Mink Brulee - there are plenty of 3, 5 or 7 free nail polish brands on the market, look for Kure Bazaar, Zoya and Intensae.

Clinique Superbalanced Make Up Foundation - Mineral Powder foundations are my personal favourites but greener liquid ones are out there. I suggest considering Living Nature, Inika, Lavera, ILIA, Vapour, Dr Hauschka and Alva.

Clarins Energy Boost - A new launch from this brand but part of a range which offer to boost your skincare by targeting concerns. You simply add to other products in your routine and it appears (from photos) to be oil. In the Green Beauty market there are hundreds of amazing oils which can be used in a similar way. As the Clarins one has yet to launch I can’t check ingredients but click here for a selection of oils I have reviewed.

Sarah x

21 March 2016

Little Ondine New SS16 Collection Secret of My Heart Love Affair Starstruck
UPDATE 2022 - Little Ondine has sadly disappeared, alternative brands are Kure Bazaar, Nail Kind, Zao and Benecos

You have all probably realised by now that I am a fan of Little Ondine, the innovative odourless and peel-off nail polish. I am excited for their new collection, Secret of My Heart. There are six colours - Baby Pink, Secret Admirer, Adventure, Love Affair, First Kiss and Starstruck. Prices start from £8.40 to £11 and will be available on Little Ondine's website from March 21st.
Little Ondine New SS16 Collection Secret of My Heart Love Affair Starstruck
I have two colours from the new collection, Love Affair and Starstruck. Lets just say Love Affair quickly won me over, I love this gold shimmer as much as Obsession which I have chosen to wear on my Wedding Day. Starstruck is a hot pink which for me looks great on my toes, perfect for sun loungers and summer cocktails.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR samples 

2 February 2016

Valentine's Day 2016 Natural and Organic Gift Ideas
I am always a little bit rubbish when it comes to Valentine's Day. I dislike the tacky gifts in shops and we really should be telling our loved ones every day how special they are to us. That being said I won't say no to an excuse to receive luxury organic bubble bath or vegan chocolates! This year I'm feeling in the loving mood. Let me share with you some gorgeous natural and organic gift ideas should you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day or just treat yourself.

If you really want to treat a loved one to a very indulgent gift then look no further than Bodhi & Birch Love Bath & Candle Aromatherapy Duo*. The set contains Ylang-Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy and the Bergamot & Geranium Candle from Heartwood Candle Company all beautifully gift boxed. 

A gorgeous gift set from Botanicals is healthier than chocolates and longer lasting than flowers. The Botanicals ‘Nourish My Skin’ Facial Collection or Botanicals Rose & Camellia ‘Daily Essentials Trio’ are sure to be a treat for your loved one.

Spend £20 on any Fresh Therapies product and get the glass nail file for only £5. That's a saving of £7. Use code SugarFeb. Offer from 1st February and Expires Monday 15th Feb 2016 at midnight.UK residents only

Little Ondine
I'm a big fan of Little Ondine nail polish and you can receive 15% off across the site from the 1st to the 14th of February using the code VALONDINE

Any candle from Petit Rituels if the perfect gift but Sensual Healing could be the winner for Valentine’s Day. The scent of ylang ylang, jasmine, Turkish rose and lavender is soothing and seductive, ideal for reliving tensions and I’m told works as an aphrodisiac! 25% off the entire collection from 1-14 February code is D3FFOLVS4WK5

Whether you have a hot date, brunch with the girls or just want to treat yourself Red Apple Lipsticks have a beautiful range of pink lipsticks. They are also spreading the love with their Galentine’s Day message and encouraging women to love and respect one another.

Lots of gift ideas but new for Valentine's Day is a draw string jute pouch containing miniature heart soaps Each bag contains approximately 4 hearts weighing at least 80g and the bag is decorated with ribbon and a chunky heart wooden gift tag. Use my discount code Sugarpuff15 to received 15% off across everything on website until the end of 2016.

A cute idea from Sweet Cecily’s offering a Valentine’s day card with a lip balm attached to the front. You can personalise the picture on the balm, the message on the inside of the card, and they can even send it straight to your recipient if you wish to remain completely anonymous.

For the skincare lovers, Terre Verdi will appeal and you can receive 15% off from 5th of Feb to 14th of Feb with the code VALENTINE

The Rose Tree
A selection of beautiful gift ideas but the Mini Pamper Set has a Valentine's feel to it with a limited edition heart shaped bottle of bath oil and award winning lip balm.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - *indicates PR sample 

12 January 2016

Wedding Nails Little Ondine Natural Nail Polish Obsession Overnight
UPDATE 2022 - Little Ondine has sadly disappeared, alternative brands are Kure BazaarNail KindZao and Benecos

My Wedding Day is fast approaching and after several hours lost to Pinterest I have been considering manicure ideas for my big day. You may recall I previously reviewed Mr Sandman from Little Ondine so when I spotted their Boxing Day discount I decided to place an order.

I chose Obsession because I am looking for a colour that would just add a hint of something to my nails and work with my dress. I love the trend to add sparkle to your ring finger so Overnight seemed an obvious choice.
Wedding Nails Little Ondine Natural Nail Polish Obsession Overnight
2 coats of Obsession (L004) & 1 coat of Overnight (L024) layered on top for ring finger
I am super happy with my decision to buy these nail polishes. Obsession is the perfect colour for me, it works equally well as a one coat sheer wash or additional coats for a stronger colour. The same can be said with Overnight and I love it layered over Obsession.

Little Ondine nail polishes are formulated with natural resin, organic colourants and water. They are odourless, quick drying and best of all PEEL OFF. The ability to remove these nail polishes with ease is why I like them, if I change my mind or mess up application I can fix the problem quickly.

Have you tried Little Ondine nail polish? 

Sarah x

12 November 2015

Natural and Organic Gifts for Christmas
The list of Christmas Gifts grew so much that I decided to put together another article. You can catch up with my other articles here - Have yourself a Green Christmas: A Natural and Organic Gift Guide 2015 and A Free From Christmas at Holland & Barrett. I write these lists to prove to that you don't need to buy off the High Street there are some real hidden gems out there and better still delivered to your doorstep, no need to fight for parking!

Perfect for Delicate Skins
I am a long time fan of Lyonsleaf and they have several gift set options. How about the Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm Gift Set which contains a Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm, Egyptian Cotton Flannel and a 2 ply muslin face cloth, in a re-usable jute box and the Soothing Calendula gift set contains a 30ml pot along with a soap. 

Luxurious Collaborations
Any product from Bodhi & Birch makes an amazing gift but this year they have collaborated Heartwood Candle Company. You can choose between fragrance sets titled Joy, Peace, Love and Wish. If anyone wishes to buy for me Peace would be my perfect combination Camomile Sky Bath & Shower Therapy and the Chamomile, Lavender & Rose Candle

Hidden Treats
I discovered Scentered Therapy Balms back in April and I have found them to be a wonderful product. The Festive Bauble packaging is a really nice touch for Christmas.

Christmas Crackers
The Rose Tree is a wonderful brand with a nice selection of gift ideas. I particularly like the Christmas crackers chose from eye serum, facial essence or body oils.

Beauty Blogger Top Picks
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Odylique. They have some lovely sets but my pick would be the new The Odylique Selection Box which contains seven of their most popular and award-winning natural skin, body and hair care products - Creamy Coconut Cleanser, Calming Rose Super Tonic, Timeless Rose Moisturiser, Superfruit Concentrate, Coconut Candy Scrub, Gentle Herb Shampoo, Ultra Rich Balm

Create your own gift
Another brand offering a selection of gift set for face and body is B Skincare. I particularly like the Festive Pack because you can choose your own combinations of creams to make a gift box.

New Discovery
I have recently had my eye on Ermana and noted that they have some lovely gift set options for men and women.

Shout outs
Other great places to shop are: Bathing BeautyBotanicalsNathalie BondNaturisimoBalmology

I have already started my Christmas shopping and have bought from my lists, I hope you have also found them useful.

Sarah x

5 November 2015

Natural Organic Christmas Gift Guide 2015
I love writing up Christmas Gift Guides because I like to sway friends and family to file the Boots catalogue in the bin and go Green. Swap out those horrible mainstream brands for some beautiful artisan products which show you not only care for your love ones but also for the world around us.

Aromatherapy Inspiration
You all know I'm a huge fan of Bloom Remedies. I cannot be parted with my Serenity Slumber Pillow Mist so imagine my delight when I learnt new for Christmas is the Serenity Slumber Luxury Candle. Marie is also launching The Peaceful Mind Range, perfect for those with over active minds, who struggle to relax and unwind. Look out for the Peaceful Mind set which contains a pulse point roll on and bath oil. In addition there also a Luxury Candle in this scent. Last year I did the majority of my Christmas shopping from Bloom Remedies, they have the best gifts sets so go check them out.

Fragrant Stocking Fillers
If you are looking for unique stocking fillers then turn your attention to Natural Wisdom. They have launched a range of natural, alcohol-free solid perfumes (£12.50 each), which can be worn to scent your skin or hair and also used as a room fragrance with the lid off. Alternatively, take a look at the new Plump & Nourish lip balm (£10 each), which comes in a beautifully tactile reusable cedar wood pot. Ingredients include peppermint, chilli pepper and cinnamon oils, which help naturally plump the lips.

Learn a new skill
Ruth Romano runs regular soap making courses in Cheshire alongside selling her award-winning range of soap and natural skincare products. If you know someone who enjoys getting creative and learning new skills then you could buy a Gift Voucher to spend a day getting creative and take a lovely selection box of soap home with them.

Bath time Soapy Delights

Based in a little barn at the foot of the Sugar Loaf mountain in Wales, The Sugar Loaf Soap Company has a very simple mission, to provide natural, handmade soaps produced from high quality, ethically sourced raw materials. They offer a delightful range of products and gift sets.

Luxury Candles

I adore Petits Rituels’ candles they would make a beautiful gift but if you’re looking for something on a smaller scale the hand-poured wax melts are highly fragranced with an intricate floral design. Simply place in a warmer and light an unscented tea light, as the wax melts the fragrance is released. Also ideal for lining your clothes and linen draws.

Not only does MBotanicals* have a range face and body care they also have some lovely candles. You can choose from Vanilla Bean, Citrus Basil, Gardenia, Rose Oudh, Sandalwood and Tobacco.

Festive Nails

Little Ondine’s Limited Edition Winter Wonderland Collection is the perfect way to get you in the holiday mood. There’s no better time of year for sparkles and with this no-fuss glitter polish you can change your look with ease while you’re on the go from office to family gatherings to all your festive celebrations. The beautifully packaged collection makes a stylish stocking stuffer, secret santa or last-minute gift or even a self-indulgent treat.

Beauty Gift Bags
LJ’s Natural has gift sets which cover all budgets. The Ultimate Luxury Gift Bag contains OMG Serum, Luxury Organic Bath Melts, White Chocolate & Tangerine Organic Lip Balm and Soothing Hand & Foot Formula. Alternatively, I love the festive name “Three Wise Bottles” a set that contains 30ml bottles of Calming Organic Body Lotion, Muscle Relax Organic Body Oil & Balancing Organic Toner. Also check out Stocking Filler Bag, Indulge My Face Gift Bag, Relax Gift Bag and Really Radiant Face Gift Bag.

Eco-Friendly Beauty Treats
You all know I'm a fan of Konjac Sponges and I am excited to see they have added to their product line. The Angel Cloth is an alternative to a muslin cloth, an intriguing product which would make a unique gift. If you like the facial puff sponges there are two new additions Chamomile and Green Tea. For those who use cotton pads how about a more eco-friendly alternative, the Konjac eye pads. The kit contains 8 cleansing pads, a mesh drying bag and a soft clear pouch. This pack can last up to one year.

Vegan Friendly
Blue Labelle are one of my favourite Vegan brands. This year they are offering gift cards which is handy if you are unsure what products to buy. Also there is free gift wrapping and gift bag on all website orders over £10 from Nov 15th, just mention in the comments box if you would like it. Blue Labelle will also be launching 100% organic vegan balm sticks and although primarily to be used as lip balms they can also be used to nourish very dry skin, for example on elbows.

Sarah x

P.S Part 2 to follow.........

Disclaimer - *PR sample

6 August 2015

Sugarpuffish July 2015 Favourites
Vegan Nachos at Camden Markets, Lyonsleaf Soaps, Cookies & Scream Cookie Dough Milkshake, Birthday Bouquet 
Daily life often gets in the way of blogging. Anyone who has a full time job and manages a blog alongside will know that at times you simply don't have enough hours in the day for it all. I have been longing to get in front of the camera and make more of an effort with my YouTube channel but I just haven't had a free weekend. I'll admit I am throwing this blog post together in a lunch break but I wanted to have a catch up of sorts. It's a mash up of Favourites, News and Reviews for July.

Favourites for July 
I was sad to see the end of my Green Keratin Cleanser and I had been pairing it with PHB Ethical Beauty Gentle Moisturiser. I have also been enjoying using the Mr Sandman nail polish from One Ondine* and the Jane Iredale Lip & Cheek stain which I received in a Naturisimo* box back in May. There were a couple of free from food favourites this month. Aside from Cookies & Scream, the Allergy Show introduced me to Ananda's Round Up! and Moral Fibre snacks. My Birthday falls in July and if you follow me on social media this will be old news but I am now engaged. My boyfriend proposed on my Birthday and it was a complete surprise. I'm still getting over the shock. On the whole, I won't be blogging about our Wedding plans but there might be the occasional review of related items such as my mad panic to find a wedding cake I can eat (it will need to be dairy, egg and gluten free!). Aside from the new ring, I did spend my Birthday up in London, with a return visit to Camden Markets where Cookies & Scream are based and we popped into Whole Foods Kensington.

Reviews
A quick mention to Lyonsleaf who sent me some of their Vegan soaps - *Calendula and Rosemary & Citrus. Vicky told me that she doesn't sell as many of the Rosemary & Citrus which I think is a real shame because I have enjoyed using it. When you next consider buying solid soaps keep Lyonsleaf in mind. They offer a variety of fragrances and they don't go soggy in the soap dish or dry out your skin.

That folks sums up my July.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - *PR samples, no affiliated links

21 July 2015

Review Little Ondine Mr Sandman & Secret Water Based Natural Nail Polish
UPDATE 2022 - Little Ondine has sadly disappeared, alternative brands are Kure BazaarNail KindZao and Benecos

You may have already heard of *Little Ondine as there are a number of reviews floating around the blogsphere. The lovely Ailish mentioned them to me so when I was approached to sample them for myself, I took up the offer. Nail polish is one of those tricky products that I don’t think can ever be truly natural but there are brands that allow you to limit your exposure to certain “toxic” ingredients. The Little Ondine polishes are composed of natural resin, organic colourants and water. Better still they are odourless, quick drying and peel off.

I having been testing Mr Sandman, a colour I would describe as antique silver and Secret, a clear base and top coat. I found the application of this nail polish to be very easy, it glides on and the brush is the perfect size. The hardest part in wearing this polish is resisting the urge to peel it off. If you were the kid who painted their hands with glue so you could pick it off in one piece you’ll understand where I’m coming from. Reminiscing back to childhood got me thinking that Little Ondine’s natural ingredients could give peace of mind to parents wanting to limit their child/teen’s exposure to ingredients in other nail varnishes. 

Review Little Ondine Mr Sandman & Secret Water Based Natural Nail Polish
Picture - two coats of Mr Sandman with a top coat of Secret
The nature of the Little Ondine polish means you do need to follow the instructions to the letter to get the best out of this product. Judging from other reviews, it certainly does help to use a top and base coat of Secret. I found the polish lasted between 3 – 5 days (tested on fingers & toes) before it started to show wear and tear. You also need a steady hand because any polish on the cuticles and skin around the nails can cause it to peel quicker.

I am more than happy to recommend Little Ondine nail polish. Make sure you visit the websiteas there are many pretty colours to choose from. If you are someone who likes glitter polish but hates removing them, then I'm think these might be just what you are looking for.

Have you tried Little Ondine? What colour did you choose? 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - *PR samples

21 November 2013

Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover Wipes

I tend to wear nail polish in the summer months because I prefer painting my toes to finger nails. In the winter months my feet rarely see daylight from socks and boots. Having said that I still need something to remove the polish and since discovering
Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover in 2012, it's the only remover I use. I haven't felt the need to branch out and try alternative brands because I am impressed and happy with this one.
I gave a mention in my September Empties Video that Nicola had launched nail polish remover wipes and I was giving them a try. These are very handy for travelling or if like me you are a clumsy person, then this way you are guaranteed zero spillages. The wipes are infused with the same ingredients as the liquid version, no nasty ingredients and still the same fresh lime fragrance. The claim is one sachet wipe can remove polish from ten nails and I have achieved this without any issues.

You can purchase a box of 10 wipes direct from Fresh Therapies and they currently cost £7.99

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR samples, 100% my own opinions from testing products, links are not affiliated

10 June 2012

As you are all aware June is upon us and the weather is poop! Sunday Catch up posts are all about random bits so lets start with an eczema update. The stubborn patch on my chest is being a right royal pain in the bottom (or should that be boobies J). It is the only patch of eczema I have on my body at the moment.  A few months back I had managed to almost get rid of it but it has return with full vengeance. I have experimented with applying oats and this worked well to calm the itch overnight.  I have an array of balm samples from the allergy show. I gave them a try but nothing has helped until I remembered I had a bottle of Salcura (Gentle) in my drawer. The spray is light and refreshing on my skin. I do find it a miracle worker when it comes to calming the itch.  I have been itch free for three days J

I keep my patch of eczema hydrated as often as possible and I try not to take overly hot showers.  Stress is certainly a factor for this sudden outbreak along with the changing weather. My body care routine has been the same for many months so I feel confident that is not the cause.  It doesn't help the eczema is in the place it is as my bra rubs.

The Jubilee weekend was a perfect time to see my parents and extended family. I have mixed feelings about the Royal Family so did not take part in any celebrations.  I did catch some of the highlights on TV whilst spending time with my parents and the family dogs.  Both of them are now old age pensioners in the dog world. Our Shih Tzu he is a funny little chap but blind in one eye.  As for our Cavalier King Charles she doesn't have many teeth left so her tongue is always hanging out even when asleep.  
I did get sucked into the magazine freebies last week and picked up  Ciaté  Jelly Bean.  It is a brand I had my eye on as  Ciaté  is a 5 FREE brand which is free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP (dibutyl phthalate), formaldehyde resin, camphor and cruelty free (never tested on animals).

In the past week I have had a few free from indulgences.  I stocked up on some dairy free chocolate. I had been longing to try Plamil White Chocolate and it was a huge disappointment.  The white buttons remind me of milky way bars but the Plamil didn't taste like chocolate dupe.  I found a trail mix at Holland & Barrett that was rather tasty. The All-Bran breakfast biscuits (Chocolate) are okay and only have a "may contain traces of milk" label.


A few weeks ago I was one of the winners of a Rekordelig giveaway being held on Kat's blog (Jemima and Ted).  My prize arrived on Friday although I did have to wrestle it out of the hands of my work colleagues (all male office!) as my name was not on the delivery slip.  I cracked open a bottle when I got home and can tell you this stuff is delicious.  I'm not usually a lover of cider but this is like frizzy fruit juice.

What did you get up to this weekend?

1 June 2012

Review Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover
Disclaimer - I bought this product with my own money & was not asked to review

Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover was a Twitter discovery and on my “To Try" list.  When I found out they would be exhibiting at The Allergy & Free From Show I knew I would be buying a bottle.

Your average nail polish remover is not the nicest of products when it comes to ingredients.  There are acetone free removers on the market but have you considered what else may be lurking in your polish remover?  To give you an example, Superdrug Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover pads contain Alcohol Denat, Lanolin, Parfum, PEG-75, Potassium Sorbate.

Fresh Therapies Polish Remover is different because it is free from alcohol, acetate, toluene and acetone.  It is made using non toxic, non carcinogenic, biodegradable food and plant grade ingredients.  This remover is suitable for children, pregnancy and those undergoing treatment for illness.  It has not been tested on animals, is suitable for Vegans and carries the BUAV Leaping Bunny logo.  Now that’s impressive.  It will work on water based and traditional nail polishes but unfortunately is not suitable for gel polishes (Gelish, Shellac & Acrylic nails).

The first thing you notice when using Fresh Therapies nail polish remover is you don’t have to wear a gas mask.  There is very little fragrance just a hint of lime.  You still use the remover in the traditional way by applying to a cotton pad, hold the pad on to the nail, allow a few seconds for the polish to soften, then wipe away.  Any remover left behind can either be washed away or massage into the nail and cuticles. Since the ingredients are natural it does not damage the nail and acts as a nourishing treatment.  I find the product disappears quickly which is better than other removers that leave a greasy residue.  I have found that one coat of polish removes very easily but if you are wearing two coats or glitter polish you need to work a little harder at removing.  Personally, other removers I have used struggle to remove glitter so I was expecting the same.  The bonus with this product is you know that using extra remover is doing you no harm due to the lovely ingredients.

Overall, this is an impressive product which definitely deserved to win Gold at the Free From Skincare Awards.  You can purchase Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover direct from their websiteHave you considered the ingredients in your nail polish remover? Will you be switching to a natural remover?

Sarah x

20 May 2012


The Allergy & Free From Show 2012
Yesterday I caught a train to London and visited the Allergy & Free From show at Olympia. I have visited the show before, a couple of years ago, but was tempted back this year by the list of exhibitors. I was like a kid in a candy store. It is thrilling to have a day out tasting food that you can eat safely (don’t judge me I can’t understand how you all get excited about IMATS). To be in a room full of people who will not give you a strange look when you question the ingredients, is an amazing feeling. If you follow me on Twitter you will have seen my excited tweets about dairy free ice cream and vegan cupcakes.

For those of you not in the know my main food allergies are milk and egg. For me the highlights of the show did involve my taste buds but I also sampled skincare. Let me share with you the products which stood out to me. 

Pudology - dairy, egg and gluten free puddings. I sampled the chocolate and was delighted. You would never guess it was a free from dessert. These desserts are also available in Banoffee and Strawberry.

Ms Cupcake “the naughtiest vegan cakes in town” – I only bought one cupcake (what a fool!), once I saw the flavour pumpkin spice I was sold. I became addicted to everything pumpkin spice from my travels in USA, I really wish we embraced the flavour in the UK. Anyway, this was simply the most amazing egg and dairy free cake I have ever tasted, it seriously silenced me for a good five minutes whilst I savoured every last crumb. I am immediately moving to London and taking up residence in the shop especially now I check out the website and discovered they have over 120 flavours.

Inspiral - from what I can tell this is a vegan cafe in London and they also sell their foods online and in outlets across the UK. I sampled the raw "cheesecakes" which are dairy and egg free (vegan). I was so impressed I bought a slice of banoffee crème tart. 

Delamere Dairy - this is a brand I have associated with goat cheese and milk, something which I cannot tolerate. I was pleasantly surprised to see they have launched soya milk and dairy free chocolate puddings. I did not get a chance to sample but can tell you that Asda stocks their soya products.

Clive Pies - I was so happy to see Clive’s Pies, many moons ago I used to buy them from Asda and then they disappeared. The pies are free from gluten, dairy, egg, soya and vegan. I bought my favourite Vegetable Chilli along with Mint Chickpea which I sampled (sounds weird but very tasty).

Bessant & Drury Dairy Free Frozen Dessert - coconut ice cream deliciousness, I tasted chocolate and lemon, totally scrummy (take note Booja Booja) and an excellent dupe for the real thing. Getting this back home was not possible (gutted) I would have ended up with coconut soup.

I also stocked up on some firm favourites like Alpro, Naked bars, Nature's Path, Doves Farm, Lazy Day Foods and Sakata. I had a lovely chat with Amy’s Kitchen. I love their products but they are hard to track down. A few have crept into Tesco and Sainsburys but only the ones containing cheese (no good for me). 

After all the excitement of Free From Food obviously the beauty blogger in me was keen to sample skincare. Skinsmatter.com launched the Free From Skincare Awards at this year’s show. Alex Gazzola from Skinsmatter.com has given me a bag of samples and press releases for the awards. I am going to do a separate blog post on this.

There were two beauty products I was keen to seek out and meet the ladies behind them. I have been tweeting with them for a few months. I bought Niki’s Organic Lavender & Camomile balm and Eden Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover (Gold Award winner). These products impressed me at the show and I think they are worthy of separate blog posts so look out for my full review.

Sarah x

2 May 2012

nail polish, green beauty, free from,
(includes affiliate links)

Let’s talk about nail polish. For me it is something I use for special occasions and during the summer when exposing my toes to the beach and flip flops. Due to the nature of the product I don't think you'll ever find 100% "green & clean" nail polish but you can find "free from". Many conscious brands are classified as "3 free" and we are even seeing the rise of "5+ free". What does that mean? Well there are several ingredients found in nail polish that are considered undesirable and toxic. The top three ingredients we should be avoiding are - toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and formaldehyde.

I've consulted the online source of EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and the books No More Dirty Looks and Toxic Beauty in regards to these three ingredients

TOLUENE: helps the polish to apply smoothly, it is widely banned and restricted in several countries but you may still find them in USA brands. It can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation, it is believed there is an increased association with foetal loss. Toulene can also be contaminated with the carcinogen Benzene.

DIBUTYL PHTHALATE (Phthalate): classified as toxic and banned from products sold in the EU. A brand that distributes to US and EU may have different formulations for each country. Phthalates are known to cause hormone disruption and suspected carcinogens. They don't accumulate in the body but we are susceptible to high levels of exposure due to the volume of products we often use on the body.

FORMALDEHYDE: a suspected carcinogen, eye and skin irritant and very toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. Occupational exposure has been linked with higher risks of miscarriage. Some ingredients used in cosmetics degrade into formaldehyde and the ingredient is banned for use in personal care in some countries.

If you decide you would like to reduce your exposure to certain ingredients in nail polish then you may wish to explore Kure Bazaar, Benecos, Zao, Nail Kind, Nat Origin. These are available online and you can find them at Content Beauty and NaturisimoYou may also like to consider a greener nail polish remover and I highly recommend Fresh Therapies. 

What's your favourite free from nail polish brand and I'd love to know your favourite colour?

Sarah x

3 April 2012


Zoya is a leader in natural nail polish with over 500 colours and formulated the top five synthetic "nasties". Free from Toluene, Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde resin, DBP (Phthalates) and Camphor, Vegan friendly, Cruelty Free and safe during pregnancy. Their range includes lustrous crème, matte, glitter, satin, base coats, top coats and removers. Zoya is widely available from online retailers.

Sarah x


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