not tested on animals

26 July 2012

Sugarpuffish's Everyday Favourite Products
(* indicated gifted PR sample)

I thought I would write a little update on my current skin care routine. These are products that I have been using for a number of months and have repurchased.

Dr Organic Manuka Face Scrub – it takes me ages to finish a tube, but this is my 2nd purchase since reviewing

Dr Organic Manuka Face Mask – a recent purchase, I do not use face masks on a regular basis but have found myself reaching for this one. Look out for an upcoming review.

Bodhi –  I quickly fell in love with this brand and have gifted to friends, pictured here is Mint The which was a Birthday Gift, I absolutely adore this fragrance. It’s fresh and perfect for summer weather. I also think it helps unblock my stuffy nose, a symptom from hayfever.

Livpurely Coconut & Vanilla Moisturiser – this was part of a beauty swap and I adore it, the fragrance is heavenly. 

Dr Organic Pomegranate Cream – a wonderful budget moisturiser and a little goes a long way, I am still using the same jar which I reviewed in April. 

Tropic Pure Plant Vitamin Toner – a rediscovery which I am enjoying every day.

Organic Surge Mositure Boost Shampoo – I think this is now my third tube, I like how it lathers, it is affordable and does not irritate my scalp. 

Giovanni 50/50 Conditioner – this is my second bottle it takes me several months to use this product up as I need the tinest amount, a great conditioner which has yet to be beaten. 

Deep Steep Body Mist – I am still using up the same bottle that I reviewed several months back, I do not use daily as I am a bit forgetful but I love the fragrance, perfect to freshen up with.

Salcura Gentle DermaSpray – I have just repurchase my second bottle, resurrected from a drawer, I now can not be without, by far the best product for my eczema, the spray is cooling and calms itching.  A little tip for eczema sufferers is to keep creams/spray in fridge, the cooling sensation can be very nice especially if skin is hot and sticky from warm weather or irritation.

100% Organics – At the moment I try a new cleanser every month and this is the current one which I have been using every day. 

Green People Eye Cream – this is the same tube I reviewed, I often forget to apply but I do like this, lasts ages and budget friendly.

Antipodes Rejoice Day cream* – can you believe this is the same tube I reviewed back in May.  It’s like Mary Poppins handbag it never runs out. I have used this once a day since it was sent to me, defiantly great value for money.

Let me know if you have tried any of these products.  Also did you enjoy this post would you like to see them on a regular basis?

Sarah x

23 July 2012


100% Organics has been on my radar long before blogging. I spotted the cleanser in TK Maxx for £11 which is a bargain worth grabbing as it retails for £29 (100ml). As the name suggests this is a 100% organic company. Apparently it is just one of a handful of companies in the world that are 100% Organic Soil Association accredited.  Products are created in Cornwall, are not tested on animals, suitable for vegetarians and free from synthetic ingredients. 


This cleanser is a rich, soft balm similar to others on the market such as Suti and Lulu & Boo. I honestly can not find fault with the product. It leaves my skin feeling soft, glowing and without greasy residue. I like to spend time massaging into my skin and then I remove with a damp bamboo cloth. A muslin cloth would work in the same way but bamboo holds the heat so I like to hold it to my face for a few seconds before I start wiping. As you can see from the ingredients listed below this cleanser is full of natural goodness. 

Ingredients - cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, cera alba (beeswax), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) seed oil, corylus avellana (hazelnut) nut oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil, plantago major (plantain) leaf extract, calendula officinalis (marigold) flower extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract, rosa canina (rose hip) fruit extract, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) seed oil, anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile) flower oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil 

The fragrance comes from essential oils and I pick up on the camomile and lavender. I imagine the cleanser may smell differently to others, there are many fragrances in the ingredients, just depends on your sense of smell. 

I love balm cleansers so it is no surprise that I am enjoying using this. Now if like me you initially gasp at the retail price (£29 for 100ml) I have compared it other cleansing balms I have reviewed. Suti Cleanser £26 for 50ml and Lulu & Boo Organic Cleansing balm £23.50 for 50ml. When you think about it the cleanser is reasonably priced compared to the competition. Overall, this gets a thumbs up from me.  If you see 100% Organic products in TK Maxx I suggest you grab a bargain.  



19 July 2012


Botanicals Natural & Organic Skincare
(gifted PR samples)

I have previously written about Botanicals when I brought a sample kit. The other week I volunteered to try other products from the range. I received the Rose & Camellia body lotion and Mint & Tea Tree foot balm. I was sent sample sizes so I can only give you initial thoughts after a couple of applications. For those not familiar with the brand Botanicals is an award winning range. Products are natural, organic, free from synthetic ingredients, not tested on animals and vegan friendly.

The body lotion and foot balm have pleasant natural fragrances which are in no way overpowering. I can’t remember the last time I used a body lotion as my beauty stash is full of shea butter. This one is light and runny but easily massaged into skin. It certainly leaves skin feeling soft. As you know my ultimate test for body products is to use them on my legs immediately after shaving. My legs are hyper sensitive and I am prone to irritation. This lotion passed the leg test, no redness or irritation to report.

The foot balm is nice and soft, easy to scoop from the pot and easily massages into skin. The scent is gentle and not over powering on the mint, which I personally prefer. I know balms tend to be on the heavier side but compared to others I own this is light in texture. I always think foot treatments are best used overnight. This one sinks in, does not leave a greasy residue and I am impressed with the result. I always thought my feet were terrible but a therapist recently told me they were pretty good considering I don’t pamper them very often. However I am prone to dry skin on the base of my heels and this foot balm does appear to be helping.

I recommend taking a look at Botanicals website as they offer a wide choice of products for the face and body.

Sarah x

17 July 2012

Sophyto Tocotrienol Super Skin Concentrate
My goodie bag from The Allergy & Free From Show contained a sample of Sophyto Tocotrienol Super Skin Concentrate. It is a brand I had seen on websites stocking natural products and I follow them on Twitter. Those of you who are Coeliac will be interested to know that Sophyto is the first professional skincare line to be certified gluten free. Products are also organic, cruelty free, vegan and free from synthetic ingredients.

The Tocotrienol Super Skin Concentrate is luxurious oil full of anti-aging goodness. Now I know some people don't like copying and pasting from websites but I be damned if I was going to try and regurgitate this blurb to you.

“Enriched with Tocotrienols (one of Vitamin E’s many components) this Super Skin Concentrate effectively prevents sun damage to the skin by delivering a visibly more radiant, healthier looking complexion. Tocotrienols are about 30-50 times more potent than Tocopherols as antioxidants with demonstrated anti-aging performance and research in the Journal of Nutrition in 2001 showed that Tocotrienols are the kingpins in anti-aging skin care”. 

Sophyto Tocotrienol Super Skin Concentrate
I cannot say whether this will improve wrinkles but I think it does deliver a radiant complexion. Sophyto suggest this product can be used day and night on cleansed skin. I have been using a couple of drops as an overnight treatment when my skin feels dry and in need of a boost. It absorbs into skin easily without heavy greasy residue.

Now this is a quality product so it commands a price tag to match. For those of you that cannot afford this do not let it put you off checking out the rest of the range of cleansers, toner and moisturisers which may be suitable for your price point. There are a handful of UK websites that sell the Sophyto.  

Sarah x

11 July 2012

Elizabeth's Daughter Facial Cream Cleanser
After the success I had with Elizabeth's Daughter Intensive Moisturiser, I decided to purchase the facial cream cleanser. I picked it up for £10 on Feelunique website. I used it a couple of times but felt it was not right for my skin. I could not put my finger on anything specific and I simply thought it would be better suited to a younger person (I am in my late 30's). Instead of banishing this to the back of the cupboard I put out a request on Twitter for a Guest Reviewer and Natalie from Bella Luna volunteered. Below is the review Natalie has written for me. She has been testing the cleanser for a decent amount of time as I sent her the product in May.

When the lovely Sarah mentioned that she needed someone to review a new cleanser aimed at younger skin I jumped at the chance, I may be in my twenties but my skin has always been quite young and plump (these days it seems to be going through a delayed puberty-I am not a fan). Anyway she sent me the Elizabeth’s Daughter facial cleanser a few weeks back and I have been using it daily since to get a nice idea of how it works.


The Spiel - A creamy facial cleanser to help leave skin clean, smooth and soft. Organic Kalahari Watermelon Seed Oil is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins to help moisturise and protect young skin these combine with exotic Orchid Extract and Lady Thistle Oil, for their emollient and antioxidant properties. 

The product itself is quite a thick cream, it is completely unscented which although is good for your skin, I sort of see as a downside. I like a bit of scent in things I am smothering over my face, otherwise I feel a little bit like it isn't going to do anything... however this is my own quirk and probably the exact opposite to everyone else. But hey ho.

The instructions state to apply it to damp skin and use cotton pad to take it off, it is that simple. I altered this opting to dampen my skin with warm water (to open pores) apply the cream, then take off with either cotton pads or a muslin cloth depending on how much time I had, then rinsing with cold water to close my pores. It takes off my make up a treat but in addition to that I noticed when I used the cotton pads, it really got rid of any dirt or grime on my face beyond the make up (attractive I know). Unlike the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, which did not agree with my skin at all, this product is completely sensitive and light on skin. No residue and it leaves it feeling incredibly clean- best way I can describe the feeling it leaves you with is natural. No irritation or tightness and no oily residues, just a genuinely clean face. Perfect for washing away the day.

I would say if you have problem skin this may not be for you, as it is so simple and isn’t going to address and specific issues, having said that it will suit most skin types just don't expect it to sort out your acne. If your skin is in good health and you just want a cleanser to get your make up off clean your face this may be just the ticket. This would be the perfect first cleanser if you are just starting to think about a skin care routine and don't know where to start-I wish I had known instead of using the horrific Clearasil wipes as a fresh faced teen (that stuff burns), although it is aimed at younger skin I see no real reason it wouldn’t work on older skin as well and at just £12.50 100ml, it is an absolute bargain. (FYI - Natalie has quoted the price direct from Elizabeth's Daughter website, I paid £10 via Feelunique)

Overall I would rate it 8.5/10 and the only reason it isn't higher is because my skin currently requires a more specialised product but the day it is back to its normal state I will be using this daily. Thank you Sarah for bringing this little treat to my attention.

.............end of review.............

I would like to thank Natalie for taking time to review and write about this product. I purchased the product with my own money and gifted it to Natalie. If you dislike cream cleansers then Elizabeth's Daughter also have a gel cleanser. The whole range is at least 95% natural and free from parabens, sulphates and petrochemicals. Ingredients and products are not tested on animals.

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