pregnancy

11 October 2016

Series: Swap YouTuber Favourites for Green Beauty Alternatives #4
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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

29 September 2016

Review Ermana Soothe Mama Body Oil
(Gifted PR Sample)

These days I'm always on the hunt for products free from essential oils. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and look in the unexpected places, that's what lead me to Ermana Soothe Mama Body Oil.

I love to apply body oils immediately after taking a shower. I pat off any excess water and then slather myself. I understand that applying products to damp skin helps with absorption and I believe in that process. The ingredients are simple, a lovely blend of Prunus Armeniaca (apricot) oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed (macadamia) Oil , Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) oil, Tocopherol (vitamin E). Perfect for hydrating skin from top to toe including a baby bump should you have one.

Ermana Soothe Mama Body Oil has been a life saver for my itchy dermatitis on my chest. I have found heavy creams exasperate the issue because they "hang" around on the surface and my skin gets a "sweaty" feeling (the delight of having boobs doesn't help, ladies you'll be on my wave length). This oil doesn't feel like it sits on my skin and I can control the application from as little or as much as I like but still reap the same benefits.

Ermana products are hand blended in the UK in small batches to ensure they are fresh and they do not test on animals. The range is free from preservatives and contains no parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances or colourings. 

Have your tried Ermana Natural Skincare? Did you find a new favourite product?

Sarah x

23 July 2015

Mia & Dom Organic Skincare for Pregnancy and Babies
Mia & Dom Organic Skincare is another one of my recent Twitter discoveries. They offer a range of products for pregnancy and babies. I reached out to the founder, Jennifer Feltham and asked if she would participate in an interview.

Tell us a little bit about how Mia & Dom began?
I have always had an interest in herbs, ​I am a qualified Medical Herbalist and a trained Aromatherapist so I knew quite a bit about there benefits and when our son Dominic suffered badly with eczema as a child, we tried many products natural and synthetic to try and heal him but nothing worked, so I decided to learn how to make it myself. Once I had a salve that worked, friends kept asking for some for their children and it grew from there.

Why is natural and/or organic skincare important to you
​Our Skin absorbs whatever we apply to it therefore we should be concerned about the products we use for ourselves and our children.​ Typically, commercial products contain mineral and other petroleum based ingredients like liquid paraffin. These oils are occlusive, they block the skins natural eliminative process for several days as well as drying out the skin.

What was the first product you formulated and why?
The first product was the Soothing Skin Salve for Doms eczema and is our best seller to date!​

What do you find most challenging when formulating products?
​Every ingredient is added for a reason, making sure the combination of botanical oils and essential oils is balanced correctly, and safely for delicate skin, whilst providing maximum benefit.​


Mia & Dom Organic Skincare for Pregnancy and Babies
Do you have a favourite natural ingredient and what makes it special to you?
Oh dear, I have at least three!! Rosehip Seed Oil, Calendula Oil and Tamanu Seed Oil would be the top three. They are all "super" oils in terms of their health benefits on the skin. A recent study in Canada stated "Tamanu oil has been thoroughly researched, and the conclusive evidence on its ability to heal damaged skin is overwhelming. Its benefits are notable for scarring, stretch marks, minor cuts and abrasions, rashes, sores, and much more"I recently wrote a blog about it click here.

What have been the highs and/or lows of establishing Mia & Dom?
The industry has very strict Cosmetic Regulations​, which is fantastic, but also quite daunting when you first start up. Getting your products cosmetically approved and registered is an expensive and quite slow process.

​The highs are the positive reviews I get for my products from people all over the world you have benefited from my products. Also, I have just been stocked in a national retailer Natures Purest ​which make organic childrens clothes and bedding.

What does the future hold for Mia & Dom?
​We want to increase our profile across the UK, Ireland and then take on the world!!​

Do you have any skincare tips to share with readers?
  • Avoid synthetic fabrics and opt for cotton clothing and bedding as it allows the skin to breathe and prevents overheating.
  • Use non-biological washing powder and avoid fabric conditioners and anything perfumed which may cause itching.
  • Keep the bedroom cool at night as heat can aggravate itching.
  • Take care at bath time – hot water is a major culprit at drying skin out. Keep bath time short use soap-free cleanser or pure natural soap.
  • Drink plenty of water, and limit sugar intake – sugar is one of the most important food substances to avoid, as it is often an eczema trigger
....end of interview....

If you would like to explore the Mia & Dom product line visit the website miadomskincare.com

Sarah x

Disclaimer - this is not sponsored & links are not affiliated

9 July 2015

Review Nom Nom Skincare Camillia and Vanilla Stretch Butter
I had mentioned Nom Nom Skincare a few times on my blog but I had not sat down to write a full review. This post is perfect timing as I finally meet Jayne at the LNLO show at the weekend. I discovered Nom Nom in 2014 whilst judging for the Free From Skincare Awards. They won Gold and Silver in 2014 but did not enter this year.

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