shaving

27 August 2022

Review Lavera Men Sensitiv Organic Calming After Shave Balm and Moisturising Face Cream
(gifted) 

I thought I would share some products that my husband has testing for several months which includes the Lavera Men Sensitiv Organic Calming After Shave Balm (50ml) and Lavera Men Sensitiv Organic Moisturising Face Cream (30ml)

Lavera is a brand I have recommended for many years as I have a long history of using their products. I can go as far back as the start of my natural skincare journey and I'm pretty sure they were one of the original green products I tried. I find Lavera to be reliable and affordable which is why they have stood the test of time. Lavera are one of the 'old school' natural cosmetic companies having been founded in 1987.

My husband is the first to admit that he isn't great at reviewing products in depth. He says he enjoys using both the after shave balm and face cream but doesn't have a favourite. I think he isn't favouring one over the other because he enjoys using them in equal measure. From the sidelines I can see and feel how great his skin is immediately after application. He will often point out how smooth his face feels. I encourage him to moisturise daily but in reality I think it only happens after he shaves. He doesn't have a sense of smell so I'm the one who gets to judge aromas and I'm very fussy. Both of these Lavera face creams have similar scent. I like the fragrance and it's not overpowering which is perfect as I am super sensitive to scents even when on other people. I've been known to ban him from products and sneeze at strangers. If you have sensitivities then it's worth mentioning these products contain parfum and essential oil allergens. 

As with all Lavera products the price point is good on both products. Currently at the time of publication you can pick up the Lavera Men Sensitive Organic Calming After Shave Balm for £7.95 and Lavera Men Sensitive Organic Moisturising Face Cream £10.95. Both products are suitable for Vegans and made with certified organic ingredients. 

Sarah x

3 March 2020

Review Alba Botanica Very Emollient Cream Shave
(I purchased this product)

Alba Botanica is a US brand and they have been established for some time, 1979 to be precise. Majority of their range is suitable for vegans aside from a handful of products that contain beeswax and honey. They are cruelty free and Leaping Bunny approved. Alba Botanica are passionate about ingredient formulations using natural and organic plant extracts.

I've had the Alba Botanica Very Emollient Cream Shave (coconut lime) since October and I realised the other day it might be nice to give it a little review. It caught my eye in TK Maxx as I love a bargain and Coconut and Lime spoke to me. I've always struggled with dry skin on my legs and when it comes to shaving I am prone to soreness, bleeding and stinging. I've tried all sorts of tips and tricks over the years so wasn't expecting much from this shave cream. I was very wrong and now I love it. It's a really interesting texture, a silky thick gel like consistency and soap free so it doesn't foam. The razor does glide across the skin and you get a close shave. It can clog the blade a little so you need to rinse off a couple of times but that's standard practise when shaving. I believe it's a unisex shave cream and suitable for the face as well. I don't have a huge amount to say about it other than it works for me and I will be buying again. The Very Emollient shave cream is also available in unscented and mango vanilla. The coconut lime doesn't contain linalool but limonene and perfume are listed ingredients (please double check suitability for yourself as formulations can change).

If you are looking for a UK stockists then check Google as I find I'm unable to rely on one particular retailer. I have purchased again from a variety of sources since discovering in TK Maxx

Sarah x

27 December 2018

Reviews for Love Lula, Silvan Skincare, Benecos, The Handmade Soap Co
(Note: I participate in the Love Lula Blogger Programme and can select products from their site, I am not obligated to review)

Here’s my final Love Lula review for this year and yes seems crazy to say that. On several occasions I’ve was convinced I would eventually run out of products to test from their site but I kept going strong.

I’ve slowly been converting my husband over to greener products and he’s been experimenting for a couple of years now with shaving soaps. I realised I hadn’t given this particular shaving soap a shout out and this is the second one I’ve ordered. Whilst this does cost a little more than others we tested you do get value for money, I’m not totally certain but I think he possibly made it last 8-9 months. You can create a nice creamy lather with this shaving soap which I know hubby likes. I definitely would recommend to others.

Sadly Madara seem to have discontinued my favourite hand cream so I’ve been in need of a replacement. Once the temperature dips and the heating goes on my hands are prone to eczema if I don’t maintain my dry skin. I chose the Benecos Classic hand cream because it’s free from linalool. I wasn’t expecting much from a cream that is a super affordable £2.95 but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. It is a runny lotion but I still manage to get a decent level of hydration. It suits me well when at work because it disappears quickly without stickiness and I am happy to re-apply when needed. I often top up applications in the evening with a “heavier” cream/balm (e.g Pure Potions is a favourite).

I’ve been on the hunt for a linalool free muscle rub for a while now. Hubby is moaning about a sore arm and I’ve got a dodgy shoulder which is an old car accident injury (what a pair we make!). Silvan has featured on my blog before so it’s a brand I’m familiar with. The muscle balm is one of eight balms recently launched (Sleep, Breathe, Gardener's, Radiance, Muscle, Rescue, Mama's and Bliss). Muscle balm contains organic oils, shea butter, comfrey, arnica, marjoram, eucalyptus and cedarwood, it is also suitable for Vegans. From my own experiences, I find some balm formulations tricky to work with; some products don’t melt easily on contact with skin. Silvan Skincare balm is different and I would put that down to the absence of beeswax which is often found in other products. Silvan Muscle balm is soft and buttery making it very easy to massage which is what I want in this type of product as an injury which flares up often needs a light touch. Whilst I can’t vouch for removal of pain I can say that I do find massage can have a positive effect. There is certainly no harm in giving ourselves a little down time and attending to our wellbeing. I would be interested in trying other products from the range in the future and would recommend giving them your consideration.

Sarah x

6 April 2017

Dr Hauschka, Ermana, GK Natural Creations, John Masters Organics
Disclaimer - PR samples 

Here we go with another month of testing products I've selected from Love Lula. I do hope you enjoy these posts and find them useful. As always I'm providing my honest opinions and if you have any questions just leave them in the comment section below.

John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Body Wash
You’ll have noticed I’m slowly working my way through the John Maters Bare range. I’m a sucker for fragrance free body washes so whenever I spot a new one I’m all over it. Shower Gel isn’t the worlds most exciting product to write about but this one does the job, bubbles up nicely and doesn’t dry out my skin. Would I repurchase? – yes

Ermana Cleanse Balm (15ml size)
I loved the Soothe Mama Body oil and had my eye on the cleanse balm. I picked up the trial size which is super cute and ideal for testing without commitment to full sizes. I’ve mixed feelings about this cleanser. On the one hand the scent is a delightful mix of grapefruit and shea butter (with added bonus of no linalool). The formulation isn’t as buttery as I would have liked and I was struggling to melt between my palms. With advice from Ermana, I dip the jar into hot water to soften the balm and that makes a difference. I do find this cleanse balm a little on the heavy side compared to others so I use sparingly and follow with a toner. Would I repurchase? – maybe – as you can tell I’ve mixed feelings due to formulation and performance, also you will notice that I often lean towards Vegan choices and this product contains beeswax so doesn’t fit those ethics. 

Dr. Hauschka Eye Revive (10 x 5ml)
My day job (that pays the bills) involves spending 9 hours in front of a computer screen (with glasses) and then I come home and blog! I often end up with sore and tried eyes so the Dr Hauschka Eye Revive was rather appealing to me. The box contains cotton pads and 10 vials of solution. Application is simple. You split the 5ml bottle between two cotton pads and place on your eyes for 10 minutes. I do find the product relaxing and reduces the tired sensation but I’m not blown away or thinking “where have these been all my life”. It’s a nice at home spa treat but certainly not an essential. Would I repurchase? – maybe as a treat

GK Natural Creations Grapefruit and Rosemary Shaving Soap
Over the years I’ve slowly encourage my husband to try shaving soaps. When we first met he was using popular shaving foams found at the supermarket but his face always looked inflamed after using them. I haven’t come across GK Natural Creations before now so when I spotted the Grapefruit and Rosemary Shaving Soap I thought I’d give hubby the chance to try it. This soap comes in a tin and there is an unscented version which is ideal for anyone avoiding essential oils. My husband is a man of few words when it comes to reviews but he does appear to be enjoying the product. I’ve seen him whip up a good lather with his brush and his skin looks fresh and clear after shaving. I’m tempted to try on my legs but you do need a brush so for ladies it’s less convenient than a bar which you can massage with your hands. Would I repurchase? – yes, although I can see this lasting a long time before it runs out so good value for money! 

If you’d like to read my February Love Lula picks follow the link - Madara, Rio Rosa Mosqueta, Trilogy

Sarah x

19 February 2015

Elements Natural Skincare for Men
Elements* range is for men so I volunteered Mr Sugarpuffish to try his hand at reviewing and guinea pig products but I did not rule out trying them myself. It makes writing easier if I also have a feel for the products. Elements products are Cruelty free (BUAV Leaping Bunny), certified organic by the Soil Association and approved by the Vegetarian Society. The range consists of Face Wash, Face Scrub, Shaving Cream and Moisturiser. 

Mr Sugarpuffish and I agreed that the shaving cream was pleasant to use but we would have preferred a thicker consistency to give a bit more cushioning for the blade. I have been more than happy using on my legs but he had mixed feelings and I noticed was not reaching for it often. Face scrubs are an alien concept to my man so I have been using this on my legs. I only refrain from trying on my face because of the essential oils. I have enjoyed using the scrub. It is a cream base with jojoba grains which I found to be gentle and not overly abrasive so I did not feel I was doing any harsh damage to my skin. The moisturiser is light but contains ingredients (jojoba, pomegranate, avocado & apricot oils) which hydrate the skin. Mr Sugarpuffish has been happy using it but has not been blown away by it. 

The price point (£16 - £22) is higher than I normally pay for men's skincare (yes, I buy his products) but about average for certified organic brand. I asked Mr Sugarpuffish for his final thoughts and he was sitting on the fence, he experienced some sensitivity which means he has been reluctant to give up his existing products for Elements. I would advise caution in using these products if you have very sensitive skin as there are a number of fragrance allergens due to the essential oils. I do think natural and organic men’s skincare is an overlooked area of the market so Elements does not have much competition. I am happy to recommend that you check out this brand. Mr Sugarpuffish may have been unsure but I have nice smooth legs so that must count for something.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - *PR sample, no affiliated links

7 August 2014

John Masters Organics Birch & Cedarwood Cleansing & Shaving bar
I bought John Masters Organics Birch & Cedarwood Cleansing & Shaving bar as a stocking filler for my Boyfriend. Yes, ladies and gents it's been gathering dust in the cupboard since Christmas. At the time, I was looking for a multipurpose product which may tempt the other half to ditch his mainstream body wash and shaving gel.

In order to encourage my boyfriend to use this product, I started using the bar for shaving my legs. I thought the results were pretty good so that helped me to convince him to try it. Compared to other solid soaps, I can generate a nice creamy lather. The suds last on my skin providing the cushioning needed for the razor blade and I have not experienced irritation. You have to work at creating the lather but that's no different to my favourite Dr Bronner's shaving gel.

The ingredients look good to me and provide the properties needed to balance and protect the skin. Ingredients - Sodium palmate,** sodium cocoate,** aqua (water), glycerin,** cedrus atlantica (cedarwood) bark oil,* methyl salicylate (birch oil), sodium citrate, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil,* aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf extract* (* Certified Organic, ** Made from the saponification of certified organic palm & coconut oils)


John Masters Organics Birch & Cedarwood Cleansing & Shaving bar
Mr Sugarpuffish says he enjoys using this soap for shaving. His skin feels nice afterwards but he can sometimes struggle to create the desired lather. We were wondering whether a shaving brush could help so I intend on buying one for him. He doesn't rate Dr Bronner’s as highly as I do and prefers John Masters if we compare the two. 

I bought the John Masters Organics Birch & Cedarwood Cleansing & Shaving bar from Feelunique. It is currently priced at £7 on their site. I do think it’s a premium price but the bar is still going strong after 2 months. I would be happy to buy it again for myself and to share with Mr Sugarpuffish, as it makes for a tidier bathroom if I can get rid of more bottles. When not using for shaving it is a pleasant soap for washing. 

What do you think about this unisex product? Would you consider purchasing for yourself? 

Sarah x

NOTE: I'm aware this product contains Palm Oil, not an ideal ingredient from an environmental aspect & one that on this occasion I over looked, please be respectful when commenting.

18 February 2013

Dr Bronner’s Magic Organic Lavender Shaving Gel
I was given the opportunity to select a product from Big Green Smile to review. It’s a website that I have not used myself but I am aware that it exists. The site stocks a wide variety of natural products ranging from personal care to household cleaners. Something which I can not recall seeing on other sites is the ability to search by Certifications such as Allergy UK Seal of Approval, Fairtrade and Vegan Society Approved. I chose to review Dr Bronner’s Organic Lavender Shaving Gel. I picked this because I love Dr Bronner’s products and have used them for many years. I cannot be without the liquid soaps. For anyone not familiar with the brand, products are completely free from synthetic ingredients, fair trade and certified organic. 

I have found that the gel needs to be worked into damp skin in order to create a nice creamy lather. It does require a bit of effort to create a good creamy layer. I do think it works better for me than the Bulldog Shaving Cream I reviewed last year. The scent is subtle lavender nothing offensive or overpowering but none the less soothing as you’d expect. I asked my boyfriend to help test the shaving gel since it is unisex. He doesn’t use natural products so he commented to the lack of lather. As we know that is due to Dr Bronner’s not containing sulphates. I had to encourage him to experiment with the amount of gel he was using. His first attempt resulted in a rather sore looking face which I think could be a direct result of not using the correct quantity. He tells me the next time he used more gel and the results were better. This was also visible to me. 

I like the shaving gel for my legs as I haven’t suffered any irritation. I do think it leaves my skin in a nice condition and I’m not noticing immediate dryness (I do always finish with a body lotion). As for the boyfriend, his face feels nice and smooth but he hesitates about making this a permanent part of his shaving routine. I on the other hand would happily swap with my other shaving gels. This is going to cost you more than the supermarket equivalent, £6.99 for 208ml but remember it does not contain PEG’s, parabens or propylene glycol. 

Dr. Bronner's Organic Lavender Shaving Gel Ingredients: Organic Sucrose*, Organic White Grape Juice, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Shikakai Powder, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Corn Starch, Organic Lavender Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol ** None remains after converting oils to fatty acids and glycerin 

If lavender is not your favourite scent then the shaving gel is also available in lemongrass lime, spearmint peppermint, tea tree and unscented. 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR sample

29 July 2012

Skincare Haul from TK Maxx featuring Louise Galvin, NovExpert, Geoskincare
I had a spending spree in TK Maxx and found a number of free from skin care products.

The Jelly Bean Factory - picked up a tube of the natural jelly beans. 100% natural flavours and free from artificial colours, gluten, gelatine and nuts 

Depth shave cream in the clearance section for £2.  I am not sure about the fragrance Sea Berry it's a bit strange. This brand is 70% Organic, SLS Free, 100% Natural Aroma Blends, 100% Vegetarian, Artificial Colour Free, No Animal Testing

Geoskincare is a brand from New Zealand.  I picked up the Hydrating Hand & Body Lotion.  I had not heard of this brand before now but have discovered Love Lula plan to stock products. Free from phenoxyethanol, sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens, propylene glycol, triethanolamine, isopropyl alcohol, pegs, deas, edtas, mineral oil, petrochemicals, artificial colours, artificial fragrances and genetically modified ingredients.

I found NovExpert Comfort Cream in the clearance section reduced to £5. I know very little about this French brand but the free from list is impressive. Not only are products cruelty free but you will not find Preservatives, Fragrance, Mineral Oil, Silicone, Chemical Filter, Essential Oil, Coloring, Propylene Glycol, PEG, Phtalate, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT– BHA, Lanolin and Alumine.

The best bargain find of the day was Louise Galvin Mother To Be Conditioner for £2. I will write a full review for this as I think it's brilliant (and no I am not pregnant!). Louise Galvin is an environmentally friendly company and products are not tested on animals. Free from artificial preservatives, sulphates, parabens, silicone, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances and polymers.

Do you shop the skincare section at TK Maxx?

Sarah x

20 December 2011

Bulldog sensitive shave cream
You will remember from a previous post that I use men’s shaving creams because I have never been able to tolerate the ones marketed towards women. Aside from the obvious nasty ingredients even the “sensitive” ones bring me out in a rash. Despite this I admit I have not tried many natural shaving creams. I am ashamed to admit I have been using Original Source Men's Shaving Gel for a few years. It is the only one I can find that doesn't irritate my skin. It's vegan but it is full of horrid ingredients. I can not think of any natural alternatives that are sold on the high street and online ordering is not always ideal due to steep postage charges. 


Whilst looking for a Christmas present for my Boyfriend I stumbled upon Bulldog, I was not aware that there was a natural men’s range available on the high street -Our products never contain parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, or ingredients from animal sources. I purchase the Sensitive Shave Cream and gave it a try on my legs. 

So what did I think? I know this product was not intended for women but I like it. I have not experienced any dryness or rash or burning sensation when I apply moisturiser. Since it does not contain SLS the cream does not foam. On wet skin it transforms to a milky consistency which is a little bit messy but on the plus side does not clog up the shaver blade. 

If you are looking to convert your man to natural skin care then the Bulldog range is affordable and includes a variety of grooming products. Bulldog’s website lists several stockists including Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose. I found some of the range at my local Boots and Tesco but neither stocked the shaving cream so I ended up purchasing online.

If anyone has a natural shaving cream recommendation I would love to hear about it. 

12 June 2011

natural skincare for men fathers day gift ideas
Next Sunday is Father's Day (June 19th) and with that in mind I thought I would do a quick post on natural and free from products for men. The men in my family are seem uninterested in having a skincare routine but I'm always looking for excuses to get them natural skincare. My other half frequently experiences irritation from shaving products.

Lets treat the men in our lives this Father's Day to some TLC for their skin because we all know they are secretly stealing ours from the bathroom cabinet. Here are suggestions of brands to check out -

John Master's Organics
A'kin PureMan
Cowshed
Lavera
Green People
Handmade Naturals
Bulldog
Weleda
Trilogy
Spiezia Organics
Neals Yard (NYR MEN)
Dr Bronner's 

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