skincare

1 June 2021

Father's Day Gift Ideas 2021
(not sponsored/researched and selected by Sugarpuffish)

I always struggle for Father's Day gifts so whilst searching the internet for my own ideas I've collated a little collection of presents. I hope you find this helpful.

Peace with the Wild - this site has a lovely collection of gift sets, they have everything covered  from sweet treats, gardening, skincare and more. I am sure you would find something for most budgets.

Sea Change Wine - this company keeps popping up on my Instagram so I'll give them a mention. Their message "We want to combine our love of great wine with our desire to do something to help protect our oceans." seems admirable and appealing.

Soap Daze - if you are looking for a zero waste option then what about a classic soap on a rope? lovely to see a modern twist on this old classic. Soap Daze also have gift set options.

Thought Clothing - ethical clothing is always an option from t-shirts, trousers to sock and undies. I particularly like their smaller gift sets including one containing a reusable PLA coffee cup and two pairs of bamboo organic cotton blend socks.

Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate - you'll be able to pick this one up at the supermarket or online. If you visit their website there is a feature to create your own wrapper which is something a little different. The Dark Almond Sea Salt and Extra Dark Chocolate 70% are suitable for vegans.

Wave Phone Cases - back in January I reviewed the Wave case I had purchased. It's still on my phone, holding up well and I like it so I can't think of any reason not to recommend as a gift.

Sarah x

28 February 2021

Mother's Day Gift Ideas
(includes gifted samples, paid promotion, affiliate link marked *)

For those of you who would like to celebrate Mother's Day (14th March 2021) then I have put together a little gift selection. As lockdown continues I am sure many of you, including myself are going to be reliant on postal deliveries. These gifts would be suitable for all occasions so it may also be worth bookmarking for future celebrations.

ethically handmade scarves which are all one-off, unique, luxury pieces, made with recycled, organic, ethical yarns where possible as well as ensuring a zero waste policy in the production of the scarves and a no plastic post service. The Not Your Mum Not Your Milk scarf is 100% Organic cotton and could easily appeal to vegans wishing to put across their message.

artisan, hand crafted chocolate that is suitable for almost everyone including vegans and multiple allergies. They work hard to ethically source all ingredients and use eco-friendly packaging. For Mother's Day there is the Limited Edition Pinks Gift Box, choose Dark Raspberry or Strawberry Blonde flavours (or one of each), it's gift wrapped and letterbox friendly delivery.

For those that enjoy a glass of wine how about Mother Rock! an organically farmed estate in Swartland South Africa and the wines are bottled without fining or filtering so suitable for vegans. Mother Rock do a lovely Grenache Noir with 96pts from Jamie Goode (London-based wine critic) and a skin-contact “orange wine” Chenin Blanc

I've introduced my family to award winning soaps from Lily & Rabbit and that's why I believe they would make lovely gifts. With so many of us trying to do our bit for the planet, a solid soap bar is ideal plastic free solution. The Bee Naked bar is formulated with local honey from Harrogate bees and organic Irish Oatmeal, it's an all natural exfoliator without fragrance and suitable for sensitive skin types.

The Super Choc Bundle is a great option. 8 bars of yummy, organic chocolate packed up into a letterbox sized box and you can include a personalised gift note. 

I don't hide the fact that I'm a big fan of Odylique skincare and they have lovely gifts set options so I recommend you browse their website. I can also offer a 20% off using the code SUGARPUFFISH (affiliate link/code)

I think Nourish London’s Relaxing Retreat Gift Set or Sleepy Pillow Mist are perfect for Mother's Day or any other occasion you have coming up.  Nourish products are award winning, organic, vegan and cruelty-free.

Melt 
The Melt Starter Kit is a fun activity you can do at home and a fabulously fruity way to make vegan and cruelty free wax melts. Choose from a range of fragrances including Blueberry, Coconut & Lemongrass, Cranberry, and Pomegranate & Hibiscus. Every kit contains a step-by-step guide and enough supplies to fill your home with scent for up to 180 hours. Use code SUGARPUFFISH when checking out before 15th March and get 10% off your order while stocks last.

A range of beautifully wrapped gifts which can be sent directly to loved ones. Silvan Skincare is suitable for Vegans, they offer stylish sustainable and recyclable gift wrapping with hand written notes plus free UK delivery. 

A beautiful collections of gift options choose between a cleansing balm, hand bam, luxury bath oils or candles, I'm sure you will find something to suit your budget to make Mother's Day extra special

Sarah x

17 April 2020

Introduction to Earthbits natural, ethical and zero waste online shop
As part of my ongoing series, let me introduce you to Earthbits an online shop selling products that are natural, ethical and reduce waste. Founded by Fran and Jason based in West Yorkshire and living a low waste lifestyle themselves so they appreciate the challenges that can bring. They decided to use their experiences to help others find products they can trust.

Earthbits supports UK small makers, fully vetting suppliers and products for sustainability. Packaging is plastic free and recyclable. They ensure products tick the box for environmentally friendly along with quality and durability. Fran and Jason are fueled by the desire to help reduce waste, pollution and plastic.

You'll find all sorts of lifestyle items on Earthbits. Alongside skincare, makeup, oral care and hygiene products there are interesting home and kitchen accessories such as Unpaper Kitchen Towels and Reusable washing up scrubbers. I'd encourage you to explore the website and if you are able to support Earthbits with an order then I am sure it would be appreciated.

Sarah x

If you enjoyed this content and would like to support my site then you may like to buy me a coffee 

1 April 2020

Introduction to Naturally Tribal Skincare
(this article is not sponsored)

During this difficult time I am offering to blog about small businesses that are still trying to trade. This idea was triggered when I was looking for Birthday gifts. April is a month of celebrations in my family and we are all spread out across the country so I can't hand deliver parcels to doorsteps. I would like to surprise loved ones with gifts for as long as I possibly can. I appreciate that non-essential shopping has been controversial however indie brands are self employed and trying to maintain an income under difficult circumstances. If I can support them in some small way through my website then I'd like to help.

29 March 2020

sugarpuffish uk lifestyle blogger green beauty eczema and allergies
I'm not sure what to say really as "I hope you are well?" feels a little redundant right now. The world has been turned upside down and the anxiety levels are rising. I generally keep personal details away from this site but I wanted to say I'm still here and like many of you just trying to cope. You might not realise that outside of this blogging bubble I have a regular nine to five office job and I've now been made a furlough employee. It's very bizarre to find yourself without a daily work routine for the foreseeable future and now I'm wondering how to fill my days.

If it's OK with you I'd like to create a little sanctuary here on my blog, make it a virus free zone and I want to continue talking about skincare. I've been using the internet as my escapism and it's helping me find a few moments of peace.  Never have I been more grateful for YouTube with plenty of pet and home renovating videos to keep me smiling. I'm not sure how long my motivation for blogging will last, I might steer off topic on occasions but I'd like to give it a try as I think I need my own creative outlet right now. Beauty routines have always been my escapism and I'm clutching onto that for now. Our bathrooms are the little home spa sanctuaries we can create to try and ease our minds and tensions. I stepped out of the shower this morning noticing my eczema was creeping up under my skin and I felt terribly sad as I know stress is causing it to break out. 

I turned off comments at the start of the year. I hadn't had a comment in so long and it was making me a little sad however  I do appreciate that habits and interactions have changed since I started this blog. Let me take this opportunity to say if you'd like to reach out about skincare or any other matters on your mind then I'm available on Email, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

So I'm sending you all my love and well wishes and lets see what tomorrow brings as one day at a time feels about right for now.

Sarah x

29 January 2019

Finalists of 4th Annual Clean Beauty Awards Announced[I was sent the products pictured above in order to fulfill the judging role, I participated in the face wash category]

Last year I was invited to judge beauty products for the Clean Beauty Awards and the finalists have recently been announced. The Clean Beauty Awards is organized by CertClean, North America's certification for safer skincare. This year, more than 300 products from around the globe entered the Awards for consideration in 15 categories, including Face Care, Face Wash, Shampoo, Odour Care, Mascara and Lipstick.

As someone who is familiar with EU labelling regulations it was a very interesting judging experience with products from across the pond. If an international brand is sold in the EU then it must comply to our regulations but a number of products I handled didn't fall into this category (I did a little research on brands). One thing I took from the experience is the appreciation of our comprehensive labels, as someone with allergies it's particularly important. We also have stricter safety laws which I'm extremely appreciative of given that one product in my box had a questionable formulation (and I chose not to judge in it on those grounds). My judging role was enjoyable and different to other awards I've participated in. I was only asked to rate product performance so I had to set aside any other personal criteria.

Visit Clean Beauty Awards 2018 Finalists for a complete list by category. Finalists were determined by the average scores of over 80 judges around the world. The winner of each category will be announced in March/April. Among the many extraordinary brands which have been recognised as Finalists, the following brands stand out as those with two or more Finalist nominations:

100% Pure
Biossance
C2 California Clean
Chorus Supernatural
Coconut Tree
Elevé Cosmetics
HAN Skincare Cosmetics
Honey & Sage Co.
INIKA Organic
La Prétentieuse
MarieNatie
Organic Island
Plantioxidants
Soapstones Natural Skincare
Standing Stone Wellness

The winner of each category will be announced in March/April and I look forward to seeing the end results. Do you have any favourites from the list above? I'm a fan of Inika Organics.

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

18 October 2014

frecklefarm organics
Back in March, I wrote a post about Global Natural and Organic brands I discovered on Etsy. Fast forward to the present and I spent another lunch break snooping around and here are the gems that caught my eye.

I think we can all see why I was drawn to Frecklefarm Organics. The super cute designed packaging is a winner but the product range also looks divine.

herb & root skincare
Herb & Root - With products like Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Body Scrub and Spiced Vanilla Glaze Massage Oil, Herb & Root makes me hungry for dessert.

herbivore botanicals

Herbivore Botanicals - I like the look of the modern and minimalist packaging. Katie of katievibes.com informs me that their Blue Clay soap is one of her favourites.

I don't wish to bombard this post with lots of pictures but can I also suggest checking out - ELUCX, Metta Skincare, Ginger Chi, Coast & Clearing

Sarah x

Disclaimer - not sponsored, no affiliated links, selection based on information provided on seller Etsy page and/or websites, I am trusting these companies have good ingredients.

27 February 2014

The Mighty Bee - Venom, Propolis, Honey, Royal Jelly, Beeswax

I am noticing a new trend in natural skincare for all things Bee related but I want to raise awareness that some bee by-products are potential allergens. You will be aware from my reviews, at this moment in time I do not avoid beeswax or honey. I am also going to touch on the issue of cruelty but I understand this is a sensitive topic. Let me talk you through the ingredients used in skincare that Bees produce.

Bee Venom - I am sure most of you understand that venom is the poison which makes a sting painful, but are you aware of how the venom is collected? Bees are given a tiny electric shock as they enter the hive, not enough to kill them (debatable as I'm sure some would die) but just enough to put them in a bad mood so they will release venom. Believe it or not this method is regarded as cruelty free because the alternative would involve killing the bees by removing the stinger and venom sacks. People with an allergy to bee stings need to avoid this ingredient in skincare.

Royal Jelly – secreted from the glands of the bee and used to feed the larvae. Royal Jelly is used in skincare because it is rich in amino acid, vitamins and minerals. To harvest this ingredient a bee hive needs to be encouraged to produce more queen bees. The hive does not survive without a queen bee so she is removed and larvae introduced, this then encourages worker bees to feed the larvae to produce a new queen. I have read that anyone with asthma or allergies may wish to avoid Royal Jelly. Reactions can range from mild skin irritation to anaphylaxis shock.

Propolis – a resinous mixture which is used to seal open spaces in the hive and is collected by Bees from tree buds and sap. Propolis is used in skincare because it seems to have anti inflammatory and skin healing effects. Claims have been made that it can be used to treat allergies but it can cause severe reactions especially if you are sensitive to bees. Some experts believe it can make asthma worse and anyone allergic to conifers, poplars, Peru balsam and salicylates are advised to avoid propolis.

Honey – if you follow natural bloggers, you may have seen the growing popularity in using honey as a cleanser because of the antiseptic, anti inflammatory, healing and moisturing properties. Honey is made when bees transform nectar by a process of regurgitation and evaporation. That does kind of gross me out a little. If you wanted to substitute honey in skincare, then opt for products containing manuka essential oil which is extracted from the species of New Zealand tree called Leptospermum Scoparium. It offers the same benefits as manuka honey but is obtained from the leaves, flowers and wood. If you would like to substitute honey in cooking, Vegan alternatives are Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Coconut Nectar and Dates (there are probably more but these are the ones I am familiar with).

Beeswax – worker bees secrete wax from their glands and use it to build the honeycomb cells in the hive. It is used in skincare as a surfactant as it forms a protective barrier on the skin but unlike mineral oil, as with all Bee by-products, it does offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Harvesting the beeswax and honey involves taking it from the hive which they reside in. This is the part of the Vegan argument that likens it to factory farming, forcing the bees to construct the hives for humans to steal from.

The thought process for writing this post was sparked following a Twitter conversation where someone told me propolis would ‘cure’ my eczema. I personally believe that when you have eczema linked to allergies you need to be very wary of this type of advice. From my viewpoint, bee venom and royal jelly are the ingredients that upset me the most due to the method of extraction. I can appreciate the Vegan argument that bee keeping is exploitative and cruel. Writing this blog post has certainly got me thinking in a different way. Eliminating beeswax from my skincare at this time seems a little daunting as several creams I rely on to help manage my eczema contain this ingredient. I'm not against the idea and I will be researching into the alternatives. The decision to avoid ingredients from bees is entirely your own but I hope by sharing my thoughts you can understand why it matters to me and welcome opinions.

Sarah x
image courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/FromNikkiCharms

27 August 2013


There is a theme to recent press releases and that is the promotion of Soil Association's Organic September. One of the key events during the month most relevant to my blog, is Organic Health & Beauty Weekend on 7-8 September. I thought I would share a couple of things which you may like to take part in.

Essential Care (@EssentialCareUK) are holding a twitter chat on Thursday 5th September at 7pm (UK time). The hashtag you need to follow is #organicbeauty and you have the opportunity to ask any questions about organic make up and beauty. Expert Guests including Laura Jane Sessions, will be on hand to offer tips and advice

Throughout September, Pinks Boutique is hosting an Organic Beauty Festival in partnership with spas and salons up and down the country. Participating spas and salons will be hosting events including organic tea parties and talks, free treatment tasters, special product promotions and gift with purchase offers. For the full list of participating spas and salons and to find out what’s happening near you click here.



If you are a Twitter addict like me, then keep your eye on the hashtag #OrganicBeauty it will be in use throughout the month.

17 July 2013

Etsy is a great place to find handmade natural and organic skincare. It appears to me there are a large number of US sellers but if you dig a bit deeper you can find some located in the UK. Generally, I do not tend to order from overseas because I would rather not encounter custom charges, it can make the whole process rather expensive if you get hit with this fee.

Here are my picks from a quick Etsy search


Described as "Natural, Organic, Fair Trade skincare, Make Up and other pretty things". I tracked down a website and it must be viewed as it is adorable (click here). Also it's nice to see they won The Green Parent Natural Beauty 2013 award for their Lavender Face Polisher 


I love the eye catching and colourful packaging, it draws you in. This seller also has a great website (click here) and a Green Parent 2013 Winner Award for Best Lip Balm


I think it's fair to say I was instantly drawn to the Coconut Dream Body Butter. I also like the natural accessories featured in some of the gift sets, it gives products a rustic, eco friendly vibe.


This seller is US based but I couldn't let them go without a mention because I am totally drawn in by this adorable packaging.


Also check out Actually NaturallyAromawakening and H & O Skincare. I recommend running your own search and seeing who else you can find. 

Do you shop for natural and organic skincare on Etsy? Do you have a favourite seller?


Sarah x

Disclaimer - this is NOT sponsored, pictures are from seller's Etsy/websites

5 July 2013


Essential Care have invited me to join in with a live Twitter chat to mark their tenth anniversary. Essential Care is an award winning Organic brand and I have reviewed their Gentle Herb Shampoo and Creamy Coconut Cleanser, both are firm favourites for me. 

One of Essential Care’s great passions is education about the Organic Beauty industry. Understanding what makes organic beauty ‘organic’ can be confusing for consumers. The aim of the chat is to allow anyone with a passion for beauty to ask questions and learn about what goes into Organic beauty and skincare products. I am delighted that Essential Care asked me to participate in the chat. I hope to share with you my personal experience and understanding of sensitive skin and allergy safe beauty products. Essential Care do not wish for the chat to be a branded event. The focus is on empowering anyone who works in the beauty industry to understand Organic and share that knowledge with readers and customers. 

The Twitter chat is taking place on 10th July at 7pm (GMT), using the hashtag #WHATSORGANIC - I hope you will join us :-)


Follow me on

11 June 2013


I think this Tag was started by Kat of Tales of a Pale Face and I have also seen Alice (Bright Town Girl) and Andy (Pampered Prince) take part.

Describe your skincare routine in 5 words
Cleanse, tone and moisturise – I like to keep things simple

What's your skin type?
Dry, sensitive and prone to eczema

What's your favourite skincare product?
There are so many amazing natural skincare products it’s hard to choose just one. Balmology Comfort Balm is a firm favourite for my eczema, Dr Organic Pomegranate face cream for being budget friendly and Bodhi for their amazing aromas

Top blemish zapper
Manuka – it has the same properties of Tea Tree but is not astringent on the skin. For any vegans you don’t need to use the honey have a look out for oil derived from the tree.

Face wipes yay or nay?
A huge NAY! They are bad for the environment and your skin and should never replace a proper cleansing routine

Toner yay or nay?
Yay! But it must be free from alcohol and other nasties. I enjoy using a toner as it refreshes my skin when feeling sensitive. Great for holidays by the pool as you can cool down and refresh with ingredients which are beneficial to your skin type.

High end skincare or high end makeup?
I'm not a make up girl so I would naturally gravitate towards skincare although I don’t always believe high end is better there are some brilliant budget brands.

What's the most unusual skincare product you've tried?
Since I have sensitive skin I wouldn’t be prepare to mess around with weird ingredients for fear of allergic reactions so I play it safe (yes I am boring!)

You're in a French pharmacy and can only pick one item - what is it?
My knowledge of French brands is very limited but I would be looking for products which are free from, natural and organic. I did once use a great moisturiser that I found in TK Maxx, if I was to see that I’d buy it - NovExpert Essentiel Comfort Cream

Tell us your top skincare tip 
Everyone should avoid SLS/SLES and mineral oil in skincare products but I think it's particularly important if you have problematic or sensitive skin. I believe that you should refrain from overloading your skin with too many products, allow your skin to breathe and repair itself naturally.

I'm tagging anyone who reads this :-) If you do take part leave me a comment so I can have a read of your answers.


Sarah x

7 October 2012

Antipodes Rejoice Cream
I want to come back and mention that I finished my tube of Antipodes Rejoice Cream which I reviewed back in May. I've been very impressed without it feels on my skin and helps towards combating dryness. I haven't experienced anything which would leave me feeling negative about this product. I have roughly used it once a day since it was opened so I do feel this has been good value for money, after all it's now October. I have already decided to repurchase this cream and still would recommend to you. I'm looking forward to trying out other Antipodes products in the future.

Have you tried Antipodes Rejoice? What are your thoughts on this product and the brand?

Sarah x

12 August 2012


I have some exciting news to share but you'll have figured that out from the screenshot and title haha! Late on Friday night I was catching up on Facebook and something caught my attention. I discovered I was runner up in Blogger Awards run by skincare brand Betty Hula. It was unexpected as I'd completely forgotten about my entry into the awards (it was back in June!). I can not deny it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I would like to offer out congratulations to the Winner and fellow runners up. 

In case you were wondering the awards are judge by an Independent Judging Panel. The criteria was Judges consider four main factors to select the winning beauty blog: style of blog and writing, investigative reporting and getting to grips with the issue, interaction with followers and readers, point of difference. The awards were open to every beauty blogger, regardless of how long you've been blogging, follower numbers or popularity.


Sarah x

22 June 2012



When I first started writing this blog I commonly used the term "chemical free" when referring to natural products that did not use synthetic "nasty" ingredients. This is a term I had picked up from years of buying and researching skincare that did not contain SLS, SLES, parabens, petrochemicals, DEA, PEG, artificial colours & fragrance, tricolsan, phthalates, formaldehyde. I find it a quick recognisable term to use especially when tweeting. Just recently it has come to my attention that some people have a problem with the term "chemical free". The reason they object to the term is everything in life is a chemical, for instance water is a chemical and a common ingredient in skincare so nothing is truly chemical free.

You may have notice a while back I switched to referring to products as "free from". There were two reasons for this. 1. to please those that did not like the term chemical free 2. not every product I review is 100% natural and may contain the occasional synthetic ingredients which people like to avoid. I recently tweeted with Sharon of Alaya Beauty on this subject. She informed me that the problem with "Free From" for UK brands is the EU are trying to stop them from using the phrase. Sharon tweeted a link to an article about this which you can read for yourself over on The Ecologist.

I have been racking my brains to think how else you could promote a product which does not contain the ingredients which many of us try to avoid. The phrase "natural" can also be misleading as I have demonstrated numerous times on my blog. A product containing ingredients from nature does not mean it is free from synthetic ones. As someone who lives with food allergies, I understand the world of free from labelling. A skincare product with a free from label, listing the ingredients not used, is attractive to me, easily understood and recognisable.

On a side note I've seen a few rude tweets to Companies (and me) for using the term chemical free. What ever happen to polite debate? Argue the case for not using the term don't be rude to people. I would be interested to hear from my readers. What are your thoughts on terms like "chemical free" and "free from". Do you welcome the proposed changes or object?


Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

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. 

23 October 2011

Evolve Organic Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt
I've edited this original post as brands cease trading and it no longer becomes relevant content. I held onto a little piece of information because this was the moment in 2011 when I discovered Evolve Organic Beauty. It's so interesting to take a look back because Evolve remains a brand I enjoying using to this very day (2020). The packaging and branding has changed over the years but the products are still as lovely as ever.

In the original review I had purchased samples to branch out into the unknown.  I was keen to test suitability of products before committing to full sizes. This is an important rule of thumb especially with sensitive skin and allergies. I always commend brands for offering this type of service. I know it can be costly to them but it's a massive help to the consumer. I remember out of the samples I ordered I was instantly won over by the Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt and this remains a core product in their range.

If you'd like to join me in the future then here are the reviews I have written about my love for Evolve Organic Beauty.

Evolve Organic Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt

Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir

Brand Focus: Evolve Organic Beauty

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist

Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200

19 August 2011

Naturally Thinking Retail Website

Naturally Thinking is a great company that hand makes chemical free aromatherapy skin care at affordable prices.  I discovered the website a few years ago and have used many of their products.  The range of products available from Naturally Thinking is large and varied.

If you are looking for a low cost but effective paraben free and vegan friendly moisturiser then check out Naturally Thinking.  The range has 8 different face creams for a variety of skin types.  Prices range from £5 to £14 and my personal favourite is Lavender & Geranium (£7).  This cream absorbs easily and keeps dry patches moisturised.  You can compliment your chosen moisturiser with a cleanser, face wash, toner, face masks, exfoliator and eye treatment, all of which are very reasonably priced.

Even though I am not currently using any of their products, I do feel they are worthy of a mention.  We are all feeling the effects of the credit crunch and they are a brand I turn to when my bank account is almost running on empty.  I have never been disappointed with the quality of these products so that is why I have confidence in recommending them. Delivery is available within UK and Worldwide.

Sarah x

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