17 May 2018

Natural Organic Skincare Free From Nuts
If you have nut allergies switching to natural skincare can be a little tricky and it's a common asked questions from readers looking for recommendations. As the topic came up in conversation again I thought I would put together a list of brands that should fit your allergy requirements. Please do research and note your allergen in INCI as this will help you shop for skincare. When you find a suitable product always patch test to ensure suitability for your skin. Always check ingredients with every purchase as products can be re-formulated and may no longer be suitable.

Awake Organics - all products are nut free, their focus is hemp oil for its skin benefits and eco-sustainability

Harborist - currently just one product, a cleanser, all ingredients in the cleanser are considered low on allergy risk, it does contain triglycerides from coconut but I understand that most people with tree nut allergies are fine with coconut but if you have doubts consult your Doctor and patch test. 

Odylique - free from wheat, dairy, soy and all common allergens such as, tree nut oils (almond, apricot, walnut etc and peanut oil).

Mel Millis - they have confirmed all products are nut free

Mulondon - all products are gluten-free and free from wheat or nut ingredients but advise the following "for people with extreme sensitivity to traces of these ingredients, we can't make such claims as we don't have certifications in place for that yet"

Natorigin - specialist in skincare and cosmetics for sensitive skin and approved by Allergy UK, free from peanut oil.

Balmonds - they confirmed "Yes, we are totally nut-free. Everything is made in our own workshop, no nuts allowed"

If you have any other suggestions for this list please let me know. This fact sheet from Anaphylaxis Campaign may provide useful reading material - Cosmetics, personal care products and medicines Some of the questions asked by people with food allergies

Sarah x

15 May 2018

Love Lula: Ere Perez Quinoa Water Foundation, Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15
(Gifted)

This is one of two new foundations from Ere Perez and there has been quite a buzz around them. There is no denying that the product is presented beautifully in a frosted glass bottle with a pipette applicator. Quinoa Water Foundation currently comes in three colour shades and I have the lightest. I'm never sure how products like this are expected to match all skin tones, that seems impossible. Haze seems to work with my skin tone but as you can see it's on the yellow side and I often favour pink tones.

As the name suggests this foundation has a super runny texture which dries to a natural finish. I wanted to love this foundation but I can't get on with it. It just doesn't sit well on my skin and often clings to dry patches. I personally find it hard to work with and I simply don't have the patience. I've tried applying with my fingers, brushes and a sponge but it comes off streaky. The foundation is similar in consistency to the Green Booster Serum and I'm beginning to realise my skin definitely prefers a creamier product. The coverage is light which I have no issue with but I imagine if you have insecurities about your skin you are going to need a concealer. I am curious to see how the Quinoa Water Foundation compares to the Oatmilk Foundation so I may try that out in the future.

If you've been a reader for some time then you'll know I'm a fan of Madara Moonflower Tinting Fluid. I use it on a daily basis but the only element this product lacks is SPF. This is where the Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream takes it to another level. This CC cream is a thicker consistency to the Tinting Fluid which I'd expect from a product with natural SPF but it doesn't feel greasy or heavy. I can wear the CC Cream alone or under powder foundation to give a medium coverage. It evens out my skin tone but I would suggest any imperfections or pimples may require a touch of concealer. I'm happy with SPF 15 for daily use because I work in an office so my exposure to sunshine is limited to lunch break. I know some readers may prefer a higher factor but I not overly bothered. The alternative would be Madara Plant Stem Cell Age Defying Face Sunscreen SPF30. Back in the day I religiously used Clinique City Block and struggled to find natural alternative but Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream is the perfect replacement. The minor criticism in comparison to the Moonflower Tint is the CC cream contains beeswax. I was torn when ordering because in recent times I have tried to make a conscious switch to vegan suitable skincare. Overall I'm very happy with Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream and I would be tempted to purchase again. If you are spending longer in the sun then you should be applying a suncream (SPF 30 is the recommendation*) and Madara CC Cream isn't intended for that purpose.

Have you tried any of the products mentioned? What are your thoughts on them? If you missed last month review then follow this link - Ere Perez SOS Marmalade & Green Booster Serum, Sukin For Men Shaving Gel

Sarah x

*As a side note if you have any questions about sunscreen then I will direct you to The British Association of Dermatologists sunscreen fact sheet

10 May 2018

Organic Beauty Certified Brands COSMOS soil association
If you frequent social media you may already be aware that it’s Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Week and the Soil Association is running the campaign #WHATIMMADEOF. Sadly the natural beauty market is full of greenwashing so they want to “clear the confusion and debunk the myths that surround organic”

Back in 2013 I wrote an article about Organic Certification but that information is a little outdated now. When buying organic skincare in the UK the Soil Association is a recognisable logo on packaging. The certification is rigorous and reviews manufacturing processes, sourcing ingredients, formulation procedures, premises and packaging. When I wrote my previous article there were a number of different organisations across Europe offering organic certifications but the standards varied between them. The Soil Association teamed up with BDIH in Germany, Cosmebio and Ecocert in France and ICEA in Italy to develop a harmonised standard known as COSMOS. Since January 2017, The Soil Association and the founding partners certify to international COSMOS standards
COSMOS has two levels of certifications. 

1. The COSMOS natural certification addresses whether a natural product contains ingredients that fit with the natural ethos. Some ingredients can’t be organic (e.g water, salt, clay) so products like toners, scrubs and masks would never be able to achieve an organic status. The COSMOS natural certification gives consumer a level of reassurance which could also protect against the wider problem of greenwashing. 

2. The COSMOS organic certification requires formulations contain organically farmed ingredients that are grown without being genetically modified and no herbicides or synthetic fertilisers.

When buying products with the Soil Association COSMOS logo you are guaranteed they are free from animal testing, GM ingredients, controversial chemicals, Parabens and Phthalates, Synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances.

As you know I’m a huge advocate of reading labels and understanding more about the products we put on our skin. My routine isn’t entirely organic but I’m focused on natural skincare. I avoid certain ingredients which could trigger allergies and that I believe are unnecessary for our skin and the environment. If you don’t buy into the idea that cosmetic ingredients are toxic on our bodies then I would ask you to consider environmental factors. Our planet is choking on plastic and this is an area of focus for natural brands, you’ll often find eco-friendly packaging.

So what organic brands can I recommend? Well my top favourite is Odylique and if you’re a regular reader that won’t be a surprise to you, I bang on about their Gentle Herb Shampoo and Superfruit Concentrate at every opportunity. You can also check out Ihana Skincare, Balm Balm, Saaf Skincare, Herbfarmacy, Lulu & Boo, MuLondon, Nourish, Alucia Organics, Inlight Beauty, Skin & Tonic, Terre Verdi, Pai Skincare, Botanicals, Made for Life and I’m sure there are many more to chose from.

Sarah x

8 May 2018

Celebrating Seven Years of Sugarpuffish
What I have learnt in seven years of blogging

1. I've contemplated changing my blog name on more than one occasion over but I've never followed up on it because I can't come up with a creative alternative. 

2. In the early days it was popular to leave comments with a back link to your blog. Seven years on this has slowly been killing me. When I upgraded my template I spent weeks removing all the dead links to blogs that no longer exist.

3. I still have a day job not connected to my blog and I'm not living the flat lay, chai latte Instagram life of dreams.

4. It's funny how quiet your inbox becomes once you dare to ask if you could be paid for blogging. These are the words you'll see most often "we don’t have the budget so we are just looking for people who would like to review xyz" or "we only offer payment to bloggers with a following of more than 10K on a single channel and a domain rating of 35 and over"

5. Some brands do respond negatively to constructive feedback. Thankfully only a few followed up with nasty emails and a character assassination whilst trying to discredit me across the internet - true story!

6. For every ten emails you'll receive only one that addresses you by your real name, I get messages with Hello There, Dear Blogger or Hi Sugar Puffish (like it's my first and last name!)

7. You'll be offered a "cool Infographic" on a weekly basis to share for FREE (big whoop!) on your blog which you promptly file in the trash folder.

8. For all the minor grumbles blogging has given me a creative outlet for my passions in life. I have met some wonderful people in the last seven years and several I see regularly outside of the virtual world.

I'd love to hear from readers, do you have any memorable moments? perhaps a favourite article on my site or a product you discovered through my reviews that you can no longer live without.

Sarah x

1 May 2018

Myroo Skincare Fragrance Free allergies
UPDATE 2022 - MYROO ARE NO LONGER TRADING

I'm giving Myroo a shout out today because they recently re-branded and given their image a makeover. I think you'll agree it is looking very smart. Myroo Skincare is always top of my recommendation list for anyone who experiences sensitive skin and allergies.

I've watched Myroo evolve and grow since I first connected with them back in 2012. Rachael, Myroo's founder took part in our Gorgeously Green Event in 2015 and I relied on her products in the run up to my Wedding in 2016. She has first hand experience of allergies which gives her a unique understanding and expertise on these matters. All the products are natural, organic and vegan. They are fee from all 14 food allergens and known synthetic irritants (for example no parabens, SLS or MI). Myroo also offer a fragrance free version of every product, which is free from all 26 cosmetic allergens.
Myroo Skincare Superfood Balm Fragrance Free
I've previously written a brief overview of the Gentle Cleanser, Skin Boost Facial Serum and Lip Balm and these are products I still highly recommend. The Superfood Balm (fragrance free) is new to me so I want to give that my attention. The formulation is very interesting and lives up to its name. Ingredients include mango, coconut, papaya, avocado, broccoli, cucumber and raspberry. This balm is super soft, it easily scoops from the jar and comfortably massages across skin. It's one of those product that can be used for every little dry skin emergency, perfect for knees, elbows, heels, cuticles and when used overnight you can give yourself an intensive treatment. When I first received the Superfood balm I was suffering from a cold so I immediately applied generously to my face. Even with the softest of tissues I can still end up with an eczema breakout across my nose and upper lip because my skin is so delicate.

I believe Myroo is a brand that you can put trust in to offer wonderful natural ingredients and deliver results. Definitely check them out if you haven't done so already.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR samples

24 April 2018

Ere Perez Papaya SOS Marmalade, Ere Perez Quandong Green Booster Serum, Sukin For Men Shaving Gel
(Gifted)

Let's jump straight into this month's review for Love Lula as I'm sure you are all interested to hear my thoughts on these natural and organic skincare products.

Ere Perez Papaya SOS Marmalade
A fantastic product name that sounds so inviting. When choosing skincare I am quick to assess an ingredients list for suitability and with papaya I know we are off to a good start. The SOS marmalade is a multi-purpose balm to aid all those little skin care emergencies like dryness, irritation, bites, cuts and scars. Alongside papaya there is almond oil, coconut, hemp, mango, jojoba, shea butter, calendula, buriti and chia seed. You need to scoop the balm from the jar but once it hits the warmth of your skin it transforms into oil making it a delight to massage across your skin. The comfort factor is super important if you experience eczema because your skin is delicate and you don't want to drag a product across the surface as it can be painful. 

Ere Perez Papaya SOS Marmalade is formulated without essential oils so it has a natural, fairly neutral scent from the ingredients. I initially started testing on dry skin but then I had a rotten outbreak of dermatitis across my chest. I had even drawn blood from scratching. After patch testing I applied the Papaya SOS Marmalade overnight and it made a huge difference. Irritation had calmed by morning and my skin looked much better. I’ve continued applying as and when needed. It's worked fantastically at treating the condition and I'm super impressed with the results. I can’t promise everyone gets miracle results but definitely worth a shot if all else has failed. The Green Beauty market is full of amazing balms so I champion this one based on the ingredients. It is sometimes hard to find a balm that is suitable for Vegans but Ere Perez ticks that box. 

Ere Perez Quandong Green Booster Serum
It’s no secret that I love serums so again Ere Perez was an obvious choice. I was intrigued by the ingredients and vibrant green colour. The formulation is quandong (for vitamin C), chlorophyll, spinach, alfalfa, raspberry seed and Sodium hyaluronate (the salt of hyaluronic acid and it has lower molecular size). This serum feels like water and I find it works best mixed with other products. Curiosity may have got the better of me with this one. I’m appreciative of the formulation but I’m not completely sold on whether I need the extra step in my routine. The jury is out but if you are a skincare junkie then I think you’ll feel that pull to try it. I'm sitting on the fence with Ere Perez Quandong Green Booster Serum, it is a lovely product but it's not doing anything special for me to ditch everything else I'm using.

Sukin For Men Shaving Gel
You may remember last month I selected the Sukin body wash from the same line. Have you noticed how shaving products in the Green Beauty world are marketed to men? You’d have thought there could be unisex marketing and packaging. When shopping online I always have to hit up the Men’s section to find shaving products rare that you see them listed under women's beauty.

My husband and I usually opt for a solid shaving soap. Since we have only tried a couple of natural shaving gel/creams over the years I was curious about Sukin. As with the body wash this is free from linalool which makes it a great option for me. It contains baobab, Tasmanian pepper, sesame and chamomile. The fragrance isn’t overpowering and has a hint of citrus spice probably from the cinnamon, lime and mandarin. The pump dispenser is handy for in the shower, cuts down mess in comparison to a soap dish and I don’t need a shaving brush for application. The gel doesn’t generate a bubbly lather, it's creamy but easily softens skin and protects from the blade. I like how my legs feel during and after shaving. My husband has used on his face without any complaints. Overall I think it’s a good product to consider so don’t put off by the labelling.

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think of them? If you missed my reviews for February then follow this link - The Handmade Soap Company, Santaverde, Organii

Sarah x

17 April 2018

OrganiCup the menstrual cup
Whenever I’ve written about finding eco-friendly period products there is always an overwhelming response from fans of menstrual cups. I even heard the mention of mooncups in Neighbours the other week. To be honest it frustrates me that a small minority of people are borderline aggressive about the choices we make with period products, no one should be ashamed about what they use each month. I’ve written about pads and somehow people seem outraged that you don’t use tampons. I appreciated that the menstrual cup is a very effective product for some people but spare a thought that not everyone feels the same and that’s OK. Our bodies, periods and lifestyles vary and it makes sense so would our product choices.

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