19 March 2019

Conscious Skincare Organic Cold Pressed Oils Almond & Apricot Kernel
(Gifted PR Samples)

If you ever want to simplify your skincare routine then cold pressed oils are a great starting point. From the perspective of someone with sensitive skin prone to eczema, oils can be an excellent way to scale back on products to help restore balance from flare ups. They are budget friendly, reduce plastic waste and multipurpose. One of my travel tips when packing light is to opt for multipurpose oils, you could skip cleanser, moisturiser, body cream and hair conditioner in favour of one good oil alternative.

14 March 2019

The eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards are now open
The eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards are now open with plenty of changes!

As you may know I'm a long term supporter (and judge) for The Free From Skincare Awards so I'm always happy to shout about it to readers and brands in the hope it catches your interest. For those of us who manage skin conditions, allergies and ethical choices 'free from' skincare can make all the difference to our lives. Speaking from an eczema prospective, after years of suffering, a switch in body wash and shampoo changed my skin and made my daily routine manageable.

The Awards – which celebrate products 'free from' some of the allergens and other ingredients many consumers now avoid – feature fourteen categories, including new categories for Lip Care, incorporating both lipsticks and lip balms, and for Eye Care, incorporating eye make-up and eye creams.

12 March 2019

Natural, Organic and Vegan Mother's Day Gift Ideas(this article includes a PR sample marked *)

I'd like to be mindful that Mother's Day (31st March 2019) can be a difficult time for some and appreciate that I am fortunate to be able to indulge in this celebration. I have collated some gift ideas specific for Mother's Day but the brands mentioned of course offer gifts all year round for every occasion.

5 March 2019

kind organic natural period care products
(Gifted - PR Samples)

"Kind Organic was founded with the belief that it should be easier for women to put the needs of their body first with a kinder, more natural product"

I was offered the opportunity to try Kind Organic Night Pads. As you may know from other posts I have been trying to reduce plastic waste and find a good alternative for mainstream pads. Natural period products are kinder to the environment and your skin. I don't know about you but I detest mainstream brands that use perfume, it's irritating in more ways than one. The use of organic cotton reduces your exposure to the pesticides and chemicals which are banned in organic farming methods. Pads have biofilm backing sheets and biodegradable applicators for tampons.

26 February 2019

Current Skincare Routine sensitive, eczema prone, dry, mature
(includes Gifted & Purchased products/unpaid)

UPDATE JULY 2021 - S5 Skincare has been discontinued and replaced with a new company, Adaptology

It has been many months since I discussed my skincare routine, in fact looking back it was May 2018. Whilst I may change up my brands the general principals to my routine don't change. I'll use cream, oil or balm cleansers, follow with a toner, then moisturise with either creams or oil serums. For those who are new readers my products are always natural and/or organic, my skin is sensitive, dry and eczema prone. I also have to avoid linalool (an allergen which is naturally present in some essential oils).

In the mornings I generally opt for a cream cleanser but it's entirely down to mood. At the moment I'm using Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser which is a "go to" product for me. I delved into the archives and found my original review from 2013. I know some people struggle with coconut in skincare but I love it. This cleanser is lightweight and easily removed with a damp cloth, my skin always feels cared for and never dry or upset as I am prone to sensitivity. In the evenings I'll switch to an oil cleanser because I'm at the point in my day when I want to return moisture to my skin plus remove pollution and makeup. The Mono Naturoils Rose & Cucumber Cleansing Oil has been working out perfectly for me. It's gentle on my skin and a real treat at the end of the day. I am always very happy to discover products formulated on ingredients which have their own aroma. Majority of my products are fragrance free so it's nice to return scent to the routine without the worry of fragrance allergens. The Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist has been a staple in my routine since 2017. I honestly don't ever want to be without it. This mist preps skin for creams and serums and since it contains hyaluronic acid it gives the sensation that I'm restoring order to my often parched skin. 

S5 Skincare is the sister company to Evolve, products are vegan, cruelty free, suitable for sensitive skin and free from fragrance allergens. Products are formulated to care for skin suffering from the effects of modern living and provide effective solutions for five specific skin concerns: blemishes, sensitive skin, ageing hyperpigmentation and dry skin. For the daytime, I'm currently enjoy using the S5 Serenity Cream which is designed to calm and hydrate sensitive skin prone to redness with ingredients of Prickly Pear and Hyaluronic Acid. The texture of this cream is similar to my favourite from Evolve and I certainly benefit from the hydration it appears to offer. I am prone to redness and can see improvements with time. In the evenings I like to switch things up and use Bodhi & Birch Super25 Botanical Serum which is an amazing blend of 25 super seed, fruit, nut and berry oils. Super25 is luxurious oil and it’s been amazing at balancing my skin. I’m almost certain it has helped clear up my dermatitis. Bodhi & Birch products are a serious investment and it’s been an absolute pleasure to experience. I will genuinely miss this serum when the bottle is empty.

Have you tried any of the products featured here? What does your skincare routine look like?

Sarah x

19 February 2019

Reviews Love Lula, Ere Perez, Nature's Wish, Saint Come
(gifted/unpaid)

I'm very selective about the products I choose. I study ingredients for a number of reasons, allergies are of course top of the list but also knowing what my skin loves and hates. I don't always get it right and once in a while something that looks good on paper doesn't work out so well for my skin. The reviews that follow were a good selection of products and I made some great choices even if I do say so myself.

Ere Perez Cranberry Lip & Eye Butter
It’s quite unusual for me to experience dry lips but this winter has been a little unkind to me so I was looking for a product to boost the balms I’ve been using. I was initially a little surprised by this product because I would describe it as a light cream and the word “butter” conjures up a richer, thicker texture. Despite this the formula is deeply moisturising and packed full of lush ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil, coconut, cranberry, cucumber and olive oil. I like to apply in the evenings as an intensive treatment so in the morning my lips feel soft and smooth. It does make for a delicate light eye cream however I haven’t made it part of my daily routine. You’ll know from past reviews that Ere Perez is a firm favourite with me, I'm regularly signing the praises of the SOS Marmalade balm and the Cranberry Lip & Eye Butter has also not disappointed.

Nature's Wish Cleanse Unscented Facial Cleansing Oil
When Nature’s Wish popped up on my radar it seemed the obvious choice to select this cleansing oil. I’m very keen to support brands who offer options to consumers with sensitive skin and fragrance allergies. Nature’s Wish unscented cleansing oil has a good formulation with ingredients rosehip, apricot kernel, evening primrose, avocado, macadamia, chia seed, coconut and flower essences of crab apple and olive. If I compare the texture to the Mono cleanser which I reviewed last month, Nature’s Wish feels heavier on the skin. It’s a good product which removes makeup and daily grime without disrupting the delicate balance of my skin. This is a good all rounder which I'd happily recommend.

Saint Come Aromaspray Thyme Cinnamon
You may remember I’ve previously reviewed the mint eucalyptus from Saint Come. It’s been a pleasure to use so I decided to try out another fragrance. I love cinnamon so it seemed a great choice for me. It’s a scent often associated with Christmas and Winter so it feels the perfect fit at this time of year. I obviously encourage people to air their houses naturally, I do crack open the windows but there are times when you need a little pick me up or to mask a little unpleasant odour (like coming home to the bin giving off a whiff because you forgot to empty it). Saint Come uses ingredients that are vegan and natural, packaging is a 100% recyclable bottle.

Did you miss my January reviews? Here’s a link for you - Crazy Rumors, Ethically Organic, Fair Squared & Mono Naturoils

Sarah x

12 February 2019

Valentine's Day Date Night Celebrity Inspired Makeup Look
(Affiliate Links marked*)

Last year I put together a date night look using Reese Witherspoon as my inspiration and the year before it was Zooey Deschanel. This time around I've chosen Laura Harrier mainly because I adore her fuchsia lipstick. Apparently she's wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in Infrarose but lets see if we can create a similar look with alternative green brands that are natural and cruelty free.

Lips
Laura's makeup look is all about the bold lip colour and I've had a fun tracking down similar colours. My first choice would be Ilia Colour Block High Impact Lipstick Knockout (bold magenta), followed by Antipodes Lipstick Dragon Fruit Pink (vivid pink) and Ere Perez Olive Oil Lipstick First Date (berry magenta). If you prefer gloss then look to 100% Pure Lip Caramel in Cherry Cordial (bold fuchsia) and Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint in Fun (Bright fuchsia pink).

Eyes
For a polished red carpet look then a strong brow frames the face. Lavera Eyebrow Styling Gel styles and cares for the brows whilst adding colour. The Inika Brow Define Palette contains transparent brow wax and a light and dark brow powder (available in Amber or Chesnut). With a bright lipstick you'll probably want to do for a neutral eye look so I like the look for Ere Perez Eye Palette in Pretty and Nu Evolution pressed shadows in Chiffon or St Tropez. With an understates eye colour you definitely need a fluttery lash and Pacifica Dream Big Las Extending Mascara seems a good option.

Cheeks
Laura's cheeks look fresh and natural, with a hint of highlight and definition. I've selected a handful of products which I think could achieve this look. The Antonym Cosmetics Baked Blush have a beautiful swirl of colour with options to suit different skin tones (Cooper for medium to dark skin tones). Nui Cosmetics Cream blush in Pititi is a soft matte rose and pair that with Ere Perez vanilla highlighter. The Lily Lolo Cheek Duo in Coralista contains is a matte coral blush and light reflecting highlighter.

If you would like to shop the products mentioned they are available at Naturisimo, and Content Beauty.

Sarah x

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