18 February 2020

Review Odylique Lemongrass Body Wash and Ultra Rich Balm
(features gifted items/unpaid, links to Odylique are not affiliated)

Odylique have been in my life for many years ever since I was introduced to the Gentle Herb Shampoo. Before I found this shampoo I was battling eczema and an itchy scalp, it changed all that within a week and I've been banging on about it ever since. Odylique is a family run business set up by Abi and Margaret. I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with Abi over the years and her knowledge of ingredients and formulations is inspiring. I choose Odylique not only for their products but they understand skin conditions such as eczema and formulate without lanolin, wheat, dairy and soya derivatives, salicylic acid, peanut oil, common allergen tree nut oils and more.

11 February 2020

Review Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Moist Dual Action Protective Leave-In Spray
(this product was purchased by me & I made the decision to review, this is not in association with a PR/Brand/Retailer)

My review from 2013 for Giovanni 2 Chic Ultra-Sleek Flat Iron Styling Mist remains one of my top viewed posts. I continued to use this product for many years up until about 2017. I vaguely recalled having trouble finding a stockist and I moved on to Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir which I've been using ever since. Sorry if the back story is boring but I want to illustrate my loyalty to products. Anyway this all leads me on to present day when I decided to switch things up again. Evolve Hair Elixir is a lovely product but does list linalool in the ingredients and I'm supposed to avoid this one. I'm unlikely to experience an allergic reaction via my hair but I have to consider my hands when applying the product.

7 February 2020

2020 Free From Skincare Awards opens 3rd February
(photo from 2019 FFSA judging panel)

Time has flown by and here I am announcing that the ninth annual Free From Skincare Awards are NOW open for entrants. I think I say this every year but I love these awards as they celebrate the best cosmetic products which happen to also be free from some of the allergens and other ingredients many consumers now wish to or need to avoid. *jumps up and down, waves hands* People like me are their intended target audience. My long list of allergies (to include Linalool and Methylisothiazolinone) and throw in living with Atopic eczema, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Urticaria are what lead me to explore the world of natural and organic skincare. I had a period in my life where I felt I was reacting to every mainstream brand and sometimes prescription creams.

28 January 2020

Net Zero Co Petite Munchie Box and folding spork
(featuring PR gifted items)

Once you leave school you think your lunch box days are over but here I am in my forties madly googling for packed lunch ideas. I'm faced with several issues when it comes to getting myself organised. I live a plant based diet with allergies  and it sometimes feels like I'm stuck in a rut because my food becomes very repetitive. I'm reliant on products I deem to be safe for me and stepping out to try something new can be a little daunting (lots of label reading & research). I really am quite lazy and I watch hours of meal prep videos but on a weekend or evening the last thing I want to do is spend more time cooking. I don't work in a big city so purchasing my lunch out has allergy hurdles since there are lack of available establishments and it can become expensive.

14 January 2020

favourite green beauty skincare reviews for 2019
(features previously reviewed products gifted through a blogger partnership programme for Love Lula)

I had the idea to look back over the last year of reviews for Love Lula. There are a number of products which impressed me and have made it into my routine for the foreseeable future. I have gone on to re-purchase a number of products since my initial review which I think says a lot about them.

My April review featured Jason and Organii and whilst I did not go on to purchase these particular products again, I did explore product range for the brands. Jason Smoothing Coconut Body Wash has been a staple in our shower which both myself and my husband have been using. The giant 887ml bottle is very economical and it's nice to have found something which we can share as it was getting a little cluttered having separate bottles. Organii liquid soaps and shower gels are a firm favourite and I've re-purchased plenty of times. I generally have the fragrance free hand wash and shea butter body wash in my home but I will mix it up from time to time.

In June and August I reviewed the Giovanni 2-Chic conditioners and they have been very economical as I am only now reaching the end of the bottles. It's surprising how a change of scenery makes all the difference to performance of hair care products. It seems so silly but in our new house I'm not sure if the water or a better shower is the key factor but I switched up my preference from the original review. All three conditioners have their own merits but I will be repurchasing either the Repairing or Ultra Sleek and won't be swapping back to Madara.

In September it was Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream that won me over and I'm still using up the bottle. My thoughts remain the same and I've been reaching for it more often in recent weeks following a break out in eczema. It's an excellent staple for all the family and I can't imagine not having it in my routine.

October featured Green People Anti-Ageing 24 Hour Cream which I immediately re-purchased when it ran out. I still don't like the anti-ageing message but the formulation and performance is spot on for me. It's been a long time since I was 100% sold on a face cream. Of course there are other creams I enjoy from different brands but I was going back and forth between them. Green People fits my skin type perfectly and I'm feeling much better about my appearance. I had struggled with dermatitis and redness and whilst I would never claim to be "cured" I am definitely feeling happier when using this product.

Nature's Kitchen featured three times this year as I reviewed the Oat Milk Cleanser & Makeup Remover, Purifying Skin Toning Gentle Care Face Mask and Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream. I enjoyed using all three products but it's the Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream that stood out to me the most. I struggle with dry hands over the winter months and it can be hard to find creams that are not thick and greasy but effective in protecting my skin. Nature's Kitchen ticks this box for me and the rescue cream has become a staple for my bedside table. The price point is great, a little goes a long way and I can see myself replacing once this tube is used up.

Sarah x

Further reviews for Love Lula in 2019 can be located through these links -

18 December 2019

Skincare Routine for Dry, Sensitive, Mature and Eczema prone skin
(some of the products featured have been gifted and previously reviewed)

It has been a while since I talked about my skincare routine and I thought it might be a nice way to round off the year. For anyone who is new to my blog for reference my skin is mature (I'm over 40) dry, sensitive, allergic and prone to eczema. I keep things very simple because I feel some times using too many products at once can contribute to eczema flare ups. I choose to avoid linalool (present in some essential oils) so many of the cosmetics I use are fragrance free.

I'm still very much a fan of cream cleansers and have switched back to Handmade Naturals Unscented Plum & Avocado Face Cleanser. It's a budget friendly option which I find effective and gentle on my delicate skin. It isn't scented with essential oils but has a lovely aroma from plum kernel oil. When I want to switch over to oil cleanser I generally opt for Handmade Naturals Cleansing Oil. I'm not currently using a toner, it's often the first item I skip when tightening the purse strings and it's also one of the hardest products to find without my allergens. My day cream is currently Green People Neutral Scent Free Anti-Ageing 24 Hour Cream. I recently ran out and repurchased so that should indicate how much I enjoy using this product. I feel it has been keeping my skin hydrated and soft throughout the day. In the evenings I switch over to a facial oil and I currently have two products on rotation, it really just depends on what mood. Myroo Super Boost Brightening Blackberry feels like a nice treat and a little different for me since I've never used Blackberry as a stand alone ingredient. I've also been reaching for Apothaka Comforting oil booster which I picked up in the Summer when judging for the Free From Skincare Awards. The ingredient blend includes cucumber, jojoba, macadamia, seabuckthorn, calendula and co-enzyme Q10. Both products are free from essential oils and helps maintain the balance to avoid further dryness.

I have some firm favourites when it comes to body products. Urtekram No Perfume Hand Cream currently lives in my handbag as the winter chill plays havoc with my hands and I'm battling constant dryness. On my bedside table I have Nature's Kitchen Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream to use at bedtime. Since my original review back in September I have continued to repurchase Organii Organic Shea Butter Shower Gel and team it with my Konjac Pink Clay Bath Sponge. My shampoo is still Odylique Gentle Herb and I'm working my way through a trio of Giovanni 2Chic Conditioners. I'm forever changing my mind on which one I prefer the most and it's a toss up between the Ultra-Moist and Repairing Conditioner. Before styling I'm still using the Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir and it takes me about a year to get through the bottle as you need very little. 

I recently bought in TK Maxx Alba Botanica Very Emollient Shave Cream (Coconut Lime) and I wish I had discovered it a lot sooner. My legs are super flaky in the winter and shaving can become an issue because my skin bleeds however the Alba emollient shave cream helps to prevent this from happening. Keeping my legs and body moisturised feels like a full time job during Winter but Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream helps make the task a little more bearable and is effective at hydrating my skin. Regular applications are worthwhile to keep on top of flaky skin issues. If I want to target a specific patch of eczema my go to is Ere Perez SOS Marmalade balm, it's very soothing and quickly calms redness. 

I hope you have found this article of interest and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sarah x

26 November 2019

Nature's Kitchen Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream
(Gifted)

Eczema can be seasonal, some people flare up in the summer months and for others its the winter that causes them discomfort. For me as soon as the temperature drops I see a visible difference in my skin, it becomes overly dry, flaky and I feel like my eczema is laying in wait to jump out and yell "surprise remember me?". In winter my skincare routine switches from lotions to balms and rich creams with my entire body feeling rough but in particular my hands and legs. Balmonds is still a firm staple at the moment but through Love Lula I have the advantage to explore other brands for comparison. Nature's Kitchen has been a bit of a hit with me recently so the Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream was next on my list.

Nature's Kitchen Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream is intended to target dry skin and maintain moisture. It can be used anywhere on the body and the 50ml tube is the perfect size for carrying around in my handbag. Obviously it's a bit small for using as a daily body cream, that wouldn't be economical, but it's purpose would be to offer an intensive solution to smaller dry patches. I'm finding this product particularly useful as a hand cream. Straight away it get a tick in the box for being free from essential oils and vegan friendly. The ingredient formulation is packed full of ingredients which moisturise, calm and protect sensitive skin. This isn't a sticky or heavy balm consistency, it's a medium thick cream which my skin has no issue absorbing. As a hand cream it sinks in and I can quickly return to daily tasks without a greasy sensation. 

To round up this little review, I'm very happy with the Nature's Kitchen Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream. I would recommend to others and considering purchasing when this tube runs out. 

If you didn't catch my last review for Love Lula then this link will take you to the article - Green People Neutral Scent Free Anti-Ageing 24 Hour Cream and Nature's Kitchen Purifying Skin Toning Gentle Care Face Mask

Sarah x

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