A'kin Goodies

This month the mypure bloggers were allowed to choose their own products to review. I chose two A'kin products as I have really liked the A'kin products I have tried in the past.
My first choice was the Jasmine Body Wash:

I chose this because I really wanted to try a natural body wash and the description of this one appealed to me most:
'A'kin Aromatherapy Jasmine Body Wash - Jasmine has long been cherished for its heaven scent qualities of warming the heart, relaxing the body and uplifting the spirit. To this soothing and softening plant derived skin cleanser A'kin have added the finest pure essence of Jasmine.'
When it arrived I was delighted with my choice as I adore the packaging and the smell is lovely. It is a pleasure to use this product. It is priced at £7.49 for 225ml and although this is quite expensive for a shower gel it is something I would definately repurchase as a treat. Although I really want to try the lavender scented one first.
The second product I selected was the Sandalwood & Neroli Pure Facial Cleansing Gel.

I chose this based on the excellent reviews for this product on the mypure website. It is a foaming facial cleanser for combination skin. I found it was gentle on my skin, removed makeup and did not leave my skin feeeling dry. The scent is quite nice - citrus and actually quite masculine. The bottle is huge so I can imagine it will last me a long time. Priced at £13.99 for 225ml I think this is quite good value.
These poducts are available from mypure.

August Mypure Goodies

I was really happy to recieve my blogger parcel from mypure in august. This month all bloggers were sent different products to suit their hair/skin type. This is what I recieved:

Inika Lip Whip in Berry

This is more of a lip gloss than a lip stick but it is not at all sticky in the way that lip glosses can often be. I think lip whip is the perfect name! The colour (Berry) is perfect for me and is the type of colour I would usually choose. Also I was happy that the colour is quite natural looking and not too bright.The packaging is very nice..simple and sophisticated.  I really like this product and have used it quite a lot over the past few weeks whenever I wanted to add somthing a little extra to my look. This product is priced at £13.99 which I think is a little expensive and the only reason that would put me off repurchasing it.

Evolve Heavenly Body Polish
Evolve Radiance Boost Body Cream

I recieved travel size bottles of both products. The scrub left my skin soft and smooth and the moisturiser worked well without irritating my skin.The scrub differs to other body scrubs in that it should be applied to dry skin. The body cream claims to bring tired skin back to life. I am not quite sure it did that but it was a pleasure to use and did not leave a film on my skin. I liked the smell of both products (I would say they were a little coconutty) and the packaging also appealed to me (purple is my favourite colour!)The beauty cream is £13.99 for 200ml and the body polish is £11.99 for 200ml.

Lovea Bio Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Hair Mask

This is my third Lovea product to review. I was excited to try this as it is a mask for damaged hair and I hoped it would work well to repair my hair. Unfortunately I did not notice any real benefits at all when I used this product so I was quite disappointed. Also I was not keen on the consistency as I felt it was very runny and slipped through my hands when I tried to apply it. This product is £7.99 for 300ml.

It was great to try out all the new goodies this month and as all products from mypure are natural I was very happy to try them.

Mypure Goodies

This month I received two products from mypure to review. The first was the Lovea Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Body Lotion for normal skin. This is very similar to the shampoo I received last month. Last month I mentioned in my review that I did not like the packaging or the scent of the shampoo so when I saw that the packing and scent of the mosituriser were exactly the same as the shampoo I was a little disappointed. However I like this product much more than the shampoo. I do not have dry skin so I notice that body moisturisers often take a very long time to absorb and often leave a sticky residue on my skin but this does not. I have also grown to like the scent a little more. Perhaps by the time I finish the bottle I will really like it! One thing I do really like is the pump action on the bottle which works very well. Also as this product is from mypure it is 100% natural which pleases me greatly. If you would like to give this product a try find out more here: http://www.mypure.co.uk/lovea-b136/tahitian-monoi-moisturising-body-lotion-p1156



The other product I received this month was the A'kin Hair Care Jojoba & Lavender Conditioner. I loved the packaging and scent and was hoping I would also really like the product. However it is really not suitable for me because my hair is very dry and I need a much stronger conditioner. I do not want to write a negative review because I am sure this conditioner would work great for people with normal/greasy hair as this is who it is aimed at but unfortunately it was not for me. If you think it might be suitable for you find out more here http://www.mypure.co.uk/akin-hair-care-b2/jojoba-lavender--conditioner-p13


Thanks for reading and I will be back soon with more reviews.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2 in 1 Wash & Mask

I know a lot of people have blogged about this product before but I just wanted to share the love. The 'Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2 in 1 Wash & Mask' is something I have come to rely on as part of my daily skincare routine.
I usually use it as a wash every morning and night.The product is easy to use, has a nice scent and does not irritate my sensitive skin. When I use it I like the cool and tingly feeling it gives.I think it has improved my skin and I have especially noted clearer pores since I started using it.
This product can also be used as a mask.I do this maybe once a week or so. However I do find it quite stubborn to get off when I use it as a mask.
This product is very reasonaly priced(around €5.00 depeding where you buy it from) and it lasts of ages.I bought my current tube about 2 months ago, I have used it every day and there is still plenty left.
Overall I love this product and I will definately be repurchasing it.

'Wonder Products'

Every so often a new product comes on the market which there is an awful lot of hype about.They are usually reviewed in all the magazines and described as the new 'wonder product'.

I have seen two such products in a lot of magazines recently which really interest me. Firstly the Trilogy Rosehip Oil:

Trilogy Rosehip Oil is certified organic and according to their website has been clinically tested and shown to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles, smooth skin and dramatically improve skin moisture levels, leaving the skin's appearance radiant and glowing. This lightweight, non-greasy, golden oil contains Omega 3, 6 & 9, essential fatty acids and antioxidants to restore optimum skin health.

Secondly the 'Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse(multipurpose dry oil)' also interests me:
This has been available in France for years but is new to the Irish market. It can be used on the face, body, hair and contains a unique cocktail of 6 Precious Plant Oils (Borage, St Johnswort, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut, Macadamia) with a subtle fragrance for a velvety skin, silky hair and an improved overall aspect of stretch marks.

I love the idea of both these products but I do not have dry skin so I am not too sure they are suitable for me. Apparenty oil is good for combination skin as it helps to balance it out but I am yet to be convinced that it would be a good idea to rub more oil on to my already oily skin. Although I would like to try them in my dry hair and I also believe a few drops of either oil is lovely in a bath.

I have bought 'wonder' products in the past such as 'Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream','Clarins Beauty Flash Balm'and 'YSL Touche Eclat' and did not find that they were anything to write home about.

Have you tried either of these oils or are there any 'wonder' products you were really happy with or disappointed in?

Green Tea Toner

Hi all,

I have never really used a toner but I recently read an article saying that green tea makes a excellent toner.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants and when used as a toner helps to tighten pores and clear the skin. It also fights sun damage and ageing. Green tea toner is suitable for all skin types. It is so simple to make green tea toner. I just make a cup green tea as normal, let it cool down and then refrigerate it. After cleansing my face in the morning and evening I dap the tea on a little cotton wool and wipe my face and eyes with it. I find it very refreshing. Each cup will keep in the fridge for 2/3 days.
Thanks for reading and I would love to hear if you have any DIY beauty tips?
xx

Boots Botanics Oil Free Moisturiser

Hi there,

My skin is combination/sensitive and I find it very hard to get a good moisturiser. Often they are too rich for me or they irritate my skin. I was in boots recently and I saw the 'botanics oil free moisturiser' which stated on the bottle that it is suitable for sensitive skin.

Here is the blurb from the boots website:
'Botanics Sensitive Oil Free Moisturiser Leaves skin clear, healthy and shine free. As this Botanics Moisturiser is Oil Free it does not block pores leaving your skin feeling fresh. With Sweet Gale which is an antibacterial essential oil to purify the skin and fight bacteria associated with spots and blemishes you can feel cofident all day. Plant extracts at levels that really work, combined and formulated for unbeatable product performance. Naturally.'

I have been using this moisturiser every morning for a few weeks now and I am very impressed. Here is my list of good points:

1.It feels really fresh when applied to the skin (perfect for mornings)
2.It absorbs quickly.
3.It is an excellent base for makeup(foundation does not slip off).
4.It does not irriate my skin at all
5.It is inexpensive
6.It has a pump dispenser which is very easy to use and very hygenic

I do have 2 small concerns about the product:

1.It does not contain any SPF
2.I am not very keen on the scent but I can live with this.

I would highly recommend this moisturiser if you have oily or combination skin and are looking for something gentle.
Thanks for reading & I would love to hear what moisturisers you like.
xx

L'oreal Studio Secrets Primer

Hi there,
Today I am reviewing the L’oreal studio secrets professional smoothing resurfacing primer. This is a departure from my usual ‘natural product’ reviews but I heard so much good stuff about this primer that I had to give it a go.
My skin is combination & sometimes my foundation does not last very long in the oilier areas (especially around my nose) so I have been meaning to buy a primer for a long time. However the good ones are very expensive & there is always something I would prefer to spend my money on. Anyway I heard the L’oreal one was just as good as the more expensive brands so when I saw it on special offer in Boots for €14.95 I decided it was time for me to purchase a primer.

I was really excited when I bought it but unfortunately for me this was €14.95 wasted. I really wanted to like it so I experimented a lot and used it in a few different ways:

Day 1: I applied my moisturiser & waited 15 minutes, then I applied a small amount of the primer all over my face & waited 10 minutes, then I applied my Maybelline liquid minerals foundation.
Results: The foundation went on very patchy & skin was very dry in certain areas

Day 2: I applied my moisturiser & waited 15 minutes, then I applied a small amount of the primer just on my t-zone & waited 10 minutes, then I applied my Maybelline liquid minerals foundation.
Results: Once again foundation looked very patchy

Day 3: I applied my moisturiser & waited 15 minutes, then I applied a small amount of the primer on my t-zone & waited 10 minutes, then I applied my Estee Lauder foundation
Results: This was an absolute disaster, the foundation was so uneven, so patchy & I had to take it all off and start again (without primer)

The product claims to reduce the appearance of pores & undereye circles but I did not feel it really did this. Also I noticed that I developed little whiteheads around my nose after using it which I was not happy about.

I will not be using this product again & I think it has turned me off using primer for a long time.

What is your opinion about primers?

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorent

"The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friend"~Persian Proverb

Rose is my favourite scent and 'Weleda Wild Rose Deodorent' is my favourite natural product. I started using this deodorent in september last year and I have not been interested in trying any alternative deodorents ever since. This is unusual for me because I love trying new products.

This deodorent comes in a cute glass bottle which is recyclable. It has a non aerosol pump which is easy to use and never gets clogged. The deodorent dries instantly and leaves no white marks on clothes.

Please note this is not an antiperspirent so it does not stop you perspiring. It simply neutralises unpleasant odours. I think it works very well and leaves a lovely rose scent. Actually I think it is quite a good thing that it does not prevent a natural bodily function! If the rose scent is not for you there are alternative scents in the range such as sage and citrus. I think I will give the citrus a try in the summer.

This product is available in most natural health/beauty shops. Last weekend I bought a 30ml bottle in the 'The Health Store' for €6.19. Using a couple of times a day I expect this to last me for a month or so.

I would give this product five stars.

Weleda Aknedoron Cleansing Lotion

How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude! ~Emily Dickinson

I love trying new products especially cleansers. As per my earlier review, at the moment I really love the bnatural cleanser from Tesco. However before I started to use this I was using Weleda Aknedoron Cleaning Lotion.

When I first started using the Weleda cleanser I loved the stuff. The smell is divine. It contains essential oils of orange, grapefruit, lavender and rosemary; calendula and chamomile; together with sunflower and olive oil based cleansers. I have listed the ingredients below just to show how lovely they are. Unbelievably this is all it contains:

Deionised water (Aqua); Sunflower and Olive Oil Soft Soap (Helianthus annuus and Olea europaea Soft Soap); Rice starch (Oryzae amylum); Tinctures of Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and Calendula (Calendula officinalis); Essential Oils* of: Orange (Citrus dulcis); Lemon (Citrus limonum), Lavender/Lavandin (Lavandula angustifolia/Lavandula hybrida), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Grapefruit (Citrus grandis); Juices of Lemon (Citrus limonum) and Grapefruit (Citrus grandis) ; Lanolin; Oleic acid. *Contains natural constituents Limonene, Linalool, Geranoil and Citral.

It comes in an unusual jar (like something you would see in an old time pharmacy). I thought it was quite cute but I can imagine how it might be annoying for travel etc (unfortunately for me I did not have any travel plans whilst I was using it!!).

I just put a little drop on a cotton wool bud & it worked effectively to remove makeup. It was even gentle enough to remove eye makeup.

This product is designed for oily skin & I do not think it is suitable for my combination/sensitive skin. It did not really do any harm but I feel the bnatural cleanser leaves my skin much brighter & clearer.

However I would recommend for anyone with oily skin to give the Weleda Aknedoron Cleansing Lotion a try.

bnatural cleanser & eye makeup remover

"Those who look for beauty, find it."~unknown

I bought bnatural rich creamy facial wash & bnatural gentle eye makeup remover in my local tesco two months ago. They were only a couple of euros each.

The facewash contains aloe vera & jojoba oil to moisturise and inca oil to regenerate and maintain skin hydration. It contains no mineral oils or parabens. The packaging is pretty & includes recycling instructions. The smell is very nice & apparently 100% natural. I have used it used it every night to take off my makeup for the past few months & there is still approx 1/3 of the tube left. The tube does not specify what type of skin it is for. My skin is combination & it works very well for me. Products I have used in the past (makeup remover wipes) have irriated my skin but I feel my skin has been much better (blemish free & fewer irritations) since I started to use this product. Overall I am really pleased with this cleanser (it really suits my combination/sensitive skin). However looking at the ingredients I was disappointed to see that it contains sodium laureth sulfate(possible carcinogen). This is the only reason that I would be reluctant to repurchase.

The eye makeup remover also contains no artifical colours, synthetic fragrances or parabens. I have been using it for approx two months and less than half the bottle is gone. It smells like cucumber and does take off all eye makeup. I find it quite good. The only downside is that it occasionally irritates my eyes for a couple of seconds after using.

Overall I have found these products very good value for money.I would recommend them to anyone looking for something new to try.

Lavera Faces Balancing Cream

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”~ Lao Tzu

Hi there, this is my brand new blog. I hope to review & discuss natural beauty products with particular emphasis on what is available to the Irish consumer. I will kick off by reviewing the first natural product I bought which is the lavera faces balancing cream. I read the following summary of this product on the lavera website & I thought it would be perfect for my combination skin: