Naturisimo

Pai Skincare in Easy Living

2012-01-25T21:50:00.002Z

A sudden flare-up of rashes and adult acne led Sarah Brown to seek her own solutions. Her search resulted in the launch of now cult brand Pai Skincare – and a glowing complexion to boot.

Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream (£24) is a best-selling light moisturiser for sensitive & hyper-sensitive skin, rich in anti-oxidants and Omega 3 & 6 that soothe and protect. And the recently launched Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Blend (£20) is the ideal treatment for sensitive skin; a natural serum that conditions the skin, improving skin firmness, elasticity and suppleness.

In a recent interview with Easy Living 'Difficult Skin Made Easy', Sarah focuses on Pai's sensitive skin mission and the infrequently discussed Urticaria condition. For those of you who’d like to hear her road to Pai, it goes as follows:

‘Until my mid-twenties, my skin was perfectly okay, then I woke up with red welts over it…dermatologists diagnosed urticaria’. Half an hour after taking the antihistamines I was prescribed the rash would go, but I developed highly sensitised skin and, when I tried different products to fix it, I ended up with spots. I realised I had to tackle the root cause of the problem’

‘I took weekend courses in cosmetic manufacture, then an advanced course over six months. What began as a hobby became an obsession, until at 30 I quit my PR job to develop my own plant-based, chemical-free range’.

‘Now I’ve finally achieved true skin confidence, and it’s really empowering. I know it’s hard to completely get rid of an allergy, but knowing what sets it off and staying calm means I can control it’.

Pai Skincare is available at Naturisimo.

Ila Spa Oil - Good Housekeeping

2012-01-09T10:09:00.004Z

The February 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping has featured the Ila Bath Oil For Glowing Radiance (£45) in a roundup of 'Bath Time Treats'. Gillian Davies, Beauty Editor, comments 'This luxurious bath milk is seriously moisturising and smells divine - tuberose and vetiver essential oils promote deep calm and wellbeing.'

Gillian also recommends the seriously cult Ila Face Oil (£55) on her 'Good Looks' beauty page. This organic face oil has been called a 'little miracle'. Your skin will rediscover its natural bloom and you will notice a healthy glow to your face.

Ila Spa skincare range is available at Naturisimo.

NEOM Sensuous Candle - YOU magazine

2011-12-19T17:35:00.002Z

YOU Magazine of The Mail On Sunday picked NEOM Sensuous Organic Candle (£37.50) in their You Gift Guide as one of their favourite Christmas presents.

This Neom organic treatment candle offers a rich and warm blend that eases tension and anxiety and works to create a romantic and sensual backdrop.

Neom Sensuous Candle and Neom range are available at Naturisimo.

EOS lip balm in Grazia

2011-12-16T08:18:00.002Z

Grazia magazine has featured our EOS Organic Lip Balm (£4.95) on their Big Christmas Collector's issue in the Secret Santa section, a round up of cute little things that costs £10 or under. For stockings, under the tree or the office. Simples!

Eos Organic Lip Balms keep your lips looking smooth and luscious with 95% organic, 100% natural ingredients, and are petrolatum & paraben free, just like you. They come packaged in EOS signature Smooth Spheres.

EOS lip balms (£4.95) are available at Naturisimo.

John Masters Organics - Hair Styles

2011-12-14T16:17:00.004Z

The Christmas edition of Love John Masters, a regular insight into the world of beautifully natural hair & skin care, highlights three great hair styles perfect for the upcoming party season, showing you how to create these great styles using the John Masters Organics natural styling products for naturally beautiful hair with a wow factor.

Simply click on the picture to read details on how to create each of these fabulous hair styles and look gorgeous this Christmas.

John Masters Organics is available at Naturisimo.

Ila Spa - Stella Magazine

2011-12-06T15:20:00.002Z

Stella magazine, the lifestyle supplement with the Sunday Telegraph has featured the Ila Spa Inner Peace Candle on the 'Stella Loves' page – which is a roundup of the week’s ‘must buys’. Sonia Juttla, Commissioning Editor comments 'every product by holistic Cotswold-based beauty brand Ila gets top marks for effectiveness'.

Ila Candle for Inner Peace (£45) is an exquisite natural candle with Tuberose and Rose that creates an atmosphere of stillness and meditation, promoting inner peace.

Ila Spa Candle (£45) and Ila Spa is available from naturisimo.

Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser

2011-12-05T13:10:00.003Z

Cosmopolitan picks Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser for their 'beauty lush list'

In their Beauty Lush List, Cosmopolitant 'drew up your Christmas list so you don’t have to. Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser, £78, uses all-natural ingredients to brighten skin.’

And Glamour Magazine Beauty News says 'Built around the unique Chinese Immortal Grass Complex, which boosts hydration and smoothness, while working to eliminate wrinkles and fine line...We love it for the silky-soft texture and natural jasmine fragrance. This really is the ultimate skincare treat.'

Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser (£78) and Nude Skincare is available from Naturisimo.

Jurlique Love Balm

2011-11-30T16:38:00.002Z

Jurlique Love Balm in InStyle Magazine

When celebs want to look fab, there is only one makeup artist they call, Mally Roncal. She shared with InStyle Magazine her tips for getting A-list glam this festive season
and revealed that she picked Jurlique Love Balm as a must-have product to achieve Angelina Jolie's renownedly perfect pout.

Jurlique Love Balm (£10) is available from Naturisimo.

Rodin Olio Lusso in Harper's Bazaar

2011-11-28T13:01:00.002Z

Harper's Bazaar November 11 issue included our Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil (£90) in their Online Gift Special 'The Click List', an essential guide to elegant & original gifts online and the best sites for easy, stress-free shopping this Christmas.

Rodin olio lusso luxury face oil was created by New York fashion stylist Linda Rodin to satisfy all her complexion-beauty needs. The result: a perfect potion that is nothing short of amazing! No wonder it’s created a non-stop buzz in the beauty and skincare worlds. Packed with eleven essential oils derived from flowers and other botanicals, this is the ideal liquid moisturizer for anyone seeking a simple solution to hydrated skin and a luminous, light-reflecting complexion.

Rodin Olio Lusso is available at Naturisimo.

Tsi-La - Stylists' Best Christmas Fragrance Buys

2011-11-22T11:33:00.003Z

Stylist Magazine picked our Tsi-La Fiori D'Arancio Organic Eau De Parfum (£75) as one of 'The best Christmas fragrance buys'.

This is the season to smell sumptuous and among the very best festive fragrances, Stylist chose this organic fragrance with sparkling notes of luscious orange blossoms, juicy tangerines, caramelized vanilla, and playful neroli flowers infused with nourishing extracts to create a sheer and delicate fragrance drenched in happiness.

Thank you, Stylist!

Tsi-La Fiori d'Arancio Eau de Parfum and Tsi-La range is available at Naturisimo.

The Christmas Store - Natural Beauty

2011-11-17T15:16:00.003Z

Naturisimo Christmas Store is now available with hundred of fabulous natural and organic beauty gift ideas for the holiday season.

From Pampering Gifts to Makeup Kits to beautifully presented Skincare Sets, our Christmas Gift Guide will help you choose among the hundreds of gorgeous natural and organic gift ideas starting from £9.90 and stocking fillers from 3.49. Plus you can choose up to 5 samples and enjoy Free UK delivery with every order.

For the ultimate choice of Natural and Organic Beauty Gifts visit our Christmas Store.

Beauty Box - Naturisimo

2011-11-15T13:13:00.004Z

Beauty Box by Naturisimo

Discover a gorgeous collection of natural and organic beauty products with our Beauty Box.
Whether you are looking to try new products or a different kind of gift for a loved one,
Naturisimo Beauty Box brings you an exciting and unique set of natural beauty essentials.

For a limited period, receive your FREE Beauty Box when you spend £35 or more and
enter code BEAUTY at checkout.

Our Beauty Box includes:
- 1 full size beauty product
- 2 travel size products
- 7 sachets samples

Available exclusively at Naturisimo.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Obsession

2011-11-11T13:18:00.004Z

Woman's Own magazine highlights Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil in their A-Z of Anti-Ageing feature: "Our current obsession - it plumps wrinkles and softens skin."

This multi-award winning miracle oil is a beauty editor's favourite. Harper's Bazaar UK featured it in ots 2011 Beauty Hot List: “An organic miracle worker, Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil really makes a difference whether you skin needs a hefty boost or you want to reduce the appearance of scars and stretchmarks.”

Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil (£16.50) is available from Naturisimo.

Lily Lolo - Perfect your pout

2011-11-10T13:27:00.003Z

Lily Lolo deliciously chocolatey natural lip gloss is packed with vitamin E & organic jojoba to nourish and protect your pout. It is as moisturising as a lip balm and not sticky with a subtle flavour.

This best-selling lip gloss is very sheer so great for a polished but natural look. It is available in 5 beautiful shades, all giving a great gloss finish.

Lily Lolo lip gloss (£7.50) and the Lily Lolo makeup range is available at Naturisimo.

NEW Bamford + exclusive offer

2011-11-09T12:32:00.003Z

Introducing Bamford Body.

Bamford products for bath, body and baby combine the beautiful Bamford aesthetic of quiet luxury with the passionate belief that organic & natural products are better for us. Founder, Carole Bamford's philosophy is to create beautiful, luxurious and tasteful products that care for the environment and ourselves.

Our launch exclusive offer is an exquisite Bamford Pampering Bath Set (bath oil 30ml & bath salts 30g), FREE with any Bamford purchases when you enter code BAMFORD at checkout.

Bamford Body is available at Naturisimo.

Jessica Alba on beauty favourites

2011-11-07T14:01:00.005Z

Natural Beauty fan, Jessica Alba, told In Style magazine that she always hints to her husband (producer cash warren) what beauty products she wants. Among others, her favourites for face and body are a combination of Caudalie, Jurlique and Weleda.

Have you discovered the new Jurlique Purely Age Defying Ultra Firm & Lift Cream (£48) yet? This triple action, high-performance anti-ageing cream was also featured in Woman Magazine this month and is designed to help promote the regeneration of elastin, collagen and new skin cells. Clinical results showed increased skin firmness after 6 weeks of use in 100% of women!

Jurlique as well as Weleda and Caudalie are natural beauty brands available from Naturisimo.

Natural Empathy - Home Spa

2011-11-04T09:34:00.003Z

Natural Empathy Shea Butter Butter (£20) with rejuvenating Frankincense and Myrrh 'impressed' Kate Shapland, beauty editor of the Telegraph Magazine.

This ultra hydrating body cream contains high levels of Shea Butter for extra thirsty skin but spreads easily and is absorbed quickly. Only the finest ingredients are used to repair the skin, relax the mind and assist in the regeneration of the skin. The perfect pampering treatment for a home spa experience!

For a lighter body moisturiser for every day use, try Natural Empathy Luxury Hand & Body Lotion (£15), made in small batches with reparative lavender, patchouli and cedarwood organic essential oils.

Natural Empathy is available at Naturisimo.

Louise Galvin in the Press

2011-11-02T12:26:00.003Z

Our favourite hair colourist has been featured in the Daily Mail last week and in Harper's Bazaar this month. Top Celebrity colourist Louise Galvin has over 20 years' experience in the hair care industry. Based at her father's famous Daniel Galvin salon in London, she has coloured the locks of countless fashion and beauty icons including Sophie Dahl, Samantha Cameron, Plum Sykes and Patsy Kensit. Louise's in depth knowledge of colour stems from training with her father.

"Louise Galvin is the future of hair care. She is constantly thinking of what is good for the individual and the environment." Tina Gaudoin, Style Director, The Saturday Times Magazine

Louise Galvin hair and body range from £10.75 is available at Naturisimo.

Butter London - Polish up your act

2011-11-01T11:44:00.005Z

Easy Living Magazine has featured our Butter London Nail Polish (£12), in 'Polish up your act', September 2011.

The ruby-red and metallic blue are right on-trend colours but both timeless enough to become winter favourites.

The hard wearing, non-toxic nail lacquers come in cutting edge, high fashion colours and have a durable glossy finish. The Butter London 3 Free promise means their nail lacquers contain NO Formaldehyde, NO Toluene, NO DBP. Welcome to Buttter London: colour, not carcinogens.

Butter London Nail Lacquers (£12) are available at Naturisimo.

Organic Surge - just in!

2011-10-31T16:39:00.005Z

Organic Surge is here.... a natural sensation, channelling the vibrancy and goodness of nature into your everyday life. But don't buy it just because it's organic, buy it because it works!

Organic Surge promises that each and every one of its formulations is between 90% and 99% natural. It's the answer for anyone who wants great skincare but who also cares what’s on the inside. Plus Organic Surge is vegan, cruelty free, DEA free, sulphate free, perfume free, paraben free and SLS free.

Organic Surge range starts from only £3.50. Available now at Naturisimo.

Luxe treats on a budget

2011-10-28T10:32:00.004+01:00

Luxe natural and organic beauty treats on a budget.

Indulging in some 'me' time does not have to be expensive to feel luxurious. From only £8.00, these natural & organic pampering treats will lift your mood & your beauty regime without breaking the bank...plus they are perfect for gifting and free from the obscure chemicals common in most beauty products.

View our hand picked Natural & Organic Beauty Treats from only £8.00.

Or visit Naturisimo for a full collection of Natural & Organic Gifts, perfect for Christmas.

Bloom and Bloom - perfect for mum & baby

2011-10-27T09:56:00.002+01:00

Easy Living Magazine has featured our Bloom and Blossom Mother and Baby Oil (£16), perfect for mother and baby massage.

This luxurious, 100% natural blend of essential oils is perfect during pregnancy, for mother and baby massage or simply add to the bath for gentle relaxation.

With natural plant oils such as camomile flower oil to soothe and lavender oil to calm, Bloom and Blossom mum and baby oil seals in moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth.

Bloom and Blossom products are available at Naturisimo.

Juice Beauty SPF15 - In Style best moisturiser

2011-10-26T12:44:00.003+01:00

InStyle Magazine has awarded our Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF15 Moisturizer as best moisturizer for Normal Skin in their Best Beauty Buys 2011!

Perfect for sensitive skins, the Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF15 Moisturizer (£36) not only reflects the sun rays but it also promotes cellular turnover, smoothes fine lines and firms for optimum protection and age-defying benefits.

Juice Beauty products are available from Naturisimo.

EOS - the hottest new lip balms

2011-10-24T22:38:00.005+01:00

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Spheres are the hottest new lip balms on the market!

With celebrity fans and a growing following, EOS Lip Balm Spheres are USDA certified organic, 95% organic and 100% natural lip products. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, EOS lip balms keep lips moist and soft. The funky, round design makes the lip balm easy to use. You can get EOS lip balms in 5 delicious shades (honeysuckle honeydew, summer fruit, lemon drop, tangerine and sweet mint). There is a gorgeous limited-edition duo of Strawberry and Passion Fruit (£9.95). From only £4.95, they are a guilt-free beauty treat!

Eos Lip Balm is available at Naturisimo.

Balance Me Rich Cream - For younger skin

2011-10-24T10:46:00.003+01:00

Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream (£24) in Good Housekeeping Magazine, November 2011.

This Balance Me high performance, deeply hydrating daily moisturiser has been picked by Beauty Director, Eve Cameron, for her '12 ways to younger skin' feature in the November issue of Good Housekeeping.

Ideally suited for normal to dry/sensitive skins, this natural moisturiser plumps, smoothes and rejuvenates skin providing a protective layer to shield skin from daily wear and tear.

Balance Me products are available at Naturisimo.

Green and Spring - Body Lotion in Grazia

2011-10-20T09:16:00.004+01:00

Green and Spring Relaxing Body Lotion in a lovely 'Sleep Easy' feature in Grazia Magazine.

'One in 10 of us relies on medication to get to sleep, according to new research, but experts say a chemical quick fix is no substitute for proper rest. We've found the products to help you drift off naturally and wake up looking radiant.

Green & Spring Relaxing Body Lotion (£22) blends soothing levender with rosehip, sunflower and chamomile to relieve stress and tension and aid sleep. '

Green and Spring products are available at Naturisimo.

Ila Spa Scrub in Glamour - Winter Body Glow

2011-10-19T12:32:00.005+01:00

Ila Spa Scrub in Glamour Magazine, November 2011.

Winter prep your skin with Ila Body Scrub for Energising & Detoxifying (£35). This scrub is recommended as part of ‘your winter skin kit’ in the November issue of Glamour magazine by Alessandra Steinherr, Beauty Director in a ‘winter glow’ body feature.

Ila Spa products are available at Naturisimo.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Chemo-chic on Inika

2011-10-18T05:10:00.010+01:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Everyone has a different method of coping with cancer; Jessica Jones' was to blog her way through it. 'Chemo Chic - A Guide To Surviving Breast Cancer With Style' offers day-to-day advice on everything from moisturiser to Manuka honey. We loved this brilliant article from Jessica Jones at Vogue.com on our Inika Mineral Foundation (£25.55) and Kabuki Brush (23.50).

What sets Inika apart are its the ingredients from Australian plants and pure pigment-rich minerals act as skin care as much as cosmetics.

Inika Cosmetics are available at Naturisimo.

Luzern's latest celebrity fan - Emma Watson

2011-10-17T11:37:00.005+01:00

Fabulous Emma Watson, the Harry Potter phenom, unveils her beauty routine in Harper's Bazaar in September 2011. Luzern Cleansing Gelee Face Wash (£30) and Luzern O2 Toner Mist (£30) are her favorites for her daily skincare regimen.

Emma Watson trusts Luzern Laboratories to blend Bio-Swiss Botanicals and Zermatt Glacial Water into pure, yet powerful formulas to clean, detoxify and balance her skin. Click and discover here her style secrets.

Luzern Laboratories range is available from Naturisimo.

What supermodel loves Sophyto Omega Moisturizer

2011-10-16T18:40:00.007+01:00

Sophyto Omega Daily Moisturiser (£17.25)

One of our favourite Brit supermodels, Agyness Deyn, thinks it's 'award worthy'. She said to Naag magazine 'the Sophyto moisturizers deserve some sort of award - the Omega Daily one kept us flake-free and fancy through the depths of winter, while the ligher Balancing Daily is perfect now that the sun is out...'

The full range of Sophyto products is available at Naturisimo.

Intelligent Nutrients just landed

2011-10-14T14:43:00.002+01:00

Intelligent Nutrients - just in!

We are so excited that Intelligent Nutrients has finally reached Europe. Intelligent Nutrients was conceived by Horst Rechelbacher, the founder of Aveda. After he sold Aveda to Estee Lauder, he wanted to create new brand staying true to the principle of all products being based around food and nature’s ingredients. The result is Intelligent Nutrients, a brand that has already been a huge hit in America for several years now. The basic principle of the brand is that ‘Much of what goes on your skin can be absorbed into it. If it’s good enough to go on your body, it should be good enough to go into your mouth. And conversely, if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin’. During a press event in NYC, Horst drank his own certified organic hair spray out of champagne glass to prove that his products are safe, non-toxic and natural. (We don't recommend it, though we are thinking of sipping a bit of hair spray out of pure curiosity :-).

We do love the entire Intelligent Nutrients range, it’s so clean with not a nasty ingredient in sight. Some our favourites are:

Intelligent Nutrients Anti-Aging Serum (£42): This is a hero product for face and it smells lovely. One look at the ingredients and you find totally natural ingredients like argan oil, red grape seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, black cumin seed oil and black cumin seed oil, a powerful skin healer. Use it at night all face, even eyes.

Intelligent Nutrients Hair Spray (£30): The Organic Perfect Hold hairspray is the one that the creator drank from the champagne glass! It has great hold for your hair, dries quickly and has nice smell. It is powerful so you need to use only little, especially on fine hair.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo (£16): Despite the lack of sulphate, this shampoo lathers well. The mint smell is refreshing and invigorating. It can be used every day and the large size bottle (444ml) is just great value for money.

Intelligent Nutrients is now available at Naturisimo.

Luzern Micro Exfoliant Reviews

2011-10-07T14:42:00.002+01:00

Review of Luzern Micro Exfoliant
Emma FT

Application: The texture of Luzern Micro Exfoliant is very different from any other scrub I’ve used as the beads are not at all abrasive but soft. I would say the texture is more like a cream cleanser with beads in it than a traditional facial scrub. It doesn’t sting or burn and my skin feels clean without feeling tight. Luzern Micro Exfoliant also left my skin very receptive to moisturisers which soaked in quicker than usual. It has a natural, mild scent similar to natural yoghurt which is very pleasant. I love applying this scrub has it is so gentle on my skin but gives impressive results.

Results: Luzern Micro Exfoliant claims to “even the skin tone and renew natural radiance” which it lives up to. My skin has a lovely even colour, feels soft, is pretty much blemish free and looks very radiant. I’ve actually been using less foundation since using this scrub.

Pros:
• Luzern Micro Exfoliant doesn’t dry out my skin.
• Has helped reduce the amount of blemishes I have.
• Makes my skin feel very soft & receptive to any products I use afterwards.

Cons:
• I think £30 is quite a lot for a facial scrub.
• The bottle design isn’t very good. The beads get stuck in the pump.

Luzern Micro Exfoliant (£30) and other Luzern products are available at naturisimo.com

Une Makeup

2011-08-23T13:38:00.003+01:00

UNE Makeup looks set to cause a stir in the beauty industry, backed by the knowledge and expertise of French cosmetics brand Bourjois. Boasting ECOCERT certified green credentials and an extensive colour range, Une make up offers something different - made from 98 to 100 per cent natural or, where possible, organic certified ingredients but also slick and practical packaging - Une mineral compacts powder and Une blushers great sized mirrors – without breaking the bank. Une aims to enhance the natural beauty of the weare rather than smother it – Une Breezy Cheeks blush really does create a lovely outdoorsy look and the Une Tinted Lip Balms are creamy and moisturising with a melting formula and shades inspired by the natural colour of lips. Une Makeup is now available at Naturisimo, the UK’s largest organic beauty store. Prices range from £5.29 to £14.49.

Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Antiwrkinle Serum Reviews

2011-08-12T12:05:00.008+01:00

Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Antiwrkinle Serum Review
by Sue B.

Application: The instructions on the dispenser state to apply Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Antiwrinkle serum, in the morning and evening, to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area, before applying Pulpe Vitaminee cream or fluid. There are also pictorial instructions regarding application on the website. The light smooth serum is quickly absorbed leaving no residue and has a subtle fruity aroma. Packaging: Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Antiwrinkle serum comes in a 30ml pump dispenser with green text on a white background, this is a good contrast and makes it easy to read. The only information on the dispenser concerns application detail, how soon it is to be used after opening and a website address.

Ingredients: There is no list of ingredients on the tube so I referred to the website for more information. The ingredients appear to be all naturally sourced with no parabens, phenoxyethanol, artificial colourings or mineral oils. Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee 1st wrinkle serum has a high concentration of anti oxidants with anti aging ingredients from the grape and the vine.

Results: Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Antiwrinkle serum reports to correct signs of aging and tired skin. The sample that I reviewed had just three days worth of serum which I feel is not enough to test their claim. The serum did absorb quickly and smelt refreshing but at £35 for 30ml it is quite expensive.

Pros: Fast absorption rate. Suitable for anyone aged 20 to 40 years who is keen to keep looking youthful. Refreshing aroma. Informative website if you want to find out more. It will last for nine months after opening. It is not tested on animals. Pump dispenser is easy to use.

Cons: £35 for 30ml. There was not enough of the sample to try for more than three days; therefore I could not determine whether the manufacturer’s claims were true.

Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Antiwrkinle Serum (£35) and Caudalie products are available at Naturisimo.

Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser Reviews

2011-08-12T10:28:00.002+01:00

Review Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser

by Nicky B.

Application: Massage a small amount of Trilogy balancing gel cleanser onto damp skin (I used it in the shower!) and rinse with warm water

Packaging: Recyclable plastic tube in cardboard box

Ingredients: The Trilogy balancing gel cleanser (£22) contains Aloe Vera which cools and soothes sensitive and irritated skin, extracts of Elderberry which helps treat damaged skin and also has toning and cleansing properties and Comfrey which is rich in vitamins and minerals to purify the skin. There is also Certified Organic Rosehip Oil to moisturise, honey which draws moisture to the skin, cucumber extract which cools and refreshes and Kawa Kawa. This comes from the leaves of the native New Zealand Pepper Tree which refreshes, cleanses and mildly stimulates the skin as well as providing antioxidant properties.

Results: Past experiences with cleansing gels have left my skin really dry and needing even more moisturiser than normal. Consequently I have steered clear of them and have always opted for milk or cream cleansers. Although the information on the box states this product is ‘great for oily/combination skin types’ it was perfect for my dry skin. My face felt soft and clean and I was really surprised that there was no drying effect whatsoever.

Pros: Vegan, Not tested on animals, Soap free, Trilogy supports ethical trade practices, Non GMO, Natural colours and fragrances

Cons: None, a lovely product to use.

Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser (£22) and Trilogy Skincare are available from Naturisimo.

Living Nature Foundation Reviews

2011-06-15T13:23:00.002+01:00

Review of Living Nature Foundation
By Louise M.

Packaging: Living Nature Foundation is packaged in a sturdy glass bottle with a pump dispenser. The pump is a really nice feature because not only does it give you good control over the amount of product you can dispense, but it also keeps the contents hygienic. Anyone who’s fed up with mucky tubes or compacts in their makeup bag will certainly appreciate this.

Application: The formulation of this product as soon as it is dispensed seems to be very runny indeed, although don’t be fooled! This foundation becomes tacky very quickly so you need to work it into your face fast. You also only need a tiny bit to go a long way so after a process of trial and error I realised that it was better to apply it and work it in one dot at a time. It gives great coverage on its own or mixes well with a drop of moisturiser for a more dewy effect.

Ingredients: There are lots of lovely natural oils inside this foundation to help nourish your skin; macadamia, avocado and jojoba. How so many natural oils and minerals can provide such great pigmented coverage is a mystery! If you have normal to sensitive skin whether it is inflamed or dry I think the ingredients offer something for all skin types. Living Nature is known for its ingredients being suitable for oily or spotty skin with antiseptic tea tree and manuka honey.

Results: This was my first experience with a natural foundation so I was really impressed at the full to medium coverage. I had expected natural foundations to be a bit ‘wishy-washy’ - not so! The shade that I used (Pure Sand) was a perfect match for my medium-fair skin tone although Living Nature offer a good selection of similar shades if you prefer to buy two colours and mix your own through the seasons. They don’t offer any shades for darker African-Caribbean skin tones however which is a great shame. I found the formulation quite matifying which for some would be a bonus; it certainly helps to make it long lasting. As we enter the summer however I preferred to mix it with a bit of my regular moisturiser which made it a bit more sheer and more suitable for my dry skin.

Pros:
Fantastic full-medium coverage
Great match for my medium-fair skin tone
Good staying-power on the skin

Cons:
Limited choice of shades

Living Nature Foundation (£16) and Living Nature Products are available at naturisimo.com

Pinks Boutique Anti-aging Serum Reviews

2011-06-08T12:43:00.002+01:00

Review of Pinks Boutique Anti-aging Serum
By Sue B.

Packaging: There is minimal packaging as Pinks Boutique Anti-aging Serum is available in a 50ml sealed bottle with a large pipette for getting out the oil. The text being white on a brown background makes it easily legible, but slightly less so for the gold text. The text is quite small. The best before date is in 18 months time but Pinks Boutique anti aging serum should be used within six months of opening.

Application: The anti aging serum has a silky texture as you apply it which dries after a few seconds. On non make-up days, I’ve been using this during the day, it doesn’t leave a noticeable shine, as well as at night. Just three or four drops are enough to apply to the face and neck.

This anti aging serum can also be used for younger skin to prevent premature aging.

Ingredients: There is a very long list of ingredients printed on the packaging reported to be 100% natural and 99.5% organic like most products in the Pinks Boutique brand. The Latin names as well as the common names are listed. Rosehip, avocado, camellia and jojoba are a few of the oils used in Pinks Boutique anti aging serum which gives it a relaxing fragrance.

Results: The fragrance from this oil, in my opinion, is lovely but, not to my daughter’s taste. I’ve used Pinks Boutique anti aging serum for two weeks now and my skin feels moisturised and soft. I can’t say I’ve noticed my skin looking younger in this time period, I expect prolonged use would give better results.

Pros:

!00% natural and 99.5 % organic.

Can be used during the day or at night.

You only use a little at each application, so I would expect the bottle to last quite a long time.

Suitable for all ages.

Cons:

Oil tends to run down the outside of the bottle, so take care when placing it on surfaces. I think a smaller pipette could’ve been used which may have reduced this.

Pinks Boutique anti aging serum is quite expensive.

Pinks Boutique Anti-aging Serum (£34) and Pinks Boutique Products are available at naturisimo.com

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask Reviews

2011-05-24T11:58:00.004+01:00

Review of Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask
By Kelly B

Packaging: The Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask comes in a clear hard plastic screw top jar. The lid is a shiny silver effect which looks elegant and stylish. The jar is securely encased in a sturdy grey recyclable box which has full ingredients displayed. Helpful usage instructions are on both box and jar which is helpful if the product becomes separated from its box.

Application: The Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask is in a powdered form which must be mixed with water before application. Clear directions are provided, 1 teaspoon of mask powder and 11/2 teaspoons of water. It was very easy to mix and a very fluid consistency. I was glad for the quantity instructions as I would have felt it was too fluid and would have made it thicker. The fluid texture made it very easy to apply. I used a face mask brush (I feel it would be too tricky to apply with just fingers). My skin is very sensitive and it felt soothing and calming on and not at all irritating ingredients wise. However the texture of the mask as it was beginning to dry felt uncomfortable and mildly itchy.The Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask is a dark green colour so care is needed to protect clothing such as tissue paper in the neckline of your clothing.

It states on the jar to keep the mask moist for 20 minutes. This was easier said than done. When it began to dry after maybe 5 minutes or more I tried to pat a little water on my face but this led to the green mask starting to trickle down my face and neck. I tried on other occasions to lightly spray my face with a water spray to keep the mask moist but again this made the mask run down my face. To me keeping the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask moist is impractical unless maybe you are taking a bath or shower. The heat and steam would presumably prevent the mask from drying out and if it began trickling it would not matter so much.

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask is not easy to remove. Even trying to ensure that it was wet when removing it led to dripping and mess and it was still tough to wipe off and extra hard from near the hairline. I removed the mask with a warm damp face cloth which went bright green (although it did come off in the wash). The sink needed washing afterwards too due to green mask staining and mask pieces.

After removing this Universal Mask my face looked quite green and I had to wash it several times to take away the green staining. For this reason I would only use Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask on an evening before going to bed or before a shower. This product is quite messy and stains a bit so takes more time to remove. Therefore I feel it needs an extra pampering time slot. This is not a quick mask to use. Plus mixing it takes extra time too.

As per the instructions I tried the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask powder mixed with honey and goat’s yogurt. It was easier to apply and didn’t dry out so much and felt more comfortable on the skin. (But I couldn’t wait for the 20 minutes to be over so I could take it off my face.) However there was still the same problem trying to keep it moist (i.e. dripping). This mixture was easier to remove than the water and powder mixture but still harder than most face masks.

I found the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask quite messy and time consuming. I quite like the DIY aspect but it does take extra time which I don’t always have. Plus with the mess and staining I feel like a shower afterwards is a must. Whereas my preference is to apply any mask after a shower when my face is warm and moist, then rinse and apply make up. I like to feel clean and fresh after a mask, not like I need a shower!

Ingredients: The Dr. Alkaitis is super natural. The Organic Universal Mask ingredients are either organic or wild crafted. It is free from all chemicals, synthetics and genetically modified organisms and their derivatives. Importantly 100% of the ingredients are active which means that they have been minimally processed to retain the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients to heal and nourish the skin.

The main ingredient is Oat Buds. Oats are soothing, calming, healing and hydrating and provide very gentle exfoliation which serves to promote skin smoothing. The green grass powders (Oat, Wheat, and Kamut) are highly nutrient dense and contain virtually all the vitamins and minerals known to man, therefore providing a real skin boosting treat. The chlorophyll these grasses contain is so soothing and reduces skin redness and is very healing. The algaes, spirulina and chlorella are also loaded with rich minerals and provide similar soothing and healing properties. Both the green grasses, algaes and other green vegetable powders are all thought to calm, soothe, heal and relax skin and strengthen broken capillaries.

Brown rice powder I believe will serve as an additional gentle exfoliant. The mild acids in tomato will have the potential to provide further light exfoliation which could serve to reduce fine lines and provide a mild skin bleaching effect. The seed powders (pumpkin, sesame, and flax) will provide essential fatty acids to nourish and hydrate the skin. Cucumber is thought to be extremely soothing and calming whilst ginger is invigorating and will improve blood flow to the skin. An impressive array of all natural ingredients.An important note regarding ingredients in the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask:

If you purchase a Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask please ensure that your mask powder is green in colour which is the correct colour of the Universal mask. I originally was sent a Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask to trial in which was mask powder was cream in colour. I emailed the Dr. Alkaitis brand in the US for clarification of any formulation change. I was informed that no formulation changed had occurred and that my cream powder Universal Mask was incorrect and that the Universal Mask was green. They kindly sent me the correct green coloured mask to trial. It seems that some manufacturing issue had been the problem. However with no clear explanation as to how a cream coloured powder ended up in Universal Mask packaging this would be cause for me not to trust the brand as it seems to me a very odd occurrence. I wanted to add this point as it would be something that would concern me and I like my reviews to be completely honest and contain all information that may be important to other consumers.

Results: Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask when mixed with water achieved for me a reduction in slight skin redness which made my skin tone look more even. It gave my face a refreshed glow. I noticed a gentle exfoliating effect as my skin looked smoother and more luminescent afterwards.

When mixed with honey and goat’s yogurt the effects of the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask were definitely more nourishing and appeared to leave skin cells plumper and more youthful. However honey and yogurt themselves are very nourishing and beautifying when used alone (minus the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask powder).

In conclusion although the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask was quite nice I feel that it is no nicer than mixing wheatgrass powder with either water alone or wheatgrass powder mixed with honey and yogurt. This would be far cheaper. The results from Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask are simply not spectacular enough to justify the price. Plus it is so messy and time consuming. I wouldn’t recommend this product.

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask (£55) and Dr. Alkaitis Products are available at naturisimo.com

Natural Being Manuka Dry Skin Day Cream Reviews

2011-05-18T16:03:00.004+01:00

Review of Natural Being Manuka Dry Skin Cream
By Anisa B.

Packaging: Natural Being Manuka Dry Skin Cream comes in a white 50ml tube. The product is easily and hygienically dispensed which I like.

The moisturiser smells ‘natural’ and has a honey smell to it which is actually quite pleasant and sweet not overpowering. The consistency is creamy and thick but not greasy or oily. It’s easy to massage on to the skin and absorbs into the skin quickly and the skin feels nice and supple.

Ingredients: Active Manuka Honey which is the main ingredient in Natural Being products is Proven to revitalize the skin by gently stimulating cell renewal, as it hydrates and maintains moisture levels without feeling greasy, leaving the skin glowing with health.
Manuka Oil, for its unique anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which fight the micro-organisms that cause irritation and blemishes. There are no additional ingredients in here that would cause irritation to sensitive skin, and the ingredients are all vegan/vegetarian.

Result: This Manuka Dry Skin Cream is a good budget buy moisturiser, I think it is more suited to normal skin rather than dry skin only; it is moisturising in terms of giving the skin oil but not that moisturising in terms of adding moisture to the skin. So if the skin is dehydrated, this isn’t the best one out there. I do like the smell however, and think it is worth trying for the price and for the Manuka ingredients.

The pros of this moisturiser are:
Hygienic tube
Lovely smell
The cons of this moisturiser are:
Not hydrating enough

Natural Being Manuka Dry Skin Cream (£7.50) and Natural Being are available at naturisimo.com

Barefoot Botanicals Face & Body cream Reviews

2011-05-10T12:29:00.002+01:00

Review of Barefoot Botanicals Face & Body cream

By Catherine J.

Packaging: Barefoot Botanicals Face & Body cream comes in an easy to use tube with a flip lid. There are easy to read symbols on the back showing that the product doesn’t contain any chemical nasties, is cruelty free and suitable for vegans. The packaging is attractive and has the distinctive Barefoot Botanicals logo at the top

Application: The Face & Body cream was really easy to apply and absorbed easily into my skin without leaving that sticky feel that you sometimes get with intensive moisturizers. It had a lovely aroma which I smelt as soon as I opened the tube and once it was on my skin could still be smelt a few hours later. It wasn’t too heavy for my face and left it feeling moisturized all day.

Ingredients: Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S. rescue me face & body cream has no chemical nasties and has 100% ethically sourced, plant derived ingredients like all Barefoot Botanical Products. The main ingredients of Borage Oil, Shea Butter and Evening Primrose Oil are blended with Calendula, Burdock and Mahonia to soothe irritation and rehydrate seriously parched skin.

Results: I have eczema and I love Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S. rescue me face & body cream as it doesn’t contain ingredients that irritate my skin. It smells gorgeous and I can really see an improvement in my eczema after using it for only a couple of weeks. It is a versatile product as it can be used on your face and body and therefore it would be great for travelling.

Pros:

It has a lovely fragrance.

A little goes a long way

100% Natural

Can be used on your face and body

Cons:

None at all

Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S. Face & Body cream (£17.95) and Barefoot Botanicals Skincare Products are available at naturisimo.com

Oskia

2011-03-21T13:06:00.003Z

Oskia Nutritional Skincare

Oskia is the new Brit brand that takes a nutritional approach to anti-ageing, combining cutting edge science and nature to offer a skincare range dedicated to rebuilding cell health and targeting the first signs of premature aging. Oskia nourishes skin from the inside (supplements) as well as the outside with MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane), commonly used in joint supplements, a form of sulphur that is a collagen and elastin builder.

Derived from the ancient Greek word for “delivering beauty,” Oskia is looking at ingredients closely to deliver optimum results. All their products contain the magic MSM, the special sulphur mineral with natural collagen boosting and regenerating cells formula that has been scientifically proven to work. And you can also buy Oskia pure MSM supplement on their own.

The star product is the range and flying of shelves is Oskia Get Up & Glow (£64.50), an instant revitalising and energising serum that visibly brightens skin after one application. Already receiving rave reviews, it won ‘Best skin perfector’ in the 2010 Natural Health Magazine Awards.

One of my favourites is the Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm (£46). This balm, exfoliator and cleanser works extremely well and it’s worth the high price tag. It has a thick balm texture but melts easily in the hands so applies easily. I am using it instead of my usual exfoliator because the balm hydrates the skin at the same time and can be used more than once weekly. The granules in the balm are extremely fine and lovely to work into the skin without causing redness or reaction. The results are clear, hydrated and super soft skin.

Oskia skincare is available at Naturisimo

A’kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture Review

2011-03-15T10:24:00.004Z

Review of A’kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture

by Catherine J.

Packaging: The A’kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture comes in a plastic tube with green lettering. It has a screw lid and is very easy to use. Instructions how to use the product are clearly shown on the reverse of the tube along with a very comprehensive list of ingredients. The tube is also recyclable.

Application: The A’kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture is for sensitive and fragile skin and is therefore unscented which was a pleasant change. It was easy to squeeze the right amount out of the tube and is more hygienic than putting your fingers in a pot of cream. The A’kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture absorbed easily and left my skin feeling nourished and well moisturised.

Ingredients: The packaging shows a long list of ingredients however the main ingredients contained in A'kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture are shea butter, chamomile & Vit B5 for calming, soothing, and deeply moisturising sensitive, fragile skin. It is rich in natural anti-inflammatory actives such as vitamin B5, vipers bugloss oil (omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids) and healing Vit E to help soothe, comfort, deeply moisturise and repair your skin. It is a 100% natural product and is also suitable for Vegans.

Results: I spend a lot of time outdoors and I found I only needed to use a small amount of A'kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture to leave my skin feeling moisturized.

Pros:

• Absorbs easily

• Unscented

• Suitable for Vegans

• 100% natural

Cons:

• None

A’kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture (£24) and Akin Skincare are available at naturisimo.com

The benefits of facial exfoliators

2011-02-21T13:13:00.005Z

Every dermatologist and beautician you consult is likely to tell you that keeping your skin really clean is the basis of any beauty routine. When you are young, using a cream or foaming cleanser daily may be sufficient to keep a great complexion. However, from about thirty onwards, the outermost layer of your skin (known as the stratum corneum), gets thicker making the skin look dull and coarse. Cleansing alone will not get rid of these old cells so exfoliating at least once a week, is essential to slough off these old cells which are dying off on the surface and give skin a renewed thin layer.

There are many facial exfoliating washes and cleansers that are effective and gentle on the skin, taking off the dead cells without scratching the healthy surface. I recommend using natural or organic exfoliators formulated without chemical abrasives and those specifically for the face as body exfoliants may irritate facial skin.

If your budget is very limited, a good natural exfoliant is ordinary household fine salt, applied in small amounts and avoiding the eye area. If you want a more convenient option and the benefits of professionally formulated facial exfoliants, here are some of my favourites:

John Masters Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser (£26), an ultra-mild exfoliating cleanser that reoxygenates and nourish skin as it gently cleanses and purifies. Great for daily use.

If you have sensitive skin, look for facial exfoliators made with natural fruit enzymes. They work by dissolving dead skin cells without causing friction or irritation to sensitive skin. Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive (£37) refines, brighten and clarifies with a complex of certified organic apple, lemon and grape juices. Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator (£33) is a rinse off revitalising treatment with natural enzymes and indigenous Australian extracts of Desert Lime, Quandong and Wattle that revitalise and even skin tone while soothing and protecting sensitive skin.

If you have oily skin, choose an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or lactic acid based exfoliator. These are effective facial exfoliators and are available in different strengths. Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser (£29) is an award-winning organic AHA rejuvenator with a divine lemongrass scent that enhances clarity, unclogs pores, reduces dullness, smoothes dryness & wrinkles and reveals fresh, new skin.

For dry skin, Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm (£46) leaves skin feeling replenished, nourished and comfortable. Its micro granules of both silica and MSM eliminate tired skin cells while skin boosting nutrients restore balance and enhance softness.

Always use sun protection after using a facial exfoliator. Freshly exfoliated skin is very prone to sun burns and sun damage. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Luzern La Defense Collagen Protection SPF30 (£36) is one of our best sellers. It offers the Next Generation in Sun Protection: 100% mineral SPF30 with advanced collagen protection.

Natural exfoliators are available at naturisimo.com

Oil is the new face cream

2011-02-16T13:05:00.005Z

This is the year of Cleopatra - says The Wall Street Journal this week. She is the subject of an acclaimed new biography and Angelina Jolie is soon to step into her gladiator sandals and scanty tunic. We've all heard that the legendary beauty bathed in milk to keep her skin soft (the benefits of lactic acid), however her other skin secret—massaging her face in olive oil—has proven equally effective.

So is 'oil is the new face cream'? Should you really toss your moisturiser in favour of deeply hydrating nectars? According to Francesca Fusco, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, "People shy away from using oils on the face, assuming they are greasy and pore-clogging, but this is not the case with essential oils, which are a worthy aromatic alternative to standard moisturizing creams." I completely agree: natural face oils are not the culprit behind skincare problems; it's a combination of dirt, dead skin cells, build up, bacteria and hormones.

When using face oils, massage works to help in cell rejuvenation and strengthen that illusive, fast-disappearing key to youth and firmness: collagen. Oil saturates the skin, replenishing lost moisture and creating a barrier that locks hydration in and the cold winter wind out. Face oils are great for dry skin, don’t clog pores and can even help rebalance sebum production on oil and combination skin.

If you don't want to use plain olive oil and rely upon scientifically formulated toxin-free products, look no further than these six high-performing oils.

Rodin Olio Lusso (£90): A refined luxury and effective blend of 11 oils, including evening primrose to increase circulation and rose hip for its potent dose of vitamin C.

Nude Replenishing Oil (£44): Rich in omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9, it's 100% natural and 100% active and works thanks to the antioxidant power of raspberries and cranberries.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil (£28): Truly exceptional abd clinically shown to minimise the appearance of wrinkles (up to 23%), increase skin smoothness (up to 21%) and improve skin moisture (up to 44%).

Pinks Boutique Antiageing Serum (£33): A recent addition to our collection, this oil scientifically proven to reduce the signs of aging and sun damage with super-charged rosehip.

Antipodes Joyous Night Replenish Serum (£36.99): Restores natural collagen and delivers natural radiance. With Himalayan goji delivers up to 19 amino acids to replenish protein at a cellular level.

Ananne Nectar Cutis Sensitive Skin (£128): Our favourite for sensitive skin. Its advanced formula firms, calms and provides extra protection to sensitive skin and supports deep skin regeneration.

These natural / organic face oils are available at naturisimo.

Rodin Olio Lusso

2011-02-04T11:58:00.007Z

Rodin Olio Lusso, just in: The exclusive Rodin Olio Lusso has finally reached our shores. Rodin Olio Lusso collection was created by Linda Rodin, stylist and former fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar, to satisfy what she felt was missing in the anti-aging skin care market. During the 40 years Linda Rodin worked as a stylist and editor in the fashion and beauty world, she was privy to the best products available. Linda Rodin was not satisfied though, so she created a powerful luxurious elixir, which she tested on the make-up artists, models and celebrities she worked with who loved it. The Rodin Olio Lusso Cult was born.

I used the Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil for a week now, both morning, under my foundation, and night after my night cream and the results are highly noticeable. I let Olio Lusso sink in for approximately 5 minutes before applying any other product. My skin has a smooth, silky consistency and in the morning, and noticed a visible radiance that few products have ever achieved. The scent of Jasmine is strong and luxurious, though, may not suit those that want scent-free or vaguely scent skincare.

Made with an exclusive, completely natural blend of 11 powerful essential oils to soothe and soften the skin, the Rodin Olio Lusso elixirs have a strong following among fashion and beauty insiders as a miracle treatment for women of all ages who seek beautiful, dewy skin with an extraordinary sense of well-being. From Madonna and actress Halle Berry to supermodels Giselle Bundchen, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Karolina Kurkova and Kate Moss among others, the list of devotees just keeps growing.

Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil (£90) and Rodin Olio Lusso range are available at Naturisimo.

Caudalie Anti-wrinkle Ultra-nourishing Cream

2011-01-28T12:21:00.003Z

Review of Caudalie anti-wrinkle ultra-nourishing cream.

By Sue B.

Packaging: Caudalie anti-wrinkle ultra-nourishing cream comes in a soft pink tube with a lid that enables you to stand it upright, keeping the cream at the top of the tube. The information on the tube is: the application details, how soon it is to be used after opening and a website address. The green text on the soft pink tube makes a good contrast for reading.

Application: The instructions state to apply morning and evening to face and neck therefore this would reduce the need for separate moisturisers. The Caudalie rich white cream is easily applied and absorbed within moments. It gives the feel of a good quality moisturiser with little fragrance and no tightness after applying.

Ingredients: There is no list of ingredients on the tube so I referred to the website for more information. On inspection, the ingredients appear to be all naturally sourced with no parabens, phenoxyethanol, artificial colourings or mineral oils.

Results: I’ve been using Caudalie anti-wrinkle ultra-nourishing cream for very dry skin for the past three weeks as my skin is generally dry and I moisturise daily. I enjoyed the feel of the deep moisturising properties yet I have not noticed any smoothing of wrinkles. I think this would be an ideal product for anyone with very dry skin or who spends a lot of time outside, particularly during the winter months.

Pros:

It has anti oxidant properties.

It is both a day and evening moisturiser, so this would reduce the need for separate products.

It is made of natural ingredients.

It is not tested on animals.

Cons:

It tends to leave a slight residue

It is recommended for very dry skin or those that are exposed to harsh climates only.

It costs £27.50p for a 40ml tube so is quite expensive.

Caudalie Anti-wrinkle Ultra-nourishing Cream (£27.50) and Caudalie products are available at Naturismo.com.

Eco Organic Compact Bronzer Reviews

2011-01-26T12:32:00.001Z

Review of Nvey Eco Organic Compact Bronzer
By Sally Sisson

Packaging: Nvey Eco Organic Compact Bronzer comes in a black plastic compact case with internal mirror. The casing is simple and functional not glamorous and arrived inside a printed cardboard box with the product details on.

Application: The powder comes with a foam powder sponge. This is not suitable for application; I tried and ended up with very patchy brown streaks. The best method is a soft blusher brush. The colour pigment is very intense and it only requires a very light touch to pick up some of the powder.Having said this it does blend very well once on the skin.

Ingredients: The Nvey Eco Products range boast organic ingredients, the colours come from mineral pigments and the base uses cornstarch, carrot oil and chamomile amongst others ingredients. The products are made in Australia and the Organic certification comes from The Organic Food Chain Pty Ltd.

Results: My skin is fair and this Nvey product was a little too dark for me. I went from English rose to Australian tan very quickly on first use. I discovered that a light touch was the way to go and subsequent use has produced a more subtle healthy glow. The colour is very believable and I can’t wait to use it in the summer when my natural skin colouring is a little warmer. The Organic Compact Bronzer stayed put during the day.

Pros:

Very believable colour not at all orange.

Powder blends well on the skin.

Had good lasting power through out the day.

Excellent colour for medium to dark skins or those who already have a good tan.

Cons:

Packaging is pretty boring.

Too dark for very pale skins.

Nvey Eco Organic Compact Bronzer (£23.00) Nvey Eco Makeup Products are available at naturisimo.com

Pai Skincare rivals the mega-brands

2011-01-20T09:15:00.002Z

We got some amazing news from Pai Skincare this week. Ireland’s Sunday Independent LIFE magazine named Pai the ‘Best Light Option’ for winter skin care. The Panel tried and tested several products and said this about Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream (£22):

“The seven kinds of oils and the other skin-nourishing ingredients – almost all of them are organic plant extracts – immediately create a lovely layer of moisture. Instantly soothing and cool on the skin, this is a real find. It’s hard to find really moisturising creams that aren’t just for very dry skins, so this is a marvel. I’m not sure how it’s so light and yet so luxurious, but it is.”

The amazing fact is that Pai products are featured alongside the likes of Clarins, Decleor and Elemis, which proves that truly organic products can rival the big mainstream brands in terms of performance. Moreover they are better for you!

Pai Skincare range is available at naturisimo.com.

John Masters Calendula Hydrating Mask Reviews

2011-01-18T15:19:00.004Z

Review of John Masters Calendula Hydrating Mask
Kelly B

Packaging: John Masters Calendula Hydrating Mask comes in an amber glass jar with a black plastic screw top lid in a cardboard recyclable box. Amber glass is great for protecting ingredients from exposure to light and glass is also excellent for preserving the product. Importantly no leaching of chemicals into the product which happens with products that come in plastic packaging.

John masters organics is very environmentally aware and only use the minimum amount of ink (on their packaging) which is always printed on 100% recycled and unbleached paper. The packaging looks elegant and expensive and the muted tones give a really natural feel to the product.

Application: The texture of John Masters Calendula Hydrating Mask is creamy but not at all oily or greasy. It is fluid and light and easy to apply and spreads effortlessly.On the packaging it states to apply the mask to damp skin, but I found it best to emulsify some of the product in my hand with a small amount of water and then apply. This method allows a lovely creamy application and allows the product to go even further. As with all products that come in jars I recommend using a clean spatula to extract product each use to prevent bacteria from fingers from entering the jar (which multiply and spoil ingredients and effect shelf life).

The scent of this John Masters Organics mask is a delicate floral calendula fragrance with undertones of ylang ylang oil. It also has kind of woody and musky fragrance that I felt was unisex. I loved the smell and found it very calming and relaxing.

My skin is very sensitive and John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask was lovely and soothing and calming on my skin. I could even apply it right underneath and around the delicate eye area with no negative skin reaction.

The mask stays moist but gradually absorbs into the skin and seems to firm and tighten the skin as it is absorbed. The skin appears to drink the product right in. After 20 minutes the mask was easy to remove with a damp face cloth. On several occasions I left it on my skin for about an hour and this was absolutely fine and no sensitivity. On each application I rubbed the excess onto the backs of my hands and found it very hydrating and softening.

This mask would be perfect for those with oily skin or acne or anyone whose skin needs moisture but is suffering a breakout. Such skin can often be dry due to harsh products applied to dry out spots, but would not benefit from greasy oils as this would exacerbate acne. John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask on the other hand provides moisture and hydration with no grease or oilyness and no blocking of pore (it actually tones and closes pores). This organic mask is different to other moisturising masks which tend to use rich greasy ingredients with seem to plump the skin up and make skin feel soft. Whereas John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask tightens, firms and hydrates in a lifting non oily way.

Ingredients: John Masters products use only the finest ingredients as they believe ‘only the world’s finest botanicals can make the world’s finest products’. All John Masters products must be 75-100% organic. Importantly the essential oils used by John Masters must be steam distilled and not extracted with propylene glycol which actually kills the effect of the oils. Plus only cold pressed plant oils are used rather than heat distilled which kills the therapeutic properties of plant oils. So this means that the ingredients used in John Masters products are of the most potent and highest quality.

Now onto the ingredients contained in the John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask. The main ingredient is aloe vera leaf juice which is well known for its deeply hydrating, nourishing, healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging benefits. Sun flower seed oil for hydration. Shea butter for moisturising and anti-aging effects. Algae extract for skin nourishing and healing. Calendula flower oil for added healing, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Rice, which softens and heals the skin whilst assisting to prevent wrinkles. Rose flower oil for astringent and softening effects. Rosemary leaf extract for its astringent and toning action. All natural preservatives, using aspen bark which protects against harmful bacteria. Importantly all John Masters products are free from harmful toxic ingredients such as parabens, TEAs, DEAs, GMOs, petro-chemicals, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances. Plus no animal testing.

Results: I am really pleased with the results of John Masters Calendula Hydrating Mask. After one application there is a noticeable glow to the skin. After removing the mask skin is left refreshed soft and dewy with a lovely luminescence. I feel that better results are achieved after several uses. After three applications (on consecutive days) I noticed redness reduction and a tightening and firming effect. My skin felt very soft to the touch and it definitely took away some skin redness too (maybe 50%). I used it three times a week for 3 weeks and my skin looked healthier, firmer and more hydrated.

John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask has a much more hydrating effect when emulsified first in your hand with a little water. Without mixing with water and simply applying to damp skin, skin is hydrated but not so soft and dewy. This organic mask seems to firm and tighten skin as it is absorbed. I didn’t notice any real reduction in wrinkles but my skin did look more refreshed and relaxed and the skin tone was more even.

John Masters Calendula Mask is perfect for oily, acne prone skin and those who want toning and firming with hydration. For very dry skin (without breakouts) I feel a more rich and creamy mask would be more suitable such as Caudalie Moisturising Mask which is fantastically hydrating, doesn’t dry and can be left on as an overnight treatment. This Caudalie mask definitely reduces fine lines and wrinkles. However more greasy masks such as Caudalie Moisturising Mask would be less suitable for oily or acne prone skin that need moisture.

I am a real fan of moisturising masks and have never before tried one that hydrated in a non greasy way and I think John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask really fills a need. If I suffer dry skin and a breakout John Masters Calendula Hydrating & Toning Mask would be the only hydrating product I would use.

Pros:

Gives skin a dewy glow after one application
Effects increase with each use
Fluid texture easy to apply
Firming gentle astringent tightening effect
Makes skin silky soft
Doesn’t block pores
Reduces redness
Non oily
Tone skin and closes pores
Good hand mask
Organic ingredients
Free from parabens and other harmful ingredients
No animal testing

Cons:

Product comes in jar so it therefore exposed to air each time lid is opened
Because of coming in a jar a spatula is needed to preserve ingredients and prevents introducing bacteria from hands.
Quite expensive

John Masters Calendula Hydrating Mask (£26.00) and John Masters Products are available at naturisimo.com

Trilogy Sensitive Cleansing Cream Reviews

2010-12-21T16:36:00.004Z

Review of Trilogy Sensitive Cleansing Cream
By Sandra C.

Packaging: Trilogy Sensitive Cleansing Cream comes filled in a recycled plastic tube. Plastic tube is one of my favourite storage packaging. Not only that it’s light to carry, free from contamination but I can also squeeze the last drop of content instead of wasting it. A full size 150ml priced at £20, it is slightly expensive.

Scent: Since this Sensitive Cleansing Cream is for sensitive skin, there is no fragrance which I absolutely embrace it. I always feel sick when I use some very good organic products but with extremely strong smell. I can’t smell anything in this cleanser which is rather pleasant for me.

Ingredients: I know I can trust Trilogy Products because I know the ingredients they contain are always natural. The only thing I was disappointed is that they put preservative Phenoxyethanol in it. With the price tag, I would expect they do better than that. Apart from that, they have packed a lot of pure plant oil such as Chamomile, Evening Primrose and Calendula.

Result: I never really like cream cleanser because I always feel it just doesn’t cleanse the dirt off properly. Moreover, I don’t like my face feeling a bit sticky afterward. I didn’t use it at all for a month until last week when the weather was so cold that central heating was on even when I was sleeping. Then I realised how good this cleanser was, I tried my normal cleansing gel but it literally stripped my facial moisture that it really hurt. So I swapped to Trilogy Sensitive Cleansing Cream and it was so soothing to my skin and it is a must in harsh winter. It left my skin so moisturised and not itchy anymore. The best thing is when it was so cold in the morning that I didn’t even want to wash my face, I just massage a small amount of this cream to my face and then tissue off. It is so easy and stress free.

Pros:
Very moisturising and soothing.
Packaging is light and hygienic.
It is filled with lots of pure plant oil.

Cons:
There is Phenoxyethanol in it.
Slightly expensive.

Trilogy Sensitive Cleansing Cream ( £20) and Trilogy Skincare Products are available from naturisimo.com

Akin Cellular Radiance Serum Reviews

2010-12-01T16:35:00.002Z

Review of Akin Cellular Radiance Serum

By Catherine Geiger

Packaging: Akin Cellular Radiance Serum comes in a 23ml brown glass bottle with a pipette for ease of use.

Application: Applied after cleansing at night, you just need 3 or 4 drops so this product will last for ages. The pipette allows you to easily dispense just enough for each application. You can follow this with your favorite moisturiser to really lock in the moisture and give your skin a good overnight treatment. The serum soon melts into your skin and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy at all.

Ingredients: Akin Skincare products are free from sulfates, parabens, petrochemical cleansers, mineral oils, artificial colours & fragrances. It’s good to know that they only use the purest ingredients and their products are formulated without animal ingredients or animal testing and are vegan certified too.

The primary ingredient is organic Rosehip Seed Extract which has been used for many years to treat skin problems and is rich in omega oils and Vitamin C so already this is a great start! But, wait for it! As well as this there is Seabuckthorn Fruit Extract which is said to promote skin cell regeneration and is rich in natural vitamin E and Pomegranate Seed Extract and Amaranth Seed Extract. Both these ingredients hydrate the skin and help to protect against damaging free radicals. Chamomile Extract is particularly soothing and refreshing for sensitive skins and Calendula Extract is known for its powerful soothing properties. Echium Oil is a rich source of omega essential fatty acids, helping to fight the appearance of wrinkles as well as increasing skin suppleness and elasticity.

So as you can see this product is packed with anti-aging ingredients which are all organic and produced with chemical free extraction.

Results: Having just returned from a lovely holiday in Sydney, I was very pleased to get the opportunity to test a product from the Akin range which is actually produced there. This lovely serum looks just like liquid gold and leaves skin feeling smooth, firm and glowing.

It also helps to diminish the appearance for fine lines. Research has shown that products with vitamin A, C and E are particularly good for reducing signs of ageing so seeing as this product has all three this is one I will continue to use! I really was impressed with Akin Cellular Radiance Serum from the first use and would recommend it to all my friends! Great value for a great product.

Pros:

Feels like an expensive luxury product yet very well priced

Great pipette dispenser means allows for controlled use and therefore no waste

Leaves the skin looking more even and smooth

Suitable for all skin types

Amazing anti-aging ingredients

Cons:

None

Akin Cellular Radiance Serum (£16.99) and A’kin Products are available at naturisimo.com

Evolve Heavenly Body Polish Reviews

2010-11-30T16:44:00.002Z

Review of Evolve Heavenly Body Polish

By Zainab C.

Packaging: Evolve Heavenly Body Polish comes in a bottle that is made from 100% recycled material and this is remarkable. The colour is a nice purple shade, which looks good in the bathroom. The design on the label is minimal but stylish. There is a flip open lid to allow ease of use.

Application: Although the opening from which the product flows is small, too much product comes out, causing some wastage. It smells of coconut – really lovely. Evolve Heavenly Body Polish has a creamy consistency with small grounded coconut particles. The body polish goes on smoothly and gently buffs and exfoliates as well as moisturising at the same time. However, I found that a lot of product had to be used to polish the whole body. If the fragrance of coconut lingered on the skin, it would make this product exceptional.

Ingredients: The ingredients are full of natural products such as Shea butter and coconut oil. The ingredients list on the back of the bottle is easy to understand; 100% of the total ingredients are from natural origin and 12% of the total ingredients are from organic farming like all Evolve Beauty Products.

Results: This is a good overall product that exfoliates smoothes and moisturises the skin. It smells beautiful and performs well.

Pros:

The smell is lovely

It leaves skin polished

It has 100% natural ingredients and 100% recycled packaging

Cons:

The smell doesn’t linger

A lot of product has to be used to exfoliate the body

A lot of product comes out at once

Evolve Heavenly Body Polish (£12.00) and Evolve Beauty Products are available at naturisimo.com