Tame Your Tresses

It is a funny thing, our relationship with our hair. We wash, towel dry, blow dry, curl, straighten, wear up, wear down... and then wonder why it might not always look its best. My hair doesn’t like me very much right now- my obsessive use of straighteners is the main culprit. So, on a quest to show my hair some love, here are some of my favourite treats to do just that.

My perfect shampoo: John Masters Honey & Hibiscus Reconstructing Shampoo (£26) LOVE it. Feels gentle, yet rebuilds hair with each wash as it cleans, using the same acids found in young hair. I swear my hair feels different after use and the scent is great too.

Best conditioner: I adore Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner (£18). I love mint scents and this one is like an invigorating wakeup call every time I use it; my scalp literally tingles. The formulation is really light, and comes in a generous 444ml size- it lasts for ages. The bottle is made of recyclable plastic, the product is vegan, Gluten Free, USDA Organic certified...basically, it ticks every box. 

The ultimate luxury: Caudalie Divine Oil (£25). Yes, this is a dry oil. Yes, it is multi-use. But for taming flyaway hair and split ends it works just as well as any specific hair oil I have tried. The fragrance is divine (maybe the reason for the name?), it really works without leaving hair greasy, and you can use it anywhere else you fancy too, even in the bath. Top marks.

Shop here: Naturisimo

Go On, Treat Yourself!

It is always nice to treat yourself to something new. There could be your next favourite product out there that you haven’t even tried yet! We have literally thousands of fab products at Naturisimo, but here are some of my personal best finds.

For the face, you cannot go wrong with the much loved Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ (£26.50) This advanced version of the old classic replenishes, rejuvenates and renews just like the original and then some. Packed full of goodies to feed your skin, treat your face and see the benefits.

For the ultimate body lotion, you must try the divine John Masters Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk (£18).This product has understated yet sophisticated packaging and looks simply gorgeous. Daily body moisturising is essential in maintaining silky soft skin, so why not make this daily part of your routine as indulgent as possible? The aroma is just wonderful.

 

Hair can tend to be somewhat neglected, and needs extra TLC during the colder months. Lavish your hair with Gielly Green Repair Mask (£29.50) and help bring it back to life. Suitable for curly and problematic, damaged and coloured hair, this mask provides ultimate nourishment from root to tip. The smell is yummy and this stuff really does leave your hair restored.

Buy these products, and more, here: Naturisimo

John Masters Organics Lavender Hydrating Mist Reviews

Review of John Masters Organics Lavender Hydrating Mist for Skin and Hair
by Irene M.

Packaging: John Masters Organics Lavender Hydrating Mist for Skin and Hair (£16) is presented in a smart brown glass bottle. Labelling is in brown and cream, and the liquid is dispensed through a fine mist spray nozzle. The bottle is packaged in a 100% compostable cardboard box and all product information is written on the box.

Application: Sprayed on face and neck to hydrate and tone skin and on hair to add moisture and shine, this John Masters mist instantly ‘uplifts’ and suits all skin types.

Ingredients: John Masters use only the finest organic and wild-crafted ingredients and all essential oils are steam-distilled. This newly formulated Lavender Hydrating Mist for Skin and Hair contains only one ingredient - 100% certified organic lavender water. How pure is that?!!

Results: John Masters Organics (new formula) Lavender Hydrating Mist for Skin and Hair is a delightful product. Suitable for year round use, it’s benefits are particularly appreciated during hot summer days. The gorgeous scent of lavender instantly refreshes and revives as well as combating dryness with moisture. As someone who often has problems with scented products I was initially unsure whether this spray would suit me, but the fragrance is so light that I had no problems with it. A brilliant product to pop into a handbag for use throughout the day.

Pros:

Perfect for all skin types.

Instantly refreshes and revives – a great ‘pick-me-up’.

An excellent hydrating mist when travelling.

Gorgeously scented.

Cons:

Someone with an extreme sensitivity to fragrance may find this product unsuitable.

John Masters Organics Lavender Hydrating Mist (£16) and John Masters Organics range is available at naturisimo.com.

John Masters Organics Face Cleanser Reviews

Review of John Masters Organics Linden Blossom Face Crème Cleanser

by Caroline S.

Packaging: In keeping with the John Masters Organics ethos, the packaging is as recyclable and environmentally friendly as possible. The John Masters cleanser is contained within a rich, brown glass bottle complete with pump action dispenser. The outer packaging is a deep cream-coloured cardboard box made from 100% recycled paper, printed with 100% soy and is itself 100% compostable. So, apart from fulfilling all your eco-friendly needs, the packaging looks smart and expensive and the pump dispenser means that your cleanser is both easily accessed and yet kept safe from contamination. I must state that the instructions for this cleanser are not printed on the bottle itself but on the outside of the box - so don't throw it away before you have a quick read!

Application: Okay, this could be a lengthy review so I will get the basics out of the way first. The John Masters crème cleanser itself is a rather liquid, non-foaming lotion with a pale off-white colour and a smooth, soft consistency. It comes out of the pump easily and with a large dose delivered per pump. I will feely admit that the initial smell of the cleanser put me off slightly - it is quite strong, very herbal (almost medicinal smelling) and to my nose smells like aniseed or liquorice. This would be great except for the fact that I cannot bear aniseed or liquorice - although, the ingredients do not list either of these so please feel free to make your own judgement! Personal tastes aside, I will describe the scent of the John Masters lotion as "powerful" and "actively herbal" - which is not, in itself, a bad thing at all to be fair. So now you are probably wondering why this review is going to be lengthy when, on the face of it, this is a simple cleansing lotion. Well, the truth is that this is so much more than your standard cleanser. Yes, it removes dirt and make-up as well as you could hope for and if all you want is a quick "slap on and wipe off" cleanser then you will be happy enough with this one.
However, personally, I think John Masters Organics Linden Blossom Crème Cleanser is wasted as simply a make-up remover. My personal preference is ususally to remove make-up with a relatively low-priced natural lotion cleanser and then wash my face with a really high quality cleansing wash that addresses my current needs (dry areas, spots, oily patches etc). I'm not generally looking to be impressed by cream cleansers as I don't rely on them for any particular moisturising needs - but my curiosity was piqued when I read the following instructions on the box: "Massage onto wet or dry skin - may be left on skin for 5-10 minutes for extra hydrating benefits".
This is why I say that it is much, much more than a standard, everyday cleanser. I found that I gained the best effects by using this cleanser in the morning in the shower. Morning skin should be reasonably clean of all but natural oils (assuming that you thoroughly cleansed the evening before) and better able to absorb the delicious ingredients in the cleanser whilst also taking advantage of its cleansing properties. I apply one or two pump before stepping into the shower and then leave it to work whilst I wash my body. I rinse off just prior to getting out and it leaves my skin soft, plumped, dewy and incredibly moisturised. The other way I found to get maximum benefit was to remove make-up with a cheaper cleanser and then apply John Masters Organics Linden Blossom Crème Cleanser afterwards. Leave for anything from 60 seconds up to 10 minutes and remove any way you wish - rinsing with water, or removing with a damp muslin cloth or flannel.
The John Masters cleanser describes itself as being for "Dry/Mature" skin - however I would recommend it for sensitive skin (like mine) and also combination. It rinses off completely, leaving no residue but leaving behind effects that you can definitely feel immediately.
By all means use this cleanser to remove make-up - as long as you also give it a try as a cleansing, moisture mask at least once! If it can impress a "cleanser sceptic" like myself, it really must be something just a little bit special.

Ingredients:

• rose flower oil - treats dry and sensitive skin
• linden blossom - softens and soothes skin
• ginseng - toning; revitalizing
• ylang ylang - antiseptic; nourishing
• radish root - new all-natural preservative; protects against harmful bacteria

Results: Great results - and I admit that I am surprised by just how great they actually are! My skin is soft and soothed, the John Masters face cleanser is so incredibly gentle that it is a real joy to use. Even on sore patches, it doesn't tingle or sting and it removes dirt without any need to rub. It gives an extra level of moisturisation to your daily routine and provides real results with little effort.
Pros:
Gorgeous packaging - and environmentally friendly too
Removes make-up and dirt without the need to rub skin
Makes an excellent moisturising masque whilst cleansing at the same time
Leaves skin soft, soothed and hydrated
Has a really luxurious, creamy feel upon application
Cons:
The smell is unusual and a little strong at first - however, as always, this is down to personal taste
The price may be too high for some - however if you consider its double-use and your skin type doesn't need intensively moisturising, it is a cost-effective way of adding a light moisture masque to a daily routine.

John Masters Organics Linden Blossom Face Crème Cleanser (£22) and John Masters Organics are available from Naturisimo.com

John Masters Bearberry Skincare for Oily Skin

Today Naturisimo is proud to be the first to offer the new John Masters solution for oily skin in the UK. The John Masters Bearberry range offers the perfect solution for oily skin. Cleanse and tone with nature's best astringent and skin balancing ingredients, including bearberry, willowbark and rice extracts. You'll see and feel a difference after just one use.

The John Masters line for oily and combination skin includes:

- John Masters Bearberry Serum for Oily Skin (£24)

- John Masters Bearberry Face Wash for Oily Skin (£22)

- John Masters Bearberry Toning Mist for Oily Skin (£20)

The full John Masters Skincare range is available from Naturisimo.com

John Masters Organics Antioxidant Day Creme Reviews

Review of John Masters Organics Rose & Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme

by Irene M.
Packaging: John Masters Organics Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Crème is presented in a smart brown glass bottle topped with a pump dispenser, which is housed inside a 100% compostable cardboard box. All product information is written on the box.
Application: Applied after cleansing and toning, the thick and creamy texture of John Masters Organics Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Crème was quickly absorbed by my very dry skin, making it feel instantly nourished, hydrated and softer.
Ingredients: John Masters Organics Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Crème carries a very impressive list of certified organic and wild-crafted ingredients, including steam-distilled essential oils. Naturally moisturizing botanicals include borage oil and aloe vera, and spirulina extract is added to nourish the skin with essential fatty acids and vitamins. Amongst other ingredients included (all sounding good enough to eat!) are shea butter, extracts of oats, rice and white tea, and wheatgerm oil.
Results: My mature and very dry skin loved (and quickly absorbed) the deliciously thick and creamy texture of this John Masters product. My skin feels more hydrated and softer than it has for a long time. John Masters Organics aim to create luxury organic products, and with the gorgeous scent of roses and apricots, combined with oils and extracts from peaches, blue tansy flower, roman chamomile and rosemary included in their Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Crème, I would say they have succeeded! This is my first experience of John Masters Organics, but I’m sure it won’t be my last!
Pros: The thick and creamy texture is quickly absorbed.
Skin feels generously moisturized, hydrated and softer.
The fragrance is delightful (and addictive)!
This product has not been tested on animals.
No chemical ‘nasties’ or GMO’s are included in the formulation.
Cons: Someone with an extreme sensitivity to fragrance may find the scent unsuitable.

The John Masters Organics Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme (£) and the full range of John Masters products are available at naturisimo.com