Tata Harper Tried & Tested

I had read that Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence (£58) was a good product for keeping skin hydrated whilst travelling. So, on a recent holiday I thought I would take the Tata Harper Deluxe Beauty Set (£53) with me. This was a great decision.

The Hydrating Floral Essence kept my skin well hydrated and worked perfectly as a pick-me-up for those hot days on the beach. I used a little of the Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum (£120) during the flights and at night- surprisingly this was not too heavy for my combination skin, although I used this serum alone without moisturiser. With a silky texture more similar to a light cream than a traditional serum, this product is now a firm favourite of mine and left my skin glowing. The Tata Harper Rebuilding Moisturiser (£80) is the obvious choice for me for daytime use, ideal for oilier skin types with a matte effect finish.

My absolute must have product from the Tata Harper range? Although almost impossible to choose, it would have to be the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser (£50) This product makes cleansing enjoyable, has a beautiful consistency, and manages to leave skin squeaky clean, exfoliated and moisturised all in one. Oh, and the smell is absolutely gorgeous. 

For those of you who are a little cautious at the price tag or who want a luxurious set for travel, the Tata Harper Deluxe Beauty Set is reasonably priced and serves as a great introduction to most of the range. A little goes a long way with these products so the set gives you plenty to really test it out. 

Tata Harper is founded on the idea that women no longer have to sacrifice their health to look and feel beautiful. With 100% all-natural clinical grade formulas, Tata Harper uses only the highest quality natural ingredients including exquisite essential oils. With at least 6 and up to 29 active ingredients in every product and stunning results, who wouldn’t want to try this?

Buy the range here: Tata Harper

Trilogy Skincare Just Arrived!

NEW: Trilogy Skincare

What a lovely way to start the new Spring season – by welcoming Trilogy Skin Care, one of the most loved organic skin care ranges out there. I am loving the Trilogy range because it truly works and it does not break the bank.
Trilogy is committed to the careful selection of the purest botanical ingredients and exceptional formulations designed for women seeking healthier, truly beautiful skin. The key of Trilogy Skincare advanced formulas is that they make life more beautiful, not more complicated.
The hero product in the range is the Trilogy Rosehip oil (£28). I used it AM and PM on cleansed skin. In the morning I applied a little SP factor 15 on the top to finish off. My skin has is glowing and I have had comments from a few people (I only have been using it for a week). Because I have combination skin, I avoid the T-zone so for dry skin types so it will be absolutely perfect. There is a lot of evidence to back up its effectiveness. Plus oils are absorbed by the skin very well and many have a natural affinity.Trilogy Rosehip Oil is also very good for softening scars, sunburn and the like. The authors of the Beauty Bible are devotees and Red Magazine UK said is "A truly exceptional product. Just a few drops work wonders."
Other stars in the range include the Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser (£22), great for acne- prone skin as it is free from harsh surfactants and designed to very gently adhere to and dissolve impurities; and the Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream (£24), perfect for most skin types to deeply hydrate and protect skin.
To top it all, Trilogy is bringing us a great launch offer: Buy any 2 or more Trilogy Age Proof products and get a FREE Trilogy Age Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum worth £29.95 (no code required). The Age Proof range is rich in moisturising ingredients such as aloe vera, cocoa butter, evening primrose and rosehip oils, Jojoba oil, olive oil and shea butter as well as naturally derived hyaluronic acid. Other key ingredients that help combat the signs of ageing are co-enzyme Q10, vitamins A C and E, retinols, hyaluronic acid and green tea. Serums and creams that are high in wrinkle preventing/treating ingredients such as Trilogy Age Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum (£29.95) and Trilogy Age Proof Replenishing Night Cream (£30.95) are perfect to help combat the signs of ageing as they contain a naturally derived hyaluronic acid to help plump the skin. Trilogy Age Proof CoQ10 Booster Complex (£27.95) is also a fantastic boost to any complexion as it contains antioxidant rich Tamanu oil and co-enzyme Q10 which help aid skin repair and regeneration. View FREE Trilogy Age Proof Firming Serum offer now >>
The Trilogy Skincare range is now available at Naturisimo.com.

Naturisimo Awarded by Natural Health Magazine

NATURAL HEALTH AWARDS 2010
For the second year running, Naturisimo has been awarded the 2010 Natural Health Beauty Highly Commended Award for Best Beauty Website.
Founded in 2002, Naturisimo was one of the first UK retailers offering only natural and cruelty-free cosmetics. With nearly 2000 products from 70 brands, it also offers the largest organic beauty range in the UK.
With fabulous customer service, up to 5 free samples per order and generous offers and gifts with purchase, Naturisimo is a real winner!
Thanks to all for your support!
The Naturisimo Team
www.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 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

Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel Reviews

Review of Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel

by Gillian L.

PACKAGING - The Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel trial sized gel comes in a neat glass pot which is very compact to slip into a toilet bag. The standard size comes in a 50ml bottle with pump dispenser enclosed in a box. All packaging is recyclable.
APPLICATION - The Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel is applied twice daily, to a damp face, using the fingertips. Massage in gently and rinse well. Only a tiny amount is needed as this is a very concentrated and rich gel. It forms a lovely rich, lemon scented lather which was most refreshing in the morning. The tub was handy but I found it difficult to get small enough quantities so I ended up with too much and lots of lather for the hands also!
INGREDIENTS - As the name implies all ingredients of the Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel are organic, vegetarian and cruelty free and use only the purest ingredients - vegetable glycerine gently cleans and soothes the skin; neem provides anti bacterial action and essential oils of lemon and bergamot. This lovely herbal blend is targeted at normal tending to oily and blemished skins.
RESULTS - The Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel smelled divine and was eagerly tried by my teenage son and daughter whose skins are oilier, with very pleasing results. They particularly liked the fresh lemony scent which they said made them feel fresh and clean. I think it would be a very popular product with teenagers or anyone prone to spots as it does not have a medicated smell. My skin is combination type but very sensitive,even to essential oils so, unfortunately, I had to stop using it after a day as it left my skin feeling tight, itchy and with dry blotches which I think may be due to the essential oils. I also found the scent a bit overpowering.
PROS - Very good value as such tiny quantities needed. The trial sized 10g pot would easily last for 3 weeks, so handy for holidays.
- Ideal for oily, problem skins as it really does work to calm and clear blemishes.
- Scent is suitable for male or female.
CONS - Too concentrated for very sensitive skins especially if you are sensitive to essential oils. I found the scent also triggered my asthma. However I should have checked the ingredients more carefully and the gel is marketed at normal to oily skins rather than for sensitive ones.

The Organic Apoteke Cleanse Gel (£16.95) and the full range of Organic Apoteke products are available at Naturisimo.com

Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover Reviews

Review of Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover

by Elle A.
This Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover is effective, smells nice and soft on your skin. It doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes, or sting if it gets under your eyelashes, unlike some makeup removers. This Jurlique eye makeup remover doesn’t foam either, which is nice – it’s more like a cream, and it has the same moisturising effect. It can remove even the most stubborn mascara and eyeliner, as well as eyeshadow, foundation and concealer (I’ve only used it on pencil eyeliner though, so I don’t know what it would be like on liquid eyeliner – it worked on mascara though so I guess it would work on that too). Jurlique makeup remover smells faintly of calendula (just a hint – not too overpowering) and doesn’t leave any oily residue. You can use it straight from the tube onto your fingertips and sort of massage it over your eyes that way, but I find it best to put a small amount on a cotton wool ball – that way you can use the other side of the cotton wool to wipe it away afterwards.
Another nice thing about this Jurlique product is the packaging. It comes in an aluminium tube which “squeezes” consistently – no splurges of makeup remover all over the place. The tube is white with black writing – simple, pretty and sophisticated. And, of course, it contains no petro-chemicals, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colours, parabens, sulphates or phthalates – all good!

The Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover (£16.99) and other Jurlique products are available from Naturisimo.com.

Weleda Skin Food Reviews

Review of Weleda Skin Food

by Linda B.
Packaging: The Weleda Skin Food comes in a metal tube in a recyclable box. The tube and box have different shades of green on them and both have a clean and neat design.
Application: The texture of the Weleda Skin Food is a very rich cream which glides over the skin easily. It absorbed very well and did not leave a greasy residue. This organic cream is gentle enough to use on the face yet effective enough to use on very dry areas such as elbows, hand, knees etc. I used it on the dry patches on my face every night for 4 nights and it corrected the dryness so I then only had to apply it once every 3 or 4 nights If you pat the Weleda Skin Food onto the face it avoids dragging the skin. Other areas can can have the cream rubbed in until it is absorbed. I also used it as a lip balm and my lips became soft and smooth after 3 days. As my hands can get very dry I applied a liberal amount at night and put on cotton gloves. I have never used such an effective hand cream before and my hands were soft and supple after 4 nights. I used it on my elbows, knees and ankles and it was very effective after a few days. These areas are now ‘flake‘ free and I cannot recommend this Weleda product highly enough. I will certainly make sure I always have some in my home. You only have to use a very small amount as a little goes a long way so use sparingly. Weleda Skin Food has been around since 1926 and is a nourishing, deep penetrating and hydrating treatment for the whole body. It is perfect as a skin remedy and helps protect the skin against the winter weather. After soothing the rough, dry irritated areas you do not have to use it every day as it is so effective.
Ingredients: Weleda Skin Food is completely natural and the full list of ingredients are printed very clearly on the box in Latin and English. The essential fatty acids and vitamin E from the organic sunflower seed oil moisturises and conditions the stubborn dryness. The organic Pansy and Rosemary leaf extract have mild antiseptic properties that calms dry irritations. The biodynamic and organic Calendula flower exctract has anti-inflammatory properties. The delicate fragrance is formed from refreshing essential oils including Sweet Orange and Lavendulae. It also contains lanolin and beeswax and is suitable for vegetarians.
Results: After using Weleda Skin Food for over 2 weeks my skin is soft, smooth and repaired. The results are amazing. I have not found anything so gentle and yet so effective to use on all areas of my face and body. This one product does the job of several other creams which are sold for one purpose.
I would recommend Weleda Skin Food to everyone especially if they have sensitive skin.
Pros:
1. It is gentle enough to be used by the whole family even on the most sensitive skin.
2. It is very effective at moisturising and conditioning all dry and rough areas no matter how bad they are.
3. It can be used as a protection against the winter weather - ideal for people who work outdoors.
4. It leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.
5. You only have to use a very small amount so it lasts a long time.
6. It is one product to replace several others.
7. It is very reasonably priced and has a long shelf life. (Up to 2 years)
Cons:
1. The scent takes a few minutes to disappear.

Weleda Skin Food (£6.95) and the full Weleda skincare range is available at Naturisimo.com.

Whish Pomegranate Shave Cream Reviews

Review of Whish Pomegranate Shave Cream

By Elisabeth O.

I couldn’t have been happier on the day the Whish Pomegranate Shave Cream landed at my door. Having wanted for some time to try a more natural alternative to the conventional shaving creams and gels that I have used before, I decided to put it to the test and set about waiting until the growth on my legs resembled Sherwood Forest before putting it to use.

Whipped to perfection the Whish Pomegranate Shave Cream is like a thick but light and silky creamy mousse. It smoothes over the skin with ease performing as though a lusciously protective barrier between the blade and the surface of the skin has been created. Due in part perhaps to the inclusion of a range of fortifying oils such as jojoba seed oil and pomegranate oil with organic shea butter, it feels more like a nourishing balm once applied and nothing like any other shaving cream that I have ever used. Owing to this the blade travels along the skin with a glide rather than dragging and even though there was an abundance of hair on my legs for it to see to, only a small amount of the Whis product was required for each. Both immediately after use and on the following day the skin on my legs appeared calm and moisturised in place of the dry and flaky aftermath brought on by shaving that I have become accustomed to. Whilst the product rinses away from the skin effortlessly, it took a few more swishes under the tap than I am used to before the blade on the razor appeared to be squeaky clean.

Whish shave cream does not produce any foam and once on the skin it is virtually translucent so calls for one to keep track of the areas that have just been shaven as there is no colour or foam in this product to act as a guide for you in use. The gorgeous and yummy scent is more bubble gum like than pomegranate and lingers subtly on the skin for some time after it has been used. This natural shave cream comes contained in a simple plastic bottle with pump dispenser functioning which takes a good few attempts to get working the first time but goes on to deliver just the right amount of product with a few pumps thereafter.

Having wanted to switch to more natural shaving creams for some time I found this one to be a great addition to my routine. Delivering on its promises to moisturise, soothe and nourish, those looking for a new shave cream who are undeterred by the significant price tag will discover that the Whish Pomegranate Shave Cream performs well, smells absolutely lovely and is loaded with plenty of ingredients that will have you saying yes please.
Pros: *Performs well and rinses away from the skin easily
*Leaves skin feeling moisturised after use
*The scent

Cons: Translucent appearance on application makes it difficult to distinguish between the shaved and unshaven areas
*Took some time to rinse blade clean
*The scent may deter some from the product

Whish Shave Cream with Pomegranate (£16.40) and the Whish Body range are available from Naturisimo.com.

Balance Me Super Moisturising Wash Reviews

Review of Balance Me Super Moisturising Wash
by Shona B.
Packaging
The transparent flip top plastic bottle of the Balance Me Body Wash is quite squeezy so you can get the last drops out. The packaging is practical but a bit boring and not that stylish on your bathroom shelf. The white writing on a yellow background is very hard to read and it is not clear weather it’s a body wash or face wash. On further investigation I found that it was a body wash.
Application
This Balance Me product claims to nourish, cleanse and clear impurities whilst calming dry or irritated areas. I found it cleaned my skin well but left it a little dry and itchy and I had to use body oil after using the wash. The gel like texture of this wash is smooth and pleasant. It feels quite light but thick. You only need a little as it spreads well but it doesn’t foam very much. If you want foam I would suggest using a body puff. I also tried it as a hand wash but it didn’t foam enough to make me feel like my hands were clean after using it.
The smell was pleasant enough, mainly a sort of musky patchouli smell with a slight sweetness. It didn’t linger on my skin, which is probably a good thing because I think it would probably clash with a lot of fragrances. It was quite a relaxing smell so better for an evening bath rather than a morning shower. I found I liked it best after the gym to soothe and relax my muscles. The bath was easy to clean after use, which is always a bonus!
Ingredients
Almost 99% natural the Balance Me moisturising body wash is free from parabens, sulphates, DEA, PEGS, petroleum, mineral oil, artificial fragrances and colours, silicones and propylene glycol. It does contain shea butter, lavender, patchouli, geranium, bergamot and yarrow. The product carries the EcoCert stamp but the 5% organic ingredients do not carry the Soil Association mark.
Results
Although I’ll happily finish the bottle I have I don’t think I’ll buy it again. Personally I prefer zestier fragrances and I like lots of foam! I will however be trying other Balance Me products in the range as I was impressed with the ingredients and the quality of the wash (even if it doesn’t quite suit my dry skin).
Pros:
Easy to use and wash off
Fragrance doesn’t linger on the skin so won’t clash with any fragrances
Relaxing smell
Good ingredients
Cons:
Left my dry skin a little drier and itchy so that I had to use body oil afterwards
It wasn’t clear what the product was actually for
Doesn’t foam very much
Best For: A relaxing evening bath for people who have “normal” skin and like musky fragrances.

Balance Me Super Moisturising Wash (£12.00) and Balance Me Skin Care are available from Naturisimo.com