Ila Spa: A Brand Beyond Organic

Ila Spa is a brand I admire. With the maxim ‘beyond organic’, Ila far exceeds what many of us may expect from an organic brand. With a focus on delivering luxurious skincare to bring ‘purity, energy and balance into everyday life’ says Founder Denise Leicester, Ila Spa also works extremely hard to ensure that each formulation used ‘retains the earth’s purest natural vibrations: the energy of Ila.’

In Oxfordshire the barn where every product is blended overlooks the Cotswold hills; this is a truly stunning setting. The smell in the blending room is so comforting; both calming and uplifting all at once. In seeing the products made so carefully by hand, one can appreciate just how powerful the Ila philosophy is, and just how much every member of the Ila team is committed to that philosophy. The products, completely free from any nasty ingredients, are so lovingly made and contain the finest raw ingredients.

The great thing about Ila Spa is that now, with the addition of the new Essentials range, it really can be for everyday use, for the whole family. The Ila Body Wash for Toning Skin (£9.60) is perfect for all skin types with an uplifting scent designed to cleanse and pamper. Follow with the Ila Body Lotion for Nurturing Skin (£9.60) to nurture, regenerate and smooth. The shampoo and conditioner are great for a deep cleanse and nourishment, suitable for all hair types.

My star product from this new Essentials range is the Ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation (£9.60) This is an affordable product and has such a divine scent. Following Ila instructions, simply pour a small amount into a warm bath and immerse yourself in complete bliss.

Learn more about Ila Spa and buy the range here: Ila Spa

Lip Heaven

We are lucky enough to have brands that simply ooze style. Our newest addition, Ilia Beauty, is certainly one of them. This cosmetics brand challenges the belief that organic make up lacks in performance and in good packaging, and offers bang up to date shades ranging from the ultimate nude to a fiery red.

Having used the Ilia Lipstick in shade ‘Funnel of Love’ (£19.95) I can certainly vouch for its ability to ‘neutralize and disguise even the most promiscuous lip’. The texture is smooth and easy to apply, leaving lips feeling soft and nourished. The Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner (£19.95) would be a great alternative to the Lipstick if you are only after a sheer touch of colour.

Other products in the range include Ilia Lip Conditioner Balmy Days (£19.95) for when no colour is required, and the Ilia Multi Stick (£29.95), suitable for use on cheeks, lips and eyes to deliver a sheer blush of colour.

Sasha Plavsic, the Ilia Beauty founder, is committed to producing safe beauty products that women can love and trust. With such a beautiful cosmetics line, free from synthetic preservatives, fillers and petrochemicals, we are convinced that she has succeeded.

Buy the full range here: Ilia Beauty

The S5 Solution

As a self confessed beauty addict I am obsessed with testing out any new brand. Disappointingly however, many skincare products- beautiful though they may be- are just not suitable for problematic skin like mine. Then I tried S5 skincare.

S5 has succeeded in creating the first range of certified organic cosmeceuticals specifically designed to combat skin stress. For my combination / oily skin, the S5 Purity Serum (£44) and S5 Balance Fluid (£39) are really quite extraordinary. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the light texture and consistency of these two mean the products lack in performance; this stuff works, and works well. After a couple of weeks use my skin was left feeling hydrated, matte and most importantly clear. S5 Skincare delivers luxurious, serious, sophisticated products for difficult skin.

In order to combat the main activators of skin stress, S5 Skincare sources ingredients from the 5 most extreme ecosystems on the planet: the Arctic, the Desert, the Rainforest, High Altitude Regions and the Sea. In addition to the Purity Serum and Balance Fluid, this S5 Skincare range also has products to combat redness & sensitivity, hyper-pigmentation, dryness & scarring, and premature ageing, all backed up by robust clinical studies scientifically proven in vivo.

EcoCert certified organic, 99%+ natural, suitable for sensitive skin and clinically proven, this range has it all. Plus, the prescriptive nature of the range makes it so easy to target your own specific skin concern. Try it and see what these targeted skin treatments can do for you!

Buy the range here: S5 Skincare

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

Natural Nail Polish for A/W 2012

Nail colour is now the easiest way for an instant fashion update. We've handpicked the key natural nail polishes to meet all your Autumn/Winter 2012 wardrobe needs.

Purple is the new black this season and Zoya Suri creates the perfect royal purple nail with a smooth metallic finish.

Dark blue is another huge trend and Zoya Song is really, really blue. And not just blue but a deep blue with smooth glitter.

You can get into the military trend with Zoya Ray, a dark green frost. It's a dark blackened green, but not too dark and with a silvery frost that makes it really glam and smoky.

Finally onto classic reds. Zoya Elisa crimson red is intense with a good balance between vibrant, rich colour and a shiny, metallic finish. A timeless classic.

Buy the range here: Zoya Nail Polish (£10.50). Ready, steady, shop...

Elemental Herbology - Brand Review

Elemental Herbology is a range we recently introduced and we have been blown away by its luxury feel and performance. While not organic, Elemental Herbology is nearly 95 per cent natural, containing botanical, mineral and marine ingredients and combines high-performance, bio-active ingredients with sophisticated technologies and exquisite plant oils to offer superior nutrition for your skin.

Founded by Kristy Goodger to 'help skin adapt' to changes in lifestyle, environment and age it is formulated to counter the skin-damaging effects of ageing, lifestyle and the environment. Plus Elemental Herbology products contain zero synthetic fragrance, artificial colour, mineral oils, sulphates, paraben preservatives or animal testing.

Our top pick? The Elemental Herbology Cell Food Protection & Repair Serum (£42). Enriched with Vitamins A, C, E, pomegranate and green tea, it helps boost, protect and repair skin. A few drops applied morning and night (just after cleansing) and in about 2-3 weeks the difference should be clearly visible for softer skin and any dry patches diminishing.

Buy the range here: Elemental Herbology

Kimia: The secret to Victoria Beckham's flawless skin

Kimia Skincare
All eyes were on Victoria Beckham at her latest fashion show, as she showed off perfect skin and a youthful glow. The fashion designer has recently revealed that the secret behind her flawless complexion is clever makeup tricks and a skincare regime.

A fan of the cult-Britsh brand Kimia Skincare, Victoria has said that Kimia Rejuvenating Facial System is one of her favourite beauty products. 'I get given loads of products, but Kimia is perfect for my skin,' says Victoria. 'I’ve noticed a big difference.'
 
 
Kimia's innovative facial system is an anti-ageing blend of pure oils that aims to combat fine lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate skin cells, through a two-part method.The combination of using both the Kimia all-natural face oil and the Kimia hydra-activator together, works to speed up the removal of dead skin cells, resulting in a smoother, more luminous complexion.


Fans of Kimia also include Kate Moss, Kate Perry Jennifer Anniston and Olivia Palermo.

Kimia (from £49) is available from Naturisimo. Kimia samples are also available.

Suti Skincare just in

Suti offers an intelligent, holistic blend of organic botanicals and rejuvenating minerals to feed the skin and provide an intensive moisturising experience. In the words of Fiona Klonarides, Editor of The Beauty Shortlist: 'Suti is a unique British skincare brand for a number of reasons. It's holistic, beautifully pure, and harnesses the power of flowers and plants in its skin-energising and soothing formulas

A press favourite is the Suti Rejuvenate Organic Face Oil (£28) and one of Rachel Zoe's favourite facial oils recently features in her Zoe Report 'Great for damaged skin, Suti's concoction helps heal scars while providing a stress relieving scent'.

Another beauty editors' favourite is the Suti Cleansing Balm (£26) that comes with a muslin cloth and a rich, zesty formula that awakens the senses and purifies the skin of dirt, pollutants and make-up. We love the balmy, non-drying formula.

This is a 100% natural, 100% gorgeous range: the packaging, the ingredients, the skin-pampering results tick every box. Founded by Suzannah Jenkins and Tina Steadman, both have brought their expertise of 13 years of practicing natural medicine, two years perfecting their formulations and graphic design skills together. Suti is living proof that organic, luxury and performance are not mutually exclusive.

Suti Skincare (from £16) is available at Naturisimo. Try it free with your purchase, click here to view offer.

Gielly Green Boutique Collection

Ever since we first discovered Gielly Green hair and body products, we were highly impressed by the product quality and green credentials of this gorgeous brand.

Gielly Green Boutique Collection is formulated from the world's finest natural substances, handpicked for the unique care and qualities they deliver to the hair and scalp.

Fred Gielly and Shai Greenberg opened their first salon in London's Marylebone in 2008. Its vision was to share their skills, experience and intuition to create a haven for indulgent satisfaction – a boutique hair salon offering the ultimate in old-school customer care.Using their hair know how and scientific background, Gielly Green have combined Dead Sea ancient minerals with essential vitamins for healthy hair and scalps and three ancient and unique oils – Argan, Neem and Sea Buckthorn – to super-charge your hair.

Gielly Green hair & body products (from £12) are available at Naturisimo. Gielly Green samples are available from £5.

Vapour Organic Makeup

You know if beauty editors at Allure, Lucky, New Beauty, More Redbook and BellaSugar are raving about something, it HAS to be good. It's Vapour: The makeup brand taking the US by storm and it's all natural, non-toxic & not tested on animals.

Vapour cosmetics raise the bar for revolutionary performance and purity. Co-Founder Eric Sakas, spent over a decade working with top beauty brands, and alongside the legendary Makeup Artist, Kevin Aucoin. When he first experienced an unlabelled sample of a new foundation from a small makeup line, known as Vapour, he was so blown away by the texture, performance and finish that he partnered with the manufacturer himself in order to bring a high-quality organic makeup line to women everywhere. We are glad he did!

The star product is the Vapour Atmosphere Foundation (£41). It glides easily, the coverage is great, it's pure (100% natural and chemical-free) and it doesn’t settle into fine lines plus it’s got oil-controlling silica.

We also like the Vapour Classic Blush (£25) - available in 5 shades, it comes in chubby sticks that you just swipe on and blend with your fingers.

Vapour Organic Makeup (from £15) is available at Naturisimo.

Tata Harper Skincare - now in.

Introducing Tata Harper Skincare, the 100% natural skin care line that's on every Beauty Editor's lips the other side of the pond. 

Tata Harper says she's spent five years working with top chemists and botanists to create a skincare line you definitely want to try it. Many of the ingredients are grown on her certified organic Vermont farm. "A product labeled 'natural' has typically meant it's not effective," she says. "I've changed that." Tata Harper, the Rising Star of Organic Beauty, shared some of the secrets to her success recently in Oprah Magazine. Read Tata Harper's interview on this link on Oprah.com.

Tata Harper Skincare (from £36) is available at Naturisimo.

Antonia Burrell: A World's First

We are launching a world's first today: Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil (£59.50) gives you the deepest most luxurious cleanse yet. Refreshing, zesty and water-soluble is not your usual cleansing oil, it's the world's first 100% natural, emulsifying cleansing oil that transforms into a consistency of milk. Formulated by skin expert and respected facialist Antonia Burrell, her range - though pricey - it's pure luxe.

The Antonia Burrell Holistic Skincare collection transforms the monotony of daily skincare regimes into an indulgent time for calm and healing and well-being. Antonia Burrell's 100% naturally derived formulations respect and understand the true physiology of beauty. Radiant, healthy looking skin cannot be achieved if the mind is not calmed and nervous energy diffused. With a strong passion for clean, chemical-free, quality, Antonia Burrell's luxurious 100% natural products and treatments, simply work and help improve the quality of your skin, your life and your personal well-being.

The Antonia Burrell Holistic Skincare collection transforms the monotony of daily skincare regimes into an indulgent time for calm and healing and well-being. 

Antonia Burrell's 100% naturally derived formulations respect and understand the true physiology of beauty. Radiant, healthy looking skin cannot be achieved if the mind is not calmed and nervous energy diffused. With a strong passion for clean, chemical-free, quality, Antonia Burrell's luxurious 100% natural products and treatments, simply work and help improve the quality of your skin, your life and your personal well-being.

The Antonia Burrell Skincare range (from £55.40) is available at Naturisimo.

Pukka Skincare: 5 steps to radiance

Introducing Pukka Skincare - this UK Soil Association organic certified range is formulated according to Ayurvedic principles and designed with your dosha in mind to strengthen skin defences and promote maximum health and wellbeing.
Pukka secrets to beautiful skin are inspired by the ancient Indian philosophy of Ayurveda that encourages us to look after our health in harmony with nature.
An individual's dominant skin type is often a good indication of their body-mind type, which in Ayurveda is called a 'dosha'. There are three dosha types: vata, pitta and kapha.

Exclusively at Naturisimo, there is a fabulous Pukka launch offer: a Pukka 5 Steps to Radiance Set containing a complete skincare routine, free when you buy any two Pukka products and enter code PUKKA at checkout. See Pukka offer >

Pukka Skincare (from £11) is available at Naturisimo.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+

The latest advance in natural skincare: Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ (£26.50). This new and improved version of Trilogy Rosehip Oil, known as the 'miracle oil', is everything your skin needs to help repair yesterday’s damage and protect from tomorrow’s.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ is nature's way to achieve your most beautiful skin combining nature's most powerful skin restoring and skin protecting properties in a unique and advanced formulation (RosapeneTM) helping to repair yesterday's damage and protect from tomorrow's.

Buy it now and you will receive, exclusively at Naturisimo, a Free Trilogy Skincare Set comprising Trilogy Rosehip Oil (2.5ml), Gentle Exfoliant (10ml) and Hydrating Mist (20ml) when you enter code TRILOGY3 at checkout > http://www.naturisimo.com/products.cfm?id=4028

The new Trilogy Rosehip Antioxidant+ (£26.50) and Trilogy Skincare are available at Naturisimo.