Une Makeup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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