All posts in Organic / Natural

Human+Kind Review: All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream

February 15, 2012

Being an advocate of natural skincare I have certainly worked my way through a hefty number of natural moisturisers. It was time to try a new one.

Enter All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream by Human+Kind.

This cream is designed for women who lack the time for lengthy beauty rituals. It is a multifunctional product designed to work as:

an anti-ageing cream
an eye cream
a protective moisturiser
a night cream

It evens out skin tone reduces fine lines and wrinkles, softens the skin and reduces the appearance of age spots. The cream is packed with concentrated active natural ingredients which are designed to heal and rejuvinate.It contains jojoba oil, marshmallow, onopordum, centella, rosehip oil and shea butter. It also contains achmella oleracea, which is apparently known as nature’s botox.

Results?

I have been using this cream for ten days. I’m quite impressed. Not only is this a great all rounder it also helped even my skin tone. It didn’t break me out but left my skin soft and moisturised. This one is definitely for normal to dry skin types. If you’re oily I recommended stearing clear of creams and looking at lotions, gels or serums instead.

It costs €29.95 which is a fair price for a product that contains so many good ingredients. It’s always cheaper to buy creams laden with lab made chemicals as those ingredients are often cheap. If you’re a fan of natural skincare this one is definitely worth a look.

You can find Human + Kind products in health stores and pharmacies or at humanandkind.com.

Luxury Heaven – Neom Restore Luxe Bath Essentials

February 6, 2012

I’m mad about candles. An evening isn’t an evening without one. Occasionally I light one to help me work and I always light one in the bath. They make me feel serene. I’m also a huge fan of organic bath products so I was delighted to try some Neom products. Neom is a luxury organic brand. I hadn’t heard of them until recently – I have really been missing out.

I have been testing the Restore Bath Essentials which comes with a 100ml bath oil and a candle…

Restore is a blend of Jasmine, Ginger & Sandalwood. It’s pretty and fresh but also has depth from the sandalwood. The bath oil is a huge 100ml. It’s so potent that a few tiny drops makes your bath smell and feel like heaven. I have one bath a week and shower the rest of the time. With few drops once a week I should have this bottle for ages.

The candle is 75g and is made from vegetable wax with pure essential oils. There are no synthetic fragrances and there is 20 hours of burn time. I tend to light mine for an hour or two at a time. They also sell large candles with 3 wicks which burn for 55 hours. I would love to try one of these with a different fragrance.

The combination of the candle and the oil provide a truly holistic experience. I feel completely rejuvenated after the bath. I also find it great for nausea (more on this at a later date).

This set is £39 reduced from £45 Link. It is expensive but believe me, for a treat it is worth every penny. I can’t wait to try more!

Are you a candle fan? Any recommendations?

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Magic Mask for Dry Skin

October 26, 2011

I’m trying out another Voya product this week. This time it’s a mask called Maskerade. This one is geared at dry, dehydrated skin. Perfect for Winter.

Like all Voya products, Maskerade is made from hand harvested seaweed. It’s also organic. Yay.

I have used it roughly five times and so far I like it. It feels like a little moisture injection. The mask still manages to draw out impurities so like all face masks it’s probably best not to use it right before a big event. I would use it a week before any event to be on the safe side. After use my skin was soft and luminous. My forehead also felt less tight.

It’s also very easy to apply – I apply it with my fingers to clean skin in an upward motion. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash off with a muslin cloth (is there any mask or cleanser that doesn’t work better when used in conjunction with a muslin cloth!)

Like most Voya products, this one is expensive at €35. Well I suppose it is a luxury brand. It’s also organic and uses hand harvested seaweed. The bottle is also large so I’ll get plenty of applications out of it. It would actually make a nice present. I noticed on their website that Voya won Best Natural/Organic Spa Product Range in the The Crystal Awards. Easy to see why.

For those who might be interested, Voya products are sold from their website and through spas and salons around Ireland.

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Need it: PHYT’s Travel Collection

October 17, 2011

I love and adore PHYT’s products. No gunk (code: harsh chemicals), they smell natural, they’re gentle on sensitive skin and they actually work. What more could I want eh? I know, a travel collection!!

I’m a sucker for a travel kit.

Enter the Bionatural Cocoon Travel Collections…

Each Travel Collection contains a 50ml Body Butter + 40ml Shower Gel and retails at €33. (This reduces to €25 for the week of October 24-29)

The ‘Relaxing’ Collection soothes and relaxes using restorative oils (Lavender, Rose-Geranium and Jojoba). These gently nourish and relax. The ‘Energising’ Collection uses refreshing oils (Peppermint, Lemongrass and Mandarin Orange) to stimulate and invigorate the senses

The Body Butter melts into the skin giving it long lasting & effective nourishment, whilst the Foaming Shower Gel gently cleanses and soothes the skin.

PHYT’s also have a new Cocoon Escape Body Treatment (which I will review shortly) which costs just €30 for the launch month of October (normal RRP €45). During this forty minute treatment, you will receive a full body exfoliation (using Apricot Seed Powder) and a body massage with Body Butter. I always have my PHYT’s treatments at Virginie Claire Salon in Harold’s Cross but they are stocked in many salons and spa’s around Ireland. Click here for more info.

‘Nuff said, I’m in.

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Saoirse Ronan’s Fav Moisturiser – had to try it!

August 5, 2011

My moisturiser of choice lately is Geranium & Thistle Skin Cream from Pai. Apparently it’s Saoirse Ronan’s moisturiser of choice and Natalie Portman loves the ranges. I had to try it.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Pai, it’s a premium organic skincare range which was launched in 2007. It’s also certified by the Soil Association.Their products are high performing and made from pure plant extracts. They are completely paraben and chemical free so are ideal for sensitive and allergy prone skin.

I really like the Geranium & Thistle cream. It’s designed to clear and re-balance congested combination skin, that’s me unfortunately.

It’s absorbed by the skin quite quickly. It’s not sticky or oily and left my skin matte. It also works well as a base for make-up on combination skin.

I love the packaging and the branding. It’s a little different to the run of the mill organic ranges out there. The pump on top of the glass bottle is great. I’m not a fan of sticking my hands into pots of cream – I hate that it gets behind my nails. One pump is enough for one application so a little goes a long way.

Pai products are sold direct from their website. They also list all of their ingredients in plain English so you know what’s in the bottle wihtout needing a degree in chemistry. They also sell little sample pots so you can try before you commit to the larger bottles.

I think I’ll be giving the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil a try next. The Geranium & Thistle Skin Cream costs €29.95 /£24.

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Organic Irish Shampoo & Conditioner from Voya

July 7, 2011

Tis no secret that I’m a fan of Voya – it’s Irish, it’s organic, it’s made from hand harvested seaweed but most of all it’s just top notch.So I was excited to hear that they now have a shampoo and conditioner.

I have had a mare of a time finding a shampoo and conditioner that are organic and work well with my hair. I have had more success with conditioners but for some reason I have yet to find a decent shampoo.

I love the names of these products. The shampoo is called Silky by Nature and the condition is Forget Me Knot – I love it. The smell lovely – natural without a hint of essential oil.

I took a break from my usual hair care routine and decided to give them a bash last night. Today my hair is soft and manageable.

As I mentioned, the products are made from seaweed. One would expect that there is a tiny amount in each tube but it is in fact listed second in the ingredients after water. I’m impressed.

Some of you were asking me where you can buy Voya products. They’re available from the Voya website.

Have you tried any decent organic shampoo’s and conditioners?

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Voya Me Time Review: Anti-ageing Moisturiser with Irish Seaweed

May 19, 2011

If you’re a regular reader than you have probably heard me harping on about Voya before. For those of you who haven’t heard of them, they’re an Irish skincare company based in Sligo that use hand harvested seaweed in their products. I have raved about their Totally Balmy Cleansing Balm, their anti-cellulite tea and their anti-ageing Ritzy Spritz Toner but this is the first time that I have tried any of their moisturisers.

The moisturiser in question is called Me Time.

The cream is designed to reduce the signs of ageing and give the complexion a boost. It leaves my skin soft and hydrated. It also feels like it provided a barrier from the environment.

According to Voya seaweed is a highly concentrated source of minerals which is said to improve suppleness and elasticity and primes the skin for regeneration.

I apply it in the morning and evening after cleansing. I started applying it to my face only but the other day I decided it was high time I started looking after the skin on my neck.

Although it’s made for normal to dry skin it’s not overly rich in texture so it works on my normal skin. So far it hasn’t clogged my pores and it’s easily absorbed. There is no greasy residue, which I hate about some moisturisers.

It’s expensive at €55 but I feel it’s worth paying for quality organic ingredients. In my opinion it’s a much better deal than many high end cosmetic creams where you’re often paying for the label and advertising.

What moisturiser are you using right now?

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Voya Totally Balmy organic cleanser and Muslin Cloths

April 7, 2011

You all know that I tend to faff around with different skincare brands, all in the name of blogging, of course :) I first came across Voya last year when they launched a Seaweed based anti-ageing toner, which I loved.

I have since moved on to their Totally Balmy Cleanser. I have become quite the fan.

My thoughts

Two words – pure luxury! It’s made using organic seaweed, well, we do have an awful lot of it in Ireland. I’m glad someone is putting it to good use.

It smells divine, feels divine, looks divine. As you can probably tell, I’m a fan :)

It’s quite thick when you apply it first, then as it comes into contact with the heat of your skin, it just melts. That means it also melts off the make-up on your skin too, which I love.

It comes with a muslin cloth, which I think is essential when using balms like this. Otherwise, you could end up with residue issues.

If you have parched, dry skin you will most likely adore this as much as me. The downside is the price. It is definitely a splurge at €40. It is luxurious though and feels like a treat. I might reserve my purchase for dry skin season.

Best of all – tis’ made in Sligo :)

Muslin Cloths

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the aul’ muslin cloth. I go through quite a few every year and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re kinder than cotton wool and more effective than wipes. They slough away dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. What more could I want. After a few uses I pop mine into a white wash and they come out as good as new.

Voya now sell Organic Muslin Cloths which cost €12 for a pack of three. They arrive in a drawstring bag which is handy.

I found Voya online here or their Irish seaweed skincare products are available from spas around Ireland (listed on their website).

Can’t wait to try more of their products. I love supporting Irish business, no better time for it, but I would love this cleanser regardless!

What do you think of cleansing balms?

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Mil Tóin Teolaí -All Natural Baby Bum Balm

April 3, 2011

I got my hands on some Mil All Natural Balm products recently and whilst I have been enjoying testing the lip and body balms, baby bum balms are a little out of my league. A friend of mine who has recently had a baby offered to put Tóin Teoilaí Baby Bum Balm to the test.

Tóin Teoilaí is Gaelic for ‘Comfy Bum’. It’s made with golden yellow beeswax, which is a great emollient and organic sunflower seed oil which acts as a protective barrier. It also included Jojoba oil, and essential oil of chamomile which are both known for soothing and healing while vitamin E helps keep the skin healthy.

My friend, and said baby’s bottom, loved the product. She found it soothed and brought down irritation. She also loved that the product was natural and mentioned that a little goes a long way when you use a small amount at every nappy change to avoid nappy rash. I have been assured that she has recommended it to other mums in her Mammy and Baby group – that says a lot to me. Her final thoughts were – love the packaging, love the name, love the product.

Personally, using natural products on a baby would be essential for me. I wouldn’t contemplate smearing on lab made chemicals unless they were deemed necessary by a doctor or something. Just a personal preference.

I read that Tóin Teolaí can also be used on baby’s scalp for craddle cap and as an all over after bath balm.

Mil’s website for those of you who are interested, click here. Tóin Teolaí costs £6.99 – the prices are in British Pounds on the website so I’m not sure how much they cost in euro.

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Video: Current Favourites

March 14, 2011

Time for a favourites video!

I haven’t recorded one in a few months and I have changed things up quite a bit since then. It’s quite long but I didn’t want to just say the name of the product and show it to the camera, I thought it would be more useful if I explained briefly why they were my favourite.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyj6B3YKpWE

I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for watching!

What are your favourites at the moment?

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