Healing Beauty

Natural Beauty Reviews, News and Advice

Healing Beauty

I Heart Weleda Pomegranate Oil

August 31st, 2010 · Body, Oil

I’ve been singing the praises of oils (for face and body) for a while now but was yet to find a body oil that I could really enjoy using every day . Well, the waiting is over folks – I am officially in love.

Weleda pomegranate body oil

Weleda pomegranate body oil

I was sent this Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil weeks ago to review and it’s been sitting forlornly ever since on my shelf amongst other sorry looking products waiting to be loved. I don’t know what stopped me trying it earlier – perhaps it was the glass screw cap bottle which reminds me of cough medicine, or the lengthy directions leaflet inside which I couldn’t quite be bothered to read. Whatever the reason, I had almost forgotten about it until it caught my eye on the weekend, and, as I was on my way for a shower anyway, I decided to give it a whirl.

The directions (which turned out not to be that long – they were just in lots of different languages) told me to apply the oil on damp skin and massage thoroughly until absorbed. I wasn’t sure what damp skin meant really… Do I towel dry or do I air dry? Do I stay in the shower or go back to my room?? Eventually I decided I was overthinking the whole thing, dried off and started to apply the oil in the bathroom while it was still steamy. Immediately I loved it. The oil was soft and felt beautifully smooth on my skin. It didn’t take long to massage it in enough for it to sink into my skin, which I was glad about as I can’t commit to an everyday product which takes too long to apply (I barely have time to get ready in the mornings as it is due to my allergy to getting up early). The immediate effect was lovely – soft, silky, shimmery limbs – and by the end of the day my skin still felt really soft and hydrated. It smells nice too – like oranges, funnily enough. It’s good to know the scent is derived from natural essential oils.

If you’re an oil virgin (no pun intended!) and worried about it being too greasy, just be conservative with your application. A little goes a very long way with oil so you can afford be very frugal, or slap it on depending on how dry your skin is, and whether you’re applying in the morning when you need to dress straight afterwards, or before bed when you could afford a richer application. Either way though, your skin shouldn’t feel greasy afterwards – this product really does absorb very well.

Looking at the ingredients list, the Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil contains a whole host of different oils: jojoba, sesame, sunflower, wheat germ, macadamia and olive. And of course the star ingredient, organic pomegranate seed oil, known for its antioxidant properties. I knew about the benefits of drinking pomegranate but I hadn’t before considered putting it on my body. But according to Weleda, pomegranate seed oil helps “promote skin renewal and protect against free radical damage” whilst the organic jojoba oil “preserves your natural moisture and acts as an emollient, nurturing your skin and improving its firmness”.  Their website even claims that the oil “accelerates natural skin renewal by 50% in just two weeks” if used twice a day. Sounds good doesn’t it? Well, I can’t vouch for that, but I am definitely looking forward to using this daily from now on. Weleda Pomegranate Oil, I like you very much.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil is £19.95 and is available on their website. This product is certified natural with organic ingredients by NaTrue. You can read more about Weleda’s production standards and natural credentials here.

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The Green Grocery Organic Products

August 30th, 2010 · Body, Feet

With all the ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ skincare and beauty products on the market these days it’s a challenge to spot the reals from the fakes. So many products label themselves ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ when they’re in fact full of unnatural, synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals. The laws surrounding the labeling of cosmetics are still vague enough to give marketers the opportunity to confuse and even deceive consumers into thinking they’re buying a natural or organic product when in fact it might simply contain only a very small quantity of just one organic ingredient. In order to ensure you are buying a truly organic product you need to look out for a stamp of approval from an organic certifying body such as The Soil Association (SA) or the Organic Farmers and Growers (OF&G).

Amongst the ‘reals’ is a small English independent company called The Green Grocery. Run by founder, Skye Connelly, each product is 100% organic, certified by the OF&G, handmade, hand poured and personally checked for quality. The packaging is even 100% recyclable and, where possible, 100% fair trade.  Skye sent me four sample-size pots of product to try – a body balm, hand salve, foot salve and firming face and neck treatment.

The Green Grocery sample pots

The Green Grocery sample pots

The Green Grocery

The Green Grocery

I have to say, on first impression of the products I was a little confused about what to do with them! I don’t really use anything on my hands or feet (unless they’re really dry) and I’ve never used a salve or a balm before anywhere other than my lips so it was a new experience for me. But I embraced it.

Out of the four I was pleasantly surprised by the hand salve and foot salve. The body balm was nice although I don’t think I’d use it regularly as I prefer creams or oils on my body. The face & neck treatment I must confess I didn’t try. I have so many face products on the go right now I don’t really want to add another into the mix just yet. Plus I wasn’t a huge fan of the smell of this one. The salves are great though and smell divine.

Hand Salve: Marshmallow & Lavender (£5.99 for 50ml)

This is my favourite smelling of the products I tried. If you like lavender you’ll love this. The texture of the product is very soft and oily and it sinks easily into the skin. It’s a different effect to using a cream based product; while it does moisturise as a cream would do, it doesn’t absorb quite as deeply. In fact it leaves a subtle sheen on the skin (but not in a greasy way) which makes me think this would be great as a barrier to the elements in the winter months. I really like the way this feels on my skin and it makes my hands feel soft and protected. I’ll definitely be keeping it in my handbag for when the weather gets colder and windier.

Ingredients:  Olea europaea, Carthamus tinctorius, Cera alba, Althea officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia oil

Foot Salve: Avocado, Lemon & Shea Butter (£5.99 for 50ml)

The foot salve has a similar texture to the hand salve although it’s a little denser – perhaps due to the shea butter. It also smells divine – like a lemon tart – good enough to eat! Again I found this left a sheen on my feet and would work well as a barrier to air and water. It would be a great product to use if you work out or run a lot as it will help protect your feet from perspiration and friction which can dry out and harden your skin. It’s also lovely to rub into you feet, and if you’re lucky enough to have a partner who will give you a foot massage (I’m not), this is a great product for a pampering treat.  Warning though – don’t run barefoot on slippery floors straight after applying (I nearly went flying!).

Ingredients:  Olea europaea, Carthamus tinctorius, Persea gratissima, Butyospermum parkii, Cera alba, Citrus medica limonum

foot salve

foot salve

I won’t review the other two products in full as I didn’t use them enough (or at all) to do them justice. However, I would definitely recommend the hand and foot salves, and since all the products are 100% organic, they’d all be worth a try in my opinion.The body oil looks particularly appealing.

You’ll find all the Green Grocery products on their website.

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Sneak Peek: Liz Earle Botanical Shine Haircare Range

August 21st, 2010 · Hair

Liz Earle Haircare

Liz Earle Haircare

This week I joined fellow beauty bloggers at Liz Earle’s flagship store in Kings Road, Chelsea for an exclusive reveal of their long awaited Naturally Active Haircare range. Six years of product development has gone into this range, and boy are the folk at Liz Earle passionate about their products!

On arriving we were given a thorough and fascinating overview of the soon to launch (2nd September) Botanical Shine Haircare range by Liz Earle’s Botanical Research Manager, Jennifer Hirsch. She enthusiastically spoke of the trials and tribulations (and triumphs) of sourcing ingredients, creating effective formulations and searching for the perfect ‘Liz Earle’ fragrance, and as she spoke I became utterly captivated by the passion and care that goes into Liz Earle products.

Liz was in part inspired to develop a haircare range that would be suitable for sensitive skin because she herself suffers from ezcema and therefore understands that the scalp is just as important as the face when it comes to keeping itchy, flaky skin at bay. Therefore one of the criteria for the haircare range was that it would be free from SLS or SLES (sulfates) – an ingredient which is added to nearly everything that foams – from shampoo to face wash to floor cleaner – and which is a known irritant.

One of the reasons the line took so long to create was because of this determination to find a natural alternative to harsh chemical sulfates which would still create the desired foaming effect. If you’ve tried SLS-free formulations before you’ll know that their ability to foam is sometimes non-existent. And although we don’t actually need shampoo to foam in order for it to clean effectively, Liz Earle understood that foam is what we’ve come to expect from a shampoo, and therefore it’s an integral part of our hair washing experience. So foam it must!

Botanical Shine Shampoo

Apparently the Liz Earle team tested over 100 different formulations of shampoo before they finally found the winning formula. First was the problem of getting it to foam. Many of the SLS substitutes they tried were sticky or stripped hair of its colour. (Not what you want if you’ve just forked out at a salon for highlights.) They finally hit the nail on the head after years of painstakingly testing numerous inadequate formulas, and found a coconut based natural wash active which lathers and does not strip colour from your hair.

See, it really does foam!

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo

Once they had a formulation they liked, Liz and her co founder Kim Buckland both personally tested the forumlation. They each loved it, but having very different hair types they were both convinced the other would feel the opposite. When the other members of the Liz Earle clan tried it too, they all found it incredibly effective. And so, there is only one shampoo in the Botanical Shine Haircare range – a one fits all solution – the Cleanse and Polish of the hair world they like to call it.

Jennifer Hirsch demonstrating Liz Earle Haircare

Jennifer Hirsch demonstrating Liz Earle Haircare

Jennifer spoke passionately and in great detail about the different ingredients in the shampoo. It is the ingredients which give Liz Earle products their provenance. Each has its own story and special reason to have been chosen to be included. They particularly strive to include botanicals which have been used for centuries for their healing properties and therefore automatically give credibility to the formulations.

One such ingredient is extracts of apple and orange. Like cidar vinegar, these fruit extracts help make hair look shiny – a must have in order to compete with conventional silicon based shampoo. The science behind this was explained something like this: the balance of acids flattens the hair cuticle which causes it to reflect light, thus making it look shiny. Clever, eh? The shampoo also contains shea butter to ensure it’s not completely knotted and unmanageable after washing and 8 essential oils that give its delicious fragrance.

It was at about this point in our product education that Liz Earle herself emerged seemingly from nowhere and sat down right next to us to welcome us and share with us her personal excitement about the range. Apart from being a little star struck (she is one of the most famous women in beauty in the UK after all) I was also absolutely in awe of her appearance. I don’t say that about many people. Yes, lots of women I know are beautiful and well presented and all the rest, but it’s extremely rare that I look at someone’s face and realise that I’m probably staring a little too intensely. Her skin is just perfection! I don’t know how old she is but her skin is youthful and radiant, in a very natural way. And her hair could easily rival Jennifer Aniston’s in any Loreal advert for it’s shine and lustre. She probably had it blow dried just before she came in (after all, if you’re selling your new hair range, you’re going to make sure your hair looks great!) but nevertheless, if that is what Botanical Shine products can do, I am already sold!

Botanical Shine Conditioner

As opposed to the one-fits-all shampoo, there are three conditioners to choose from in the range: one for oily hair, one for normal and one for dry/damaged. It makes perfect sense – depending on your hair type you’ll need different levels of moisture.

The way they explained the different formulations was really interesting. In the oily hair conditioner they have added Black Cohosh extract – a lightweight, non-oil-based emolient, which is enough to make hair soft and manageable but will not weigh down oily-prone hair. In the ‘normal’ hair one is Meadowfoam oil which conditions without giving ‘excessive heaviness’. The production of this oil is also considered: cooperative farmers in Oregon grow meadowfoam seed as a rotational crop meaning they can reduce the use of herbicides and don’t practice field burning which is bad for the environment. The richest of the three conditioners contains West African shea butter, well known for its nourishing quality. Again, the production is considered: 450 women harvest this shea butter in Ghana which provides income and helps conserve their ecosystem, they explain.

Also in all the conditioners is Kenyan yangu oil, which is moisturising, blue seakale which keeps hair colour-safe and those apple and orange extracts to give hair that ‘because you’re worth it’ shine.

Liz Earle Haircare Launch

Liz Earle Haircare Launch

Ok, so now onto the most important question…

Does it work?

I was so exhilerated after the event that I went straight home to test the shampoo and conditioner (dry/damaged for me). I followed the instructions we were given, notably (1) you must wet hair completely before washing; the product will not foam without a lot of water, (2) only use a ten pence piece sized amount of shampoo, then work it into a lather with your (wet) hands before putting it on your head, and (3) don’t add more product if you’re not getting enough foam; just add more water.

I haven’t had much experience with non-sulfate shampoos yet I confess (it’s one of the only non-natural products I’ve been holding onto before I could find a good alternative). But armed with great instructions and the knowledge that this wasn’t going to provide a bubble factory worth of foam, I was pleasantly surprised. You do have to put a bit more work into the process than with a conventional shampoo, but it’s not a problem. You just need to really work the product in your hands first then put a little more effort into massaging it on your head to make sure it spreads evenly. I absolutely love the smell, which makes a change from any conventional shampoo I’ve ever used, which tends to smell either sickly sweet or chemically. The essential oils they’ve chosen create a beautiful, rich scent which is both zesty and spicy – not too sweet but incredibly sensual. It’s one of the only highly fragrant products which I think would be enjoyed equally by men and women.

As advised, I also tried to be sparing with the conditioner. They claim from a 200ml bottle you’ll get 29 washes – so it’ll last you a month if you wash every day; two if you wash every other day. Personally that should last me at least 3 months then! I’m in the habit of slathering on conditioner as my hair is thick, long and naturally curly. But I tried to be restrained and was thrilled with the results. My hair was manageable when wet to run a brush through and after a quick blow-dry, it felt incredibly soft and smelt wonderful.

So, I am certainly recommending the Liz Earle Naturally Active Haircare range and urge you all to give it a try.

The Botanical Shine Shampoo and Botanical Shine Conditioners hit shelves in the Liz Earle stores on 2nd September, and in John Lewis on 6th September. They are both a very reasonable £7.50 for 200ml and will also be available in travel size (50ml) for £4.

Apparently 20,0o0 people have already pre-registered to get first dibs on these beauties, so if you’re keen, I’d get yourself down there early to avoid disappointment. Even Liz herself has had to reserve her own as the demand is expected to be huge.

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MAC Rodarte Update: MAC to Shelve Juarez Collection

August 17th, 2010 · MAC, Me

There is yet another twist in the MAC-Rodarte tale… And not one I was prepared for.

The last we heard from MAC was to announce that they were going to donate all global profits from their collaborative range with Rodarte and had met with a “collective group committed to working together on the overall direction of the new initiative to help the women and girls of Juarez and to raise global awareness of their plight”.

Well, as of yesterday – 16 August 2010 – it seems they’ve now decided to scrap the collection altogether.

In a statement that went up on MAC Cosmetic’s Facebook page yesterday, MAC announced that “out of respect for the people of Mexico, the women and girls of Juarez and their families, as well as our M·A·C Mexican staff and colleagues, M·A·C has made the decision not to ship the M·A·C Rodarte limited edition makeup collection”.

My first question arises here. What do they mean by not “shipping” the collection? Does this mean not at all? (Full stop. Anywhere in the world?) Or are they still planning to sell it in the U.S.A. but won’t be shipping elsewhere? I think the consensus is that they mean that they’re halting distribution completely, but really, the wording isn’t very clear. (Furthermore, Facebook does not seem the appropriate, most official platform to announce this, but anyway.)

They go on to state that “This decision will have no impact on M·A·C’s commitment to donate all of its projected global profits from this collection to local and international groups that work to improve the lives of the women and girls of Juarez”.

Projected profits? Sorry, call me cynical, but who decides what this figure will be? That was my most immediate concern when I read the statement yesterday. How can they project profits in a transparent and accurate way? Is this figure going to be made public knowledge? And, most importantly, how much money will actually get to the victims and families affected by violence, rape and murder in Ciudad Juarez?

MAC state: “We are currently conducting due diligence to ensure we donate to organizations with a proven record of directly supporting the women and girls of Juarez.”

That sounds all good and well, but I’m afraid alarm bells immediately began ringing in my ears. And my cynical feeling was only confounded by reading an interview today conducted by Marga Britto on www.clubdelilith.com with Norma Ledezma from the non-profit organisation Justicia para Nuestras Hijas (Justice for our daughters. This is one of the organisations that I nominated on my petition to MAC calling for them to donate all their profits, raise awareness of the femicides in Juarez through their marketing, and conduct their conversations regarding donations with the appropriate IMPARTIAL non-profit organisations.

Incidentally, I sent the petition to MAC yesterday. (I haven’t yet heard back.)

My biggest concern since MAC released their previous statement about their ‘newly formed initiative’ was the involvement of Mexican government officials and a Mexican government appointed body, CONAVIM (Comisión Nacional Para Prevenir y Erradicar la Violencia Contra las Mujeres/National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women), in their discussions.

Now, I am not in a position to defame this organisation, nor do I wish to. However, please note that this is not an independent non-profit organisation, therefore it is reasonable to say that it’s not completely free from state influence.  I have been advised, quite passionately, by a number of very well informed on-the-ground volunteers in Juarez and scholars on the issue, that the Mexican government at local, state and even federal levels is corrupt and guilty of negligence, having failed to adequately investigate the crimes in Juarez since 1993. In a recent BBC article, allegations of blackmail and extortion were highlighted within the Mexican police force; and in some cases, Juarez state police officials are even facing allegations of direct involvement in the rapes and murders taking place in Juarez.

You can see why people are concerned about MAC talking to the wrong people and this money getting into the wrong hands. And even if CONAVIM is a transparent and amiable organisation, it clearly hasn’t had much influence so far in ending the femicides. Over 200 cases have already been reported since the beginning of this year.

In my opinion, and was the primary aim of the petition I set up, all financial donations should go to non-profit organisations with a proven history of empowerment for women in Juarez. Certainly not to the Mexican government (either directly or indirectly).

To believe MAC’s statement that they are “conducting due diligence to ensure we donate to organizations with a proven record of directly supporting the women and girls of Juarez” is tempting. However, I cannot be sure of their committment to this pledge, especially after reading Marga Britto’s interview.

Marga interviewed Norma Ledezma, founder of Justicia para Nuestras Hijas (Justice for our daughters). This non-profit organisation is made up of parents and relatives of young women who are missing and/or murdered in the State of Chihuahua, where the city of Juarez is located. Norma lost her 16-year-old daughter, Paloma Angelica, in 2002. Her daughter was a maquiladora worker. The Mexican authorities failed to adequately help her in her search for her child, and after 27 days of hopeless searching, she was found dead.

I urge you to read the interview in full I’d like to pull out a few key messages for you too.

Norma explains her reaction to the MAC- Rodarte collection, shared by other mothers who’ve lost their daughters to the femicides in Juarez:

“… more than indignation, anger or rage, the feeling was of sadness. It deeply sadness us because this situation is so real, so palpable, so close to us, and we try so hard to perpetuate the memory of our daughters with pride, to defend this right they had to life …

“This is a real problem, we are not a myth. The murders and disappearances of women in the State of Chihuahua are a reality. So we felt the whole thing was a mockery.”

Speaking of the MAC-Rodarte promotional image (a death-like photo of a pale, sunken faced model) Norma said: 

“I see the files and I look at the bodies. My job is to deliver the remains, and I have deliver remains to families, so many times throughout these years. And when I saw the photo of the model (MAC), I did not feel anger really, but sorrow, a sharp blow to the heart.”

What was really clear from the interview is that for Norma and Justicia para Nuestras Hijas this whole debacle isn’t about money. It’s about “justice, and the dignity and respect for our missing and murdered daughters and their families”.

It was heartbreaking to read and brings home the message that this is really happening, to real people,  just like you and me:  daughters, mothers, aunts, cousins…and there is no justice. What I had so hoped for from this MAC-Rodarte affair was that awareness could be raised about these horrific crimes and that justice, just maybe, would be a little closer for the mothers who’ve lost their daughters and for everyone who’s gone through the pain and anguish and despair at having a loved one taken from them in such a cruel and vicious way.

But by pulling the collection, awareness will not be raised – not by MAC at any rate – and there still remains the issue of where this money is going to go. I have little faith that MAC is “diligently” trying to contact the organisations who work with the women of Juarez.  Was Norma Ledezma contacted by MAC when they were planning their ‘new initiative’, you may wonder? No, she was not. No one from Justicia para Nuestras Hijas, one of the most established and well known non-profit organisations working on the ground with the victims of the femicides in Juarez, was contacted:

“Not before and not after. To this point Justicia para Nuestras Hijas has been left aside of the whole situation. We have learned though the pieces of information published in the media, but not from them, neither MAC nor Conavim”.

“And now CONAVIM is appearing in the discussions left and right. I mean, is not like anyone from CONAVIM has come here to meet the families and follow their cases!”

Reassuring, isn’t it?

So what now? Who knows what statement MAC will come out with next but I do hope that they come back with something that more clearly explains who they are “diligently” trying to get in contact with (aside from the Mexican government and CONAVIM), how much money this means, who this money goes to, when and how, and what their longterm strategy is to provide real help to the lives of women and girls in Juarez. (And please don’t just update your Facebook status MAC.) I would like to see proof that they have been in touch with Justicia para Nuestras Hijas and all the other organisations who tirelessly fight for justice for their murdered daughters and all the other lives lost in Juarez. And I want them to acknowledge the severity of the situation which has been going on for nearly 20 years with no justice for the dead and their families.

This is not about money, Norma explains, but the dangerous reality of life for women in Juarez, the horrific murders which have taken thousands of women’s lives, and the corruption and collusion of those in power who are allowing this to continue. It is the memory of her daughter that she wishes to protect and uphold; and it is justice which she seeks.

“What really bothers me and hurts the most is that funding has become the main theme, not the terrible situation of the femicides…

We want the executives of Mac to come to Juarez and see what is the situation with their own eyes. We want them to meet the families, listen to their stories, and see first hand the monumental work that not only Justicia para Nuestras Hijas has been doing but that of the rest of the organizations”.

 MAC, I hope you are finally listening.

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Burt’s Bees New Lip Balm Flavours

August 15th, 2010 · Face, Lips

I’ve always loved Burt’s Bees. It’s one of a number of things which remind me of the US as it was available there long before it was here in the UK. My mum (that’s ‘mom’ for any American readers out there) is from the States so we used to go a lot when I was growing up. Burt’s Bees lip balm was always one of my must-buys (along with Abercrombie and Fitch clothes, Kiehl’s beauty products, and a plethora of junk food including Cheetos, Oreos, Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Fruit Roll Ups and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups). These things are, if you want to get sentimental about it, sadly all available over here now.

What I like about Burt’s Bees is, number one, its performance as a lip balm. It really works, feels lovely and nourishing and lasts for hours. And number two, I love that it’s 100% natural. I love that even more now that I’m writing a natural beauty blog.

I have just been sent the latest two lip balms in the Burt’s Bees range to try and am delighted that the formula is still 100% natural and still feels just as nourishing and smooth as I remember. The two new flavours are Rejuvenating Acai Berry and Nourishing Mango Butter.

Burt's Bees Acai Lip Balm

Burt's Bees Acai Lip Balm

Burt's Bees Mango Lip Balm

Burt's Bees Mango Lip Balm

The lip balms contain the standard beeswax base as well as coconut, sunflower and castor seed oil. The mango one has mango seed butter and smells, well, like mangoes – lovely and sweet. I notice it contains some ‘natural flavour’ too which makes it good enough to eat – literally. This is my favourite of the two.

The acai berry is a bit too sweet for me. I feel like a broken record going on about how I don’t like products to be too sweet smelling, but it’s true. This one smells like bubble gum! If you like bubble gum smelling lip balm, you’ll love it; if you don’t, you might want to go for the mango or original flavour instead.

Burt’s Bees lip balms are available from www.burtsbees.co.uk, Boots, John Lewis and selected independent stores. They are £3.49.

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Naked Scrub Up – Sea Minerals Salt Scrub

August 11th, 2010 · Body

Naked Bodycare Scrub Up

Naked Bodycare Scrub Up

I’ve tried a couple of things from Naked Bodycare recently and am really liking the line so far. Their ‘Scrub Up Naked’ Sea Minerals Salt Scrub (£6.99) is one of my faves.

This scrub is made using Dead Sea salt and seaweed extract, as well as sweet almond oil.

This product, like all Naked Bodycare products, is 97% natural. There are a couple of chemicals I noticed listed in the ingredients which I thought I should investigate. One is Tocopheryl acetate (a chemical compound with Vitamin E), which the EWG’s Cosmetic Database lists as a moderate hazard due to it being a possible irritant. It also contains added scent (parfum and linalool), which again can irritate more sensitive skin. And limonene, an orange scent, another skin and respiratory irritant and a moderate hazard according to the EWG (Environmental Working Group).

I  suspect however that the quantities of these chemicals are very small as they are towards the end of the ingredients list; plus none of them are ‘high risk’ as rated by the EWG. I’m also comforted that the product is 97% natural, which is great for something that is available on the high street and online. Also having read Naked Bodycare’s ‘story‘ I see that they’re dedicated to creating products which are “safe, natural and free from harmful chemicals” and never use sulfates, parabens or petrochemicals in their formuations. To explain the need for the 3% of non-natural ingredients, Naked explains:

You may also ask why only 97% natural? Well, the remaining 3% is made up of things like the preservative system (stops the product going bad after opening ) plus things like emulsifying agents which are necessary to stop ingredients from separating ( we don’t like divorce ). However some of our products are actually 99.5% natural as they didn’t need as much help to behave.

That seems fair enough to me. Aside from pure oils, there are very, very few products which achieve effective formulations without the inclusion of one or two non-natural ingredients.

The Naked Bodycare line was the brainchild of a mum looking for products safe and kind enough to use on her children who have sensitive skin. They also use 50% PCR (Post Consumer Recycled) plastic in all their bottles and “support initiatives like the Oxfam Shinyanga project which brings clean water to children in Tanzania”. I do like a good story and I get a good feeling about the brand and believe when they say they are conscientious about the ingredients they choose and production methods they employ (I must be feeling less cynical than usual today!).

So, I’m a fan of the brand ethics and ingredients. Now onto the performance of this scrub.

I love it!

I don’t often use scrubs. If you’re a reader of this blog you’ll know I’m a minimalist in my beauty regime and not big on anything which requires too much effort (I’m too tired/lazy most of the time). I have very few ritualistic beauty rituals which are limited to moisturising, taking off my makeup every night, occasionally painting my nails, and once in a blue moon leaving my conditioner in for longer than two minutes. So body scrubs just aren’t part of my usual routine.

Well, I’m officially converted.

This product is the perfect balance of exfoliation and nourishment. The salt granules gently scrub and smooth your skin without being at all abrasive. The salt dissolves and melts into your skin as you rub it in circular motions, which is left silky smooth and moisturised due to the nourishing sweet almond oil and seaweed mineral extracts. It was so soft in fact I didn’t feel I needed much moisturiser afterwards (but I’m obsessed with moisturising, so I did anyway).

Naked Scrub

Naked Scrub

I also really like the consistency of the scrub. It’s really compact in the tub so when you scoop it out with your fingers you don’t lose any (as you do with runnier types that tend to slip between your fingers, wasting product). It’s a pleasure to use as well; I really like the feeling of it on my skin, lightly massaging the salt crystals until they dissolve leaving a lovely oily mixture which washes away to leave baby soft skin. Oh, and the smell is divine! A refreshing and seaside-y smell with a very subtle hint of fruity zest.

Naked Scrub Up, £6.99, is available exclusively online from Naked Bodycare. The full range of products is available from the website. Selected Boots stores also carry some of the line.

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Myroo Skincare Shea & Coconut Body Butter Review

August 9th, 2010 · Body, Summer

myroo skincare body butter

myroo skincare body butter

If there’s one beauty product I really can’t live without (excluding makeup, obviously), it’s body lotion. I moisturise religiously after I shower and am a firm believer that keeping my skin nourished and hydrated will keep it looking young for as long as possible. Well, I can only hope!

I’m always on the lookout for a great body moisturiser. Generally I use Aveeno as it’s probably the most natural thing you can buy in Boots and works pretty well. I like my moisturiser to be on the richer side rather than light: not greasy, but I don’t mind it to take a little while to sink in if that means it’ll give the best, lasting hydration. I’m really partial to oils as well. I use emu oil everyday on my face and have been known to put it on my arms and legs too, but it’s far too expensive a habit to indulge in too often!

So, I was delighted when the creator of myroo skincare sent me some of her handmade shea & coconut body butter to try. The ingredients of all her products are 100% natural and handmade, she tells me. This body butter contains  shea butter fruit, cocus nucifera (coconut), sweet almond oil, corn starch, and tocopherol. This is exactly the kind of product I’ve been looking for – natural and full of really moisturising ingredients including my favourites, shea butter and coconut oil. So I was excited to try!

The packaging is really quirky with an old fashioned type clasp, like the kind on jars that you might keep sugar or flour in. I like that this makes the pot air-tight, keeping the product really fresh inside and gives it a really traditional feel which complements the pure ingredients inside. The pot is also plastic rather than glass which makes it lighter and better for travel.

shea & coconut body butter

shea & coconut body butter

shea & coconut body butter

shea & coconut body butter

Inside is a clean, white, mousse-like, but compact, cream, which melts into the skin with the consistency of an oil when applied. It smells very subtly of shea butter, which I love as I’m not a fan of overpowering smelling products and added perfume (‘parfum’) can irritate sensitive skin. When I first tried it I applied it quite liberally, like a regular body lotion, but you actually don’t need to slather it on. In fact it feels a bit greasy if you use too much – quite oily – which I personally like, but I don’t suppose it would be to everyone’s taste. Used more sparingly though, the product absorbs well. A little goes a long way.

I love this product and am definitely going to be using it on my post-holiday skin to try and keep my tan in tact for as long as possible! I would recommend this to anyone who loves a luxurious, nourishing body butter and especially if you’re looking for something natural. Even if you find the consistency too heavy or oily for an all-over body lotion, it would be great as a foot treatment or for elbows or knees that need a bit of extra tlc.

Check out the whole Myroo Skincare range here.

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My Tunisian Holiday Essentials

August 6th, 2010 · Body, Essentials, Face, Hair, Summer

I’ve just returned from a week away in sunny Tunisia and thought I would share with you a few beauty essentials I took with me – perfect for soothing sun kissed skin, taming beach hair and providing protection from those harmful UV rays.

my holiday essentials

my holiday essentials

First up, before going into the sun I made sure I was covered head to toe in Lavera Family Sun Spray SPF15. I’ve reviewed this mineral sunscreen before (see here) so I won’t go into too much detail again, but I do have to sing its praises once again. When I tried this product before it was in the fairly tame English sunshine… but in Tunisia with 30-degree-plus weather, barely a cloud in the sky, and plenty of lying around on the beach/by the pool in a bikini, I definitely put it to the test this time. And it was fantastic!

I was concerned that SPF15 wouldn’t be high enough, but I didn’t burn at all the whole week. Plus, what is so great about this sunscreen is that, being mineral based, it is waterproof – so even after coming out of the sea I could see that it was still applied and I didn’t need to reapply too much during the day. I felt much safer and more protected than with regular sun cream.

In fact one day I did a little test – using Lavera on my lower half of body and regular Nivea sunscreen on my top half to compare how they performed. With the regular sunscreen I found I was sweating a lot immediately and felt paranoid that it was washing off and becoming ineffective within minutes. Whereas with the Lavera, I hardly sweated at all and was confident that the cream was staying put and working properly. This is due to the contrasting ways in which the two types of cream work: mineral sunscreen contains minuscule particles of minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on the surface of your skin, reflecting UVA and B rays, therefore bouncing some of that thermal heat off your body; whereas regular chemical-based sunscreen actually increases your body temperature because they absorb UVA/B rays then convert them into thermal energy. I definitely saw this science proven when I put it to the test.

Just a note that usually I’d recommend an SPF higher than 15 (at least 25), especially for anyone with fair skin (my skin has always tanned pretty well and is light olive toned.)

the Gel

the Gel

Next on my holiday survival essentials list is the Gel and emu oil. Again, I’ve reviewed both of these before, so take a look at those reviews to learn all the uses of these amazing products. They are absolute holiday essentials for me. They both help soothe and hydrate your skin after sun exposure. The Gel is amazing on sunburn (although I didn’t actually have any). I mix a pea-sized amount of Gel and the same of emu oil together in my hands and use on my face, neck and décolleté. The combination is so nourishing and healing. I decanted enough for the week into little squeezy travel sized bottles I bought at Muji – perfect for travel, and meant I could take them on the flight with me too and refresh my skin before landing.

I also used the emu oil on my hair. Usually I’d do this as an overnight treatment, but saw a perfect opportunity in wetting my hair before the beach and rubbing some emu oil through the ends. Leaving it on my hair for a good few hours during the day gave it an incredible treatment and when I washed it off that evening it felt silky soft.

naked bodycare extra shiny serum

naked bodycare extra shiny serum

To tame my hair after drying it (I couldn’t be bothered to use my straighteners), I used Naked Bodycare’s Naked Style Extra Shiny Finishing Serum. This was sent to me by a PR to try and I love it. It’s 97% natural, silicone-free and not tested on animals. The serum contains botanical extracts including nettle and rosemary. It smells divine and really works to tame fly-away hairs and calm frizz. You rub a little between your hands then smooth onto dry hair.

Next on the list is my trusty Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion. I love this; with its shea butter and oatmeal, it’s really rich and nourishing. It might not be for you generally if you like a lighter moisturiser, but after sun exposure when your skin needs extra moisture, it’s great.

myroo peppermint lipbalm

myroo peppermint lipbalm

Last but not least, I took myroo skincare’s Peppermint Lip Balm (£3) with me everywhere I went. This little pot of gorgeousness was sent to me by the creator of the MyRoo line and I love it. Her products are handmade and use only natural ingredients. In this lovely lip balm is shea butter, beeswax, Vitamin E and sweet almond oil which gives a nourishing lip treatment and a glistening sheen. The peppermint makes it smell delicious and it tastes good too!

So lovelies, those were my holiday essentials. What are yours?

me in Tunisia

me in Tunisia

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Success! MAC Rodarte to Donate ALL Profits to the Women of Juarez

July 30th, 2010 · MAC, Me

Yesterday, from a small internet cafe in Tunisia where I’m currently away on holiday, I heard the news (via email and Twitter) that MAC is to donate all global profits from their upcoming collaborative collection with Rodarte to “ a newly created initiative to raise awareness and provide on-the-ground support to the women and girls in Juarez”.

To say I was happy is an understatement. In fact I was so overwhelmed and blown away I was moved to tears and have not felt quite that emotional in a long time.

Read MAC’s full statement on Temptalia, who broke the news first.

MAC states that “ in response to public concern over the limited edition MAC Rodarte makeup collection” they met with a “collective group committed to working together on the overall direction of the new initiative to help the women and girls of Juarez and to raise global awareness of their plight.”  This group includes CONAVIM (Comisión Nacional Para Prevenir y Erradicar la Violencia Contra las Mujeres/National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women.)

It seems MAC has listened to the voices of the people - their customers - and has finally done the right thing. For this I am grateful.

As for what happens next, I will be very interested to  know exactly what MAC’s plan is for that money and which groups will benefit. I will be keeping an eye on what happens and will stay in touch with the non-profit organisations whom I have been liasing with during the past couple of weeks. Whilst this is definitely a fantastic result, it’s of course imperative that the money goes into the right hands. Ciudad Juarez is not only a city infamous for its high rape and murder rate, but it is also notorious for systematic corruption within its police force and other organisations who hold power. I just hope and pray that the money donated by MAC gets to those who need it amost nd can make a real difference in building a safer future for the women of Juarez.

The petition which myself and others helped to write and circulate, has perhaps helped play a part in alerting MAC/Rodarte’s attention to the incredible upset that many felt about their upcoming Fall collection. To date we have collected 1,319 signatures. This is truly incredible and is down to the incredible hard work of a small group of truly insipring women who I’d like to briefly mention here, as I could not have done this alone.

First, the lovely @tsuminee (Liloo), who was my right-hand (wo)man. She worked night and day (literally) using the power of twitter to its full potential, pretty much stalking people until they heard her, translating tweets into Spanish, hounding celebrities, and pouring all her energy into spreading the word about the petition and the cause. She really put all her heart into it and although I’ve never met her, feel I’ve found a very special friend.

Then there is the very wise Cecilia aka @shandeva www.pinklotusmoon.net who tracked me down on twitter and first suggested writing the petition (very glad she did!) With her articulate prose and experienced wisdom she has helped guide us through this process and I’m very grateful.

Also providing a HUGE helping hand in spreading the word, keeping up the momentum and the motivation needed to get this off the ground, these ladies were remarkable:

@LauraWheat

@BigFashionista

@Shantel121

@LeSalonDeBeaute

@styrch

@CarolineHirons

@MargaBritto (especially for translating the petition into Spanish)

@MyLipsButBetter

@VexintheCity

(I really hope I haven’t left anyone out!)

I am very grateful and humbled to have found strength and solidarity from a number of incredibly smart, generous and giving women, none of whom I know in person, but who I would very much like to share a well-deserved glass of wine with! I feel that through this process we’ve proven the power of standing strong together for what we believe is right. I am also so grateful to every single person who signed the petition, blogged about it and the situation in Juarez, retweeted a link, or simply took the time to read the various blog posts and articles on the issue. We all came together and it seems we have succeeded!

Now let’s see what difference MAC and their collective panel can do for the women of Juarez. They are the true heroes of this and they are why we did this. Let’s make sure we never forget them.

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Petition to MAC and Rodarte: Let’s Make a Longterm Commitment to the Women of Juarez

July 22nd, 2010 · MAC, Makeup, Me

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/macrodarte/

As I stated in my previous post,  I personally do not feel that the responses from MAC and Rodarte on the issue of their upcoming beauty range ‘inspired’ by the area of Ciudad Juarez are adequate. I appreciate their apologies and MAC’s pledge to make a donation, but feel that $100,000 is not enough considering MAC’s global scale and financial capabilities. I believe they could afford to (and ought to) donate ALL PROFITS of this range and make a longer-term committment to helping the women of Juarez, to whom they refer in their collection, and who helped inspire their collection, by RAISING AWARENESS through the marketing of this makeup range.

To this effect, myself and others have helped to create a petition which calls for MAC and Rodarte to:

(a) donate all profits to the appropriate non-profit organisations (see below);

and (b) to keep the names of the products in order to raise awareness of the situation in Ciudad Juarez, and include in their marketing and advertising materials for this launch a clear message which will help to educate the public, globally, on the exploitation and femicides happening in Juarez.

To view and sign the petition, click this link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/macrodarte/

As promised in my previous post, I also contacted a number of experts and activists, who are far more educated on the situation in Ciudad Juarez, in order to seek advice from those ‘in the know’ on how and where the money donated by MAC should be spent.

I am very grateful to have had a reply from the Executive Director for Women on the Border, Inc, a registered tax exempt nonprofit orgnisation that has a mission of educating and supporting the empowerment of women in the maquiladoras in Ciudad Juarez and the border region.

I was advised that there are three organisations in particular who could help the women of Juarez, both on ground-level (supporting the victims’ famililes) and in a wider, mobilisation capacity. These are:

1. The Comite Fronterizo de Obreras (CFO)

This organisation has “a proven track record of empowerment of women” I was told. The CFO  “does amazing work with girls and women whose profiles are no different from some of the women and girls who have disappeared and were found dead in Juarez and other border cities. They could really use help.”

“Donations for the CFO (Comité Fronterizo de Obreras) can be sent via Women on the Border, to addressing the check to WOB, Inc./CFO if someone needs a U.S. tax exempt letter, and mailing it to PO Box 303338, Austin, TX 78703.

Or directly they can send a donation to the CFO by mailing to:  CFO, 2305 El Indio Hwy., Eagle Pass, TX 78853 (USA).”

“Personally I would love for some of that designated money to go to the CFO for they understand women’s lack of empowerment and the direct links between the general attitudes toward working women in the maquiladoras and the femicides.”

2. Amigos de las Mujeres de Juarez

Mission Statement: Work toward ending crimes against women in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua City in solidarity with organizations in Cd. Juárez and Chihuahua City that provide support to the family members of the femicide victims. Assist these organizations to seek grants and external funding to support their struggles to obtain justice, truth and transparency from their government.

3. Casa Amiga

This website is in Spanish, so I could not print the mission statement. But I believe I’m right in saying they work directly with affected families of the victims of femicides in Ciudad Juarez through support, relief, fundraising and education. I am waiting to hear back from them as to their views on this.

The Executive Director for Women on the Border, Inc was also keen to point out that: 

“The issue is one of systematic sexism directed at women, which can be as mild as harassment in the workplace and as extreme as abduction, rape and murder.  The context is, at a minimum, the lack of economic justice and sensitivity to the critical role of gender in globalization of the economies of all countries who exploit resources, including mostly female labor in poor countries, for profit.”

I would like to personally thank every blogger and individual who has so far gone to great lengths and put a lot of energy into this cause. I feel personally very passionate about it which is why I see this as an opportunity to raise widescale awareness and I feel I must take this opportunity, while the issue is fresh in people’s minds. For everyone who has helped so far and everyone who signs the petition to help further, I am personally very grateful.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/macrodarte/

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