Liz Earle - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

This one is a difficult one to write as there is so much love in the blogger community for the Liz Earle (LE) brand. I found LE on QVC many years ago long before I became aware of blogs. I share the love for her products but did you know that some LE products contain parabens? For example the product pictured above (Intensive Nourshing Treatment) contains Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben and Isobutylparaben.  

"Some of our formulations are preservative-free. We do use preservatives when absolutely essential for product safety. We use relatively low concentrations of the highest grade, broad-spectrum preservatives and consider natural preservatives wherever possible." (source link)

The one good thing about LE is the website does give the option of viewing a full ingredients list for every product. However, you have to ignore the key ingredients and scroll to bottom of page. I know Sheer Skin Tint, Intensive Nourishing Treatment, Brightening Treatment Mask, Daily Eye Repair, Smoothing Line Serum and Eyebright contain parabens. Majority of the range is okay but I feel these few products let the side down.  They also contain the preservative Phenoxyethanol an ingredient that some people like to avoid.

I know not everyone has the same philosophy about skin care as me. Choosing to use only natural synthetic free products is a personal decision but for me it's the difference between having almost perfect skin and not suffering from eczema. You are probably all sick of me saying this but the best dupe for the LE range is Tropic Pure Plant Skincare. Same price, similar product range and natural ingredients. Click here to see my review of Tropic products.


If anyone can recommend a similar mask to the LE one (with zero parabens) then please let me know.

Wild Romantic Body Butter

A while back I was lucky enough to win a tub of Wild Romantic Body Butter with Shea & Marula. 

Wild products are fair trade and free from parabens and SLS. The range is made with the highest quality of natural ingredients sourced from Africa to create a unique collection of body butters and soaps. The ingredients for the Romantic Body Butter are Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii, Sclerocarya Birrea, Cocos Nucifera, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glyceril Stearate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate(Vit E), Canaga Odorato, Lavendula Angustifolia, Pogostemon Cablin, Citrus Dulcis, Phenoxyethanol, Caprlyl Glycol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool

This body butter is fragrance with Ylang Ylang, Lavender and Patchouli. It is a strong aroma and I have a bit of a love hate relationship with it depending on my mood. It is unusual and at times I feel it is a feminine fragrance but at other times I would describe it as masculine.  I had my Mum give the product a sniff just to check I wasn't going bonkers and she did agree with me.

The texture of the cream is luxurious and similar to whipped shea butter. It is not solid in the tub making it easy to scoop out and apply to the skin. Since the fragrance is strong for my taste I mainly use it on my legs. You all know I love shea butter and this is no exception. It does not irritate after shaving and helps combat dryness.

I recommend you have a look at the rest of the range as the fragrances are very different to other shea butters I have tried (website link). If you are concerned with irritation from essential oils then perhaps the Sensitive Body Butter with Aloe & Avocado may be the better choice for you. Overall this is a lovely product and a pleasure to use. A 170ml tub costs £15.50 (a little goes a long way) and can be purchase direct from the website.

Disclaimer - this was a competition prize via Twitter & I was not obligated to review the product.  Opinions are 100% my own and links are not affiliated.

Japanese Honeysuckle

I became aware of the controversy with Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) last year thanks to Sarah of Beskincareful (link). It was not until I was looking at the brand 100% Pure that my memory was triggered, they include Japanese Honeysuckle in their products. 


So what is the big deal you ask? Well, this ingredient is used as a preservative and is often referred as a “natural paraben” because it contains para-hydroxybenzoic acid, chemically it is similar to a paraben and acts like a paraben.


It’s a complex subject which I admit I don't fully understand, I am not knowledgeable when it comes to science. There are many articles online debating the pros and cons of whether a natural paraben is better for you than a synthetic one.  I will let you make up your minds but I wanted to make you aware. 


Here are some further reads that I discovered.

Chemical of the Day & there are two articles on this site click here for the other one

Viva Woman

The Natural Haven

Personal Care Truth

Green Health Research

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Makeup Storage

I thought it might give you a giggle to see where I keep my make up. I know these posts are popular amongst bloggers and it always amazes me how much make up some of you have. It will also go some way to explain my lame comments on your blog post and how I will never understand the desire to fill your drawers with Mac products. My addiction is skincare and one of these days I  will write a similar post about my collection. I do believe that if you have a good skin care routine you will want to show off your natural skin and will have less blemishes to cover up. 


Pictured below is what I use to store my make up.

Yes folks I keep it all my make up in one small cosmetic purse/bag.  I have had this for years and it always contains the same amount of products. I promise I have not down sized recently nor do I have any other bags stashed around the house.

Here is what I keep in the bag

Starting from left to right I have Funky Fresh Silk Veil Finisher, Priia Creamy Mineral Under Eye Concealer, Lily Lolo  All Natural Lip Slick in English Rose, Terra Gloss Shimmering Natural Color in Bloom, No7 Essentially Natural Mineral Foundation in 220 Light Beige and Clinique 40 SPF City Block (not a natural product but I've been looking for a natural dupe for many years now).

Powder Brush which I think is from No 17, Tweezerman Tweezers I have had the same pair for a considerable time, Mister Mascara Japanese Style Tweezers, Body Shop lip/eye brush, Red Earth retractable lip brush (there is a sentimental story behind the brand Red Earth from my fond memories of living in Australia). 

So there you go, I have a very minimalistic lifestyle when it comes to make up.  I gave up experimenting with eye shadows and mascaras in my teen due to frequent allergic reactions and the loss of Almay counters in Boots.

Niki's Organic Balms

I’ve been in contact with Niki’s Organic Balms (website link) via Twitter for some time now.  Niki is a lovely lady and always there to offer advice.  I have to confess in recent months my collection of balms has got a little out of control.  It’s my newest addiction since starting my blog.  A good multi purpose balm is a life saver when it comes to eczema, dry skin, sore lips, cuts, bruises and anything else you can think of using it for.

Once I found out Niki would be at the Allergy Show I made sure to stop by her stand.  We had a lovely chat about her products, she let me sample a few and  I ended up buying the Lavender & Camomile balm.

Niki is an experienced homeopath and developed her balm to use on clients.  Her products are beeswax based with a blend of essential oils, free from synthetic ingredients and organic.  The range includes Original Organic Hand & Foot balm,  Original Organic Reflexology balm, Lavender & Camomile, Baby Bottom, Rose and Warming balm.  They are available in three sizes 10ml, 50g & 100g and priced around £4.99 - £19.99 according to size & fragrance.

Lavender and Camomile are my favourite ingredients for sensitive skin.  I find them soothing with a relaxing fragrance. This balm has a nice texture which is smooth and soft, many of my other balms are solid. I have ended up using this as a hot cloth cleanser, a suggestion that is made in the leaflet I had picked up. It makes a lovely cleanser as it removes makeup and does not leave behind a greasy residue. My skin is left feeling soft and the fragrance is beautiful and relaxing. It feels as good as any other high end balm cleanser I have tried.

Overall, I can't find fault with this product and I highly recommend Niki’s Organic Balms.  I purchased the 10ml size and it is the prefect size for sampling or popping into handbags and pockets for travelling.

Sunday Catch Up (18)

It has been a bit quiet this week only a few discoveries and no major purchases to report.  Silly things have happened this week like the lawn mower broke and I think some bees have moved into the roof.  I rent so I am waiting for my landlord to remedy these problems.

As mentioned before last weekend was a girlie one to help celebrate a friend's birthday.  We all had pamper treatments.  I opted for a Aromatherapy Associates Rose Hydrating Foot Treatment.  This involved my feet being scrubbed and polished in various rose, geranium and lavender products from the Aromatherapy Associates range.  It was lovely and I highly recommend my feet are as good as new.


Here are some free from foods that I have been happy to discover this weekend.

Propercorn gourmet popcorn sweet & salty & fiery worcester sauce & sundried tomato, Provamel Cherry Soya Yoghurts (Provamel is the name used for the Organic range from Alpro), Taifun Japanese Style Tofu Filets, Pipers Crisps in Biggleswade Sweet Chilli, Moo Free mini moos Hunny-Comb bars, Booja Booja Raspberry Chocolate Truffles.

Cauldron Moroccan Kievs, Amy's Kitchen Medium Chilli, Tesco Cereal Topper (raisin & cinnamon apple, trail mix, tropical mix, Kara Chocolate Coconut Milk, Humdinger dairy free white chocolate buttons.

I wanted to quickly discuss a topic which keeps popping up on Twitter and Blogs that I am reading.  It's all to do with whether Vegan food has a place in the Free From market.  Now when I say Free From I am referring to Free From Allergens like gluten, dairy etc.. I believe you can not expect a Vegan food company to cater towards allergies it is purely coincidental that a Vegan diet can slot into a Free From diet.  For example, I chose not to eat meat and I'm allergic to milk and eggs so that is why you will find a large amount of Vegan food on my blog.  I read a blog post that said that Vegan food should not have featured at The Allergy Show whilst I agree on principal but I was excited to see Vegan foods there because I can eat them.  You don't hear of Vegans looking at the Free From aisle and complaining that the dairy and egg free products don't cater for them because they contain honey. 


I want to give a mention to Katrina of Hello Gorgeous X she has set herself up with an online jewellery boutique, click here to see for yourself the lovely pieces she is selling.

My last shout out goes to some blog posts that I have enjoyed reading this week, check out

Living the Nourished Life - Homemade Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter

Dairy Free Baby & Me - Are We Really Allergic?

Hello Terri Lowe - Blogging Etiquette

Kate Elizabeth - No Bake Oreo Cheesecake

Becky's Makeup - Essie Collection

Laura Blogs Beauty - Summer Blush Picks

Would you say Chemical Free or Free From?

When I first started writing this blog I commonly used the term "chemical free" when referring to natural products that did not use synthetic "nasty" ingredients. This is a term I had picked up from years of buying and researching skincare that did not contain SLS, SLES, parabens, petrochemicals, DEA, PEG, artificial colours & fragrance, tricolsan, phthalates, formaldehyde. I find it a quick recognisable term to use especially when tweeting. Just recently it has come to my attention that some people have a problem with the term "chemical free".  The reason they object to the term is everything in life is a chemical, for instance water is a chemical and a common ingredient in skincare so nothing is truely chemical free.

You may have notice a while back I switched to referring to products as "free from".  There were two reasons for this.  1. to please those that did not like the term chemical free 2. not every product I review is 100% natural and may contain the occasional synthetic ingredients which people like to avoid. I recently tweeted with Sharon of Alaya Beauty (Twitter Link) on this subject.  She informed me that the problem with "Free From" for UK brands is the EU are trying to stop them from using the phrase.  Sharon tweeted a link to an article about this which you can read for yourself over on The Ecologist.

I have been racking my brains to think how else you could promote a product which does not contain the ingredients which many of us try to avoid.  The phrase "natural" can also be misleading as I have demonstrated numerous times on my blog.  A product containing ingredients from nature does not mean it is free from synthetic ones. As someone who lives with food allergies, I understand the world of free from labelling.  A skincare product with a free from label, listing the ingredients not used, is attractive to me, easily understood and recognisable.

On a side note I've seen a few rude tweets to Companies (and me) for using the term chemical free.  What ever happen to polite debate? Argue the case for not using the term don't be rude to people.


I would be interested to hear from my readers.  What are your thoughts on terms like "chemical free" and "free from".  Do you welcome the proposed changes or object? 

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Q Silica Remove Makeup & Grime Cleansing Gel

If you read my blog post about The Free From Skincare Awards (link) you will know that the overall winner was Q Silica Remove Makeup & Grime Cleansing Gel.  Planet Health who stock the brand kindly sent the cleanser to review. 

Q Silica comes from Australia and is free from parabens, sulphates, petroleum and “other nasties”.  I do wish Companies would refrain from saying "other nasties" it would be nice to know what these are. The ingredients for the cleanser are - Water, Glycerin (botanical source), PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (from sugar), Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (from coconut), Caprylic / Capric Glucoside (from coconut & sugar), Sodium Lauroamphoacetate (from palm), Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid (from corn/maize), Sodium Chloride, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Agonis Fragrans Branch/Leaf Oil, Santalum Spicata (Australian Sandalwood) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin (botanical source), Melaleuca Leucadendron Cajaputi (Cajuput) Oil. You will notice that a preservative is used (I’ve highlighted it). 

This cleanser is described as ”Our foaming cleansing gel uses natural Sugar and Coconut extracts to gently remove impurities while Jojoba Seed Oil helps to remove excess oils and balance the skin's natural oil production. Skin is left fresh and toned, ready for moisturising.” 

It has been a long time since I have used a cleansing gel. I do favour balms and most recently oil. It has a mild fragrance and my nose picks up on the lavender. The gel is clear and when applied to damp skin creates a creamy smooth lather. It does dispense from the tube easily but be cautious, I left the lid flipped open, tube lying on its side and the cleanser ran out onto the bathroom counter. I admit it was a rather dopey thing to do but all my other cleansers are in jars or bottles so I did not give it a second thought. 

I decided to stop using this cleanser after about ten days of continued use morning and evening. Over time I felt my skin become tight and my chin started to develop dry patches, something that I have not suffered from in many months. My skin became uncomfortable and I was not prepared to continue testing. I switched back to a balm cleanser and my skin felt instantly better.  Obviously, there are factors to consider which may have affected how this product worked on my skin such as hormones and changing weather.

I had high hopes for this cleanser but it was not meant to be. I love what the brand offers in terms of ingredients policy and overall the cleanser does the job it’s designed to do. Most cleansers suggest which skin type it suits but I notice that neither the website nor packaging make reference to this so they obviously feel one product fits all.  It would be my personal recommendation that this cleanser may be better suited to those with normal, combination and oily skin rather than dry and eczema types such as myself. 

Q Silica Remove Makeup & Grime Cleansing Gel retails for £15.95 for a 100ml tube from Planet Health website. They stock the entire range which includes moisturisers, eye cream, hand cream, body lotion, exfoliator and facial oil.

I have passed this cleanser onto another blogger (Minnie Burton Beauty) and if she decides to do a review I shall let you know what she thinks.

Disclaimer - I was sent this product, opinions are 100% my own, I was not paid to write this review and links are not affiliated. 

I love to make lists

Before I started blogging I would go through stages of brand loyalty to then swapping skincare products every other month. Blogging brings out the worst in me, it’s the perfect excuse to spend hours browsing the internet. I have a passion for finding the small, handmade brands those that others may not have heard of.

I realised I have a big long list of brands that I want to explore and learn more about.  It is going to take me ages to work my way through this list. I thought I would share with you the brands that I have my eye on just in case you want to check them out for yourself.  I have linked everyone so just click on the name to take you through to websites.

A Natural Twist
Alaya Beauty
B Organic Skincare

Buddha Beauty

Elemental Herbology

Ellapure

Emi & Ben

Enchanted U

Green & Spring

Greenwood Organics

Heavenly Organics

Karma Naturals

Love The Planet
Melvita - I have tried & reviewed a mini kit from this brand but I would like to try other products from the range

Moa Green Balm

Natural Wisdom - Maeve is currently relaunching the brand so follow her on twitter as the website isn't up & running yet @naturalwisdom

Nourish Skincare

Nunyara Previously The Green Grocery
OV Naturals

Premae Skincare - this skincare line is allergen free

Penny Badger Botanicals

Pomegranate
Rococochichi

Shangrila Organics

Sugarloaf Soaps - I've mentioned this company many times before. The trouble with solid soaps is they take ages to use up. This is a good thing in terms of value for money but bad from the viewpoint that I have a stock pile of soaps I can't get through quick enough!

Under the Peach Tree

Yes To Carrots
100% Organic

It is not until you formulate a list like this that you realise how quickly the natural and free from market has expanded over the years. Have you tried any of these brands? What is on your list?

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

How I cope with Hay Fever

Ged aka @iamgedster & Gentleman's Emporium asked how I cope with hay fever.   Some people suffer worse than others and at different times of the year depending on the type of pollen floating around. I have a grass pollen allergy which affects mainly my nose and eyes.  Also I can not sit on cut grass as it brings me out in a rash.  I suffer differently depending on what county and country I am in.  The worst hay fever I ever suffered was in Boston, USA but I never suffered in Australia.

During childhood I used eye drops and nasal spray.  As a teenager my hay fever worsened so the Doctor prescribed Clarityn (antihistamines).  These days Clarityn is available without prescription so I buy them at the Pharmacy. Over the years I have tried other brands of antihistamines, even though the ingredients can be identical Clarityn always works the best, it’s one of those unexplained mysteries.

A couple of years ago I picked up some advice from a TV show which changed the way I used my antihistamines.  The tip given by a Doctor on the show I was viewing was you need to start taking antihistamines before your hay fever kicks in.  By doing this you allow the medication to build up in your body and you will be better protected.  I have followed this advice and seen a big reduction in my symptoms. 

Aside from medications there are other ways to help you managed symptoms. As boring as it sounds staying indoors is a solution and I shut windows when the neighbours have the lawn mowers out.  I also shower and change clothes more often to rid my body and hair of pollen especially if I have spent the whole day outside.  Hanging washing out on the line to dry is lovely but you will bring pollen into your home on your clean laundry. Some people believe that eating honey can desensitise them to pollen over time especially if you eat locally produced honey. However, I have read articles that say there is no proof to this theory and it is a myth.

I am aware of the brand HayMax (website link), a natural treatment for hay fever. I have never tried for myself but I have seen positive feedback. You should be able to pick it up at your local Holland & Barrett alternatively there is an online shop. Whilst writing this post I saw a tweet from Weleda. They have natural hay fever kit (website link). I have seen at Boots New Era Hayfever Allergic Rhinitis a homeopathically prepared biochemic remedy (website link).

You could also try Aromatherapy. Eucalyptus and peppermint are useful if your nose is blocked and lavender is calming if your sleep is affected by symptoms. If you have any advice for coping with hay fever or a natural remedy to recommend, please leave a comment below.

Organic Surge Moisture Boost Shampoo

I have mention many times before my love hate relationship with SLS free hair care. Shampoo has been a major stumbling block for many years. I often suffer from itching scalp and I have to avoid Orange which is a common ingredient in natural products. I tested SLS free shampoos about 9 years ago and I hated the ones I tried. In the end I stuck to a well known salon brand. I have been using it for five years because I was scared to switch.

I have tested two free from conditioners since I started this blog (Organic Surge &  Giovanni).  The Giovanni 50/50 quickly became a firm favourite and I have been repurchasing it ever since.  Recently I have experienced an itchy neck.  The irritation has been making me feel miserable so I took the plunge and purchased an SLS free shampoo.  

As I had success with the Organic Surge Moisture Boost Conditioner I decided to try the matching Shampoo.  It only costs £5.10 for 250ml not much money to lose if I hated it.

You have to persevere with SLS free shampoo.  It takes a number of washes before you feel the results because you need to purge your hair from synthetic ingredients.  I can honestly say I think after the fifth wash I finally thought WOW I love the results.  My hair feels clean, shiny and soft.  I have continued to use my Giovanni conditioner in conjunction with this shampoo.  

I do find I need to double wash unlike my old shampoo which means I am using up the tube quicker.  The lather that you get is by far the best I have seen for an SLS free shampoo. I know the bubbles are not important for cleaning hair but I do find I need them for guidance (if that makes sense).  It reassures you the product is being distributed evenly.

I have been using this for four weeks and the irritation I experienced prior to using this shampoo has faded away.  Organic Surge products are 100% free from parabens, SLS , artificial colourants and fragrances and Organic Surge is against animal testing. It does contain preservatives (full ingredients list below). You can purchase direct from Organic Surge website or I bought mine from Lush Duck who offer free standard delivery.  

Ingredients - Aqua (Water)*, Cocamidopropyl Betaine*, Sodium Coco-Sulfate*, Decyl Glucoside*, Lauryl Glucoside*/Stearyl Citrate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate*/Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside*, Aqua*/Chondrus Crispus, Phenoxyethanol/Benzyl Alcohol/Potassium Sorbate, Parfum*, Aqua*/Sucrose Laurate/Alcohol, Glycerin (Veg)*, Sodium Chloride*, Tocopherol*, Citric Acid*,Geraniol, Limonene. *naturally-derived ingredient. Naturally occurring within essential oils.

Guilty Secrets of a Natural Blogger

This blog post was inspired by a tweet from Mary @pure_makeup and a conversation with a new friend (@lilian129).

My guilty secret as a natural blogger is makeup.  I only wear foundation, concealer and powder but I have only managed to switch my under eye concealer and finishing powder to a natural free from brand (Priia & Funky Fresh).  As you know I experimented with mineral foundations but I have not made the transition.  I have foundation stock piled and can’t bring myself to throw it away.  Damn you No7 £5 off vouchers.  For as long as I can remember I have used No 7 foundation, I have gone through various reincarnations of the brand. In recent years I use the No 7 Mineral Liquid Foundation.  Don’t be fooled by the name it is full of ingredients I would prefer to avoid. 

When it come to more natural brands, I have tried Une and Lavera but neither worked or colour matched as well as No 7.  The other reason I am lazy about my makeup is natural alternatives are pricey and only available to me online. I feel colour matching is impossible and very few places offer samples.  I have fair skin and sometimes even the fairest option makes me look like an Umpa Lumpa.

I do feel a bit of a cheat.  I am religious about my skincare being free from synthetic ingredients yet I don’t apply the same rules to my makeup.  I think sometimes I justify it by how little I wear.  Slapping synthetic ingredients over my body is a larger surface area than my face.  Excuses, excuses *sigh*

I am still plucking up the courage to buy a natural, organic free from foundation.  I would rather try a liquid version as I am still sitting on the fence with mineral powders because of my dry skin.  Funky Fresh mineral powder foundation is by far the best I have tried (review link). In the meantime, below is a list of natural brands, that I am aware of, who manufacturer liquid foundations.  I haven’t shopped around so prices are taken from a variety of websites and you may be able to source them cheaper.  Remember with the No7 voucher my current foundation costs £8. In the grand scheme of things the prices listed below are average for a foundation but in comparison to my bargain No7 these are expensive.

• Une Skin Glow & Skin Matt £12.49 (link)
• Lavera Trend Makeup £12.90 (link)
• Living Nature £17 (link)
• Dr Hauschka Translucent Makeup £19.95  (link)
• Nvey Eco Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation £25 (link)
• Madara Tinting Fluid £23 some sites class this as foundation others as tinted moisturiser. I have sampled it and class it as the latter (link)
• Inika £29.40 (link)

If you have another recommendation or a guilty beauty secret you would like to confess feel free to leave a comment below.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Sunday Catch Up (17)

n

This Sunday's Catch up will be short and sweet. I have had a busy weekend treating one of my closest friend because it's her birthday.  It's been a lovely girlie time with pamper treatments, delicious lunch and pink fizz. I even baked a Vegan Chocolate Birthday cake (recipe link).  Even though she doesn't have allergies I opted for a Vegan recipe so that I could join in.

I recently ordered a Vegan Cupcake cookbook which arrived last Saturday.  It may be familiar to you as I already have the cookie version and have blogged a few cookie pictures.  It is a US cookbook so measurement are in cups (which I prefer) and some ingredients need substituting or translating to a UK equivalent.  As soon as I saw the Carrot Cupcakes I had to make them.  I adore carrot cake but have been unable to eat it for many years.  I didn't make the cream "cheese" frosting as I currently don't have a soft dairy free substitute that I enjoy.  The cakes are so moist and I love them.

I have been trying out coconut waters as and when I see them.  So far my favourite is Icoco (link), I thought Vita Coco did not taste pleasant.  This one I grabbed at Tesco it tastes of coconut but I think they left out the mango! I also found a rather tasty Pina Colada jelly at Marks & Spencer.

I ordered a sample hand cream from Skinny Dip (link) for £2.50 (includes P&P).  Their products are free from parabens, sls, mineral oils, artificial fragrances and not tested on animals.  I ordered Viva la Diva cream it is very pleasant but I am not a fan of the fragrance so will probably not order a full size product.

I think that is all for this post.  Hope everyone is having/had a lovely weekend and I look forward to your comments.  

Blogger Interview - Buff Beauty

Let me introduce Natural & Organic Blogger, Gemma from Buff Beauty

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in Bath with my husband, where we dream of our own cottage with a garden and a scraggy little dog. Meanwhile, we are very content with our tiny flat and two marvellous gerbils. When I'm not blogging, I'm reading, eating, enjoying films, walking and chatting (probably all to excess).


Why did you decide to start your blog?

My previous beauty training and life-long love of both magazines and products has led to a mind full of tips and ideas. Friends have long come to me for product recommendations, so it was a natural extension to put something in writing.

How would you describe your blogging style?

I intend it to be the online equivalent of enjoying a glossy magazine and hope readers enjoy the in-depth features over a nice cup of tea! The look of my blog is also of great importance and I'm fortunate that my (very kind) husband creates some highly appealing imagery.

What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

The creative outlet, the discovery of new and exciting products and being a small part of such an amazing community/industry.

What inspires you when it comes to your blog?

Magazines, conversations, new products; I find there are so many sources of inspiration. In fact I'm overly inspired to the extent I have more ideas than I have the time to blog about! A good problem, I suppose.

What do you find most challenging when blogging about your topic?

Probably the perception that natural products are less glamorous than some of the mainstream brands. Thankfully, as the industry continues to grow the media is taking more notice and helping to shift this notion. I try to do my bit by showing that there's no need to compromise on either indulgence or effectiveness.

Where are your favourite places to shop? (high street or online)

Whole Foods Market is one of my absolute favourites for food, beauty and home buys. It really is my version of the child's toyshop! I'm also a big fan of online shopping and love sites such as Etsy that allow access to some more unique pieces. Living in Bath I get to enjoy some fantastic independents; Mr B's is the most beautiful book shop and the Tea House Emporium is a haven of loose leaf teas.

Has blogging changed the way you make purchasing decisions?

Definitely. I'm fortunate to have access to even more brands than before, so have become all the more selective about what I go out and buy. There are certain products I'd never heard of that will remain staples of my beauty drawers.

What is your all time favourite brand? (cosmetic, clothing or anything else)

I'm going to cheat and say Anthropologie as it houses so many exciting brands (and I've already mentioned the dreamy Whole Foods chain!) There are many items on my wish list right now in terms of both clothing and home accessories.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

Selfishness. It's too easy to turn a blind eye to our responsibilities and take a 'that's not my problem attitude.' Whether it's buying cheap disposable fashions or not being conscious of recycling, it's important to recognise that it's everyone's problem and we each impact the lives of others around the world.

Kitoko Oil Review

I responded to a tweet from Lush Duck looking for people to review  Kitoko Oil, a treatment for hair and scalp. I have been using  Macadamia Healing Oil  for a couple of years. It’s a product I re-purchase regularly and I like the results. However, curiosity got the better of me and I volunteered to test Kitoko. 

Kitoko is a brand that I have had my eye on. They offer a range of hair care products which are free from parabens, sulphates, waxes and mineral oils, but sadly not 100% natural. 

Ingredients - Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool 

From what I can tell Kitoko Oil is offering the same benefits as similar hair oils in the market place. It is formulated from Karite and Argan oil, Vitamins A & E plus a natural UV filter. It claims to nourish, smooth and strengthen hair, reduce drying time, restore moisture and replenish brittle hair and split ends. 

I have been testing this product for a couple of weeks and I am impressed with the results. I apply a couple of drops in damp hair from middle section to end. In comparison to the Macadamia oil this one makes my hair marginally softer and the results last between washes. Prior to using this product my hair was feeling fragile from ill health, weather, colouring and heat styling. I now feel that even after a short time I have managed to improve the condition of my hair. Although the manufacturer claims “non greasy & no build up”, I do disagree. I have very fine hair and can not use this product after every wash. I do feel it builds up and can make my hair feel heavy.  I also experience this with the Macadamia Oil. 

A little does go a long way. I usually buy Macadamia oil in a 10ml bottle and on average it lasts me between 6 to 12 months (I have short hair). I was sent the 10ml bottle of Kitoko oil which retails for £6.50 alternatively there is a 95ml size for £24.50.  Both can be purchased via Lush Duck who also offer free standard delivery.

Disclaimer - I was sent this sample, opinions are 100% my own, I have not been paid to write this review & links are not affiliated

Blogger Interview - All That Slap

Let me introduce you to Grace from All That Slap

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am Persian/Iranian and I have been living in the UK for most of my life now, but I am very much a Persian girl at heart. I am a lawyer in the city by day and beauty blogger by night - whilst squeezing in shopping (I have a minor make-up, handbag and clothes addiction, that is all!) and eating out (Lebanese and Thai are my favourites!)! I have been told I have a big personality, I never stop talking, and you either love me or hate me - there is no in between!

Why did you decide to start your blog?

Because my friends, family and colleagues got sick of me raving about or bagging beauty products to them constantly - my sister suggested I start a blog so that I can inflict "the pain" on my followers rather than everyone else! I was also told that my passion for cosmetics and beauty products was insane and I needed to do something with it...hence one year after talking about starting the blog - allthatslap was born!

How would you describe your blogging style?

I am brutally honest, detailed, perhaps too detailed (??) and I do ramble on a bit...a bit like me in person!

What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

Getting feedback on my blog posts, hearing from people who have questions and trying to help them out. I recently bought a lot of the Sleek Blush Palettes for people outside the UK, before they were on the Sleek website because I was keen to help these girlies. It did take a lot of trips to Superdrug to get all of the requested palettes but in the end I think I made about 25 girls really happy, which made me happy!! I also love meeting other make up and beauty addicts at various events, its great to know you are not the only beauty junkie out there!

What do you find most challenging when blogging about your topic?

Finding the time to write my posts on all the products I want to. As I am addicted to this stuff and new items are released all the time, I am always buying something new "to try" and then that gets added to the "to blog" list! I also read other beauty blogs and it just adds to my wishlist of items that I want to get my grubby little mitts on - its a never ending cycle! I wish I could blog full time- heaven knows I have enough stuff at home now to keep me going for months and months!

Where are your favourite places to shop? (high street or online)

For the high street I love Boots and Superdrug (of course!!), as well as Selfridges as it has everything. My favourite non beauty related store has to be Primark (or "Primarni" as I love to call it!!). On the internet I love Feelunique.com for my beauty buys that I can't get on the high street - however I don't like buying make up online as I love to swatch products.

Has blogging changed the way you make purchasing decisions?

Yes, its made me ask more questions from the sales assistant and read the ingredients before I buy something, however I definitely buy more items now than before blogging so its not a purse friendly past time!

What is your all time favourite brand? (cosmetic, clothing or anything else)

I couldn't possibly tell you, I have too many favourites and they change like the wind!! 

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? 

I would love for people to actually have consideration and respect for one another, our world is too much about "me" and people are really critical, judgemental and nasty to each other.....wish there was more love in the world! Its not hard to smile at each other in the street, say thank you and do random acts of kindess, but hey, what do I know?!