Review: Org Skincare Organic Mineral Face Peel

I had been wanting to try Org's Mineral Face Peel for such a long time, but alas, shipping was too expensive to Australia. Then Amorganica launched and became the first stockist in Australia. And boy, was I excited! I purchased this peel and some other goodies, and eagerly awaited their arrival. And let me tell you, all the waiting was worth it. In fact, I would consider this a holy grail product which I have permanently added to my beauty arsenal.

Review: Frank Body Scrub

Review: Deep Steep Body Butter

I have super dry skin. SUUUPER dry skin. The kind that if not kept under control by various super emollient lotions and potions, will express it's discontent through extreme itchiness, tightness and flaking.
But, I think for once, that I have it properly under control *fingers crossed*.
And I have this product to thank.

Meet Deep Steep's Body Butter. I had been lusting over Deep Steep's product line for quite some time, until I realised that I could purchase it from iHerb. Deep Steep has an extensive all-natural body product line, including body washes, butters, lotions, oils and bubble bath. I was drawn to their attractive package design, and lured in further by their affordable prices. This body butter is only $7! 

Deep Steep's Body Butter is a luscious, thick consistency that impacts no greasy residue on my skin. As it is so thick it is harder to work into the skin than a lotion for example, but I love that, as I know that my skin will remain happily hydrated for the entire day. I have noticed over the time I have been using this Body Butter that I have had less ingrown hairs, and my dry skin stays away as long as I moisturise every day.

I have tried Deep Steep's Body Butter in Brown Sugar and Vanilla, Grapefruit and Bergamot, and Passionfruit and Guava. My current favourite is Brown Sugar and Vanilla as I find the vanilla scent to be sweet but comforting and calming.

This affordable natural Body Butter can also be used on dry feet and hands too, minus the greasy feel many creams leave behind. I can see this butter as a permanent staple in my body care arsenal, as it is effective, but extremely affordable.

You can get these Body Butter's from iHerb!

Have you tried Deep Steep? Do you have any favourite body moisturisers?

Review: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Colour and Correct SPF 30

I brought Andalou Natural''s CC Cream in the shade 'sheer nude' online at iHerb after spending hours online researching natural face sunscreen options. It seemed to meet all my requirements; it gives SPF 30 coverage purely with zinc oxide, it is suitable for sensitive skin, and it only contains low amounts of coconut oil (an ingredient prevalent in so many natural sunscreens, and one that causes me to break out). I have been testing this cc cream for seven weeks now, long enough to have a fair idea of how my skin responds to it. Upon opening it and smearing it on my hand, I was initially worried about the yellow tone in the shade, as yellow shades don't tend to match my skin very well. However, it rubbed into my face quite easily, despite its thick consistency, and I found that you could hardly tell I was wearing it. I have found myself wearing this on an almost daily basis to protect my face from the elements. I love the beautiful rose fragrance it carries, although those with scent sensitivities and those that dislike the smell of rose should know that the scent is quite strong. As a rose lover though, I am in heaven!

I wear this on it's own underneath makeup, or over the top of moisturiser on days that my face is craving extra hydration. I have really dry skin, and although this CC cream has amazing hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and Rose Oil, due to the high zinc content I find it a tad drying sometimes. As I mentioned above, I bought this product for the sole purpose of providing a sufficient sun screen, and I feel like I should mention that although it is marketed as a CC cream, I found that it didn't seem to cover any skin imperfections I had. Instead, it just gives this perfect healthy skin glow, so I'm not complaining!

Finally, I didn't experience any irritation or breakouts from this product, despite having extremely sensitive breakout-prone skin. I would recommend it to someone who is looking for a new face sunscreen to add to their arsenal, and someone who isn't fussed about skin coverage. Andalou Natural's 1000 Roses CC Cream will be a permanent staple in my beauty routine.

Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide 20%, Aloe Barbadensis Juice*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) and Helianthus Annuus (Sun flower) Oils*, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PhytoCellTec (Alpine Rose, Malus Domestsica, Solar Vitis) and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Soothing Complex: [Hyaluronic Acid, Magnolia Of cinalis Bark, Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Leaf Cell and Boswellia Serrata (Boswellin) Extracts], Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Distillate*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) and Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oils*, Algae and Cucumis Melo (Melon) Extracts, Iron Oxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea), Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) and Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extracts*†, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Oil*, Rosa Centifolia (Rose) Oil

Review: Andalou Naturals Healthy Shine Sunflower and Citrus Shampoo

A few months ago I placed my first order at iHerb, and at a whim, added this shampoo to my cart because my current favourite shampoo has recently been reformulated (boo!), and now contains ingredients I try to stay away from, and I was/am still on the search for a replacement. Also, it didn't hurt that it was only around $3.

So. First. The Ingredients List is amazing. It boasts lush ingredients such as black cumin oil (which I have raved about here), hyaluronic acid, chamomile extract and pro-vitamin B5, to name a few. It features aloe vera juice as its first ingredient, instead of plain water like so many other shampoo brands, which I love as aloe is extremely healing and soothing to an area of skin as sensitive as a scalp. It is also cruelty free, fair trade, gluten free, non GMO and doesn't contain nasties like parabens or sulfates.

To shampoo, I squirted a generous dollop into my palms and massaged into my scalp. (I never shampoo the ends of my hair, and I recommend that all long haired folks out there avoid shampooing their ends as well, as all it does is dry them out.) At first it lathers into a thick foam, but as I keep massaging the foam starts to disappear, which is a little odd, but I figure its to do with the gentler cleansing agents found in this product.

It rinses out completely, with no residue, which I love, and my hair looked shiny. However to my disappointment, as my hair started to dry I noticed that my strands felt just a tad dry. Not overly dry, but enough for me to notice. To be fair though, Andalou Naturals does not make any claims about it being suited to dry hair, so I might be better trying one of their shampoos better suited to my hair type. Due to this, I will not be repurchasing this shampoo, but I recommend it to those that have oily hair and need a good cleansing shampoo.

Unfortunately it looks like I am still on the hunt for the perfect shampoo. Now I have started trialling a new way of cleansing my hair. More to come in a future blog post on that though.

Full Ingredient List: Aloe barbadensis juice*, sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, helianthus annuus (sunflower) and linum usitatissimum (flax) oils*, vegetable glycerin, nigella sativa (black cumin) oil, cyamopsis tetragonolobus (guar) gum*, chamomilla recutita (chamomile) extract*, pyrus cydonia (quince) extract, fruit stem cell and bioactive 8 berry complex*, hyaluronic acid, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), tocopherol (vitamin E), aspalathus linearis (rooibos) and hibiscus rosa-sinensis extracts*†, allantoin, sodium benzoate, citric acid, potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) and citrus tangerina (tangerine) oils*

Have you found your holy grail shampoo? Do you use natural shampoo/no poo? Let me know in the comments section.

Review: Flight Skincare Floating Hydration Serum

I was lucky enough to win a bottle of the Floating Hydration Serum by Flight Skincare several months ago. I was so excited to try it out, that I opened the bottle almost immediately after receiving it! The beautiful floral scent was the first thing that captured my attention, likely due to the beautiful floral waters of jasmine and neroli. Next was the colour and consistency; a thin, lightweight, milky coloured water-based serum. Also, I loved the stellar list of ingredients! Squalene, Honey and Glycerine stand out to me as tried and tested ingredients my skin loves.

I have been really enjoying using this serum on a daily basis. For a point of reference, I have super dry skin that is extremely prone to cystic acne, particularly in the chin and jaw area. This means that I am constantly on the painful hunt for products that hydrate my skin without clogging my pores. I have been using this serum under makeup as a primer, and patting it on to hydrate my skin if it feels dry at any point during the day. It spreads so easily onto my skin and disappears quickly, due to the lightweight consistency. It doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky or tight, like some serums can. It also didn't cause my skin to breakout! If you are someone with oily skin, you might find that this serum is perfect used alone to hydrate your skin. However, if your skin is dry, I recommend you pair it with an oil or moisturiser for optimal hydration.

This Floating Hydration Serum is the perfect product to use on the go when my parched, acne-prone skin needs some extra help. I highly recommend it!

Full Ingredients List: Water (Aqua) Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Gel, Vegetable Glycerine, Citrus aurantium (Neroli ) Water, *Jasminum nudiflorum (Jasmine) Water, Sorbitol, Squalene, Organic Honey, *punica granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, *Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam) Extract, Syzigium australe (Lilly Pilly) Extract, Camelia synensis (Green Tea) Extract, *Citrus aurantium (Orange) Water, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam)Extract, Zanthomonas campestris (Xanthan) Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Parfum, Albizia julibrissin Durazz (Mimosa) Oil*Certified Organic Ingredients

Review: Mukti Macadamia and Honey Lip Balm

I wanted to give a quick shout out to a product that I have been using faithfully since last year. It has become a HG product of mine, and one that I find myself reaching for on a daily basis.

Mukti's Macadamia and Honey Lip Balm melts onto my lips, leaving them feeling plump and hydrated for hours. When the tube is kept under cold conditions, the product feels like smearing thick honey onto my lips (YUM). It also tastes delicious, thanks to the fantastic certified organic ingredients of Macadamia, Beeswax and Honey. It is non-sticky, can be used as a base under lipstick, and does a marvellous job of repairing my lips when they are cracked or sunburnt (whoops).

In my opinion, an all natural lip balm is the first product I believe that someone converting to a greener skincare routine should buy. This is because the majority of the product your apply is actually ingested- so the ingredients should be edible!

Mukti's Macadamia and Honey Lip Balm is the perfect size to pop in your pocket or in your handbag.

Full Ingredients List: Certified Organic Macadamia (Macadamia Ternifolia) Oil; Certified Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba); Certified Organic Raw Honey (Mel); Certified Organic Oils of Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis), Calendula (Calendula Officinalis), Rosehip (Rosa Canina), Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis), Mandarin (Citrus Nobilis) & Orange (Citrus Sinensis).

Review: The Little Alchemist

I recently placed an order on the Little Alchemist website for some skincare goodies and was so excited when my order arrived beautifully wrapped in a vintage newspaper print with twine. As beautiful as the presentation was, I was so curious to see how the products worked with my skin. I was drawn to The Little Alchemist as it is an Australian skincare line which utilises amazing anti-ageing ingredients in its fabulous creations. It is also totally natural, so skincare purists can get in on the act too. I have composed this review of several products I have been using for a long enough time to make a judgement call about.

Ultra C Radiance Serum

I am someone who is really particular about the oils I put on my face, due to my fussy skin, which demands not only moisture but acne scar lightening and blemish prevention properties. As a result, I only have a few face oils in my arsenal, and I am happy to share that this is one of them! Reading through the ingredients list, it's not hard to tell why I am crushing hard on this beauty. It contains coq10; a key ingredient in fighting cell damage, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (vitamin C ester) to brighten acne marks and promote even tone and texture, and date seed to delay the signs of ageing. It has such a light, silky texture that sinks into my skin readily after a facial mist. I also pat a few extra drops around my eyes, and on my lips, and find that my skin just feels so soft.

Ingredient; Rosa rubiginosa (Rosehip) Oil*, Argania Spinsosa(Argan) Oil*, Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil*,Squalane(Olive),Lycium Barbarum (Goji)Fruit Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl  Ascorbate (Vitamin C ester), Ubiquinone (Co Enzyme Q10), Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed CO2 Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract*, Pascopyron Smithii (Wheatgrass) Extract*,Hippo phaerhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Oil, Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Extract*, Lycium Barbarum (Goji)Fruit Extract*,Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) CO2 Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum (Kelp) Extract*,Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract*, Sambucus nigra Fruit Extract, Rentinol Palmitate(Vitamin A), Mixed Vitamin E Tocopherols
*Denotes certified organic

Kyella Rose Antioxidant Mist

It is only recently that I have come to appreciate the benefits of adding toners to my skincare routine. For such a long time, I thought that they were an unnecessary and expensive product. I'm so glad that this toner was added to my order, and I had the chance to try it. It was perfect for the dryness I experience around midday, and for misting pre face oil application at night. I noticed a decrease in forehead dehydration lines while using this regularly, and a brighter complexion, likely due to the bearberry and licorice extracts.

Ingredients: Rosa Damascena (Rose) Hydrosol*, Leuconostoc/Aloe barbadensis Leaf/ Sorbus Aucuparia Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Lycium Barbarum, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Extract*, (Goji Berry) Extract*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Extract*, Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry) Extract*, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract*, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry Leaf) Extract*
*Denotes certified organic

Cacao and Banana Face Glow Mask

I have found myself reaching for this mask over my others lately. It is the easiest powder formulation that just requires liquid of your choice- I'm partial to honey, or just plain water- to turn it into the most incredible chocolately-smelling pudding. I use this once a week, smearing the goodness all over my face, leaving for ten minutes, then removing before it hardens. This is crucial for all masks containing clay, because if you leave it to completely dry, the clay can suck all of the moisture out of your skin, leaving it dehydrated. The glow and softness that I gain from this mask is comparable to May Lindstrom's The Problem Solver, and can probably be used on more sensitive skins.

Ingredients: Kaolin (Ivory clay), Theobroma cacao (raw)*, Musaacuminate (Banana)*, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai )*, Lycium barbarum (Goji Berry 40% Polysaccharides), Morinda citrifolia ( Noni Fruit)*,Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen )*, Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon(Maca Root )*, Emblica Officinalis (Amla )*, Arthrospira Platensis (Spirulina)*, Punica granatum (Pomegranate )*, Cordyceps Sinensis (Cordyceps Mushroom ), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn ), Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorella - Thin Cell Wall), Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa Leaf)*, Carica Papaya (Green Papaya ), Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha )*, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack )*, Pink Clay, Yellow Clay, Zeolite, Cocos nucifera (coconut juice)*, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric Root)*
*Denotes certified organic

Lime and White Tea Body Serum

Although this body oil has not yet launched, I couldn't help but share my thoughts on it! Leaving me reminiscent of childhood days filled with sun and lime cordial, but with a more sophisticated edge, I have looked forward to applying this every morning. I never thought that I would find a lime scented body serum appealing, but consider me a convert! The serum is in the form of an ultra-light oil consistency, which applies really easily on damp skin and leaves you feeling hydrated without that oil slick feeling. Ingredients like the Acai, Wheatgrass and Goji Berry in this really do make this a powerful potion for your skin to drink up- without the bad aftertaste of taking Wheatgrass internally ;)

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut) Oil, sambucus nigra fruit (elderberry) oil*, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract*, Pascopyron Smithii (Wheatgrass) Extract*, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Fruit Extract*, natural and organic fragrance, vitamin E.
*Denotes certified organic