Review: Mukti

 

I recently received my Mukti order, which contained a whole heap of samples to try! Mukti are great because they allow you to purchase samples of most of their products so that you can get a feel of them and decide whether or not you like them enough to buy the full sized product. I brought samples of the tinted moisturiser, calendula crème, jojoba facial exfoliant, kakadu and honey masque, botanique shampoo and conditioner, gentle foaming cleanser, nourishing facial crème, hand and body lotion, and rosehip eye gel. Pheww, so most of them ;)

I feel I have used the following products long enough to give an honest review of them:

 

Mukti tinted moisturiser:

Aim: use 365 days even if the sun is hiding                                                                                                                                                                      

Features: zinc oxide, green tea, rosehip

The Mukti tinted moisturiser with sunscreen is nano particle and chemical free and provides a safe, effective and all-natural sunscreen solution that is readily absorbed and NON-GREASY. Suitable for all skin types including normal/combination/oily/dry and mature skin. Zinc oxide is the only active ingredient that filters both aging UVA and burning UVB rays. In addition to SPF15 block-out properties, Mukti's lightly tinted formulation strengthens and maintains healthy skin cell growth.

Ingredients: Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice*; Zinc Oxide; Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Extract*; Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)*; Glycerin (Vegetarian); Macadamia (Macadamia Ternifolia) & Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Oils*, Cetearyl Glucoside; Rosehip (Rosa Canina) & Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Oils*; Vitamin E (Tocopherol); Essential Oils of Mandarin (Citrus Madurensis), Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata), Patchouli (Pogestemon Cablin), Tagetes (Tagetes Minuta)*; Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid & Sorbic Acid; Tint - Mica; Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

My thoughts: Love love love love love it. I knew it would be a hit when I saw the key ingredients of rosehip oil, green tea and zinc oxide. And it smells so delicious. I think it sounds like musk or something, so sweet. When I opened the sample pot I was worried, like with every other tinted moisturiser I have tried, that it would look too dark on my skin (I have the palest skin and everything seems to look orange or too brown on my skin), but for once, I was wrong. It goes on a tan colour but rubs in completely, leaving the most subtle colour that it is almost invisible. I love that it is SPF 15, as it is important to protect your skin from the sun (after you have gotten your daily dose of Vitamin D).

 

Mukti Pink Grapefruit Hand and Body Lotion:

Aim: non greasy, non toxic all over hydration                                                                                               

Features: shea nut butter, cocoa butter, coconut

Put moisture back in after you wash your skin. A non-greasy moisturising treatment to hydrate, nourish and protect. Suitable for the whole body. May be used on children and babies.
Gluten Free/Vegan

Ingredients: Certified Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice; Certified Organic Macadamia (Macadamia Ternifolia) Oil; Certified Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii); Certified Organic Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil; Cetearyl Glucoside (Vegetarian); Certified Organic Cocoa Butter (Theobromo Cacao); Certified Organic Glycerin (Vegetarian); Sclerotium Gum; Certified Organic Essential Oils of Pink Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi), Sweet Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis), Mandarin (Citrus Nobilis), Tangerine (Citrus Tangerine) & Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia); Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid & Sorbic Acid.

My thoughts: You could really smell the citrus in this, and it smelt delicious. I however found that although it was moisturising enough for a summer day, it probably wouldn’t be enough for my lizard legs in the winter…so I probably wouldn’t purchase this again. If you don’t need a heavy duty moisturiser though, you would probably like this.

 

 

Mukti Kakadu Plum and Honey Masque

Aim: hydrating & cleansing to soften & nourish                                                                                                                                                                        

Features: Kakadu plum, honey, avocado

The Mukti kakadu plum and honey masque is suitable for normal/dry/dull and mature skin types and is designed to rejuvenate, hydrate and balance the skin. This unique formulation will also hydrate and revitalize the epidermis, calm irritation due to dehydration, soothe the skin after environmental exposure, revitalize the complexion and promote a youthful, glowing complexion. Gluten free.

Ingredients: Certified Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Gel; Certified Organic Glycerin (Vegetarian); Certified Organic Honey (Mel); Kakadu Plum (Terminalia Ferdinandiana); Vitamin E (Tocopherol); Certified Organic Carrot Seed (Daucus Carota) Oil; Certified Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) & Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Extracts; Certified Organic Oils of Rosehip (Rosa Canina), Borage (Borago Officinalis) & Avocado (Persea Gratissima); Sclerotium Gum; Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract; Certified Organic Roman Chamomile Oil (Anthemis Nobilis).

My thoughts: I am a big (BIG) fan of honey masks, so I was keen to give this mask a try. Each of the ingredients were lovely and it didn’t look like it contained any irritants. It is essential to me that a mask doesn’t dry my skin out or produce pimples. I applied a thin layer as per instructions and it dried very quickly (almost instantly), but I still left it on until 15 minutes were up. My face felt nice and soft, cleansed, and moisturised after using this mask. When I have the funds I will definitely be purchasing the full-size of this product!

5 easy ways to make a difference to your health

1. Embrace probiotics- a healthy gut means a healthy body. A healthy gut wall ensures that nutrients are able to be effectively absorbed.

2. Drink more water. An easy one, but something so many people struggle with. Adequate water helps your body rid itself of toxins, helps concentration levels, keeps cravings at bay and plumps up your skin.

3. Love yourself a little more. Embrace your body. Learn to love the bits that you poke, prod and pull at; the bits that you turn your back on when you glance in the mirror. Learn to treasure yourself in your own special way; whether it is through a daily five minute meditation, body brushing, smiling at yourself in the mirror or repeating positive affirmations whenever you find yourself being critical.

4. Reduce stress. Breathe deep. This takes pressure off the adrenal glands. Stress can throw everything out of balance, including your hormones, which affect everyday bodily functions.

5. Reduce chemical intake. Stop eating so much packaged food. A banana is a better choice than a packet of chips, and cost economical too.

Reviews coming!

I recently received a whole bunch of new products and samples so, beware, lots of reviews coming your way!
xx

My Skin and Hair Routine Exposed

I should probably start by telling you about my skin type. I have freckly, sensitive, prone to breakout skin, which used to be quite oily but since switching to natural products leans toward the dry side. My hair is long (long long long), brunette and is fairly healthy but I still suffer from dryness on the ends.

In the morning in the shower, I simply splash my face with some water. I never cleanse as I find my face gets too dry doing it twice daily. I hop out and apply my Lily Loves Pearl Hyper Hydrate moisturiser and most days, John Masters SPF30 sunscreen. On the rest of my body I rub Moogoo full cream moisturiser. I’m excited because I have recently discovered this and it has been the only moisturiser able to get rid of my keratosis pilaris completely! I use Harmonis Kiss deodorant on days when I am home, but I’m still not confident enough to use it going into town or at work, so I still use a toxic supermarket brand.

For makeup, I keep it simple. I use Bare Escentuals powder (not totally clean, I’m aware), Physicians Formula Mascara and a cheap eyeliner I picked up from a cosmetics store.

I usually wash my hair of a night time and sleep on it slightly damp, so it isn’t as frizzy and unmanageable the next day. I’ve found when I wash it in the morning it frizzes up and becomes knotty and unruly. I have to confess, I am still using a toxic conditioner. I’ve found it really hard to find an affordable toxic-free one that moisturises as well as this one. I also use Thursday Plantation’s shampoo but it seems they have had a recent reformulation and some of the ingredients now look suspect. So I fail. Anyone have some suggestions? I use coconut oil as a leave in conditioner for the ends of my hair, and sometimes as a mask.

Of a night, I use Kora’s foaming cleanser; the skincare brand of the famous Miranda Kerr, and it does a great job removing every last trace of makeup, sunscreen and pollutants on my face at the end of the day. When I have time, I apply a manuka honey mask to my face and relax. This has really helped with the dryness and has reduced my acne by 50%. I massage a few drops of Trilogy’s rosehip oil into my face, concentrating on the areas that are scarred and dry such as my chin, temples and forehead. I then rub my Lily Loves Pearl Hyper Hydrate moisturiser in.

Tada! xx

Review: Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser

I first found Kora Organics a few years ago when I heard Miranda Kerr had created it, and I quickly became engrossed with natural and organic skincare. I loved that the Kora Organics website listed every single ingredient, had positive reviews and videos showing you how to use each product. The foaming cleanser was the first product I ever bought.

Kora Organics’ products are proudly Australian Made and Owned, not tested on animals, and are vegan, which I love. They are also free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance and colours, T.E.A, D.E.A.,Glycols, Silicones, PEGS, Ethoxylate and Formaldehyde.

Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser

Description: KORA Organics Foaming Cleanser is a gentle, soap free, foaming cleanser formulated for oily to combination skin. It naturally and gently rids the skin of impurities. The Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Sandalwood protect the skin from free radical damage while leaving the skin feeling fresh, invigorated and clean.

Ingredients: Camellia sinensis (Green Tea)*, Rosa centifolia (Rose)Extract*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Coco-glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Oleate, Morinda citrifolia (Noni Fruit) Extract*,Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood) Oil*, Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood) Oil*, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lecithin (GMO free)*, Lactic Acid, Sodium chloride (Macrobiotic Sea Salt) Aqua (Water). **From essential oils. *Ingredient from Organic Farming. 99.35% of the total ingredients are from natural origin, and 51.81% of the total ingredients are from organic farming. Certified by ECOCERT.

My thoughts: I have been using this cleanser for over six months now and still loving it. It lasts a long time (the first bottle lasted me 4 months used once daily, and the second bottle is still going..), and removes every trace of my makeup and zinc sunscreen, leaving my skin feeling soft and silky. It is gentle on the skin and feels like you are treating yourself to a facial every time! I never used to look forward to washing my face before this product. I recommend this.

To purchase this cleanser, head to RY.com.au

What to do when a product sucks (how to reuse half-empty bottles you have sitting around)

Maybe you impulse bought something and it's still sitting there, useless, or you brought something that you just didn't like. Do you feel too guilty to just throw it out? You can reuse products in different ways so you don't have to feel bad about making a bad purchase. Here are a few of my tips for reusing:
1. Is it used? Brand new products can be gifted to family and friends, and half-used products can be given away too.
2. Unwanted moisturiser could be used as a body wash or something to shave your legs with
3. You can shave your legs with body gel, shampoo, conditioner or leftover cleanser
4. Got a face scrub that your face doesn't agree with? Use it as an effective gentle body scrub!
5. Facial moisturisers and oils can be reused as a body moisturiser
6. Shampoo, cleanser and body wash can be used as a hand wash
7. Perfume can be used as a room freshener
8. Toners can be used to hydrate face masks, or freshen bed linen.

Hope these tips help! I personally have so many products lurking around that I don't use, and I know many beauty junkies do too!

xx

Coconut oil; the best undiscovered and underrated hair product?

I haven’t felt the need to use any leave in conditioners or hair masks since I discovered coconut oil. Coconut oil is amazing for you internally as well as externally, and when a product is safe enough to eat, you feel confident putting it on your body. Coconut oil is only one of the only substances able to penetrate the hair shaft and moisturise deeply to repair. Whenever the ends of my hair feel dry I use a tiny amount of oil to make my hair feel bearable again. If I have time of a night and I need to wash my hair, I apply Melrose raw virgin cold pressed organic coconut oil to the ends of my hair and pop on a hair cap for at least twenty minutes. Then I rinse it out in the shower, making sure I shampoo down to my ends so when my hair dries it wont look heavy and instead is light, soft and shiny! I also think that it is so cheap for a jar considering how long it lasts for.

Try it out!


*All of my reviews are based on my own personal experiences with the brand/products. I am never paid to give my honest opinions and will only recommend products that I love and use myself!*

My first post!

I am so excited to finally be blogging. I have had a tumblr for years and have always had that *itch* to connect with people and share what I know. Natural and organic skincare has been a passion of mine for a few years now so I am excited to have a blogging platform upon which I can share products I am excited about. Well here I am, feels good.