Shower gels without SLS and paraben review...

There is one thing for sure, the market for organic and natural products has exploded over the last 5 years. Even mega companies like Tesco and Wal-Mart have jumped on the bandwagon and are now producing a line of paraben free cosmetics. That is a step in the right direction.
Yes, the customer nowadays is informed about the danger of aluminium in deodorant, and led in soaps, but I think we need more information about the danger of SLS/SLES.

 

A number of so called natural companies are still allowing the use of paraben, and SLS in their cosmetics, stating that not enough research has been done proving the danger of those chemicals, and until more is known, they will continue. Yet many studies have been done, 16.000 actually! So why ignore the fact? Well SLS is cheap! 2p per 100 litres!
Yes, i am talking about the body shop, Dove, Nivea, L'Oreal, Original source and so many others, and yes Lush!
I use to be a Lushie, but unfortunately most of their products are not natural at all, except the body bars, so I can't buy them anymore. I was shocked to discover they all contain SLS/SLES!

 

SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, it is what makes the foam in nearly every body wash, shampoo, bath gel, face wash, and toothpaste...
SLES is Sodium Laureth Sulphate, which is a similar surfactant, or foaming agent.
SLS/SLES have been shown to cause damage to the skin layers. Because they are so corrosive, they strip the skin of moisture and oils and change the delicate PH of the upper layers.
They affect how the skin deal with bacteria and may lead to bacterial infections.
They can irritate eyes and soft tissues like lips, nose, and reproductive organs.
They have been linked to cancer, especially breast cancer, skin cancer and organ cancer
SLS is considered a neurotoxin, it causes cellular changes and abnormal growth

Your skin is your best ally when it comes to your health. It covers 100% of your body, consider that!It helps to regulate your immune system, it actually breathes, and whatever you put on your skin, ends up in your liver or kidneys. It is a fact, what you use in your shower is as important as what you eat. Everything you put on your skin ends up in your bloodstream. Chemicals in cosmetics are poisoning you!
How many deadly products are we using everyday? Our bathrooms are giant chemical labs!
With the steam of the shower, your lungs and skin can absorb more of whatever is in contact with it. It is time to delve into ethical and healthy alternatives. Do they cost more? Are they effective?
I am reviewing a few of my favourite shower gels. I hope you will find some inspiration...


1- Faith in nature, shower gels:

 

Faith in nature is an amazing company that produces organic and SLS free shampoos, shower gels. foam bath, soaps, lotions...

The entire range smells divine, this is my favourite scent raspberry and cranberry, so fruity and fresh! They are very gentle on the skin and they foam amazing so you don't need much, they are good value for money and last ages. Love it!!!£5.95 Available@www.ethical superstore.co.uk

 

 

 

Total luxury with this Love and toast shower gel, in Persimmon and plum. I find it really moisturising, and a little really goes a long way. One bottle lasts me around two weeks £13@www.ebay.co.uk

 

This is a shower gel/scrub, and it's made by the French company Melvita. I absolutely love this brand , every single product I have tried from them , I have adored!! It contains argan powder, cinnamon, and almond. It is certified organic, leaves the skin super smooth and radiant, five star! £13@ www.feelunique.com

 

 

Caudalie The des vignes shower gel. This smells so amazing, my favourite scent from Caudalie, made without SLS, but foams so well. Great price £7.99@www.naturissimo.com Worth every penny!
Try the gift set with the Eau de toilette, so refreshing and luxurious. £27@www.feelunique.com

I can't recommend enough organic surge, the price is right at £4.09. This shower gel in tropical bergamot leaves my skin hydrated, but I need a body lotion after showering, so I use their lotion in the same scent. It leaves my skin super smooth and smelling great. Superb for oilier skin and after swimming, good also for children. They have several scents, but this is my favourite. Citrusy and refreshing. available@ www.ocado.com

If you want value for money, Jason sells huge bottle of creamy body washes at £9.99 for 800ml. They smell fantastic, and are super mild on the skin. Try the mango flavour, rosewater, citrus and aloe. Always great product to have for washing hands, face, body, hair, really versatile and economical. You get a superb foam in the bath! A definite repurchase... Available@www.ocado.com

 

I have to mention a baby company that does organic products which I really enjoy using, called little me organics. The price range between £2.99 and £4 so these prices are really reasonable. I am especially fond of their foaming body wash, and shower milk. Little me organic is available at Tesco and in most supermarket. Super mild for baby and adult alike. www.littlemeorganics.com

 

I find I can use this product on my face, it comes out as a mousse and reminds me of the simple facial wash without the nasties. It is so mild and has a pleasant scent. £2.99 as well, great value and it lasts ages! Brilliant! Available @ Tesco, Sainsbury's and most supermarkets.

Super healthy recipe: Cinnamon sugared apples with almond butter...

Place on a baking tray

Out of the oven after 14minutes at 220C

For this recipe, you will need: 
-three red apples
-almond butter
-coconut sugar
-ground Cinnamon

First, wash and slice the apples, so you'll end up with large flat apple discs. Remove seeds if you find some. Then, sprinkle some Cinnamon, and coconut sugar and place them onto a baking tray, and into the oven for 14mins, on 220C.
Once they cool down a little, spread some almond butter, and more Cinnamon to taste. You are left with a fantastic snack that is super easy to make, delicious and has plenty of health benefits!

We all have heard the old saying , an apple a day keeps the doctor away!! the benefit of apples are numerous. First they are extremely rich in antioxidants, flavanoids and dietary fibre. Antioxidants protects you from damage to the cell caused by free radicals. Apples protects you against Cancer, thyroid and liver damage, colon cancer, and heart disease. They contain vitamin C, B complex especially B6, thiamine and riboflavin, as well as minerals like Calcium, Potassium and Phosphorous. These are important in the formation of healthy red cells. Try to include at least four to five parts of fruits and vegetables in your diet everyday. Women who eat apples regularly are 76% less likely to develop Breast Cancer. Choose the red varieties as they contain higher levels of antioxidants and vitamins. Apples are also fantastic if you suffer from Acne, or skin issues, as the pectin in them helps relieve inflammation and bacteria on the skin surface.Genius fruit!!

Available@www.ocado.com

Almond butter regulates your insulin and helps with sugar cravings, so great if you are watching what you eat, or suffer from diabetes. It also contains fibre, vitamin E and essential fats, things that your skin craves, especially in winter. It is a good source of antioxidants and minerals like Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium, which are effective at lowering blood pressure. It is also amazing at reducing bad cholesterol, so great for the heart and circulatory system in general.

Cinnamon is called a Master spice, because its use in medicine, is well documented. Cinnamon as anti-clotting benefits, and helps to regulate blood flow. It is also anti-inflammatory. It is from the bark that the oil and the fragrance come from, and this wonder oil is antimicrobial, so try to include it into your food and drinks this winter, to ward off colds...
The heart benefits from taking one tablespoon of Cinnamon a week, as it relaxes the blood vessels, ease stomach cramps and aids digestion. Also the scent stimulates the brain activity, which is fantastic for ageing and cognition in later life. Plus, it tastes delicious!!

Coconut sugar tastes and looks like brown sugar with a low GI. It makes it suitable for diabetic, Coeliacs, and it is vegan. It is slightly sweeter than sugar so go easy with it, but what an amazing alternative, 100% natural! available@www.ocado.com £2.99

My skincare routine for winter !!

I have discovered new products recently, as my skin has gone really dry this past month. I have stopped using a toner that was really overdrying my eyes and cheeks, and now i simply spray my face with rose water from the botanics range at Boots. It is 100% organic and soothes my skin. It is really light and doesn't irritate my eyes. The fragrance is pleasant and mild from the rosewater, i really love it! And would recommend to anyone with sensitive skin. Available £3.49 at www.boots,com

I wash my face night and day with a facial wash from M&S, from theit natural range called Pure. This is a really nice gentle face wash that doesn't leave my skin irritated. It contains Chamomile. oat, Calendula, petitgrain and chicory. It smells citrusy and fresh and works well to brighten the complexion. I also have the facial scrub and they both work really well at keeping my skin soft and clear.
95% of the ingredients are from nature, and they contain no mineral oil, silicones, parabens, artificial colour or fragrances. The packaging of all this range is also eco-friendly. £5@www.marksandspencer.com

The moisturiser i use is also from the same range, called the super active moisturiser. it contains an active complex of omega 3 and 6, and is super nourishing. The formula is paraben free, and mineral oil free, so it won't clog your pores and cause breakouts. The cream penetrates well into the skin and i find i can use it night or day, and it is not too heavy under make-up. Fantastic protection for winter, I have to add it doesn't have a SPF so i use my mineral powder that has a small protection, but i have to admit that i don't worry as much about sun protection when it gets dark at 4pm!                             available @www.marksandspencer.com

For my under eyes, i have discover a really wonderful hydrating cream from Burt's bees, called radiance under eye cream. It is a really nourishing cream for winter with Royal jelly. The consistency is quite thick, creamy but not greasy, which i love. It soothes and brighten the eye area. I have become a convert! You can even use it under concealer. The pot will last you ages as you need the smallest amount. £19.99 from www.burtsbees.co.uk

I also love the Burt's bees lip shimmer, with Royal jelly or the lip balm with beeswax. Also try the acai or honey lipbalm. All 100% natural, and well priced at £3.99 each. Will leave your lips kissibly soft and moisturised. My favorite lipbalms. available@www.burtsbees.co.uk

To take my make up off, i use the Kaeso natural calming facial cleanser. with Mulberry and Pomegranate. You can use a muslin cloth or a large cotton pad to cleanse everything off. It is very effective at removing eye make up so i don't need to use a separate product. The smell is amazing: fruity and clean.
It contains no parabens, sulfate, propylene glycol or mineral oil, so this is very gentle for the entire face. It is exclusively sold for SPA salons, but i get mine through fragrance direct. 198ml for £6.99.
Available@wwwfragrancedirect.com

At night, i tend to wear my serum, the Laidbare From Dusk till Dawn oil, that i rewiewed earlier this month, and i find it keeps my skin smooth and moisturised.  I have dry /combination and sensitive skin so if you have a similar skin type as me, this routine might work for you as well.
I always use natural. paraben free cosmetics as i feel the simpler i keep my skin care, the best i tend to look. I find that my skin can look dull and ashy in the winter months so it needs special TLC. Also using coconut oil on your hair, skin and nails can really help and i always keep a jar for an all purpose moisturiser. I use the groovy food coconut oil £6.99 available@www.ocado.com and Tesco stores.

I can't talk anough of the benefits of eating and using coconut oil, it is the saturated fats that are so beneficial and the Lauric acid and vitamin E. This is why coconut oil is a super oil, reduces split-ends, make hair grow, conditions, moisturise skin, has a small UV protection of about 4-5 against UVA/B. It is antiseptic, antibacterial and anti inflamatory. Nature's best!!

Dairy and gluten free chocolate choices for the festive season...

During this time of year the temptations when it comes to chocolate and sweets, are absolutely everywhere. Just a few days ago, i happened to be in Marks and Spencer's and they were giving away free samples of their chocolates. Needless to say i couldn't even try a single one!! They were all made with cow's milk, wheat, and rice derivatives. I thought, there must be alternatives for those of us who are gluten and dairy intolerant. So i investigated, and give you my honest review on five options available on the market for Christmas.


***Booja-Booja Raspberries chocolate truffle:
Well this is a tiny box! I was surprised how small, actually about the size of a i-phone. So wouldn't be suitable for a gift. They are dairy, wheat, soya free and do not contain gluten or refined sugars. So fantastic for vegans! When it comes to taste the raw chocolate is absolutely divine and they literally melt in the mouth. They are surprisingly very satisfying and after just one i didn't reach for more, super rich in Cocoa. The raspberry flavour is my favourite but they also do other versions called Hazelnut crunch, Ecuadorian dark, and Around midnight cappuccino. which are also Vegan, dairy and gluten free. Amazing taste at premium money. £6.99 for 104gr, but worth every bite, simply delicious!!!

                                                     Available@www.ocado.com




***Celtic choices Dairy free Advent calendar:
For those of you who love a good Advent calendar, this is a great option.The design is really cute as well, and will appeal both to adults and children. The chocolate inside are gluten, and dairy free, and the quality of the pieces is really good.The price is right at £3.50. Really nice idea from Celtic Choices. @www.ocado.com

***I have to mention one of my favourite treat which is also dairy and gluten free. Nakd bar in Cocoa orange. Yes, technically it's not all chocolate, but it does the trick, and taste amazing. This is really healthy for you, 100% raw, made with dates, raisins, cashews, and cocoa. They have plenty of flavours, try the berry, apple, or ginger flavour, to get you in the festive mood. £0.75 per bar, or pack of 4 for £2.29. Available from Tesco, Sainsbury, and health food stores.

***Choices caramel gift box:
It is really difficult to believe that these chocolates are dairy and gluten free, they taste just as good as any descent milk chocolates out there, with a fondant centre. They are absolutely the best to share with friends. They are incredibly good value at £3.99. They have no artificial colours, flavours or preservative which a huge bonus. Recommended!!

***Bendick's bittermints are also incredibly tasty. They remind me of after eight, which are also a good choice for vegans, the mint flavour is quite strong but really pleasant after a heavy meal or with a Chai latte, or Vegan Choco latte, or No-cafe latte... Yes, you guessed it, any hot drinks!! The dark chocolate melts in the mouth with this superb minty after taste. Once again these are great to share with family or friends. Perfect for Christmas Eve... £5 from Tesco, Asda and Ocado.

Gluten free Autumn dish: Red rice...

Red rice is not very well known, but it is a great substitute for long grain rice, or wild rice as it is gluten free.
Red rice is often imported from France where it grows semi-wild in the Camargue region.
A perfect recipe for this time of year: try mixing it with wild mushrooms like Trompette de la mort, Chanterelle, Porcini, or brown mushrooms. You can add chestnuts on the side, roasted with a little bit of olive oil and parsley, or add  coconut milk to the dish if you like creamy mushrooms. Serve with a wild rocket and walnut salad. Voila! Delicious...

On top of being nutritious red rice contains Folic acid, Iron and Zinc. It is a fantastic source of fibre!

Like most coloured food it is rich in antioxidants called Anthocyanins that gives it, its red colour.     

As a semi wild food, it is not genetically modified, and does not contain pesticides. It is a whole food unbleached and untreated. It also contains important B vitamins , magnesium, and Selenium. try to make it a staple in your diet this autumn!!

 Suitable for Coeliacs, diabetics and for pregnant women, due to the presence of Folic acid.

Available £1.69@www.ocado.co.uk

Christmas present ideas! Top five...

 

1- Elemental herbology moisture replenishing kit:
You get four products and a muslin cloth, a facial balm, a day cream, a glow radiance peel, and a repair overnight cream. This is fantastic for dry and mature skin, especially in winter. This is a good value travel size kit or to test this natural range for the first time. Well recommended!
£19.99@www.naturissimo.co.uk

2- Caudalie Divine indulgence body gift set:
The name says it all. From Caudalie that's not an exaggeration. You get the divine oil 100ml. the divine scrub 50ml and the divine leg cream 25ml. absolutely indulgent kit with the nicest body oil on the market. It sinks wonderfully into the skin, and benefits from a spray, so no spills! The packaging is gorgeous and the price is right £27 from www.feelunique.com



3-Diptyque trio candle set:
Three mini candles from Diptyque, Roses, Figuiers, and Baies, their best selling candle. Yes, this will hit your pocket a little but it's well worth it. Every one of them smells amazing, they really make an unforgettable gift. £60@www.diptyqueparis.co.uk

 

4- Marc Jacob Daisy, purse perfume and refill:
This is a really cute perfume duo for £25. I think that's a really good deal for 35ml. It has notes of wild strawberries grapefruit and gardenia, with a hint of vanilla and white wood. And this is a fantastic fragrance to wear even in Winter, really girly and sensual. Such a cute bottle, I can't resist it!
Available @www.escentual.com

5-Teapigs Mix and Match:
The concept is to pick twelve different sample packs of tea, and they come in a cute box, straight to your door. Each sample pack comes with 2 teabags, and you will be truly spoil for choice. Try the Chai tea, Winter spiced and chocolate tea, for a real Christmas cheer! Yeah, can't get enough of Teapigs!! £12.50@www.teapigs.co.uk

The price of beauty!!

We are constantly bombarded with images of Perfect beauty, perfect teeth, perfect hair, perfect skin, in magazine of course, in the Media and through the Internet. But the truth is that most celebrities and even models have less than perfect skin and hair. Skin disorders have become so common nowadays. 
Rosecea, acne, eczema, Psoriasis... The world is living a lie...

Helena Christiensen with skin issues.daily mail.co.uk

When we speak of social responsibility, the ideal of Beauty has never been so unhealthy..Women all over the world seems to associate beauty with this false perfection.
Why wear false lashes, false nails, hair extensions, tooth veneers, implants, and coloured contacts, layers of make-up... 
Who sets these unhealthy standards and why do women feel obliged to conform to them?.  I personally still believe in those old sayings, beauty comes from within. I am a modern woman, but i am sorry i do not feel uplifted after visiting a Mac counter, not that i have anything against Mac or companies like Revlon Maybelline or Rimmel, everything is a choice.  And Like many women, of course for a while, i bought into it.  Hundreds of pounds of make up and products worth! I went to Boots , Superdrug and make-up counters and returned home triumphant with bags and bags of shopping, I was a cosmetic junkie!
My skin  however was telling me a different story. I suffered from terrible allergies, acne and constant breakouts, but one day i decided that was enough, I was obviously putting too much crap on my face, I had to make a change. I had to throw it all away!!
The first thing that we are encouraged to do when we have bad skin is to cover it up, with layers and layers of foundation, powder, and concealer. Why not start with healing the skin first, why ignore the body cries for change?  There has never been so many women with self esteem issues. What about the impact on women's health? The amount of chemicals in make up and cosmetics is staggering, there is no conventional body that regulates what goes into making them. Large companies charge vasts amount of money, for cheap ingredients, full of chemicals that goes on and into the skin. Whatever you put on your skin will end up in your blood and tissues. The skin is not just a surface, but a living and breathing world which has a delicate PH, that can easily get out of balance. It has been shown that tumours have residues of lipsticks, creams and deodorants, these are alarming facts... Why ignore them?

Kate Moss with skin issues. Google.com

Most make up and cosmetics contain Parabens, these are used to prolong shelf life and prevent the formation of bacteria. They are also very dangerous chemicals that are hormonal disruptors, cancer causing and can damage unborn foetuses. Every time a foreign chemicals touches the skin it must pass through the first layers  of  the epidermis  and into the blood, damaging cells and causing a chain reaction called internal free radicals. These are also linked to premature ageing. Chemicals rob the skin of vital nutrients like Collagen and upsets the PH of the mantle, the protective barrier of the skin. This is how infections like acne are able to settle in. Through constant use of harsh washes or scrubs, the natural antimicrobial barrier is damaged. Acne is a bacteria that takes hold of the skin cells, a bit like a fungus. Using regular scrubs can makes things worse and infects deeper layers resulting in what is called as cystic acne, or chronic acne. When i hear of women taking more chemicals internally like Accutane or Ro- accutane, it really highlights for me that there is a major problem with how society thinks.

Cameron diaz with acne. Google.com

I also cringe with this new trend of using acids, like Glycolic acid being put directly on the face and on a regular basis,  i worry about beauty experts advising women to use them without explaining the risks.
How far are we ready to go for this obsession of the body beautiful?
The truth is that women teach other women. we need to start teaching each other.
When you understand yourself and the body you are born with , you learn to treat it with care, with kindness and respect.  You can learn that using natural products will benefit your skin and your general health. It worked for me, and it changed the way i view myself and beauty. You can use natural mineral make-up to enhance your natural beauty, but not to cover it up... You will see major improvement in the clarity and texture of your skin if you keep your routine simple.
People find most skin issues, even severe, disappear over time with simple common sense. For me. beauty has become health. Love what you live, and love your skin, it will reward you with a beautiful and healthy glow...

Brand in focus: Laidbare cosmetics

I was interested in reviewing the brand Laidbare as they are a natural company who do not overcharge for their products, proving that natural skincare does not to have to be costly to be effective. The formulas are simple, paraben and fragrance free, and promise to work in harmony with the skin. They call themselves naturally inspired beauty. So i thought i would try a few products.
The one that immediately caught my eye is From Dust Till dawn Serum. It is a vitamin C serum, with Blackcurrant seed oil, evening Primrose oil, and Carrot seed oil. It is suitable for all skin type, even oily, sensitive and ageing skin. I found that it reminds me of Khiel midnight recovery concentrate, but at the fraction of the price. Laidbare serum costs £9.99, compared to Khiel's £37.
So how does it compare? Well, it's the same principle, it an oil, but i find it is not greasy, it comes with a pump so you only need a few drops to do your entire face, it doesn't have an overpowering smell.  I tap it into my skin without dragging it, and it sinks right in, without too much problem. The formula is light and gentle enough for my sensitive skin. In the morning i find that my skin is plumper and smoother. After using it for a week, it seems to help lock in moisture and it is amazing at fading blemishes. It didn't cause me to break out and did not block my pores, overall i would recommend this serum to anyone who need hydration, and an extra boost for winter. Also fantastic to target wrinkles at it contains vitamin E. You get 30ml, which would last you ages, as you need so little. So good value for money. 7/10.

Available @www.onlynaturals.co.uk

The second products from Laidbare that i wanted to try is Pack your bags, an eye cream. I am always looking for a really gentle cream that won't irritate my eyes. It contains Buckwheat wax, and Eyebright extract, and is meant to lighten and tighten the under eye. I have pretty dehydrated skin around this area, and i have some dark circles that i wanted to target, so i was pretty excited. But  after 2 weeks, i don't feel that the cream has lived up to my expectation . I felt the formula was too light and it didn't lighten my dark circles or improved them in any way. The smell is very pleasant, i can smell sunflower oil in it, but it didn't de-puff, or freshen the eyes.  Actually i felt my eyes became a bit puffy after using it, so i used it on my hands instead, but once again it didn't moisturised terribly well. I can't recommend this product if like me, you suffer from dark circles and dehydrated under eye area, or for dry skin. The price is very good at £7.99, and you get a fair amount of product a full 30ml. Once again the fact that is natural is a bonus and might work better on oily skin, and for someone who is after a lighter eye cream. Overall 4/10.

Available@www.onlynaturals.co.uk

The third product that i am reviewing is called Spot the difference face cream and is targeted for blemish prone skin and active breakouts. It contains Caffeine, Horse Chestnut oil. Fennel to calm irritation and Chrysanthemum to helps bumps. It is for oily skin and is matifying. I find that oily skin can get dehydrated and still need moisture and that wasn't it. Once again the formula felt too light on the skin and left the it tight especially now that it's winter. So maybe it would be more suitable for summer and very oily skin. Also the anti bacterial properties didn't work well enough and left directly on breakouts. i found it made it worse and clogged the area. So not active enough against spots overall. I don't suffer from acne, but the occasional hormonal breakouts, and this unfortunately wasn't effective at all. Once again it has the bonus of being totally natural but compared with Burt's Bees Blemish pen which is amazing, this didn't hold out as a localised spot treatment. As an overall cream i think it could do with some improvement. The good thing is that it smell nice and the price is right at £6.99. 3/10.

Available@www.onlynaturals.co.uk

Overall i think Laidbare cosmetics is a really nice natural brand that is affordable, and contains a lot of effective ingredients. Their ethos of banning Parabens, Sulfates, synthetic fragrances, colours, TEA, DEA, Glycols, and animal testing is fantastic and i definitely will be on the lookout for more of their products...

The November edit! Christmas high street wishlist...

 Jacket and leather skirt £119 BY Mango.

I have been coveting a leather skirt for months, paired with a white blazer or cream coat, i think it can look really chic. Also leather pants are still huge this season, pair them with boots for a warmer feel. Leather is everywhere...Available at www.mango.com


Tartan is definitively the print of the moment, try it in blue for a smarter look, and wear with everything!!! Available in newlook £9.99, and Primark at £5.

The casual grey sweater has made the wishlist... It is just the best thing to keep you warm, with a leather jacket, chelsea boots and boyfriend jeans, or high waisted trousers , stylish and effortless really. It has it all! This one is from Warehouse £18.www.warehouse.com

This shirt has a real appeal, with this forest print, i love the combination of the black high waisted shorts and the busy print. Top find from £119 at Mango wwwmango.com

Aaaah! The x-mas jumper, you either love it or hate it!! I am a taker with this one from Newlook £27.99 www.newlook.com

Michael Kors epic watch! The best present to put on your wishlist this year... £179 available through ASOS.www.asos.com

                                                                        

Don't be scared to add a little sparkle to your outfits this month, this crop top is just the thing you need. £19.99 available at newlook www.newlook.com