Fom Body contouring serum review

Body care

Fom Body contouring serum review

September 30, 2013 / Body care / 4 Comments

I haven’t been reviewing body care products for a while and this is the reason I was even more happy when I got the proposal from Fom cosmetics to try their Body contouring serum. Since I didn’t know this brand, I wanted to check first this for-me-all-new brand and as usual the list with ingredients. Everything was ok and so I accepted the proposal about which I wasn’t disappointed at all. Honestly, I am not the type of person going mad for body shaping products, but at the end I was nicely surprised by the quality of this UK brand. I don’t know why, but British green/organic brands have for me a special charm, perhaps because they have that special “old apothecary” style or all that subtle knowledge behind… I know for sure that they always surprise me positively.

As you can see from the picture above, the list with ingredients is very good with the major part of natural oils, scented with essential oils (very nice fresh citrus smell) and loaded with botanical extracts that reduce stretch marks and cellulite. This is the main purpose of this oil, although I cannot give a totally objective opinion on this topic, because I don’t have this kind of problems. But I can confirm that this body oil is very pleasant on the skin, because it leaves the skin nourished and moisturized. I like to mix it water that has remained on the skin after the shower and it feels great! And I love the fresh scent of this oil, too! For those who want to remove cellulite/stretch marks I recommend to rub the oil well into the skin and massage the body with circular movements so that the blood circulation improves and thus start to move toxins out from the body.

This serum/oil comes in a nice 100ml glass bottle with a dropper (see on the top picture) so that you have control of the dosage. I have to say that because of all nice ingredients I use this oil on entire body and I like it!

Fom cosmetics propose this oil because of its beneficial properties that are: omega 3, 6 & 9 and Vitamins A, B, C & E.

To conclude, I’d say that Fom cosmetics is a nice new discovery for me, that I’d use again this oil and that I look forward to try even some other products. Although I was given this product it hasn’t influenced my good opinion. I’d recommend it to every woman who looks for a nice fresh smelling body oil, and even more to women who are looking for natural products that reduce the “orange peel” syndroms.

Mbeze natural deodorants review

July 10, 2013 / Body care / 0 comment

We are in full summer and I want to present you a new version of using the deodorant. I have written a lot about this topic a few years ago; from different green non-toxic options on the market, the list with chemicals to avoid and also how to make your own deodorant at home. This summer I rediscovered some new deodorants when I found a fabulous green shop from US called Pure citizen, where I was immediately attracted by Mbeze. What is it? Mbeze is a brand with a very interesting concept of non-toxic deodorants and also other products that immerse our bodies with natural smells (body mists, oils and perfumes). I’m so in love with gorgeous smells and I wanted to try even other products, but since their concept of deodorants was so appealing to me, I decided to give it a try first. And it functions!

Mbeze deodorette review

When I first saw these sticks I quickly thought that are some kind of stick blushes but no, they are deodorants! And they come in 8 different scents. I have tried their Koko haze deodorette and as always when something is smelling so good I’d almost eat it 😀 Yes, it has a fantastic sensual scent of tropical coconut mixed with some chocolate, so yummy! I love the versatility and also the funny package & design of this product! You can easily and quickly apply the deodorant under your arms in one motion. Because it’s in stick version you can have it wherever you want with you, even on the go which is really cool. And it won’t be even noticed that you carry your deodorant around (I thought it was a blush!).
I won’t lose any words, you should try this stuff!

Here is the full list with ingredients: Beeswax, Vitis vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cocos nucifera (Organic Virgin Coconut) Oil, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Helianthus annuus (Organic Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ethyl alcohol (Natural Grain Alcohol), Fragrance (phthalate-free), Distilled Water, Maranta arudinacea (Arrowroot) Root Powder, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Zinc Oxide, Vanilla planifolia Extract, Citrus sinensis (Organic Sweet Orange) Oil, Santalum album (Organic Sandalwood) Oil, Citric Acid

As you can see from the list Mbeze deodorette is loaded with natural oils and scented by natural essential oils of organic sweet orange, sandalwood and vanilla. Active ingredients that act antibacterial, anti-odor and antiperspirant are sodium bicarbonate, zinc oxide and coconut oil. There is also some natural grain alcohol in it for disinfection and preservation but I swear you won’t notice it nor on the skin nor in your nose.

Mbeze Dabber dust underarm powder review

The next product that made me curious was this Dabber dust powder that I first thought it was a makeup setting powder 🙂 Well, it is a kind of setting powder; a super idea to dust your underarm after you have applied your deodorette to “set” everything and to achieve a dry feeling. Although you can wear deodorette alone as well because it’s not too greasy. I have dry skin and so I don’t feel the need to use it, but I like a touch of this powder anyway. It really makes you feel that you don’t wear deodorant underarm. But I guess that for those with lots of sweat or greasy skin, this product will be a revelation. Especially because it contains kaolin powder and sodium bicarbonate that control sweat in a natural way.

INGREDIENTS: Kaolinite (White Clay), Maranta arudinacea (Arrowroot) Root Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate, Zinc Oxide

Special thanks to Amy @ Pure citizen.com for her great service and to Boris Gorjan for the amazing photo!

Relax your feet – the key to health and wellbeing

December 19, 2012 / Body care / 0 comment

How many of you suffer from cold feet (not just in winter)? Do you get blisters often? Any problem that reflects on our feet shows us that our body suffers from imbalance and is a clear signal that we should so something for our health.

I want to share with you an excellent method that I practice often, it is extremely simple but it can do wonders for your health.
Traditional chinese medicine (TCM) states that our heart is not casually located far away from our feet. The heart (or The Emperor in TCM) is the supreme controller of all other systems in the body. In general, toxins travel from the upper to the lower part of the body and in order to protect the heart, the body sends toxins far away from it. This means that the body collects the toxins in the lower body, especially in our feet. When the accumulation of toxins rises it can lead to many diseases. This is why we should care for our feet not just by doing pedicure and choose shoes that are comfortable and well designed, but also to treat them often. Furthermore, if we take a look on the TCM chart with meridians we will see that on feet are located many important meridians: gall bladder, kidney, liver, spleen and stomach.

Soaking your feet

I will give you a fantastic tip to warm your body, to relax and to stimulate your body towards health. I do this often and I always feel great, but I didn’t know till recently that it has so many benefits. The method is very simple: Soak your feet in hot water! And you can achieve miracles in your wellbeing! Don’t underestimate the simplicity of this powerful method (that is in use for decades in TCM).
After soaking your feet in a basin with hot water (at around 40 degrees Celsius) for about 20 minutes you will feel your body warmer, because it improves the blood circulation. You will sleep better and what is really good: it will be especially beneficial if you have any diseases with female reproductive organs.
Some people put salts or herbs in the water, but TCM recommends using just clear water, because the salts will be soaked inside by the body and so can be unpleasant for kidneys energy, especially if it is weak. Some TCM practitioners recommend to put the ginger “tea” in it to warm the body. But the best is clear water. Note that the perfect timing to soak your feet is before you go to sleep. And when you finish keep your legs and body warm (don’t go out, etc.)!

Help yourself with Acupressure

The second advice is to massage your feet gently and so you will stimulate acupressure points that are connected with internal body organs. The best is to give your feet a treatment from time to time and visit a good practitioner of reflexology massage. You won’t believe how beneficial this can be! I remember that it literally changed my overall physical well-being when my legs and feet hurt after walking too much. I went to a few reflexology massages and the first time I arrived home I went sleeping for 2 hours! After I felt like new, regenerated. I haven’t got the intention to sleep but fortunately my body “forced” me to stop, lay down and recharge.

Detox patches

Another great thing I discovered recently are the so called Detox patches for feet that are based on natural ingredients and derives from ancient Japanese and Chinese traditions. You simply put the patches on feet during night and in the morning when you remove them, they are black because of toxins that have accumulated in them. The patches have natural ingredients that are soaked in the body and that stimulate the body to remove toxins out. After doing a longer treatment the patches will become clear which means the body is detoxicated. You will also feel better and lighter. I have tried it and I was very satisfied. When I have put them the first time on, I felt some kind of prickling in different parts of the body and I knew that the body has start to work.

NOTE During pregnancy you should not practice reflexology. If you have any serious health issues you should consult before a TCM specialists or your doctor.

Face, body and lips nourishment

December 9, 2012 / Body care, Skincare / 20 Comments

Recently I receive quite a lot of questions about treating the skin in winter, especially when the weather conditions are not pleasant for our skin. Chapped lips, dry, red and flaky skin on face and body are just some of many troubles we have in cold winter time. Our goal in preventing dry skin is to protect it with nourishing oils that have beneficial properties. Along with this is also very important to wear warm clothes and gloves on hands if possible. I remember that years ago every winter was a nightmare for me because I had issues with very dry skin. Although I had a myriad of all kinds of products and oils for dry skin, nothing really helped. That was the time when I didn’t know about the huge difference between a beneficial organic oil and petroleum-based oil… I know from experiences that dry skin can be a huge problem so I decided to launch another GIVEAWAY in collaboration with Ecco-verde shop that generously sponsored it. I have chosen a few products for you that I hope will help you to pamper your skin and make you feel better. I like them very much and so I decided to share them with you, too!

3 essential organic products for treating dry skin in winter are:
organic lip balm
organic face oil
body massage oil with aromatherapeutic properties

Of course these are not all the products you need but they are very welcome for everyone in winter time! Let’s take a close look at them.

Crazy rumors Lip Balm

Ingredients: Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Certified Organic Shea Butter, Candelilla Wax, Soy Wax, Jojoba Oil, Carnauba Wax, Natural & Organic Flavors and/or Pure Essential Oils, Vitamin E, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Natural Stevia
This time I’ve started “from the end” and put the list with ingredients of this lip balm on top. As you can see it speaks for itself, because it contains so many good oils that your lips will be protected all the time! I’ve noticed a really huge difference when I switched on natural lip balms from the classic Labello I was using. Now, I don’t need anymore such big amounts of lip balm, because the lips are naturally nourished and protected as well. Organic oils make a protective barrier that is natural and gentle to our skin. While wearing it, our organism doesn’t need to clean itself from unwanted toxins. I have discovered this funny brand called Crazy rumors recently. It has caught my attention because they are specialised just in lip balms and because they have so many lovely packagings. They have a few collections with different flavours and also a collection with tinted balms. I have chosen for you a lip balm from their Tea flavoured collection with Orange Bergamot spicy flavour. Among beneficial oils they are naturally flavoured with essential oils and sweetened with natural stevia which I find really interesting! The balms are vegan and 100% natural 🙂

Badger balm Damascus Rose Antioxidant Face Oil

We are already well informed about Badger balms in their signature tin boxes with lovely illustrations! But apart the balms that are super great and handy for winter time I also wanted to give a try to their oils. I was intrigued to try the Face oil with Damascus rose. It was a great choice! The oil has an orange color and is packed in a beautiful glass bottle (29.5ml) with a pump. The damascus rose is not the main beneficial ingredient in this oil but it’s also loaded with organic cold-pressed oils full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids of jojoba, baobab, pomegranate, seabuckthorn and calendula that soothe our skin (and give this oil the orange color). The scent of this oil is a delicate mixture of natural aromas of chamomile, lavender and rose. This oil is perfect for everyday use and suitable for all types of skin. It absorbs quickly and I recommend it for applying it under mineral makeup. Badger has also other body and face oils that are all to try, since this one is really a pleasant discovery!

Ingredients (INCI): *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, *Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil, *Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oil, Essential Oils of *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), *Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto), and *Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile), and CO2 Extracts of *Rosa Canina (Rosehip), *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn), and *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula). *= Certified Organic

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil

After a good shower there is nothing better to massage your body with a blend of essential oils! I have intentionally chosen this body oil because it has an energizing scent and it reminds me about all benefits that this beautiful flower has. I remember that people used to infuse arnica flowers in natural alcohol and use it when they wounded themselves to disinfect and treat the wound. But Weleda has done a collection of organic massage oils, one of this is with arnica. In the base oils (sunflower and olive oil) they have added the extract of biodynamic grown Arnica flower which has some special benefits especially for muscle pains. I like to choose this kind of oils because they help to regenerate the body especially when tired, or in winter when people “fight” against influences.
On Weleda they claim that this oil is their best-seller for sport professionals and people with muscle pains or different injuries. I add that you don’t have to feel that these oils are just for “old moms” with many pains 😀 Instead, use these high vibrational essences to reload your body with energy and to relax it. It will also help those who suffer from cold feet.

“Arnica soothes inflammation and dilates the blood vessels. Applied to the skin, it promotes healing of damaged tissues and speeds up the repair mechanism, although it should not be applied to broken skin. Not surprisingly, arnica is a great sports remedy, widely used for soft tissue injuries and muscular pain by sports injury specialists, physiotherapists and massage therapists.”

GIVEAWAY Nourish your skin with green products!

Follow these simple steps and you can receive those beautiful products that I’ve reviewed for you.

GIVEAWAY RULES:  

1. Comment below: Drop a few thoughts about these products OR let me know if you like to use oils in winter.
2. Give a like to Ecco-verde on Facebook. Here is the link.
3. Follow my blog (if you are a new follower)

Thank you!  The giveaway is open internationally and finishes on Sunday, December 16th, 2012, at 24:00 CEST.  I will announce the random chosen winner the day after on my blog, Facebook page and Twitter!

This giveaway is sponsored by one of my favorite green shops Ecco-verde. (Note that you can order from all Europe countries)

Weleda pomegranate creamy body wash

October 19, 2012 / Body care / 0 comment

I have finally tried this beautiful scented Weleda pomegranate shower gel and as you can see I’m thrilled about it! I have heard many good reviews about it but usually I don’t buy or try products just because of awards they receive. Recently, I was searching for a new creamy shower gel that would be appropriate for colder days and my dry skin. As I already mentioned, I love to change products according to seasons, so I wanted something very moisturizing, with a nice scent. Weleda pomegranate was a total bingo! I left behind citrus and flower scents that I used during summer and change them with this sensual and natural fragrance. Actually, I don’t smell so much pomegranate in this scent. It reminds me more of a winter spices combination: cinnamon and apples; like an apple pie, but the smell is not strong and artificial, but light and natural. The formulation of the shower gel is very creamy and hydrating because of so many oils: sesame, sunflower and macadamia. After showering this body wash leaves the skin so soft and nice smelling thanks to organic pomegranate seed oil and a mix of essential oils of sandalwood, davana and neroli to stimulate senses. It is a product all to try especially for those who have dry skin. After showering I have massaged in the skin some organic macadamia oil because I wanted an extra nourishing effect. But later I will definitely try even some other Weleda products from the pomegranate line. Especially the lotion and body oil are tempting me 🙂 The entire pomegranate collection can also be a beautiful gift. The product is suited also for vegans.

The pomegranate plant

Below, I want to share with you some interesting facts about pomegranate. I like so much its fruit, the pomegranate apple. I used to eat it often when I was a child, because I received so many pomegranate apples from my neighbour’s grandmother who was from mediterranean island where they had many pomegranate apple trees 🙂

The deciduous pomegranate shrub, or small tree, can reach five to eight metres high. With branches often tipped with sharp spines, the plant’s glossy narrow oblong leaves act as a backdrop for the brilliant red flowers and ruby red fruit that can look like Christmas baubles. This fruit has attracted great attention as a superfood, rich as it is in vitamin C, vitamin B5, potassium and antioxidant polyphenols.
Each fruit contains roughly 600 edible seeds surrounded by white to deep red pulp, and combined these are called arils. Many national cuisines include pomegranates. In India and Pakistan the seeds – often dried, and sometimes ground – are used in chutney and curries. In many Mediterranean countries pomegranate sauce is used to marinade meat, to flavour dips and salad dressings, to top ice cream or yogurt, even spread on toast.
(source: Weleda, You can read more about Pomegranate benefits here )

List with ingredients: Water (Aqua), Coco-Glucoside, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Fragance (parfum)*, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Petal Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Citral* Coumarin* *From natural essential oils.

Has anyone tried this or any other Weleda pomegranate products? Would love to hear your comments 🙂

Cold-pressed oils: The difference

September 13, 2012 / Body care, Lifestyle, Skincare / 9 Comments

My series of cold-pressed oils articles has been put aside for a while. Before continuing with this series, I want to explain what is in general the difference between cold-pressed and conventional oils. This is not important just in cosmetic use, because what we apply on the skin goes also in our blood system. What we eat It has also has a huge impact on our health.

Oils used in conventional cosmetics (and even cheap oils in the food industry) are not cold-pressed. They are produced by using heat in the extraction process and other chemical substances, which change the nature of the oil molecule from a normal trans fatty acid to an abnormal configuration that is literally poisonous for our body. This kind of extraction is very convenient for the industry, because you produce higher quantities (and it’s cheaper than the cold-pressed extraction), but the nutritional quality and the oil’s flavor are totally degraded.
In contrary, vegetable organic cold-pressed oils are extracted by squeezing the seeds in a big press. The oil produced by this method has no trace of chemicals and trans fatty acids.

The Cold-Press Process
Extracting oil through cold-pressing involves crushing the seed or nut and forcing out the oil. Presses come in a range of sizes, from small sizes for home use to huge commercial presses. The seeds are dropped inside a cylinder that contains a rotating screw. This screw grinds and crushes the seeds until the oil is extracted. Small holes in the bottom of the cylinder allow the oil to escape into a collection container. Although some heat is generated through friction as the screw breaks down the seeds, it’s usually not enough heat to damage the oil.

Regarding the quality of oils, their use and differences, I especially got knowledge through Dr. Johanna Budwig’s work.

“Her research has shown the tremendous effects that commercially processed fats and oils have in destroying cell membranes and lowering the voltage in the cells of our bodies, which then result in chronic and terminal disease.”

I have read her books and recommend them to you, but to illustrate you quickly about what I’m talking about in short I found this website where her work is explained. I didn’t immerse so much in her diet science but I was more interested in the scientific explanation and researches about the differences between good and bad fats and the importance of using the best oils for our health. Here is a short excerpt from the mentioned article about Dr.Budwig’s science:

“Without the proper metabolism of fats in our bodies every vital function and every organ is affected. This includes the generation of new life and new cells. Our bodies produce over 500 million new cells daily. Dr Budwig points out that in growing new cells, there is a dipolarity between the electrically positive nucleus and the electrically negative cell membrane with it’s high unsaturated fatty acids. During cell division the cell and new daughter cell must contain enough electron rich fatty acids in the cells surface area to divide off completely from the old cell. When this process is interrupted the body begins to die. In essence, these commercially processed fats and oils are shutting down the electrical field of the cells allowing chronic and terminal diseases to take hold of our bodies.”

This is a short note for all of you who also care of your body inside and not just outside. I’m a firm believer that the beauty is first located inside of us – in body, mind and spirit – and consequently reflects outside. The ritual of celebrating our outer beauty should be the harmonious answer to honoring even our inside beauty. Eating food that is alive (= from nature and healthy grown) is one of the best ways to start taking care of our inside.

Do you like/use cold-pressed oils? Why and which ones?

The magical world of organic fragrances

August 21, 2012 / Body care / 0 comment

“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.”

― Patrick Süskind, Perfume

The words above are taken from the book Perfume that I read a long time ago, at the time when I was a passionate perfume collector. I was interested in reading and trying anything that was in relation with fragrances. I was so fascinated (and still am) by this magical world of manufacturing all these essences in a bottle. Maybe because I’m mostly an olfactory type of person. A scent can lift me up and fill me with pleasant sensations, as well as an unpleasant smell can make me feel totally bad. But when I’ve start to research the world of green beauty I also noticed an important fact that made me reflect a lot regarding my passion for fragrances. I’ve discovered that modern fragrances are a mixture of more than 100 synthetic fragrance chemicals hidden in the word Perfume (or Fragrance) on the back of the bottle. Many of these may be potential skin irritant, allergens, hormonal disruptors,… For those who want to know more about this topic, I recommend to read the book Toxic Beauty (D.Mellowship). But this is not my focus today. I rather want to write about the positive side of what I enjoy the most! I took a leap and decided to choose only naturally made fragrances or light rose and herbal waters.

Today I want to present you 2 of my favorite organic manufacturer of perfumes, where you can really sense the real essence of a flower, woods, fruits, spices and not their synthetic clone. Which in practice means that a natural fragrance made from real natural (and not synthetic) ingredients has also the beneficial property of uplifting your mood, that can never be reached with using synthetic ingredients. The reason is simple: everything that comes from nature is alive and thus it has a higher vibration, spirit, life. Otherwise, artificial/synthetic is dead, with a low vibration. This is why is so important to choose natural ingredients.

Green makeup review of natural fragrances

I have chosen these two exilarating fragrances for upcoming fall-winter season. Many of us change the scents according to our mood and even seasons. I prefer woody, quite sweet and strong scents with an oriental touch for cold days. The first one is Florascent Aqua composita Umami and the second one it’s Tsi-la Kesu organic perfume oil.

Florascent Aqua composita – UMAMI (60ml)

This gorgeous Eau de toilette is packed in a beautiful signature Florascent package: the glass bottle with their simple retro look logo. The bottle is packed in a special paper box in form of a tube with a nice pattern stamp on. The flacons are hand-bottled and hand-sealed which adds an additional value to the overall product.

Their package reminds me of original, old artisanal perfumes. In fact Florascent revives the old tradition of perfumery art from the 17th centhury. I’m so fascinated by the beautiful scent and image of this artisanal products, that I want to share with you a piece of their story:

“Following this tradition we use in our manufactory only purest flower essences and specially produced aromatic plant extracts – also known as macerates. Conservative distillation and extraction techniques are used to preserve the natural and untainted, unmistakable aura of our materials. Aside from our knowledge of traditional production methods, the creation of a natural perfume requires extensive experience in handling the rare and expensive raw materials.”

Umami is a beautiful scent, that won’t pass unnoticed. Its deep aroma will satisfy those who love quite strong notes and a scent with character. This warm composition from the collection of their Aqua composita is a mix of yuzu and vanilla on top notes, on a base of sandalwood and tonka beans. Additional aroma and character are added by spices of pimento and ginger with a generous touch of sweet osmanthus flower. In general, on my skin it remains the sweet aroma of vanilla and woods, a nice sweet and deep scent. For my taste, it will be a perfect scent for autumn and winter.

Green makeup note Before buying any perfume try samples ON YOUR SKIN before. Keep in mind that any comment regarding scents is subjective, because every skin type develops its own scent when in touch with a fragrance. Don’t try perfumes on paper, but on your skin.

Tsi-la Green luxury perfume oil – KESU (4ml)

I couldn’t help myself not to try and discover Tsi-la organics as well. They’re concept is totally different in comparison with Florascent and this is what attracted me so much. Their uniqueness is above all the production of organic fragrances and a modern, fresh approach. Among 2 eaux de toilletes they are especially known by their perfume oils which I find great and innovative! The perfume oils are packed in small 4ml glass bottles with a roll-on, so that you can have them everywhere with you and treat yourself with your favourite scent. You can choose the scent depending on your mood among their 6 mixes. I have chosen Kesu – a beautiful mix labelled as calming. I’d rather say that is a spirit lifting mix, because of the deep and smoky notes. Warm amber and precious rare woods in combination with jasmine petals, davana, exotic spices, and fresh lime develop a sensual, strong and mysterious aroma. The aroma that develops on my skin is again quite deep, a strong woody and spicy aroma with a touch of jasmine. For me this scent is also quite an inspiration for meditating and feeling inspired.

What I like the most is the concept of these perfume oils: their strong points aren’t just the best organic ingredients but also the addition of beneficial vegetable oils for your skin and other precious antioxidants that care and treat the skin while wearing your favourite fragrance. These richness of beneficial minerals and vitamins comes from: Goji Berry, Rooibos, Persimmon and Blueberry. Essential oils help you to feel calm and centered. I love to roll the applicator on my pulse points in the inner side of the hand, rub them together and inhale the fragrance to deep my feelings and uplift the mood. You can also refresh your hair if you want. This fragrance is now a must-have in my personal make-up bag, perfect for on-the-go.

List with ingredients: Certified organic simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, natural and organic fragrance* (no synthetic fragrance, preservatives or artificial colors. 100% pure plant essences), caprylic/capric triglyceride (coconut) oil, certified organic helianthus annuus (sunflower seed) oil*, organic lycium chinense fruit (goji berry) extract*, organic diospyros kaki fruit (persimmon) extract*, organic aspalathus linearis leaf (rooibos) extract*, organic sambucus nigra fruit (elderberry) extract*, organic vaccinium angustifolium fruit (blueberry) extract*, organic ficus carica fruit (fig) extract*, tocopherol (GMO free from a plant source).

*Organic ingredients.Untouched by alcohol, preservatives, artificial fragrances or colorings. Not tested on animals. Vegan.

I have noticed an evident difference when using a strong natural scent vs. a strong synthetic scent. Usually, with “conventional” fragrances I have chosen strong scents because of my dry skin. They disappeared quickly and after, it remained a delicate scent even though the fragrance was strong. With organic perfumes like Florascent or Tsi-la oils it’s totally different. The scent remains strong for all day long after it has developed its main note!

In conclusion, I can say that I have found my favourite brands with green eaux de toilletes! Although I was already using green fragrances, these ones really fill my soul not just but their special scent but I’m also charmed by the beauty when I look and touch their packages!

I’d like to know which fragrances do you use? Are you using natural fragrances and why?

Special thanks to Beauty Bazaar shop for giving me the products that I’ve chosen to review!

About Beauty bazaar: Exceptional, ethical, natural and organic skincare, make-up, perfume and anti-ageing products. Beauty Bazaar supplies a wide range of hand-selected premium quality brands that are truly effective and use only the purest, natural ingredients, with prices to suit all needs. Favourites include Antipodes, Intelligent Nutrients, Inika Cosmetics, terre d’Oc, La Claree Oliv, Tsi-La, Rich Hippie, Sante and Logona. The website offers a complimentary loyalty scheme and free samples, plus exclusive online luxury ethical brands that are otherwise only available at selected London retailers. Beauty Bazaar provides a unique online shopping experience for all your natural beauty needs.

Badger after sun balm

July 18, 2012 / Body care, Skincare / 0 comment

In these days I’ve thrown out from my green bag the After sun balm from Badger balm that I’m going to review. This fabulous product came to me just at the right time, when I needed something gentle, soothing and organic for my skin after a sun&sea vacation. My skin wasn’t burnt but I needed anyway that feeling of pampering myself with something new. And so I got unexpectedly this nice gift from Ecco-verde shop. Thank you again! The Badger’s After sun balm it’s a total revelation! I know about Badger balms but honestly I haven’t tried yet their balms.

The after sun balm comes in a lovely tin box (21 g) with breathtaking illustrations (all Badger products have them). All Badger balms are infused with different organic plant/flower/fruit extracts which is a total olfactory discovery! The balm is based on organic oils and butters like: cocoa and shea butter, jojoba and olive oil, which are all very good for the skin, especially for after sun treatments when the skin needs soothing and hydration to come in balance again. You can apply the balm over the body or just on sore spots where the skin needs special treatment. If you want you can use the balm every time you want not just after sun exposure. Due to its organic ingredients this is a really precious balm for your skin! I’m sure you will also be fascinated by its beautiful scent: mediterranean citruses and lavender mixed with ylang-ylang and Moroccan blue tansy. This last ingredient (Blue Tansy) is considered by aromatherapists to be an important oil for burned, inflamed and damaged skin. Its aroma relaxes and eases the nervous tension and stress.

The balm is USDA organic certified.

List with Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Essential Oils of *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Tanacetum Annum (Moroccan Blue Tansy), *Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime), *Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange), *Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang), *Citrus Sinensis (Sicilian Orange) and CO2 Extract of *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn).  * = Certified Organic

If you like the Badger products or if you want to try them, stay tuned on my blog, because a nice surprise is waiting for you in the near future 😉

Washing and disinfecting hands

January 17, 2012 / Body care / 0 comment

The topic about washing and disinfecting our hands has been in my mind for a long time. I find this topic especially actual in winter time, when all the chemical and pharmaceutical marketing wants to sell us “infections, viruses and other contaminating stuff”. Apart this I also searched for a long time for a hand sanitizer for my work. As a make-up artist I have to disinfect my hands and even my tools. I have finally found some green alternatives and this is the right time to share the whole concept with you. Moreover, I have even found an excellently written article about this topic from my blog friend Melissa Jaynes, who literally had the same thought as I did. Finally, I decided to reblog and include it in my post.

Winter, Germs, Washing Hands …

It’s that time of year where we are all cooped up inside sharing as many germs as possible. So many of us reach for the soaps that have anti-bacterial on them not knowing how harmful they can be. Here are some common myths and the truths behind them:

Thought: Soaps that say they are “anti-bacterial” on the label are the only kind that protect me from the bad germs.
The Real Deal: Actually, all soaps are anti-bacterial and can keep you free from harmful germs. The combination of soap, water, and friction from rubbing your hands or body causes germs to dislodge from the skin and are rinsed away. Easy as that.

Thought: If all soap is anti-bacterial, then why are there soaps that specifically say they are ANTI-BACTERIAL?
The Real Deal: Two words – marketing gimmick. By marketing certain soaps as ANTI-BACTERIAL, soap brands have created in the mind of the consumer a need to have two distinct kinds of soaps in your home. It’s just a simple way to get us to spend more…

Thought: But wait, I always see active ingredients listed on those so called ANTI-BACTERIAL soaps and not on others?
The Real Deal: There are lots of bactericide ingredients that can be added to soap, the most common of which is Triclosan. Triclosan, is a chemical ingredient in many detergents, dish-washing liquids, soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, anti-microbial creams. But did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide? And that Triclosan is classified as a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals which is suspected of causing cancer in humans? Health professionals are worried of the risks we run by exposing ourselves to Triclosan on a daily basis. Not just that, but our over use of Triclosan spiked soaps has already spurred some instances of drug resistant bacteria & viruses. Yikes!

Thought: What is a germaphobe Beauty to do?
Solution: First step is to stop using soaps, washes, and sanitizers that use Triclosan. My experience being Tricolosan-free in soaps & sanitizing products has been a positive one. I am happy to say (knock on wood) that nobody in our home has been sick since we made that change over 2 years ago, not even a sniffle. If anything, we were catching more colds and “bugs” before! Second step, protect yourself. Go back to nature. Look for products that contain naturally derived & proven bacteria fighting ingredients such as tea tree, lavender, lemon, or rosemary. Not only are these alternatives safe for you but they are also good on the environment.

Read the full article on Melissa Jaynes blog Foods for your skin

Green makeup choice for washing and sanitizing hands

100 percent pure hand washes

This mousse-like hand wash is ideal for your hands because of many organic antioxidants, nutrients and hydrating ingredients. Based on organic aloe vera juice this hand-wash praise itself also with antibacterial herbs like: Rosemary, Goldenseal, Oregano, Thyme, Lavender, Spearmint, Peppermint, Basil and Witch Hazel. Use this skin friendly hand-wash simply every time when you want to wash your hands. You can choose from 4 different scents. After you can apply the hand cream from the same collection.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Rose Hydrosol, Sake, Saponified Coconut Oil, Extracts of Organic Green Tea, Rosemary, Goldenseal, Oregano, Thyme, Lavender, Coffee Cherry, Pomegranate, Calendula, Grapefruit Seed, Essential Oils of Key Lime, Spearmint, Peppermint, Basil and Witch Hazel.

Bentley organic anti-bacterial moisturizing hand sanitizer

I discovered this product right when I needed it the most: while traveling around where there is no water to wash your hands or while working to disinfect my hands before doing the make-up. This sanitizer is extremely gentle on the skin, yet very effective when it comes to disinfect your hands. It comes in a 50ml pump bottle and in form of a light mousse. The best thing is that it doesn’t leave any harsh scent or sticky film on your hands. And even best than this is that it doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients, alcohols and synthetic scents. It has the Soil association certificate.

Ingredients: Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Glycerin, Lauryl Betaine, Lactic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Sinensis, Citrus reticulata, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid

100 percent pure French lavender hand buttercream

December 11, 2011 / Body care / 0 comment

It seems that my december green bag is full of interesting beauty stuff… I couldn’t help myself not to share with you this gorgeously smelling 100 percent pure hand cream. In these days I was around all the time and I forgot to take with me the hand cream. And so I was going around with bare hands in these cold winter days (yes, I was also without gloves…). While I was visiting one of my favorite shops with organic cosmetics in our capital Ljubljana, I was trying a few products and soon remembered that 100% pure has an amazing collection of hand creams. All super natural and extremely nourishing! Obsessed with lavender scent (natural lavender!), I drunk lavender tea that the shop’s owner prepared me and of course I took with me also this gorgeous lavender hand cream that saved my hands. Based on aloe vera juice as a preservative, the main ingredients are: cocoa seed, shea and avocado butter to nourish the skin and many beneficial herb extracts of oregano, rosehip, rosemary, thyme and of course lavender essential oil to add the aromatherapeutic touch with its relaxing special scent. The cream is very nourishing, but at the same time it absorbs quite quickly in the skin without leaving the greasy feeling. I adore the package, because I needed a handy hand cream:) to put in my bag. This one comes in a tube of 59ml (2 fl.oz.). In the collection there are also other 3 creams with different scents. The lavender hand cream is now a must in my bag in these cold winter days 🙂

Here is the super clean list with ingredients: organic aloe barbadenis leaf juice, organic rose hydrosol, cocoa butter, shea butter, avocado butter, virgin coconut oil, lavender essential oil, Extracts of: Rose hip seed, candelilla wax, rosemary leaf, oregano leaf, thyme flower/leaf, organic geen tea leaf, goldenseal and japanese honeysuckle extract, Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), pomegranate seed oil.

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