Friday, October 30, 2009

Burt's Bees Royal Jelly Eye Creme

Review of Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly Eye Crème.
By Sue B.

Packaging
Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly Eye Crème with aloe vera comes in a neat little purple recyclable cardboard box with several illustrations of bees around it. There is a lot of information on the box including a list of ingredients, directions for use and a brief explanation of royal jelly and its properties. It clearly states that this Burt’s Bees product is 94.20% natural, an important fact for me as I prefer to use organic or natural products, if available.
Inside the box is a frosted glass jar with a silver coloured lid depicting two more bees and the text “burt’s”, which would not look out of place on any dressing table.

Application
This off white crème has a rich, smooth texture which, although feels sticky on application, is absorbed easily. The information on the box states that it can be used under make-up but, due to a greasy residue, I preferred to use it at night.
Burt’s Bees Eye Cream with aloe vera has a subtle fragrance and, by applying using gentle tapping movements with the pads of the finger tips, leaves the skin feeling soft and moisturised. Just a light covering on the finger is all that is required as “a little goes a long way”.

Ingredients
I love the fact that Burt’s Bees Jelly Eye Crème with aloe vera is 94.20% natural. The inclusion of natural preservatives gives this product 12 months of use once opened, which should be ample time if used regularly. The ingredients are clearly listed both on the base of the jar and on the outer box, so you have the information available before purchase.

Results
Burts Bees royal jelly eye crème with aloe vera left my delicate eye area feeling soothed and nourished as I slept. I’m sure with regular use it will minimise those “laughter” lines as it did help reduce puffiness and relieved tired eyes.

Pros:
The petite 14g jar is small enough to take away.
It has a subtle fragrance.
It is soothing and moisturising.

Cons:
It leaves a greasy residue.

Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly Eye Crème and other Burt’s Bees products are available at naturisimo.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash

Review of John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash
By Ruksana H.

Packaging
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Application
The first time I used this John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash I was pleasantly surprised as I immediately loved the thick consistency and the smell from the natural oils was invigorating, you just cannot wait to use it again and again. It lathered up beautifully and it just goes to show just because a body wash is natural it is no less better at performing than a cheaper body wash full of nasties and this body wash was great.

Ingredients
What’s great about this John Masters Organics Blood Orange and Vanilla Body Wash is that it uses mild surfactants such as corn and coconut which are gentle and non irritating to the skin. It is ideal for the whole family to use, great for people with sensitive skin as is safe to use from head to toe with no strong synthetic smells, just pure essential oils that linger on the body throughout the day.

Results
A truly luxurious John Masters Organics product, will look great in anyone’s bathroom, it had a lovely thick creamy consistency and I even tried it in the bath, it gave so many bubbles I was even more impressed that it doubles as a bath product also.

Pros:
Lovely thick consistency of John Masters Blood Orange and Vanilla Body Wash means it will last for ages and a little goes a long way.
Luxurious aroma which consists of natural ingredients such as pink grapefruit, vanilla and orange
The packaging of the bottle makes it ideal for both sexes to be proud owners of the body wash.
Premium bodywash that matches up to its reputation.

Cons:
Plastic bottle is a let down
A little pricey for a body wash

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash (£17.57) and other John Masters products are available at naturisimo.com

Monday, October 26, 2009

Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S Rescue Me Face & Body Cream

Review of Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S Rescue Me Face & Body Cream
By Rachelle S.

Packaging
The Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S Rescue Me Face & Body Cream comes in an unmarked plastic tube with plastic cap. The tube is inside a cardboard box with a paper leaflet. It is a shame the plastic tube is unmarked because I like to recycle packaging wherever I can. The cardboard carton, however, is from a renewable resource.

Application
I shared the Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S Face & Body Cream with a friend - I have sensitive skin with the odd dry, itchy patch, but my friend has psoriasis so we were both able to trial it for different reasons.
The cream is very rich and I was worried it was going to be too greasy and difficult to apply; or that I would need so much the tube would provide poor value for money.
As it turns out, this cream is lovely; both my friend and I agree. My irritation was instantly calmed with this soothing cream – I used it actually on the dry patches rather than as an overall face or body cream because I wanted to make this tube last as long as I could! It’s like a soothing salve and it moisturizes straight away. You can almost feel your skin taking in the goodness and I would imagine it would be a great product to use in the summer when your skin can get dried out from the sun and wind.
The smell is delicious too; mild and calming, much like the texture of the product.

Ingredients
This Barefoot Botanicals SOS Cream contains some beautiful nourishing oils such as jojoba, starflower (borage), evening primrose and Vitamin E which provide omega’s 3, 6 and 9. We’re all told how healthy these are for our body and it’s the same for our skin! It has herbal extracts which soothe inflammation and irritation such as comfrey, chickweed and calendula along with calming essential oils of chamomile and lavender. I would have no hesitation to put this on a baby’s or child’s skin as it is so gentle. I think it would be a godsend for parents of children with eczema. The ingredients are shown in English as well as Latin which I like; I feel more empowered to know exactly what I am buying and using. There are no harsh chemicals, it is suitable for vegans and this product is cruelty free.

Results
This Barefoot Botanicals product is instantly soothing; it’s almost the sort of thing to keep in a First Aid box! Both my friend and I loved using it as it provided rapid relief to itching, irritation or that dry, tight feeling. After a few days of using it on my elbows there is a noticeable difference, so I’m going to continue using it. My friend’s psoriasis is definitely calmer and she’s going to try this next time she has a flare up. A little goes a long way, so the cream provides good value for money and it’s heaps better than using a steroid skin cream for eczema on babies and children.

Pros:
Provides instant relief for irritated skin.
No nasty chemicals, so suitable for people with allergies
Safe enough to use on children and brilliant for steroid free alternative for eczema.
Gorgeous scent; really soothing and calming

Cons:
Non recyclable plastic tube – I like to recycle all I can
Plastic cap eventually broke; which was inconvenient, but not the end of the world.

Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S Rescue Me Face & Body Cream (£17.57) and other Barefoot Botanicals products are available at naturisimo.com

Pai Macadamia & Rose Dry Skin Cream

Review of Pai Macadamia & Rose Dry Skin Cream
By Deana D.

Packaging
The Pai Macadamia & Rose Dry Skin Cream came in a clear jar with minimalist décor that gave me the impression that saving on packaging would result in a better product.

Application
Upon opening the jar I could smell the mixture of nut and rose which was quite strong and a little overbearing. The texture of the Pai Macadamia and Rose Dry Skin Cream was creamy and absorbed into my skin quickly leaving it feeling soft and smooth. I could apply my make up on top easily and my skin still felt moisturized throughout the day.

Ingredients
I am happy to see that Pai skincare range is preservative free. Although they products have a short shelf life (approx. 6 months), I have no problem with that, as you probably will finish the bottle in two months. I trust the Pai skincare line as they are certified by the Soil Association and have none of the harsh chemicals, parabens, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, fragrance or petrochemicals which can cause allergies. The ingredients label is straightforward, shown in Latin and English so that you know what exactly they are. They are rich in anti-oxidants and Omega 3 & 6, well known for its anti-aging benefits, while the chamomile and rosehip soothe and protect sensitive skin.

Results
After using the Pai Macadamia & Rose Skin Cream for dry skin my skin texture has improved. I felt like I do not have dry skin any longer. There were no allergic reactions to this product and I felt it did what it says on the jar.

Pros:
It glides on easily and absorbs into skin well.
It hydrates the skin for most of the day
People noticed a difference in my skin texture after about ten days.

Cons:
The smell is a little overbearing
It is a little costly

Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap

Review of Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap
By Gill M.

Packaging
This 125g bar of Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap is packaged in a chlorine free wrapper. The packaging is simple in its design, but eye-catching. All the necessary information (e.g. ingredients) are easy to find and read.

Application
This is a firm, smooth Rawganic Moisturising Soap with a rich, creamy lather. The scent is subtle – I usually prefer sweet or fruity smells, but Juniper and Bitter Orange is an elegant, refreshing change.

Ingredients
This Rawganic product is made with 98% organic ingredients, certified by the Soil Association. It is a pure vegetable soap made with organic palm and coconut oils. The organic essential oils used in the soap (Bitter Orange, Lavender and Juniper) do more than just add fragrance – they are beneficial to the skin. Raw Organic do not use GM products, or harsh synthetic ingredients (no parabens, no sodium laureth sulphate, no synthetic fragrances, no synthetic colourings, no formaldehyde and no urea). None of the ingredients are animal based (it is suitable for vegans). The ingredients label is clear and indicates which ingredients are organic and which are not. The soap has been dermatologically tested.

Results
The Rawganic Soap Bar is a good body cleanser that is gentle on my sensitive skin. It lathers easily and is more moisturising than other soaps that I have used in the past. I would definitely buy it again.

Pros:
Rich, moisturising soap that lathers easily.
Natural scent.
The bar of soap didn’t go “mushy” at all, even after several weeks of use!
Made in England so no air miles.

Cons:
The fragrance doesn’t seem to last on my skin.
12 month shelf life (shouldn’t really be a problem).

Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap (£2.95) and other Rawganic products are available at naturisimo.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Lavera Wild Rose Liposome Intensive Cream

Review of Lavera Wild Rose Liposome Intensive Cream
By Joanne S.

Packaging
The Lavera Wild Rose Liposome Intensive Cream comes in a neat 30ml tube.

Application
The texture of the Lavera Liposome Intensive Cream is rather thick and feels very rich when applied to skin, however, it absorbs well leaving the feeling that the skin is being well nourished.

I have combination skin – an oily t-zone, prone to dryness around the eyes and cheeks – while this Lavera product really helped to even out my skin’s dry patches it only made my t-zone oiler and so application was only suitable for overnight use.

As I still have quite young skin I didn’t notice any anti-aging affects Lavera Liposome Intensive Cream may have been providing. However, I did notice that the skin around my eyes brightened and i had no dryness during the time using this product.

A little goes a long way with the Lavera Liposome Intensive Cream and so the 30ml tube lasts for quite a while. Also a great size for keeping in your handbag or for use during travel.

Ingredients
Organic wild rose. No other ingredients listed

Results
After using the Lavera Rose Liposome Intensive Cream the skin around my eyes has brightened and is softer rather than dull and prone to dryness

I probably wouldn’t buy this product again simply because it wasn’t suitable for combination skin but would recommend it to those with dry or older skin.

Pros:
Greatly improved the softness of my skin
Dry patches on skin were nourished, leaving a more even texture

Cons:
Not suitable for use during the day for those with oily skin
Oily t-zones enhanced

Lavera Wild Rose Liposome Intensive Cream (£10.67) and other Lavera products are available at naturisimo.com

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap

Review of Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap
By Linda B.


Packaging:The Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap comes in a cream and green wrapperwhich is certified totally chlorine free. It is a very neat and cleandesign.


Application:The Rawganic Moisturising Soap did not lather very much but had arich and creamy texture which glides over the skin very easily. Itwas gentle enough to use on my face with no adverse reactions and Iwould recommend it to anyone with sensitive skin. The Rawganic Moisturising Soap Bar helped mattifymy normally greasy T-zone but the dry patches on my cheeks were stilldry as were my hands, elbows and knees. I do have a problem with verydry skin on these areas so I was not surprised the soap did notcorrect it. However the rest of my skin felt very soft and smooth.The Raw Organic Moisturising Soap had very good cleansing propertiesand removed all dirt, oil and even makeup without stripping the skinof its natural oils. It rinsed off extremely well and very quickly.


Ingredients:The Rawganic range is certified by the Soil Association andcontains no synthetic ingredients, SLSs, parabens, urea, formaldehyde,GM ingredients nor do they test on animals. The Raw OrganicMoisturising Soap is a vegetable soap bar containg natural oils thatare a tonic for the skin and an organic humectant that helps preservethe moisture in the skin. It also contains organic palm and coconutoils, organic juniper, bitter orange and lavender oils. The full listof ingredients are listed very clearly on the label and it has a shelflife of 12 months.

Results:After using the Rawganic soap my skin felt clean,soft and smooth with no adverse reactions. I would certainly buy itagain even though I still need to use a separate moisturiser on thedry areas.


Pros:
1) It is gentle enough for the whole family to use and ideal forpeople with sensitive skin.
2) It has very good cleansing properties and rinses off well.
3) The hint of lavender fades quickly so even men will use it.
4) It has a lovely rich and creamy texture when being applied - aluxury feeling.


Cons:
1) There is not much lather which some people might not like.
2) It did not help much with the very dry areas on my skin.
3) Quite expensive but it will last a long time, more than most soap bars.

Rawganic Moisturising Bar Soap (£2.95) and other Rawganic products are available at naturisimo.com

Primavera Present Orange Aromatherapy Oil

Review of Primavera Present Orange Aromatherapy Oil
By Geraldine A.

Packaging
The Primavera Present Orange Aromatherapy Oil comes in a dark brown glass bottle. It has a safety cap on it with opening instructions in diagram form on the side of the brown plastic top. It is not packaged in a box. It has an attractive label in gold and green and a clearly marked warning sign showing a black cross with a red background. The label peels back to give more information.

Application
This organic aromatherapy oil has a pleasant natural orange fragrance. It is fruity and sweet and I found it helpful and calming. I used it in an oil burner rather than put it on my skin even though it is supposed to help skin elasticity. If you decide to put it onto the skin, then you must put it into a base oil or a skin cream as it must not be put directly onto the skin. It gave me confidence to know that it is organic and so I was happy that I was not breathing in a product that might have chemicals in it.

Ingredients
I am really pleased that this is a 100% natural essential oil from Primavera. Its Latin name is Citrus Sinensis. It is pure and I was so pleased that I could use this without the danger of chemicals lurking beneath. The label shows that this natural fragrance is cold pressed from fruit peel that is certified organic and is obtained from Italy.

Results
I enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of relaxing when I put this Primavera Orange Aromatherapy Oil in the burner and had some ‘me’ time. Its fresh fruity smell was refreshing and pleasant. I will buy this oil again when I have used it up.


Pros:
It is suitable for promoting well-being and a good mood
It can also be used to promote sleep
If used sensibly, it can be good for the skin.

Cons:
It contains a natural substance called limonene which is present in the peel of
citrus fruits but this can cause eye, skin and mucous membrane irritation.
The label peels back to give warnings about the product but these are sensible
precautions.
It must not be used directly on the skin and if you apply it to the skin in a cream or oil, you must not expose yourself to direct sunlight.

Primavera Present Orange Aromatherapy Oil and other Primavera products are available at naturisimo.com

Friday, October 16, 2009

Pai Geranium &Thistle Combination Skin Cream

Review of Pai Geranium & Thistle Combination Skin Cream
By Gillian L.

PACKAGING This Pai Geranium & Thistle Combination Skin Cream comes in a clear glass bottle with a pump , in trial size 5ml and standard 3oml.All materials are fully recyclable.

APPLICATION A light but rich cream which needs only a tiny dab on drier areas and even less on the oilier T-zone. It is suitable for combination skins and should be applied twice daily to cleansed skin.

INGREDIENTS Pai skincare products are natural, organic and ethically sourced. This cream is produced in the UK, is suitable for vegans and is not tested on animals. As is does not contain any synthetic preservatives, colours or scents it is suited to the most sensitive skins. The main ingredients combine to clear and balance congested skin. Geranium oil cools and calms, while thistle oil, which contains skin soothing omega 6 oils, helps to clear impurities and reduce large pores. Rosemary, lavender, juniper, borage and manuka oils give the cream a subtle herbal scent.

RESULTS Initially this Pai Geranium and Thistle Combination Skin Cream seemed over oily for my combination skin, but I realised I had applied too much. After a week of twice daily use I noticed a marked difference in my skin texture which became soft and supple. A number of blemishes and a stubborn eczema patch on my neck have disappeared. It definitely does what it claims to do -balance the skin -and I would buy this product with confidence.

PROS
1) Good value for money as a little goes a long way.
2)Wonderful for sensitive, combination and blemished skin.
3) herbal scent of this Pai Geranium & Thistle Face Cream appeals to male and female.
4)organic ,natural and ethically sound product.

CONS
1) Initial price may be off putting, if you have not tried the product.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream


Review of Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream
By Sally S.

Packaging
The Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream comes in a blue glass jar inside a recyclable box. The packaging is simple and practical.

Application
The Trevarno Olive and Almond Hand Cream is a soft light textured cream. The product moisturized well and absorbed quickly into my hands. The initial hit of fragrance from the lavender and geranium oils was not over powering and after a few minutes of using the product I completely forgot about the smell and that I was wearing hand cream. As the product absorbs well which to me is critical for a hand cream, (there’s no point having a product that then stops you from getting on with things), it does leave a protective layer on the skin which felt good.

Ingredients
The ingredients list of this Trevarno product is refreshingly short and organic, the olive oil, jojoba, beeswax and cocoa butter combine beautifully to make this nourishing cream with a gentle hit from the essential oils and lavender water. Once again with Trevarno the product only comes in a 30ml pot with a four month life once opened which re enforces the fresh nature and small batches of products which are made by hand.

Results
After using the Trevarno Hand Cream for a few days my hands felt silky soft and my cuticles (which had been in need of some TLC) were greatly improved in appearance.

Pros:
It softened my dry cuticles a treat.
The light fragrance was pleasant and not distracting.
Ideally sized jar to keep in my handbag or on the desk.
Absorbed quickly allowing me to get on with tasks.
Lovely simple ingredients.

Cons:
It is a small jar for hand cream and would certainly not go off before you finished using it.

Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream, (£10.13) organic hand creams and other Trevarno products are available at naturisimo.com

Pai Camellia & Rose Cleanser


Review of Pai Camellia & Rose cleanser
By Irene W.

Packaging
The Pai Camellia & Rose cleanser is supplied in a pump bottle in cream with black writing on and looks very elegant sitting on the dressing table

Application
This is a very gentle Pai Camellia cleanser that has a lovely rose smell and is a joy to use. It feels like a cleanser that would be used in a beauty salon. Simply dot it on to your face and neck and blend with your fingers. The cream simply melts on contact and glides beautifully over your skin. It can be used on the eye area too to remove all your eye makeup. I use a hot muslin cloth to remove the cleanser but it can also be removed with tissue.

Ingredients
Pai make only organic and natural products that are certified by the soil Association. The cleanser is made with Camellia which is full of omega 3 and vitamins A B C & E, rose water, sweet almond oil, and shea butter.

Results
After using the Pai Camellia and Rose cleanser my skin feels really clean and fresh and is ready for applying my moisturiser

Pros:
It is very good for sensitive skins
It smells good
It looks good
It complements the rest of the range

Cons:
The only downfall is the price and at £20 is a little expensive for regular use

Pai Camellia & Rose cleanser (£20.00) and other Pai products are available at naturisimo.com

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist

Review of Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist
By Anisa B.

The packaging for this Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist comes in a spray top bottle for the 125ml and the trial size comes in a small open top bottle.

This hydrating mist is a liquid, water-like formula and can easily be dispensed onto a cotton ball.

The ingredients in the Juice Beauty Mist are as follows:

“organic juices of vitis vinifera (white & red grape) juice & aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, tocopheryl acetate & tocopherol (vitamin E), organic rose canina (rosehip) fruit extract, avena sativa (oat) extract, retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), phospholipids, lecithin, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, sodium hydroxide, tetrasodium EDTA, citric acid, linalool, geraniol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, eugenol, farnesol, rosa damascena & cananga odorata (ylang ylang) pure essential oils.”

All of these ingredients make up a soothing mist/toner for the skin which also provide moisture to the skin as well as age-defying properties over time.

I found this Juice Beauty Toner to be a good one overall – it does everything you expect from a hydrating mist but also goes one step further with its ingredients and gives your skin an infusion of vitamins. It also has a fresh smell that is not perfume-y and strong. I do think, however, that the price is a bit steep for a hydrating mist and have found other natural brands that do a similar product at a more affordable price so for that reason alone, I probably would not buy it.

The pros of this Juice Beauty product are:
- It’s suitable for all skin types
- It contains soothing ingredients
- It removes the residue left by your cleanser
- Feels refreshing on the skin


The cons are:
- The price is expensive for the amount you get and how quickly you run out of the product

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist (£19.95) other Juice Beauty products, and other natural toners are available at naturisimo.com

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser


Review of Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser
By Kath A.

Packaging: The packaging for this Burt’s Bees product looks rather traditional with an orange background and hand drawn images of oranges. The squeezable tube reminded me of effervescent Vitamin C at first but the overall effect is of natural, home-made remedies made in someone's garden and a product you can trust.

Application: The Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial cleanser itself is a very sweet smelling orange gel which instantly wakes you up with its zesty fragrance! The cleanser is quite sticky and has the consistency of a light Vaseline which means it spreads well over the face and neck and remains in place until you splash on water to remove it. It is not a foaming cleanser which can sometimes strip the skin too much of its natural oils, so I preferred this one. It rinsed off easily leaving the skin feeling very clean, fresh and soft. However, I think it is best used on dry skin as it slid off whenever I tried to use it in the shower!
It wasn't drying but did leave my skin feeling rather tight around the mouth and eyes. The back of the tube recommends following up with moisturiser after use although I don't think this is completely necessary.

The Burt’s Bees Orange Cleanser is pleasant to use and has left my face feeling brighter and cleaner. I'm not a massive fan of the aroma of oranges but this smells wonderful and just a little is all that's needed to wash the face thoroughly.

Ingredients: The Burt’s Bees orange face cleanser is packed with natural ingredients, some of which sound very exfoliating, even though the cleanser is very gentle! They include olive fruit oil, oat kernel flour, orange peel and quillaja bark. The cleanser is 100% natural and is sulfate and paraben free.

Results: I thought this was an effective and gentle natural cleanser which refreshed the skin and left it feeling very clean. The scent is an aromatherapy experience on its own! A lovely product.

Pros:
An effective and easy to use cleanser
A delicious scent
Leaves skin feeling soft and looking brighter

Cons:
Can lead to some tightness of the skin
A little stinging to the eyes
Slides off an already wet face!

Burt’s Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser (£11.26) and other Burt’s Bees products are available at naturisimo.com

Friday, October 9, 2009

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk

Review of John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk
By Nicola R.

Packaging
The John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk has a stylish simple design, I would happily have this in my bathroom. Theregular size has a handy pump dispenser which helps prevent wastage.

Application
This John Masters Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk has a thin texture. It goes on smoothly and sinks inquickly so you can get dressed straight away without it feeling sticky.It is ideal for all over the body.

Ingredients
Lots of goodies in here - aloe vera, safflower oil, comfrey, Japanesehoneysuckle along with the gorgeous essential oils of blood orange,vanilla, grapefruit and tangerine which give this product its amazingsmell. Most of the ingredients in the John Masters Organics Blood Orange and Vanilla Body Milk are organic and there are no hidden‘nasties’.

Results
This John Masters Organics product feels really luxurious to use - despite not having a richtexture. I have previously enjoyed using John Masters’ hair productsand was delighted with this body lotion (I may try out his facialskincare range next). The smell is divine. It reminds me of childhoodsummers. I‘ve read that vanilla is an effective scent for attractingmen so maybe that‘s why my husband likes the smell too! I think thisproduct would be great for winter as the citrus fragrance is so cheeryand uplifting, whilst the vanilla is warming.

Pros:
1 The wonderful smell.
2 A little goes a long way (because the lotion is quite thin).
3 There is a matching body wash so it is possible to ‘layer’ thefragrance.

Cons:
1 The price. Unfortunately this product isn’t cheap (you are payingfor good ingredients) but I suspect that a bottle would last a longtime.
2 The milk might not have a thick enough texture for some people.

Whish Pomegranate Sugar Scrub


Review of Whish Pomegranate Sugar Scrub
By Debra S.

Packaging
The Whish Pomegranate Sugar Scrub smooth plastic tube in white and pink with a wide stripe runningdown the length. The print font is in hand-written style in black onthe front. On the reverse, there is a mixture of font styles and sizesgiving information about the product.

Application
The Whish Pomegranate Body Scrub is a very concentrated formula, which I found difficult to squeezeout of the tube. When wet, it becomes slippery, so is even moredifficult. This thick buttery coloured scrub is oily too, so not veryeasily absorbed, so that quite firm rubbing is necessary. The saltgrains are small for a body scrub, so this does not help either. It feels quite sticky to touch and not very pleasant. It has an unusualsmell, which is slightly reminiscent of red berries and avocado, butsmells more strongly of wax and oil.

Ingredients
It clearly states the ingredients on the reverse as: brown sugar,raspberry seed, bamboo powder, organic shea butter, organic raspberrybutter and organic aloe, with vitamin E extract and organic avocadooil. It also lists other ingredients in the small print, such asbeeswax, organic sunflower oil, carnauba wax, organic pomegranate andperfume. I like the fact that it gives the English and the Latinnames.

Results
It says on the tube of this Whish product that it exfoliates, moisturizes and renews. Iwould say that it is quite effective as a moisturizer, once it hassunk in, but it does not exfoliate well or renew. Overall, I would sayI did not like this product very much and I would not be able to rateit highly.

Pros:
It moisturizes well
Lots of natural organic ingredients are used

Cons:
The packaging of the Whish Pomegranate Sugar Body Scrub looks cheap
Formula is too concentrated and difficult to get out of tube
Formula is too oily to be easily absorbed
Salt grains are too small
Fragrance is unpleasant
It does not exfoliate well

Whish Pomegranate Sugar Scrub (£20.80) and other Whish products are available at naturisimo.com

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Whish Pomegranate Body Shave Cream


Review of Whish Pomegranate Body Shave Cream
By Catherine G

Packaging
The Whish Pomegranate shaving cream comes in a nice plastic, pink and white pump dispenser that looks pretty in the bathroom!

Application
The Whish Pomegranate Body Shave Cream doesn’t lather like conventional shaving gel, instead the shaving cream has a very light, silky texture and glides onto your skin beautifully, making it feel soft and moisturised after shaving. It has an amazingly sweet, fruity aroma and gives a very good close shave. My husband even used it for a shave one morning and loved it!!

Ingredients
The Whish shaving range is paraben free and full of lovely organic/natural ingredients with no propane or alcohol in sight! Also their products are not tested on animals. The product is also gluten free which may be of interest to some users. The organic pomegranate oil provides the yummy aroma but it’s also available in Lemongrass and Almond.

Results
After shaving my skin felt soft and smooth having got a very close shave.

Pros:
The Whish Pomegranate shaving cream soothes my skin whilst giving a good clean shave
It is excellent for sensitive skin
Better than just using soap as you can moisturize and shave all in one step with this product

Cons:
I had to rinse out my blade more regularly than if just using soap but you do get a better shave!
The product is in a sealed unit so you can’t unscrew the lid to get out any last morsels of cream!

Whish Pomegranate Body Shave Cream (£16.40) and other Whish products are available at naturisimo.com

Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Baby Lotion


Review of Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Baby Lotion
By Nadine D.

Packaging
The Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Baby Lotion comes in a transparent bottle with a silver screw top lid. The design on the label is an adorable little baby sitting in front of some classical angel wings. It is very nostalgic and appealing.

Application
The texture of the Earth Mama Angel Baby Lotion is very light and easy to apply. It melts into the skin without leaving a greasy residue and immediately after application my daughter’s skin felt wonderfully soft and moisturised. The fragrance had a hint of warm citrus about it, which to me reminds me of cosy winter nights. I could still smell the fragrance over an hour after application, but it was not overpowering to me in any way. The cream was very gentle on my toddler’s skin and mild enough to use on her face.

Ingredients
As the Earth Mama Baby Lotion was used on my daughter’s skin, I am very pleased that it is toxin free and only contains pure ingredients with no artificial ingredients whatsoever – no parabens or other chemical preservatives, artificial dyes or fragrances. The product does have a shelf life, but I cannot foresee a problem with this if you use the product after most bathtimes, like I did. The ingredients label is straightforward, shown in Latin and English so that you know exactly what they are. It contains organic rooibos and calendula to moisturize and soothe tender and irritated skins and the natural ingredients make for the fabulous fragrance. This product is also certified vegan.

Results
After using the Earth Mama Angel Baby product, my daughter’s skin was beautifully soft with no sign of irritation. I would definitely use this product again and am now considering trying other items from the range.

Pros:
All natural ingredients and certified vegan
Moisturises well and the rooibos can help calm irritated skin
Long lasting moisturisation
Wonderful fragrance
Would make a lovely gift for a new mum

Cons:
Although I loved the fragrance, it may be a little strong for some people
The cream is sometimes hard to extract from the bottle and you can end up with more than you bargained for.
I could not get at some of the cream left on the inside of the bottle, so some of it was wasted

Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Baby Lotion (£11.74) Earth Mama Angel Baby products and other organic baby products are available at naturisimo.com

Friday, October 2, 2009

Essential Care Lemon & Tea Tree Facial Wash


Review of Essential Care Lemon & Tea Tree Facial Wash
By Eleanor R

This 70% organic facial wash comes with good credentials – being soil association certified, paraben and cruelty-free. The Essential Care Lemon & Tea Tree Facial Wash is a gentle and effective cleanser for oily or combination skin. It has a fresh lemony, herbal scent and lathers gently on the skin. It leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and refreshed and removes nearly all traces of make-up. I found this Essential Care product to be highly effectual at balancing oily areas in the T-zone, giving a more matte, even appearance to the skin and helping to control any nasty outbreaks.

The packaging of this Essential Care Lemon and Tea Tree face wash is grown-up and simple, and wouldn’t look out of place in any bathroom cabinet. Despite its relatively small size (30ml) a little goes a long way, so you won’t run out too soon.

Overall, a product that it pleasant to use and leaves skin noticeably cleaner and clearer.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Whish Pomegranate Body Wash


Review of Whish Pomegranate Body Wash
By Elle A.

The best thing about this Whish product was its design. Funky pink and black, with pretty curly writing and clearly labelled, it is very feminine, without being overly glittery and girlie, and eye-catching. However, the Whish Pomegranate body wash comes in a squeezy plastic bottle, which is very slippery in the shower, and once opened, the lid was very hard to close, resulting in sticky body wash leaking all over the place (however, I did notice that you can buy it from Naturismo in a plastic bottle with a pump dispense- probably a bit more practical for use in the bath). I also found the smell of the Whish Pomegranate Wash, although quite nice to begin with, very nauseous after a while. You can definitely smell the pomegranate and raspberry butter, but it is a very strong scent, and very sweet and sickly – reminded me of bubblegum. Saying this, my friend liked the sweet smell, so I guess it is down to personal preference, but I wouldn’t recommend this to people who prefer their products to have a more discreet perfume.

The actual Whish Pomegranate body wash, although it foams nicely, is very sticky to begin with. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it, or you might end up a bit shiny! I haven’t noticed any magical softening effects on my skin yet, but it definitely cleans (and the smell lingers on your skin for quite a while afterwards). All Three Whishes products are paraben, sulphate, petrochemical, DEA and TEA free, not tested on animals, and come in recycled packaging, which is good.

I would recommend this product to anyone who likes strong, lingering, fruity scents in their body washes, as well as anyone who likes beautifully packaged items in their bathroom, but not to people who dislike heavily scented products or having to keep their washes upright so as not to have sticky liquid leaking all over the place!

Whish Pomegranate Body Wash (£12.05) and other Whish products are available at naturisimo.com