Organic Handkerchiefs & Cosmetic Squares

I get a little giddy when I find super pure, good-for-the-planet products. Can you imagine my giddiness when I spotted these handkerchiefs and cosmetic squares from Hankettes? Not only do they look cute but they're made from organic cotton, are reusable and made in Canada. What a joyous find for a Wednesday! Okay, small and simple things make me happy but I love that these products help us to live a less disposable lifestyle.

I was actually going to do a post soon about how great coconut oil is for removing mascara and eye make-up but didn't want to encourage people to use tissues or even organic cotton eye pads because they are wrapped in plastic and then tossed away after one use. Problem solved now! You don't have to buy expensive make-up remover either, just try applying some organic coconut oil to your eyes (which you can find in glass jars in health food stores) and then wipe mascara away with these nifty cosmetic squares.

Organic Cotton Cosmetic Squares available at Hankettes for $19.99 (Canadian Dollars).

Organic Cotton Handkerchiefs - Box of 8, Hankettes ($44.99 CAD)

Sugar Wax - Natural Hair Remover

If you want to ditch the disposable plastic razors and inconvenience and expense of visiting the beauty salon, you may want to try my Sugar Wax. I've been using this for a year now and think it's a great green product that needs to be shared.

The Sugar Wax contains only four ingredients - fair trade sugar, filtered water, organic lemons and organic lavender essential oil (unscented is also available for pregnant women and people with diabetes).

Most home wax kits are packaged in plastic containers that are microwaveable. I wanted to keep my Sugar Wax as pure and as pretty as can be, so it is packaged in a glass jar from France. This jar is heated in a pot of simmering water and is not microwaveable. When you purchase the Sugar Wax, you will also receive wooden spatulas and reusable organic cotton strips.

If you want to find out more about this product or wish to purchase it, please visit my Etsy shop - Green Lashes and Fashion.

I hope you'll love it as much as I do!

Tara xox

image: Hannah Banting

Gamarde Organic Concealer Review

I'm always looking out for a stellar organic concealer. I've been using Gamarde's Concealer for Dark Circles for several months now and think it's so good, it's worth telling you about it. I love how this concealer doesn't go cakey or dry the eye area like so many other concealers do. It blends in well and looks natural but like it's doing its job (disguising dark circles and imperfections).

The 6g tube that the concealer comes in looks teeny but it seems to last a long time. You only need to apply a small amount under the eyes or any other iffy areas on the face requiring a bit of extra coverage. Remember to apply the concealer gently by tapping it under the eye, rather than dragging the delicate skin. I don't apply an eye cream or anything beforehand because the ingredients feel nourishing and moisturising.

The concealer contains Gamarde thermal water from France as well as exotic argan oil. Gamarde list their full ingredients on their site in French but thanks to Google Translate, the list should read something like this in English:

Ingredients:
Gamarde water, eucalyptus hydrosol, argan oil and sunflower oil, bamboo extract, horse chestnut tincture, essential oils of lavender, palmarosa and ylang ylang.

Certified organic by Cosmébio. Made in France. Not tested on animals.

Gamarde Concealer for Dark Circles is available at Naturisimo for £13.22. For further information on this product, you can view Gamarde's page in French.
Image from Gamarde

Expand Your Yoga Repertoire

The first of the month is often a good time to start something new. If you want to try doing a bit of yoga each day but can't make it to a class, you may like to check out Yoga Journal. You can view a ton of poses that are categorised either by anatomical or therapeutic focus. If you want to find a pose that targets your arms or helps with insomnia, you can find it on their site. There is even a tool to help you build your own yoga sequences so you can enjoy a personalised session at home. My new favourite pose is Half Moon but maybe I'll be able to do this Side Crane pose (above) by the first of October. Ha!

Image: David Martinez (Yoga Journal)

Maple Syrup for the Hair?

I knew beer could be poured over hair to remove build-up and add bounce but I never knew maple syrup could be used also. It sounds weird and it sounds sticky but it works. Maple syrup can not only be drizzled over pancakes, it can also be drizzled over your hair!

I first heard about this when watching Kym Douglas on the Ellen show and immediately had to try it out. Just apply some maple syrup to dry hair and leave it to marinate for 20 minutes or so and then wash it out (I used Green People's Organic Shampoo). There is no stickiness involved and I noticed my locks looked shinier and healthier. I know maple syrup can be expensive but sometimes your hair needs a treat and what could be more natural or delicious than maple syrup?

Meridian Organic Maple Syrup - Goodness Direct for £4.99 (love the glass bottle over plastic).

Easy Walnut Face Exfoliant Recipe

Over the weekend I made a wonderful face exfoliant using only two ingredients, walnuts and oat milk. It was so easy and the nutty mixture felt utterly (and nutterly) amazing on the skin.

I would never have thought about using ground walnuts on my face (who does really?) but when I spotted an out-of-date bag of organic walnuts in my kitchen cupboard, I was reluctant to toss it away and waste them. I remembered reading once that ground walnuts could be used to whiten teeth so I thought it was worth googling other beauty recipes that used walnuts. Sure enough, one recipe sprung up and it suggested adding a splash of milk to the ground nuts. I used organic oat milk which made the mixture feel extra soft and creamy on the skin.

To make the mixture, just blend the walnuts in a food processor or blender and store them in a recycled glass jar. You can then scoop out a handful when you need some and add a fresh splash of milk each time. I'm going to keep using this lovely walnut exfoliant twice a week as it cleanses the face gently yet effectively and my skin felt sparkly and taught afterwards. I love how amazing and inexpensive this homemade recipe is. I'll take it any day over the costly, conventional beauty exfoliants that contain a plethora of harsh ingredients. Viva la walnut!


walnut image credit: here
oat milk image credit: flikr (sweet beet and green bean)

28 Ways to Become a Little Greener in 2010

Image found via Little Lost Love

If you want some ideas on how you can start living an even greener, cleaner life this new year, perhaps this list will help. I've written down all the best green discoveries I made during 2009 (or earlier) and hopefully some of the actions will help or inspire you! Any more tips or suggestions would be welcome as I love learning about ways to tread more lightly and kindly on the planet. Thank you!

1. Start the day the organic way. I love organic weetabix (Doves Farm Organic's Whole Wheat Cereal Biscuits) and organic oat milk.
2. If you prefer to whip up a smoothie or juice at breakfast time, why not try using a glass straw from Glass Dharma?
3. Enjoy a healthy morning drink of hot water, one tsp of organic apple cider vinegar and one tsp of organic honey (and reuse tea cup throughout the day to save washing).
4. To conserve water, I only fill the jug with as much water as I need.
5. I also turn the tap off when brushing my teeth and washing my hands.
6. I constantly praise the power of the coconut. Organic and fair trade coconut oil is truly pure and makes an excellent moisturiser for the face and body (its also great as an eye make up remover).
7. I won't lie, finding an organic and natural shampoo that worked as well as a mainstream, popular shampoo has been challenging. The one that has impressed me the most has been Green People's Intensive Repair Shampoo.
8. I haven't used a conditioner for ages, preferring instead to massage my scalp and locks with coconut or almond oil with lavender before washing the oils out with shampoo.
9. I've switched from a body wash to a bar of soap to save on excess plastic packaging. I love Dr. Bronner's Citrus Orange Organic Bar Soap made with sustainably sourced palm oil.
10. I brush my teeth with Preserve's toothbrush made in the USA from recycled plastic. I favour organic and natural toothpastes from Green People or Weleda.
11. Keep your makeup pretty but natural. My cosmetic staples include Lavera mascara, All The Better To Kiss You With Lip Balm in Chai Mandarin, Perfect Organics' Lip and Cheek Shimmer in London, Borlind Eyeliner and Intelligent Nutrients Aromatic Spray in Awaken.
12. For clothing, I shop at vintage stores, eco boutiques or online eco stores and sites such as Etsy. I don't actually shop too much as I try to be creative with the clothes I already own.
13. I've been chuffed with the vintage fashion I've found at my local Oxfam store and places such as It's A Wrap in LA. I've picked up great scarves, cardigans, jackets, dresses and shoes that are unique and were sold at bargain prices!
14. Whether I'm shopping for groceries or clothes, I proudly and stubbornly use my reusable bags.
15. Instead of a plastic or aluminium water boter, try reusing a glass bottle.
16. Keep your home and yourself healthy by spritzing a bottle of water filled with eucalyptus essential oil around the house, bedrooms, bathrooms and on television remotes and door handles.
17. Steam inhalations with eucalyptus essential oil also keep me healthy during winter (as well as spoonfuls of honey and salt water gargles).
18. Reuse glass jars for storing food in your fridge and freezer.
19. Bless bicarbonate of soda! It can clean your house, whiten teeth, remove tea stains from cups and can even be used as a deodorant.
20. Deal with aches and pains with essential oils and apple cider vinegar. For headaches try rubbing lavender onto the temples neat and for stomach cramps during that time of the month, try lavender and sweet almond oil. Peppermint oil mixed with any base oil is also great for any other tummy trouble. Apple cider vinegar can be swiped over aching muscles to ease discomfort.
21. Peppermint oil can also be sprinkled on organic cotton wool and left around the kitchen or house to keep mice and the like away.
22. Hang a mesh bag in your closet filled with fresh rosemary or broken cinnamon sticks to keep moths away. Lavender sprinkled organic cotton wool also helps.
23. Do your laundry on the lowest temperature and try using soap nuts. Add a splash of vinegar for a natural fabric softener and remember to try and dry your clothes naturally.
24. Dust the house with e-cloths.
25. Try using olive oil on wooden furniture. I love how it makes everything look so polished and shiny.
26. Inspiring website discoveries over the past few months have included Kind Over Matter, Jason Mraz's Freshness Factor Five Thousand and Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Life.
27. Amazing vegan food discoveries during 2009 included Booja Booja Hazelnut Truffles and Ice Creams, Plamil's Organic Orange Chocolate, Zest's Vegan Pesto and Mexican Sauce (for super quick and easy dinners) and dessert treats from The Living Food Kitchen (I could write a song about the deliciousness of their Goji Berry Christmas Pudding and Chocolate Mousse).
28. I love to finish the day, English granny style with a cup of Pukka tea. I absolutely love the Protect tea made with organic jasmine green tea and cardamom.

Beauty Review - Inika Mineral Foundation

With the party and gift giving season well and truly upon us, it may help to learn about a great mineral foundation I've found. Inika's award-winning Mineral Foundation provides your skin with everything you could want from a foundation - excellent coverage of flaws, natural looking and light enough so that your skin can still breath! This foundation can also be used as a concealer.

Many mineral foundations contain nasty talc and bismuth oxychloride, but Inika avoid these along with preservatives such as parabens, preferring to keep it simple with only the following ingredients:

Mica (CI 77019) May contain (+/-) Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891); Zinc Oxide (CI 77947); Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499); Ultramarines (CI 77007).



To ensure the foundation stays put throughout the day and night with a fantastic consistency, I'd suggest using Inika's primer. This lovely cream is applied after your moisturiser (or can be used without a moisturiser) and is a vital step in getting the most from your mineral foundation. I love the botanical scent and the fact the ingredients are certified organic. To view ingredients in the primer, click here.



Vegan girls will love Inika's award-winning, Vegan Kabuki Brush which is perfect for applying the mineral foundation. This brush is big, fluffy and enables you to distribute the foundation evenly around your face with large and gentle brush strokes (that are super soft). Even the wood from the brush handle is 'sourced from sustainable forestry.'

You'll find the Inika range of cosmetics looks ultra luxurious. The sleek, Cleopatra shades of black and gold packaging make each product look equal to any pot or jar of Chanel or Dior. Inika also have a broad selection of foundation shades to choose from, so finding the right shade for your skin should be a breeze. I tend to like choosing a shade a smidge darker than I usually would as it provides a nice, sun-kissed glow.

All three products can be purchased at Content - Mineral Foundation (£21.46), Vegan Kabuki Brush (£19.57) and soon, also the Primer.



Content are also selling a gorgeous Christmas pack at the moment filled with Inika goodies. You will find a medium pot of foundation, mini Kabuki Brush and organic Berry Lip Whip in a classy gold purse.
Purchase at Content - (£29.95)

The Inika line of cosmetics and brushes are certified vegan (by the Vegan Society), are 100% certified cruelty free (Choose Cruelty Free) and are made in Australia. To learn more about Inika, you can visit their website.

Upcycled Dresses, Organic Deodorant and Sunscreen

Puf' N Stuff - Surry Hills

Phew, I'm back home in London after a whirlwind trip to Auckland, Sydney, LA and Las Vegas. Accessing the net and finding time to post was difficult but hopefully I can catch you up on the green parts of my trip in some upcoming posts soon.

I was doing quite well on the vegan food front until I reached Vegas and then I became quite hungry. It was tricky finding vegan and healthy food options! I also spent most of the trip window shopping and I kept my reusable shopping totes empty as it was hard finding time to visit the best vintage stores or eco boutiques in each city. I was okay with being 'that girl who rarely shops' and then I serendipitously stopped by It's A Wrap in LA and seriously made up for not properly shopping for over a year! It was definitely a birthday splurge and the nine pieces I snapped up were all disused stock from television and film studio wardrobe departments (I will post more info and pics soon).







My only other eco fashion splurge happened in Surry Hills, Sydney. Surry Hills had numerous vintage stores and Puf' N Stuf in particular caught my eye. They had the cutest and quirkiest upcycled dresses. I couldn't resist picking up the three dresses above (which I believe were made in Thailand). They'll be great for summer but also during winter here in London with stockings, cardigans and blazers.



Sydney sure was hot. After living in London for over four years, my pale, pale skin didn't know what had hit it. I was close to reenacting the scene from the Wizard of Oz where the Wicked Witch shrieks, 'I'm melting, melting' but soon composed myself and reached for the Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen instead. I hadn't tried an organic or natural sunscreen before so I bought a tube of Badger especially for this sun soaked trip.

I love the ingredient list and the fact zinc oxide is used instead of titanium dioxide. The sunscreen had a pleasant and subtle lavender scent and was super thick. It did take awhile to rub into the skin and it did leave a white residue a few times (but once I really massaged the cream into the skin, it didn't happen again). The final piece of proof that this was a fantastic sunscreen option for the eco-conscious was the fact I didn't get burnt in the blazing Sydney sun! For more sun related information about Badger's sun shielding abilities visit their site here.

Purchase Badger Sunscreen at Love Lula for £14.20 or Saffron Rouge for $15.95



Another wonderful product I discovered was Erbaviva's Organic Jasmine and Grapefruit Deodorant. I was thoroughly impressed that this organic deodorant worked so well during the 30+ degree weather. The scent was gorgeous too with a citrus spiked, light earthy, perfumey loveliness! So now I have three favourite aluminium free, natural deodorants to choose from: Weleda's Citrus Spray, Bicarbonate of Soda and Erbaviva's Jasmine and Grapefruit.

Purchase at Love Lula in travel size (£4), 100ml (£12) or Erbaviva $6 or $18
Contains: organic grain alcohol, jasmine, grapefruit, ginger, cedarwood, cypress, orange, sage and lemon essential oils - certified organic by USDA.

Intelligent Nutrients - Aromatics Review

When it comes to ingredients, INs products would wear halos if they could. The products are free from sin and instead contain potent and powerful ingredients any organic, green goddess would approve of (for further information, links to the full ingredient lists of each product are provided below).



Aromatics
One of the standout products for me would have to be the organic Aromatic sprays. The cute and compact spritz bottles are ideal for tossing in your bag or for travelling and they contain the most divine scents! There is a concoction to match any mood and I personally couldn't get enough of the Awaken aroma. The citrus symphony of bergamot, orange peel, lemon and grapefruit oils combine with spearmint and pepper seed oils to create a zingy and invigorating spray that certainly awakens the senses! The Focus aroma is equally lush and perfect for all the times I need to sit at my computer and write like there is no tomorrow. BTW, these sprays can also be used on the hair!
Purchase Awaken - $50 or view other Aromatics



Intellimune Oil and Tablets
IN products are positively bursting with nourishing and good-for-the-body ingredients that smell so good you want to eat them! Fortunately, you can get an antioxidant hit courtesy of INs Intellimune Oil and Tablets. Both products 'help battle oxidative stress and aids in fighting pre-mature aging' and contain ingredients derived from seeds of organic black cumin, organic grape seed, organic red raspberry, organic pumpkin and organic cranberry. The oil can be consumed daily (1-2 teaspoons) and even used on the face as a wonderful moisturiser.
Purchase Intellimune Tablets - $45
Purchase Intellimune Oil - $45

To learn more about Intelligent Nutrients and to shop online, you can visit their website here.

Budget Beauty - 13 Natural Skin Care Tips

Bee Cleansed
The day I learned I could cleanse my face with honey was a happy day for me (slightly sad, I know). I love beauty treats that are edible and that are already in your home. I thought honey would leave me in one big sticky mess but you just need to splash your face with a little water before applying a dollop of organic honey to the face and then carry on as you would with a normal cleanser. Honey is wonderful for the skin due to its antibacterial properties and it is often used to heal burns and wounds.
Image: Manuka Honey - Daylesford Organic £5.95




What Kate Said...
Kate Beckinsale reportedly uses a hot towel with a few drops of lavender oil on her face as a soothing treat for the skin (and a little pore pampering) - as mentioned in InStyle.




Eye Makeup, Be Gone!
You don't need a special eye make up remover to wipe away stubborn mascara, eyeshadows, concealer and eyeliner residue. A swipe of sweet almond oil or coconut oil will do just as good a job, if not better and it is much more gentle and nourishing for the skin. You could apply the oil to an organic cotton pad to remove eye makeup or to be even more eco-friendly, apply the oil to the eye area with your fingers (careful not to drag the delicate skin under the eye) and then gently remove with a moist flannel or cloth.
Image: Organic Sweet Almond Oil - Culpepper £5 - 100ml





To Tone or Not To Tone
That is the profound question many girls ask themselves as they go through their daily beauty routine of cleanse, tone (will I, won't I?) and moisturise. Some people think toner is like bottled water in a restaurant (completely unnecessary) while others believe toner is great for removing the last traces of makeup or grime. Whatever your thoughts, there can be no harm in trying organic Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner and seeing the benefits it has on your skin. This is potent and rather 'on the nose' stuff but hey, us girls are used to suffering in the name of beauty and this product is so pure and beneficial to the skin, that it is worth it. Just dilute the Apple Cider Vinegar with equal parts distilled water or green tea and then apply as you would a normal toner.
Image: Higher Nature Organic Apple Cider Vinegar - Goodness Direct £6.30


Mist Before Moisturising
This a new beauty tip I recently picked up and it will help your moisturiser absorb better into the skin and basically help your moisturiser, 'do it's thang!' Just spritz your face with your own spray bottle filled with distilled water and favourite essential oil or the chilled peppermint tea, as mentioned last week.




Moisturise with Oils
You may think oils will leave your skin too shiny or greasy if you use them as a moisturiser but try and experiment with various skin-friendly organic oils such as:

• Pomegranate
• Argan Oil
• Sweet almond oil (apparently a favourite of Liz Hurley)
• Coconut oil (which I heard was a wrinkle fighter so I've started applying this to my eyes, mouth, neck and decolletage).

As I've written before, I've been loving Akamuti's Raspberry Seed Oil of late and have found it to be a great day moisturiser for my skin. Once you find an oil that suits your skin, you'll realise you don't always need a store bought moisturiser with numerous ingredients when a pure and simple, organic oil can be just as beneficial.

Image: Organic Pomegrante Seed Oil - Akamuti £3.95




Fuss-Free Masks
One area of your beauty routine that you can really save money on is your weekly face mask. You can be resourceful and use what is already in the kitchen but I like to keep it super simple, as I don't have the time or inclination to blend exotic fruits, nuts, oils with a sprinkle and a dash of 15 essential oils I do not own! So here are two easy masks for dry and oily skin.

Dry: Mashed avocado
Oily: Mashed banana (honey and / or lemon optional)

Before you toss the avocado and banana skins away, remember to swipe them over your face. I've tried this with a banana skin and your face feels really taught and terrific afterwards.




Exfoliate with Three Ingredients!
You should ideally exfoliate your face 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and all that lovely stuff. This is another simple, easy to whip together beauty recipe that only calls for organic oats, honey and an oil (such as sweet almond oil). These three ingredients create an ideal exfoliant that is gentle, moisturising and nourishing. I have also heard of using bicarbonate of soda as an exfoliant but I have yet to try this one!

Image: 1kg of Organic Oats - Goodness Direct £2.13






Feeling Spotty
Rather than reaching for a teeny bottle of spot-zapping liquid with an ingredient list that is usually bigger than the bottle it comes in, try something simple, natural and equally effective - lavender oil. I usually apply a bit of this neat to the offending area and it helps sort things out.
Image: Organic Lavender Essential Oil - Akamuti £6




Eye Spy...
'Puffy' and 'dark circles' are not the words you want to use to describe your eyes but if these two traits are problems for you, you may want to try some natural remedies.

Tea bags
Before you toss your teabags into the compost bin (I know you have), whip them into the fridge to chill and then place them over the eyes for a de-puffing delight! Try chamomile for soothing or peppermint for cooling.
Image: Clipper Organic Chamomile Tea

Cucumbers
An oldie but a goodie (especially when you've just tossed together a delicious salad and have leftovers). A slice or two feels lovely and cooling for sore, irritated eyes.

Potato, Avocado and Aztecs
I believe potato slices are good for reducing redness under the eyes, while avocado slices are used to reduce puffiness (a treatment reputedly used by the Aztecs). I also read an Ayurvedic recipe and idea that suggested applying sweet almond oil and honey nightly for several weeks to improve dark eye circles.




Ice is Nice
Here I go again, rattling off something I read or saw in a magazine. This time, my beauty tale comes from O Magazine where I read how this lady plunged her face into a sink of ice cubes each morning. As fun as that sounds to someone like me who can still feel chilly during a hot summer's day, the picture of this ice-loving lady's face was proof enough. Her skin was positively sparkling! I've also heard of people sliding an ice cube all over their face and loving the results. Either way, I think it's safe to say that ice is nice.


Sweet Lips
If you need to exfoliate your lips, try some brown sugar and honey!




Healing Hands
If like me, you are queen of the dish washing in your house, you may find that your hands are beginning to look like they belong to someone 'more mature' than you. If that's the case, try and exfoliate your hands several times a week with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. It's so easy to quickly reach for these two ingredients after you've done the dishes and your hands will look and feel lovely afterwards!

12 Natural Beauty Tips for Summer

Peppermint Tea Toner
Next time you're brewing a cup of peppermint tea, be sure to make a little extra because you can use it as an ultra cooling spray and toner. Once the tea has cooled, pour it into a spray / spritz bottle, refrigerate and then spritz when and as you need throughout your day. The perfect way to stay refreshed during summer!



Organic Peppermint tea bags available from Clipper Teas or try loose leaf Organic Peppermint Tea from £4.75 - Steenbergs Organic




Treat the Tresses
Overexposure to the sun can leave your hair dry and brittle, so summer is definitely the time to treat the tresses with moisturising oils and hair masks. Try massaging a small amount of either coconut oil or jojoba oil into the scalp and hair and leave for 30 minutes or so before you shampoo out.

For another fuss free way to feed your hair, try mashing one banana with two tablespoons of olive oil and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing out. Or try the Coconut Cream Rinse described by Barbara Close in The Spa Deck. You will need coconut milk, honey and a fresh vanilla bean (fresh grated coconut meat is also recommended but there's no way I'll get that together).





No Sweaty Bettys
Many aluminium eschewing girls get slightly nervous during the summer months, worrying that their natural deodorant won't carry them through a hot summer's day sufficiently. I have found the best natural deodorant to be Weleda's Citrus Deodorant which is the perfect aroma for summer and also doubles as a lovely body spray (I even read Kate Hudson used Weleda's rose spray deodorant as a hair spray but I haven't tried doing this yet). If you want to go a step further towards natural beauty, you could try using bicarbonate of soda or lemon slices (apparently some Mediterranean women do this). I have tried both and found the bicarb soda to be particularly effective.




Grapefruit Body Spray
I noticed the other day that Origins do a Grapefruit body mist that sounded quite sublime for this time of year, but I wonder if an organic and pure version of this exists? Perhaps a spritz bottle, distilled water and some organic grapefruit essential oil could achieve similar results? I haven't tried it yet but I imagine a spritz of grapefruit mist now and then throughout a hot and humid day, would be quite blissful! Grapefruit Essential Oil available at Akamuti for £2.50.




Summer Make Up
A girl's beauty kit needs to be reviewed during summer to accommodate the sheen, shine and grime that comes from the summer weather. Firstly, switch heavy foundations for tinted moisturisers. There are some incredible natural tinted moisturisers available (3 Great Natural Tinted Moisturisers Reviewed) but if you don't want to spend money on those, why not try 'diluting' your foundation by mixing it with a moisturiser you are already using. This is an easy and cost effective way to recreate the same light but effective coverage a tinted moisturiser provides. Suki Tinted Active Moisturiser available at Your Natural Beauty Store for £24.99


Switch powdered blushes for cream based ones. Suki Color Pure Cream Stain is a fantastic little pot to carry with you as it adds a soft and flattering dab of colour to the cheeks and lips. Available at Your Natural Beauty Store for £21.49





Tan with Tea
Apparently you can tan your skin with tea. You can use black tea and either wring the tea bag out before swiping over the body (as recommended by Daily Candy) or pour black tea into a spritz bottle for a truly natural spray tan. I also read in Healthy and Organic Living magazine that taking a rooibos tea bath is another way to tan the skin and get a healthy glow. Organic Rooibos Tea, from Clipper Teas or Steenbergs Organic, from £2.65




Foot Soak
Green girls may not have an organic or natural nail salon in their city and therefore cannot enjoy the luxury of getting an organic pedicure. You can try and replicate the experience at home though by using a small tub and filling it with water, essential oils like peppermint, salt to detoxify and even some chopped cucumbers and orange and lemon slices! Play a little Colbie Caillat and let the stresses of the day evaporate away. To finish off the natural home pedicure experience, exfoliate the feet with an olive oil and salt scrub and then apply a moisturiser such as shea butter or coconut oil.




Get Your Bali On
For girls who have spent the day in the sun or just desire a Balinese twinged treat for dry skin, try Badger Balm's Bali Balm. It contains cocoa and shea butters, jojoba and olive oils with essential oils of ylang ylang, lime, lavender and sweet orange. Available at Badger Balm for $10 or So Organic for £4.39


Buff that Bod
Shorter skirts, shorts, dresses and sleeveless tops require a lot more skin to be revealed during summer, so it's a good idea to exfoliate your body to keep your skin looking its best. To save money on expensive body exfoliants and scrubs, try making your own concoctions at home. Here a few ideas:

• ground rice and coconut milk
• brown sugar and sweet almond oil
• salt, olive oil and your favourite organic essential oil

Citrus Body Oil
Try making your own lush body oil at home with a base of either sweet almond, jojoba or sesame oil and then add your favourite summer soaked essential oils such as lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli, orange or bergamot. If you can't vacation in beautiful Mediterranean locations such as Sicily and Capri, at least you can capture the scent of a sizzling island.


Sweet Feet
Your feet need extra care during summer. They've spent winter and spring hidden away in thick socks and boots and then all of a sudden they are thrust into the world and poked into skimpy, intricate, strappy sandals! No wonder they rebel and give you blisters and iffy looking heels. Try to lather the feet with nourishing moisturisers such as shea butter or coconut oil each night and you should have pretty tootsies in no time!


Beach Babe Hair
If you want beach tussled waves that usually come courtesy of daily swims in the ocean and good genetics, you could try John Masters Organics Sea Mist Salt Spray with Lavender. It contains only three ingredients: water, sea salt and organic lavender oil. I'm going to try and make a version of this at home and hope my hair looks Copacabana ready. Speaking of Brazil, I read a hair tip from Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bunchen that needs to be shared. She recommended flipping your hair over your head and then gently holding the ends of the hair and shaking it from side to side before flipping the hair back. It sounds too simple to be true, but I've tried it and amazingly it does give your hair a more full, tousled and beach wavey look! Try it and see what you think.

Beauty Review: Akamuti Raspberry Seed Oil

When I recently ran out of moisturiser and eye cream, I decided to reach for Akamuti's Raspberry Seed Oil to see if it could carry me through. I'm so glad I did because this oil is my new best friend!

HOW SKIN LOOKS & FEELS
Akamuti's Raspberry Seed Oil hydrates and nourishes the skin wonderfully with its omega fatty acids and vitamins E & A and the results are impressive. My skin looks healthy and clear. Even during this super hot week we have had in London, my skin has not looked greasy but rather refreshed and glowy. I was always wary of using oils as moisturisers because I thought I would look a little too shiny but this oil absorbs quickly and does the job of a moisturiser exceedingly well. I like the fact that I can now moisturise my skin with a product containing only one ingredient: cold pressed raspberry seed oil (cold pressed ingredients are extra potent as the benefits of the ingredients have not been destroyed through overheating).



OTHER BENEFITS
As soon as I heard that Raspberry Seed Oil was reputed to have 'fantastic anti-UV abilities' and was 'naturally high in SPF' it was yet another reason to lather it on! Akamuti also explain that their Raspberry Seed Oil is ideal for distressed skin and helps to repair and condition the skin. My skin isn't particularly distressed right now (me, on the other hand, that's another story) but I have found the oil to be excellent for normal skin as well.

It's working really well as an eye cream replacement also. I tap the teeniest amount under the eye area and wait 30 minutes before applying a concealer, which glides on without any creasing or cakey residue.

HOW TO USE
I love the small droplet glass bottle my oil came in (10ml). I drop a bit into my hand which warms it up and then just apply to the face (only a small amount is needed). I don't detect a raspberry scent but more of a neutral aroma with nice Earl Grey tea undertones!

OTHER OILS TO TRY
I also noticed Akamuti stock lots of other oils (organic and fair trade options) which was rather fortuitous as I had recently been reading about the numerous uses for various oils and had planned to stock up on some for beauty and cleaning purposes. Akamuti stock olive oil which is amazing for polishing wood furniture, sesame oil which is often used in Ayurvedic medicine and which I just found out is recommended as the perfect moisturiser for my dosha, Vata (sorry to get so personal). They also have sweet almond oil which I want to try using as a base for making a body oil for summer by adding organic essential oils of orange and ginger perhaps).

Okay, I'm waffling now. Oils clearly get me excited but I just wanted to share this beauty find with you as I have been using it for the past few weeks now and have been impressed with the results and purity of the one ingredient!

Purchase Raspberry Seed Oil at Akamuti - 10ml for £2.95 or 100ml for £10

Review - Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask

This luxury organic face mask is a definite treat for those wishing to splurge on a fabulous and effective skincare product. Research scientist, Dr. Alkaitis has sourced the very best 'organic, biodynamic and ethically wild-crafted ingredients' to deliver a skin nourishing mask that 'soothes, calms and rejuvenates sensitive, irritated and inflamed skin'.

Now lets be honest, once you apply the green mask, you will resemble a sea creature that has just emerged from an algae-filled lagoon. But being called 'Nessie' for 20 minutes is totally worth it if you want your skin to enjoy the benefits of ingredients such as spirulina, carrots, ginger, amaranth, ainu-wakame and other equally weird, wonderful and nutritious ingredients you know you really should be eating as well as applying to your face.

As Dr. Alkaitis explains on their site, this is 'therapeutic skin food'. After all, if the skin absorbs up to 60% of what is put on it, then my goodness, this Organic Universal Mask must be like a trip to Disneyworld for the skin! The mask did feel incredibly fantastic to use. It was not unlike plunging your head into one of those green, spirulina / algae infused health drinks but without the mess or loss of dignity. The skin really felt like it was feasting on a banquet of ingredients it had not been treated to for a long time, if ever.

How to Mix and Apply
Only a small amount is needed, one teaspoon of powdered mask combined with one teaspoon of water to form a paste. Leave on for 10-20 minutes before removing with a damp cloth or warm water. You can also add organic honey (raw if possible) to the mask for 'rejuvenation and hydration'. Regularly spritzing the face and keeping the mask moist is also recommended as it enlivens the ingredients so that the skin fully absorbs their nutrients.

What's In The Mask?
Oat Buds*, Organic Grass Juice Complex (Kamut Grass*. Alfalfa*, Oat Grass* and Wheat Grass*), Sea Vegetable Complex (Chlorella°, Dulse°, Spirulina°, Ainu-Wakame*, Sea Palm° and Red Algae°), Goat’s Milk Protein*. Vegetable Complex (Carrots*, Cabbage, Sweet Potato*, Kale*, Broccoli*, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Ginger*, Onions, Cauliflower, Beets*, Tomatoes* and Parsley*). Organic Seed Complex (Pumpkin*, Sesame*, Amaranth*, Flax*, Soy*, Oats*, Rye*, Buckwheat*, Millet*, Barley*, Brown Rice*, and Sunflower*).

* - Signifies certified organically grown
° - Signifies ethically wild-crafted
Source: Dr. Alkaitis UK website To read

Where to Purchase
Dr Alkaitis UK for £53.85. Also available at Content


Want to read more organic beauty reviews?
Review of Dr. Alkaitis Organic Eye Cream


Technorati Tags: Dr. Alkaitis, Organic Beauty

Is There a Dr Bronner in the House?

Every household needs soap but what soap do you choose when you have concerns about skincare ingredients and their effects on your body and the waterways they wash off into?

You've probably heard scary and alarming stats about the skin absorbing 60% of what is put on it and also how palm oil (a staple ingredient in soaps and oh so much more) is contributing rapidly to deforestation. Wow, that's a lot of guilt from one simple shower or hand wash! Soap should wash our sins away not add to them!



Since learning all this, I've been favouring Dr Bronner for my shower and hand soaps. Initially I was bamboozled by the plethora of print on Dr Bronner's labels and thought it was a bit expensive here in the UK but once I purchased a bottle and diluted it, I found it lasted a very long time. I also found it came in really handy for many things around the house such as making my own dishwashing liquid and for removing stubborn stains (a drop of baby mild liquid soap removed a stain on wood surface that a regular cleaner could not).

Dr Bronner soaps are clearly the eco leaders in soap land and I think it's great how these latherlicious soaps are so considerate of people and the environment!

WHY DR BRONNER?
Fair Trade Ingredients (IMO certified)
Organic Ingredients (Oregon Tilth)
Fair Trade Palm Oil from Ghana. Production of their oils 'does not contribute to deforestation'.
'100% Post-Consumer Recycled Cylinder Bottles and Paper Labels'
Completely biodegradable
Not tested on animals

INGREDIENTS
Classic Liquid Soaps
Water, Saponified Organic Coconut, Organic Palm and Organic Olive Oils, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils, Citric Acid, Vitamin E

Citrus Orange Organic Bar Soap - Ingredients
Saponified Organic Coconut Oil*, Saponified Organic Palm Oil*,
Saponified Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Glycerin, Water, Organic
Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)
Seed Oil, Organic Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Organic Citrus
Medica Limonum (Lemon) Oil, Organic Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil,
Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol (Vit. E), (* Certified Fair
Trade by IMO)

OTHER USES FOR DR BRONNER
Brushing teeth (although I haven't tried that yet)
Cleaning - diluted or neat
Shampoo
Laundry

STILL NOT CONVINCED TO SWITCH TO ORGANIC?
HERE ARE SOME ICKY INGREDIENTS IN REGULAR SOAPS

• Triclosan - anti-bacterial agent that is a 'probable endocrine disruptor and carcinogen'
• Triethanolamine TEA - 'immune system toxicant and possible carcinogen'
• Propylene Glycol - 'alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin'
• SLS Sodium Laureth Sulfate - foaming agent that can alter skin structure
• Phenoxyethanol - preservative
• Parabens - may alter hormone levels
• Artificial Fragrances & Colours

- Source: Teens Turning Green

SCENTS & SCENTS-IBILITY
Pretty: Rose or Lavender
With antiseptic oils: Eucalyptus or Tea Tree
Strong but pleasant scent: Peppermint or Almond
Unscented: Baby Mild
My favourite: Citrus Orange (zesty, summery and uplifting!)

Available in many convenient sizes
2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, 32 oz and 1 gallon

Where to purchase
Visit Dr Bronner to learn more (and view the range of organic Pump Soaps) or UK peeps can purchase online at Love Lula (236ml liquid soaps at £4.99 / organic soap bars £3.50) or check your local health food store.