I have just received my new LoveLula spring/summer catalogue and as usual it is jam packed with organic products and ideas. If you haven't already checked out their site have a look, it is such a good resource for great organic brands as well as hints and tips for green beauty.
www.lovelula.com
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
How green is green?
Here is a recent article I wrote for Clique magazine, exploring the 'greenness' of products.
With the green revolution still going strong, the interest in organic and natural cosmetics and skincare is ever growing. Is it just a trend to be green or are these products better for us and do they actually work?
What makes a product green? Is it the inclusion of organic ingredients, the exclusion of certain ‘nasty’ ingredients or is it the ethos of a company? How do we decide which ones are best - is there a shade chart to help?!
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Spring Brights
The sun seems to be teasing us with spring this week, hopefully we can soon say goodbye to the winter and welcome the new season in. To help it along we can get in the mood with some new make-up taking inspiration from the spring/summer shows.
This season the runways were awash with bright lip colours. Vivid pinks were seen at Marc by Marc Jacobs and Topshop Unique, at Paul Smith they were multicoloured including blue and green, Dior went for a classic red while the girls at Prada sported a bright orange. So lots of fun to be had with colour this spring/summer!
Before you hot foot it down to the make-up counter, here's a thought. On average, a women will ingest between 4-7lb of lipstick in her lifetime. Not such a good thought. Make it better by trying a lipstick from a natural or organic range, with nicer ingredients these lipsticks are kinder on our lips, and if we must ingest them are definitely a better choice! If the thought of a natural lipstick conjures up boring browns and earthy tones, think again. Companies are now investing more time and technology into these brands giving us better quality and choice.
Elysambre's Garnet Red lipstick is certainly not a boring tone, this bright red matt is perfect for making a colour statement this season. Another bright to be seen in is Plant Love's Eve Pinky, this hot pink would not look out of place on the runway. If you're drawn to the orange side of the spectrum try Jane Iredale's Nicole or C.J. for a gorgeous spring pout.
This season the runways were awash with bright lip colours. Vivid pinks were seen at Marc by Marc Jacobs and Topshop Unique, at Paul Smith they were multicoloured including blue and green, Dior went for a classic red while the girls at Prada sported a bright orange. So lots of fun to be had with colour this spring/summer!
Before you hot foot it down to the make-up counter, here's a thought. On average, a women will ingest between 4-7lb of lipstick in her lifetime. Not such a good thought. Make it better by trying a lipstick from a natural or organic range, with nicer ingredients these lipsticks are kinder on our lips, and if we must ingest them are definitely a better choice! If the thought of a natural lipstick conjures up boring browns and earthy tones, think again. Companies are now investing more time and technology into these brands giving us better quality and choice.
Elysambre's Garnet Red lipstick is certainly not a boring tone, this bright red matt is perfect for making a colour statement this season. Another bright to be seen in is Plant Love's Eve Pinky, this hot pink would not look out of place on the runway. If you're drawn to the orange side of the spectrum try Jane Iredale's Nicole or C.J. for a gorgeous spring pout.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Help Save Our Bees!
Most people seem to be aware that there is a problem with our bee population but perhaps not aware of the disastrous effects it could have on us.
Last winter the UK lost a fifth of it's bee colonies which is an unusually high number. Colony collapse disorder, as it's become known, is when bees desert their colonies for no apparent reason, and it is not just the UK that has been affected - it is happening all over the world. The future of the honeybee is in grave danger, and considering that one third of what we eat is pollinated by them, so is ours.
The honeybee and man have a long history together dating back at least 10,000 years. Not only to they play a vital role in the growth of crops, their sweet honey has been used for centuries and not just for it's flavour. The Ancient Egyptians used it for embalming and the Romans used it as a currency, it has huge significance in many religions and has long been renowned for it's medicinal purposes. Propolis, a substance bees collect from plants to use in their hives is also becoming well known for it's beneficial effects on our health. Beeswax is a regular ingredient in many skincare products because of it's soothing and softening properies, and it's ability to help the skin retain moisture.
Lots of research is being done to understand the plight of the honeybee and hopefully find ways to help it. There are a few theories as to why they are disappearing, one of them is the use of pesticides, evidence of which has been found in nectar and beeswax. The Soil Association are campaigning to get neonicotinoid pesticides banned, click here to read more and sign their petition.
The Vanishing of the Bees is a new film to help raise awareness of this worrying situation. They also have a petition you can sign and more ideas on how to help.
What else can we do? Where possible choose organic food and skincare products that use organic beeswax. Non-organic beekeepers can use chemicals and antibiotics to treat their bees, some will even kill the colonies to remove the honey. Purity Organic Skincare use organic beeswax and right now they have a competition to win a gorgeous bee necklace to help with the campaign.
Bees are essential for the future of man, so we need to start doing our bit to protect them.
Last winter the UK lost a fifth of it's bee colonies which is an unusually high number. Colony collapse disorder, as it's become known, is when bees desert their colonies for no apparent reason, and it is not just the UK that has been affected - it is happening all over the world. The future of the honeybee is in grave danger, and considering that one third of what we eat is pollinated by them, so is ours.
The honeybee and man have a long history together dating back at least 10,000 years. Not only to they play a vital role in the growth of crops, their sweet honey has been used for centuries and not just for it's flavour. The Ancient Egyptians used it for embalming and the Romans used it as a currency, it has huge significance in many religions and has long been renowned for it's medicinal purposes. Propolis, a substance bees collect from plants to use in their hives is also becoming well known for it's beneficial effects on our health. Beeswax is a regular ingredient in many skincare products because of it's soothing and softening properies, and it's ability to help the skin retain moisture.
Lots of research is being done to understand the plight of the honeybee and hopefully find ways to help it. There are a few theories as to why they are disappearing, one of them is the use of pesticides, evidence of which has been found in nectar and beeswax. The Soil Association are campaigning to get neonicotinoid pesticides banned, click here to read more and sign their petition.
The Vanishing of the Bees is a new film to help raise awareness of this worrying situation. They also have a petition you can sign and more ideas on how to help.
What else can we do? Where possible choose organic food and skincare products that use organic beeswax. Non-organic beekeepers can use chemicals and antibiotics to treat their bees, some will even kill the colonies to remove the honey. Purity Organic Skincare use organic beeswax and right now they have a competition to win a gorgeous bee necklace to help with the campaign.
Bees are essential for the future of man, so we need to start doing our bit to protect them.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Winter Skin Savers
As the temperature starts to drop outside and the heating comes on inside, it can play havoc with our skin. Complexions start to lose their glow, lips are prone to chapping and hands can become dry and cracked. We don't have to suffer with winter skin though, a few changes in our skincare can make a difference and help keep us radiant throughout the colder months.
Try using a creamier cleanser to soothe and nourish your skin from the start of your routine, something like Ren's No 1 purity cleansing balm, which will remove the day's grime without stripping essential moisture.
If you're still using a lightweight moisturiser from the summer then try switching it to the richer version or boost the one you've got by adding a hydrating serum. Facial oils are fantastic as well, they can penetrate further into the skin taking nutrients with them. If you don't like the feel of an oil on your face, then mix a couple of drops in with your moisturiser to still get the benefit, Trilogy's rosehip oil is a great one to try.
A moisturising mask once or twice a week can really help too, Liz Earle's intensive nourishing treatment mask is a real treat for winter skin, don't forget to exfoliate first so that the mask can really get to work.
For those lips try Balm Balm, this great little balm is brilliant for keeping them lovely and soft and is also great for anywhere else that might need a little attention, try it on windswept cheeks.
Handcream is a must in the winter as your hands are exposed to the elements and constant washing, keep one in your bag and one by the kitchen sink, ready for whenever you need it. I love the super moisturising cream by Balance Me.
Try using a creamier cleanser to soothe and nourish your skin from the start of your routine, something like Ren's No 1 purity cleansing balm, which will remove the day's grime without stripping essential moisture.
If you're still using a lightweight moisturiser from the summer then try switching it to the richer version or boost the one you've got by adding a hydrating serum. Facial oils are fantastic as well, they can penetrate further into the skin taking nutrients with them. If you don't like the feel of an oil on your face, then mix a couple of drops in with your moisturiser to still get the benefit, Trilogy's rosehip oil is a great one to try.
A moisturising mask once or twice a week can really help too, Liz Earle's intensive nourishing treatment mask is a real treat for winter skin, don't forget to exfoliate first so that the mask can really get to work.
For those lips try Balm Balm, this great little balm is brilliant for keeping them lovely and soft and is also great for anywhere else that might need a little attention, try it on windswept cheeks.
Handcream is a must in the winter as your hands are exposed to the elements and constant washing, keep one in your bag and one by the kitchen sink, ready for whenever you need it. I love the super moisturising cream by Balance Me.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Organic Skincare that looks after your purse as well
Purity Organic Skincare launched less than 6 months ago and their products are already winning awards. The British company has a strong ethical ethos and the carefully sourced sustainable ingredients make it Ecocert certified, with 98% coming from natural origins and on average 82% from organic farming. Purity have deliberately kept the ingredient list minimal, sweet almond oil, aloe vera, coconut and cranberries are among the selected few that run throughout the range. They may be few in number but as a joint force they work hard to look after your skin.
The actual range itself comprises of just seven products, keeping it as fuss free and uncomplicated as the ingredients. The creams at first seem a little rich but warm them up between your hands and they sink nicely into the skin leaving no residue. The regenerating over night moisturiser does just what it says it does and the anti-ageing serum and mask works a treat too. An even bigger treat is the price which starts at £4.99 for the cleansers and goes up to £8.99 for the mask, although from 22nd November to 27th December the mask is on special offer at £5.99. The range is exclusive to Superdrug and you can buy online, check them out at http://www.purityorganicskincare.co.uk/
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