Tag Archives: organic beauty

Beauty, evolved

Posted in Beauty by

Evolve Beauty is a brand I tried before and loved – their ethical and organic approach to beauty is something I really appreciate and I’m always happy to discover more from their range.

I absolutely love face masks and tried many with varied purposes, but is always delightful to stumble upon something different.

The Radiant Glow Mask (£20, 60ml) has raw cacao powder, sweet almond oil and clay and it smells like your favourite dessert. And that’s not even the best thing about it.

Evolve Beauty Radiant Glow Mask

The thick rich brown paste is quite grainy but does not feel rough on application. Apply generously and leave for 5 minutes. Because it smells so good (thank you, organic vanilla oil), I left for 10.

Removing with warm water is a delightful surprise; the mask melts and it gets so wonderfully gritty due to the coconut shell granules, providing great exfoliation. Gently scrub it away to reveal soft, clearer skin. I am in love.

Evolve Beauty favourites

Talking about scrubbing, not a lot of things bring me much joy as a good body scrub, and the Tropical Blossom Body Polish (£20, 180ml) is certainly my dream one.

This oil-based sugary scrub, which has an intoxicating fragrance thanks to Tahitian coconut monoi macerated in exotic Tahitian blossoms of gardenia and hibiscus, makes for silk soft skin that is moisturised and nourished. 

Evolve Beauty Body Polish

The sugar extracts combined with water make a milk making this an indulgent, self-caring experience. 

Last, but not least, is the Miracle Facial oil (£30, 30ml). This time of the year is when they come back into my routine as skin is begging for that extra nourishment.

Evolve Beauty Miracle Facial Oil

It contains natural retinol from organic rosehip and antioxidants from organic argan oil and organic blackseed oil, and is very light.

Applies and absorbs well and a little goes a long way, with a gorgeous organic rose otto and organic vanilla, which revitalise and soothe, on top of giving the oil a lovely fragrance.

I’ve also been using the Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum (£20, 30ml), which is so mild and replenishing for a spot treatment.

Evolve Beauty Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum

It contains a blend of Amazonian acai e copaiba, as well as willow bark, and I tend to apply only on affected areas and most of the time, at night, the oil and this serum are the only things on my skin.

After a few weeks using the above, plus the Daily Detox Facial Wash (£16, 100ml), with papaya, goji ad moringa peptides, my skin was brighter, less blemished and overall happy, reaping the benefits of all these natural, organic ingredients.

Their price is also very appealing and they are lovingly made in the UK. 
You can get these (and the other Evolve Beauty products I tried before) on the Evolve Beauty website. 

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains some PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Happening now: Organic Beauty and Wellbeing week

Posted in Beauty by

If you follow me on Instagram and saw my stories (if not, @dani_dutra, I talk non-stop), you know I went a bit crazy after coming back from the first day of the Organic Beauty and Wellbeing Week, currently happening at Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London, EC2, until the 21st March.

I attended the press event last year and in 2017 they are back, bigger and better, to also include wellbeing, which is a great advantage of organic cosmetics. Don’t you know, they have high concentration of pure ingredients which can actually get properly absorbed by your body and bring other effects apart from the cosmetic ones!

The Soil Association is behind the event to reinforce their “Look for the logo” message, which confirms the product organic certification. Natural and organic are very different things and because cosmetics are not as regulated as food when it comes to be called organic, products with very little organic content can pass for being organic, even though that is quite misleading.

With the Soil Association logo on the product, you can rest assured you are getting the real deal. Here’s a little word of advice from them on what’s NOT in products they certify. You can also check their full list of certified brands. Handy!

With an increase of 30% in sales in the last 2 years, it is important you know that you are getting what you expect from the organics beauty products.

The pop up shop is a great chance to know some brands pioneering organic beauty and looking to extend their knowledge to the consumer, so they can be confident on their purchases.

Apart from brands such as Neal’s Yard Remedies, Viridian, VOYA, Bamford, Herbfarmacy, LA-EVA, Therapi, Nourish, amongst others, you can also catch some amazing talks, workshops and events. My highlights:

  • Naissance bespoke serum bar (OMG! NEED): 16/05, from 12-13:00, FREE!
  • Energising Yoga with Cristina Chandika Ma: 17/05, 8:30-10:00, for £5 which goes to charity
  • A night of food and beauty (I mean COME ON!): 18/05, 18:10-22:00, FREE!
  • Neal’s Yard Remedies Stress Less Workshop: 20/05, 14-15:00, for a £5 charity donation

To browse all events, and book your place, go to organicbeautyandwellbeingweek.eventcube.io. Some events are already sold out.

Of course, you can (and should) take a look at the brands’ stands (it’s all so pretty) and grab your favourites with discounts or deals. And have a nice chat.

If I were you, I’d keep an eye out for the Neals Yard Organic Eye Makeup Remover, Viridian brand new Organic Curcumin Latte (seriously delicious), Nourish London Illuminating Face Shimmer and the Toning Body Shimmer (in love), Yes organic intimate products(read lubricants and hygiene), anything Herbfarmacy (lookout for the marshmallow root!), Therapi toners, LA-EVA Roséum Lotion (for face, hands and body!),  VOYA body oils (OMG, can’t even), Naissance Organic Beauty box, Bamford Essential Oil blend (I am overworking the Padmasana one, which is for concentration when writing this so late!)… I cannot stop!

And that’s not even a fraction of the goodness available… plus the added bonus of all the lovely people.

So hurry, you have until the 21st of May to catch them. All information can be found on the Soil Association website.

Oh, and here’s the logo! LOOK!

If you are not in London, they put a handy list of all the discounts together, you know, because they are nice like that!

Also, a massive shout out to the lovely Nicola from Black Book Communications who pulls this all together and is always so kind to get me over! ❤

written by Dani

Right, you know the drill… this is a bit of a PR post.

Organic Beauty Week is coming!

Posted in Beauty, Lifestyle, Skincare by

soil-association-organic-beauty-week-hero-products - 1As a beauty lover, I am looking out for the best for my skin. And organic is proven to be better for the skin, and the environment, so I was really happy to get involved with the UK’s leading organic certifier, Soil Association, to promote their “Look for the Logo” campaign, as part of Organic Beauty Week, starting on the 19th September.

The biggest and best organic beauty brands and experts will be together to increase awareness of the segment and products available, as well as some of the ground work these companies are involved with.

The only way to be certain a product is certified organic is to look out for the logo. When you see the Soil Association logo in there, you know that product is truly organic, free from synthetics, sustainable for the communities and very importantly, kinder to the skin.

And to illustrate the depth and breadth of the organic beauty offering available, they picked a few hero products I am absolutely in love with.

I think what really comes across here, apart from the superb quality, is that organic beauty products can be much more than affordable than what we think and it is well worth exploring the possibilities and giving new brands a chance (which is my favourite thing to do!).

soil-association-organic-beauty-week-hero-products - 2I featured the Herbfarmacy before and of course, they have heroes here too. The gorgeous Mallow Beauty Balm is a multitasking product fit for many beauty needs – moisturising, nourishing and radiance-boosting, it can be used as a cleanser, moisturiser or deep skin repairer. Costs £18 for 30ml.

Skin & Tonic is a company I’ve been following at a distance and finally got to try one of their products: it was everything I was hoping for. The Naked Beauty Oil feels amazing on the skin and helps heal, refine, hydrate and soothe. It sells for an amazing £25 for 30ml.

Love at first sight was with Made for Life by Spiezia Organics. Not only they have soul mending products, but their ethos is fantastic. This little box of calm, energy and focus really makes a difference in busy lives. Costs £25 for 3x 10ml.

Plus, at the launch event, I got to meet the founder, the beautiful Amanda Barlow (also entitled Queen of Hugs) and that hug I received from her filled me with joy and hope, and still keeps me going just by thinking about it.

Most people are familiar with Neal’s Yard Remedies and their products never disappoint. The gorgeous Oil Free Hydrating Serum is a bliss for hydration boost in the daytime. Costs £30 for 30ml.

soil-association-organic-beauty-week-hero-products - 3Therapi is another beautiful company that has honey based products. Their Lemons Myrtle Honey Gel Cleanser is gorgeous on the skin and the

Pai is also known brand from the organic world and their Treatment Masks are great. Loaded with nutrients, they are gentle and effective. Costs £30 per 75ml.

A body oil also features amongst the horoes: Voya Nourishing Body Oil is super-hydrating and has citrus and sea fragrances, as well as added rosehip. Costs £32 for 100ml.

Organic face wipes? Natracare has it. Made of organic cotton, 99% biodegradable, they are infused with oils and SLS and parabens free. They are gentle an affective. Costs £3.99 per pack.

Bamford is a massive authority in organics and their Hand and Body Wash and Lotion Duo are gentle and plant based, to clean, nourish, protect and hydrate the skin. Costs £22 for 250ml.

Finally, Terri Verde FranChouliPom Facial Serum has frankincense, patchouli an pomegranate oils, as well as argan to boost skin suppleness and nourishment. Costs £27 for 30ml.

Organic Beauty Week also aims to clarify what organic certification means with events, shopping discounts, panel discussions, Twitter Q&As and much more.

Get involved – check the Soil Association website to find out how to get into a whole month or organic awareness and discovery.signature1

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Review: S5 Balance Fluid

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

S5 balance fluid

One of the brands I discovered in 2014 was S5 Skincare, which creates organic cosmeceuticals. Now that I’ve tried another product, I am truly sold.

The  S5 Balance Fluid is a face moisturiser that has anti-ageing properties as well as anti-blemish ones, which for me, is the perfect combination.

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Product review: Russell Organics Argan Oil

Russell Organics argan oilMy hair (and skin, for that matter) really suffers on the run up to the winter. Something in this transitional period really upsets my hair – it gets drier at the tips, lifeless and a bit dull, so anything that can do any good is very welcome, especially at this time.

I received the Russell Organics argan oil and on the same day started to use it. I’ve been using it for three weeks now on my hair. The bottle has 2 fl. oz, and a pipette, which I love! I applied a few drops on my hand and rubbed it to warm, applying then to the ends of my towel dried hair.

My first impression was that the hair naturally dried softer, heavier but not greasy, with less fly-aways. As the days progressed and I kept using it, I feel my hair has a little bit more weight to it and is less straw-y.

Something I like liked about this product is that it has no fragrance, no smell at all. Also, it can be used all over the body, as a moisturiser, on your nails and of course, hair and a few drop go a long way!

This product is 100% pure argan oil, carefully sourced from Morocco, and eco-certified. It is toxin and cruelty free, as well as vegan.

Their whole range uses pure natural ingredients. Packaging is fuss free, to minimise environmental impact, but very functional. Russell Organics, which carries the slogan “naturally luxurious”, is a carbon free organisation and also certified cruelty free and vegan – so goodness all around!

They also have a long toxin list on their site, to raise awareness about the ingredients we should avoid putting on and in our bodies! Nice!

They are a US company, available online and in various shops but will ship internationally, with reasonable rates, according to their site.

This product was sent to me by the company to try, and I became their media partner, meaning I will receive a product once in a while. This review is, however, based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on it.