Review: Living Nature Ultra Rich Body Cream

Over the last few weeks I have been trying Living Nature's Ultra Rich Body Cream. Living Nature are a New Zealand company who harness the power of their native plants (many of which are unique to NZ) in 100% natural products certified by BDIH, a German company who set rigorous standards for testing. Living Nature are cruelty free and their packaging is recyclable.

Review: Botanicals 'Try Me Pots'

I recently tried two of Botanicals 'Try Me' pots that they are promoting during the Soil Association's Organic Beauty and Wellbeing Week, running 15-21 May.

Botanicals are a cruelty-free, organic and vegan skin care company. I've enjoyed previous products that I've tried from Botanicals (see reviews here and here) and am very impressed by their ethics. 

Review: Urban Veda Skin Care

Recently I tried a few products from Urban Veda, an award-winning UK company whose products are based on Ayurvedic principles. They are cruelty free, certified by the Vegetarian Society (some products contain beeswax and honey) and contain no SLS, mineral oil or parabens. Their bottles are made from recycled plastic.This is going to be a mixed review unfortunately as there are elements to admire about the brand and elements I am not too keen on.

They have four ranges, based on doshas:

Purifying range - for oil prone skin, based on the Kapha dosha, with Neem and Botanics
Radiance range - for dull and pigmented skin based on the Vata dosha, with Turmeric and Botanics
Reviving Range - for sensitive skin, based on the Pitta dosha, with Sandalwood and Botanics
Soothing range - for mature and dry skin - tridoshic - with Rose and Botanics

I did the dosha questionnaire and came out as a Vata with elements of Kapha, although I could argue that I contain aspects of all the doshas. My skin is prone to blemishes, although not oily, with red patches and isn't radiant. It is also mature and dry (but not too mature *cough*).

Urban Veda sent me some trial sizes from both their purifying and radiance ranges.

Review: Botanicals Lavender and Tea Tree Organic Sanitiser

Recently I have been trying Botanicals new hand sanitiser. They are a soil association certified, vegan, cruelty free and award-winning company who make the most delightful organic products. This natural hand cleanser (you can apparently also use it on feet!) is made with the powerfully anti-bacterial oils lavender and tea tree, both of which I'm a big fan of.

I'm an ideal candidate to try this product actually as my job involves washing my hands a lot. I also use alco-gel at work for a quick clean if my hands aren't visibly soiled, which I loathe as it makes my skin dry and scaly. I've been trying not to use the alco-gel too much and use soap and water instead but needless to say, the NHS doesn't spring for natural soaps and the soap is just as drying and horrid as the alco-gel.
So is this the answer to my prayers?

Review: M Botanicals Skincare

M Botanicals are a small, London based company making botanical skincare. They are cruelty free and some of their products are vegan. I tried two sample sizes of their Rejuvenating Facial Elixir and their Hydrating Beauty Balm.

The Rejuvenating Facial Elixir is a treatment oil made from prickly pear, blackseed oil, borage and rosehip, amongst other ingredients (including squalane, which is made from olives) and is suitable for vegans. The sample is well presented in a tiny glass dropper bottle (which gets bonus points as I can't stand using plastic) with minimalist labelling.

Review: Pink's Boutique Skincare

I had the pleasure recently of trying two samples from Pink's Boutique - their Bamboo and Oatmeal Polish and the Rose Face and Body Balm.

Pink's Boutique are a UK company based in Derbyshire. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free and certified by the Soil Association. The samples arrived in a beautifully packaged box complete with mini rosebuds and a leaflet about which nasties to avoid in your skin care.