BARESOME

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

TruSelf Organics Clear Skin Foaming Cleanser; Relinquish The Foam Once More!

Foam. I wash my hands of it. Or, don't wash my hands, or my hair, or my face with it, as the case may be. Foaming cleansers are something that have been heavily on my avoid list for some time, and for good reason, too. As foam is usually a result of sulphates and other astringent chemicals, I figured trying an organic foam would offer the same sense of clean without all the nastiness. I was wrong. Enter saponified oils.

Saponification is the process of converting oils or fats into soap. While the process will differ from brand-to-brand, you can read an extensive overview of saponification on Dr. Bronner's An Overview of Soapmaking article or on good old faithful Wikipedia. Saponification can be used to create soft, hard and liquid soaps from a completely natural chemical reaction. All three of which can lather, offering a foaminess not too dissimilar to that created by chemical sulphates.

Foaming cleansing agents are exceptionally powerful at removing oil, dirt, grime and anything that's generally a little tough to remove. The trouble is, when you use something that super strength on your skin, you are often at risk at removing essential oils and moisture as well. This can result in a disturbance of your skin's acid mantle, meaning your pH balance will be off-kilter. Ever wondered what that tight, dry feeling is after using a foaming cleanser? That's the disruption of your acid mantle, and that's not good.

The TruSelf Organics Clear Skin Foaming Cleanser is absolutely caustic on my skin. This sud-ridden froth lathers straight out of the pump-dispenser and leaves my skin with one of the nastiest, most uncomfortably tight sensations. It strips my skin past the bare bones, stealing away all my natural goodness and leaving me exposed and disturbed.

This liquid soap comes in a magical pump-dispenser that does all the foaming for you before you've even started. From the first pump you are supplied with a bubble mass with which you are to move around your face. It stings, oh how it stings. As you roll the soap around your pre-wetted face, the suds begin to multiply, converting you into a monstrous bubble. At this stage, my skin is already inflamed, I'm the sensitive type, I've gone beyond tingly and my skin is screaming out. There's difficulty in removal as the suds continue to breed and burst as I attempt to wash them away.

This cleanser is dangerous.

After finally removing all the foam, my skin is just outright irritated. I'm blotchy, I'm red. This isn't an allergic reaction, this is just an extremely corrosive cleanser. I feel dry now. My skin is alone and stripped bare. I layer on moisturiser on top of facial oils on top of hydrating mists, but nothing is doing the trick. My skin has been exposed and it's not something you can simply re-nourish.

This cleanser removes any nutrients from the natural barrier of my skin in an attempt to make sure I'm thoroughly clean. It's harsh, it's corrosive, it's stripping, it's skin-tightening, it's something I will be ostracising from my routine indefinitely. No. Organic does not mean skin-friendly. Foam is never, ever, friendly to my skin.

I contacted TruSelf Organics regarding the corrosive nature of their cleanser, I was told I could return the cleanser and receive my money back. How compensatory! When I brought up I lived in the UK, and the cost of return P&P would actually be greater than the worth of the product itself, I was effectively shown the door and asked to leave. It's good to see real-honest brands looking after our skins and our well-being.

AVOID? YOU BET. BOYCOTT FOAM? ABSOLUTELY!

Sunday, 27 September 2015

What's In The Beauty Box?

For the longest time now, I've invested in Beauty Boxes, and I find them to be the most charming and fun way to experiment with new regimes, new (or at least new to me) products and brands. As a specifically curated box - sometimes of mystery contents - their offerings often tend to be thematic; introducing you to a particular beauty method/regime/practice, a new collection of brands, or a complimentary selection of products, expertly curated to achieve results. What's more, bundling together like this usually offers a significant discount from the RRPs of the individual products.

It started with the LoveLula Beauty Box and it grew from there. I loved receiving a little package of unknown goodies, and very often fell heels over head for products I may not have ever considered trying. From here, my love affair with all things Beauty Box blossomed. I'm hooked.

While Beauty Boxes aren't without their flaws, I have still considered them to hold high value for savers and opportunist alike. The trouble with Beauty Boxes is, different strokes for different folks must always be considered. However, when this stroke has to cover the massively variable nature of skin, it's like making sweeping strokes for all folks. Sometimes, these boxes will swing and miss. Sometimes they will be bang on. It's a gamble, sure, but one I like to invest in.

I figure it would be responsible of me to share the contents of my boxes (from this point onwards), in order to highlight what charming little delights are available and a first-thoughts review of the goodies inside. So, without further ado, let's take a peek at some of the available boxes and why I purchase them:

LoveLula Beauty Box

LoveLula is where I do most of my shopping, and when I found out they do a Beauty Box, well, I couldn't be merrier. LoveLula's stocklist consists of a plethora of amazing natural and/or organic products, a huge number of which are certified by The Soil Association, The Vegan Society and The Leaping Bunny, allowing you to indulge yourself in luxurious safe and guilt-free products.

The LoveLula Beauty Box is delivered directly to your door on a monthly bases, featuring an average of 5-7 natural products, ranging from sample sachets, trial versions to full-size. While their monthly offerings are a random assortment of goodies, each box usually contains something for everyone.

As it's subscription based, these little loot drops are a brilliant way to experience the fun of beauty without the fuss of not knowing where to start. If you're a fan of mystery (~~who isn't?~~), this is a great way to treat yourself to a little surprise each month.

As LoveLula have an amazing stocklist of brands (full list available here), it's sometimes difficult to know where to start. The Beauty Box has introduced me to so many different brands and products that have now become solid staples in my routine. I couldn't be more grateful for the introduction as this boxes continue to flourish week-on-week.

This is the box that keeps on giving, as for each month there is a 20% discount for subscribers, for the purchase of any products from the brands featured in the box. So, if you liked one of the samples in the box, you can pick it up once more for a generous 20% off that month. Or maybe you didn't gel with that particular product, but like something else from the same brand, have that with a cheeky 20% off instead.

The LoveLula Beauty Box is a subscription box, priced at £12.50 (incl. delivery) a month. Payments are automatically taken and a 20% discount for featured brands is awarded to subscribers.

Naturismo Discovery Box

Naturismo are a natural and/or organic retailer, focusing on ethical and sustainable beauty and well-being. Their stocklist features a high calibre of global luxury brands, all of which are highly coveted. The Naturismo Discovery Box is a pay-per-box model, meaning there is no subscription needed. The products featured inside the box are announced beforehand so you can decide if you want it or not. But be warned, these things fly off the shelves, and once they're gone, they're gone.

The Naturismo Discovery Box is expertly curated around a particular theme, their contents tailored to provide answers to particular needs. Seven seems to be the magic number here, as these boxes usually feature seven beautiful natural product from a variety of brands. This is a fantastic way to get acquainted with natural beauty brands, new beauty regimes and discover new product releases.

The boxes offer an incredible discount from the products RRP, usually containing a value of over £40.00 for just under a tenner. They are an absolute steal. As this is something I can view before I buy, I can pick-and-choose the boxes I feel applicable for my needs. These boxes do move fast, you may want to consider joining the Naturismo mailing list, or keeping an eye on their Instagram.

The Naturismo Discovery Box can be purchased, when announced, for £9.95 (incl. delivery).

Caroline Hirons Cult Beauty Box

Caroline Hirons is an expert of all things skin. Having been in the cosmetics industry as a skin consultant, working alongside some of the biggest names in beauty, she knows a thing or two about what your skin needs and why it needs it. Caroline recently teamed up with Cult Beauty to provide a care-package of everything your skin will need in its day-to-day routine (at a heavily discounted price, may I add).

The Caroline Hirons Cult Beauty Box (of which there have only been two thus far, but I expect - and hope - for this to become a regular thing) is very much a luxury box, and thus, fairly pricey. Your eyes might water at the price-tag, but the contents are near-all full-size, or at least very generous trial sizes. They offer everything you'll need to start your daily ritual. Once again, this suffers from the issue of sweeping strokes for all folks, but will aid you to understanding each step to a routine, why it's important and what it actually means.

The boxes are fully revealed beforehand, allowing you to decide if you can fork over the best part of your monthly allowance for the possible advantage of your skin. But, these curated boxes come in limited supply, so be fast and be true. Following the Caroline Hirons blog will give you a heads up, as she always provides a waiting list. If you're on the list, you get a small priority window of which to purchase the box before it goes on general sale, but this still does not guarantee you a box. A lesson I sadly learned myself.

The Caroline Hirons Cult Beauty Box is available as an when announced for a varying price (usually over £100.00).

Peace & Beauty London Samples Box

Peace & Beauty London are an artisan eco-conscious beauty, home and accessories retailer, stocking some extraordinarily luxurious handcrafted, natural and British skincare products. They recently introduced their Peace & Beauty London Samples Box to help you discover some of the incredible brands they feature at an affordable price.

While there have only been two boxes thus far, I expect this to become a more regular service. Sure, their current selection of beauty may be minimal, but every single item in their catalogue is one I wish to try or experience and a Samples Box is an affordable and fun way to do this.

The box contents are always announced beforehand, meaning you can pick-and-choose which boxes you'd like to take away with you. As a sample size, you'll receive a miniature version of the full-size products, which is just enough for you to experiment and make your mind up if you wish to follow it up with a full purchase.

The Peace & Beauty London Samples Box is available as and when announced at a varying price (history determines between £5.00-£10.00). Postage is not included in that price.

For any future Beauty Box purchases, I will feature them on the blog, with a run-down of their contents. I will provide initial thoughts on the box and its content, but I will not provide full reviews of the products until I have tried and finished their full-size versions.

This is not a sponsored post. All Beauty Boxes were purchased with my own pennies and all thoughts are my own.

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

#MissionEmpties: The Results Have Been Counted and Verified

#MissionEmpties has now come to a close, and I do not regret, not for a single second, taking part in this challenge, in fact, I'm all the better for it. My cupboards are (very nearly) empty, my face is looking just stellar and my consumer habits have switched onto a new way of purchasing. ~~Visa card makes audible sigh of relief~~.

It has been a tough month, to accommodate these products into my daily routine, to try and use products that weren't entirely effective, or quite frankly, just dreadful. But for the most part, I have used some superb and wonderful products that I intend to repurchase or feature as a solid staple in my usual skincare, bodycare and haircare routines.

While I didn't manage to cross everything off this list, let's be honest, I gave it a good run for its money, right? Alongside the products in my original pledge, I did manage to empty some additional products, as listed in the Additional Empties category. Let's marvel, shall we?

Skincare

Bodycare

Haircare

Additional Empties

For those of you who like statistics (who doesn't, right?), let's crunch some numbers, in the name of interest:

Of the 48 products from my initial pledge, I managed to empty 39 products, making that a shortfall of only 9 products.
I managed to empty an additional 18 products, making that a grand total of 66 products emptied.
#MissionEmpties ran for a total of 31 days, making that an average burn rate of 2.13 products emptied per day.
Of the 66 products I used, 7 of them I rated Essential.
Of the 66 products I used, 15 of them I rated Effective, repurchase.
Of the 66 products I used, 19 of them I rated Effective, don't repurchase.
Of the 66 products I used, 6 of them I rated Ineffective.
Of the 66 products I used, 2 of them I rated Not Suitable.
Of the 66 products I used, 7 of them I rated Avoid.
The total value of all 66 products I used comes to £724.66. That statistic actually makes me feel a little queasy...
That's an average spend of £10.98 per product.

To catch-up on how I did through #MissionEmpties, or to read the miniature reviews of each products, you can be accessed here:

There's still work to be done, products to be emptied, and @hiddenharmonyworld has already made plans for a future #MissionEmpties Challenge (let's be honest, I need it). Make sure you take part, the more the merrier!

Sunday, 20 September 2015

#MissoinEmpties Week 04: The Curtain Call

The #MissionEmpties Challenge is in its final week, and with it comes a whole new list of products I've managed to tick off my pledge list. On the round-up this week, we have a wonderful range of delicate and nurturing products, all of which keep sensitivity in mind.

You'll notice a sizeable amount of Bee Good products featured this week. That's because I picked up the Bee Good Bee Beautiful Gift Pack (£45.00) a few months ago, giving me the opportunity to try out (nearly) everything they have to offer, and boy, it did not disappoint.

So, for the final time, let's see what's graced my body this week, shall we?

Balm Balm Tea Tree Organic Lip Balm £3.50 / 7ML

I am terribly prone to cold sores, and, if you've ever had a cold sore, you'll know just how difficult it is to keep your lips hydrated without risking spreading the infection. Tea tree is a fantastic natural antiseptic, making it super useful to feature in a lip balm, as it helps to fight the cold sore infection while keeping the rest of the lips nourished and hydrated. This has to be my all time favourite product. It has a very balmy (clue is in the name) texture, that melts into a warm, nourishing oil. It has no greasiness or stickiness, just a smooth moisturising layer. There is a lovely inoffensive tea tree smell, making it the perfect partner when my lips are damaged or sore. Essential.

Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser £11.50 / 100ML

I have a bit of a love affair with this cleanser (full review here). It has a lovely pillow-y texture that effectively clears the skin while helping retain optimum moisture levels. Don't get me started on the smell. This wonderful piece of cloud is scrumptious, hydrating, rich and refreshing. You can bet I'm bumping this thing up from Effective, repurchase to Essential.

Bee Good Honey & Wild Flax Daily Moisturiser £19.50 / 50ML

As moisturisers go, this has to be the thinnest one I've used to date. This almost runny liquid easily glides and spreads over skin, absorbing instantaneously. Skin is left feeling light and fresh, allowing for that breathable skin sensation. It has a gorgeously sweet scent, that helps to make you feel, look and smell delicious. This moisturiser is perfect for helping any non-absorbing products to absorb. For example, with any particularly stubborn facial oils, when I apply a small amount of this on top, they sink into skin instantly. While I do love this, I think it is really rather too expensive, making it a tough purchase to justify. Effective, don't repurchase.

Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water £10.00 / 100ML

The 3-in-1 properties of this product include: cleansing, toning and refreshing, it can be used for any of the aforementioned. Similar to that of your typical micellar waters, it can be used to cleanse skin and remove make-up, or as a non-astringent replacement for a toner, or as a pick-me-up to help refresh throughout the day. I use this as a toner as it is very light and delicate, making it super suitable for sensitive skins. It offers an instant refreshing sensation that is cooling and nicely soothing; making skin feel fresh and clear. It's best for those more sensitive days, when skin is feeling a little delicate, but otherwise offering no real skin benefits. Effective, don't repurchase.

Bee Good Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair £12.00 / 50ML

A considerable amount of bee-centric companies have their own gardener's hand cream, that is usually far more intensive than your average day-to-day one. This is no different. This supper intensive cream is fantastically hydrating, helping to keep hands protected. However, because it is super strength, I can only use it before bed, when I no longer plan to touch anything, as it leaves a white cast on hands, along with an almost sticky finish. The smell is pretty and fresh and my hands are left in very good care. Effective, don't repurchase.

Moss Skincare Clear Resolution Balancing Facial Oil $65.00 / 20ML

This wonderful little oil helps to keep skin clear of blemishes while providing the utmost nourishment and hydration (full review here). This orange-green elixir can stain, so its important to fully blend in, allowing the oil to fully absorb and moisturise the skin. It's perfect for keeping blemishes at bay, and as it's completely non-astringent, it makes skin feel revitalised. Effective, repurchase.

PureChimp Super Face Cream £14.95 / 60ML

This is one of those heavy duty moisturisers, when your skin requires something a little more powerful to protect and rehydrate. This is a balm that turns into a near grease-like texture on skin, and it will remain greasy, without absorbing. It has a bubbly consistency, that feels almost exfoliating. I find this perfect for helping to rehydrate and re-nourish after using a particularly strong face mask. It will help remove that tight, inflamed feeling, restoring my skin's balance. As always, it features that truly edible signature PureChimp banana smell. Effective, don't repurchase.

PureChimp Super One (Natural Facial Oil) £13.95 / 60ML

As compliment to the PureChimp Super Face Cream (featured above), I use this facial oil to help nourish my skin when it is irritated, tight, inflamed or dehydrated. This oil is expertly nourishing, helping to restore, revitalise and care for my skin. I use this on both face and body, it will not absorb on the face, but it does absorb on the body, helping to soothe rashes and calm any inflammation. Effective, don't repurchase.

John Masters Organics Spearmint & Meadowsweet Scalp Stimulating Shampoo £18.00 / 237ML

This little sachet appeared in the September edition of the LoveLula Beauty Box, I wanted to talk about it briefly as it inspired me to pick up the full size. This lovely orange-gold syrup has an uplifting and gorgeous mint fragrance. As it contains no sulphates, it doesn't actually foam, however, it still offers a thorough cleanse. My hair is left silky smooth and shiny. I honestly feel like I have advertisement-worthy hair. An absolute full purchase. Effective, repurchase.

A'kin Macadamia & Wheat Protein Conditioner £10.00 / 225ML

This nutty and naturally fragranced conditioner is wonderfully conditioning and nourishing for my dry hair. My strays and fly-aways are contained, without this product being too heavy or making my hair lank/weighed down. This is the perfect conditioner to help lock-in moisture. Effective, don't repurchase.

Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum £32.00 / 30ML

Said to see you through a #QuarterLifeCrisis, this serum allegedly provides a pre-anti-ageing treatment (more on that in my full review here). This delicate little serum helps to improve skin condition by smoothing and redefine the skin, offering a more youthful appearance. Pores are made to appear reduced, and scarring and blemishes are diminished. While this doesn't delete dullness, it provides a much smoother complexion. Effective, repurchase.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray £9.50 / 50ML

Having spent a lifetime of holidays on Fistral Beach, Newquay, I am a big lover of ocean-fresh hair which can only be achieved by natural sea salt. While this product doesn't do much in the way of creating those beach waves, it does add a salty rough texture, which then can be styled as pleased. Applying the correct amount is key, use too much and your hair will become super try and matted, use too little and it won't take any effect. Effective, don't repurchase.

Yes to Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturiser £11.99 / 50ML

This is something I talked about a good while ago (full review here), and something I've completely changed my opinion on. I no longer like it. While it is aimed at combo skins (meaning it isn't really applicable to me), it doesn't nothing in the way of oil control. It is think and spreadable in consistency, but it doesn't exactly absorb. Nor does skin feel all that fresh, after a few hours of wearing I feel almost dirty. It's a fairly moose-cream type consistency that doesn't offer any hydration. Yet, it still features a wonderfully sweet smell, so there that is. Ineffective.

LUSH Imperiaus Facial Moisturiser £13.50 / 45G
This is a moisturiser I only use pre-exercise. As it has a light consistency, yet offers a heavy dose of hydration. This product is perfect for keeping skin moisturised while being in no-way suffocating. It's quite a refreshing product, lightweight enough to sweat through and still remain intact (full review here). Effective, don't repurchase.

Andrea Garland Face Cream With Lavender and Rosehip £24.00 / 60ML

I don't know what it is, clearly me and Andrea Garland don't see eye-to-eye as this is yet another product that I just can't stomach. It as been an agony to use this, and once again, the blames lies with the scent. Smelling like something in the way of used tea bag, this has a strong sharp and lingering scent. While said to help balance sebum production, this product does nothing of the sort. Instead, it makes me very oily, very quickly. It has a horrible heavy and thick consistency, that likes to sit atop of skin. While it's not all criticism, this moisturiser does effective balance my uneven skintone, helping to calm and reduce and redness. Avoid.

That's another 15 product empties, only 8 of which were on my initial pledge.Tune in tomorrow for the final tally. There will be many statistics. ~~Don't all cheer at once!~~

To catch up on my initial pledge list and rule about the self-directed #MissionEmpties Challenge, please read the #MissionEmpties MASTER POST.

Saturday, 19 September 2015

The #QuarterLifeCrisis; Do I Really Want To Be Anti-Ageing In My Early Twenties?

I have a very critical, and occasionally cynical, part to my mind that refuses to see the world for black and white. Nothing is ever what it is advertised to us as. A few months back, when Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum hit the shop floors, my feed was flooded with claims that any age-fearing human in their mid-twenties needed to add pre-anti-ageing anti-ageing into their routines. Red flag; my natural scepticism kicked straight in.

This isn't to say this product doesn't work, but really, would we ever know otherwise?

It's brilliant, really. A market that never existed before, has now been created. The product created for that marked has positively unmeasurable results. How do I possibly ever quantify whether pre-anti-ageing products work? I don't. I just close my eyes, continue to fork over the £32.00 bi-monthly and hope for the best.

Without any possible way to measure whether this product will take any visible effect on my skin, lets talk about the immediate changes, the effects I can see happening now. And you know what, contrary to my thought on this scheme, this serum does actually have some merit.

Taking 1-2 pumps of this light mauve-pink serum into my palms - which is more than spreadable enough to cover the entire face - its silky thick cream-like consistency, feels almost velvety on skin. There is an instant pore-blurring effect, combined with the pinkish tint, it makes for the perfect skin smoother.

My skin condition has significantly improved. I have a much smoother skin, with the depth of pores minimised and any scarring or permanent blemishes drastically reduced in visibility. My skin feels so wonderfully supple and delicate and the only way it could possibly described as, is... youthful. There it is. They did it.

While I can't vouch for the anti-ageing effects, the potential is there and the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum does have immediate skin improving qualities. However, the claim to delete skin dullness and enhance skin's glow are weak at best. In fact, my skin feels almost a little duller when using this. But glow can be added through other products as skin smoothing effects like this are difficult to come by.

So, where do I stand on pre-anti-ageing? I don't. I don't stand anywhere on it. It is just too impossible to quantify the results. By the time I show signs of ageing, I have no measurable way to say whether the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum suspended the ageing process, accelerated it, or did utterly nothing at all. Maybe I'll come back in 20 years with some answers for you.

But for now, the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum is a delicate thick serum which helps to blur pores and smooth skin. It gives skin a youthful-esque delicacy, applied in a gorgeously velvety formula with a petite, fruity scent. Effective, repurchase.

As early-twenties anti-ageing goes, I'm still sceptical on you.

Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum is available from Origins for £32.00 for 30ML (full size). Alternatively, you can pick up the 15ML (miniature size) for £15.00. Which, if you by 2 of, actually works out cheaper for you. Go figure.

Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )

Pages