Tuesday 29 September 2009

Living Nature Lipstick


Review of Living Nature Lipstick (Morning Sun)
By Andrea L.

Packaging
The matt black box with silver lettering gives the product a modern, quality feel, but this is let down by the printing error which describes the Living Nature product as ‘MADE OF NEW ZEALAND’.
The matt black casing of the Living Nature lipstick continues the modern, quality feel and was a welcome change to the shiny metal casings of many lipsticks. I would be happy to get this lipstick out in public! There is a reassuring weight to the product and a good, firm movement when twisting the lipstick up and down.

Appearance of lipstick
A good muted colour; no obvious perfume.

Performance
A creamy natural lipstick which gives good coverage, but which is slightly heavy and rather ageing. I was aware of the product on my lips and conscious that the lipstick was quite obvious, rather than the ‘natural’ feel and look which I prefer. When the product wore off, it left a slight staining to the lips.
The Living Nature lip stick transferred easily to cups and even survived a wash cycle in the dishwasher. It did not, however, stay in place during a meal.

General Comments
The shade (Morning Sun) did not suit my colouring. It came up more orange than I expected from its initial appearance and lacked a red tone, which I would have expected from something described as ‘Morning Sun’. It is rather a flat colour which lacks any shine. I would not buy this product in this shade, but would be interested to try it in a brown/pink shade.
Overall: 8/10.
Living Nature Lipstick (£13.40) and other Living Nature products are available at naturisimo.com

Friday 25 September 2009

Living Nature Concealer- Medium


Review of Living Nature Concealer- Medium
By Ruksana H

Packaging
Sophisticated black easy to squeeze tube.

Application
I was amazed at the coverage from this Living Nature Liquid Concealer- medium, if you are seeking a concealer that will cover a multitude of sins or just bad skin this will do the trick as the coverage is full and being a natural concealer it will repair your skin, leading to skin that will become clearer quicker.

Ingredients
Manuka honey is the main ingredient in this Living Nature concealer, which is fantastic for healing blemishes as it speeds healing time and is great for clearing any spot causing bacteria on the skin.

Results
This Living Nature concealer liquid covered redness and any other little blemishes perfectly although it felt slightly drying on the skin, its best to moisture skin well if your skin tends to flake or you have dry skin, as it will become apparent through this concealer.

Pros:
Great coverage.
Skin nourishing and healing ingredients in this concealer make it an attractive buy.

Cons:
The talc in this Living Nature product made it drying.
Heavy coverage is suited to problematic skin as it is heavy for normal skins.

Color not suitable for Asian skins as it was too light.

Living Nature Liquid Concealer (£13.65) and other Living Nature products are available at naturisimo.com

Tuesday 22 September 2009

Weleda Wild Rose Facial Toner


Review of Wild Rose Facial Toner
By Irene W.

Packaging
The Weleda Wild Rose Facial Toner comes in a dark blue glass bottle inside a pretty pink cardboard box with classy gold print.

Application
This is a toner that is part of Weleda’s Wild Rose range so it complements the cleanser and moisturizer. It is to be used following cleansing your face. It smells very subtly of rose and feels very cooling as you pat it on your face with a cotton wool pad. Only a couple of splashes are required and has a slight astringent feel on your skin but it leaves you feeling very fresh and ready to apply your moisturizer.

Ingredients
Weleda are an ethical company that do not use anything synthetic in their products so every ingredient is from pure wild crafted, organically and biodynamical cultivated plants. Their products are very suited to sensitive skin. The Wild Rose Toner is made with Rosa Moshata Leaf Extract which refreshes through its lightly astringent action, and is suitable for vegans.

Results
After using the Weleda Wild Rose Toner my skin feels toned, fresh and relaxed and as a bonus it smells good too. I would definitely use this again.

Pros:
It tones my skin well
It smells good
It is very reasonably priced
It complements the rest of the range

Cons:
· I cannot fault this Weleda Rose Toner- it is my favorite toner ever and I will definitely be using it from now on.

Weleda Wild Rose Facial Toner (£7.95) and other Weleda products are available at naturisimo.com

Monday 21 September 2009

Inika Vegan Lip Gloss


Review of Inika Vegan Lip Gloss
By Joanne L.

This miniature, all natural, Inika vegan lip gloss comes in a range of four colours. Inika have continued their signature simple, classy packaging with the black and clear lip gloss casing, though the set comes in a rather glamorous gold compact.


The angled applicator within this Inika lip gloss tube is shaped beautifully to allow easy application to the contours of your lip shape. It has a lovely light texture, and is not at all sticky or heavy feeling like many other lip glosses can be. It did need the occasional re-application during the day, as any gloss would, though it lasted well overall. I have worn ‘Sizzle’ on its own, and over the top of darker, matt colours to add a touch of sparkle, both worked beautifully.


Another bonus to the Inika lipgloss is that it has a very subtle scent and taste, so no unpleasant clashes with your favourite perfume or your favourite tipple! But the texture has got to be its biggest selling point. I could wear this Inika vegan gloss every day.


Inika Vegan Lip Gloss (£19.95) and other Inika products are available at naturisimo.com

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Living Nature Liquid Concealer Light


Review of Living Nature Liquid Concealer Light
By Debra S.

Packaging
This Living Nature product is contained in a chocolate brown plastic squeeze tube with a fully detachable nozzle which screws off clockwise. It is elegant and compact in design. There is easy to read stone coloured lettering in a simple text, with basic information on the front and the rest printed on the reverse.

Application
It has a good firm texture and is quite easy to apply, blending well if stoked gently into the face. This Living Nature Liquid Concealer into my skin without blotching anywhere and it felt and looked like a second skin. The concealer has a pleasing, even coverage, as it is quite thick and only quite a small amount needs to be applied. It appeared to be lighter on my skin than it looked as it was squeezed out of the tube. I found it was a perfect colour for me, so I was very impressed. After application of the concealer, my skin appeared to shimmer slightly and my dark circles under my eyes vanished. It even seemed to reduce puffiness. I was very pleased to notice that all blemishes appeared visibly reduced. The skin seemed smoother and more even in contour and colour tone. I would say it also moisturized without being oily at all. It has a pleasant, faint, nutty odour which I could not smell once applied.

Ingredients
I understand that amongst the ingredients in the Living Nature concealer is manuka honey. This is native to New Zealand, and, noted for its medical properties. Jojoba esters are another natural ingredient, a type of emollient compatible to human skin. Macadamia ternifolia seed oil is an anti-oxidant which may help dry or mature skin. Simmondsia is a pure liquid wax which does not need refining. The other ingredients are foundation, tints and powder. The ingredients are listed online on their website, and, it is easy to find information about them.

Results
Although a small tube, I would say it will last as so little needs to be used. From the very first application of the Living Nature light concealer, there were no allergies at all. It lasted from between six to twelve hours, depending on whether I perspired or not and how much. On average, I would say it lasts best for about eight hours a day with a single application before it gradually starts to fade. Impressive, as I only tested it on quite hot days at the end of summer. I think I am a convert…

Pros:
Only a small amount needs to be used.
It lasts a long time on your skin.
There were no allergic reactions.
Dark circles and blemishes vanished.
The main ingredients are natural and good for your skin.

Cons:

· I have honestly not found any, despite being quite critical normally


Living Nature Liquid Concealer Light (£13.65) and other Living Nature products can be found at naturisimo.com

Monday 14 September 2009

Elysambre Spangles Glitter (Gold)


Review of Elysambre Spangles Glitter (Gold)
By Caroline S.

My first thought when I set eyes on this stunning little Elysambre Spangles Glitter (Gold) pot with its clear square base and circular lid, was that it looked like something from one of the designer make up ranges in a department store. It really is a lovely, classy looking container and I'll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for pretty packaging!

Turning it over, the Elysambre product can be seen through the base - and my first thought was that it was a bronzing powder - as it appears to be a very highly pigmented coppery-bronze colour. Now, as a pale-skinned redhead, bronzing powder is not always my friend so, with some trepidation, I opened the lid.

I used a small, stiff eye brush and found that it picked up a good amount of powder quite easily. I dabbed the Elysambre Gold Glitter onto my bare eyelid expecting to be confronted with a bright copper eye. However, to my surprise, I discovered that it is actually not at all as pigmented as it first appears and does not give a "flat" sweep of colour.

The sparkles themselves are larger than you would expect and incredibly reflective - they are also a beautiful, buttery gold and not orange at all. I found that no matter how much of the Elysambre Gold Spangles I packed on to my eyes, the result was still that of a bare eyelid with glittery spangles which is much nicer and far more wearable than an overload of plain gold pigment.

I must be honest and say that there was quite a lot of "fallout" and I would really recommend either a generous dusting of loose powder on your cheeks OR holding a tissue to your cheeks when applying to the eyes.

Once on the skin though, the staying power is fantastic and this makes it incredibly versatile. I found that I could use this Elysambre Spangles Gold glitter over my normal eyeshadow with no problems at all - it added sparkle without affecting base colour. I successfully wore it with green, lilac and brown eyeshadows and it stayed on all day. In fact, if anything, I had a little difficulty removing it all at night and still found bits on my pillow the next day!

For use on body and décolletage it is equally wonderful. I mixed some of the powder with a little light body lotion to give a sparkle without looking over-glittery. It looked fabulous on my pale skin and I imagine it would look even better on darker skin tones or with a tan.

Being completely honest, this product is for people who want glitter and not shimmer. The particles are large and very reflective - but they somehow manage to look incredibly expensive as they have the "cleanest" reflection of any glitter I have ever used. They are bright and rich-toned particles and definitely look like grown-up designer make up, rather than something out of a child's play kit.

Even with my sensitive skin, this glitter was comfortable to wear and did not irritate my eyes, body or face in the least. One Elysambre Gold Glitter pot will last a long, long time and I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked the product.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes a bit of glamour and glitz in their make-up kit!

Elysambre Spangles Glitter (Gold) (£10.28), and other Elysambre products can be found at naturisimo.com

Green People Organic Babies Mum & Baby Moisturiser – Lavender


Review of Green People Organic Babies Mum & Baby Moisturiser – Lavender
By Nadine D.

I have been testing the Green People Mum & Baby Moisturiser with my two year old daughter for the past ten days. I thought that the design work on the packaging was very appealing to mothers and something that would catch my eye on a supermarket shelf.

On first impressions, I thought that the Green People Organic Babies Mum & Baby Moisturiser – Lavender would be slightly too runny to use on my toddler, in comparison to the baby lotions I am used to. Actually, the consistency of this Green People moisturiser was perfect, easy to rub in and it didn’t leave a greasy residue. The fragrance of lavender was wonderful, but not too overpowering and excellent as part of a bedtime routine. Both my and my daughter’s skin felt soft and nourished and neither of us had any adverse skin reactions (my daughter’s skin can be prone to eczema patches).

I would definitely buy this Green People product again as it suited both of our skin types, although I would prefer it in a pump action container as it was hard to control from a tube (especially by an over-zealous two-year old!).


Friday 11 September 2009

Weleda Almond Moisture Cream


Review of Weleda Almond Moisture Cream
By Geri A.

This Weleda Almond Cream is for sensitive skin but it is also suitable for other skin types. It is light and creamy and it sinks into the skin effortlessly. It is absorbed quickly and does not leave a sticky residue on the skin so it is very suitable as a nourishing night cream as well providing a good make-up base during the day.

Weleda Almond Moisture Cream contains only pure, natural ingredients and it free of heavy fragrances. It has a hint of almond and is gentle as it cares for the skin. It contains sweet almond oil and palm kernel oil which nourish the skin and help to support its protective layer. In this way, the skin can regain its natural balance. This Weleda cream is in a tube and is easy to apply. It is packaged in a pretty pink box and has not been tested on animals. It is free from synthetic fragrances, colours, preservatives and raw materials that have been obtained from mineral oils. This cream soothes, protects and supports the skin. Weleda’s plants are mostly grown bio dynamically in their own gardens, either organically or harvested from certified wild plant collections and you can use this product in the knowledge that its ingredients are pure and carefully chosen. Weleda Almond Moisture Cream’s ingredients are ethically sourced and are good for the skin.

Weleda Almond Moisture Cream (£8.95) and other Weleda products are available at naturisimo.com

Thursday 10 September 2009

Gamarde Tinted Facial Care Cream


Review of Gamarde Tinted Facial Care Cream (Matt Sensitive skins)

By Jennifer N.

This was the first time that I had used a tinted facial cream, which I found quite easy to apply. When I opened the Gamarde tube what hits you first is the smell, this could have been the Argan oil that is in the formulation. It was not unpleasant, but initially it was a little strong for me, however it does diminish.

The colour appeared darker in the tube than my actual olive skin tone, but when it was applied it gave an even natural coverage. Because it is tinted it is not like a foundation that masks imperfections on the skin however what it achieves is a light coverage that gives a healthy glow. I wore a white T-shirt and it did not mark it, so I think that is excellent.

The texture is just like an ordinary moisturizer, because it can be applied using the fingertips so it feels light on the skin. Additionally because of this moisturizing effect, my skin did not feel dry or tight.

The Gamarde Tinted Facial Cream tube in which it comes in is just right, because it will fit easily into any make-up bag. Also because the ingredients are 100% organic I was quite comfortable in applying it to my skin without worrying.

The Gamarde Tinted Facial Care Cream (£21.00 40gr) and other Gamarde products are available at Naturisimo.com

Thursday 3 September 2009

Inika Lip Gloss


Review of Inika Lip Gloss
By Eleanor R.
The packaging for the Inika lip gloss is quite basic but has classic styling and is sturdy enough, and slim enough, to withstand being carried around in your make-up bag or hand-bag. The applicator is, again, a fairly standard sponge (which I prefer to a brush) but it does the job and applies the gloss smoothly and neatly.
The colour of the Inika lip gloss is a pretty and flattering modern shade that would suit most skin tones – particularly a slightly tanned complexion. It has a subtle sheen that is not too shiny or ‘wet’ looking. This gloss could be worn as part of a simple, summery day-time look or you could apply it more heavily for a sexy evening look.
The Inika lip gloss is not scented – a bonus in my eyes – but has that reassuringly ‘old-fashioned’ waxy aroma that lipsticks used to have! Unfortunately, it also leaves a waxy taste on your lips, which is not too pleasant. It also has a slightly ‘gritty’ feeling when applied and becomes dry quite quickly, which left my lips feeling like they needed moisturising. The colour lasts longer than the shine, but needs reapplying after an hour or so.
Overall, I was pleased with the stylish colour and classy shine but this is not the most enjoyable product to use.
The Inika Lip Gloss (£19.95) Inika products available at Naturisimo.com