Elysambre Nail Polish Reviews

Review of Elysambre Nail Polish
By Catherine Geiger

Packaging: Elysambre Nail Polish is packaged in a 5ml glass bottle with a nice small brush built into the lid for easy application.

Application: A nice smooth varnish which glides on easily and only needs two coats to give good, solid looking coverage. It seemed to dry very fast too, certainly less than a minute so didn’t take long to apply.

Ingredients: Ingredients vary dependant on which colour you use – the Elysambre Products do contain some ingredients of synthetic origin but are paraben-free, toluene-free, formolin-free and rosin-free. All ingredients are cruelty free.

Results: With Christmas coming up I guess I should make the effort and take the time to paint my nails! A job I usually only leave for special occasions as I can’t bear the thought of having chipped varnish which is so often the case after just a few hours. However I was pleasantly surprised with the results with this product, after 4 days my nails are still looking good so it proved itself to be pretty and durable! A great natural alternative for beautiful nails.

Pros:
Good solid coverage
Nice brush giving easy application
Long lasting
Well priced
Good range of colours

Cons:

Still has the horrible nail varnish smell that the non-natural ones have!

Elysambre Nail Polish (£8.00) and Elysambre Beauty Products are available at naturisimo.com

Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation Reviews

Review of Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation

By Anisa B.

Packaging: Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation comes in a 40ml plastic sifter jar. There is 10g of product in there, enough for 4-6 months I would say. There is a sifter like other mineral foundations.

Lily Lolo foundation is a loose mineral foundation, it isn’t dry and powdery in terms of how it feels, and it’s soft and slightly creamy almost. There is no smell or anything unusual about it.

Lily Lolo says:

“Award winning light foundation is free from harsh chemicals, nano particles, parabens, bismuth oxychloride, talc, synthetic dyes, fillers, fragrance and preservatives.” There are no ingredients in here that would cause irritation to sensitive skin, and the ingredients are all vegan/vegetarian in every Lily Lolo mineral Foundation Products.

Result:. The coverage is excellent, you can build it up really well and it still manages to look natural and not powdery and dry. It has good lasting power and wears up to 8 hours or so without fading. Overall, a good natural foundation that has good lasting power.

The pros of this foundation are:

Good coverage

Various shades available

Not dry or powdery

Natural finish

Good amount in the jar to last 4-6 months with regular use

Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation (£12.00) and Lily Lolo Products are available at Naturisimo.com

Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser Reviews

Review of Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser
By Beverley S.

Trevarno has a reassuring history of luxurious skincare products hand made in a country estate in Cornwall. The products are produced without chemicals using organic, natural ingredients produced with traditional methods. The skin enriching creams are fully certified organic scented only with essential oils which are evident as the cream I tested wasn't heavy in synthetic perfume of Rose; the scent was quite woody reminding me of the pure ingredients used. I love products which use Rose therefore was prepared that the scent would be more natural than a fragrant rose. Trevarno's Skincare products are cruelty free.

Packaging: Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser comes in a small dark purple glass jar with metal screw top. I love the fact the jar was a darker glass as it prevents light deteriorating the contents, particularly important when such pure ingredients are used. My pot was the 30ml size although there is a 50ml plus the same cream produced with SPF15 protection. I used the one without the SPF which suited me fine as I prefer to apply SPF protection after my moisturiser has absorbed. Some may find the ease of using an all in one attractive & considering this is a very rich cream another cream on top may be too heavy.

Ingredients: Contains pure distilled Organic Rose Flower Water blended with Organic Damascena Roses in Jojoba Oil, Organic Calendula in Olive Oil, Sesame with Carrot Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Grapefruit seed extract & Rose essential oil

Application: At first I was quite shocked at the extremely thick/rich cream and thought it was a night cream. I checked Naturisimo's website to find this was in fact a day cream. I admit I was hesitant to try this for a day cream despite the fact I have dehydrated skin, the dense texture looked to be too heavy for my fragile skin. I definitely recommend a little goes a very long way however I was surprised my skin didn't feel heavy/greasy after application. I continued to use Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser each day and at no time did I feel my skin was clogged or heavy. I was able to apply my SPF protection and makeup after the cream absorbed. Surprisingly it took no longer than my normal lighter textured cream.

Results: The fact Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser can be purchased in a 30ml size makes Trevarno's luxuriously rich cream an option for the cold months or as added protection on the colder days. I felt my face was well protected from cold winds and heavy rain we have had over the past weeks. I didn't feel the need to add more moisture after being out as my skin retained to comfort of the cream throughout the day. Despite my initial concerns Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser really gives the moisture levels in my skin a boost. I have tried Trevarno's eye cream in the past and found it too rich but now I feel I was using too much as I really was able to use a lot less of the face moisturiser. The ultimate test of moisture protection when I used my nourishing face mask after exfoliating the mask didn't disappear as easily as it should haveConsidering the cold weather. The cream defied all others which I find too heavy for fragile skin. I normally use a lighter textured cream as my skin is paper fine.

Pros

Added protection for the skin during cold to harsh weather

A little goes a long way making this an affordable luxury skin treat

Easily absorbed despite the dense texture on dry/dehydrated skin types

No synthetic perfumes

Choice of 30 or 50ml size with or without SPF

Nourished, conditioned & protected

Cons

Oily & combination skin would find this much too rich

May be too heavy in the summer months

I have never used such a rich textured cream & feel this one would be best for the skin's needs in the winter months

Although Trevarno have Vegan listed on the description I would personally question if the inclusion of Beeswax (Cera Alba) is an accepted ingredient for those who adhere to strict Vegan conventions.

Trevarno Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser (£12.50) and Trevarno Skincare Products are available at Naturisimo.com

Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion Reviews

Review of Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion
By Zainab Chagani.

Packaging: Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion comes in a glass bottle which is easy to recycle. However, the packaging does not look very appealing and is similar to other Weleda skincare products.

Application: The bottle doesn’t have a pump dispenser or a stopper to slow down the flow of product that comes out. This can make application tricky as you often get too much product out of the bottle. Although some people love the smell of rose, I find it a bit overpowering and feel that it may not be to everyone’s taste. The lotion goes on smoothly and is absorbed quickly. It has a non sticky finish and leaves skin feeling nourished and revitalised. It gets rid of dry patches effectively.

Ingredients: Although the ingredients are not organic, they are natural and credible. Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion includes Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter and Damask Rose, which are all luxurious ingredients.

Results: A very good overall body moisturiser that does its job well; skin is left feeling soft, supple and well moisturised. The only negative parts are the smell and the packaging.

Pros:
Skin is left nourished and soft
The ingredients are all natural
The lotion is easily absorbed into the skin
Cons:
The packaging may result in product wastage
The smell may not be to everyone’s taste
The packaging is not very attractive

Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion (£10.00) and Weleda skincare products are available at naturisimo.com

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Cleansing Milk Reviews

Review of Barefoot Botanical Rosa Fina Nourishing Cleansing Milk
By Beverly S.

Packaging: The pump dispenser on Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Nourishing Cleansing Milk has a clean design with Barefoot's distinctive pink petals on the white box with a 125ml size quality pump. Cap to keep nozzle protected & one of the best pumps which doesn't clog with any surplus product. Super clean dispense of each pump required.

Application: Advice on pump to use warm hands before applying the light textured cream. I found warming my hands in hot water was the most effective way to give a lovely massage to my face, neck and décolletage. I used two pumps especially in the evenings as I found one pump disappeared too quickly on my dry skin. The aroma was uplifting with the combination of Persian Rose, Mandarin & Juniper. The cream is scented but it isn't overpowering & unlike highly scented cleansers I found this one didn't irritate my skin, the scent was refreshing in the morning & super relaxing in the evening.
Normal caution to avoid contact with eyes although this doesn't mean it can't be used to remove eye makeup as it removes all makeup including eye make up gently & thoroughly. I loved the fact my skin didn't feel stripped or tight after cleansing.

Ingredients: Ingredients are listed on the pump although I was curious about some of the ingredients listed therefore a visit to Barefoot Botanicals products website provided me with a clear list with explanations about each ingredient used. If only all skincare brands would provide a list like this.

The cleanser uses an advanced formula combining highly effective herbs with the Rosa mosquito oil. This combination cleanses the skin with the extra benefits of cooling, conditioning and strengthening. Most importantly it will not remove vital oils & it protects the skin's acid mantle.

Comments: I love using products with rose oil so testing the Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Nourishing Cleansing Milk was a joy for me. I used the cleanser morning and evening to test in all situations with and without makeup. I don't wear heavy make up but I didn't have any doubt if grime and make up were removed. My muslin cloth showed the cleanser worked on mineral or cream foundation including light eye make up.
I was reassured to note the cleanser was suitable for a variety of skin types & sensitive skin was included. At no time did I feel Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Nourishing Cleansing Milk was too rich in fact the gentle but effective cleansing proved calming to my sensitive skin.

Pros
Therapeutic skin cleansing
Doesn't strip vital oils
Gentle but effective (very important)
Excellent pump dispenser
125ml a little more than most 100ml cleansers

Cons
Dry skin types may find one pump isn't sufficient to massage into the skin although a little water helps with the movement of the cream

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Nourishing Cleansing Milk (£19.95) and Barefoot Botanical Products are available at Naturisimo.com

A'kin Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub Reviews

Review of A'kin Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub
By Anisa B.

The A'kin Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub comes in a 75ml tube which is easy to open and easy to dispense the product out. It is easy to travel with as well and to take to the gym etc. This A’kin scrub is yellowish orange in colour and looks like your typical scrub with small granules in it. The granules are very gentle and are slightly bigger than your average scrub. It smells really lovely and natural, not perfume-like or strong.
A’kin does not use any artificial ingredients or chemicals in their products and they are 100% natural.
I really like the A'kin Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub and have been using it quite regularly. It is gentlest scrub I’ve ever used and at the same time, it really does exfoliate well and leave the skin feeling smooth and soft. It does not dry the skin out or irritate it and it smells wonderful. I can use the A'kin Facial Scrub daily if I want and it will still work nicely without causing any problems to my skin. I do have eczema flare ups and this does nothing to aggravate them. I highly recommend this to those who need exfoliation but have a hard time finding one that is gentle enough to use often.

Pros:
Smells nice
Affordable
Good ingredients
Hygienic packaging that is portable too
Very gentle yet does the job
Cons: None

A'kin Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub (£11.99) and A’kin products are available at naturisimo.com

Logona Pressed Powder Reviews

Review of Logona Pressed Powder
By Beverley S.

The Logona Pressed Powder is presented in a slim plastic compact with an integrated mirror across the top lid. My review powder didn’t have the compact and was contained on a very slim tray which I kept covered without any problems of drying out or becoming messy in the zip-lock bag.

Logona cosmetics are certified by the BDIH as a natural cosmetic without any Nano refined ingredients. BDIH certified also means mineral oils, synthetic preservatives, fragrances or colours, petroleum based oils or GM & irridiated ingredients & SLS are excluded completely which is a reassuring exclusion list & covers all of Logona’s range.
As this isn’t a mineral powder Talc is the top listed ingredient but with the reassurance that it is ‘certified free of asbestos and is not highly refined, so will not become airborne’

I have tried a few compact powders which have a colour choice & have always found these to be too ‘coloured’ for me & mostly left my skin feeling caky and itchy. I was cautious at first as my preference is to use a mineral translucent one, if any at all as I have dry skin.
I used the Logona Pressed Powder 01 - Light Beige for Fair skin normally I wouldn’t have chosen a colour thinking it would have left an un-natural tone on my skin. I was pleasantly surprised as Logona pressed powder was totally different and even on my very pale skin it wasn’t pronounced yet it gave a ‘finished, sharper look’ to my skin. I don’t like to look made up therefore was very pleased when I could use Logona’s powder to achieve a defined flawless appearance which didn’t dry my skin in any way.

Logona pressed powder is enriched with organic aloe & jojoba which all help to nourish the skin rather than leaving the horrible dry/caky feeling a lot of powders can leave which is why I don’t use them!

The instructions with the powder suggest various uses all of which I tested.
It can be applied with a compact sponge or a brush I tried both methods preferring a large brush for the lightest finish although a sponge would give slightly more coverage and is easy to keep in a bag if you need touch ups during the day.

1. After using my moisturiser I waited for it to dry then finished my look with a brush of the pressed powder. A lovely natural finish which didn’t feel like my skin was completely naked.
2. I normally wear a mineral powder foundation with or without a mineral finishing powder. I used Logona’s powder instead & was very pleased with the flawless finish without adding additional colour to my skin or making my skin appear dull.
3. On occasions I would use a cream foundation & Logona’s pressed powder worked perfectly with this too. I had stopped using a powder as I felt it took away from the illuminated properties of the foundation. I was very pleased with the defined finish Logona’s powder gave my skin.

I would purchase this Logona Pressed Powder despite having reservations that it had specific colours. I only had to use the powder once a day. Oily skin types may have to touch up but it is portable and very easy to use even if there wasn’t a mirror.

Pros No caking, itchy feeling. I loved the fact Logona Pressed Powder didn’t feel my skin had changed colour 01 suited me perfectly. Easy to remove with a gentle cleanser (my muslin cloth proved it had stayed on my skin and didn’t disappear throughout the day) My blusher stayed on too which was a bonus!
• I love a refined/defined but natural look & found this powder to be perfect for me (I am very pale and find most powders too dark)
• Three shades to choose from 01 - Light Beige (fair) 02 - Medium Beige - (medium) 03 - Sunny Gold (Bronzer)

Cons Although I loved the finish anyone looking for full coverage powder may not find this strong enough although there are two other shades to choose from & can be layered until the precise cover is achieved.

Logona Pressed Powder (£16.00) and other Logona products are available at naturisimo.com

Review of Barefoot Botanicals Cleansing Milk

Review of Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina nourishing cleansing milk
By Sue B.

Packaging Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina nourishing cleansing milk comes in a 125ml pump dispenser with a clear plastic lid to keep the nozzle clean. The text is black on a white container giving good contrast and is easy to read.

Application Clear instructions on how to apply Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina nourishing cleansing milk are found on the reverse of the bottle. Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina nourishing cleansing milk has a thick rich creamy texture which isn’t at all greasy. Just a couple of presses on the pump gives enough milk to totally cleanse your face, neck and décolletage of all make up. The rose fragrance instantly relaxes you as Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina nourishing cleansing milk goes to work cleansing, toning and rejuvenating your skin. After wiping off with a damp cloth your skin feels nourished and refreshed. At the end of a long day this was a welcome start to winding down before bed.

Ingredients There is a full list of ingredients for Barefoot Botanicals cleansing milk, in Latin and English, on the reverse of the bottle. All ingredients are 100% natural with a couple being organically certified. Having a best before date of January 2012 on the bottom of the container, there is no concern of a short shelf life. Firming rosa mosqueta oil is reported to be effective on wrinkles, stretch marks and scar tissue, witch hazel and dandelion purify and to complete the mix, aloe vera and jojoba replenish and nourish. All these benefits in one bottle, fantastic!

Results I usually buy organic products as my skin can be sensitive but, having tried Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina nourishing Cleansing milk, I would certainly consider using it again as it is mild, effective and free from nasty chemicals. It left my skin feeling totally pampered.

Pros: Easy to use, no clogging of the pump.
• For skin types: mature, combination, oily, rosacea.
• Mild and effective.
• 100% natural.
• Relaxing rose fragrance.
• 125ml bottle will last a reasonable amount of time.

Cons: It is not organic, although there are some organically sourced ingredients.
• The container doesn’t indicate that it is recyclable.

Barefoot Botanicals nourishing cleansing Milk (£19.95) and other Barefoot Botanicals products are available at Naturisimo.com

Balance Me Rose Otto Wash Review

Review Of Balance Me Rose Otto Wash
By Beverly S.
Packaging: Balance Me Rose Otto Wash Clear plastic bottle with a dusky pink & white label stamped with the Balance Me promise of ingredients they don't use. Eco Cert logo + an Aromatherapy License logo (although extremely difficult to read)
Full list of ingredients with 9 mths to use once opened. The bottle is recyclable
Push and flip top to ensure no leaks & no top to twist off when using in the shower.

Application: The Balance Me Rose Otto wash (a pale golden gel) can be used in the bath or the shower. It has a gel like consistency with the most beautiful delicate scent of roses. I personally enjoyed using the wash in the evening layer with a Rose Otto body oil & cream to enjoy the luxury of the scent in the evening. The product advises using their Rose otto body balm which I am sure would work beautifully together although I didn't have this particular balm to test.

Comments: I seemed to use more of the gel than other shower gels although I still have gel left after a few weeks use of a 75ml size which is a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the delicate scent & took time to enjoy the soft foam created when the gel was mixed with water. I am used to soft bubbles rather than excessive foam as I always use SLS free products. I found the gel was easier & more economical to apply by hand by massaging the skin rather than on a sponge as I felt I lost some of the richness when I used a sponge. I used a sponge after I had smoothed the gel all over my skin which created a white silken gentle lather.

I thoroughly enjoyed using the wash, my skin felt soft and nourished even before I layered with my other rose otto products. I experienced no irritation or tight feeling and my skin was left beautifully scented. I didn't have to rush to use body cream it was a personal choice to add to the fragrance layering.

The Balance Me Rose Otto wash is free from Sulphates, Parabens, DEA, PEGS, Petroleum, Mineral oils, Artificial fragrances & colours, Silicones & Propylene Glycol which is reassuring however they do use some of the 'Lauryl' family which concerned me but after researching both forms I found them to be mild and most suited to sensitive skin, cleansing without stripping (coconut oil & sugar) my normal body wash doesn't use these ingredients which is why I found out more about them. I am pleased to report they didn't have any adverse effects on my skin and I was more than happy to continue to use and enjoy the Balance Me body wash.

Results: A luxury to look forward to each evening. My skin was cleansed without stripping away any moisture. The scent lingered but wasn't obtrusive, I felt relaxed in preparation for winding down completely. The Balance Me rose otto scent was perfect for an evening of relaxation. Cleansed with softness. I didn't find the scent old fashioned it had a very pretty scent. I would purchase this product.

Pros

Excellent for anyone who adores the scent of Rose otto
Balancing list of ingredients with no harsh chemicals or mineral oils in any form
A luxury treat which cleanses yet has aromatherapy properties to help relax body and mind.
Rinses off easily & doesn't leave a residue

Cons

Possibly use a little more than similar washes if used directly on a sponge (my personal experience)
Ingredients list very tiny on bottle although full list can be read online.

Balance Me Rose Otto Wash (£12.00) And Balance Me Products Are Available From Naturisimo.com

Green People Gentle Cleanse Review

Review of Green People Gentle Cleanse
By Zainab C.

Packaging: The Green People Gentle Cleanse comes in a small tube making it easy to travel with. The full sized product comes in a pump dispenser ensuring minimum wastage. The packaging is recyclable but it doesn’t say if recycled products are used to make the packaging.

Application: The Green People Gentle Cleanse Review has a cream-gel like consistency which is easy to apply onto the face. The cleanser smells like rose geranium but the smell is not overpowering. It can be used for a really deep cleanse if it is massaged in for a few minutes then taken off with a warm, damp muslin cloth. However, if you prefer to rinse off your cleanser with water, this works well too. Quite a bit of products needs to be used to cover the face, so it may not last very long.

Ingredients: The ingredients are all natural, with 93% of them being organic. The cleanser uses oils such as Jojoba and Rose Geranium to give a comfortable cleanse. The ingredients are stated in their INCI name with a more comprehensible explanation in brackets so that everyone can understand what the ingredients actually are, for example, “Olea europaea (olive oil).”

Results: The cleanser left my skin feeling clean and fresh and also removed any make up I had on. It is suitable for sensitive skin and eyes as it did not sting and the oils used are very gentle. This is a very effective daily cleanser and I would recommend it as it does everything well and nothing badly.

Pros:

Mostly organic ingredients

Ingredients clearly stated

A great result in cleansing skin and removing make up

Cons:

Not everyone likes the smell of Rose Geranium – although this is not very strong

It doesn’t say if the packaging uses recycled material

A fair amount of product needs to be used for each cleanse meaning it may not last as long as you’d like

Green People Gentle Cleanse (15.50) And Green People Products Are Available From Naturisimo.com