HERITAGE STORE SAMPLE REVIEW

 

These samples have been sitting in my study for a while, as I wanted to review them after the summer. I think it's always nice to start a skincare regime at the start of a new season, as the weather has a huge impact on how our skin generally behaves. Now we are coming away from the hot, summer months and into the autumnal breeze and rain, most of us need a little ramp up on our skin care to help alleviate the dullness that can often take a wash on our complexion. So today, as I've walked my pooch in the pouring rain, come back to incredibly reluctantly having to put on the tumble dry, it feels almost comforting and fitting to review Heritage Store products.

Ancient Healing Clay 454g RRP £12.49

I have written up on Heritage Store before, specifically their Castor Oil however, I didn't realise the extent of the amount of products they sell. The Ancient Healing Clay was a welcomed surprise as the huge 454g tub can be used in a multitude of ways. As always I like to look at the ingredients, and quite often this takes up a lot of my time. However, there is only one ingredient in this product, which is Bentonite.

Bentonite Clay is an absorbent, swelling clay that is usually formed from volcanic ash. It is named after Fort Benton, Wyoming where it's most commonly found. It works by grabbing excess oil, and dirt and pulling it out of the skin, binding it together with it's molecules. In the beauty industry it's often used as the base for facial masks, body wraps and can be used in the bath to help purify the skin. It has numerous benefits in aiding skin health such as:-

• Deep cleansing, removing impurities and toxins from the skin.
• Regulating oily skin and helping reduce acne inflammation.
• Preventing chaffing and nappy rash.
• Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.
• Helps comfort irritation from prickly heat, skin rashes and dermatitis.
• Gives radiance to dull, lack-lustre skin.

To use it is incredibly simple, just mix one table spoon with 3 parts of water, then simply apply to your face (avoiding eye area). If you have combination skin you can apply it to just your t zone area, or your face. I used my fingertips to massage in but you can also use a facial mask brush.

Once mixed in a bowl and applied to my face, I added a little more water to 'thin' it out and then rinsed off once dried. The thinner the consistency the quicker it dried, and I found for my skin around 5 minutes was enough. 

You can, if you know what you are doing add a couple of drops of essential oils to the mix pending on your skin type. Alternatively, as mentioned above you can use in a body wrap and even put into your bath to help detoxify your skin. This is ideal if you spend time outside doing sports, swimming, gardening etc as it gives a really deep cleanse. Skin is left feeling soft not taut.

Rosewater & Glycerin Hydrating Facial Mist 237ml RRP £11.49

I'm a huge fan of facial mists. Once thought of as the 'in between, grey area' of cleansing and moisturising, they have come into their own little niche the last decade. Not just used to wipe away excess cleanser, many now have added ingredients to treat skin conditions, as well as being refreshing and to fix makeup in place. In fact I keep one in my fridge, bathroom and my study!  This one is ideal for dry to combination skin types. Ingredients include:-

• Glycerin - moisturising, nourishing and keeps skin feeling supple.
• Rosa Damascena Flower Oil - aids skin cell renewal, refines uneven skin tone, reduces inflammation and acts as an astringent so good for oily skin.
• Geraniol - ideal for skin infections, reducing blackheads and acne. It's anti-bacterial and anti-septic.

Castor Oil Nourishing Treatment 237ml RRP £6.99

I have written a whole feature on the benefits of Castor Oil - see previous blog posts however, it's nice to see a whole range together, and this has so many benefits. Containing simply Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, benefits include:-

• Encouraging healthy nail and hair growth.
• Keeps brows and lashes looking lustre.
• Moisturising on the skin, ideal for very dry areas of the skin.
• Prevents ridges on nails and keeps cuticles healthy.
• Can be used as a scalp mask, simply massage in and leave for 20 minutes before shampooing out. Ideal for bleached, dry, chemically treated, heat damaged hair.

All the products are vegan, cruelty free and contain no harsh chemicals, dyes or alcohol. Not only are they bathroom essentials, but for the price they make up a wonderful hamper and gift for someone who's been poorly, Christmas or birthday gift. Also makes a perfect gift for mum to be! You can purchase here at www.superdrug.co.uk

The Body Shop Edelweiss Range Sample Review

 

I've always been a fan of  The Body Shop's Founder Dame Anita Roddick, she pioneered the way in cruelty free skincare and paved the way for ethical sourcing of ingredients. Most recently, The Body Shop's best selling range Drops Of Youth™, has been re-branded and 're-charged' to the Edelweiss range. The reason for this change was to continue the ethos of not promoting 'anti-aging' ingredients. Yes, you heard that correctly. Dame Anita Roddick says 'if you didn't want to get wrinkles you should have stopped smiling years ago'. Personally, I think this is a breath of fresh air to hear, especially as I am constantly surrounded in the beauty editorial business, of women continually trying to prevent aging by way of anti-wrinkle injections, fillers etc. 

For fans of the Drops Of Youth™, please don't be worried. The Edelweiss collection has the same ingredients but with the key focus being on the Edelweiss flower. You can read more on The Body Shop website (link below) however, in brief this amazing tiny flower has more anti-oxidant properties than retinol. The flower thrives in the mountains where wind, sun etc is at it's most aggressive. This flower manages to protect itself against the harsh weather elements by producing leontopodic acid, a powerful anti-oxidant. The Body Shop harvest this flower and extracts the leontopodic acid, to give our skin similar protection from it's products.

Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate 100ml £12

Ideal for all skin types, this light gel cleanser emulsifies into a gentle, creamy lather once mixed with water. You only need a tiny amount, as once massaged into the skin spreads lightly into the face. It's formula works well with all skin types from oily to dry, and leaves skin feeling fresh without any tightness. It works deeply to remove all impurities, makeup and pollution so your face is feeling refreshed and clean. 

As well as Edelweiss, other ingredients include:-

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine - an natural ingredient derived from coconuts that helps lather, without any harsh chemicals often found in lathering products. 
• Erythritol - often used as a sweetener, in skin care this helps keep the skin feeling smooth.
• Coconut Acid - skin hydrating and moisturising. 
• Citric Acid - exfoliating, helps to maintain even skin tone and deeply cleansing.

Edelweiss Liquid Peel 100ml £18

This gentle exfoliator is recommended to use 2-3 times per week (although I think once a week is enough), and ensures that skin is kept clear from bacteria and pollution build up. Pores look more refined and blackheads are kept at a minimum, as the product works by sloughing away dead skin cells and removing every speck of grime. A small amount massaged onto the face transforms from a light liquid into 'beads' of skin build up that are simply rinsed away.

Again with the key ingredient being leontopodic acid, a more potent and powerful ingredient that retinol, this is ideal for anyone with dull, sallow and dehydrated skin. It not only gives radiance to the skin but prepares the skin, by leaving it receptive to serums and moisturisers. Some with very sensitive skin, may find it tingles as it does contain alcohol however, it is kinder on the skin than the harsher, facial scrubs.  For those with oily/normal/dry skin types it's an essential addition to clearer, more even-toned skin.

Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Cream 50ml £28

Out of the products I've reviewed from this range, the Intense Smoothing Cream is my favourite. It's light enough so that it doesn't leave that greasy film, yet sinks in easily so my dry skin felt instant nourished and comforted. You only need a small pea sized amount to cover the face and neck, and  rather than massaging in, simply press and pat onto the skin. It's packed full of active ingredients to aid good skin health such as:-

• Shea Butter - contains essential fatty acids to help nourish the skin, and reduce inflammation. Ideal for acne rosacea and sensitive skin that needs restoring and calming. 
• Sunflower Seed Oil - non pore clogging, this oil contains high levels of vitamin E, oleic and linoleic acid, powerful anti-oxidants and incredibly nourishing. Helps soothe the skin and ideal for those with eczema. 
• Squalene - helps maintain a youthful complexion by boosting collagen production. 
• Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil - prevents sun spots, helps soothe inflamed skin, protects the skin from UV damage and also gives a barrier to the skin from pollution.

All of the products mentioned are vegan, cruelty free and have an incredibly light scent, almost unscented. They won't irritate the skin and, as always I've checked the reviews from other customers and the range is a huge hit with testimonials such as 'I would give it more than 5 stars if I could'. You can check out the range here at www.thebodyshop.com

INNERSENCE™ Harmonic Treatment Oil 25ml RRP £24

 

Being a stressed out single mother of 2, I'm a huge lover of any product that promises to relax me and offer a sense of well-being. I'm also a huge lover of multi-purpose products as time is so short, and so when I'm offered to review a product that combines both time-saving and relaxing, then it's a huge 'yes please' from me. 

Innersence™ Harmonic Treatment Oil is a multi-purpose organic oil that restores a frazzled, stressed out mind. It's not only restorative but includes ingredients to rebalance and produce a sense of calm, essential in todays busy world. Not only is it effective on mental health, but also has ingredients that treat a variety of skin and hair complaints. Some of the ingredients include:- 

• Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil - moisturising, balancing and can help promote an even skin tone, as well as being non-pore blocking. 
• Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil - contains Linoleic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and can help acne, eczema and sensitive hormonal skin conditions. 
• Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Extract - containing high levels of vitamin C, Bitter Orange can help promote skin radiance. It's also excellent at promoting circulation on the scalp and encourages hair growth. 
• Olibanum 2 - aka Frankincense, a healing essential oil which can help lower anxiety and stress levels. It also has excellent anti-inflammatory benefits and astringent properties that help tone the skin and ward off bacteria.
• Macademia Ternifoilia Seed Oil - adds shine to dull, dehydrated skin and hair. Strengthens hair and helps protect the skin from environmental pollutions such as smoke, dust etc. 
• Calophyllum Tacamahaca Seed Oil4 - Tamanu Oil, rich in anti-oxidants helps protect the skin from UV damage, is anti-bacterial and gives the skin a barrier to protect it from environmental aggressors as mentioned above. 
• RosmarinunOfficinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil - stimulating, this oil is excellent for encouraging a healthy scalp and also gives the skin a nice glow.

Whilst the oil be used in numerous ways, when applying to get the full benefit, apply to the palms of your hands and inhale deeply, to relax the mind. Then simply apply by:-

• Massaging just a drop to nails and cuticles nightly, this ideal if you suffer from ridged nails especially if you've had gel nails on and want to restore your nails and encourage a healthy, strong nail bed.
• Stimulates the scalp, just a few drops can be massaged into the scalp before shampooing off. Alternatively, place some drops into the palms of your hands and press into your hair lengths for extra-conditioning.

• As a skin conditioner, simply press into the skin before or after cleansing, or add a few drops to your cleanser.
• Add a few drops to your facemask to give extra nourishment.
• Apply alone or add a few drops to your body lotion/cream and massage into your feet. 

Whilst it's only 25ml, a little goes an awful long way. The ingredients are of highest quality and so you only need a couple of drops. It's a good addition to your usual skincare routine and/or hair care routine. Personally I like to leave it next to my bedside drawer, as just a few drops every evening sends me off into a deep slumber. 

Ideal as dare I say it, a Christmas present or would make a wonderful gift for a new mum! You can view the range and five star reviews from customers here at www.naturisimo.com

TANGLE TEEZER® REVIEW - HAIR PICK RRP £10 WIDE TOOTH COMB RRP £12 sample review

 

I can clearly remember the screams from my now 18 year old daughter. She was 3 years old and everyone in the swimming pool changing rooms was staring at me. 'You're torturing me mummy, stop it you're hurting me'. Rather than being reported to Social Services, instead I was met with many sympathetic glances. I was simply trying to gently detangle my daughter's long wet hair. It's a struggle most mums who have to comb their child's hair will empathise with. I'm going back around 15 years ago, and it was then that my darling hairdresser, suggested I get a Tangle Teezer® - I never looked back. My hairdresser, a close friend was actually a top colourist and Wella finalist at Errol Douglas in Mayfair. She introduced me to this newly launched (2007) miracle hair tool and I think I probably kissed her, as it quickly became my product I couldn't do without.

Wind forward those 15 years and Tangle Teezer® is sold all over the world. Poorly copied by so many other brands, it remains one of the best selling hair tools since it launched.  Branching out there are now many variants that cater for different hair types. Most recently launched are the combs specifically for detangling curly and coily hair. Coils are graded on their tightness and texture, and both these combs are suitable for 3C - 4C hair.

The Power's In The Teeth™ Wide Tooth Comb RRP £12

This duo sided comb is ideal for all hair types and especially those with wavy, curly, thick, afro, coily hair. It's the perfect tool to use in the shower, to comb through your conditioner or to use when your hair is dry. It makes detangling the thickest of hair types a doddle, owing to the shorter, denser two-tiered teeth, which helps remove the most stubborn of knots. 

The wider tooth comb, is perfect for all hair types and is great at providing defined curls without resorting to any frizz! The easy de-tangler is also kind to bleached, dry hair (like mine), as doesn't cause breakage. 

The Power's In the Teeth™ Hair Pick RRP £10

The Hair Pick is designed to use on dry hair to add lift and volume to curly hair. It's ideal for separating curls, lifting them from the root to create definition with volume. It gives tight, curly hair perfectly separated coils without causing any damage, and you can really get to the root of the hair. Whilst to be used if you've got naturally curly hair, it can also be used if you curl your hair with appliances and want to separate the curls without losing the style. I used this on a recent night out, having tonged my hair. My curls had much more volume and, as above not a hair of frizz in sight!

These tools are not designed to be used with heat however, there are other Tangle Teezers® that you can find on their website that can be used for styling. I use the original Tangle Teezer® to comb through my Cockapoo dog after he's had a bath! It keeps his fur knot free without any snagging! Check out the website here at www.tangleteezer.com