Friday, October 07, 2011

Suki Daily Conditioner Reviews

Review of Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalising
Anisa B

Packaging: Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalising comes in a 150ml metal tube . The product is packaged well and dispenses easily and hygienically. The bottle is opaque so you cannot see how much is left.

Formulation: This conditioner has quite a runny texture, it smells herbally but not strong or unpleasant in any way. I feel that a lot can come out at times due to the texture of the product.


Ingredients: The ingredients for Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalising are: organic rose infusion, organic jojoba oil, organic yerba protein, hyaluronic acid, linoleic acid, 100% natural non-gmo vitamin e, hydrolyzed rice protein, organic neem, lavender & rosemary extracts, cetearyl alcohol, organic horse chestnut & horsetail extracts, aroma, sorbitol, honeysuckle flower extrac) As you can tell, there are no parabens, artificial colours, or obvious irritants in this product.


Results: I used Suki Daily Revitalising Conditioner for a few weeks and my thoughts are that it is a light conditioner, ideal for fine/limp hair as it does not weigh the hair down but it doesn’t necessarily add much moisture to the hair or ‘revitalise’ it in any way that is obvious. Personally, I don’t think it did much to my hair – good or bad. I wouldn’t really recommend it, as it is quite expensive for a conditioner that doesn’t really have much of an effect.

The pros of this Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalising are:
• Smells nice
• Good ingredients
• Easily dispensable tube
• Light textured conditioner for fine/normal hair

The cons are:
• Expensive
• Does not add much moisture/improve the condition of hair much

Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalising (£28) and other Suki products are available at naturisimo.com

Friday, August 12, 2011

Trevarno Organic Day Cream Reviews


Trevarno Organic Day Cream Reviews
by Caroline S.

Application: Trevarno Day Cream (£11.50) has a surprisingly thick consistency. It feels far more like a night cream than the standard creams I am used to using during the day. It suddenly becomes clear exactly why this cream is packaged in a pot – there is no way you could use a pump dispenser with this! It has a glossy, smooth, white appearance and the overall scent is primarily lavender and geranium. The Trevarno Day Cream is quite strongly scented, especially whilst in the jar however I don’t find that it lingers once applied to the skin. It smells of a British garden in Summertime and I actually find it quite soothing – there is something familiar and comfortable about this scent that you don’t find with citrus or exotic essential oils.

As I have said previously, the Trevarno cream really is thick and, as such, you need to use far less of it than you might imagine. If you overload the product onto your face, it WILL feel like a night cream. It will sit heavily and leave residue on the skin surface – which makes it perfect for an intensive treat or for those with very dry skin. However, if you wish to wear it under make-up, be certain that you only dot a small amount of cream over the face before smoothing into the skin. The cream glides across the skin surface with no pulling whatsoever and feels very cool and soothing on first contact. It is not instantly absorbed due to its heavy consistency but that doesn’t mean you need to rub hard. Simply allow the cream to settle over a period of five minutes (ten before make-up) and you will find that it does become fully absorbed whilst leaving no greasy residue. It leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with no tightness, just a subtle dewy glow.

Packaging: Trevarno Day Cream comes in the most beautiful, fuschia-pink glass jar with screw top metal lid. It really is a luxurious way of packaging the cream and puts me in mind of the dressing tables of Hollywood starlets of the 1940’s. I love the fact that it is sturdy – no chance of leakage into your vanity case when travelling – and I adore the overall look. My only problem with this packaging is that I don’t particularly like jars as I feel that they compromise the hygiene of products somewhat. It is imperative that you either use a small scoop or a perfectly clean finger to dip into the pot to avoid contamination of the product.

Results: Trevarno Day Cream is a simple moisturiser and, in that respect, it performs admirably. It moisturises the skin and leaves it feeling soft without any dryness or tautness. It didn’t have any other effect on my skin in terms of evening skin tone or controlling redness or oily patches – however, it doesn’t claim to do that. It simply states that it is “A light organic cream perfect for use under makeup & to protect your skin from every day aggressors and weather conditions”. If you are looking for a moisturiser that is simple yet effective and comes in beautiful packaging, then this is it.

Pros: Lovely scent, Applies easily and glides across skin, Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth, Leaves skin well moisturised, Beautiful packaging.

Cons : Very rich and thick- may not suit those who prefer light consistency creams, the jar allows for contamination of product, Cream only last 4 months once opened, no additional skin benefits beyond moisturising.

Trevarno Organic Day Cream (£11.50) and Trevarno Organic Skincare are available from Naturisimo.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Luzern Vita O2 Refining Mist Reviews

Luzern Vita 02 Hydra-Refining Mist
Nicky Boyd

Packaging: Luzern Vita 02 Hydra-Refining Mist comes in a stylish plastic bottle with spray top and lid.

Application: I applied using a cotton pad after cleansing but you can also spray onto your face and neck. I’ve also read that you can spray onto cotton balls and use as eye compresses to treat tired eyes. I’m a little wary of using any products near my eyes as they are so sensitive but had no problem using this on my face so will try this.

Ingredients: Key ingredients include Bio-Swiss Alpine Extracts which help protect your skin from city pollution and ozone and is a signature ingredient for Luzern Laboratories, Witch Hazel Extract to tone and remove all traces of dirt, oil and residue, pure Zermatt Glacial Water (from Switzerland!), Hyaluronic Acid for moisture and white Willow Bark Extract to refine the pores and texture of your skin.

Results: I used the Refining Mist after cleansing and before moisturising instead of using my usual gentle toner. It effectively removed all traces of dirt, oil and residue that had been left after cleansing and was hydrating and non-drying. I think it would be great to use this product as a hydrating mist on an airplane.

Pros:
Not tested on animals
Hypo-allergenic
No preservatives, Parabens, Sulfates, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic
Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, Genetically Modified Organisms and Phthalates
Suitable for all skin types

Cons:
Expensive (£30)


Luzern Vita 02 Hydra-Refining Mist (£30) and Luzern Laboratories Products are available at Naturisimo.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Tisserand Intensive Hand & Nail Cream Reviews

Review of Tisserand Intensive Hand & Nail Cream
By Gillian L.

Packaging:
Tisserand Intensive Hand & Nail Cream comes in a convenient plastic squeezy tube in 75ml size so handy to pop into your bag or for air travel. The tube and label can both be recycled.

Application: Apply a small dot of this very rich cream and massage well into hands and nails. Allow 5 minutes for the essential oils to absorb .I applied twice daily, but it can be used as often as needed.

Ingredients: All
Tisserand aromatherapy products are organic, ethically harvested and suitable for vegans .They contain essential oils and plant extracts chosen for their physical and emotional benefits. Tisserand products do not contain synthetic fragrances, SLS ,parabens ,petroleum products or any ingredients known to be harmful to health. None of their products is tested on animals. This super rich, but light cream is rich in essential oils -geranium ,rose, bergamot, jojoba and kukui with added extract of chamomile. These combine to sooth, refresh, soften and heal dry, chapped hands.

Results: I was delighted with the results on my chemically sensitive, dry and chapped hands. As I react to synthetic perfumes I find it hard to obtain a scented hand cream, which actually works .This product had a noticeable effect on my nails and chapped hands and left them soft and smooth after just one application. I found the scent quite overpowering so probably wouldn’t purchase ,but it certainly works as an intensive hand cream.

Pros
Organic, ethically produced and suitable for vegetarians
Good value for money as a little goes a long way
Convenient and biodegradable packaging
Contains no nasty chemicals so suitable for the most sensitive and reactive skins.

Cons
The scent is rather overpowering with quite a strong herbal aroma which wasn’t to my personal liking.
Difficult to get the last bits of cream out without cutting open the tube.

Tisserand Intensive Hand & Nail Cream (£6.10 ) and Tisserand are available at naturisimo.
com

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalizing Reviews

Review of Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalizing
By Beverley S.

Packaging: Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalizing comes in an aluminum tube with a screw top with the white and yellow distinctive branding. The full size is 150ml

Ingredients: 100% natural, suitable for Vegans
Organic Rose infusion, Organic Jojoba oil, Organic Yerba protein, Hyaluronic acid, Linoleic acid, 100% natural non-gmo Vitamin E, Hydrolyzed Rice protein, Organic Neem, Lavender & Rosemary extracts, Cetearyl alcohol, Organic Horse chestnut & Horsetail extracts, Aroma, Sorbitol, Honeysuckle flower extract, ingredients which are in most Suki products.

Application: Suggested use is for daily conditioning although I don't wash my hair every day I found I could use the conditioner each time I washed my hair as it didn't weigh it down or leave it lank the next day. It is also recommended to use Suki conditioning oil as a treatment once a week or for extra nourishment which would definitely be needed for thick hair.

Results: I have very fine hair and have been having problems with my normal conditioner despite the fact I am using the lightest version in the range therefore I was keen to see how my hair behaved with Suki's conditioner which promised to lightly nourish my hair without build-up/residue or weight. I found these promises to be fulfilled for me and was really pleased when my fair hair had a shine and was manageable on the day I washed it and the days in between. I was finding my hair had tendency to become lank with my normal range which I had been happy with but feel with the change in weather I needed something lighter.
I didn't want to compromise light for lack of nourishment as my hair is dry/damaged. Suki's conditioner has given me the confidence to add the nourishment I was beginning to worry about.
I would still give my hair extra nourishment every couple of weeks with an oil.

I haven't found the need for an extra oil treatment but will take the precaution of doing this before I visit the hairdresser for my next appointment and for a few washes afterwards.
Anyone with normal hair would need to use the oil at least one wash each week as this conditioner is very light which is why I liked it so much. Very thick hair would possibly have to use and oil each time as I don't 'think' the lightness of this revitalising conditioner would be enough and if it was a lot more product would have to be used which could work out expensive.

Comments: The tube is excellent for travel and in the shower as it is easy to dispense however on one occasion I squeezed out too much and had no way of replacing the product back into the tube, in this case I had a little too much but didn't want to waste it so my hair had extra conditioning that day. Point of interest it actually didn't weigh my hair down even though it was more than I normally used. I wouldn't leave the tube on a shelf in the shower due to the aluminum used. Perfect for gym bags or travel (less weight than a big bottle without risk of spilling)
I used to use a richer conditioner but have learned with my hair being so fine I am better with a light one I can use without fear which is exactly how I felt using Suki's revitalising product. It was rich enough to leave my hair tangle free, a wide tooth comb glided through easily.

Pros:
100% natural Cruelty free
Quality ingredients (no silicone etc)
Very light weight for very fine hair (if conditioners are normally too rich)
Travel friendly
Lovely texture with light, refreshing scent

Cons:
Quite expensive (Suki's spa range has become expensive although the brand uses cutting edge science throughout the range) The brand I use has high quality organic ingredients but isn't as expensive for 200ml of product.
Costs would be more with the addition of the oil treatment although this has the added benefits of nourishing the scalp.
May be too light for normal to thick hair (fine & very fine it is perfect)


Suki Daily Conditioner Revitalizing (£27) and Suki Skincare Products are available at naturisimo.com


Wednesday, April 06, 2011

A’kin Hand, Nail & Cuticle Cream Reviews

A’kin Hand, Nail & Cuticle Cream By Nicky B Packaging: Recyclable plastic tube with a black plastic lid Application: A’kin Hand, Nail & Cuticle Cream is extremely moisturising without being greasy (a rare find in a hand cream) and is absorbed really quickly. Ingredients: Contains essential oils and vitamins B5 and E to protect hands from the signs of ageing. Also includes persea gratissima oil (from the avocado, great for dry skin) and simmondsia chinensis oil (from the jojoba shrub to calm and soothe hands). I love anything that includes shea butter and this hand cream has this too. Shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree by crushing, boiling and stirring. The tree only grows in the wild, and can take up to 50 years to mature (living up to 300 years!). Africans have known about the benefits of shea butter for thousands of years. It’s an amazing mosturiser because it contains so many fatty acids which are important to help skin to retain moisture and elasticity. It helps to heal burns, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, and stretch marks. It may also help diminish wrinkles by moisturizing the skin, promoting cell renewal, and increasing circulation. Results: Leaves hands feeling really soft and cuticles well-moisturised. Pros No chemical nasties: free from sulphates, parabens, ethoxylates, propylene glycol, petrochemical cleaners, silicones, phthalates, mineral oils, DEA and artificial colours Vegan No animal ingredients or testing Cons I’m not that keen on the smell of this cream, I don’t know why as I normally love the Scent of lavender and geranium. I’d like to try the unscented hand cream A’Kin also Produce. A’kin Hand, Nail & Cuticle Cream (£10) and A’kin Skincare Products are available at naturisimo.com

Review of Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream

Review of Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream Packaging: Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream comes in a signature opaque glass jar with metal screw top 30mls in box. Ingredients: Rich in natural ingredients including Lavender Flower Water has been blended with Olive Oil, infused with healing Comfrey, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vitamin E and Essential Oils of Geranium, Grapefruit and Juniper. Cream is suitable for vegetarians Application and Comments: As with all Trevarno products the hand cream is very rich. Recent products I have tested from the range have been too rich for me but due to the intensive test conditions with my hands being so dry and cracked the hand cream my didn't change the condition of my hands significantly when testing. I have no doubt with normal/dry hands the cream would take care of moisture and healing. The cream itself is rich; only use the tiniest amount during the day (especially for use with touch screen phones and gadgets!) Although I applied it in the mornings and my hands drank in the cream some people may find it too rich to be able to continue daily tasks. Excellent to use at night for intensive treatment. The scent is similar to other products from the range although the combination of the olive oil with lavender and almond oil was quite pleasant, not too strong in the olive scent and it didn't seem to linger. I wash my hands a lot but during my testing period my hands were constantly in water and foot scrub products therefore any cream was going to have an impossible task. I have yet to find one which could revive my hands which also suffer from poor circulation therefore dryness is inevitable. If the Olive & Almond Hand Cream had been in a tube I would have found it more convenient to keep with me during the day applying each time my hands were in water. Although the jar is a luxury way to present the product it really is more appropriate to keep besides the bed and not in a pocket or handbag. The constant dipping into the jar isn’t the most hygienic way to keep the cream germ free. That said it was a treat to feel the texture of the cream, similar to double cream. It would be a rich cream in normal circumstances; my hands really have suffered and would need to apply Trevarno’s more often during the day. Even though my hands are in poor condition Trevarno’s hand cream didn’t sting my hands on application. Pros Supporting a UK producer (Cornwall) using Organic certified. Vegetarian (beeswax) Cruelty free Luxury ingredients to keep hand supple with the addition of soothing/healing ingredients A little goes a long way Cons Didn’t show significant improvement for my hands although this was due to circumstances (my hands didn’t get any worse) Tube would be more portable and germ free Trevarno Olive & Almond Hand Cream (£10.34) and Trevarno Skincare Products are available at naturisimo.com

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner Reviews

A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner
By Kelly B


Packaging: I trialled the 30ml size of the A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner which comes in an opaque plastic screw top tube. The recyclable tube is a matt finish which is easy to grip and non slip. The packaging although simple in design has an upmarket feel.

Application: The texture of the A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one
is rich and ‘creamy’ just like its name suggests. It glides onto the skin easily and feels soothing and nourishing. Despite feeling nourishing skin feels almost squeaky clean (yet totally hydrated and not at all tight). I feel this must be due to the toning ingredients (witch hazel and rose water). As skin once dried does feel firm and fresh like it does when toner has been applied.

It is almost fragrance free but I could detect a very faint scent of rose. I liked the subtle delicate fragrance as strong smells can be overpowering.

I feel that A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one removed face makeup quite well but it took several applications to get it all off. I didn’t feel that this cleanser was suitable for removing eye makeup as it really stings your eyes (which must be due to the witch hazel). Plus it wouldn’t remove my eyeliner.

I have tried many natural cleansers and for me the best ones at removing makeup, (including water proof mascara) are; Trilogy Cream Cleanser, Green People Gentle Cleanse, and Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. For those looking predominantly for a cleanser to remove makeup I do not feel A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one is the best one to try. However I do think A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one is good as a morning cleanser applied to a makeup free face. When so used I recommend being careful to only apply lightly to the eye area as this avoids stinging.

This natural A’kin cleanser leaves skin feeling hydrated, soft, dewy and refreshed. I feel that gently removing it with a warm muslin cloth intensifies the dewy appearance given by the cleanser.

Ingredients: Reassuringly A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one, and all A’kin products are free from sulfates, ethoxylates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemical cleansers, silicones, phthalates, mineral oils, DEA and artificial colours. Plus where possible ingredients are organic.

A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Cleanser & Toner is packed full of intensely skin nourishing, anti-oxidant rich, and anti-aging ingredients including squalane, shea butter, macademia seed oil and avocado oil. Whilst Provitamin B5 soothes the skin.

The toning ingredients in this dual cleanser and toner are witch hazel, rose water and geranium, the latter two are also anti-aging. Sandalwood is hydrating, and anti-aging.

A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one is vegan, ‘100% natural aromatherapy’ and formulated without animal testing.

Results: My skin is pretty sensitive and I found A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one to be very gentle. It really is a cleanser and toner in one as it leaves skin feeling refreshed and toned with no greasy film that some nourishing cleansers can leave behind.

I do not feel it is the best cleanser for removing makeup and it does sting the eyes if applied anything other that very lightly to this area.

I liked A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in one and found it refreshing to use on awakening and skin looks radiant fresh and dewy when dried. I will use it again and would recommend it.

Pros
All natural, no chemicals
Paraben free
Rich and creamy
Delicate scent
Very gentle and soothing
Leaves skin hydrated and dewy
Skin feels refreshed
Tones too

Cons
Not great at removing makeup (takes a few applications)
Stings eyes unless applied very lightly to this area
Not very good at removing eye makeup (and stings when used for this purpose.)

A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner (£15.00) and A’kin Products are available at naturisimo.com