sweet smell of nature

I (like a lot of girls) have a vast perfume closet to suit every occasion. But, ever since I became a mummy, I suddenly became a lot more aware of synthetic perfumes coming into such close contact with my baby.

I became interested in what I can do to still wear scent but not overpower my baby with a waft of crazy floral overload (I have been known to spritz more than once). In those first few months I simply wore essential oils only such as ylang ylang, lavender or chamomile.

Now I’m ready something a little stronger. Enter Acorelle, a new, 100% natural range of perfumes that are actually designed to enhance your wellbeing – bonus! Rich in essential oils, Tea Garden is a gorgeous, zingy, uplifting scent that is my current pick-me-up of choice throughout the day. It’s like someone raided my tea and spice cupboards and used my favourites to make this scent: mint, cumin lemon and bergamot.

I also particularly like National Trust Garden’s Wild Rose and Camomile. Two of my favourite flowers in one bottle. It’s delicate, floral but not overpowering and has a nostalgia about it that reminds me of my own mum and grandma.

I’d like my scents to create memories for my little girl in the future. 
Acorelle parfums available at Marks & Spencer Beauty and Whole Foods, £29.00
National Trust Garden’s Wild Roseand Camomile, £10.00

One Little Miracle

Maybe it's the running. Maybe it's just the over-excitement about the weather. Maybe it's something else. But my skin is as dry as the Sahara desert at the moment. I am feeding it with everything I have, but what's working its magic is Balm Balm Little Miracle Rosehip Serum. It is a lovely blend of some of my favourite essential oils including Rosehip (duh!), Borage (which is en vogue at the moment), Juniper Berry and Mandarin. Plus lemon of course. It smells fresh and satisfying. And my skin is thankful for every drop.

Balm Balm Little Miracle Rosehip Serum, £13.25

Spring is in the Air

Talk about spring has sprung. Yesterday (unlike today) was one of those glorious first days of spring in London. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping. What better day to shed the greyness of winter than with a Spring Facial. The clever people at the White Room, a new salon in Knightsbridge, have designed just that. They have, in fact, developed facials for each season to concentrate on different pressure points and cleanse a different part of the body for each one. Spring is about kick-starting the liver and gall bladder.

The White Room is a picture of loveliness. Clean, beautiful and bright as you would expect. They are also the sole distributors of Clé Des Champs – which is an organic, natural skincare range from Lyon in France. Each product, which are exclusively used for the facials, smell heavenly.

I was in the capable hands of Sophia, who customises each facial to any particular skin type regardless of what the brochure states. Meaning: you get the perfect facial for your needs. In my case, my dehydrated skin needed moisture. Sophia’s magic hands massaged and cleansed my skin to perfection, however, it was when she started to massage Clé Des Champs’ wonder balm that I felt truly invigorated. Thick with Beeswax and Borage Oil, it made my skin feel completely restored. Sophia even massaged it in to my hair for extra nourishment. This balm is the ultimate go-to for any skin ailments – anywhere in the body, whether it’s dry lips or chapped feet.

Needless to say I walked out feeling a million dollars. And walking a little taller. The little touches throughout made my entire experience completely delightful. I can’t wait to discover the rest of the Clé Des Champs range.

White Room treatments start from £20.00

Russian Wonders

On my beauty adventures to local markets in Russia, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the lotions and potions from Communist days gone by. To my surprise, a lot of the classic brands were still on sale! The creams for feet, hands, face and ointments are sold in metal tubes, like old-fashioned toothpaste and are actually surprisingly good. I used to swear by a greasy cream that smelt like flowers, but was the only thing that soothed my dry skin.

But, rather interestingly, apart from the Garniers and the Loreals that dominate the beauty market no matter where you are in the world, Russia has some of its own beauty brands on the rise. I noticed Natura Siberica, which is an organic beauty brand made with Russian plants from Siberia. Natural and not expensive (£2 for a face-wash), I decided to try it. And love it I did. The only thing that stopped me from buying and trying the entire collection was luggage restriction. 

http://www.naturasiberica.ru/ 

 

Butter Me Up, Baby

The snow, wind and minus temperatures that we have in England right now is nothing compared to Russia. I am going home to the Russian countryside this winter and I can't wait. But the wind, snow and minus temperatures that I will be up against leave my hair, skin (and eczema) in havoc.

All I can say is BUTTER ME UP! Right now, it is all about the most nourishing, gorgeously indulgent, buttery goodness of the following (feel free to follow like a recipe):

- Scoop up a dollop of Organic Pharmacy's Carrot Butter Cleanser (£31.95) and massage all over your face. Breathe in the delicious aroma of the essentials oils. Remove the day's grime with the organic cotton cloth and hot water. Et voila. That was step one.

- Squeeze out a generous helping of Klorane's Nourishing Treatment Shampoo (£5.69). Made with Mango butter, not only does it smell  tempting enough to eat, it lathers in to a rich foam just like that. Follow with the Nourishing Treatment Mask (£7.00), which will leave your hair impossibly soft. (Perfect for 70s flyaway disco hair by the way). Available at Boots.

- Treat chapped lips with Guava Lip Butter from Korres (£6.00). This is a beautiful sheer nude colour that creates an almost 60s lip. Makes a super-beautiful lipstick base too.

- Finally, add a touch of nourishment to your nails with Butter London's Nail Laquers (£12). Each one is made with no Formaldehyde, no toluene, and no DBP (Phthales). It's as nourishing as a nail varnish is going to get.

Now time to butter the crumpets. You need your strength in these climes...

Purify My Love

I have always wanted to make my home warm, cozy and inviting. In other words, a haven from the weather outside. One of my indulgences is scented candles. A good quality scented candle is worth its weight in gold.

I know Muji does nice colourful ones under £5, however, like cheap chocolate, after a couple of bites it's too sweet and sickly. So a luxurious candle is a worthy investment. On a trip to New York some years ago, my friend gave me a beautiful candle for my birthday that lasted for months. And every time I sniffed it, it reminded me of the little boutique she used to work in and my summer in the city. Ever since then, I have wanted to have at least one luxury candle at hand.

One of my favourite organic brands, Shiffa from Dubai has a gorgeous selection of candles. The Purifying Gem Stone candle is scented with orange flower, grapefruit and lily, designed to lift your mood, yet create an atmosphere of calm serenity. I just heard thunder outside, so that would be just perfect.

Shiffa Purifying Gem Stone, £31

Autumn Watch Beauty

I actually found myself tuning in to Autumn Watch yesterday evening. Fact. I found it both hilariously entertaining and shocking at how seriously the presenters take themselves. But, I did however enjoy the wildcats and otters who were, of course, the stars of the show. To help me get to sleep after such excitement (!) I found myself reaching for Badger's Sleep Balm, which has a heady scent of organic lavender that you can rub on your pulse points and enjoy the wonderful scent of its mixture of essential oils.

Plus, as the colder weather does set it, I do tend to suffer from dry cuticles. This statement did inspire my friend to proclaim me a geek recently, but it's true. Badger's Cuticle Balm (which is also organic) works wonders and I have not been able to open the tin without someone commenting on its rich scent of lemongrass, which is intoxicating. Geeky or not, my cuticles are in a-plus condition. Naturally.

Badger Beauty Products
Buy Badger on HQ Hair

Organic and Fresh!

This week, I am embarking on a session of Bikram Yoga. In case you didn't already know, this is the one where you practice really tough yoga position in what is essentially steam room conditions. There is one main rule in Bikram yoga: you have to sweat.

Now, this then requires a hard-working deodorant. I have become a fan of Erbaviva's Organic Jasmine and Grapefruit Deodorant. Not only does the combination sound deliciously different from anything else I've used in the past, its tangy citrus smell is super empowering. I love the understated scent of blossom from the jasmine too, which lingers softly. Plus, it's an award-winner and I'm not surprised.

So, Birkam Yoga here I come. Powered by Erbaviva and lots and lots of water.

Erbaviva Organic Jasmine and Grapefruit Deodorant, $18.00 (aluminum and chemical-free!)

Jeepers Peepers

I have been in a search for a good eye cream for a long time. My obsession developed ever since I heard about a colleague at work who applies eye cream several times a day. And his skin is a-m-a-zing.

I tried eye gels. I tried heavy creams. I tried mixing a little Vitamin E oil for extra hydration, but I found my eyes rebelling against me. My obsession grew when I went on my summer holiday where I applied a mint-infused cooling eye gel on the beach, but it didn’t really cut the mustard where real hydration was concerned. My eyes were more tired than I was.

I really wanted to keep it natural. The skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your body after all. I was very hopeful when I found Shiffa. This is a beautiful range of organic skincare from Dubai inspired by Ancient Arabia. The word ‘Shiffa’ actually means ‘healing’ in Arabic. I have a huge passion for natural products that can actually deliver on their promises. Shiffa’s Rejuvenating Eye Remedy did just that. Containing carrot oil to tone and revitalise, green tea to protect and aloe for moisture, it was rich, powerful and beautifully packaged. Everything I would want from any beauty product. I’m hooked.

 
Shiffa Rejuvenating Eye Remedy , £56.00 

Bright-Eyed = Bushy-Tailed

Following a recent beauty event at Selfridges, my friend said one of the most poignant and apt statements for any beauty lover. “I wish I had two faces, so I can be trying double the product all the time.”

I definitely wish that too. Especially now. I have discovered the equivalent of a sexy older brother to the aforementioned Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser. Enter M Lab’s anti-Ageing Brightening Cleanser. From the beautiful jet-black bottle to its heady scent, this is like Clarke Gable swooping in to steal the crown from Woody Allen, and boy does M Lab mean business. The enzymatic exfoliants and cleansing micro-beads give a perfectly thorough cleanse and left my skin feeling soft and supple. Ideal for an evening cleanse as it doesn’t leave a smidgen of eye makeup behind.

Aesop however, gentle and kind is great for a morning cleanse when you don’t want to overload your skin with any heavy product.

M Lab Anti-Ageing Brightening Cleanser, £50
Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser, £27

Fabulous Skincare...

If only all beauty boutiques were like Aesop. The gorgeous little shops are like mini apothecaries, lined with brown bottles all waiting for you to take them home. How can anyone resist?
Last weekend, I visited one. And I didn't resist.
It's the little touches that impress. The Victorian sink where you can try any of the cleansers and scrubs. The beautiful displays of all the products. And the helpful service where the consultants are never too greedy to give away their samples! One Fabulous Face Cleanser later, I was skipping home with a beautiful little linen bag filled with sumptuous samples and the said cleanser. The cleanser in question is of he gel variety, smells devine thanks to Bergamot rind, Chamomile Bud and Rosemary Leaf which make up its core ingredients. It is specially formulated for sensitive skin and it has made mine feel super soft and hydrated. Though, it's so gentle, bless it, I need something tougher to remove makeup. Needless to say, I can hardly wait until my next visit... Fabulous Face Cleanser, £27 for 200ml

Pick Me Up

Summer summer summer time, oh summer time. The weather is hot and every public building and transport vehicle feels like stepping in to a mini sauna. But not one that is actually good for you. Or your skin. I have been thinking a lot lately about what I put on my skin and have been inspired by flowers, plants and my weekly visits for Colombia Road flower market. I decided to go au naturel. I am also a sucker for beautiful scents and the way they can uplift your mood. My Cowshed room sprays genuinely make me happy/relaxed/relaxed and happy, depending on the time of day I spray them. So it's no surprise that I go for the same pick me up qualities in my skincare.
My first investment is a eco, hard-duty face wash. I always double-rinse my face of all make up every evening and need a face wash that will get rid of all traces of my day's wear. I decided to try Evolve, an eco-smart skin care range. The Daily Detox Facial Wash was both gentle and effective. It features African superfood moringa seeds, which purify skin and reveal a brighter complexion. Nice wake up call for skin in the mornings and super-thorough cleansing in the evenings.

For an additional perk-up, I am loving Nude's Deep Cleansing Mask, which is made from kaolin clay to draw out any impurities, but is non-drying. Hallelujah. Plus, as a bonus, the little beads in the mask act like a gentle scrub when you wash off the mask. Double-duty, double-beauty, double-results.

Finally, to rid my body of any harmful toxins and start from the inside, I am taking a course of Nude's Detox capsules, which contain Liquorice and ginger that support the digestive system and aim to reduce water retention and increase energy.In other words, I am not carrying around a food baby after a big meal.