Showing posts with label eco-beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eco-beauty. Show all posts

Esse Organic Skincare: Trial Pack Review



Esse says:
A selection of 5 miniature products, ideal for travel, as a gift or to try the range. Presented in a wooden box handmade as part of a community development project in KZN (KwaZulu-Natal - a province of South Africa).


The Esse Oily/Combination Skin - Trial Pack contains

10ml Cream Cleanser
10ml Gel Cleanser
10ml Toner
5ml Cocoa Exfoliator
5ml Deep Moisturiser

Price: €22.50


There is another Trial Pack for Dry/Senstive skin. It contains the same first three products, plus 5ml Cream Mask (full-size version reviewed here) and 5ml Ultra Moisturiser.

I read that the elegant wooden box is made of cypress. All the products are housed in glass bottles and mini jars.

I received this Trial Pack from Esse Netherlands in June and I've been using these cute minis on and off. I decided to spread the use out over a longer period, interspersing these with my usual facial products, instead of using this set intensively for a short period of say, a week. The latter would have meant a total and sudden revamp of my facial cleansing routine and I wasn't brave enough to put my skin through that change (problem skin, remember?).

As these are mini-size products, this will be a simple review, or if you prefer, a feature. However, one of the products has already been reviewed indepth - Cocoa Exfoliator.


Here's a quick look at the individual minis (words in italics are from the Esse website):

Esse Cream Cleanser


- gently and effectively removes dirt and make-up by binding with oil-based impurities allowing them to be rinsed away.

Ingredients
Rooibos Extract*, Decyl Glucoside, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Glycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Leuconostoc/Rasish Root Ferment Filtrate, Baobab Seed Oil*, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Tragacanth (Astragalus Gummifer) Gum, Geranium Leaf Oil*, Palmarosa Oil*, Caraway Oil*, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Spearmint Leaf Oil*

* from organic farming


My thoughts
• pale caramel colour
• light texture
• not much lather
• smells earthy, sweet and of rooibos
• removes foundation makeup well


Esse Gel Cleanser


A foaming, tingling wash that deep cleanses without drying.

Peppermint and Spearmint oils refresh and improve micro-circulation to aid in the elimination of toxins. pH balanced at 4.5 and uses mild biodegradable surfactants made from coconut oil and glucose. Additional Uses:

• Can be used as a body wash
• Safe to use on acne affected skins

Ingredients
Rooibos Extract*, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Marula Seed Oil*, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Spearmint Leave Oil*, Peppermint Leaf Oil*, Honeybush Leave Extract*, Caraway Leaf Oil*, Tocopherol, Rosemary Leaf Oil*

* from organic farming


My thoughts
• brown colour (like rooibos tea)
• thick-ish gel texture
• lathers a bit more than the Cream Cleanser
• smells earthy and like sweetened toothpaste
• cleanses very well, no tightness afterwards


Esse Toner


- completes the cleansing process with actives to revitalize, protect and improve skin texture.

Rooibos Extract provides potent antioxidant activity. Olive leave extract combats the negative effects of pollution and reduces sun damage. Additional Uses: Can be sprayed over make-up to freshen and re-hydrate throughout the day.

Ingredients
Aqua, Rose Flower Water, Rooibos Extract*, Glycerin, Olive Leaf Extract, Vanilla Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid.

* from organic farming


My thoughts
• the colour of weak rooibos tea
• watery (like most toners)
• smells very sweet and of rooibos
• worked all right


Esse Cocoa Exfoliator


Please refer to my detailed review of the full-size version of the Esse Cocoa Exfoliator.


Esse Deep Moisturiser


- will moisturise and maintain balance without leaving greasy residues or dry areas.

Ylang Ylang’s balancing effect stabilises both oily and dry skin patches creating an even skin state. Honeybush is included for its anti-aging, anti-oxidant and healing properties.

Ingredients
Rooibos Extract*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Marula Seed Oil*, Aqua, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Olive Fruit Oil Unsaponifiables, Manketti Seed Oil, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tragacanth (Astragalus Gummifer) Gum, Geranium Leaf Oil*, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Baobab Fruit Extract, Cape Chamomile Leaf Oil, Sutherlandia Frutescens Leaf Extract, Honeybush Leaf Extract*, Olive Leaf Extract, Ylang Ylang Flower Oil*, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Grape Seed Extract, Vanilla Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Spearmint Leaf Oil*

*from organic farming


My thoughts
• light beige colour
• light, thin-ish, non-oily texture
• smells earthy, mildly sweet and of rooibos
• absorbs into skin quickly (within one minute)
• only mildly moisturising


You would have noticed that there are a few things common across many of Esse's products: the rooibos ingredient, the general colour and the earthy scent. On the whole, I'm fine with these products, albeit it's just a mini trial pack. I especially like both the cleansers. The only one that I was less than satisfied with was the Deep Moisturiser. My skin didn't find it moisturising enough.


About Esse Organic Skincare
Esse Organic Skincare was founded in 2001 by a South African chemist, Trevor Steyn. I've mentioned this before but here's a quick reminder of its ethos for those who are not familiar with Esse (pronounced es).

The South African brand

• harnesses the rich plant diversity of Africa
• subscribes to the organic standards of ECOCERT
• is an accredited Good Partner of PhytoTrade Africa (a Fair Trade movement)
• does not test on animals
• is accredited by Beauty Without Cruelty
• is endorsed by the Vegan Society
• uses no parabens, no petrochemicals, no synthetic fragrance and colourants
• uses recyclable glass packaging.

The beautiful lining in the wooden box

Here's a quote from Esse's Facebook which refers to the wooden boxes used to house the Esse Trial Packs:

One of Esse’s philosophies is to ensure that local communities benefit from the sale of its products. Through the use of hand crafted packaging items and community sourced indigenous ingredients, Esse offers back to communities and the environment through fair trade practices.

I found a two-part video on Youtube which I think is useful and informative if you'd like to learn more about Esse Organic Skincare and the believes of Mr Steyn.

Video Part I
Video Part II

Note: The information provided here is from research carried out on my own initiative.


Further reading:
All my posts on Brand: Esse Organic Skincare
Esse Organic Skincare website

I've been informed that Esse Netherlands provides international shipping.


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Erbaviva: Organic Baby Lip & Cheek Balm Review



So what if it was created with baby in mind?

I've been using this balm on myself for the past two months and I can't say that I have any gripes about the contents. I do have two little complaints about the stick packaging though. Firstly, the fit of the cover is too tight for the stick. To avoid problems, I don't slide the cover all the way back into the holder, leaving a gap of about 1cm. Secondly, the twist mechanism has malfunctioned this week (this very week, seriously!) - can twist up, won't twist down. It's a good thing I don't twist up more than a couple of millimeters each time.

One thing that took some getting used to was the size. I mean, look at the size of this stick!

Size comparison with Chicken Poop Lip Junk

A regular lipbalm tube contains approx. 4.2g / 0.15oz. This Erbaviva Organic Baby Lip & Cheek Balm contains about four times as much, a whopping 18g / 0.6oz. Granted, it's also meant for use on baby cheeks etc, hence the big diameter. I've been using it mainly on my lips and I have to admit that I won't want to be seen applying this balm on my lips in public. It's just weirdly big for a lipbalm.

Price: USD10.00 for 18g / 0.6oz

I had placed an order for this Lip & Cheek Balm with a voucher from Zalando Netherlands. I spent a portion of the shopping voucher on this balm and with the balance and a top-up with my own money, I got a pair of shoes, shown here on Witoxichic (besides beauty products, Zalando sells a wide range of shoes like sneakers and trendy high heels).

The order arrived in a large box (to accommodate the shoe box) and this Lip & Cheek Balm was placed in a ziplock bag and protected by air cushions. The balm itself was safety-sealed.


The Erbaviva Organic Baby Lip & Cheek Balm retails for €11.95 on the Zalando.nl website but it was (and still is) on discount. The marked-down price is €8.95.

Dit product heb ik besteld met een voucher, die ik gekregen heb van Zalando Nederland. Bekijk het Erbaviva assortiment op de website.

About Erbaviva
Erbaviva was begun in 1996 by husband-and-wife team, Robin Brown and Anna Cirronis. Their mission is to offer mommies-to-be and babies upscale products completely free from all harsh detergents, chemical fragrances, and other unhealthy additives. Their first product was a soap-less Baby Washbag which was an unbleached cotton sachet, filled with organic oatmeal, organic milk and organic lavender flowers. Other baby care products (many of which are organic) followed soon after.

About the Organic Baby Lip & Cheek Balm
For chapped lips, cheeks, and hands, our new organic baby balm helps moisturize and heal dry skin while creating a barrier between baby's skin and dry or cold weather. Rosemary extract gives the balm natural antioxidants, while chamomile comforts baby.

Ingredients
Please see right.

My Thoughts
Most lipbalms I've seen and tried look translucent. This one from Erbaviva is opaque and almost yellow in colour. The balm was quite dry and hard the first couple of times I used it - had to rub on it a few times to melt the balm - but it became sufficiently soft and nice after that.


It has a distinct, funny smell, in my opinion. There's the scent of lavender but it's much more than that which escapes description. Sometimes, I think it's ever so slightly sour (no, it's not rancid).

I've used and finished many natural lipbalms in the past year or so and I can totally see myself finishing this Erbaviva one too. Looking at the list of ingredients, you can't doubt its efficacy as a moisturising balm.

It works great on the lips, lasts for hours and I sometimes use it on my hands too. I had a dry, scabby spot on my knuckle the other day (from slacking on using my hand moisturisers). I applied this Lip & Cheek Balm on it intensively and the skin healed. The dry spot disappeared within five days. However, I haven't tried it on my cheeks and I don't intend to. I'm not too keen on having beeswax on my face.

So, I may not be a mommy-to-be or a baby, but my lips and hands really like this balm. I think yours would too once you get used to the funny scent.


More information:
Erbaviva website


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Esse Organic Skincare: Cocoa Exfoliator Review



First impression: Hmmm, it doesn't look very enticing.

Second impression: Hey, it really smells like dessert!

Okay, let me describe the Cocoa Exfoliator this way: It looks almost as dark as Marmite (or Vegemite). The texture is grainy and the consistency is like something between a jam and a paste. The scent has got to be the icing on the cake. It smells like refrigerated dessert. It reminds me of sweet cocoa jelly with strong vanilla accents and this is why:

Ingredients
Glycerin, Sucrose, Cocoa Powder, Sesame Seed Oil*, Coconut Oil*, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Marula Seed Oil*, Manketti Seed Oil, Vanilla Seed Extract, Geranium Leaf Oil*, Tocopherol, Vanilla Seed Oil, Ylang Ylang Flower Oil*.

* ingredients from organic farming

It's funny I can't detect the unmistakable smell of sesame seed oil.


This 50ml jar of Esse Organic Skincare Cocoa Exfoliator was one of the items kindly sent to me by Esse Netherlands to try a few months back. I've been using this delectable dessert facial exfoliator for three months, sometimes once a week, sometimes twice. As with other Esse products, this is housed in a recyclable amber glass jar. Retail price: €21.80. Esse products are made in South Africa, the home country of Esse Organic Skincare.

According to Esse
A delectable exfoliation experience for all skin types.

Fine cocoa particles polish and refine the skin’s surface and flavanoids help protect against future sun damage. Wild sourced African oils provide slip and nourishment.

Additonal Information: Treat hands and feet to a gentle exfoliation.

• 100% of the total ingredients are from Natural Origin
• 56.5% of the total ingredients are from Organic Farming


My Experience
It's best to keep water out of the paste to preserve its integrity, hence the accompanying spatula. I use it after cleansing the face. The instruction is to soften a generous scoop of the exfoliator with a few drops of water and exfoliate in gentle circular motions. The grains are quite fine but offering just the right 'scrub' factor. They feel like fine grains of sugar but as you would have read above, they're fine cocoa particles.


It took me a couple of uses to figure out just the right amount of water to add to the right amount of paste. If it's too dry, it gets very difficult to spread the paste on the face and the cocoa particles feel too harsh on the skin. If it's too wet, the exfoliator becomes runny and the cocoa particles dissolve too soon before I can do any proper scrubbing. Once the right balance is struck, it's scrub heaven! And I'm not saying that just because I was sent this.

What is so nice about it?

• The dessert scent - seriously sweet and fragrant from the cocoa and vanilla (and probably ylang ylang too). For the record, this cocoa scent does not smell like the cocoa butter of say, Palmer's products (which I don't fancy). It's a lot more 'prettier' and dessert-like. In between exfoliating, I would cup my hands over my nose to take in the whole scent. Life's short. It's good to stop and smell the cocoa/vanilla.


• It exfoliates very well. Once you get the right paste:water ratio, you can keep exfoliating for a good few minutes before the cocoa particles finally dissolve or melt from the heat of the hands. I don't wash it off as soon as the grains are gone. Instead, I use this opportunity to give my face a good leisurely massage (upward and circular motions) with whatever that remains of the paste.

• It's a very moisturising exfoliator. I mean, have you seen the oils on the list of ingredients? It's very nourishing, so I can imagine those with very oily skin may find it too rich. That would have been the case for me too a few years ago. Still, Esse claims it's suitable for all skin types. For the state of my skin now, it's just perfect. After rinsing the exfoliator off with warm water, my face feels quite oily, which I didn't like initially. However, the real effect is felt after dabbing the face dry - the skin feels clean, polished, very soft and plumped. It certainly helps to perk up dry, dull skin.

I love concluding the whole experience with a moisturiser that I think goes perfectly with this Cocoa Exfoliator - MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturiser. They make the perfect combination. Although they both smell of cocoa-vanilla, the exfoliator from Esse comes across as much, much sweeter. I just need a thin layer of this particular MuLondon moisturiser and my skin is good till morning.

I would be lying if I said that I wasn't tempted to taste this Esse Cocoa Exfoliator. I shan't lie. I did lick it once.

Okay, okay, twice.

Sugar, cocoa and vanilla. A sweet dessert it certainly is. Just remember to use it on the skin.


More information
My posts on Esse: Brand: Esse Organic Skincare
Esse websites
- South Africa
- Netherlands

Esse Netherlands provides international shipping.


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Burt's Bees: Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream Review



This little tin of cuticle cream has received many rave reviews. I'd just like to give my two cents' worth on it as I've been using it fairly regularly for the past eight months. I'm now on to my second tin.



I received my first one, a travel-size tin (0.30oz / 8.5g) in a swap with my dear friend, Danielle, last year when Burt's Bees hadn't made its debut in the Netherlands yet (a limited selection of its products are now available).




According to Burt's Bees

Give your needy nails a helping hand. Nourish and moisturise nails and cuticles with this intensive, natural treatment. A touch of lemon oil makes your nails smell incredibly clean, and healthy, naturally.



Gently massage crème into cuticles after washing hands and as needed.



Ingredients

Sweet almond oil, Beeswax, Lemon peel oil, Cocoa seed butter, Candelilla wax, Beta-carotene, Rosemary leaf extract, Tocopherol, Sunflower seed oil, Soybean oil, Canola oil, vegetable oil.



My Thoughts

First of all, you can't miss the waxes in the ingredients list, so essentially, the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is a balm.



It smells strongly of lemon/lemon peel - sweet and citrusy. It's hard to dislike the scent, really.




The balm is on the 'drier' side (less oily) and the consistency is harder (more solid) than say, the softer Burt's Bees Hand Salve (reviewed here).



Instead of rubbing a finger on the surface to get to the balm, I tend to extract the balm with the back/top of my (clean) fingernail. In other words, I scrape the balm backwards with my fingernail. That way, I start off having the balm on one nail, dot each nail/cuticle of one hand with a bit of the balm and then, rub in with the nails/cuticles/minor knuckles of the other hand.



I concentrate only on the nails and cuticles and don't tend to use the balm on the palm-side of the fingers. For each use, I need only about half a pea-size amount.




Give it some 10 minutes. The oils will sink into the skin around the nails but you will still be left with tacky skin and nails. That's from the waxes.



It's great for use after removing polish from the nails as that's when the nails are driest. After using an acetone-free nail polish remover, I would give my hands a quick wash with soap and water, and then proceed to apply this Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream / balm. I would leave it on for several hours and let the oils re-nourish my dry nails and cuticles.



As you know, lemon oil is especially great to keep nails healthy. The balm also works well to soften hardened skin around the nails (speaking from experience). I would call it a rescue balm for troubled cuticles. If used regularly, it would keep nails and cuticles in good condition.



I'll have to agree with the general consensus. Highly recommended!



Note: For my nails and cuticles, I don't use this Cuticle Cream exclusively, as I rotate it with the Burt's Bees Hand Salve and any of the MuLondon organic moisturisers that I happen to have in my stash.





The regular-size tin (0.60oz / 17g) goes for around USD6.00. I've seen various prices here in the Netherlands. The Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is also available in a Tin Trio, packed with a lipbalm and a hand cream. I've seen this trio going for between around €13 and €15. In the Netherlands, a limited selection of Burt's Bees products are available at, inter alia, Sephora, De Tuinen and one or two Etos stores.





Further reading:

My review of the Burt's Bees Hand Salve

Burt's Bees website


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Josie Maran: Argan Color Stick Review



You might have noticed that blushers hardly ever get featured here on Witoxicity and I have a good reason for that. One word: Acne.



I err on the side of caution and would rather not flirt with blushers (and foundations and concealers). In fact, for a very long time, I went without blushers and hey, it wasn't the end of the world for me. Then, round about the time I embarked on my journey of beauty awakening, I took a gamble and bought my first blusher in umpteen years, a blush duo called Jane Iredale Twice Blushed Cheek Color Kit in Ginger & Whisper. You've seen it floating around on Witoxicity as I use that sometimes for my Face posts.




I don't mean to sound dramatic but well, this is historical for me. This Josie Maran Argan Color Stick is only the second blusher that I've owned in all my adult life. I was fortunate enough to have won it in a giveaway held by Jeanie of Makeup Merriment round about Christmas time last year.



Given my past, I was naturally very cautious at first, not of the product itself but wary of how my silly skin would react to it. I did patch tests near my jaw line before going ahead with applying it as a full-blown blusher on my cheeks. I'm happy to report that there have been no breakouts.



According to Josie Maran Cosmetics

The Argan-oil infused color stick is a sheer tint that gives lasting, natural- looking color to cheeks and lips. All shades are designed to flatter every skin tone. The paraben and fragrance free formula contains Josie's signature ingredient, organic Argan Oil-the world's richest source of vitamin E and essential fatty acids.



Price

The normal size of .55oz/16g retails for USD22. The one I have is just under half the normal size and came in a four-piece Limited Edition gift set called Love Nest. The set basically contained Josie's favourite beauty must-haves from her own line.




Ingredients

In the Josie Maran Cosmetics videos, Josie tells us that the Argan Color Stick contains 50% argan oil, which is mighty impressive, if you ask me. That fact is strangely left out in the product blurb on the packaging and on the website.



The actual list of ingredients is full of asterisks and double asterisks which I found terribly distracting. I have taken the liberty to remove them to keep the list clean. Basically, all the ingredients on the main list (before the 'May Also Contain') are natural and the Argan Kernel Oil is organic.



Apricot Kernel Oil, Argan Kernel Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Seed Butter, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter, Avocado Butter, Vitamin E Acetate, Wheat Germ Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Lemon Tea Tree Oil, Menthol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol (and) Phenoxyethanol (and) Hexylene Glycol



May Also Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Blue # 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 22 Lake (CI 45380), Red 27 (CI 45410), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 (CI 73360), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate



Shades

The Argan Color Stick is available in two shades - Petal Pink and Rosey. The one I have is in Petal Pink which Josie Maran describes as a neutral pink. It looks dusty rose on the stick but when swatched, it's a sheer sweet peachy pink.




Scent

I have read that many are put off by the smell, with most calling it too herbally and medicinal. I have a pretty high tolerance for all kinds of smells and I love the scent of the Argan Color Stick. The first few times I smelt it, I thought it was familiar but I couldn't put my finger on what it reminded me of. It struck me one day that it smelt like......ginger. The Argan Color Stick contains no ginger, mind you, but in dissecting the scent, I can definitely detect the argan, rosemary, lemon tea tree and menthol. To my nose, an amalgam of the four produces a gingery scent.



Uses and Application

The Argan Color Stick is essentially a balm. It functions as both a cream blush and a tinted lipbalm (or sheer lip colour, whichever way you want to see it).



I don't care what the experts say, but I like rudimentary methods and for this, I use my clean finger to apply. Just get some colour on a clean finger, dab on cheek and blend out. Ditto for lips. I don't put the stick directly on my cheeks to avoid contaminating the Color Stick with say, the concealer that I have on my face.



• Cheeks

As with most cream blushes, this one gives the cheeks a natural healthy glow. It's difficult to go overboard with Petal Pink because it's such a sweet, subtle shade.



• Lips

I use it as often on my lips as I do on my cheeks. Considering the ingredients that this Argan Color Stick is made of, you can't really find fault with it when used as a tinted lipbalm. For the first 10-15 minutes, there is a faintly cool sensation on the lips which must be from the menthol. Of course, it keeps the lips nicely moisturised. I do find it less waxy compared to other good lipbalms that I've used.



The Petal Pink shade does little to add colour to my lips but hmmm, it manages to make me look a tad more hale and hearty. My lips but better, I suppose. Ah, finally, MLBB!



Durability

I apply the Argan Color Stick after my concealer but before my pressed powder foundation. The blusher lasts more than half a day (5-6 hours) on my cheeks (my cheeks are quite dry, I have an oily T-zone). By the end of the day, it's faded but you can still see that it's there.



On the lips, about 3-4 hours, if I don't eat or drink.



Conclusion

You've gotta love a dual-purpose product. It's easy to carry around, if you wish to. I like to keep it in pristine condition, so I prefer to keep it at home. From my research, different people seem to have different experiences with it - not bad, hate the smell, not longlasting. I'd suggest reading multiple reviews on this before deciding to buy. Personally, I love this Argan Color Stick.





About Josie Maran Cosmetics

For those who are not familiar with Josie Maran Cosmetics, it is a beauty and makeup line started by American model/actress Josie Maran in 2007 to fill a gap in the eco-friendly natural beauty market which, according to the creators, lacked luxury and sophistication at that time. The Josie Maran products of today do exude an air of luxury and class but over and above that, it is a brand that embraces the motto: Luxury with a Conscience. The brand loves its eco-chic icons. Below is a selection of those icons flaunted on the packaging. It'll give you an idea of its ethos and practices.




There are actually more of these icons on the Josie Maran website. They love their icons too much but all right, I get the point they're trying to make.



Josie loves argan oil and naturally, all its makeup products are argan oil-infused.



As far as I know, Josie Maran products are not available on this side of the pond. Pity.





My Face posts with the Josie Maran Argan Color Stick:

• Batwing With Chatreuse

• Teardrops On Georgette





More information:

A pretty face certainly helps to sell a product, so here's a video of Josie Maran introducing the Argan Color Stick

Josie Maran Cosmetics website


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Esse Organic Skincare: Rich Body Moisturiser Review



Way back in March, I had written a review on a Cream Mask from a South African skincare brand called Esse Organic Skincare. It's unfortunately not a very well-known brand outside of South Africa but I believe it's slowly but surely making inroads into the European market.



To be honest, I think this is a brand that deserves more mention. If all its claims are to be believed, Esse does sound like a great natural, organic skincare brand as it addresses all the right concerns of many health- and ethics-conscious consumers of today. Here are just a few keywords as a reminder: natural, organic, ECOCERT, cruelty-free, vegan, Fair Trade, PhytoTrade, paraben-free and preservative-free, amongst others.



A couple of months ago, Esse Netherlands kindly sent me a few products to try. If you've been following my writings long enough, you would know that natural and organic products are right up my alley, so I was curious to find out how I would get on with some other Esse products.



The first one to be featured is the Esse Rich Body Moisturiser.




Esse offers two types of body moisturisers - Light and Rich - and each is available in two sizes. The Rich Body Moisturiser retails for €20.80 (100ml) and €32.40 (200ml). This moisturiser comes in a recyclable amber glass bottle with a locking pump.




What Esse says about the Rich Body Moisturiser

An ideal treatment for dehydrated skin suffering the ravages of dry weather.



Yangu and Manketti oils are included for their UV barrier function. Rooibos extract enhances vitamin C production and eases bruising. Hydrating Marula Oil is rich in Omega 6.



Additional uses:

Massage into hands after every wash taking extra care to the skin around the nails.



Esse uses many African botanical ingredients in its products, so it's common to see names like Rooibos, Marula and Yangu in the ingredients list of its products.



Ingredients

Water, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Rooibos Extract*, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Glycerin, Marula Seed Oil*, Yangu Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Manketti Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Xanthan Gum, Tragacanth (Astragalus Gummifer) Gum, Olive Fruit Oil, Olive Fruit Oil Unsaponifiables, Benzyl Alcohol, Geranium Leaf Oil*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Orange Wood Oil*, Grape Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Spearmint Leaf Oil*



* ingredients from organic farming



On the box, it says that

•99.5% of the total ingredients are from natural origin

•86.9% of the total ingredients proceed from organic agriculture



My Thoughts

Scent

Lovely scent. The moisturiser smells sweet, earthy and of rooibos. The usually strong scent of spearmint is surprisingly subtle here. You can still catch a whiff of the sweet earthy scent some hours after application.



Texture

It's a light caramel colour and of moderately thick consistency.




Efficacy

To put it to the ultimate test, I used this moisturiser mainly on my chest area and upper back as those are the driest and most problematic areas of my body. Of all the body moisturisers I've tried in the past few years, only two have worked on these problem areas: one contains urea, and the other frankincense and myrrh.



This Esse moisturiser may be called "rich" but I consider it a mild one. It could juuust about keep my problem areas from deteriorating to dry, rough skin. So, it worked OK. However, on other parts of my body with normal skin, it worked well.



Last Words

I find the sweet earthy scent very agreeable and as is usual of botanical skincare products, this is a mild body moisturiser. I think it's a bonus that two of the ingredients (Yangu and Manketti oils) act as UV barriers (although no SPF is indicated). I've almost finished my 100ml bottle after two month's regular use mostly on my problem areas. If you used it intensively on your whole body, I think you'd reach the bottom much sooner.





More information:

Review of the Esse Cream Mask

Esse websites

- South Africa

- Netherlands



I've been told that Esse Netherlands does offer shipping to countries outside of the Netherlands.



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Burt's Bees: Hand Salve Review


Do you know Tiger Balm, the balm trusted for generations, especially in Asia, for use against muscle-aches and mosquito bites? Well, this Hand Salve from Burt's Bees reminds me of Tiger Balm. Different ingredients, of course, but almost the same kind of texture and menthol/minty scent.


Burt's Bees' Hand Salve contains eucalyptus oil, so I think that would put some people off already from the very first sniff. However, if you are one who does not dislike that smell, you might want to read on.

According to Burt's Bees
Need some salvation for rough, dry hands? Our most intensive hand treatment, this formula is packed with botanical oils, herbs and beeswax to moisturise hard-working, rough, dry hands. It's an everyday miracle.

Ingredients
Sweet almond oil, Olive fruit oil, Beeswax, Sunflower seed oil, Lavandin oil, Rosemary leaf oil, Eucalyptus globulus oil, Lavender flower oil, Tocopherol, Rosemary leaf extract, Soybean oil, Canola oil, Linalool, Limonene

My Thoughts
It comes packaged in a practical wide tin, very big, in my opinion. I don't know if it was a fluke, but the tin that I have does not shut properly - the cover is loose and it slips off too easily.

The 85g of balm will last you many months. I've been using the salve once a day almost everyday for around four months and I haven't gotten through half of it. Price: €10.95.


As you can see from the list of ingredients, it does contain essential oils, so some oils will get absorbed into the skin. However, it is basically a balm based on beeswax. Expect it to sit pretty and oily/waxy/sticky on your skin for hours. I use it only when I know I won't be doing any chores or washing my hands much for a few hours.

Forget the scents of the other oils in the salve, the scent of eucalyptus oil is dominant in all the time the salve is on the skin. I don't mind the smell of eucalyptus oil, so it doesn't bother me at all.

This amount (two pea-size) here would be more than enough for both hands.


Is the Hand Salve any good? Well, I like it a lot for its three-prong action:

• Aromatherapy
That's obviously from the overpowering smell of eucalyptus oil. It perks me up.

• Moisturiser
The botanical oils are absorbed into the skin, leaving the skin nourished. I sometimes use it on my elbows and knees too. It's also great on nails and cuticles, especially after using nail polish remover.

• Protection
The layer of beeswax sits on the skin, protecting the skin from the elements. A thick layer of salve will of course feel very heavy on the skin, so apply a thin layer to keep the beeswax light.

The first and the third reasons why I like this Hand Salve may be the very reasons why some of you may not like it. To each his own. To me, this Hand Salve is great stuff!

There are presently many Burt's Bees retail points in the Netherlands, eg: Sephora and De Tuinen stores. I bought mine in Sephora.


More information:
My short write-up on the history of Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees website


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Petits By Tatyana: Solid Perfumes Review


You’ve read my introduction on Petits by Tatyana and the company behind it, Aqua De Luna. In this article, we will explore the basics of the range of five Petits by Tatyana Balm De Perfume a.k.a. solid perfumes.


The Petits by Tatyana Balm De Perfume

• is a solid perfume made with 100% natural essential and absolute oils
• has shea butter as the base
• contains no fillers
• contains no artificial colours
• contains no parabens
• contains no beeswax
• is 100% vegan

Aqua De Luna does not test on animals.

Packaging
Each is housed in a simple container made of recycled metal. This, of course, goes perfectly with the life and business philosophy of Stefan and Tatyana Leiste, the founders of Aqua De Luna. Each recycled tin jar contains .35oz / 10ml of solid perfume.

Shea Butter
The shea butter in the solid perfumes that Stefan sent me for review seemed to have different textures and consistencies. After using them for several weeks, I wrote Stefan an email to find out why, thinking that it perhaps had something to do with how the shea butter reacted to the different mix of essential oils. I was mistaken, as the answer simply lay in the batch of shea butter that Stefan and Tatyana used when making the solid perfumes. Stefan explained (excerpts):

The consistency / texture is entirely related to the batch of shea butter. We are trying to find a formula that is more consistent (hard). However we do not want to compromise on what we add into these Balm De Perfume. Cooling them makes them hard, heat makes them softer.

About Shea Butter:
Shea butter can be very soft or harder, depending on where it comes from (for example Central Africa Shea butter is always softer while West African Shea butter tends to be harder) and the age at which it was harvested (3 months or younger seems to be of a harder consistency).......

With that in mind, we will now move on to the solid perfumes:

Petits by Tatyana Balm De Perfume

Maui Aloha

Maui Aloha includes memories from paradise, fragrances that reminds you every day of Maui's beauty and welcoming nature. Carry a piece of Aloha on your skin and each day will bring you joy and happiness.


Pure shea butter with essential oils:
Tuberose, Pikake (Jasmine), Neroli (Orange Blossom)


The shea butter: dark beige, soft and sinks in when rubbed on.

The perfume: Quite heady at first, thanks to the potent turberose and jasmine (it seriously does remind one of island life and Aloha 'Oe!). The orange blossom provides a subtle sweetness to it which helps to 'calm' the powerful floral combination of the first two. On me, Maui Aloha settles into a warm, soapy scent.


Pink Shadow

Pink Shadow is a homage to the fragrant flowers of Hawaii. Always used to inspire the beautiful woman from the ancient Hawaii. Enjoy this combination and feel the spirit of Aloha on your skin.


Pure shea butter with essential oils:
Hala Flower (Hinano), Lokelani (Rose), Lemon Balm, Ylang Ylang


The shea butter: dark beige, smooth and solid, the right consistency to rub on

The perfume: I read that Lokelani a.k.a. Rosa damascena is the official flower of Maui Island and looking at the essential oils used, you can already tell that it's sweet all round. In fact, if you're looking to get drunk on rosy sweetness, Pink Shadow would be it. It's sweet, sweet and very sweet with a little (just a little) tangy undertone. The smell of roses sticks around for a good couple of hours and eventually becomes soapy-musky on me.


Blue Light

Blue Light consists of sensual fragrances from sacred flowers well known since centuries. Unusual and rare to find it comforts your skin and the air around you. Simply beautiful all day long!

(I've been told that Blue Light is Tatyana's favourite.)


Shea butter with essential oils:
Blue Lotus, Pikake (Jasmine), Sandalwood, Palo Santo


The shea butter: dark beige, smooth and solid, just hard enough to rub on

The perfume: Extremely fragrant. Opens strongly with what to me is jasmine and sandalwood. The fragrance reminds me of monks, chants and temples. Over time, the pungency fades but the jasmine and sandalwood is ever-present.


Ancient Spirit

Ancient Spirit is a melange of ancient sacred scents, a unique combination of well known essential oils used in the ancient world. Connect your spirit with these sacred oils!




The shea butter: white, slightly gritty, soft

The perfume: Complex. Woody and antiquey, like the stuffy smell you get when you open an old, wooden school desk. Sometimes, it even reminds me of insects but the thing is, it's really not as bad as it sounds. There are also incense accents. After a few hours, it becomes just plain woody and ever so slightly spicy on my skin. Ancient Spirit wasn't one that I immediately liked but it has grown on me over time.


Bamboo Forest

Bamboo Forest, lush green airy scents, inspires to take in the rich green floral fragrance of a healthy nature. Happy dreams come true by enjoying the vibrant colors of the mystical bamboo forest as only found like that on Maui.


Shea butter with essential oils:
Palo Santo, Oakmoss, Orris, Pine, Lemon Rosewood, Parsley, Mimosa, Cedar Atlas


The shea butter: white, gritty, soft

The perfume: Fresh and green, like newly-cut grass but prettier and sweeter. On me, it smells almost bitter some hours later.


Durability
In general, I've found that these solid perfumes do not last very long on the skin, about three-four hours. The strong ones like Pink Shadow and Blue Light are perhaps the most longlasting of the lot.

Shelf Life
According to Stefan, the shelf life of these solid perfumes depends on the shea butter. They can last for a year or longer if stored cool and dry.

Price
Each Petits by Tatyana solid perfume retails for USD9.95. Now and then, Aqua De Luna has special deals on these, so it would be worthwhile subscribing to their newsletter.

In their online shop, you will also find a package deal where you can buy all five Petits by Tatyana for USD29.95.

Shipping
Aqua De Luna is based in Hawaii. I had asked Stefan about retail points and he mentioned that it is available in a few places in Hawaii. Please contact Stefan for details if you live in Hawaii.

Aqua De Luna does provide international shipping. I did my own research on the Aqua De Luna website to find out the shipping rates (you do need to register first before you can explore that section):

USA: range from USD2.71 for one tin of Petits by Tatyana to USD3.22 for five.

Worldwide: range from USD 7.09 for one tin to USD14.10 for the Set of Five special offer.

Please note that this is just a guideline. If you are interested in purchasing, it is best to register to get the specifics.

Summary
These being solid and in tins mean they are easy to carry around - no risk of broken bottles in the bag/luggage. The list of ingredients in Petits by Tatyana solid perfumes are plain and simple and you know I like that. If I could describe each of them in a few words, this is how I would put it:

Maui Aloha - exotic, low hum

Pink Shadow - rose, sweet, feminine, predictable

Blue Light - pungent, temples

Ancient Spirit - antique furniture, intriguing

Bamboo Forest - pleasant, clean, leafy sweet

My personal favourites are Bamboo Forest (simply because it's refreshing) and Ancient Spirit (because it's soooo not my usual!).


More information:
Aqua De Luna website


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