A SOFT GREEN AUTUMN JUMPER

Often, in Autumn, I buy something green - not bright green but soft green or dark forest green.  It will usually be a piece of knitwear or an eyeshadow.  Once again, I have bought

a green jumper but this time it is something different from the classic round neck or polo neck.

I found it at H&M in their Divided section.  Made in a soft Acrylic/Wool/Alpaca mix, it has a wide, ribbed v-neck at both the front and back, with the 'v' not so low at the back.

I love the neckline, which is ideal for this season's jewellery trends - either a single gold chain with a gold medallion pendant or layered little gold chain necklaces.  They don't have to be real gold and there is a good selection of these styles in the high street.  Actually, both H&M and Primark have really picked up on medallions! (I must mention my medallion earrings, which came from a Primark 6-pack of 'gold' earrings).

In my next post, coming soon - some more green and gold and some red too!

SAMPURE MINERALS CRUSHED MINERAL EYESHADOW

GIFTED: promotion

SAMPURE MINERALS Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow, winner of the "Natural Health" magazine award for Eyeshadow, was another lovely blogger's gift I received in my goody bag from the Allergy & Free From Show.

It comes in a nice little pot and looks like small granules (similar to my favourite instant coffee!). My sample was in Grape, a soft purple shade.

SAMPURE MINERALS Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow in Grape

SAMPURE suggest applying it with a finger or a brush. I found it easiest to pat it on to my eyelids with my finger and then blend it.  Initially, I used too much and when blended it spread so far that I looked panda-eyed! I realized that a little bit went a long way and tried again with a tiny amount.  This time I was successful and it looked really good, with a soft, smooth finish.  I found that it stayed on well too.

SAMPURE also suggest using the eyeshadow wet, to get a more intense colour or even to use it as an eyeliner.  The next day I was more ambitious and after applying the eyeshadow dry, I tried mixing a little with a damp brush and painting a line round my eyes.  I was very pleased with the result - a soft purple line in a deeper shade than the shadow.  I was delighted with Grape, which really suited me but there are 8 shades to choose from.

SAMPURE MINERALS Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow is made from natural ingredients and free from animal products, harsh chemicals or parabens. SAMPURE intend it for use by people who have sensitive skin or allergies but, as always, I would recommend checking the ingredients. It is also Halal, Vegan and Vegetarian Certified and Cruelty Free. Designed to meet so many needs, I think it is very reasonably priced at £9.50. As it happens, right now there is a SALE on SAMPURE's website and they are offering the eyeshadow at £4.75 (half price}!

For full details of this product, including ingredients and available colours, please go to SAMPURE's  website:

https://sampure.co.uk/eyes/85-mineral-eye-shadow

In my next post - a colour that I like at this time of the year.

ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask - My Review

GIFTED, promotion.

As promised, I am now writing my review of ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask, another gifted product from my Free From Show goody bag.

ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask

ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask is a moisturising hair mask made from ingredients of 98% natural origin and does not contain parabens or silicones.  It contains Organic Coconut ("nourishes strands, to leave hair lustrous and shiny"*) and Organic Shea ("boosts hydration to repair split ends and smooth frizz, leaving hair rejuvenated and revived"*).   I was interested in this product because sometimes after washing my hair it can be a bit unmanageable and  frizzy.

Following the directions on the tub, after shampooing my hair, I applied the mask to damp hair and massaged it in well.  I enjoyed the lovely scent of coconut and the texture of the mask felt rich and creamy.  The instructions suggested leaving it on for 2-3 minutes, or longer if a more intensive treatment was required.  I actually kept it on for 6 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly.

After drying and styling my hair, I was delighted with the result!  My hair was smooth, shiny, manageable and it seemed to look thicker too.  ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask certainly does what it claims to do (*see above claims).   I will most definitely be using this marvellous hair mask regularly in future. 

Now the price.  This is quite amazing!!! At only £2.50 for a large 250ml tub, this is a really inexpensive way to give hair a first-class treatment.  The tub is going to last quite a while  too because I found that I only needed to use a small amount of the mask.

You can read all the details about it (including ingredients and delivery etc) on their website:

www.organicshop.co.uk

My next post will be a review of SAMPURE MINERALS Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow

BAIE BOTANIQUE ROSE RENEW REGENERATING SERUM ANTI-AGEING

GIFTED: promotion

You may have already seen my post, "MY VISIT TO THE 2018 ALLERGY & FREE FROM SHOW AT LONDON OLYMPIA".  (If you scroll down a few posts, it's still up on the blog).  I mentioned that I came home with a blogger's goody bag containing gifted products.  The three products that I was most interested in were BAIE BOTANIQUE Rose Renew Regenerating Serum Anti-Ageing, ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask and SAMPURE MINERALS Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow.  I was looking forward to trying these "NATURAL HEALTH" magazine award-winning brands.

BAIE BOTANIQUE Rose Renew Regenerating Serum, ORGANIC SHOP Hair Mask, SAMPURE MINERALS Eyeshadow

Today I am writing about BAIE BOTANIQUE Rose Renew Regenerating Serum Anti-Ageing, which has been "formulated to aid in cell renewal and regeneration".  

The ingredients, which are 98% naturally derived and 80% organic, include Rose Water, Rose Absolute, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, MSM, Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid.  There are NO Parabens or synthetic colours or fragrances.  For full details on ingredients, please visit their website www.baiebotanique.com

For a couple of weeks now, I have been applying a small amount of BAIE BOTANIQUE Rose Renew Regenerating Serum to my face and neck before moisturiser, as suggested.  I have found in the past that with natural skincare products from luxury brands, using them can be a very pleasant, almost holistic experience because of their scent and texture.  This one is no exception.  The rose fragrance is beautiful and the serum has a lovely syrupy feel.

Does BAIE BOTANIQUE Rose Renew Regenerating Serum do what it claims to do?

Well, yes I find that it "softens" and "brightens" my skin and "enhances overall complexion" and because of this, it has the effect of "improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles".  I do think that It makes my face look healthier and gives it a glow.

It also claims to increase cell turnover and collagen production, to firm and restructure the skin and combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  I would say that whilst I do not believe in miracles when it comes to wrinkles, some skin products can gradually have some tightening and firming effect on the skin if used regularly.  As I have only been using  BAIE BOTANIQUE Rose Renew Regenerating Serum for two weeks, I guess only time will tell.................

I would certainly recommend this lovely product and at £34 for 30ml, pricewise it compares favourably with other luxury brands of natural skincare.


I will very shortly be testing and reviewing ORGANIC SHOP Tropical Coconut & Shea Hair Mask and SAMPURE MINERALS Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow, so please keep posted.