Review: Skin Likes Natural Deodorant

This post is a big one. Because I've FINALLY tracked down a deodorant that is vegan, cruelty-free, natural, alliminum-free and doesn't irritate my underarms after shaving. This discovery goes with big thanks to my first ever TVK box*, and I am so very glad to have been introduced to it. Now let me introduce you, to the Skin Likes Natural Deodorant. 

I've always preferred roll-ons. They're less messy, don't leave white marks and are generally better for the environment than aerosols. However - when starting my search for an effective natural deodorant, most options were of the cream variety. Although this allows for arguably purer ingredients, I'm really not a fan of rubbing shea butter under my armpits. Also, creams tend to leave white marks and as an almost exclusive black clothing wearer, this is not an option. 

This is why I like Skin Likes. Here is a roll-on deodorant which doesn't compromise in terms of ingredients. The list is short, sweet and as follows: distilled water, food grade xanthan gum, bicarb of soda, and a blend of essential oils. Now, I don't have anything wrong with the ingredients in this product but I'd just like to point out that their ingredients listing itself is poor: the essential oil blend is listed as simply that, 'essential oil blend'. Also, the ingredients are not listed in INCI, with no essential oil allergens listed. Therefore, if you suffer with any allergies, please be sure to contact the company beforehand to protect yourself from any unwanted reactions to such oils. Unfortunately, I could not find such information on the website. I will be contacting them shortly to suggest that these issues are resolved as all products must now have their ingredients listed in INCI. Despite this, if you are lucky enough to not suffer with allergies, I would not disdain (just drop them a little email as well!).

As mentioned before, all other natural deodorants that I have tried (including Salt of the Earth), have stung on application, especially after shaving. I am yet to experience this with this product and that itself is enough for me to want to repurchase. The scent is very pleasant, seems to hang around throughout the day and it also absorbs immediately (which was always I problem I encountered with cream deodorants). The scent is quite sweet though so if that's not quite up your alley, they also other a 'male-orientated' scent which I assume will consist of a slightly altered essential oil blend. Of course it may not look as pretty as Schmidt's or Meow Meow Tweet, but it does the job and at £4.95 a bottle (or three for £9.90), who can complain?

EDIT: Since the publication of this post - and after many an email from the guys over at SkinLikes - it has now been announced that the website & label are to be updated with the full INCI list of ingredients!

*The Vegan Kind. A UK based, vegan lifestyle subscription service.

Review: Coutiver Palm-Free Vegan Soap

I am so excited to finally get this post out and introduce everyone to this amazing, palm-free, super ethical, vegan soap company. Coutiver is run by the ever-so-lovely Christophe Lecoeur from a base in Hornchurch, Essex. Christophe spent his entire childhood in the South of France and that is where the obsession with natural/organic ingredients began. Coutiver blends together amazing French artistry with truly wonderful environmental/ethical concerns. All Coutiver soaps are:

100% vegan

100% recycled, recyclable or compostable packaging

100% palm-oil free

100% produced with green energy

100% synthetic-free

100% perfume free

They are also handmade, cold-processed, carry c02 footprint compensation, local product based and use the maximum amount of organic ingredients available. Wow! Furthermore, they are cruelty-free certified by PETA, and when purchasing, you have the option to buy with or without the packaging (a lovely touch!).

I have been trying out two soaps from the line: Pinch of Rosemary* and Aniseed*. And yes, both smell as divine as they sound! Pinch of Rosemary is yet to be opened but I have been happily using Aniseed and I am most definitely impressed. Surprisingly, Aniseed is fragranced with purely essential oils and the aniseed-drop-like scent has been created purely with Fennel... amazing! The formula is super clean and it really does preform. Apart from fulfilling the general job description of a soap (and very well may I add - yay for lather!), this bar also feels incredibly moisturising. This can be attributed to the inclusion of coconut oil and sweet almond oil, both completely organic. It is so moisturising that I've even been finding that I can skip a body lotion after use! The ingredients are super simple and effective; saponified virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, sweet almond oil, ground fennel and filtered water. Most notably, no palm-oil in sight! I am a big fan of companies skipping palm oil in their recipes, as generally, the ingredient is not very sustainable, and the cultivation can be highly damaging to the habitats of primates such as orang-utans. I'm really impressed that this company has extended their ethical standpoint to saving animals as well as the environment - and your skin!

Pinch of Rosemary includes similar ingredients with the addition of rosemary essential oil, ground rosemary and spirulina. I absolute adore rosemary so I am more than excited about opening this one up when I have finished with Aniseed. Coutiver has become a company so very central on my radar and I am most definitely going to be making an order in the future. I love their ethical standpoint and the fact that they are based in my own county! I am currently eyeing up their shampoo bar as an alternative to liquid shampoo. I'll let you know how it goes... You can find Coutiver on Etsy or at Henna Herbals.

Autumnal Makeup

Without sounding like a female blogging cliche, I really do love this season. There is just something magical about the turning of the leaves that influences me to recreate such colours and tones within my makeup palette. Here, I'm talking tones of rose, taupe and berry to name but a few. Here are a couple of my most-used autumnal products that fall in to this truly lustful colour scheme…

Firstly, I’ve just got to mention some awesome lipsticks that have come in to my possession. They are by no means ‘new’ - the brand and the shades are well-loved within our community - but I have only recently come to realise how truly amazing and high-quality Red Apple Lipstick products really are. I was sent two shades, Hibiskiss and Audrey, both of which come under the ‘lipstick’ category, but vary by formula. Both shades are completely natural, vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free which is pretty darn good, don’tcha think? Swatches and nutty rave to follow. Audrey hasn’t really left my lips.

Secondly, two more products that are by no means big news (I’m really selling these aren’t I?), but are again products that I have been using absolutely non-stop for the last couple weeks. I’ve already talked about them multiple times but you can never have too much of a good thing… right? The P&P Cream Shadow in Divinely Happy. Do I really need to explain? Just a great cool-neutral colour that is a total staple for any eye look you could ever want/dream. In my case, it also doubles up as a pretty competent eyebrow product which I like. Multi-task products make me happy. And talking of multi-taskers, we have the TANF Cream Blush in Dusky Rose. A beautiful cheek colour and an equally as beautiful option for the lips. The cream formula creates a subtle ethereal glow which sings of the colder seasons - while staying put for a good five hours. 

Finally, a new product *GASP*. Due to my continued participation in #beautychallenge10, makeup and skincare purchases have been few and far between. However, when my beloved Ilia mascara died a sudden death, I was ever so inclined to test out a new release from Lily Lolo. This being their new reformulated natural mascara. Lily Lolo have released a mascara in the past, however the reviews had always been more on the disappointing side and although the price point really isn’t anything to cry about, I’m just not a fan of risking badly reviewed products. Therefore when we were confronted with something reborn and untested, I just had to give it a go. Well... the jury is in and well done Lily Lolo! They have successfully formulated - what I would perceive as - the perfect natural mascara all-rounder. Although there are probably more superior options out there in terms of ingredients and formula, LL just shut it down in terms of the bigger picture which includes packaging, ease-of-use and price. At £10.99, LL’s mascara is cheaper than a lot of high street (and green) competitors and you really are getting something better for your money. I would pick happy bunnies and my health over clumpy eyelashes any day of the week! 

Review: Raw Gaia Organic Vegan Skincare

Long time no see! I'm gradually settling in to University and I thought it was about time to get a post up on my dear blog. Therefore, today, I've decided to talk to you about some truly beautiful products that I've recently received - and have been LOVING - from raw vegan skincare line, Raw Gaia.

If you haven't heard of Raw Gaia, they are an organic and vegan skincare line that was started by the wonderful Jessica Laura. All of Raw Gaia's products are made with raw ingredients such as cocoa butter, floral waters and the highest quality cold-pressed oils. One thing that I've noticed with this brand is that all of the products go an incredibly long way, which means that you're getting so much for your money! I was lucky enough to try two of their products and I am obsessed.

My favourite of the pair is the Hemp Heaven Moisturiser*. This pure blend of cocoa butter, cold-pressed hemp oil, apricot oil and wheatgerm oil is doing wonders for my oily problem skin. I can slather on a thick layer before bed (that doesn't feel greasy!) and wake up the next day with positively glowing skin - no matter how many blemishes I seem to have. The intense boost of hydration just makes everything seem better and it's been heaven-sent during the awkward transition between summer and autumnal weathers. My skin can be very dehydrated and this balm has been ensuring that I'm only left with plump and happy skin that heals itself incredibly fast. I don't need to worry about acne scarring or painful spots when I'm using this on a nightly basis. It also works incredibly well with the Odacite boosters, and the duo has really been helping to balance my skin. The balm texture is refreshing for someone like me who has become used to more water-based offerings. I'll tell you, I'm converted.

The second product is the MSM Beauty Spray*. I haven't used this one quite as regularly as the Hemp Heaven moisturiser, but when I have used it - I've been impressed. This toning spray is something a little different (as explained in my previous post). It is essentially a floral hydrasol with the added benefits of argan oil, EOs, and MSM - a nutritional form of sulphur, known as the "beauty mineral". However, despite this arsenal of nourishing oils, the spray is anything but oily. Everything remains at a definite water-like texture which makes it easy to apply and easy to absorb. This is great as a toner, but also as a light moisturiser for extremely oily skins come summer.  

Raw Gaia have really captured by heart with these two products and I'm excited to hopefully try more in the future!