Video - Tata Harper exposing the skincare industry

Neal's Yard Event. A meeting with Peter Kindersley

Last week I attended an event hosted by Neal's Yard with Peter Kindersley, the owner and chairman of Neal's Yard Remedies.

I was interested to go to the event because I really love Neal's Yard products and was keen to learn more about Peter's philosophy on organic farming and skincare. 

Peter also owns Sheepdrove farm in Berkshire and is passionate about organic farming. Peter explained the difference between products that are 'organic' and 'natural'. Natural produce is grown using nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides, in the UK alone we use 20,000 tonnes of pesticide every year. This is decreasing the genetic diversity of our wildlife. The Neal's Yard 'Bee Lovely' campaign was instigated in order to try and help save our bees. The campaign reached 100,000 signatures to try and ban the harmful use of Neonicotinoid pesticides that have been linked with the dramatic loss of the honey bee. British beekeepers have lost 80% of their bees, more than any european market. It is this pro-active campaigning for a better, healthier world along with the wonderful, organic products the draws the eco conscious consumer to NYR.

With the organic beauty market seeing rapid growth (10% in just the last year), Neal's Yard are at the forefront of organic skincare and even now are developing successful organic preservatives for their products.
Peter explained that all their products are hand blended at their eco factory in Peacemarsh, they grow many of the ingredients for their products in the UK and also Peter mentioned they grow marigolds at Sheepdrove farm, which are used for tinctures. This british, hands on, organic approach is what continues to make Neal's Yard such a success story. 

Peter is an absolute inspiration, he discussed organic farming in great detail, it is brilliant to know a person like Peter is making decisions on one of Britain's favourite organic, skincare brands. He is a bright, courageous and humble person who's passion for all things organic is contagious. 

Here are my top three Neal's Yard Beauty treats:

Beauty Sleep Concentrate £31.50 for 30ml
This moisturizer aids skin regeneration while you sleep. It is a lightweight moisturizer that is very nourishing. It has been proven in clinical trials to improve the skin's moisture by 98% in 12hours and I am a huge fan, I apply it after cleansing and toning at night and always wake with bright skin in the morning. I love the scent (Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Orange, Benzoin and Clary Sage). It is no surprise this is one of the best selling Neal's Yard skincare products.

Frankincense Hydrating Cream £24.75 for 50g
A great moisturizer for everyday use. Personally, I think it is more suitable for those of us with dry skin. It contains rejuvenating Frankincense and Myrrh and is quite a thick consistency, it gives my skin a moisture boost on these cold, winter days.

Lavender Bath Salts £14 for 500g
I love long baths and these bath salts are a staple for me! Neal's Yard use a grey salt from the salt marshes in Brittany, France. The salts are great to soothe sore muscles and purify the skin. The salts are scented with Lavender and are perfect to help aid a peaceful night's sleep.

Intelligent Nutrients. A Review.

I have been interested in Intelligent Nutrients since reading about its founder Horst Rechelbacher's philosophy to create an effective, active, intelligent beauty line using only organic ingredients. Horst brings his vast experience as the founder of Aveda to this is brand. You can read more on his story here; http://liberateyourskin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/aveda-founders-mission-to-clean-up.html

'Restore-Urgent' Total Body Elixir £22 50ml

I chose the 'Restore- Urgent' elixir as I have been feeling quite run down recently. This is a lovely elixir to apply after a bath or shower when your energy is low and you are in need of some nurturing. I found the scents warm, spicy and exotic without being over-powering. The texture is more like a serum and thankfully not too greasy, it is a rich, viscous oil which absorbs well and leaves the skin feeling moisturized for hours.  The oil contains spicy medicinal oils of Ravintsara, oregano, everlasting and cinnamon combined with rosemary and thyme for energy boost.

Harmonically Made Sambac Jasmine Total Body Elixir £50 50ml

I found this elixir quite incredible. The texture and consistency was similar to the 'Restore' elixir but it felt more luxurious to apply, a rich golden colour and an aroma to die for! The Jasmine Sambac is supercritically distilled and from sustainably wildcrafted Jasmine in India. Unlike a huge amount of other organic oils and elixirs the scent seems to fix to the skin. Perfect to apply before going out for the evening. I didn't need to wear any perfume when using this elixir and had so many people ask me what 'perfume' I was wearing. You can also use this Elixir in your hair to condition the ends. An intoxicating organic beauty product that is definitely going to make my '2013 Must Have' list.

Overall Thoughts on the Intelligent Nutrients
I really like Intelligent Nutrients but I think there is a bit too much going on in terms of information for the consumer, it took me quite a while to work out which products I'd benefit from and whilst I think Intelligent Nutrients is an incredible feat for the organic beauty industry I think they need to be careful to not make their brand too worthy, as this could turn off many consumers. Their organic certified skincare and haircare products are beautiful, sophisticated and effective and the consumer can buy and use them with absolute confidence. In an industry that only needs one ingredient to label a product 'organic' this 100% organic philosophy is all that really matters. Not to mention the range is suitable for guys and girls. I look forward to trying out more of the Intelligent Nutrients range.

Have you tried any of the Intelligent Nutrients skincare line? What are your thoughts?

Too cool for school. Honore Des Pres.

The 2013 'must have' organic perfume.

I adore Honore Des Pres perfumes, created by renowned perfumer Olivia Giacobetti with all the talent of perfumers from Grasse and the funky style of NYC.  I particularly like 'Vamp A NY' that uses warm, seductive notes such as rum and tuberose, this perfume is all about making a statement and if perfect for those who like strong notes that smoulder on the skin after time. I love how this organic perfume is packaged in a funky NYC style take out coffee cup..

50ml £69. It's not cheap but it's too cool for school! 

Find out more from this video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKDTfu6a3I

http://honoredespres.com/

Shiffa Organic Skincare. A Review.

I was in Selfridges just before christmas and came across Shiffa, a beautiful, organic skincare line. Shiffa was founded in Dubai by dermatologist Dr Lamees Hamdan, who believes natural ingredients are better assimilated by the body and wanted to create a high end skincare line that optimizes active organic ingredients to create effective skincare with a 'luxe' high end look and feel.
Dr Lamees journey into organics began when she struggled to find a natural, effective oil to prevent stretch marks whilst she was pregnant. She began to formulate her own organic oil and shared this with friends and family. It became such a success she decided to develop her own line using only the best ingredients from around the world. I have to say after trying her samples I am totally hooked! I went back into Selfridges this morning to buy the full size products only to be told they had sold out of the whole line and were waiting to restock..eek! After hunting high and low I managed to track the line down on Zuneta.com and have ordered them from there. Here are my thoughts on the samples...

My favourite of the three samples is the Shiffa Sweetness Body Polish (£45 200ml). This is a divine organic body scrub. The smell evokes visions of arabia, there is something exotic, warm and delicate about this scrub. The sweetness scrub contains warming black pepper and sweet basil to help clear the mind. After using this scrub my skin felt like silk, and, unlike other scrubs the warm, sweet aroma stuck to my skin. I didn't need to moisturize after using this scrub. I will be buying this again. Possibly one of the best organic scrubs I have ever tried.

I also really enjoyed using the Shiffa Healing Balm (£50 30ml). This healing balm contains chamomile and indian neem, both very soothing for dry skin. The balm also contains arnica which helps to restore the skin whilst meadowfoam comforts and revives. Unlike other organic balms this doesn't feel too heavy or greasy. I loved the light, soothing consistency. I found it very nourishing on patches of dry and cracked skin on my elbows and knees and particularly enjoyed using it before bed to give my skin a moisture boost whilst I sleep. 

The final product was the Shiffa Skin Balancing Toner (£40 200ml). The toner uses Aloe Vera and Italian Bergamot to restore balance and Rose Damask to replenish the skin. This toner I found to be very gentle and delicate and it smells of fresh roses. It really seemed to help my skin retain its moisture and is a great toner to use to refresh your skin after cleansing or to help set your make up. 

If you are looking for a smart, stylish organic beauty brand? or maybe and want an organic alternative to Chanel, Elemis or Jo Malone then Shiffa ticks the box. I can't recommend this brand highly enough.

Have you tried any Shiffa products? What are your thoughts?

Happy New Year!

...I've got a feeling it's gonna be a good one!