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! 

Today's Star Beauty Buy is....

Emma Hardie

Amazing Face 

Natural lift and sculpt Moringa cleansing balm

£34

This is one of my favourite beauty buys of 2012, it is positively luxurious! You can use this cleanser with a hot cloth, or for a deeper cleanse I like to use it with my clarisonic. 

This cleansing balm is good for all skin types (including sensitive), you only need a dab on a cloth with warm water, then work it into the skin in circular motions to help remove dirt and make up. I sometimes use it whilst taking a bath for 5-10 mins to give an extra boost to very dry skin and you can even use it as a rescue balm on dry elbows, knees and lips.

After using this balm my skin feels bright, soft and hydrated. It contains Wild Sea Fennel, Moringa Seeds and Vitamin E to help reduce the appearance of open pores, whilst Jasmine, Neroli and Rose revitalise dry, dehydrated skin. I love the luxury gold container. Using this cleanser feels like a spa ritual at home....bliss! 9/10

The ingredients appear to be derived from natural sources (I can't spot any nasties but this is not an organic product). 

http://uk.spacenk.com/Natural-Lift-Moringa-Cleansing-Balm/MUK200005032,en_GB,pd.html?start=1&q=natural%20lift%20moringa%20cleansing%20balm

Christmas Stocking Fillers

Not long now until Chrimbo and I've search far and wide to pick the cutest, coolest, organic/natural beauty stocking fillers. Here are some of my favourites.

1.) Hurraw Lip Balm

100% Organic, raw and vegan. These seriously delicious lipbalms are perfect stocking fillers. My favourites include Chai Spice and Moon Balm. £3.45

http://www.cutecosmetics.co.uk/hurraw-36-c.asp

2.) SCOTCH Nail Varnish

Classy, cool and natural. I love the wonderful colour palate and the fact these polishes aren't full of nasties. £13.50

http://www.naturisimo.com/index.cfm?nme=Scotch%20Naturals

3.) Page Thirty Three 'Bath Brew'

For the ultimate bath time try one of these giant bath tea bags, full of lavender, goatsmilk, cocoa butter and epsom salts. £10.50 

http://www.beingcontent.com/body--bath/bath/saltsfoam/bath-brew.htm 

4.)Ambre Botanicals 'Rhassoul Clay Facemask'
This mask comes all the way from the Atlas mountians and is full of minerals such as silica, mnagnesium and calcium. A great detoxifier and good for drawing out impurities.

15mg £8.50 http://www.beingcontent.com/skincare/face-masks/rhassoul-clay-face-mask.htm

5.) Zum Bar Soaps 'Sea Salt'

My favourite soap, rich and moisturising. Made with only olive, coconut and sustainably 

sourced palm oils. The sea salt soap smells wonderful. Makes for a perfect stocking filler.

£4.50 http://www.greenlife.co.uk/greenlife-direct/product/zum-bar-soap-sea-salt/267274/

6.) Aromatherapy Associates 'Little Treat'

This aromatherapy blend is great for that revitalising bath before a New Years Eve party! Beautiful, cute packaging too. £12.50

 http://uk.spacenk.com/LITTLE-TREAT/MUK200009643,en_GB,pd.html

7.)Neals Yard Remedies to Roll 'Energise'

Perfect alternative to the more pricey Aromatherapy Associates. This wonderful little roller ball blend is great to keep in your hand bag when you feel that post christmas dinner slump coming on! It's a gorgeous pick me up. Containing rosemary, grapefruit and geranium essential oils. 

£6.50 http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/Remedies-To-Roll-Energy

8.)Dr Stuarts Functional Teas 'Skin Purify'

Just what is needed to help cleanse the skin in the new year after the weeks of partying and naughty diets. Contains lemon, nettles and red clover, all of which are fantastic for dull, spotty, oily skin. 

£2.09 15 teabags http://www.beingcontent.com/wellbeing/tea/skin-purify-herbal-tea.htm

Today's Organic Beauty Buy is....

SCOTCH Natural Nail Varnish
£13.50

I used to love wearing nail varnish, painted nails were the 'cherry on the top' of a beautiful outfit, that is, until I became aware of the highly toxic ingredients in the majority of nail varnishes and cut them out all together. Until last week I hadn't worn nail varnish for over a year. However, thanks to SCOTCH that period of my life is well and truly over! Yipee!
SCOTCH is the answer to my prayers. Brilliant smooth texture, beautiful colors and most importantly a nail varnish formulation that is totally natural. SCOTCH are water- based varnish,  eco friendly and contain no toxins such as toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, acetone or heavy metals. What I find so brilliant is that SCOTCH is as good as any salon nail varnish ( Essie, Chanel, OPI). I bought 'Heather Blush' from their nudes range, which is a lovely soft shade that I'm delighted with.
SCOTCH also do a natural nail varnish remover made with soy (I am yet to try it and I can't wait to get my (soon to be preened and perfect) hands on it. I thought my nail varnish days were over but I couldn't have been more wrong.
Gold Stars and Gushes go to SCOTCH-10/10

http://www.naturisimo.com/index.cfm?nme=Scotch%20Naturals

Today's Organic Beauty Buy is....

S.W Basics of Brooklyn
(Formally known as 'Sprout')
Cleanser £15

I like the S.W Basics Cleanser. It's grown on me, it is simple, effective and surprisingly gentle on the skin. It smells of fresh roses and only uses three ingredients (rosewater, glycerin and tea tree). This macro, organic cleanser certainly stands out from the crowd, with it's cool packaging and funky personality. I think so many men and women have been craving a product like this for so long. It is organic, ethically sourced and still manages to keep its funky, urban style (it looks very cool on the bathroom shelf). I do, however,  have a couple of little niggles with this product; it stings a little bit when it gets in my eyes and even though I've been using it for about two weeks I am already half way through the bottle...eek! I wouldn't mind if it was more around £7.50 price point but at £15 this is too expensive to run out of it so quickly. 7/10

http://store.swbasicsofbk.com/