2017 Best Natural and Organic Products

Hi Lovelies,




Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 💕💕💕

2017 Best Green Beauty Products

Just like I did last year, I am presenting you my Top Products of 2017 in each category. I did try a ton of new stuff this year, even to the point of being overwhelmed, but even so, some of the products haven't changed, and they are moved into "Firm Classics" or "Holy Grail" category by now. I will make sure to point those out. Or you can always go and read my 2016 Top Products post, which I will link at the bottom of my post. If I have a separate review on product, I will link it, so I think it will turn into links galore, like it did last year, so you can always go check my thoughts on products you are interested in, because I always go in as much details as I possibly can in my reviews, as well as listing the ingredients of everything. P.s.if you want to see reviews of products, see here and here.


If you will have any questions, please feel free to ask them down below, and if you won't find some categories, like retinol product or peels or hair dye, then it means I don't use them.

Ok, drum roll please, let's see what products get Green Life In Dublin Seal of Approval! So, let's go grab a coffee and a snack, and shall we start?

2017 Best Make Up Products ¦ Green Beauty

Mineral powder foundation 
Pure Anada followed closely by English Mineral Make up. Both non movers from last year.
 
Liquid foundation
Inika

Blush 
Inika's Peachy Keen plus all these other Nars Orgasm Dupes.

BB cream 
Inika and Living Nature.

Cream concealer 
Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer followed closely by Ere Perez cream concealer in Latte.
 
Powder concealer 
Pure Anada mineral foundation, more pigmented than many powder concealers. I bought Alima Pure powder concealer and was really disappointed with it, does not even come close!

Bronzer
Studio78. Inika is a close second, but it is more warm in undertone.

Mascara 
I have tried a few new ones this year, and I really like Inika Long Lash Mascara, Nude by Nature and PHB ones. All of them give great length, volume and do not flake - which is really important for me, flaking is a big pet peeve of mine.

Pencil eye liner 
100%Pure black eyeliner. This is not perfect nor it is long lasting, but it is creamy, black and easy to apply. All the others seem not pigmented and scratchy in comparison.

Liquid eyeliner 
Couleur Caramel. 

Lipstick 
Hynt Beauty Pinkibelle without a doubt. My search for "your lips but better" peachy pink nude is over.

Lip gloss 
Can you believe I didn't try new lipgloss this year?! Me neither! I am still reminiscent of 100%Pure Gemmed Lip Gloss in Peacock Ore even though I will no longer purchase from 100%Pure due to the increase in shipping fees, where postage alone exceed tax free limit in EU. Could some EU web shops take note and start selling them please? These lip glosses are perfect dupe for my previously loved Juicy Tubes, and this is why I am so sad to find and lose it so soon again!

Highlighter 
Inika Highlighting Creme. Non mover for the last year - this highlight might seem pricy, but as you only need pin prick amount each time, it will last you a really long time, I had mine over a year for sure. Perfect balance in between of gold and pink, suits everybody, can be as subtle or as POW-in-your-face as you want it to, and it is the only highlighter that lasts all day on me.

Palette - Couleur Caramel one.

Eye shadow single/duo 
Inika Golden Oyster. 

Cruelty free make up brushes 
Real Techniques and Ecotools - see both on Amazon.

Eye brow stuff 
Alverde or Pure Anada Cinder. Both products give perfect ashy tones to my brows. Most of the stuff on the market is way too warm toned for me. I need ashy, almost grey, and I hope more companies will take note.

Lip balm 
Hurraw and Bees Flying Wild. Both have the best staying power.

 
 

2017 Best Skincare Products ¦ Green Beauty Edition

Moisturiser 
Dr.Haushka Rose Day Cream. Repurchased at least five times this year, so let this be a testament. I received a few gorgeous face creams recently, so this might change soon.

Facial oil 
would you believe that this die hard lover of facial oils discontinued using them? After some digging I decided to stop using them for a while due to my dermatitis (dermatitis hates oils, and I refused to believe it, even though my skin protested wildly?) and see how my skin feels without them - and you know what, I spent majority of the year without them, using moisturisers and facial toners/mists only (7 skin method, anyone?). I introduced oils back when autumn came, and despite having a nice collection of ISUN Saphire, Skin & Tonic Naked Beauty Oil, Pai Organic Rosehip Bio Regenerative Oil. Also Mahalo Vitality Elixir Facial Oil if you fancy treating yourself. Dreamy.

Serum (water or aloe based)
Earthwise Beauty Nap In The Meadow

Facial Balm 
Mahalo Rare Indigo Non mover from the last year, and thankfully I own a full size of it now. Amaaaazing for dermatitis or inflamed or blemish prone skin. Search for Mahalo review if you are interested?

Acne treatment 
tea tree oil straight onto the pimple. Nothing works better or quicker. Just be careful to put it onto the pimple ONLY, and not the skin around it - tea tree oil burns are real, and I don't want you to experience it. Manuka & tea tree oil gel by Living Nature is nice too.

Liquid/Gel facial wash/cleanser 
ISUN Skincare UK Coco Cucumber.

Balm Cleanser
Balm Balm


Moisturiser with SPF 
Kimberley Sayer Ultra Light Moisturizer SPF30

Face exfoliant 
Physical - Isun Skincare UK Rhasoul 
AHA/BHA - Honua Skincare Hawaiian Beauty Water

Make up remover 
Isun Skincare UK Coco Cucumber cleanser + konjac sponge. I don't do wipes, ever.

Eye make up remover 
water and oil on a cotton round. I don't waste time and money looking for perfect eye make up remover when this combo is gentle, costs next to nothing, removes all make up, even water proof one AND moisturises delicate skin around the eyes. Win win situation if you ask me? Isun Coco Cucumber Cleanser works for eyes too, no irritations.

Under eye cream
Isun Peptide Eye Cream

Under eye oil
Earthwise Beauty Passion Eye Serum


Face mask
DIY masks with manuka honey. Over 12 recipes. I own a good few shop bought masks too, look out for masking post in the early 2018.

Toner/mist 
ISUN Skincare UK Ormus Myst. I need this beauty back into my life.




 

2017 Best Bodycare Products ¦ Green Beauty Edition

Body scrub
I diy it a lot of the time.

Body wash
NYR shower gels. Last for months. Also black African soap. Both non movers from last year.

Eczema/dermatitis treatment
pure shea butter and the Mahalo Rare Indigo Balm.

Deodorant
my DIY. I've been using it for years, and why buy when it costs 20 cents to make for 6 months worth? This contains baking soda though, so it is not for everyone.

Shaving cream/foam
I use hair conditioners to shave my legs with, but if you want a "proper" product, Logona has nice one. 

Body lotion
Alaffia Coconut Strawberry body and hair lotion.

Body butter
Budget option - Flying Wild Honey Body Butter
Luxe option - ISUN Herbal Shea Butter

Body Oil
Inner Senses Organics  

2017 Best Haircare Products ¦ Green Beauty

Shampoo
Rahua Voluminous Shampoo followed closely by Spirulina Shampoo by Living Libations

Hair and scalp oil 
Zatik.

I am really minimal with my haircare, I use no styling products at all, nor heat in any form. If my hair has flyways I will use a small amount of Zatik or plain argain oil to smooth it out and that's pretty much it.

2017 Best Natural & Organic Products

Natural Perfume
Liquid - Walden A Different Drummer
Solid - Jo Browne Ireland

So there you have it, my best products of 2017! What's yours? I really want to see what everybody else deems the best, please share with me?


See my 2016 Top Product here.
See ALL the reviews I'd done to date here.




P.s. Please make my day and subscribe & share this or any of my blog posts on social media - it helps to get the green beauty word out and for that I Thank You!

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That is all for now,
Lots of Love,
Renata. 

Enjoy my content? A  tip into my PayPal Tip Jar -  will get You my eternal gratitude and more awesome green beauty reviews Your way! I weed out all the greenwashing products so You won't have to.

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Banish Dry Winter Skin with ISUN Herbal Shea Butter

Hi Lovelies,

Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 

ISUN Skincare Herbal Shea Butter Review

Today I wanted to talk with you about some wonderful product from the ISUN Skincare UK, the Herbal Shea Butter. I am truly enamored with this brand to no end, and this herbal shea butter will be your best friend this winter! I suggest you make it a part of your winter routine too, and you can thank me later :)

But let's start from the beginning, shall we? ISUN is amazing brand with a core intention to produce a skincare range that generates a positive influence on our mind, body and spirit. ISUN was created with the intent that every product has the potential of offering a ‘quantum healing effect’. Through the powerful quality of the products, the sensory receptors of our skin, our organs, tissues and cells that make up our bodies and ultimately our total being, can potentially be impacted through the regular use of ISUN Skincare.

This can only be fulfilled when their products meet rigorous criteria:

They are created from inception with positive, clear intentions. ISUN basic principles have been kept in perspective from the start. They have a clear eco-consciousness, giving back to the earth, for us, is a way of life. The foundation of all products is living plants, unrefined plant oils and essential oils. The brand avoids using harsh chemicals that may upset the balance in our soil or in our environment and strictly no animal testing is conducted.

Products are made from pure, unadulterated, life and health giving ingredients. Sourced via the most ethical and sustainablepractices, ISUN skincare range is made with the purest, natural, wildcrafted ingredients. Untouched by humankind,wildcrafted produce is the most natural form of plant, with all the natural healing properties for your skin, body and mind. So therefore these ingredients work in harmony with our skin to effectively repair, regenerate, balance and protect.

All ISUN products are made with living, high life-force ingredients. Living plants are bursting with powerful energy; they contain regenerating nutrients and life-force energy from the sun as they transform light into life. The light emitted by living cells in our body and in plant life is called biophotons. Biophotons are key to communication between plant cells and our body. Our natural ingredients will not only benefit your skin, but they will also leave you feeling rejuvenated due to theiraromatherapeutic benefits. Their calming effects will relieve stress, awaken and inspire your senses and help to eliminate andneutralise released toxins in your body with their holistic properties. These are the ultimate high vibrational products people!

All this is certainly true when it comes to this wonderful Herbal Shea Butter - you can really tell it's quality is second to none, and I can honestly say this is the most luxurious shea butter I've used in my life. The ingredients certainly made my heart sing, so let's look closely at some of them, shall we? Later on I will also list all the ways I use this shea butter, because if you know me, you know I love making my products work harder and am constantly coming up with a new ways to use them. This body butter is raw, vegan, organic and wildcrafted, and it is intended for dry, normal and sensitive skin, but I can honestly say anybody with any skin type can use it, and not only for the body, but on the face too, as I've done numerous times to protect my skin from these Arctic type of winds we have here lately.

Ingredients:

 Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter; Caprylic/Capric triglyceride (MCT coconut oil), Lavandula intermedia (lavender) flower extract, Calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract, Helichrysum arenarium (helichrysum) flower extract; Butyrospermumparkii (shea) oil; Cera alba (beeswax); Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil; Tocopherols (vitamin E); Rosmarinus officinalis(rosemary) extract.

As you can see, the ingredients are minimal, that's what I like about them! I am doing the happy dance when the product has ingredients list that you can understand without a chemist degree, and this is your ultimate natural product. Plus you know everything is the best quality there can be, as it is always a case with every ISUN product. Shea butter and coconut oil are two of my favourite ingredients ever, and if they are infused with all these wonderful flowers, so much better! Coconut oil is a wonderful addition, that actually facilitates the better absorption of the butter. Not that you have to worry about it, it melts on your skin upon contact. As I already mentioned, this is the most luxurious body butter I've had to date, and I simply love that it not only protects my skin from harsh elements, but also turns simple showering routine into spa like experience. I am now looking forward to my showers actually, simply so I could use this wonderful product. It is so pure that it is safe for pregnant women, infants and babies. Shea butter is a wonderful all rounder for the skin, with a numerous benefits:

Shea Butter Benefits

Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils.

Reduces inflammation: a study has found that due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter was anti-inflammatory. One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne.

Skin smoothing: Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenicacids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.

Coconut Oil Benefits 

As we all know, coconut oil is wonderful for us humans, and there are so man reasons why. Let's leave the benefits of taking it internally for another time and another post, and let's look at the benefits of applying it externally for this time. It is rich in medium chain fatty acids or triglycerides. When applied on the skin, they keep it smooth to the touch. Due to the presence of these fats, coconut oil also retains the moisture content of the skin, as the fats eliminate moisture loss through the pores on the skin. Capric /Caprylic/Lauric acid - these three fatty acids have strong disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. As a result, when applied to the skin, coconut oil protects from microbial infections.

Like coconuts themselves, coconut oil is rich in many proteins. These proteins keep skin healthy and rejuvenated, both internally and externally. Proteins also contribute to the cellular health and tissue repair, along with a wide range of other essential activities within the body.

Coconut oil is wonderful as a face cleanser, moisturizer and low SPF sun screen, but also it can treat many skin disorders. The fatty acids (caprylic and lauric) in coconut oil reduce inflammation internally and externally and moisturize, making them a great solution for all types of skin conditions. It protects the skin and has many antioxidants that make it ideal for healing the skin. In addition, the antimicrobial properties balance out the candida or fungal sources that can cause many skin conditions. There’s so much unrefined coconut oil can do for skin.

Now for the ways this herbal shea butter can be used:

• as a body butter
• instead of the face balm to protect you from harsh elements
• as a hand cream and cuticle cream too
• as a lip balm or a mask (slather it on and leave overnight)
• for babies bottoms to treat rashes
• to soothe irritated skin (I have dermatitis and I can attest to that)
• for pregnant ladies to avoid stretch marks
• as a foot cream
• rub a bit on your palms and smooth flyways and frizzy hair (use small amount though) and on the ends of your hair
• after sun exposure to calm and soothe the skin (that's right, I use shea body butters in the summer too, it is not only for winter)
• on sore/raw noses during flu
• this is unusual, but I use it as an eye shadow primer - it is wonderful to make the shadows stick!
• on scars to make them heal quicker
• it also makes a great hair mask and scalp mask

So, all in all, I am in love with the product and can't recommend it highly enough. Really luxurious, gives you that ultimate I've just been to a spa" feeling. Melts upon contact and sinks into the skin without any greasy residue, what's not to love?The ingredients are so pure that it is safe for babies and pregnant women, no less.  It also gives me a peace of mind, as I know my skin is protected from harsh elements. Not only that, it helps heal the skin too, and as someone with dry skin and occasional dermatitis breakouts, I can attest to that. I wish I had an endless supply of it!

It retails for 48£ for 100ml, and comes in a luxurious Miron glass jar. Get it via ISUN Skincare UK here or in Dutch Health Store here.

And now, if you will excuse moi, I have to take a shower. Aka any excuse to use this product, haha!

Have a great day and upcoming Christmas!

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* source for the shea butter studies.

Lots of Love,

Renata.

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* this post contains one affiliate link and a product sent for my consideration.

Body Care and Hair Care Reviews. Links Galore

Hi Lovelies,



Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 💕💕💕

Natural Body Care And Hair Care Reviews

So, that is the last round up of links, I promise you! Just like I've done with make up and skincare, I am rounding up the links to reviews of body and hair care, but because I am very minimal with both, I am lumping them together. And I feel this is going to be a very modest post. You see, while I would happily splurge on skincare (or selected make up), body care takes a second seat for me, as long as I have decent wash and some coconut oil, I am good. Thanks God I no longer have dermatitis, so no specific products are needed, all I need to focus on is to keep my body clean and well moisturised. For hair care it's the same - good quality natural shampoo, and some hair oil is all I need! Obviously I like my hair to look good, but I find if I have good shampoo, I can skip conditioner (this has never been my fave as most of them weigh my hair down and make it look limp), and all I do to it post-shampoo is apply some hair oil (both as a pre-wash treatment) and post wash, always from the middle of my hair down to the ends. The same hair oil serves as a flyaway treatment and that's about it, I am afraid. I don't use heat on my hair, nor I colour it, so I don't need much products to undo the damage, and as a true Sagittarius I don't style it much either. Hence minus the arsenal of (natural) styling products on my shelves. If it looks good, I wear it down, if it doesn't, it goes into a bun.
You would know that if you follow me, but if You want to re-read any of the reviews, or have missed them altogether, here they are:

Bodycare

(in no particular order)

✅ Greenfrog Botanic Review

✅ Dudu Osun Black Soap Review

✅ Organii Review

✅ 2016 Best Products

✅ Flying Wild Balms Review

✅ Flying Wild Honey Body Butter Review

✅ Weleda Review

✅ Lotus Wei Review

✅ My Morning Routine featured on No More Dirty Looks 2016

✅ Neal's Yard Remedies Stash & Experience

✅ DIY Whipped Nourishing Body Butter

✅ Natural After Sun Care and a few DIYs

Haircare:

 

✅ Living Libations True Blue Spirulina Shampoo 
    & Fortifying Frankincense Dry Shampoo Review

✅ Dermorganics Shampoo Review

✅ How To Have Healthy Hair Again (the natural way)

✅ Scalp Tonic Spray DIY

many more are to come :)


Want to see all my make up reviews? Click here.

Interested in skincare? Click here. 

DIY inclined? You might enjoy this post.

Please like and share my posts on social media, it really helps to get the green beauty word out - and you will forever have my gratitude! Follow me on Bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube. (someday I will start making YouTube videos, promise!)


That is all for now, see you here again shortly.

Lots of Love,
Renata.