Natural & Organic Empties April 2018

Hi Lovelies,


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

Natural & Organic Beauty & Wellness Empties April 2018

I think we all know what these posts are all about - what I used, loved, hated, will buy, won't buy again, blah blah blah..
Please excuse moi, I don't mean to come across all rude and standoffish, it's just I am going through some health issues and a new job at the moment behind the scenes, so have no energy for anything else lately. Add that to the crappy weather and a month long head cold, and that's me in a nutshell lately. Plus these empties posts feel like a pain-in-the-you-know-what lately, so I will keep it short. And honest. No changes there then :)

In no particular order here's what I finished in April:

Natural & Organic Empties

Benecos Apricot Body Peeling
Budget option of body scrub, but I didn't enjoy it much, too little of scrubbing action. Probably won't get it again.


Westlab Epsom & Magnesium Salts
A must have of the last few years. I knew about them for years but never got why I need to use them, well, until I tried it for myself. If you are a tired, go and lie in magnesium salt bath for 20-40 minutes and you will rise a totally different person. You can thank me later :)


Theraneem Naturals Neem Mouthwash
Really natural ingredients, tastes a bit sweet, which I am not used to, but I'd get it again. Have had a few products by this company and I liked them. Will repurchase.


Dudu Osun Classic Black Soap
Another staple in our house, bar of soap with paper packaging. I have a review on it if You want to have a look at my two cents on it? Repurchase? Yes! And yes again :)


Sukin Purifying Shampoo & Nourishing Conditioner
Both came in Love Lula March Box (post here) and I really loved both of them. Will get full sizes eventually. Good price point too.


Organii Organic Cotton Patches
I have a review of the whole line here, and let me just tell you upfront these cotton patches will forever remain in my kit, they hold up so much better than any patches from the chemists, and I feel good about using less plastic. A score. Organic score :)


Organic honey & theyme cough syrup from NYR
One of the very few things that truly work for coughs, and it is always the thing I stock up on when I make my own NYR order. Love the fact it is organic too.


Manuka Honey 12+
This is also something I always want to have on hand. So I do.  


Propolis Throat Spray
Another thing that tames the cough beast!
 

Better You Turmeric Oral Spray
This I bought for my 5yr old who was going through allergies and sickness season in a bid to help her boost her immune system..


Living Libations Wintergreen & Clean Toothpaste
I am due a review for it, so keep your eyes peeled for it - and to sum it up, here's what I have to say: expensive, but worth it!

 

Natural & Organic Empties

Meadows Rejuvenating Face Cream
I have reviewed it, so hit that search box if You are interested? Good basic cream that rates a 2 on EWG (not to be found there, I made my own report). so it might be an option of You are looking for a new face cream or want to try something from an Irish brand. Not repurchasing due to having too many face creams in my stash. Plus loving Bella Aura more.


I Love Skin Face Oil Scent Free
Packed full of nourishing oils, and essential oil free, but sad to say I didn't like it very much because it still reacted with my dermatitis patch (not a downfall of a products, 95% of the face oils do that) and it was oily and not the best smelling either. Sorry! Not bashing a product, it's just my sensitive skin found home in Bella Aura products and I kind of don't want to use anything else.



Alverde Brow Gel in Blonde
Great budget option, repurchased already. Worked great with matching Alverde brow powder and it matched my ash toned brows well.


Honua Skincare Aloha Youth Serum
Another good natural product I am not repurchasing due to loving Bella Aura (I seriously sound like a broken record here, but please put yourself into my shoes - I was having such a hard time finding products to suit my uber sensitive skin, and then dermatitis happened.. On my face, no less - which reacted to a lot of skincare products I was using, and it still rebels if I start testing new products. So when my skin found home with Bella Aura, I don't want to use anything else.). Nothing bad to say about this product, and I still have and love this brand's Beauty Water as well.
 

Nude By Nature Highlight Stick In Bronze
I also have a review on this brand, which happens to be stocked in Debenhams - yay or what? This bronzey highlight didn't suit my face as a highlight, so I used it as a glowy bronzer, and it worked quite well that way. Now it is over a year old and it changed smell, meaning it is time to chuck it. Not too sure if I am going for this colour, but I want to get it in another colour for sure. As well as to explore the brand more.


Inika Long Lash Mascara (not pictured)
Absolutely loving this mascara, this is all I used for the last seven or nine months (not the same one, three of them) - and I am also due a Inika review - can somebody come over and kick my butt so I would finally get round to it? I have around eight items to review, and it is collosal work, so I don't even want to start it, it will take days to do! Any blogger would know how much of hard work comes into it. Coming back to this mascara, I would totally recommend it and will repurchase it at some point, it is just that after using just one mascara for so long, I want to try something new - and I have my eyes firmly on Fitglow Good Lash Mascara and I hear only good things about new(ish) Burts Bees one, so I am kind of adding it to my list too. I am not loyal to my mascaras, ok? :)

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Renata.

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Meadows Review - Irish Series

Hi Lovelies,



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

Meadows review

Today I am coming at you with a review of a up-and-coming clean Irish brand, thus continuing my Irish Series. One of the compliments I get on my blog is that my content is different from "same old same old" and people are discovering something new from my posts - first of all, thank You! And second of all, I am so glad to be of service - this is exactly the driving force behind my blog! I want to be helpful for people starting out or struggling in their green beauty journey. I am very glad to show you new and exciting all natural stuff, products and brands! I have done a few reviews of Irish brands, and you will find them listed at the end of this post. This time we will look into new(ish) brand that's on the market, and it was started by lovely Claire Williams, who is the creator and maker of “Meadows”. Claire has a Bachelor of Science degree from N.U.I Maynooth and Diploma in Holistic Massage, Reflexology and Sports Injuries. Coming from this background she has learned to choose the best natural ingredients to create “Meadows” range of “Pure skin care fresh from the farm” which protects, nourishes and repairs the skin.

Claire is committed and passionate about making luxurious affordable 100% Natural Skin Care products that treat body, mind and soul. Her Skin Care collection is created and hand blended with love surrounded by nature on her family farm in Ireland. She uses only 100% natural ingredients, no parabens, chemicals, synthetic colours or fragrances.
Although the ingredients aren't fully listed on the website, Claire assured it is all natural and there are no harmful substances in her products. I ran an EWG report on her face cream to satisfy my curiosity, ad you will find the score in this post down below. She has provided me with the INCI lists at my request, and was so sweet and helpful, all my questions were answered promptly and without hesitation. She has even given me link to her supplier when I had inquired about Peg 100 Stearate, so I could do my homework on it. At the moment there's only ladies range (but many products can be used for the whole family) and there are plans to launch baby range next month and men's range sometime in 2018. As well as workshops teaching people how to detox their homes and beauty cabinets, as well as teaching how to make your own products. Now, that's a lady with a mission, you go girl!

So, as you can guess, I said yes to the review, and she has spoiled me with a bunch of goodies. Everything is housed in recycled packaging, all glass and aluminum (except for the lids of face cream and pumps), even the lip balm, a huge plus if you are trying to reduce your waste or simply avoid plastics - I know I do. All products are vegan friendly (with exception of lip balms which contain beeswax.)

Meadows Revitalizing Face Serum

Revitalizing Face Serum (30ml retails for €20.00)

The combination of Argan, Macadamia and Rosehip oil creates an easily absorbed non-irritating face oil, which is called serum. These oils have anti-inflammatory properties and helps the skin restore
the skins barrier function and reduce water loss. They are also high in Vitamin E which gives the skin a natural boost. This serum is guaranteed to leave your skin feeling soft, supple and visibly have a natural glow.
The Essential Oils used in this serum (Frankincense, Palma Rosa, Rose and Benzoin) help reduce blemishes, appearance of large pores and prevent wrinkles.

I have to be honest, my skin is too sensitive to handle essential oils in products (with a very few exceptions), and I knew that prior to trying this facial oil so when I saw my dermatitis patch reddening, I discontinued use. Please bear in mind not everyone is super sensitive like me, everybody else should be fine with it. It looks like a beautiful oil, and if you are a lover of facial oils, I feel you would enjoy it. It just so happens I am blessed with uber sensitive skin AND dermatitis on top - thanks Mother Nature! I used this oil as a body oil, mixed in cheaper carrier oils. Hey, I have to give product some love one way or another!

Meadows Rejuvenating Face Cream

Rejuvenating Face Cream (60ml, €19.95)

with Jasmine, Frankincense and Lemon Essential Oils.
It's suitable for all skin types, and it is true, I got on with it so much better than with face oil. Love the rosehip oil in it, as it is my favourite oil of them all, and frankincense is one of my favourite essential oil, it is so good on so many different levels! The cream is white and very light on application. It sinks in pretty fast and does not leave a greasy film on the skin either. It did not give me any irritations and left my skin soft. I used it in the daytime, until it got nabbed by my elder daughter who was looking for face moisturiser.
Full list of ingredients:
Aqua (Water) Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Rosehip Oil, Vitamin E, Jasmine Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil, glyceryl stearate, peg 100stearate, Cetyl alcohol, stearic acid, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin. 
P.s. I ran a Skin Deep EWG product report on it, because I was so curious, and it came back with a score of 2. Yes, I will take it then :)

Meadows Cleansing Face Oil

Cleansing Face Oil (€17.95, 100ml)

The combination of jojoba, castor and evening primrose oils (with lemon and peppermint essential oils) promises to gently unclog pores and cleanse the skin of any impurities without stripping the skin of its own natural oils, leaving skin feeling soft, supple and glowing.
While all of it is true, I had to discontinue this product purely because of my personal dislike of peppermint essential oil in products. We all are different and we do like or dislike certain stuff, and for me, it is lavender and peppermint essential oils in products. Can't handle the smell of the first and the tingling of the second. I gave it a few tries for the sake of reviewing it properly though. It works well at removing full face of make up and sunscreen, so if you are looking for a good natural face oil cleanser, this might be the one for you. You have to like peppermint though.

Meadows products review by Green Life In Dublin

Nourishing Lip Balm (10ml, €4.95)

Handmade using pure Cocoa butter, Beeswax, Apricot Kernel and Lime Essential Oil, which has antiseptic, disinfectant properties which helps keep cold sores at bay.
Nice lip balm in the cutest aluminum tin, it came really handy this winter, and I am far from done. You get whopping 10ml instead of standard 4ml, so it is a good value for money. I think I will re-purpose the tin when I am done too.  

Nourishing Hand Balm (50ml, €8.95)

This product comes in a tin with a screw on lid, and it came just in time - I was about to finish my Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose hand cream I'd had previously. So I put this to use immediately, and I loved it! I think this is the hardest working item in my green beauty stash :) The texture is definitely on the balm-y side, and it takes a bit of time to sink in, but it softens the hands beautifully. I use it a few times per day, and at night too. It is not too greasy though, just the right balance. You get 50ml of it, and I can see it lasting a good while, as you need so little of it. Definitely a contender for repurchasing when I am done.
Oh, and it is made using pure shea butter, grapeseed oil, coconut Oil, apricot kernel oil and evening primrose oil.Loving the faint smell of may chang and sweet orange essential oils it has.



Uplifting Foot Balm (50ml, €8.95)
 
Another hit in Green Life In Dublin house, this product gave us mileage of usage already, and we are far from done yet. We use it almost every night just before bed, and we wake up with beautiful soft feet. Our poor feet tend to be the most neglected part of the body, so it is nice to have a special "treat" for them. Now, this product has both lavender and peppermint essential oils in it, but I don't mind them, because for one, the smell isn't right up my nose, and for two, peppermint is actually quite nice at refreshing poor tired feet at the end of the day. This also has tea tree oil in it, which we all know has antibacterial and antifungal properties to it, perfect addition in this product. The texture of it is almost if not exactly the same as hand balm, soft balm that is easy to rub in.
I enjoy having this product, and the scent is lovely too - I can't detect lavender in it, only the peppermint, with a slight tea tree oil undertone.




So all in all, I enjoyed most of the products, and if you are looking for a nice natural line of products that have almost no plastic packaging, this might be the one for you. Claire's products are sold in some selected shops and markets, as well as online, her website is Meadows.ie (not an affiliate link, purely for your convenience. Just fiy so we are on the same page). As you can see, the products have great price point, and there are also sample packs for only a few euros. There are also hampers and gift sets for a very reasonable price, and if you are buying it as a gift, there is an option to add a personalized message, which I thought was very sweet thing.



Claire, I wish you the best of luck in the business! 


 
That is all for now. Have you tried any of the Meadows products yet? And what do you think of them? Please share, I would love to know.


If you are interested in more reviews of Irish brands I have reviewed so far, you can check out my:

Jo Browne Solid Perfumes review

Flying Wild Balms review and Honeybutter review

Couleur Caramel review (available from V.Claire)

Ireland's first natural & organic subscription box review (available via Natural Skincare Emporium)

and please stay tuned for more posts!

I think I need to work harder on my Irish Series, wouldn't you say so?

If You are Irish brand, health store or natural online store and would like to collaborate with me for a review, please get in touch on any social media.

P.s. Please make my day and like and share this or any of my blog posts on social media. Thank You!
Follow me on my new blog Green Life In Dublin Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube. (someday I will start making YouTube videos, promise!)

Lots of Love,

Renata.

Green Life In Dublin, green beauty and lifestyle blog

 

Please find all my reviews to date here

Enjoy my content? I would appreciate any  tip into my PayPal Tip Jar - any donation 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..