Ethical amaranthine lip balm review and giveaway

I recently discovered the natural skincare brand amaranthine via the Ethical Influencers network. Amaranthine is a small, independent, ethical skincare company based in Edinburgh. All their products are luxurious, handmade, 100% natural and palm oil free. Amaranthine is the first skincare company in the world to receive a palm oil free certification trademark.

Doesn’t that sound great? So I was delighted to have the opportunity to review their lip balm for free.

Dispatch was very quick and the lip balm was packed securely in a small jiffy envelope. I was very pleased to see that the product comes in an aluminium tin. Regular readers of my blog will be aware from my series of posts on reducing waste that I am doing my best to reduce my use of plastic. My existing lip balm is in a plastic tube and I had been rather reluctant to swap to vaseline, which was the only other product I was aware of in a tin.

No such reticence with the amaranthine lip balm. The aroma of the cocoa and peppermint flavour was absolutely divine when I opened the tin. It reminded me of the smell of After Eight chocolates. I couldn’t wait to try it.

I’ve now been using it only for a few days and already my lips feel so moisturised and much softer than before. Easy to apply using your finger tip. Certainly much better than what I was using previously. Of course, my lips need a lot more pampering in the winter, so I can’t tell you currently how it performs in harsh weather conditions.

And according to the website, most of the ingredients are organic. And the shea butter is also fair trade too. So thumbs up from me on the ethical front. It is always great to find a company who focus on sustainability and being eco-conscious. One thing that isn’t mentioned is whether the lip balm has an SPF factor, so that would be useful to know particularly at this time of year.

It currently retails at £4.50 for 14g. An ideal size to keep in your bag for when you are out and about. The bottom of the tin indicates it to be best before 6/20, so I know it is fresh. Plus it is handmade in small batches.

I am certainly happy to highly recommend this product. And do take a look at the range of other products on their website. Also please take a minute to read their very informative blog post regarding palm oil. I found that very useful. For instance I had no idea that glycerin could be a by-product of palm oil. Or that palm oil could be hiding in products under the guise of 100’s of different names.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition courtesy of amaranthine to giveaway a lip balm to one lucky winner. Open to UK and Europe.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

I’d love to hear what is your favourite product from amaranthine or your suggestions for additions to the range.

And do you know what the word amaranthine means? I didn’t. It is an adjective and means undying, immortal, eternally beautiful. I think that is so apt.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of a product I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Guest post: Coconut Oil – Miracle House Hold Remedy

Coconut oil has several uses that make it a super household item that you must always keep it in your home. It can be used in food for better health, in skin and hair care products and as a natural treatment for certain diseases in certain medicines. If you are unaware of benefits coconut oil, this blog is dedicated to you.

Coconut Oil and Weight Loss:

Coconut oil has magnificent health benefits for you. Coconut oil contains High-density lipoprotein cholesterol that is healthy cholesterol which helps in elimination of fat lipids from the body by carrying them to the liver. In addition to this, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that fight against harmful microbes in your body and maintain the balance between healthy and unhealthy bacteria. This keeps your gut flora healthy and as a result, your digestive system improves. Similarly, there are two reasons behind weight gain either it is the weak immune system or weak digestive system. Taking coconut oil resolves both of these issues. In addition to this, the saturated fatty acid in coconut oil reduces your appetite naturally and helps to maintain sugar level. All these benefits aid in weight loss. You can cook your meal in coconut oil or just eat a tablespoon of coconut oil in the morning.

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/coconut-oil-oil-white-glass-jar-2535968/

Coconut Oil and Hair Care:

Shampooing and conditioning are not all that your hair requires for thickness and shine. You owe to show some extra love to your hairs by taking advantage of nature’s gifts to keep your hairs healthy. One of these is coconut oil. Do you know why people living in Tropical coastal areas have thick and shiny hairs? The most suitable answer is that they use naturally extracted coconut oil on their hairs. Coconut oil contains a chain of fatty acids such as capric acid and lauric acid that behaves as an antifungal and anti-bacterial that kills the bacteria and detoxifies the scalp. In addition to this, Coconut oil also contains vitamin E that helps to protect the skin cells on the scalp, reduces oxidative stress in the scalp and improves blood flow which results in better hair health. According to Home Remedies for Life, Coconut oil is among best oils that can be used for better hair growth. However, using extra virgin coconut oil is a better option as compared to other commercially available coconut oil as they also contain mineral oils that reduce its efficiency.

Coconut Oil for Skin Care:

Coconut oil is one of the perfect moisturizers you can apply to your skin. As mentioned previously coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, not only this it is also a natural coolant. Therefore, if coconut oil is applied to the skin it can help in reducing sunburn, itching or burning. In addition to this, the mono-saturated fats present in coconut oil promote collagen growth that makes the cell wall stronger and Vitamin K aids new cell production that helps in reducing stretch marks. Coconut oil can be used to get rid of skin conditions such as rashes or eczema as it fights against bacteria and nourishes your skin.

You can also use coconut oil to prevent bacteria enter your dead skin. Coconut oil also contains healing properties. You can apply it on wounds and the Multi-Chain fatty acids will boost up the healing process.

DIY Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub:

Coconut oil is used in various skin care products however these products are filled with harsh chemicals. Therefore, we are sharing a recipe to make exfoliator at home. You will require:

1. ½ cup of Sugar
2. ½ cup of coconut oil
3. Few drops of essential oil or Lemon juice.

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/skincare-coconut-oil-therapy-exotic-2357980/

Mix all the three ingredients and use once a week. Sugar granules will remove the dead skin that will help coconut oil penetrate in the skin easily which will nourish your skin. You can use this scrub on dark patches on your body to reduce them.

Coconut oil for Dental Health:

Oil pulling is a method used for dental health as coconut oil has antimicrobial properties performing oil pulling with coconut oil can help in preventing tooth decay and tooth loss. However, on the other hand, multi-chain fatty acids will make gum stronger that will result in less gum bleeding.

Coconut Oil as Makeup Remover:

You can use coconut oil as a makeup remover; it will also hydrate your skin and will keep it moisturized without any side effects.

Author Bio:

Jane Scott is currently working as a nutritionist at a renowned firm. With an experience of more than a decade, she is considered as a go-to person in her field of work. She also writes blogs for her website Home Remedies for Life.

Guest post by Jane Scott

More HelloSkin treats

Regular readers of my blog may remember that I reviewed a trio of products from HelloSkin earlier this year. Well I’ve now received a further selection of goodies free to review.

HelloSkin is an online store selling skincare products suitable for those people with psoriasis, eczema, acne and dry skin conditions. The site has been designed so that you can easily shop by need, type or ingredient. Alternatively there is a product finder which is refinable by age group, body part, symptom, need and when to use.

I chose the following three items.
Oilatum Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo also for itchy, flaking scalps – 150ml
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Bath and Shower Oil for dry and sensitive skin – 300ml
EVY Sunscreen Mousse SPF 30 – 150ml

Plus I also received a couple of surprise gifts. How nice!
Relivio Dry Skin Body Lotion – 500ml
Relivio Dry Skin Body Cream – 200ml

The first product I tried was the Oilatum Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo also for itchy, flaking scalps – 150ml. I frequently get a flare up of flaky scalp. Currently retailing at £9.99 for a 150ml bottle, this was a more expensive brand than the Neutrogena T/Gel 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner that I tested last time. However I would say it was equally effective, no better or no worse, although it didn’t particularly lather up much. With both, I don’t end up scratching my scalp afterwards causing soreness and flakiness like with some less skin-friendly products. On that basis, I continue to prefer the Neutrogena T/Gel product, both on price and on being a combined shampoo and conditioner, which is always my preference. But equally happy with the quality of this product. It does advise you to leave on for 3-5 minutes for best results.

Next up is the EVY Sunscreen Mousse SPF 30 – 150ml. This was a real winner for me, as in a mousse format, it was easy to apply, wasn’t sticky and felt nice on my skin. And best of all, it is long-lasting and I didn’t burn. I’ll certainly be buying this again in the future. Of course, the real test will come when I get an opportunity to try it out in a sand and salt environment, as that is when I usually get very itchy and uncomfortable. It currently retails at £16.95 for 150ml. This is also available in SPF 10, 20 and 50 variants, plus a kids version.

And finally the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Bath and Shower Oil for dry and sensitive skin – 300ml. This smelt nice and worked excellently in the shower on my very dry skin. However I wasn’t convinced. I think this is because I am a shower creme person through and through. I don’t think I want to swap to an oil. For me, oils are reserved for massage. Perhaps I should have opted to try the Aveeno body wash instead. But it does contain oatmeal, which has a high reputation in skincare, so definitely worth a try for those who have a more serious skin condition than myself. This product currently retails at £7.99 for a 300ml bottle.

I will certainly be visiting the HelloSkin website in the future.

Also I have an offer to pass on to my readers – 10% off your next purchase at HelloSkin with discount code: “HELLOCLAIRE”. This offer is valid once per customer.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway HelloSkin products to three lucky winners. The first winner drawn will win an EVY Sunscreen Mousse SPF 30 – 150ml. The second winner drawn will win a bottle of Oilatum Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo also for itchy, flaking scalps – 150ml. And the third winner drawn will win a bottle of Aveeno Daily Moisturising Bath and Shower Oil for dry and sensitive skin – 300ml.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

I’d love to hear your top skincare tips.

You can find HelloSkin on social media as follows:-
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of products I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

HelloSkin skincare plus giveaway

I was very pleased to be offered the chance to choose a selection of 3 products from HelloSkin free to review. The lady at HelloSkin had seen that I have previously blogged about Flexitol footcare products which is a line they stock.

HelloSkin is an online store selling skincare products suitable for those people with psoriasis, eczema, acne and dry skin conditions. The site has been designed so that you can easily shop by need, type or ingredient. Alternatively there is a product finder which is refinable by age group, body part, symptom, need and when to use.

I initially chose the following three products
DermaTherapy Fitted Sheet
Moisturising Cotton Sleep Socks
Neutrogena T/Gel 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner

But as my first choice of socks were out of stock at the time, I swapped to
Jasmine 100% Silk Moisturising Socks for dry and cracked skin

The products were dispatched on a next day service and arrived well-packed. I spotted that they also offer a free standard delivery service, which I always appreciate.

So I’ll start with the DermaTherapy Fitted Sheet which is billed as being the first clinically proven Therapeutic Bedding. I chose this in a king size which currently retails for £84.95 but it is also available in single and double sizes. The fabric feels amazingly smooth compared to standard sheets, but to really understand this, you should look at the zoomed in image of the weave. The HelloSkin website focusses on the benefits for those with sensitive skin conditions, but the packaging also indicates that it is ideal for those undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Pity I hadn’t heard about it a few years earlier, as when son1 was diagnosed with leukaemia, I thought I was making the right choice to buy best quality pure Egyptian cotton bedsheets for him.

They also stock duvet covers, pillow case, flat sheets and sleep sacs. I tend to often wake up sweaty in the middle of the night and I found that this sheet is very effective at wicking away heat and moisture. Now I just need the rest of the range, as my ordinary duvet meant I was still sweaty above, although much more comfortable underneath. Significantly more expensive than standard bedding, but definitely worth the investment for those that it helps to a much better night’s sleep in my opinion. It is 50% polyester and 50% polyamide and is so easy to fit on your mattress compared to most sheets. I actually had to double check the packet to make sure I hadn’t accidentally got super-king rather than king size. I washed it on a 60 degree cycle and tumble-dried it on low. It came out almost crease-free, so I didn’t even need to iron. And the packaging indicates that it will withstand washing upto 90 degrees.

Next the socks, which fit size 3-7. I’ve been planning to get a pair of moisturising socks for ages, but had never got round to it. The idea behind moisturising socks is to apply your usual footcare product and then the socks will help the absorption whilst you sleep. I’m loving these. I can definitely say they work. I’ve blogged before about how dry and cracked my feet are, as per image on left. Well I’ve seen a marked improvement in the mornings since I started wearing the socks, as per image on right. At £7.99 for a pair, they are great value in my opinion. Wish I’d got some sooner. Although the socks are silk, they can still be machine washed on a low 30 degree setting, but I chose to hand-wash them.

And finally the shampoo. I frequently get a flare up of flaky scalp and have tried many different brands of anti-dandruff shampoo, but this is the first time, I’ve tried this brand. At the time of testing, I only had a very mild case of dandruff (as per top left image), which I’m happy to say it treated. I do prefer using combined shampoo and conditioner like this rather than two separate products. This shampoo lathered up well and also had a nice fragrance and my hair felt soft and tangle-free afterwards. This was the 125ml size which currently retails for £3.99 and it is also available in a 250ml size. More expensive than most shampoo at the supermarket but competitive with salon brands.

So in summary, I was very happy with all three products and will certainly be using this site in the future.

Also I have an offer to pass on to my readers – 10% off your next purchase at HelloSkin with discount code: “HELLOCLAIRE”. This offer is valid once per customer.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway HelloSkin products to three lucky winners. The first winner drawn will win a DermaTherapy fitted sheet in their preferred choice of size. The second winner drawn will win a pair of Jasmine Silk Moisturising Socks. And the third winner drawn will win a bottle of  Neutrogena T/Gel 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

I’d love to hear your top skincare tips.

You can find HelloSkin on social media as follows:-
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of products I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Balance Active Formula Spray Body Lotions Review and giveaway

I took an extended break from reviews over Christmas, which also explains the lack of giveaways on my blog recently. However those of my followers who love a giveaway will be pleased to see I’m back with the first for 2016. And there are more to follow shortly.

This time I have received two Balance Active Formula spray body lotions free to review.

Firstly the one with the red lid. This is a Nourishing Spray Body Lotion which is infused with Argan Oil and a snake venom-like peptide Syn®-Ake to intensely moisturise and target anti-aging skin.

Secondly the one with the turquoise lid. This is a Hydrating Spray Body Lotion which is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Coconut Oil to deeply hydrate dry skin.

To test them out, I used the Nourishing Body Lotion on my lower left leg and the Hydrating Body Lotion on my lower right leg, whilst leaving my upper legs unmoisturised for comparison over a period of several days. I liked the spray functionality and you then just massage it into your skin. I found it was easily absorbed and didn’t feel greasy. My lower legs are usually drier than my upper legs but instead my lower legs both felt much softer and smoother than my upper legs, right from the first application.

The packaging indicates that these products are Paraben and Phthalate free.

These body lotions are available to purchase from Beauty & the Bunch, currently priced at £5.49 each for 200ml, a very reasonable price in my opinion. I loved them both equally and highly recommend them.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a pair of these body lotions courtesy of Balance Active Formula to one lucky winner. A lovely pampering prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

I’d love to hear your beauty skincare tips?

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of products I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

London Butterflies bodycare

London Butterflies is a new brand offering a range of beauty products which are chic, luxurious and elegant using naturally active British ingredients all blended with beautifully delicate fragrances. Being made in Britain, they therefore have a low carbon footprint. The products are also Paraben free and not tested on animals. The brand has been founded by entrepreneur Lubna Ahmad who has turned her hobby of making her own beauty products for friends and family into a business.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to review three of their gorgeous products for free. What a treat!

I received 30ml or 34g sample sizes of the following 3 items.

Winter Jasmine and Starflower with Sweet Almond Oil Whipped Body Cream
170ml Whipped Body Cream in Glass Jar & Black lid – Outer decorative box Description: Delicately enrich and nourish the skin without pulling or stretching. This whipped silky cream is exclusively blended with soothing Jasmine, calming Starflower, Evening Primrose and Sweet Almond Oil allowing it to be readily absorbed leaving skin perfectly softer. It offers rich sensuous hydration from top to toe. The light flowery scent relaxes the body and mind and is wonderfully indulgent.
RRP £37

British Tundra Berries & Meadowsweet with Golden Jojoba Oil Body Butter Soufflé
175ml Body Butter Soufflé in Glass Jar & Black lid – Outer decorative box Description: London Butterflies wonderfully silky air whipped body butter is light and super absorbing. It allows the skin to be nourished without excessive pulling or stretching. Nutrient rich Shea Butter and deeply soothing Vitamin E, offers rich luxurious hydration all day. Golden Jojoba Oil naturally restores and highly enriches with antioxidants. Freshly fragranced with Lemon and Sweet Orange Oil it invites daily use and leaves the skin feeling divine.
RRP £37

Dead Sea Salt & Sweet Almond Oil Bath Salt Scrub
225gms Bath Salt Scrub in Glass Jar & Black lid – Outer decorative box Description: Through deep cleansing our Dead Sea Salt Bath Scrub leaves your skin feeling relaxed, refreshed and brighter. Our scrub particles buff and refine the skin and combined with the essence of Sea Minerals it gently exfoliates the skin helping it soften and rejuvenate. Natural Almond Oil locks in essential moisturizers leaving the skin supple.
RRP £35

My first thought on looking at their website was why don’t they sell the sample size versions too. Several small pots packed in an attractive gift box would make a lovely present. I said this to their PR agent and she let me know that you will be able to get the sample sizes via the February Birchbox, which is a beauty subscription service.

And so on to the testing. Firstly I have to tell you that the fragrance is absolutely divine. They smell so good, particularly the body butter soufflé and the body cream. My comments relate to testing all the products at least several times during the past week. I already was using another body butter as part of my daily skincare routine since my skin dries out very easily, especially during these winter months. But I don’t usually use an exfoliant.

Now obviously you don’t need to use body butter and cream simultaneously, so I alternated each day using the body butter soufflé and the body cream. They both felt so luxurious and the effect of using them lasted amazingly well. I would apply one of them after a shower and when I woke up the next morning, my legs still felt moisturised. There is nothing more satisfying than feeling a product is working well, when you do the subsequent application. Also I didn’t need to use much of either to achieve these results. They were both far better than my previous body butter. If I was allowed to score them 11 out of 10, I would.

Moving on to the bath salt scrub. I’m more of a shower person than a bath person usually, but I’ve had 3 baths this week in order to test it out, as the directions indicate to apply to water-drenched skin. This time I found much more product was needed. A standard size blob didn’t go very far. I massaged it on with my fingers initially and then used a buff. I found it gave a pleasant tingling sensation, except for the first time on one very small area of my leg which felt itchy for about 10 minutes. I couldn’t see any specific reason for this and I didn’t have the same issue again. Perhaps I had a tiny cut that the salt had aggravated.

As I mentioned previously, I don’t usually exfoliate, so I don’t have anything to compare the bath salt scrub against. But I was perfectly happy with it. I don’t see any issue with the fact that I used more of it in an application than of the other 2 products, since you probably only would wish to exfoliate say twice a week.

Now you may be thinking that the RRP sound expensive but really they are not. The full size tubs are about six times larger than the samples I received, which means the samples are approx £6.50 each. Very good value for such luxurious products in my opinion. In addition to retailing on their own website, these products are also available via NotOnTheHighStreet and AskHerFriends.

Do take a look at the full range of products on the London Butterflies website. And they will be adding more products to their range very soon.

London Butterflies don’t have any budget for me to host a giveaway here currently, but do keep checking back, as I shall update my post when I hear that they have launched their own Valentine’s giveaway. It is going to be a good one, along with some exciting partners. Meanwhile you can keep up to date with them at Scent From England on facebook and @LondonButterfli on Twitter.

What is your favourite bodycare product?

Update 13/2/15
London Butterflies have now launched their giveaway. You need to follow them, retweet their competition post and tweet the answer by 18/2/15.

Disclosure.  This post is a review of products I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.