Review: Suti Purity Balm

This is a little pot of gorgeous.  After my unfortunate skin-burning accident recently, I was lucky enough to be contacted by Suzannah Jenkins of Suti, and she suggested that their Purity balm might be able to help.  She was right, and I'm very grateful.

Suti is a British brand, produced in partnership by Suzannah and her business partner Tina Steadman, together they aim to bring a wholly natural skincare brand, founded on the principles of aromatherapy, homeopathy, organic farming and crystal healing.  Think what you like about some of those - and I have to admit that my own feelings on some of them are mixed to the point of being contradictory* - you can't argue that sustainably-sourced, responsibly-produced products which are ethically tested are a bad thing, so don't even try.  Suti are all of those things, and I applaud them for it.

Personally, what I care about in my skincare is results, and for my recently sore, blotchy and (accidentally) badly-treated skin, this gloriously moisturising, soothing and calming balm definitely does what it says on the tin.  It promises to be naturally healing, and strengthening, whilst calming and soothing irritated, inflamed and blemished skin.  I've found that it does all of those things, whilst also not being heavy or cloying or greasy.

Containing a blend of sunflower, sesame and apricot kernel oils,  alongside unrefined shea butter (which leads to this balm's distinctive slightly grainy appearance), it also contains chamomile, calendula, and lavender extracts to calm skin that's having a bad face day. This has worked wonders on my blotchiness and I admit, I'm a tiny bit in love with the stuff.  It has a wonderful slightly herbal-menthol smell - which is actually from the lavender - and I just scoop a little from the jar (a very little) emulsify it in my hands, and then gently pat it into my skin, whenever it needs a healing treat.

More than reasonably priced at £22 for a 50g pot, which will last you practically forever (I've been using a tiny, tiny sample pot for several weeks now, and haven't even used half of it), this is a product that, if Get Lippie had a hall of fame, this would have a permanent place in it.  It's certainly going to have a permanent place in my bathroom from now on, which is almost the same thing ...

* My mum is a reiki-master/aromatherapist/reflexologist who works in the NHS.  She thinks a lot of complementary therapies are b*ll*x, to be honest, but they help the people who believe in them, so that's why she does it.  I ... reserve judgement ... to be honest.

The Fine Print Sample sent direct from Suti, and I shall be eternally grateful. 


his post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Review: Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm

I said yesterday that I don't double-cleanse as a rule, but when I do, I prefer my second cleanse to be a scrubby one.  This Micro Exfoliating Balm from Oskia is just perfect for those "need a deeper cleanse right now" moments.

Oskia products are rich in a sulphurous compound known as MSM, which has lots of skincare benefits for all kinds of skin, particularly sensitive skins, and the Micro Exfoliating Balm also contains  sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, and kukui nut oils, alongside zinc and vitamin E.  As you can imagine from this list, it's very healing, and feels wonderful on the skin,

Opening the jar, you're greeted with a cheerful effervescent scent, reminscent of sherbert fountains, it's lovely!  The balm itself is white and is full of tiny, tiny grains which are barely visible to the naked eye (that'll be the "micro" component then ...).

To use, you scoop out a tiny amount from the jar, emulsify it slightly between your palms, then massage - gently - the resulting grainy oil to your face.  Then, you add a little water to the balm, which will turn it into a milky lotion, and continue massaging into your skin.  Personally, I use the pure balm on the t-zone area, then, once I've added a little water, I move ono massaging the rest of my face, as that usually need far less exfoliation than the t-zone.  Please don't get it in your eyes though.  Remove it either by rinsing or with the facial cloth of your choice.

For a gentle, yet thorough exfoliation, it's hard to beat this little jar of loveliness.  I do think it's a little over-packaged in all honesty - I was disappointed at the size of the jar when I opened the box, I can't deny it -  but I like the fact that the products are as natural as possible, and the entire range is safe to use throughout pregnancy, unlike quite a few more essential-oil based ranges.  I'm not expecting, by the way, but this sort of information is always handy for some of my readers who might be.

Again, following on from yesterday's balm, this is another pricey one at (again) £46 for a 50ml jar, (which should last a good few months, even with regular use) but this is definitely a product - and a company - that gets the Get Lippie seal of approval. 

Fine Print:  PR Sample.


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Review: Omorovicza Thermal Cleaning Balm

I'm slightly in love with balms at the moment.  After I burned my face off with a facemask the other week, I've been giving my face some TLC, so this week, I'm showing you my favourite balm products from my collection.

I'll start off with this little black beauty from Omorovicza.  I've long been fascinated by the idea of the Thermal Cleansing Balm from the Omorovicza range, mainly because it's black admittedly (my inner goth is fascinated), but I've been seeing a few reviews of the range around some of my trusted blogging buddies, so thought it was time to take the plunge.

Based on the mineral healing properties of the thermal spas in Budapest, the thermal cleansing balm gets the unique colour from Hungarian Moor Mud, which is rich in magnesium, contains sweet almond oil to avoid stripping the skin, and is scented - oh most heavenly scented! - with orange blossom.  It's possibly the most luxurious-smelling cleanser I own, and I find myself burying my nose in the jar every time I use it.

To use it, you scrape a small amount from the jar (and a little really does go a long way), emulsify it between your palms, then apply the resulting liquified balm to your face and massage it into your skin, then, using either a damp muslin cloth or a face flannel, remove it, again, whilst massaging your face.  It's not perfect for removing eye makeup, in all honesty, so I'd suggest you use a separate eye-makeup remover.  I love that you can see grains of the mineral-rich mud in the balm when you emulsify it, and the scent really makes this a wondrous cleansing experience.

I find that a single cleanse is sufficient with this (I very rarely double cleanse anyway, I have to say), and my skin is left soft, supple and glowing afterwards, with no dryness or taut-feeling.  It is on the price-y side at £46 a jar, but this will last a very long time, and it's rocketed to the top of my re-purchase list.

 The Fine Print: PR Sample.


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Hot Weather Saviours

What do you mean it's cold out?  Well, I wrote this during the hot weather we had recently, and these products were a godsend.  A godsend, I tell you.  So, there's no harm in leaving this post as it is, there will be hot weather again ... at some point ...

Dove Natural Touch Deodorant with Dead Sea Minerals

Cool-scented with cucumber (rather strongly scented, if truth be known, but it wears off eventually), this does a sterling job of keeping pits fresh through the day.

Suti Peppermint Water

I keep this in the fridge, and it's wonderful for cooling down a flushed face, and it's great for getting summer-sun oiliness under control too.  A must have for me, as I can't use the current beauty blogger rave Caudalie Beauty Elixir owing to sensitivity issues.  I have a few more products from the range to try (and I'm going for a Suti facial too), so look forward to some more in-depth reviews, but Suti is definitely a brand to look out for in the next few months. Take a look at Suti products here.

Alvarez Gomez Aqua de Colonia Concentrada

A staple of the summer holidays I had in Spain as a youth, this is the Spanish version of ubiquitous 4711.  I find it a little more citrussy then the orange-blossom heavy 4711, and it has a hint of grapefruit too, so it's a little more refreshing, and is perfect for splashing on all over in hot weather.  Try soaking a handkerchief in it and using this to wipe your feet, instant cooling and refeshing - and cleaning! - power.  It's new to the UK, but Carter and Bond have the full range, I'll be picking up the matching deodorant and shower gel (and probably candle too, knowing me) soon.

Optrex Spray for Tired & Uncomfortable Eyes


If you wear contact lenses in hot weather, you'll find them being a bit dryer than usual, (particularly if you're a hay-fever suffer) this is a great spray for a bit of a pick me up in front of the computer.  Easier to use than traditional eye-drops, this new spray is infused with vitamin B5, so it has skincare benefits too.  Best bit?  You won't ruin your eyemakeup.

And finally, on the far right there, is a package of Halo Deodorising Wipes.  I don't know about you, but I can't be bothered carrying a deodorant around with me, so these are really handy for a quick clean up when you're headed out after work or something.


What products do you swear by in the heat?
  
The Fine Print: A mixture of PR samples and purchases, and stuff that's been hiding in handbags for months and months and months.
 
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Timothy Han Candles, and how to look after them.

I love a good candle, and I'm always on the lookout for new ones (I can see about 20 candles from where I sit whilst I'm writing this!), so was delighted when I found out about Timothy Han.  Having grown up in Canada, and having spent time working with John Galliano, Han is a very interesting man, and his commitment to sustainable luxury is definitely to be applauded. 

Han's  candles are vegetable-based, made from soy wax entirely without petrochemicals, they have lead-free cotton wicks, and are fragranced with 100% essential oils.

They have a slightly creamy, rather than pure white, wax, and burn evenly and smoothly without leaving massive soot deposits.  The scent I have, Oakmoss and Vetiver is about as far away from a "traditional aromatherapy" fragrance as you can imagine, being deep, dark, and both earthy and grassy, it's definitely a world away from a lot of candle fragrances!  The candles have a burn time of 50 hours, and come housed in these gorgeous duck-egg blue glass holders.

The way to keep your candles lasting through the full burn time, is to look after them.  Here are a few hints:

When you first burn a candle always ensure that the top layer of wax melts entirely, this will take a couple of hours usually, so be prepared to make your first burn a long burn. 

Make sure you keep your wicks trimmed - they should be around 5mm high.  Too long a wick will lead to a very soot-y flame, and make your candle burn faster.   You can use a wick tripper for this (which will collect debris) but you can also use nail scissors.  Always trim your wicks when candles are cold.

Don't blow out your candles, this can dislodge the wick, spray wax and soot over your surfaces, it'll also cause smoke, which will take over the scent of the candle you were burning in the first place. Dip the burning wick into the pool of melted wax around the burning wick instead. You can buy what're called "wick dippers", but you can use anything (except fingers) to dip the wick into the wax.  I use a metal skewer I keep handy.

Keep your candles out of drafts, and always a few centimetres apart, otherwise they'll burn unevenly.  I don't need to mention the need to keep them on a heatproof surface, do I?

Finally, keep your candles CLEAN.  Dust them, and, if the containers get a bit sooty, then clean them!  The best candles don't produce a lot of soot, so if your containers are black around the rims (and worse - down the sides), it means that either you keep your wicks too long, or you've been burning your candles for too long in one go.  Take a look at your wicks, are they blooming out a bit like mushrooms? Then trim your wick down to half a centimetre, and try not to burn your candle for too long after the top layer of wax has melted.  Your candles will last longer if you do, and you won't have soot marks up your walls.

Timothy Han candles are available from the Timothy Han Website, and cost £38 for a candle that will last you for several months.

The Fine Print: PR Sample  - all tips, however, are my own, not from Timothy Han.
 
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Party nails with OPI and Filthy Gorgeous

Sometimes, you just want to sparkle … this is two coats of OPI Lucerne-tenly Look Marvellous, topped off with a coat of Prism by Filthy Gorgeous.





Whaddya reckon?

Chafing? "Chub rub"? Blisters? Have I got a miracle cure for you ...

Hot weather is great, isn't it?  Sandals are wonderful, aren't they?  Skimpy clothes are simply marvellous, don't you think?

Well, not if you are prone to chafing, or have wobbly bits that like to rub together, or your sandals have eaten your feet. Sandals are evil.  I hate them.  They hate you, as well.

Last year I wrote about Bodyglide, and I think it's time to mention it again, and it is, quite frankly, the wonder product of the century if you've ever had chafing or blisters.

Go check out my original review here.  Then buy some.  You can thank me later.  G'wan ... you know you want to ...


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Le Belle Natural Skincare - Oil Cleanser

I do love the Natural and Organic Product show, every year I visit and discover something that I fall a little bit in love with.  Last year it was Konjac Sponges, and this year it's a cleanser from le Belle natural skincare.

I'm naturally biased towards oil cleansers anyway, having been a sufferer from adult-onset acne for many years, and making the discovery that oil-based cleansers were by far the most effective way of keeping outbreaks at bay, and they have also helped with my sensitivity issues too.  I used to have angry, reddened, spotty skin with huge patches of scaly dry skin.  Sexy!  However, since I made the (permanent) shift from foaming cleansers or facial washes, my outbreaks are minimal, and my face doesn't burn as soon as I even look at a mirror these days either.

The le Belle oil cleanser is a thick, yellow viscous oil, which doesn't emulsify with water, so I use this mainly at night, for a deep, deep cleanse, and a massage.  I've found that it's also excellent for use with a Clarisonic as it provides plenty of slip, and doesn't just get absorbed into your skin as you do a thorough cleanse routine with it.  The citrussy scent, whilst refreshing, isn't so sharp that it'll wake you up completely, don't worry.  The cleanser is based on sunflower, sesame and castor oils, so it's good and nourishing.  All le Belle skincare products are 100% plant derived and free from parabens.

But, the main reason I feel in love with the le Belle range is the ingenious packaging system behind it.  The entire range is packaged in heavy, recycled, glass jars and bottles in a beautiful cerulean blue, making them a lovely addition to any bathroom.  However, all the packaging is refillable - a bottle for life, as the le Belle website refers to it -  and the refills are these handy pouches, cutting down on packaging and weight.  They are also really handy for travel, I've discovered!  They also cost 20% less than the original bottles and jars, which is a nice bonus too.

The Cleansing Oil in the bottle will cost you £24 - I've used mine a lot in the two months since it arrived, and I anticipate there is at least four months left in the bottle now - and the refill pouch will cost you £19.  

However, le Belle have been exceedingly generous, and have offered readers of Get Lippie a discount of 20% off all purchases up to 30th June 2012, just add the (case sensitive) word "LIPPIE" at the checkout stage on their website, and you'll automatically get 20% off your order.  What are you waiting for?  Please support an independent supplier today.

Links in the post are offered for informational purposes only - they are not affiliate links.  Get Lippie won't make any commission if you make a purchase from any links in this article.  Cleanser provided for review purposes by Le Belle Natural Skincare.
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Bad Hair Memories ...

This picture is about ten years old, and it's from my ill-considered ginger "highlights" and a bob combo days.

It's awful, isn't it?

Tell me about your terrible hairdos to make me feel better, please ...


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Makeup Storage

 People are always asking how I store my makeup, and, after spending a day piddling about with instagram a couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd share the pictures here too!  This is ... most ... (not all, sadly!) of my makeup collection, arranged in a Helmer from Ikea, and in the traincase I bought from Kryolan last year. There's also a sneaky peek at the bunch of palettes I keep in a Muji box at the bottom there too...


In the train case is the majority of the products I reach for on a daily basis, my makeup "bag", if you will, here's the products most in heavy rotation at the moment:

It's a melange of foundations, blushers, eyeshadows, mascaras and eyeliners.  No lip products to be seen!  I'm on a bit of a NARS kick at the moment, you might be able to tell ...


Into the Helmer proper, the first drawer is foundations, primers, powders and other base products:

The second drawer down is my eye drawer, shadows, liners, mascaras and primers:

Yeah, more NARS, I know ...


Third drawer down is LIPS:

You might have noticed there were no lip products in the train case, this is because what I like to do on a daily basis is just stick my hand in here and wear whatever my hand lands on.  A lip lucky dip, if you like...


Fourth drawer is, of course, cheeks (have you figured out the order I do my makeup in yet? You should have!) blushers, highlighters and contours galore ...

Just the odd one or two, you know.


And finally, the bottom two drawers contain nail varnish. Drawer five mainly houses my Chanel collection:

(And the Dior, the Deborah Lippman, the Rococo and the China Glaze collections)


Whilst drawer number six is:

OPI, Estee Lauder, (man I love those bottles!) and everything else ...


The rest of my makeup is in boxes around the flat (lots of boxes around the flat), and then there's The Cupboard.


One day, dear readers, I'll show you the cupboard, and you'll realise why it gives MrLippie nightmares ...

This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.