Do you have Eczema? Have you tried Salcura?

I recently discovered Salcura Natural Skin Therapy and they were offering free samples via their Facebook page so I signed up.  The brand is 100% free of chemicals and steroids and marketed towards those of us who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and dry & itchy skin.

I received a sample of Salcura Intensive spray, Salcura Gentle spray and a couple of sachets of Salcura Zeoderm cream.  According to the literature Salcura Gentle is suitable for infants under 12 months or those with hypersensitive skin.  The Intensive version is for those with regular or mild skin sensitivity over 12 months.  Both products are complimented by the Zeoderm cream which helps repair the skin.

I have been using the Intensive spray for a couple of weeks and my eczema has vanished from my chest....YES you read that correct it has disappeared!  My most stubborn patch on my arm has not disappeared but the redness and condition of the skin has greatly improved.  The liquid spray is very refreshing to use especially in the warmer weather.  It has a cooling effect, relieves my itching and is non greasy.  I wish I had this product 30+ years ago when I was covered head to toe in eczema. 

I only have one minor complaint with this product and that is the smell.  I hate the fragrance and it lingers.  That being said the results outweigh the smell so I just put up with it.

This is definitely a product worth trying if you suffer from eczema.

Update 24/09/11 - I just wanted to update that my eczema came back but I have continued using the product because I still find it very effective at calming itching.  I also changed over to the Gentle version as the fragrance is lighter.

Caudalie - Les raisins de la beaute

As you know the other week whilst in France I picked up a Caudalie travel set.  Caudalie is a brand I have always wanted to try as it is free from parabens, mineral oils, SLS, artificial colours, phthalates and phenoxyethanol. 

The set I purchased contained five products - Cleansing Water, Fleur De Vigne Shower Gel, Quenching Sorbet Creme, Nourishing Body Lotion and Gentle Conditioning Shampoo.  The products are 30ml in size except the face cream which is 10ml I will review them one by one.  All the products have a similar fragrance very fresh and light of grapes and a hint of cucumber.  I am pleased to report none of the products have caused me skin irritation. 

Cleansing Water – this was very refreshing and did not dry out my skin.  I used it with a cotton pad and it removed my foundation with ease.  Personally I do prefer a cream cleanser but I can see this being very nice to use when travelling or maybe when camping.

Shower Gel – I have no complaints this lathered well and it did not dry out my skin, it was a pleasure to use.  I prefer a floral or fruity scent in the shower but if you like a fresh scent then this would be perfect for you.

Sorbet Creme (face) – a light textured cream that absorbed into my skin easily and was non-greasy.  Very refreshing for the warmer weather we have been having.  A little went a long way.  Personally I need a thicker cream my skin is too dry and come the end of the day I was getting a bit flaky. 

Body Lotion – this was by far my favourite product in the set.  It has a light texture which absorbs easily I found it very nourishing and leaves behind a silky feeling to the skin.  I also used it on my legs after shaving and it did not sting which is very rare for me.

Shampoo -  now I am not sure if it is me or my hair or the water or the product but I could not get this to lather even a little bit.  I know you will not get lots of bubbles with an SLS free product but usually you can produce a small amount.  I found this extremely hard to use and gave up.  Maybe it would get better after continued use but I only have a 30ml sample so I pretty much only got one/two washes out of it.

This is a great kit to purchase for a short trip or a good way to sample Caudalie.  I was impressed with the product performance over the four day period I was using them.  Personally, I think I would only re-purchase the body lotion from this kit but I would be interested in seeing if there are other cleansers or face creams in the range which may be more suitable for my skin type.


Has anyone else tried Caudalie products?  If so what did you think?

UPDATE 2012: Caudalie has been stripped of the Leaping Bunny Logo due to selling in China, they are no longer regarded as a Cruelty Free Company

Sun, Sea, Sand & Fish n Chips

As you have noticed I have been absent from my blog for a few days.  The BF and I have returned from a long weekend on the South East coast.  The weather has been great thanks to the heatwave we are currently having in the UK.


I had a great time exploring local health food shops in the towns we visited. They all stocked chemical free beauty brands that I have difficulty finding in my local area and usually I have to resort to purchasing via the internet.  If you ever find yourself in Norwich then visit Rainbow Wholefoods and if you make it to the village of Halesworth definitely check out Focus Organic.


Whilst strolling around Norwich I was handed a free sample of Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream.  I look forward to trying this cream I am aware of the brand but have yet to purchase one of their products.

The best find of the weekend for me was coming across a boutique shop called  Calendula on the high street in Southwold.  This shop only stocks chemical free brands and I found my familiar favourites e.g. Dr Bronner, Living Nature, Dr Hauschka and best of all Natural Being (I adore the cleanser).  The lady who served me was very friendly and welcoming.  If you are ever in Southwold definitely pop in and stock up on some great chemical free brands.


Southwold Pier has a couple of great gift shops selling lovely hand crafted items and I purchased this cute little beach hut money box.

Here is a picture of the real beach huts of Southwold :)

Parlez-vous français

I have already mention that the Boyfriend and I are on holiday so yesterday we took a day trip to Calais, France.  I guess it is one of the excellent things about living in the UK you can be in Europe in an hour.  It was a fun day out and something that we had not done since we were kids.  I think the days of the cheap supermarket shopping have long gone but you can get more variety with well known brands e.g. all the different Haribos (I am such a kid).

The fun part of the day (least favourite for the BF) was the French chemists and Sephora.  Here I could find brands that we have in UK but the difference is you can find the entire range not just select products as is often the case at home.  Prices were not necessarily any cheaper but you obviously save on postal/shipping charges.  I recognised brands such as Klorane, Melvita, Nuxe, Caudalie, Bioderm, L'Occitane, Yves Rocher, Vinchy, Avene, La Roche-Posay, 

Sadly, my budget did not allow mass spending but I did treat myself to a Caudalie travel pack (8/9 euros).  I have always wanted to try this brand so I thought a mini collection was a good place to start.  The pack contains cleansing water, face cream, body cream, shower gel and shampoo.  Caudalie is a brand which is free from  parabens, mineral oils, SLS, artificial colours, phthalates and phenoxyethanol.

Another great discovery at the Hypermarkets was finding everyday brands in the shampoo and shower gel aisles that were either 100% free of nasties or at least no parabens.  

I picked up a shower gel for less than 3 euros.  It is not 100% free of junk but does not have parabens, colourants, phtalate, or phenoxyethanol.  I chose the Mango fragrance and it smells amazing.  


Here are some more pictures from our day trip - White Cliffs of Dover, Calais Town Hall, Calais Theatre, French Beach Huts and our Hypermarket haul

Feel free to leave any comments, hope you are all having a pleasant day?

Bambinos

I hope everyone has had a pleasant day? Today was the first day of my holiday woo hoo! Last year I went to LA but this year I am having a staycation.  I have lots of things planned for the next two weeks and I am hoping to share some of it with you.   In the mean time this is just a quick post which was prompted by the fact that I have several pregnant friends and one of them had her baby today - it was a boy.

I do not have any kids of my own but when I buy gifts for my friend's new arrivals I always chose chemical free products.  My Mum always tells me that as a baby the leading baby brands were awful to my skin.  I had constant rashes and eczema but back then there were no other options for my mum to chose.  I think if an alternative had been there maybe I would not have the problems I still experience as an adult.

Here is a list of brands that I know of or have purchased.  Some of them can be found in Supermarkets and Boots and others are only available online.  If you are someone who likes to use a Baby Oil then you may want to consider a chemical free version, you will probably find it more effective.

• Miamoo
• Little Me Organics (also can be found at Boots) 
• Burt Bees
• Weleda
• Madara
• Boo Boo
• Green People
• Handmade Naturals
• Cowshed
• Lavera
• Earth Friendly Baby
• Beaming Baby (this website sells various brands)
• Nature Babycare (sold at Boots)

If you are looking for an alternative baby gift the other year I discovered Nappy Cakes or Sock Cupcakes.  There are many people making these and selling them on Ebay.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Sexy Mama Translucent Powder

I am always looking for the perfect face powder.  I am a traditional gal in that I like to use liquid foundation and finish off with a dusting of powder to set my make up.  It always seems to be a struggle to find a chemical free powder because mineral foundations are the current trend.  This means translucent powders are no longer required when you use these types of foundations.  In a bid to find a powder with fewer chemicals I discovered theBalm Sexy Mama Translucent Powder which is free from Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes and Phthalates.

I confess I was attracted by the packaging.  I adore the design and it reminds me of Benefit.  The price is less favourable you need to shop around as this product retails for £10 - £15.  Also you do not get much product for the price 7.08g

Here is what theBalm say about their product - Powder your face without a trace. This sexy formula with revolutionary, tiny oil-absorbing spheres removes dreaded shine leaving you with a soft matter finish.  But wait, there is more. Sexy Mama has powers like no other powder, its virtually invisible - fooling even the most attentive admirer.

When I first received the powder I was a little worried about the colour on my pale skin but fear not it really is a neutral/translucent shade.  I feel I get an 'air brushed photo ready' finish.  It is silky and feather light and seems to last the entire day.  I do not have oily skin but it does help with shiny skin when I get some perspiration.

Overall I really like this product it does what I require and the colour is perfect for my skin tone, however,  I probably would not re-purchase due to the price and size.

Has anyone else tried theBalm products? What did you think? If anyone has a face powder recommendation I would love to hear about it.

Make new friends & find new blogs

Welcome to my Weekend Blog Hop. This is all about having fun and discovering new blogs and followers. I am going to keep things simple and have a NO RULES blog hop but I have created some guidelines below for those who are unsure how to participate.

<br /><a href="http://www.sugarpuffish.blogspot.com"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_zcxG5yXSHBk/TdLivTo7CaI/AAAAAAAAAFo/dTk512iEGcs/9317939_s.jpg" border="0" /></a>

1. Link Up Your Blog – simply add your blog link below

2. Grab a Button – Share this blog hop with your friends by displaying the button. How? Simply copy the HTML code in the box below the button, create a new post in your blog and paste in the code or add it to your blog sidebar using Add a Gadget

3. Follow/Comment - Check out the other blogs listed below. Do not be shy, leave comments on blogs you like or follow fellow bloggers. For those of you who choose to follow me please leave a comment below and I will do the same.

4. Have fun hopping and enjoy your weekend.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Just over a month ago I purchased LaidBare Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.  

I was intrigued to discover a chemical free hair minimising moisturiser.  I always assumed that inhibiting the growth of hair would have to involve some kind of chemical.  Laidbare has an impressive free from list which includes no petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens, synthetic fragrance & colours, TEA, DEA, Glycols and animal testing.

Here is the packaging blurb - A unique solution to inhibit hair growth and to help keep legs and sensitive areas free from ingrown hairs. Benefit: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow contains a synergistic botanical complex of Liquorice Extract, Caffeine, and Horse Chestnut Seed Extract, which in combination slows down hair growth and re-growth by maintaining the hair cells in their growth stage, with a inhibiting effect. Our blend also acts as an anti-inflammatory to help the skin protect itself from the potential rigours of hair removal. Bonus: A clever daily moisturiser. No more unsightly bumps from shaving and waxing, with no burn.

It is suggested to use this product daily and after shaving/waxing.  I confess I have only been applying after shaving but I am still seeing great results.  The product is a clear runny gel with a subtle fragrance of citrus.  My one tip is there is no need to squeeze the tube as the lotion is so running it will come out very easily.  A little goes a long way, it absorbs quickly and I am impressed by how soft and moisturised my legs feel.  I can apply straight away after shaving and get no burn which is a miracle for me as I always have this problem sometimes with the most gentlest of products.  I really feel like the product is working. It has taken a couple of weeks for the product to work but that is understandable as you can expect it to work over night.  I have noticed I can go a bit longer between shaves normally I have to do my legs every other day but since applying this product I can go a day or two longer.  Over time my re-growth seems to feel softer and lighter.

I think the price is excellent value compare to other brands.  I purchased a 125ml tube for £6.99.  This has quickly become a product that I would not want to be without, especially during the summer months when my legs are out for the world to see.

Do you have eczema? Then I recommend...

The other month I wrote about the discovery of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion (click here).  I have been trying out the free samples I received and I must say I am very impressed with the results.  This lotion has been designed for those of us with dry skin conditions, eczema, psoriasis and skin allergies. 

"Skin MD Natural is over 93% "natural" which is well within the highest echelon of actual percentage of natural ingredients of all products that have the word "natural" on their label. The ingredients in Skin MD Natural that are not "natural" are of food or medical grade and on FDA's most safe list" http://smdn.co.uk/ingredients.php?id=2

I found it a pleasure to use, it was light and my skin just seem to 'drink' it up.  This makes a change from the usual thick and greasy eczema lotions, which are also normally full of petrochemicals.  Since I only had a sample I gave it the ultimate test by only apply to my eczema patches.  With prolonged use (over a week) the condition of my skin greatly improved plus itching and redness was reduced.  

The website is very informative so I won't go on and on about how the product works I suggest you read for yourself  at http://smdn.co.uk/.  It is also the place to go if you want some samples of your own.  I have not tried out the sun cream version but I assume it will be very similar the only difference being it contains an SPF.

I am aware that you can purchase this product at Boots - £15.31 for 120ml bottle.  It is expensive but I really do feel it is worth the expense and I did find a little went a long way.

I did not try the Glove in a Bottle sample you see in the picture, I gave it to a friend who has eczema on her hands.

Has anyone else tried these products?

Spot the difference

It has been such a crazy day at work so apologies for the short and sweet review.

I recently started using Alva Rhassoul Pimple Stick after switching from the Liz Earle equivalent.  

Firstly, let me explain that Alva is a natural skincare and make up brand.  Alva products are free from petroleum derivatives, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, PEGs, EDTA, phenoxyethanol, lanolin, silk and carmine.  The cosmetic range is not tested on animals and PETA approved.

This pimple stick is a great little product and costs £6.70 for 5ml.  The key ingredients are lavender, tea tree and manuka oil. I only suffer from occasional spots once a month but I often get red scars which can take weeks to disappear.  I apply the product to a pimple morning and night after cleansing but you can apply as often as you like.  This does not dry out your skin instead the ingredients work their magic on the bacteria causing the pimple.  I also find it very helpful to reduce the redness caused from pimples.  The product size makes it perfect for pockets or handbags.  It is also suitable to use on insect bits so would make a great addition to your holiday first aid kit.

Has anyone else heard of or tried Alva products? 

Father's Day - Frogs & snails & puppy-dogs' tails

Next Sunday is Father's Day (June 19th) and with that in mind I thought I would do a quick post on natural and free from products for men.  I am going to add some links below of brands that offer a product range for men.

I think men often do not like to admit that they care about skincare but from experience my Dad and BF have sensitive skins so I always bug them into trying chemical free products.  My BF likes Burt Bees shaving cream and his face always looks less irritated after shaving when using this product. 


So why not treat the men in your life this Father's Day to some TLC for their skin because we all know they are secretly stealing ours from the bathroom cabinet.

Burt Bees

Soothe-me

Liz Earle

A'kin PureMan

Cowshed

Lavera

Green People

Handmade Naturals

Bulldog

Weleda

Trilogy

Spiezia Organics
Neals Yard (NYR MEN)

Love Lula

Are you taking your canvas bags to the supermarket?

We are constantly being reminded to take our re-useable bags to the supermarket (grocery store) but no one ever mentions about those ‘evil’ plastic bags they provide for your fruit and vegetables.  I have discovered an alternative Onya Weigh Bags

These are a handy little idea, yes you do get a few odd looks at the checkout (or is that just me?) but who cares just think of the good you are doing for the environment.  You get 4 or 5 tulle bags which come in a handy pouch.  The bags are lightweight so do not add anything to the scales, you can use each one as a colander to wash your fruit/veg and produce may last longer because they can ‘breathe’ in the bags.  The website also suggests to use as laundry bags and use at the Health Food Shops for nuts etc.

Check out Onya website as it has a range of eco-friendly products.  I also own a 350ml H2Onya bottle, these are great and they come in a variety of colours, sizes and with a choice of caps (mine is screw top).  Also check out the usable sandwich wrap it looks very handy. 

If you are looking for shopping bags Onya have those as well.  I am not sure what they are like because I have Fizbag as I love the colourful designs.

Here are some plastic bag facts taken from Fizbag website

Plastic bag facts

• 500 billion plastic carrier bags are used worldwide each year.
• 10 billion plastic bags were given out in 2008 in the UK.
  Enough to fill nearly 200 Olympic sized swimming pools.
  This roughly equates to 400 per household. (DEFRA)
• Thousands of marine animals and more than 1 million birds die each year as a result of plastic pollution.
• Plastic bags not only litter our beautiful landscape, in flood conditions they block drains and pipes contributing to critical conditions.
• Even when plastic bags break down in landfill, they never completely go away. The remaining dangerous and toxic particles can still end up in the food chain, putting human and animal life at risk.
• A huge amount of harmful emissions are emitted during manufacture, shipment and recycling of plastic bags (for those that can be recycled, and many simply can’t).
• Even paper bags that come from a renewable source and are biodegradable require more energy than plastic bags to manufacture and transport.

I hope this has given you something to think about and for those of you not already shopping with eco friendly bags, maybe I have inspired you to change your ways?


On a side note my title was inspired by Tim Minchin, I am a big fan check this out

Blonde or Brunette?

I started going grey in my 20’s and was not willing to accept them into my life, so I have been colouring my hair ever since.  Almost 2 years ago I was made redundant and was unemployed for a short amount of time so I had to make cut backs and decided to go back to home colouring.  I never gave much thought to chemicals in hair dye until I used a chemist (drugstore) brand that nearly made me pass out from the smell.

The harsh chemicals to avoid in hair dyes are Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), ammonia, peroxide, resorcinonl and parabens.  From what I understand you need a certain amount of chemicals to successfully cover grey.

I have tried Daniel Field (free from Ammonia, Hydrogen Peroxide, Parabens or artificial fragrance) and Logona (free from PPD, peroxide, preservative, ammonia or any other chemicals) and Sanotint (free from PPD & ammonia free).  I do not have any complaint with them but the brand that works best on my troublesome greys is Naturtint.

I have now been using it for nearly 2 years.  Naturtint is a permanent hair colour that has no ammonia, resorcinol and parabens.  I must point out that it does still contain PPD and hydrogen peroxide.  I am just not willing to accept the greys so it is a compromise.

I find this hair dye very easy to use, it is a non drip formula, easy to apply (I use a colouring brush to apply rather than straight from the bottle) there is no strong odour. After colouring my hair always feels very soft.  If I get it on my skin or bathroom surfaces as long as I wipe immediately it comes off with warm water.  I always use colour protecting hair care products and usually re-colour after 6 weeks.  My greys usually pop back around 4 weeks but become noticeable for me at 6 weeks.

It retails for £9.99 at Holland & Barratt or you can shop around online.  The box contains the usual items you would expect in a hair dye kit – a bottle of hair colorant and hair developer (which you mix together), instructions, plastic gloves, shampoo sachet, tube of conditioner.  

My tips for successful colouring at home are –

• Remember with all dyes chemical free or otherwise a patch test is important, even if you have been colouring your hair for years with the same product, you can still develop an allergic reaction.
• Take your time colouring your hair, do not do it in a hurry that way you can achieve a more professional look.  I have had hairdressers comment on how well I dye my own hair.
• Always wear old clothes and protect surfaces and flooring if you tend to make a mess
• If you do not like the plastic gloves provided buy latex-free gloves from the chemist (usually found with the first aid products)
• I mix the product in the bottle and then squirt into an old bowl.  Then apply the dye with a dye brush this way you can brush into the roots for better coverage.

• Combing through the product with a wide tooth comb gives a more natural coverage so the colour does not look flat.
• Save some of the conditioner that comes with the product and use it a couple of weeks later as boost for your colour (and of course treatment for your coloured hair)
• For greys opt for multi tonal colour as it looks natural and re-growth is less likely to show after couple of weeks.  More natural base tones are better avoid plums, reds and coppers.  For a few greys a semi-permanent can be sufficient or try highlights or lowlights to try and camouflage

Drum Roll Please.....and the Winner is

The winner is ALICE.  I will be in touch via Email so please look out for that.  Thank you to the other entrants.

Last Chance to Enter Jelly Pong Pong Giveaway

My giveaway is ending in an hour so last chance only 3 people have entered so the odds are good.  Click Here to Enter.  This giveaway is worth £25

Get to know Sugarpuffish Q & A's

I keep reading about bloggers who are taking part in a challenge of 30 continuous days of blog posts.  Whilst this is interesting I am not one to follow trends and would rather have my blog posts about beauty products than random stuff.  Although saying that, I thought I would take a day off from product reviews and focus on something else for just a day. There seem to be a variety of 30 day questions so I have used the ones relevant to me.  I figured it might work well as a post about getting to know Sugarpuffish.

Your favourite bag that you own

My Fiorelli handbag which is fabulous and purple, I adore Fiorelli bags

Anything Hello Kitty

My Hello Kitty Ipod speaker a xmas gift from my BF

Your Favourite animal

Dogs – especially our family pets a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & a Shih Tzu

Your favourite pair of shoes
I could not decide I love my Nine West’s I have had them for years and purchased them in the USA.  My other favourites are a recent purchase of ballerina pumps from New Look. They are covered in sequins and sparkle in the summer sunshine.

Bag you want to have
Nica Sonny flapover bag in chocolate click here 

Your Favourite colour
Purple

Photo of your favourite bracelet
This was a gift from my best friend in USA

Music you like
My collection is very varied but my favourites at the moment Diane Birch, Lissie, Samantha Shelton, The Mummers.  I have also been a long time fan of Ben Lee


Your favourite beauty guru

I do not have a particular favourite at the moment but I like following Vintage Makeup, AnnabellaCinderella, Bright Town Girl, Deyimizu & Beauties in Bloom


Your favourite lip stick

My new Alba TerraGloss http://sugarpuffish.blogspot.com/2011/06/blooming-lovely-lips.html


What makes you happy?

Family, friends and blogging


Place where you want to live

Melbourne Australia, I was lucky enough to spend a year in OZ and I feel in love with Melbourne


Your favourite food

When you have a long list of food allergies this is a tough question but overall when eating out Thai is the winner for me.  Toast with Vegemite is my favourite comfort food


Your favourite skincare product

My moisturiser from Tropic Skincare or my Body Cream from Brown Earth  


Your favourite drink

Non alcoholic has to be Robinsons Peach Squash and alcoholic would be a Mojito


Your favourite nail polish

Currently it is Mango Madness from ELF

I await your comments on this post :) Let me know your favourite things