If there’s one beauty staple you should carry with you it’s the Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm.

This is one of those products I’ve been using since a pr introduced it to me a while back. I’ve converted a lot of people over in recent times to use this multi-purpose balm.  Here’s some of the reasons why you’ll love to use Dr Lipp.

1. 100% natural.
2. No parabens, sulphates, additives, mineral oils or petrochemicals.
3. Cruelty Free.
4. Fits neatly into your pocket or laptop bag.
5. Fragrance free so suitable for the most sensitive of skins.

Dr Lipp acts as an intensive moisture surge, instantly calming, soothing and hydrating lips, skins, brows, including smoothing out split ends. Dr Lipp Multi – Purpose Balm £12, 15ml, available Space NK  and Dr Lipp. 

BRIT Brand Nathalie Bond Organics for the most sensitive of skins.

I found Nathalie Bond Organics through a Mash PR Christmas in July press event.  This brand will be offering special packaged festive gifts for all the family leading up to December. I’ve been using the Skin Balm Extra Sensitive and it’s consistency is more than just an average balm. It’s soft and has a fine consistency that soothes, calms and hydrates all in one go. It’s such a beautiful balm and hand made to order which makes this range extra special. The product above has ingredients of Apricot Kernel and Jojoba oils combined with Calendula infused Sunflower seed oil that soothes and protects the skin. It’s completely unscented so gentle enough to be applied on babies including nappy rash and general use on young children. The beauty of an unscented balm offers the versatility for use on any type of skin condition.

The product range is extensive and includes the most fabulous natural soaps in block and liquid that cleanse the hair, face, body, hands and the kitchen sink, essential oil candles, divine body scrubs, lip balm’s for men, women and children… If you’re planing to give a gift to someone you love for a Birthday, Christmas or the birth of a new baby .. Nathalie Bond Organics has everything to help lift the spirits as a gift that’s practical, ethical and offers absolute well being..

Nathalie Bond Organics donates a percentage of its profits to World Vision, who support children in some of the poorest communities in the world.  Instagram @NathalieBond  Blog News NathalieBond

Ethical and sustainable NEW PALMER’S COCONUT OIL FORMULA helps keep you in that holiday frame of mind.

It feels as if I’m on a permanent holiday when using Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula body products. Completely Paraben free without a trace of Phthalates, Gluten, Sulfates, Dyes and mineral oils in their formulations.

I won’t use products that haven’t got some kind of ethical or sustainable angle nowadays so ruling out as much as possible any added chemicals onto my skin.

Palmer’s Body Lotion RRP £4.00 / 250ml,   Coconut Oil Formula Body Cream RRP £5.00 / 125g, Coconut Oil Formula Body Oil.

I’m a fan of the SPF 50 high sun factor and wear one all year round whatever the season. It keeps the skin healthy and reduces any potential skin damage in the long term. I just love the oil consistency with a high sun block and add over a moisturizer for added hydration daily avoiding the immediate eye area.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone® Suncare Lotions SPF30 and SPF 50 RRP £9.99 / 250ml and EVENTONE Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone® Suncare Spray Lotion SPF 30 and SPF 50 RRP £12.99 / 150g

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Hand Cream RRP £2.40 / 60g.  The most important factor of a hand cream is how hydrated and soft it leaves the hands.  Protecting the hands is just as important as the face, neck and body.  Find out more from Palmer’s  available from Boots, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug, Feel Unique and Amazon.

Just to add they’re a part of the promoting sustainable Shea Butter production and a member of the Global Shea Alliance. 

They say Eat it.. Wear It.. Swear By It..Vita Coco Coconut Oil 100% Raw, Organic & Extra Virgin Cold Pressed..

The first time i found Extra Virgin 100% Cold Pressed Organic Vita Coco Coconut Oil happened to be in a goodie bag given out at Kinky Octopus press event in Soho around the corner from Berwick Street Market London  .  In true Brasilian party style we were offered Caipirinha’s,  Pão de queijo, some of my favourite Brasilian food & drink… On display were beautiful colourful wrist bands  “Lembrança do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia”   which refers to the good life…these wrist bands are very synonymous with Bahia Brasil and is the backdrop of a place that’s full of culture, creativity and immense colour.

I finally got round to opening the jar and instinctively applied it to my face before reading the label, and then felt horrified when i discovered it was used for cooking, baking & frying. Thankfully  it went on to say, “Goes beyond the call of beauty as a moisturizer and hair conditioner,” and spread it on your toast! Really! 🙂

Lots of people around the world have used coconut oil for many years, countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Philippines, Caribbean, India…. It can be used to soothe, calm and hydrate the skin & hair all in one go including offering an anti – bacterial agent for wounds and sunburn. Massage into the hair & scalp helping those affected by a dry scalp & dandruff. As an insect repellent just add a little peppermint oil which keeps away the bugs.  Then there’s the cooking element to add to the endless list of benefits…There’s only one precaution to using this product and that’s NOT to sit directly in the sun without any UV sun protection. You will burn no matter how much melanin pigment you have in your skin. Protecting yourself from direct sunlight is very important to very healthy skin long-term.

I really enjoy using this product and know many people who love it too….as the saying goes ( sent to me by the PR) Eat it. Wear It. Swear By It.

Have a look online Vita Coco Coconut Oil..

Vita Coco Coconut Oil is available at Amazon, Boots, Holland & Barrett, Ocado.com, Selfridges, Tesco, Urban Outfitters & Wholefoods.

Available in three sizes: 250ml & 500ml glass jars, 750ml PET jar. RRPs:  250ml from £5.99,  500ml from £9.99 & 750ml from £14.50

My favourite skin care products for very sensitive skins from Holland & Barrett.

There’s never been a better time for home grown UK based skin care companies for the most sensitive of skins. It was almost impossible to find products back in the day that really worked on your skin unless you made your own.  I know a lot about eczema and about the skin in general as i trained as a beauty therapist and also suffered skin problems for many years. I had the good fortune of being introduced to an amazing homeopath who totally removed all my allergies and eczema and even made his own very hydrating moisturizer. That’s another story for another time. If you have babies, children, parents, siblings who suffer real issues with their skins on the face and body then i would completely vote for these products. I have a very sensitive skin that itches easily and with these products i felt a sense of comfort, soothing and real hydration when applied to skin that is red, angry, extremely dry, sore and very itchy all at the same time. These products can be found in your local Holland & Barrett.

PurePotions Skin Salvation Intensive Moisturizing Ointment – A complete skin saver as it comforts, soothes sore very dry skin, highly hydrating and feels soft and smooth. I really love this product and had the chance to try it out for myself. Highly recommended for Eczema & Psoriasis without a doubt.

Beauty Kitchen’s Abyssinian Oil  Aroma Facial Concentrate – This has to be one of the most moisturizing skin oils i have ever used on my skin. It feels and smells delicious. Just add a little bit to your daily moisturizer or night cream to add an extra boost.

Saaf Pure Organic Skincare – I tried the Pure Face Cleanser and comes with an Organic cotton face cloth. This feels and smells absolutely delicious and would imagine the extended product range would be as comforting, protecting and moisturizing.

Through my experience the creams that doctors offer will not have the same effect on skins that need a lot of tender loving care especially for babies and children. So hopefully you will choose some of these products above and try them for yourself. It’s only with trail and error that you ever make the right choices.

Holland & Barrett Twitter @holland_barrett

Reasons to love Eco Tools Complexion Collection Make-up brushes.

I’ve been meaning to write about these brushes for ages. I’ve had the pleasure of working with these Eco Tools make-up brushes from the Complexion Collection range on lots of occasions. They’re a permanent part of my make-up brush line up. Here’s some of the amazing benefits you’ll get from these brushes.

1. Firstly they are synthetic so completely bacteria free.  I’ve heard of serious staphylococcus infections through real hair make-up brushes infecting broken skin after sharing dirty brushes with friends.
2. These brushes are easy to wash and very quick to dry.
3. No malting hair so preventing any getting stuck to the face.
4. These brushes offer a sturdy and directional application whether you’re using cream or powder, great for contouring, blusher and eye shadow and good for body painting.

Further info on Eco Tools and available to buy online here at Boots UK  

Australian brand Nude by Nature’s answer to natural mineral make-up.

The name NudebyNature conjures up thoughts of  the outdoors and reflects the concept of this beauty brand.  I understand from my newly discovered extended family ( who happen to be make-up artists) and live close to Melbourne Australia, say the brand widely advertised on infomercials. That’s an advertizing term i hadn’t ever heard before.  However i had the chance to try these products for myself at the event with journos Rebecca Barnes and Karen Heath at the London Launch in the Charlotte Street Hotel.  I have to say i  liked the consistency of the liquid foundation as it smooths over the skin so easily and naturally.

I met the Global Brand Ambassador & fellow make-up artist Clint Dowdell where we exchanged some friendly banter.  This make-up range is easy going for those of you looking for a simple choice while enhancing the skins complexion. The description of each product below is true to expectation which is refreshing.  There are no harmful ingredients or parabens and the foundations are available in mineral and liquid consistency.

The range includes a line up of eco friendly synthetic brushes. This makes them bacteria free, soft to touch, easy to wash and dry. There’s something for everyone here and works for the lightest of skin tones to the darkest.

Brush Set, £50 with pouch.

Individual brushes range from £16 to £25.

Radiant Loose Powder Foundation, 10g, £25, Flawless Pressed Powder Foundation, 10g, £25, Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation, 30ml, £25.


Perfecting Concealer, 5.9ml, £20, Matte Pressed Bronzer, 10g, £22, Natural Glow Loose Bronzer, 10g, £18.
Mattifying Pressed Setting Powder, 10g, £22, middle Perfecting Primer, left 30ml, £22, Cashmere Pressed Blush, £22.
Translucent Loose Finishing Powder, 10g, £22,  Sheer Light Illuminator, 30ml, £18, Sheer Light Illuminator, 30ml, £18.
Prices start at £18 click on the link  Feelunique.com to find out further details.

100% Vegan & Cruelty free Nanshy Make-up Brushes.

I’ve had the chance to try out these brushes and really enjoyed working with them. They are soft, hold the colour well and offer a reasonable amount of control on the skin. The added bonus is that they are cruelty free and have the backing of Peta.org which means for sure they are 100% vegan. I would highly recommend these brushes if you’re starting out as a newly trained make-up artist and need a good set of brushes to get you going.  They offer many other products in the range including brush rolls and other great make-up brushes for your kit. Being Synthetic they rarely shed hair, unable to absorb pigments so bacteria free, easy to wash and dry very quickly.  The line up of brushes above are  The new 12 piece Masterful Collection £49.95.  This is the link to their site and recommend you take a look around.

Nanshy make-up brushes.