I wonder how well we know our natural beauty products. Perhaps you have heard of a few brands but can’t tell them apart. Or you’re disinterested by those products that were once only aimed at green-gurus or happy hippies.
If any of those criteria apply to you than you are missing out, trust me! We at BITB make it our business to find the latest and greatest of products, ranges, technologies and services so that the enormous beauty market is distilled down for you to buy more knowledgably. Here you’ll get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, naturally.
The six wonders of the natural beauty world:
Beauty Birthdays
Weleda has been touting its wares for over 90 years, since the 1920s remarkably! If you’re drawing a natural beauty family tree than I’d say Weleda is the great-granddaddy.
Neal’s Yard Remedies, arguably the market leader in the UK for natural beauty products, NYR has, this year, celebrated its 30th anniversary and it’s not blowing out the candles just yet; the brand is still raking-in awards left, right and centre.
lavera celebrates 25 years of producing the finest of natural products in 2012 and this quietly confident, award-winning brand is responsible for producing the world’s first 100% mineral UV protection. lavera may not be the first brand that springs to mind in this category, but apparently it’s sold in over 40 countries globally and on average 47 products are bought every minute somewhere around the world.
Melvita, owned by L’Occitane is 21 years young and is multi-award winning. Not surprising with such a fab range and an even more fantastic team behind it (including an ex-Neal’s Yard Remedies’ PR genius)
Aesop, a relative newcomer on the block as it was established in 1987, received a fabulous kick-start in the UK with a full page in the Independent, one of the UK’s national broadsheet papers, by one of the most revered beauty writers, Bethan Cole. Every PR in London was jealous!
And finally…the baby of the bunch is A’kin from Australia, just 13 years young but booming all the same.
So, to pick a hero from each brand that will help introduce you to the range, ethos, efficacy and quality and help you reappraise natural cosmetics as more than just airy-fairy nonsense, check out these big-performers:-
Weleda – http://www.weleda.co.uk/ –  Skin Food, £4.95 for 30ml is a favourite of celebs and models alike; an enriching balm to soothe and comfort skin that’s battered by daily stresses – from poor diet to pollution. Great for dry or rough hands that need a treat, or thirsty skin anywhere on the body, especially dry patches such as elbows.
NYR – www.nealsyardremedies.com - Frankincense Nourishing Cream, £20 for 50g. Claims to protect all skin types against signs of ageing. Frankincense and myrrh lend their rejuvenating properties to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and keep skin feeling soft and fresh. It’s a best-seller and has won awards from The Beauty Bible and the Cosmetic Executive Women Awards 2011.
lavera – www.lavera.co.uk – lavera BASIS All Round Cream £6.45,150ml. This hero is a multi-purpose, all-year, total body must-have suited to all skin types and is the perfect beauty essential for everyone and anyone. Organic honey and lemon soothe stressed, sensitive skin while intensively moisturising organic shea butter and almond oil tackle the driest areas that need extra TLC. Your skin will absorb the natural ingredients and will be left feeling super soft and supple all day. You will LOVE it!
Melvita – www.Melvita.co.uk – Melvita Argan Oil, £17.00. Abundant in nutrients which deeply nourish and repair the skin, and rich in essential fatty acids and sterols, Argan Oil boosts the skins natural moisture factor, making it the perfect restorative treatment for dry or sensitive skin. The Melvita Argan Oil is pure, unscented, certified organic and fair trade and can be used on the skin and nails.
A’kin – www.mypure.co.uk – A’kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil, £16.00, 23ml. The big seller for the brand, Radiance Rosehip Oil has been specially formulated using a supercritical C02 extraction method to restore, brighten and boost dull and uneven skin. The oil is certified organic and enriched with Vitamins A and E and Omegas 9, 3 and 6 essential fatty acids (no less than 80%) extracted from powerfully potent certified organic rosehip seeds.
Aesop – www.Aesop.com – Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil, £34.00, 200ml. Exceptionally gentle, anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich cleanser for all skin types, even dry and sensitive. Suitable for use in all climates, throughout the year. This mild cleanser effectively removes grime and makeup without aggravating or stripping the skin, and rinses away easily in tepid water, leaving skin feeling refreshed and supple.
Get testing!
Love from London
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