I'm actually really looking forward to sharing today's post with you.
I've felt a bit down on the luxury, super-high-end sort of beauty that used to excite me (although, La Mer, know that we are still very firm friends ;)
It's a more natural approach to beauty that's floating my boat now - I'm just more conscious of what I put on my face and skin, and I feel like there are so many better and more easily available options now.
Today I'm whittling down some of my favourite natural beauty brands, that whether clean, organic etc, most importantly, work.
Evolve Beauty
I'm enamoured with everything I've tried from this range. Handmade in Hertfordshire, Evolve are eco-friendly, cruelty free, vegan, use natural ingredients and recycled packaging - it's a brand that make you feel good to support. And aside from all the green and natural credentials, the products themselves are really good. Each of their products is labelled with who specifically made it, which is an adorable touch. (like back in the day when engineers used to sign the engines they'd made. My dad's a petrol head - it's rubbed off on me..) The Daily Defence Mist in particular is one of my favourite items of skincare in my collection right now - to me it smells of wallflowers and I look forward to applying it every day! Together with the Hyaluronic Serum, it's the perfect duo - I spoke about my Hyaluronic Sandwich technique in my last beauty post. I've recently been trying their Miracle face mask and some of their body items and so far it's all thumbs ups.
Kjaer Weis
When the Kjaer Weis foundation was touted as one of the best natural foundations on the market, I really had my doubts. One particular video from Victoria Donelda stuck in my mind where she slated a Pacifica product/natural beauty because of it's distinct lack of pigment and longevity (and rightly so, it looked rubbish), so I was expecting something heavy in coconut oil, a very light tint, quite oily/dewy. Alas I was wrong on all counts. Yes it's a cream foundation but has so much pigment I can use it as concealer. And is really quite dry in formulation, warming up on my skin over the hours. So happily surprised. I've also the powder and a cream blush and I reach for both constantly. I love the weighty metal packaging too, and that you need only buy it once before refilling with refill inserts. If you want luxury natural beauty, this is your brand.
RMS Beauty
I'm really inspired by RMS because I love the whole "universal pots of cream products you can just easily apply with fingers" thing (Trinny London came out with similar, stackable pots and they're just very up my street). The eye products, highlighters, blushes and lip balms each come in satisfyingly uniform pots, and although each is geared towards a particular application, I mix and match mine - the Utopia eye polish makes a great highlighter for example. I thought the Lip2Cheek in Paradise would come out too orangey/terracotta for my liking but it's a favourite! A flattering choice for fair-ish skin like mine.
Caudalie
Let's not forget about Caudalie. It's a brand I've loved for a longgg time - back in the day of just using the Beauty Elixir. I think their skincare has a really good all-rounder, 'essentials' sort of feel to it. I'd recommend it to those of any age. My current favourites (other than the elixir) are the Vinosource serum and Sorbet moisturiser - they're very light, hydrating, great for sensitive skins and even greater for layering.
Dr Hauschka
With the utilisation of medicinal plants and sustainability at their core, Dr Hauschka is another favourite and reliable natural beauty brand I love. I don't really know why I don't hear more about them. Maybe it's not as 'trendy' as some other brands, but that doesn't make it any less great. I'm sure you'll have heard me talk about the Bronzing Tint because I love it. I'd love it whether or not it was natural (actually that goes for everything in this post) but the fact it is is a bonus. I also tried the spray toner back in the day, which is likely something I'll revisit because I really enjoyed it at the time.
CellBn + Whamisa
Two Korean brands I'd like to draw your attention to.
I did a pretty detailed post about Whamisa a couple of years ago if you'd like more indepth info, but in short they're a great Korean, organic, clean beauty brand that focus on fermentation, waterless formulations, use lots of botanical extracts and natural preservatives. And most importantly, they have my backing! ;) If you only try one product of theirs, make it the Organic Flowers Toner. Especially if you've not tried a Korean, thick toner/first essence like this then it'll change your life.
My favourite sheet masks (probably ever) are the kelp masks from CellBn. Instead of fabric or hydrogel, they're make of kelp (as is La Mer's miracle broth as a parallel..) and are so hydrating on the skin - I think they're unlike anything you'll ever try. I've strayed from adding the ingredients lists of products in my posts lately but I'll make an exception so you can see what goes into these..
Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Honey, Butylene Glycol, Carrot Root Extract, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Bitter Orange, Sage Extract, Punica Gxanatum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Cotton Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Arbutin, Ceramide NP, Plankton Extract, Carbomer, Ginseng Root Extract, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Betholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Achyranthes Japonica Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Adenosine, Fragrance.
Need I say any more?
Milk + Dr Roebucks
I'm adding in Milk and Dr Roebucks as honourable mentions because I've only tried a couple of their products but have really enjoyed my so-far-dip-of-the-toe. Both Milk's stick blush and eyebrow gel I really enjoy - I like that a lot of their products come in stick form, easy to travel with and apply. As for Aussie brand Dr Roebucks, I've mainly dabbled with two of their masks and they're delightful. Tama feels nourishing, whilst Icebergs is very cooling and will be perfect for any hot weather we might experience this year.
And some of my favourite places to pick up natural beauty?
Credo Beauty (for those in the States)
Yesstyle (for my Kbeauty)
Feelunique's Natural Beauty section
I'd love to hear what products are among your natural beauty favourites.
xx
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