Beauty fruit: the pomegranate

We all know that a beautiful and glowing skin is, at least partly, the result of an excellent diet in which fruit, fish and vegetables play an important role. You can enhance this further by a great skincare routine.

I love fruits: juicy, refreshing and, more importantly, bursting of vitamins and nutrients. They are part of my menu everyday.
The fruit I want to highlight today in this post is the super fruit pomegranate.

Pomegranates are big thick fruits that grow in warm climates in places such as California or Spain. The fruits contain many red seeds that are bursting with flavor and health benefits.

Why-

The red pomegranate seeds are super tasteful and have a delicate hint of sweetness. They are packed with skin benefit components: Vitamin B and C, antioxidants such as polyphenols, and minerals such as potassium. Although further scientific research still needs to be done, pomegranate seems to play an interesting role in reducing bad cholesterol, improving blood circulation and lowering blood pressure.

How-

It is "fun" to eat pomegranate fruits and seeds. You can add it to desserts or salads and it really gives that little "extra".

When-

Pomegranates are healthy and, generally, you can consume them as much as you like.
However, some of the pomegranate components may interact with some medications (similar to grapefruit juice). If you want to enjoy pomegranate on a regular basis, I would recommend to seek advice from your doctor before doing so.

Which one-

If you are looking for a pomegranate juice I would recommend Organic Village . However there are several other pomegranate juices on the market. The delicious juice forms an easy way to consume this fruit. Check the label and make sure you are not buying a blend of concentrated juices but only the 100% pure organic pomegranate juices.


Have you ever tried pomegranates? What do you think?

Beauty collections from Carrefour France

If some of you are living/or used to travel to France, you must know the big supermarket chain Carrefour. I quite like it! Why?

... because it really offers a great variety of products including food, clothes, baby stuff, beauty...and prices are quite competitive!

Super famous in France, the retailer is also present in other countries (I always try to go when I am abroad, so I went to one in China, in Dubai, Sicily...)

During a recent trip to France, I was even suprised to discover in Carrefour a whole area specially dedicated to organic food and products.

Carrefour have also just relaunched their entire beauty range under the name of: "les cosmetiques design Paris". It includes toiletries, skincare, haircare and is divided into 5 different categories that are listed below:

Nectars of Nature- offers a complete collection for face, body and hair. Certified by Ecocert and specially formulated with pure plant extracts, the products are good if you want to switch to natural beauty but not spend too much. I will be more than happy to test some of them during my next trip to France.

Essentials- basic beauty products for the face, body and hair. It includes all kinds of products from shower gels to shampoos to moisturising face cream, to nail remover....

Science- designed for all type of skins. Not sure if the name really means something for me (who has a scientific background). I often think claims as such appear more as marketing tool than anything else. Again, the range offers anti-ageing skincare, body and hair products.

Ultimate- designed for mature skins and aims at defying the time effect on skin. The range comprises body massage oils and creams, sun tanning lotion, and antiageing serums.

Pro's- advertised as easy make-up. This "couture" sub-category aims at providing a more sophisticated look.

Bare in mind that  Nectars of Nature is the only natural beauty range within the 5 ranges.

For more information, check the website: Les cosmetiques design Paris

Maybe Carrefour wants to become the new "affordable" Sephora :-)...

Do you know  "les cosmetiques design Paris" and/or have you tried any of the products?

Maison d'Anu glow enzyme mask

You probably enjoy the experience and after-effect of a nice facial treatment. Occasionally I love to go to a beauty centre to be pampered this way. But you can also treat your face yourself in the comfort of your own home! Here is an idea to pamper your skin. It is easy, relaxing and very nice.

Once a week I treat myself on a complete face cleansing, followed by an exfoliation and mask. It gives a truly glowing complexion; well, as long as you use the right products of course!

One of my favourite products, that I use often, is the Glow enzyme Mask from Maison d'Anu.
I discovered this British company on Twitter while I was still living in London. They kindly sent me their bestseller to review. So here it is.

Product description: glow enzyme mask

Certified: no

For: all types of skin except sensitive

Presentation: pot

Texture: gel cream

Price: £28 for 100ml

My opinion

First of all, I am really impressed by the design of the packaging. I am a fan a clean cut yet stylish look and I think this one has it all.

I use this mask once a week (and actually do not exfoliate my skin prior to it). I am almost addicted to it...
The texture of the mask is really enjoyable: not too heavy and very nice. I avoid the sensitive eye area but do not mind putting a more generous layer on the T area of the face (forehead, nose, and chin).

After 10 minutes I give it a good rinse and my face is truly glowing and lifted. The skin is left pleasantly smooth, unified and more plumped. It makes a true difference and you keep this feeling for quite a while! I perfectly understand why this mask is a bestseller!

The mask is a light silky blend of jojoba, sesame seeds, and rosehip oils with some papaya/pineapple enzymes.Those enzymes act as exfoliation agents. In addition, aloe vera gel has been added and delivers soothing nutrients to the skin.
Not only the regeneration process of the skin is enhanced, but the hydration level is also increased.

I also love the smell; it is fresh and invigorating.

This mask is suitable for premature ageing/mature skin or simply tired/dull looking skins which need a little booster once in a while. If you have a sensitive skin, I would perhaps avoid using this product or, at least, do a patch test before use.

...one of my favorite masks all time !

Overall rating: 9/10

You can get more information about Maison d'Anu on their website: www.maisondanu.co.uk


What are your thoughts? what is your favorite mask?

Why I love Rose flower water

If you follow me on Twitter (@MlleNature), you may have noticed that I often tweet about the skin benefits of Rose flower water.
I thought I would write a bit more about it. I personally love it and in this blog post I will tell you about those key properties that makes Rose flower water a great product.

Origin

Rose flower water is a by-product of the production of rose essential oil. It is used to flavour food, has medical applications and is also a beauty product.  

The rose itself has always played a prominent role in the perfume industry, due to its natural and wonderful scent. It is no wonder that it has become such an icon in the beauty industry! Having a gentle and delicate scent and being a symbol of feminity, the rose is regarded as the true beauty queen.


Key benefits
Rose flower water (also simply called Rose water or Rose distillate) is one of my favorite skincare products! I have tried many facial mists, but (organic) rose flower distillate is by far the one that I prefer most. My skin is always left incredibly smooth and hydrated. It is a key part of my personal skincare routine (see also my post My skincare routine).

Amongst those benefits are:
- Aromatic: wonderfully fresh, light, and "douce".
- Moisturising: for many centuries it is used to hydrate (facial) skin... and rightly so!
- Soothing and calming: rose flower water soothes any skin type from delicate to mature.
- Anti-ageing: its rejuvenating properties makes it the perfect complementary care for ageing skin.
- Gently tonic and astringent, rose flower water tightens pores and brightens complexion.
- Suitable for sensitive skin: rose flower water is the perfect cleanser complement - skin is left really soft without any hince of irritation.


Try it!
So, if rose flower water is not yet part of your facial beauty routine, please try it and you might love it as much as I do!
There are a few brands I can recommend: Melvita, Raw Gaia, Balm Balm, Sanoflore.

Do you use any other flower distillate in your skincare routine? Please let me know which one you use!

Balm Balm lip balm unscented

Lip balm is one of those beauty products that I cannot live without. Dry, cracked and/or irritated lips is not something I can handle very well. I always look for the best and most effective lip balm and I usually expect a lot from each balm that I try.

Having lived in UK, I know the natural british company Balm Balm created by Glenda and I decided to try their unscented lip balm...with high expectations!!

Last year I reviewed Pai lip balm (see post), and Hurraw! lip balms (see post)  on this blog and I was very satisfied by the result.
So why using another lip balm? I do think it is woman's nature (and my curious nature) to try and change all the time, but nevertheless I tend to return to my favorite's ones! Let's see for this lip balm. Will it stand a change to become one of my favorites?

Product description: lip balm

Certified: yes (Soil Association)

For: chapped lips

Presentation: pot

Texture: rich balm

Price: £3.50 for 10 ml


My opinion

The weather has been quite cold lately here in Amsterdam where I live, so I really needed a lip balm that can be effective but gentle at the same time.

This little Balm Balm pot contains a blend of organic nutritive butters and oils that soothe and repair any dry and damaged lips. Nourishing shea butter is combined with conditioning jojoba oil and calming calendula oil. Super rich in vitamins, polyphenols and fatty acids, this lip balm delivers protection and nutrition all day long.

Very easy to use, I often apply a dash on the lips before going out or before going to bed....  lips become deliciously soft!  The texture is rich and onctuous. It leaves a glossy effect on the lips which looks really nice. I even use Balm Balm lip balm on my hands when I am running out of hand cream.

Wondering about the smell?...hum...the smell is obsviously quite natural....so I guess if you want something a bit more aromatic, you can choose between the tea tree or the rose geranium fraganced version.

The pot is a bit small, but it lasts quite a while. So I guess it is a good investment.

....a great natural and soothing balm for the lips!

Overall rating: 8/10


Discover Balm Balm at www.balmbalm.com

Product composition: Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, Cera alba (beeswax), Calendula officinalis (calendula) oil Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil.
All ingredients have been grown organically.

Have you tried Balm Balm lip care or any products of this company?

Skin Blossom Nourishing Face Moisturiser

Although I am still in love with Evolve beauty cream (see review here), I decided to try something else as a moisturising cream for the face and did an order at Naturissimo (thanks for the free delivery by the way).
While living in London UK, I heard about a british natural skincare company called Skin Blossom. Created in 2008, I knew that the company offers affordable and simple products without the "extra fuss".

Product description: nourishing face moisturiser

Certified: yes (Soil association)

For: normal and sensitive skin

Presentation: flacon

Texture: rich emulsion

Prince: £5.90 for 50 ml


My opinion

The white and onctuous cream is preserved in a very cute and hygienic flacon. I apply 1 or 2 pumps every morning onto a cleansed face. Quite rich, the moisturiser get absorbed well, and the skin is really left calmed and hydrated. It is really perfect to use when the weather is cold, but I would find the texture too rich in summertime.

The cream composition is quite simple (which I like!): water + a few botanical actives + a few emulsifiers (which create the texture of the cream). The main active ingredients of this cream are glycerin, jojoba oil and shea butter. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, these organically grown natural compounds help to maintain or re-balance the skin hydration level.
This moisturiser is paraben and phenoxyethanol free. The preservatives used (benzyl alcohol, tocopherol, sodium benzoate) are the ones authorized by the Soil Association guidelines.

In terms of the smell, I am not too sure whether or not I like. Perhaps is it too neutral? or not enough flowery?...not sure what it is, but I do not really have the "waoh" factor in terms of aroma.

Want more infos? have a look at their newly relaunched website for product bargains, beauty tips and more... www.skinblossom.co.uk

To summarize, I think this moisturiser represents a very good purchase: clean composition, good hydrating properties and great value for money.

... does its job!


Overall rating: 7.5/10


Composition: aqua (water), glycerin*, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, cocoglycerides, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, stearic acid, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, tocopherol, sodium benzoate, Perlagonium graveolens (rose geranium) flower oil*, Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) flower oil*
*certified as organically grown


Have you ever tried Skin Blossom range? what do you think?

Organic beauty on a budget: Marilou Bio

If you are looking for a low cost organic skincare range, this post may be of your interest.

We all know that organic beauty comes to a certain price... helas. You may need a higher budget if you want to purchase natural products compared to classical products (but it is worth it at the end :-)), this is due to various reasons: use of high quality ingredients, handmade batches, small companies, certification process and cost, recyclable packaging etc...

I would like to introduce Marilou bio, a french skincare company that promises to deliver simple, natural, and effective certified (Ecocert) beauty products ... and mainly accessible for everybody.

The range comprises a complete face and body care collection: you can choose between facial mask, exfoliant, soothing anti-wrinkle cream, delicately scented bodywash, everyday shampoo etc...If you are a lover of lip balms, you may be happy: the little lip treats are fraganced with sweet flavors such as chocolat or strawberry...looking very yummy!

The packaging remains simple yet funky. Each product has its full ingredient composition listed (which I like!).

Marilou Bio range retails in specialised natural shops. Products can also be purchased online. Check this previous post here for more information. (The company choose not to work with big chains or supermarkets in France). 

For more details, you can visit their website here (only in french unfortunately so ask me if you have any questions):

www.mariloubio.com

Have you ever tried these beauty products? what do you think?