The Ultimate Guide to Natural Deodorants

August 9, 2018 · 4 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Natural Deodorants

When natural deodorants first came out, they were a bit hit and miss. Mostly consisting of salt water or crystal sticks, they just didn’t cut it when living in a sub-tropical climate. It was so frustrating (and smelly!)

Thankfully these days, there are natural deodorants that actually work and are just as good (I’m going to say better) than conventional deodorants. We are now spoilt for choice with many clever people making great natural deodorants that are way better for our health.

So here it is : The Ultimate Guide to Natural Deodorants! I hope you find it interesting and a great resource to refer back to.

Deodorant or Antiperspirant?

Here’s the thing with natural deodorants – they are not antiperspirants. Antiperspirants work by blocking our sweat glands to stop us sweating (usually with aluminium!!). Deodorants stop the odour, not the sweating.

Sweating is good! It’s a natural body process to help us stay cool and eliminate toxins. It’s not the sweat that smells – it’s the bacteria under our arms that makes us smell whiffy.

So, a deodorant to keep the smelly bacteria under control but still lets our body eliminate toxins naturally is the ideal.

Why use a natural deodorant?

Conventional deodorants contain some very nasty toxins that are applied close to two of your body’s major lymph glands! As mentioned, anything that is an antiperspirant will also block your sweat glands.

Here are some toxins that can be found in conventional deodorants and what The Chemical Maze has to say about them:

Aluminium – linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. “Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity”.

Parabens – a hormone disruptor (find out more here). “Suspected endocrine disruption”.

Propylene Glycol – “Suspected respiratory, immuno and neurotoxicity”.

Phthalates – ” Suspected endocrine, liver, kidney, reproductive, developmental, immuno and neurotoxicity”

Triclosan – “Allergic reactions, sense organ and immunotoxicity”

Fragrance – “Allergic reactions, asthma, suspected immuno and neurotoxicity”

All of these chemicals are suggested by The Chemical Maze to be best avoided.

There have been some studies that linked antiperspirants /deodorants with breast cancer. However more recent studies say we need more information and the results are not conclusive.

You know my stance on these things – if there is a doubt, err on the side of caution! Logically, it doesn’t make sense to interfere with your body’s natural processes, so embrace the sweat and go natural to kill the smell.

Tips for Using a Natural Deodorant

You should always apply deodorant to very dry, clean skin that has no soap residue. Washing and drying thoroughly keeps bacteria at bay and helps the natural deodorant to do its job more effectively. Some people even swear by exfoliating your pits regularly with a face cloth, so that’s something to try!

Some deodorants will sting if applied to freshly shaved skin, so leave the shaving or waxing to night time when you don’t have to use deodorant.

On really, really hot days when you are doing a lot of physical activity, then you may need a second application. If you need to reapply, give your skin a bit of a wash and dry first, if you can, to help the deodorant work better.

Pit Detoxing

Unfortunately first time users of natural deodorants often give up because they don’t realise their pits are detoxing from using conventional deodorant.

It can take up to two weeks for your pits to detox and get healthy! You might experience redness, itchiness, rashes or strong odour. If your pits don’t settle down after two weeks or so, you may need to try a different brand. Earth Purities make a product specifically for detoxing your pits, called Detox-A-PIt. Its designed to help draw out the toxins and heavy metals and correct the imbalances in the bacteria that cause the odour and irritation.

I haven’t used this one so I can’t comment on the effectiveness but it is an option for you to consider if you are having real trouble with switching to a natural deodorant. Check out some more info about how it works and some feedback here.

Get Earth Purities pit detox paste here.

What is the best natural deodorant?

I can’t really tell you that!

We are all so unique in our chemical makeup, our diet, our daily activity level and our climate, so it’s really a very personal thing as to which one will work the best for you.

However, I do have a list of awesome natural deodorants for you. I have tried so many over the years and these are my favourites. I tend to switch it up and use different ones all the time. I also test them out on two smelly teens and the husband!

I prefer to support Aussie small businesses and ethical, passionate people who love what they do. So it’s no surprise that those amazing people’s products made it onto my list.

Top 3 Deodorant Pastes

♥ Erica Brooke Deodorant Cremes

Handmade in Brisbane by a natural new age mum, Erica Brooke deodorant cremes are simply luscious. The deodorants are beautifully soft to apply, like a smooth and creamy moisturiser.

Erica makes them with all natural, organic, ethical ingredients including shea butter, coconut oil and pure essential oils. The deodorant cremes also come in unscented, double-strength and bicarb-free versions so there is something to suit everyone! I love that they are packed in glass for a plastic-free, recyclable option.

Get Erica Brooke Natural Deodorant Paste here. Use the code: NNAMLOVE for 10% off everything storewide.

♥ The Physic Garden Deodorant Pastes

Charelle is a naturopath from Melbourne who creates natural deodorants and balms using medicinal & magical herbs. As well as being naturopathically formulated and handmade with love in small batches, the deodorants are completely natural and made with organic and sustainable ingredients.

Featuring soothing herbs and pure essential oils, there are three versions of the pastes. Relax Me has a soft floral scent, Revitalise Me is fresh and citrusy and Sensitive is scent-free and bicarb-free. I have been trialling all three of the deodorant pastes for a couple of weeks now and I am a huge fan. They work beautifully all day with one application and I do love a floral scent, so the Relax Me version is my absolute favourite.

Charelle has a real passion for the environment and sustainability and uses no plastic at all. The deodorants come in either glass jars or aluminium tins and they are palm oil-free, vegan and certified cruelty-free. So much to love about The Physic Garden!

Get The Physic Garden Natural Deodorant Paste here.

♥ Woohoo Deodorant Paste

Hand-made in Newcastle by the quirky couple from Happy Skincare, Woohoo is one of our family’s favourites.

There are three great options – Urban, Wild and Mellow and a new one coming soon! Aaron and Phoebe have just released the option of aluminium tins for all of their deodorants if you don’t want to get the recyclable plastic tubs. They all come with a small spatula for hygienic application.

Vegan, cruelty free, all natural and made with organic ingredients, the deodorants are great performers and are specially formulated to be pH friendly and gentle on skin. They are guaranteed to work and last around five months, so they are great value for money!

Get Woohoo Deodorant Paste here. Use the code: NNAM to get 10% off your first order and if you get two full sizes, you get FREE shipping.

Top 3 Roll-On Deodorants

Roll-ons have the benefit of being quick and easy to apply and being more ‘mainstream’ looking for those having trouble changing over the a natural option.

♥ Fresca Natural Deodorant

Fresca Natural deodorants have been around for over 6 years and are real industry leaders with stacks of rave reviews and awards. Elda Kingston, a Perth mum, still hand-makes all the deodorants herself even with over 200 stockists worldwide.

I love these deodorants for their hard-working staying power. Made with all natural, food-grade ingredients, Fresca Natural are cruelty free, vegan and contain no palm oil. They are fast and easy to use with a quick-drying, non-sticky feel.

My favourite is the Wild Lavender scent – it’s an absolutely gorgeous blend of lavender, patchouli and geranium essential oils. Elda makes seven varieties to choose from, including unscented and more ‘manly’ scents like Wooden Spice for the blokes.

Get Fresca Natural Deodorants here. Elda will give you FREE shipping when you get two or more products!

♥ A Bit Hippy Natural Cream Deodorant

A Bit Hippy is one of my favourite brands for affordable, hard-working beauty products. The deodorant is no exception! At under $8, it’s a great natural option that is bicarb-free, easy to use and effective at keeping the B.O at bay.

The A Bit Hippy deodorant cream has a very subtle, fresh unisex scent and is vegan, cruelty-free and made in Australia. A Bit Hippy offer a 100% customer satisfaction and money back guarantee if the deodorant doesn’t work for you. You can’t go wrong!

Get A Bit Hippy natural roll-on deodorant here.

♥ Wunder Arms

A new offering from 123 Nourish Me, Wunder Arms is a great little roll on. I love a pun, so it makes me smile whenever I use it! The scent is fresh, subtle and slightly floral but not too much so that blokes couldn’t use it.

It’s certified organic, contains low bi-carb and pure essential oils, Aussie bush flowers and bush fruit extracts. As usual, amazing Aussie mums Alisa and Danni only use the highest quality ingredients in their products and they are very particular, so you can be assured that you are getting only the best.

Get Wunder Arms Organic Deodorant here.

Want a Spray?

♥ Lhami Coconut and Lime Spray Deodorant

Some people just love a spray deodorant! Aussie mum, Natalie from beautiful Aussie skincare company, Lhami hand-makes this one.

It’s an aluminium & alcohol free natural spray deodorant with soothing chamomile & aloe vera. Pure oils of coconut, patchouli & lime all have effective deodorising properties and smell great.

Get Lhami Natural Spray Deodorant here.

Got Teenagers?

Obviously, teenagers can use any of the deodorants I have recommended. My daughter’s favourite is Erica Brooke and she is slightly obsessed and won’t use anything else.

Boys however can be a little bit harder to please, because there is the ‘cool factor’ to consider. That’s where 808 Dude comes in.

♥ 808 Dude

Aussie mum, Carolyn could not find a natural deodorant for her teenage son, so she made one! 808 Dude is an organic, all-natural, roll-on deodorant in a woody, uplifting scent.

I love the cool packaging and the affordable price. My teenage son gives this one the thumbs up for it’s staying power too.

Get 808 Dude natural roll on deodorant here.

Sensitive?

Some people react badly to sodium bicarbonate (bicarb) and/or essential oils in natural deodorants. If you are one of those people, try Woohoo Mellow or The Physic Garden Sensitive which contain no essential oils or bicarbonate of soda. Go back up the page to see the special offers for these.

Really Smelly?

If you do a lot of physical activity or exercise, my recommendations are the unisex Woohoo Wild and Erica Brooke’s Double Strength. Go back up the page to see the special offers for these.

Like to DIY?

Check out these DIY natural deodorant recipes and get all the ingredients and the containers you will need as well. You could have a deodorant making night with a few friends – what fun!

I told you this article was going to be epic! Thanks so much for reading this far. I know making the switch to natural deodorants isn’t always easy but give it a go. The health benefits of ditching those nasty toxins are really worth it.

Let me know if you have any questions or want to know more about natural deodorants.

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The Best Natural Perfumes

September 11, 2016 · 16 Comments

The Best Natural Perfumes

I’m a natural perfume convert.

In my younger days, I was an Estee Lauder ‘Beautiful’ girl but once I learnt about toxins and how they affect us, I was more than keen to ditch it for something more natural.

Like I have said before about natural skin care and natural make up, perfume is very much a personal thing, so try a few and see what resonates with you!

Did you know that perfume smells slightly different on everyone anyway? That’s because it mingles with your own body chemicals.

Why would you choose a natural perfume?

“If you are serious about your health, the first thing you would eliminate in your home is perfume, air fresheners and all products that contain artificial fragrances” Nicole Bijlsma, Building Biologist.

Yes, it really is that bad! You may have seen recent articles likening fragrance to ‘second hand smoke’. Some of the major concerns are that fragrance may contain styrene which a panel of experts found compelling evidence to link it to cancer.

Check out this article my friend Laura Trotta, environmental engineer wrote about the health and environmental concerns about perfume.

So, it’s not all bad news, because there are some amazing alternatives out there. Here is my list of the best natural perfumes in Australia!

♥ Lhami

The lovely Natalie from Lhami sent me the Sweet Dreams scent from her perfume range to try out and now I know why it’s her best seller! As well as smelling heavenly, it also sends me off to sleep (that’s why it’s called Sweet Dreams!!) This is a lovely calming blend of pure essential oils including grapefruit, cedarwood, lavender and frankincense with a jojoba oil base, in a glass roller ball. Natalie also has five other perfumes in her range – Pink Lotus and Rose, Sandalwood and Orange, Frangipani and Lime and Vanilla and Rosewood.

Check them out here.

♥ Lemon Canary Chakra Perfumes

Fiona at Lemon Canary has lovingly created and infused with reiki, an organic perfume blend for each chakra! Based on pure essential oils, each roller comes with a gorgeous card and calico bag with information about the chakra. You can also buy them all together in a gift box.

Sublime! Get them here.

♥ Black Chicken

Famous for their Axilla Paste deodorant, Black Chicken also do a lovely perfume that has recently been revamped. I actually got it for my daughter this year for her birthday and it’s gorgeous. Don’t tell her I have been sneaking a little roll-on here and there when she’s at school! Called Transcendense, it’s a beautiful earthy, musky scent with notes of Sandalwood, Geranium Bourbon, Patchouli, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang. It is 100% natural pure plant extracts, no alcohol and no toxic chemicals in a roller ball.

Get it online here.

♥ One Self

You could easily imagine yourself on holiday in Hawaii with this luxurious fragrance. Made from flowers found in the traditional Hawaiian Flower Lei – Gardenia, Frangipani and Tuberose in a base of certified organic coconut oil. Each perfume is uniquely hand crafted by Hawaiian locals who collect the pure organic ingredients using sustainable farming on the Big Island of Hawaii. A very special gift for yourself or someone you love.

Get it here.

♥ Weleda

Hugely popular German brand, Weleda has three perfumes in their range. Choose from Agrume, Grenade and Rose. They come in a 50ml spray bottle and are all natural with an alcohol base. I found them to be light and fruity, changing over the day to a more subtle earthy fragrance. These perfumes match up with their other products, so you can layer your fragrance.

Get them here.

♥ ime Natural Perfume

Gorgeous Tonia has created her perfume range holistically from her background in natural therapies. I adore the concept – nine scents that are all different. Each has their own colour and ‘muse’ from Greek mythology, so you can choose one depending on your mood or intention for the day.

A great way to try them out is the collections set pictured with one of each perfumes. It makes a fabulous gift too. They are 100% natural with an alcohol base in a spray bottle. We have been trying them all out (thank Tonia!) and my daughter and I both decided that Polyhymnia is our absolute favourite – divine!

Check out Tonia’s natural perfumes here.

♥ Vanessa Megan

This range from Western Australia features five different scents to choose from, all based on certified organic essential oils in a water base. They are 100% cruelty free, vegan, alcohol free and use eco packaging. You can choose them in 100ml spray bottles or get a pack of all five in a trial size.

Get them online here.

♥ Flora Remedia

Flora Remedia is an Aussie range of perfumes quite unique in that they combine aromatherapy oils in a coconut oil base with flower essences. Creator Maddy Dixon says she has formulated them to provide different purposes, creating a beautiful holistic synergy that work on our emotions. Choose from Uplifting, Immunity, Calm Infusion or Let Go in a roller ball and apply to the pulse points. I have had a smell of all of these and they are sublime! Definitely one of my favourites.

Get them online here.

♥ LaVanila

La Vanila is a fresh and fruity range from the US using pure essential oils and botanicals, each starting with a warm base of Madagascar vanilla. Choose from coconut, grapefruit, lemon, blackberry, lavender, passionfruit, pure vanilla and vanilla summer in an alcohol base.

La Vanila comes in spray bottles or roller balls or get a trial pack with all the scents. You can also layer the fragrance with deodorants in the same range!

Get them online here.

♥ Tinderbox Breath of Blossom

Tinderbox is the ultimate earth-mother natural brand based in WA, showcasing a range of gorgeous aromatherapy products. Breath of Blossom is a light floral cream perfume using only botanicals and pure plant products. It is an earthy, sweet floral fragrance designed to invite intimacy and comes in a reusable bamboo pot!

Get it online here.

What about the guys?

Natural cologne especially for men is available! Here are some awesome ones:

♥ Aromantik’s Merchants of Menace
♥ Vanessa Megan’s Driftwood or Citrus and Spice

Where to shop?

♥ Beautiful Because.

This online store was founded in 2013 by Nina Weston and sells purely natural beauty products. Nina has a background in beauty and prides herself on exceptional customer service. She has a huge range with everything from sunscreen to kids’ bubble bath to luxurious aromatherapy skincare, makeup and perfume! You can earn loyalty points, get free gifts with purchase and free shipping when you spend over $39.

♥ Emporio Organico.

Kitsa’s online store is an extension of her very successful business, Kitsa’s Kitchen. She has sourced some beautiful, luxurious products that include a huge range of natural skincare, body care and make up.

♥ Flora and Fauna.

A gorgeous online store created by Julie Mathers – an animal, nature and planet lover. Julie’s mission is to sell the best natural, organic vegan skin care, make up, body care and lifestyle products out there. You can be assured that nothing at Flora and Fauna is tested on animals, ever.

♥ Biome Eco Store.

Founded by Tracey Bailey, this small family business is a favourite. They stock a huge range of things that are organic, natural, recycled and fairtrade. Tracey has a rewards program, free shipping over $130 and a 5% discount.

♥ Lemon Canary.

Natural new age Queensland mum Fiona has a gorgeous range of essential oils, candles, homewares, gifts, new age ritual tools, crystals and so many more beautiful things.

100% Natural Jojoba Lip Balm Review

May 4, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I’m a bit of a lip balm freak.

I use it all the time! I keep one in the bathroom, one in my bedside draw and one in my handbag. I am covered for all occasions. There is nothing worse than the feeling of dry lips (well okay there might be a few things).

When The Jojoba Company sent me their new lip balm to try, I was a bit excited, given that I am a huge fan of their other products. Our whole family loves the jojoba oil!

Well they haven’t disappointed! TJC have nailed the perfect formula for a beautiful lip balm.

It’s smooth, lightweight and goes on easily. I found my dry lips were hydrated and soft again very quickly. I didn’t have to reapply for ages so it has a long lasting moisturising effect. There is only a very slight hint of coconut flavour from the coconut oil so there is no strong taste or smell.

Some lip balms I have used are really glaggy (I’m pretty sure that is a word) and feel gritty and weird on my lips. Straight coconut oil tends to slide off and not have any staying power. Many lip balms also contain a base of petrochemicals, which is something I always double check in the ingredients.

This one is 100% natural and The Jojoba Company use their own Aussie grown jojoba oil as a base. Kakadu plum seed oil is also included and they both have naturally occurring vitamins A, D & E.

I am finding that this balm doesn’t separate or melt (yes, it’s always hot here in Queensland). Trust me, there is nothing worse than finding a sticky pile of lip balm or lip stick in the bottom of your handbag!

There is no beeswax, so this lip balm is vegan if that is something you like to look for. I love the little pot rather than a stick – they last longer and are more hygienic. The lid is a little hard to get back on (or maybe that’s me being unco!)

Overall, a fantastic product that makes a great basic lip balm for everyone in the family to use. My favourite feature is definitely it’s ability to moisturise deeply and effectively while still being light weight and smooth.

The Jojoba Company is a family owned, Aussie business and they never test on animals. Two big ticks for me. You can find their range of products online or in most pharmacies and health food stores.

And…. they have kindly given you all a discount code to use! Woohoo!

Use the code: KISS15 to get 15% off the new lip balm at The Jojoba Company’s online store but only until May the 17th 2016!!

{this is a sponsored post}

100% Jojoba + Rosehip Oil Review and Giveaway

August 4, 2015 · 68 Comments

I was pretty excited to find out that The Jojoba Company had a new product out combining two of my favourite things – jojoba oil and rose hip oil!

I have been trialling it for the last month or so and love it. I am also giving you all a chance to win some and a discount code to try it for yourself.

Okay, so what is in it?

It’s rare to find skincare with only two ingredients, but in 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil, that is exactly what you get. Just jojoba seed oil and rosehip seed oil.

What’s so great about these oils?

Well, jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, very similar to the wax sebum on our skin. This enables it to penetrate to the deeper layers of our skin. It is also a powerful antioxidant and contains vitamins A, D and E and omegas 6 and 9. Jojoba is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic so it’s amazing for all sorts of skin ailments from acne to cradle cap!

Rosehip oil has long been recognized as mother nature’s secret weapon for wrinkles and scaring! Being high in Vitamin A, it’s great for skin rejuvenation and healing.

Combining the two oils allows the rosehip to really get deep into our skin alongside the jojoba, making it work even better. It also extends the shelf life of rose hip oil which can go rancid easily. It’s a fantastic synergy!

Jojoba beans ready to be cold pressed.

So, who makes it?

I love this company and have featured them before on the website. The Jojoba Company is an all Aussie family business. Ian Turner and his family planted their first jojoba crop in Yenda, NSW in 2008 and have gone on to produce beautiful cold pressed oil for use in their skincare range. Find out more about the farm here.

The ethical practices and philosophy also appeal to me. They never test on animals or use animal derivatives and there are no nasty toxins in any of the products.

What’s it like to use?

I am always a bit nervous about oils for my skin as having oily skin for most of my younger life meant that I really used to shy away from adding any more oil! Some face oils I have used take absolutely ages to sink in and leave a shiny layer on your skin that doesn’t look particularly attractive and makes applying makeup impossible.

I have been using the 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil morning and night and I love it. The scent is very subtle and slightly woody floral (hard to explain!). Some rosehip oil products I have used smell so bad I can’t stand it on my skin so this is the first thing I check.

It’s also not a thick claggy oil (well, it’s actually wax remember), it’s very light in texture, spreads easily and sinks straight into the skin. I love the feeling it gives my skin – it’s soft and plump after applying. I feel like my skin is really sucking up all that hydration. I haven’t been getting that tight feeling that some moisturisers leave you with – you know, when you feel like you need another application.

Okay, tell me how much it’s going to cost?

You know I am a low-maintenance sort of girl and I don’t believe in paying ridiculous prices for skincare! I am loving that this product is only $24.95!! Even better, you only use 2 or 3 drops each time, so it lasts for ages. No fancy gimmicks or marketing spin, just two beautiful oils from mother nature.

What are the negatives?

I am actually struggling to find anything about this product that I don’t like. My only suggestion to The Jojoba Company is that I would love to see some greener packaging using recycled materials.

Where do you get it?

You can shop online straight from the company at their website, The Jojoba Company or you can check out their store locator to find a retailer near you. The range is in health food stores (Healthy Life and Go Vita), pharmacies and salons/spas around the country.

Would I buy it with my own money?

Absolutely! In fact, I am going to buy myself another bottle this week. Unfortunately due to an incident involving my teenage son and my dastardly dachshund (don’t even ask) my bottle has been prematurely used up! I really, really love it. I had just started rubbing it into the back of my hands that are showing a few signs of pigmentation and ageing. I will keep you posted on how that goes on my Facebook page.

Giveaway:

Want one to try for yourself? The lovely people at The Jojoba Company are giving me five bottles of 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil to give to five of you!

The giveaway has now closed and the lucky ladies getting a bottle of jojoba and rosehip oil are Sara, Tania, Liz, Rachel and LJ!

How to enter:

Head over and give The Jojoba Company a like on their Facebook page and then leave me a comment below telling me why you want to win.

[box] Terms and conditions. Australian residents only. Winner will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry requirements, announced on this article and emailed. Giveaway closes 5pm 18th August 2015. Good luck![/box]

Discount Code:

Want to try some now? Use the code: NNAM001 to get 20% of the Jojoba and Rosehip Oil until the 18th of August. Only at the online store here.

{This is a sponsored post}

The Best Natural Makeup Brands

June 4, 2015 · 45 Comments

The Best Natural Makeup Brands

My daughter and I have had heaps of fun experimenting with brands and products over the last few months to bring you this epic round up of natural makeup!

I am pretty much a low-maintenance sort of girl and working from home means I only wear make up occasionally. However when I do wear it, I want it to be all natural and to look good! My teenage daughter loves makeup as is pretty normal with girls of that age. She likes totally different types and colours to me, so it was good to trial things from both perspectives.

Now just like skincare, makeup is such a personal thing. We all have different skin types and colourings and ages, so these are just our thoughts on how they went on our skin.

My tip is to try out some samples or travel kit sizes first and see how they go on your skin.

Why would you use natural makeup?

Well, regular make up can contain a whole load of toxic chemicals. David Suzuki says…

“One in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). Imagine what that does to your skin, and to the environment!”

You can download his full report on toxic ingredients here. It’s an eye-opening read! Anything we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream. One or two suspect ingredients may be okay for us to handle but when you think of how many products we use and the cumulative effect, it starts to get worrying.

I use another two trusted resources in working out what to put on my skin – The Chemical Maze books and the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Do your research and learn what to avoid and what is safe!

Thankfully over recent years, this information is becoming more mainstream and there are many companies making natural products.

Here is my round-up of the best natural makeup brands available in Australia.

♥ Ere Perez

Ere Perez are a big name in the natural makeup world and with good reason – it’s great stuff! Ere Perez is an Australian company, does not test on animals, has a vegan range and contains quality natural ingredients.

I am a long time lover of the Oat Milk liquid foundation – it’s beautifully light to wear and doesn’t feel greasy or weird on my skin. My daughter and I have been fighting over the Pure Rice Powder blush – it’s very subtle but gives you a nice healthy glow. Probably their best known and a little bit of a cult product is the Almond Oil Mascara. Yep, I agree – it’s fabulous! No itchy eyes with this one.

Ere Perez is in the mid range of pricing with foundations at $39.90 for 40ml and lipsticks at $29.90.

♥ MG Naturals

MG Naturals stands for Mama Going Natural and is also Kailah, a natural new age mum from Queensland. Her range is fairly new and it’s available online. You can get foundation, BB cream, blusher and lip glaze. MG Naturals are all cruelty free, vegan, chemical free, hydrating & soothing and they are one of the few brands in the world who don’t use Titanium Dioxide, Boron Nitride or Magnesium Stearate in their make up lines.

My daughter and I tested the BB cream and we like it. It’s a very sheer, light coverage so it’s good for her to wear to school as it doesn’t look like you are wearing make up but still gives a nice polished look. It was a little too sheer for me so I needed another application. It feels heavenly on your skin though – very light and in fact I forgot I was wearing it!

MG Naturals is very reasonably priced with the foundations at $24.95 for 30ml and the lip glazes at just $9.95 for 15ml. Find the range online and check out Kailah’s Facebook page, Mama Going Natural.

♥ La Mav

La Mav are an Australian made and owned company, despite their exotic sounding name! As well as being cruelty free and environmentally conscious, the range is based on scientifically proven bio-actives.

The make up line includes a BB Creme, mineral foundation, powder, bronzer and tinted lip treatments. All products contain Vitamin C and Rosehip Oil providing proven anti-ageing benefits while nourishing and protecting your skin from free radicals.

We totally love the amazing La Mav Organic BB Creme which has become very famous. I think it’s the best BB cream I have tried – so smooth on the skin and it looks invisible. We were equally impressed with the mineral foundation – it gives the skin a beautiful coverage with light-reflecting particles giving off a nice glow. The lip tint is also ingenious – it feels incredibly moisturizing and stayed on my lips and then I realized it was actually a hydrating lip treatment with bioactive, anti-ageing ingredients and not just a lip gloss! I tried the nude colour which was a very natural look with a hint of glossiness.

La Mav is in the middle of the pricing range with the BB Creme at $39.95 for 5oml and the Lip Tints at $19.95 for 8ml.

♥ Inika

Inika is a beautiful brand, with half the range certified organic and the other half all natural. Pure minerals, organic active botanicals and quality ingredients are used to give a natural finish. They are also certified vegan and cruelty free. I love that all the packaging is recyclable and some products are made from recycled materials.

The range is extensive and you will find everything you need from primers to lip tints. It’s great quality and lovely to use. The foundation is light, smooth and looks flawless but I found it a little too light in coverage for me. The Lip Tint that I tried (Cherish) was beautiful – gorgeously hydrating and smooth and great staying power. But being a natural sort of girl, I wasn’t a fan of the dark purple colour. The Champagne Creme eyeshadow is awesome as a base for your eye make up. I use the organic eyeliner regularly – the little sharpener on the end is brilliant.

Inika is a the high-end of the pricing range with foundations at $65 for 30ml and lipsticks at$36.50.

♥ Zuii Organic

One of the few brands to have the entire range certified organic, Australian made Zuii Organic stands out for its tag line ‘wear flowers on your face’. Floral botanicals are used in the creation of the products with rose and jasmine featuring. As well as being cruelty free, Zuii Organics are also vegan friendly, gluten free and toxin free.

The range is the most extensive I have seen, with loads of colours to suit everyone. They don’t do mineral powders, but they have liquid and powder foundations as well as primers. The products contain things like Vitamin C and E as well as the floral botanicals, so it’s actually good for your skin!

Zuii Organic is the first natural make up I ever tried. I am still a huge fan of the foundation – it’s exactly the right colour for me with flawless coverage and a smooth finish while still looking natural to wear. I also love the melon blush and the hibiscus lip tint. The products seem to last forever. The only thing I wasn’t keen on in is the concealer pencil – the texure is a little cakey for me and it didn’t sit well on my skin.

Zuii Organic is surprisingly in the mid-price range with foundations at $40 for 30ml and lipsticks at $26.

♥ Adorn Cosmetics

Adorn Cosmetics are also a popular name in natural makeup. The range is non-toxic, natural, organic, vegan, and Australian made and owned. They even have earth-friendly product refills and have no palm oil. All the range is made from natural, pure mineral and organic ingredients from sustainable sources.

They have a huge range including liquid, mineral and cream foundations, primers, bronzers, mascara, lip pencils and balms. I love the Hydrating Primer and think I need to add a primer into my makeup routine. It just makes the makeup sit so well on your skin (and probably that extra bonus for skin like mine that is no longer in the flush of youth!). I preferred the liquid foundation over the mineral powder and creme foundation, but that is a personal preference.

Adorn is very much on the higher end of the pricing scale with foundations at $65 for 30mls and lipsticks at $40 for 6g.

♥ Eco Minerals

Eco Minerals is a small Aussie company based in Byron Bay. They are certified vegan, don’t test on animals and contain no palm oil or nasties. As the name suggests, they specialize in mineral make up and the range includes mineral based foundation powders, blush, bronzer, eye shadows as well as mascara and concealers.

Check out the online colour match app which will help you pick the right shade for you. I selected a mineral foundation using the app and it was pretty accurate – perhaps a touch too yellow on me but nothing that looks out of place. I am not usually a fan of mineral makeup as I find it sits funny on my skin and doesn’t help the look of my large pores. However this one is quite good! The natural spf of 24 is a definite highlight.

Eco Minerals is in the high end pricing range with $33.00 for 5g of mineral foundation. I love that you can get a refill for your pot though, so it’s eco-friendly. Refills are $28.60.

Check out Eco Minerals online here.

♥ Lily Lolo

Lily Lolo is a UK brand of mineral makeup with everything from BB cream to nail polish in the range. My daughter particularly liked this range for the funky packaging (street cred!) and the affordable price. The quality is fabulous and free of any parabens, synthetic perfumes or dyes.

They are at the lower end of the pricing scale with lipsticks at $19 and foundations at $29.50 for 10g.

♥ Raww Australian Organics

Raww are a new brand in Australia and fast becoming very popular! All the makeup products are certified cruelty free, all natural and made in Australia.

The ingredient list includes superfoods like coconut water, avocado oil and green tea to nourish your skin. I have the Wildberry Foundation and it smells amazing. I love the light, natural feel of the foundation – you forget you are wearing it and there is no irritating itchiness. The coverage is medium but you can build it up with layers if you want to.

It’s well-priced with 30ml of foundation for $34.99 and lipsticks for $24.99

♥ Nature Delivers

I met the lovely Jo from Nature Delivers a few years ago at an expo. I love her makeup! It’s very affordable, it looks nice and it’s all natural. There is everything you need including mineral powders, blush, bronzer, concealers, eyeshadow, eyeliners, mascara and lipsticks and lipglosses. You can even buy a set and save a bit of cash – great for gifts.

My daughter is a big fan of the mineral powder and we order it regularly. I think my favourite is the eye shadows and the lip gloss wands – I love the natural look and the colours are all very subtle and natural. The mascara is also one of our favourites.

Nature Delivers is very reasonably priced with the foundations at $41 for 15g and the lipsticks at $24. Jo only sells at markets around Byron Bay and online (this is how she keeps the prices so nice). Check out Jo’s website here and on Facebook here.

♥ Benecos

Benecos are a German brand that’s recently landed in Australia. It’s the best budget-friendly brand I have tried. My teenager loves it because she can afford it herself and it’s still good quality and all natural.

I was surprised at how good the coverage was with the foundation when I used it myself! Recommended for those who want something natural but don’t want to spend a fortune.

Where to shop:

You can find some of these brands in health food stores or eco-stores, but I find the range to be limited. I usually shop online for the more extensive range of products available. I order samples and try out the colours before I commit to the full size products.

♥ Biome Eco Store. Founded by Tracey Bailey, this small family business is a favourite. They stock a huge range of things, that are organic, natural, recycled and fairtrade; makeup being just one of their lines. Tracey has a rewards program, free shipping over $130 and a 5% discount.

I couldn’t talk about make up without mentioning the great range of bamboo make up brushes by Eco Tools. They are vegan, eco-friendly and cruelty free.

Again, I will reiterate that make up is such a personal thing so get your hands on some samples and have a play. I would love to know your experiences with natural make up and what you love! Leave us a comment.

You might also want to read:

The Best Australian Natural Skincare Brands

The Best Natural Perfumes

The Best Natural Sunscreens

The Best Natural Insect Repellents

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The Best Australian Natural Skincare Brands

June 19, 2014 · 43 Comments

The Best Australian Natural Skincare Brands

I often get asked what natural skincare brands are best, so I have made you a list with some of my favourites. Skincare is such a personal thing though, so try a few out and find something that suits your skin. Some places have options of sample packs or travel packs, which is a great way to go to see if you like a range. I have added in a few little discounts that I could find for you as well. For specific information, click on the links!

“The average woman uses 12 products containing 168 different ingredients daily” EWG

Why would you use natural skincare?

The skin is our largest organ and whatever you put on it, goes directly into your blood stream and to your organs. Much of the skincare in the marketplace is full of nasty toxins that have been linked with cancers, allergies, asthma, hormone disruption and so much more. There is also the accumulative effect to consider of using these products, day in day out over your lifetime.

Unfortunately, the labelling laws in our country are a little behind the times and products can use the natural or organic labels even if they only contain tiny amounts of natural ingredients. As consumers, we have to educate ourselves and be a little savvy. My top tip is that if something claims to be organic and it’s less than $10, it’s probably not. Good quality organic and natural ingredients are not cheap to produce so you do have to pay for the quality. But, to be honest, I can’t put a price on my health, so I choose to use great quality natural products and cut back on other expenses.

I use two trusted resources in working out what to put on my skin – The Chemical Maze books and the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Do your research and learn what to avoid and what is safe!

♥ Twenty8

Twenty8 is a 100% natural range, free from all synthetic chemicals, preservatives and fragrances. Twenty8 is a truly holistic aromatherapy based range, working on both a cellular and psychological level. Kim uses only the highest quality products using therapeutic-grade, botanical ingredients which penetrate deeply into the layers of the skin to deliver exceptional results. I love these products – the aromatherapy oils really make it a special experience.

Check out Twenty8 online.

♥ Eco by Sonya

Eco by Sonya Driver started with one product – Eco Tan and it’s grown to become an Aussie favourite over the last few years. The gorgeous skincare range is certified organic and powered by fruits, vegetables and seeds. Vegan and cruelty free, Eco by Sonya has no synthetic ingredients and no SLS’s or parabens.

Get it online here.

♥ Kelapa Organics

Kelapa Organics is a boutique luxury organic skin care company with a hero ingredient of coconut oil. The products are 100% natural, made with certified organic ingredients, vegan friendly and accredited cruelty free. Kelapa Organics is an Australian owned family business and is based in Melbourne where all the products are made.

As well as skin care, Kelapa also have haircare, bath, baby and body care in the range. Get free shipping when you spend over $50 and $10 off your first order when you sign up. I found the skin care range to be great on my face – it’s beautiful quality and feels very luxurious.

Find Kelapa Organics online.

♥ Gaia Skincare

Gaia provides nourishing skincare products that feed your skin and keep it healthy. Gaia have the whole family covered with GAIA Pure Pregnancy, GAIA Natural Baby, GAIA Skin+Body and GAIA Made for Men. They are Australian made and owned and specifically tailored for sensitive skin, combining natural and certified organic oils and extracts. Essential oils, rather than synthetic fragrances are used. My family love this range – the boys use the men’s range regularly and the NNAD will not use any other shave gel. A very affordable natural range that is also great quality.

Check them out online and get some free samples or find a local stockist.

♥ The Jojoba Company

The Jojoba Company has created a natural range of skin and body care products with a strong focus on anti-aging and skin health.

The company are committed to not testing on animals or using animal derivatives, parabens, chemicals, sulphates, artificial fragrances, colours, perfumes, PEGs, mineral oil or petrochemicals.

Check out The Jojoba Company online.

Here are some other Aussie natural skincare companies to check out:

Black Chicken Remedies – All Black Chicken organic beauty products are hand made with natural ingredients, no parabens, no petrochemicals and no artificial ingredients. Black Chicken Remedies are free from animal cruelty and capture the powerful and anti ageing benefits of therapeutic oils and plant extracts.

La Mav – Certified organic, Australian made and cruelty free. Love the BB Creme!

Antipodes – These are a New Zealand brand (but I love them, so it’s okay!!) Inspired by the natural beauty in NZ, Antipodes do things with style, from the full traceability of ingredients from sustainably cultivated plants, to local production and recyclable packaging.

Mokosh – Fremantle brand, Mokosh is organic, preservative-free, certified organic, palm oil-free and fair trade. They take an unconventional approach to their formulations, using no water. The moisturisers are thus very concentrated – up to 5 times more than a standard lotion.

Vanessa Megan – Quality natural and organic products, certified cruelty free with recyclable packaging. The beautiful products are luxurious, scientifically proven, eco-friendly, and completely natural and organic.

MV Organic Skincare – Originally developed for those with extreme skin sensitivities such as eczema and rosacea, these products are very gentle and effective. Pure quality and enriched with rare and precious oils, this is a luxury skincare range.

Divine – Divine is a premium quality certified organic skincare range formulated by Therese Kerr in Northern NSW.

Where to shop?

You can find some of these brands in health food stores or eco-stores, but I prefer to shop online for the great range of products available.

♥ Biome Eco Store. Founded by Tracey Bailey, this small family business is a favourite. They stock a huge range of things, that are organic, natural, recycled and fairtrade; skincare being just one of their lines. Tracey has a rewards program, free shipping over $130 and a 5% discount.

You might also like to read:

The Best Natural Makeup Brands

The Best Natural Perfumes

The Best Natural Sunscreens

The Best Natural Insect Repellents

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