I was recently invited to try out some products from the Dr. Organic line, a range of organic skincare for face, body and hair that’s recently hit South Africa. I was keen to try out the body lotions, scrubs and hair range more than the skincare stuff, since I’m not a fan of trying out new products on my face. But the PR peeps sent over a few skincare goodies, and since I was running low, I thought I’d give them a bash. I actually really liked the skincare line more than I had expected to. Sometimes it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised! The Dr. Organic line consists of various ranges, including the Dead Sea Mineral, Snail Gel and the Moroccan Argan Oil range as well as a bunch of other lines that I’ve listed at the end of this post. Each range has been formulated with organic oils and all free from petrochemicals, additives, and preservatives that strip the skin of moisture and longevity. My favourite would have to be the Organic Dead Sea Mineral Face Wash, not only because it’s a great product, but I’m such a fuss pot when it comes to cleansers, since I’ve had my fair share of skin stripping experiences. This one is really gentle on…

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I love Balm Balm products. Everything from their pretty packing, to the unique blend of ingredients, but one of the things I really love, is the fact that they are Organic and 100% natural. Their new Frankincense skincare range is definitely worth something to blog about! It’s unlike any other three-step skincare trio that I’ve experienced, with really unique products as apposed to your normal cleanser, toner and moisturizer. The cleanser comes in a balm formula (of course) and the toner is more like a hydrating spray. Then instead of a cream type moisturizer, Balm Balm Frankincense offers an oil/ serum type formula instead. It’s such an innovative trio and I really love it for so many reasons! It’s also the ideal range for gals that travel a lot, as it takes up such little space in your toiletry bag! Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm If you follow my blog and you’ve read my past beauty features, you’ll know that I am very fussy when it comes to skincare. One of the things I am really fussy about is the type of cleanser that I use. I refuse to use anything that’s harsh and am particularly against soap cleansers. This little guy is amazing! My preference with cleansers is either…

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Talk about bath-time fit for a king (or queen)! I love this new-to-South-Africa-range of quirky bath and body products. Not only do they smell amazing, invigorate your body and senses, but the pretty packaging is total eye candy! Straight out of Greece, Kings & Queens includes heavenly shower gels, shimmering body milks, body butters, scented candles, EDT sprays, deodorants, soaps and body scrubs. I love the concept of this range! It’s basically a collection of quality products, inspired by intriguing myths that surround royals and noblemen and their obsessions with herbs and spices. Behind every variant, lies a fascinating story based on a specific royal, who lends their name to the product collection. You’ll understand what I’m on about when you keep reading :). Signature ingredients, “Royal Herbs” throughout the Kings & Queens range include; Pomegranate, Blue Egyptian Lotus as well as Malachite extracts. The entire range is free from mineral oil and parabens. I got to sample four products from the; Aztec King, Emperor Akbar, Sultan of Granada and King of Sumatra collections… Aztec King SCENT: Vanilla Pear MYTH: Vanilla, which was considered to be a potent aphrodisiac in pre-Columbian Mexico, was consumed in bucket-loads by the ancient Aztec kings and their wives. I got to sample the gorgeous parrafin wax candle (R99) from this range. It comes…

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By now, you guys have probably heard that Greek beauty brand, Korres (pronounced “KORRE” without the “S”) will be making its way to South Africa in November this year! Aren’t you excited about this new brand? Well, you should be! When I was in Greece last month, I purchased some of their sun-care and body products. Yes, I do buy beauty products as well – just in case you’re wondering :). Anyhoo! Let me tell you that these products are amazing! KORRES do a whole range of beauty products from skincare to haircare, body care to makeup and fragrances. I tested out some of their makeup in the stores and it’s quite impressive, but since I ran out of sunscreen and body cream while I was on holiday, and I didn’t want to hoard too much back – I only bought a few products. I checked in with Edgars, who will be stocking KORRES in select stores, and it looks like some of these will be available when the brand hits SA, others not. Regardless, they are definitely still worth a mention – especially since a lot of my readers do go overseas and I also have lots of visitors from outside SA…

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I’m kinda obsessed with beautiful scented candles and all that yummy stuff! I guess you could say I love making my home smell like a day spa! Mmmm! I recently go this awesome press pack in the mail from local organic skin-care brand, SOiL and couldn’t wait to shoot and share it with my lovely StyleScoop readers! They sent me some goodies from their new Sensual Hibiscus range. One of the items was their cute and clever SOiL Sensual Soy Wax Melts! They are little soy melts that you put in an oil burner and enjoy. No more having to pour messy oils into burners, these babies melt like a dream and make your entire space smell amazing! The thing that really got my tail wagging was their Electric Burner. It’s a ceramic oil burner that uses electricity to heat up the oil. So instead of burning tea light candles, you just plug it in, flick a switch and enjoy the fragrance that filters into your space. It’s the perfect way to enjoy sensational scents without the risk of burning down your house! This is a great gadget, plus it looks really spa-like and stylish. All it needs is to be fitted with a 60w bulb – energy savers wont work as they don’t produce enough heat – so bear…

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The cutest beauty balm on the block I love these gorgeous little balms that landed on my desk, new from Balm Balm. They come in such pretty pastel colours like blue, pink, purple and green and are perfect for treating your skin this winter. Balm Balm is one of the UK’s leading, 100% Organic skincare companies. It is endorsed by the FSC, Soil Association, Leaping Bunny and the Carbon Neutral Company. There is a balm for all, including a lip balm, face balm, baby balm, foot balm and hand balm. Best of all, all their balms are multifunctional, so they can be used all over! The body specific ones are just better suited to those areas… Balm Balm Face Balm Comes in Tea Tree, a Fragrance Free Face Balm (featured above) and Rose & Geranium Face Balm. Ideal for the areas of the face and body that need soothing; cheeks, lips, neck, hands, arms, legs and feet. R140/ 30ml. Balm Balm Foot Balm Comes in a blue Tea Tree pot, ideal for soothing tired, overworked feet. It can be used all over, but works wonders on tired, achy or calloused feet. R143/ 30ml. Balm Balm Hand Balm Comes in Rose &…

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I received such an awesome article from Harmless House – a local online store that sells premium organic bath and body products – and it really got me thinking! It’s scary to think that the very same beauty products we’re using to keep our skin beautiful, can also cause so much damage in the long the run! Have a read below, this article will really open your eyes… A supermarket aisle is the ideal place to see people’s priorities illustrated. Down the food aisles, people are reading ingredients list- checking for artificial colourants, the fat content, is this bag of lettuce organic? However, in the body product aisle someone may stop to smell a new deodorant, but otherwise they are chucking in the good ‘old faithful’s’- the shampoo, the body wash, shave gel, body cream, and deodorant. But with the average person applying 126 unique ingredients to their skin everyday- are the products we use not worth some consideration? Nobody stops to turn the bottle over- because what could possibly be in a body product that wouldn’t be good for you? One of the most common cosmetic ingredients is parabens, an ingredient which has had a fair amount of research…

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My beauty obsession at the moment is this amazing smelling 3 in one shampoo, body wash and bubble bath from Giovanni. Giovanni Cosmetics, founded by Arthur Giovanni is a range of skin and hair products made using a blend of exotic organic oils. The oils are cold pressed and refrigerated immediately to ensure maximum purity. From an end user point of view, and total beauty nut, the Tropical medley 3-in-one is one of my fave products at the moment. It not only smells delicious, but it’s the ultimate travel-smart product. So, when you’re enjoying your summer hol’s this December, this is one of those products that will make life easy, but still keeping you fabulous. The pump action applicator is also worth a mention. As I said, it’s great for travel, and this system “locks down” to ensure there isn’t a single spill. Smart hey?! I also got to try out some other products from the Giovanni range, including the Vitapro Fusion Protective Moisturizer Hair Treatment. This leave in conditioner is great for all hair types and protects your hair from sun, heat and styling, while it rebuilds and nurtures damaged hair. The formula is light and non sticky which…

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I can’t say I’m a big fan of organic skincare. Don’t get me wrong, its great for your skin and the environment etc, but a lot of the products I’ve sampled really haven’t impressed me that much, probably because I can’t get passed the icky scent of a lot of them. This new range of organic skincare from Aquizhen however, is probably one of the nicest organic ranges I’ve tried, and it actually smells good. The ingredients in Aquizhen are naturally sourced, certified organic and backed by research based on Derma-Research-Laboratories-Dr. med. Erich Schulte. The skincare range consists of a Freshening Cleanser, Replenishing Day Cream, Eye & Delicate Skin Serum, Nurturing Night Cream, Gentle Exfoliating Mask and Organic Soap. I do love the Gentle Exfoliating Mask. When you put it on your skin it feels like it’s heating up your face, and when you wash it off after 10 minutes you can feel how your pores have been revitalized. It does leave the skin red for a little bit, but it’s not sore or uncomfortable at all and goes away shortly after. It’s job is to protect against anti aging, revitalize and improve microcirculation and the exfoliating particles help to…

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I love being able to try out new and exciting beauty products, so when I received a press kit filled with some new products from Physicians Formula I was beyond excited. “Born of a steadfast pledge to purity”, this fragrance free, PABA free product range is super gentle on your skin. It’s organic, meaning it has no harsh chemicals, no synthetic preservatives, no parabens, no synthetic fragrances, no genetically modified organisms and are animal friendly. I got to try out some of their bronzers and powders and my favourite has got to be the Colour Correction Powder. Let me start by saying, that I’ve only recently discovered how great it is to finish my skin with powder – especially in summer. Powder helps to keep my makeup in place and also keeps my skin shine free (I do live in Durbs after all). But back to this product, what’s really great about the Colour Corrector is the multi coloured combinations that work together to fix up any imperfections. The colour combos, including yellows and green neaturalize your skin making it look perfectly blended and here’s how; Opposite colors tone each other down. Instead of caking on the makeup and looking…

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Today’s obsession is this totally cute and girly gift box from Badger. A trio of body indulgence, how can anyone resist these super cute tins? Packaged in an equally pretty little box, these will make ideal gifts for your gals! Cuticle Care, Foot Balm and Evolving Body Balm will make them feel special and pampered.Plus Badger beauty balms are certified organic too. My fave is the Badger Cuticle Care tin. With soothing shea butter to help not only soften those cuticles, but also give nails an added boost of health! Im hooked! Wrinkle, Shrinkle and Crinkle The Evolving Body balm is lovely. It’s light and balmy with a honey tone and Rosy fragrance. It’s a great little formula for under the eye area and to help prevent stretch marks and wrinkles. Its made with a blend of oils, including; Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Essential Oils of Lavender, chamomile and Rose Otto as well as Beeswax, Co2 Extracts of Rosehip, Seabuckthorn berry and Calendula. For feet, Foot balm will do your feet a favour and is a great little fix for cracked heels. This set is available from naturescolours.com for R200

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While I’m all for saving the planet, its really hard to give up some of my essential beauty must haves in return for a happier environment. Thanks to Softlips though, I don’t have to give up great lip care. And while my lips enjoy some moisture lovin’, I can do my bit towards a greener earth – yay me! Soflips have launched a new range of eco-friendly lip balms, Softlips Organics, which come in a variety of fabulous flavours including; melon, cranberry, papaya, chai tea, peppermint, pomegranate and acia berry. The best part, besides keeping  lips moisturized and nourished all season long, is that, unlike many “organic” products, these ones actually smell pretty good, and they feel great too, plush it doesnt’ leave a nasty, waxy feel. Still packaged in the super slim design, Soflips Organics has been created with a blend of organic oils, beeswax and shea butter. Free from pesticides, harsh chemicals, parabens and glutens, Softlips Organics gets the green stamp of approval right down to its eco-friendly packaging, that is printed with vegetable based ink, making it more recycable. The only thing that could make this product any better, is to simply remember to recycle your packaging…

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