Natural beauty products are kinder to our skin, as well as the environment. Phyl Clarkegoes green
It's not easy being green. That was certainly true when Kermit the frog sang the song all those years ago. Today we have a lot more choices to make about everything we do, and I'm feeling lot more conscious of what I'm buying since our special Planet Earth issue last month.
Just the other day I purchased my favourite night cream. After paying for it, I opened up the ever so beautifully designed packaging and handed it all back to an astonished shop assistant, taking just the jar of cream home with me. Shoppers around the world should do the same. The packaging in cosmetics is criminally wasteful.
I am also conscious of beauty that comes from the inside, hence I'm drinking water, and breaking the routine with cups of green tea, if I feel like letting my hair down. Twinings Pineapple and Grapefruit( €3.49) is my tipple of choice.
Enacting your New Year, New Me campaign in February is a good idea. It's a shorter month, and you can ease yourself into it by doing a lot of planning and plotting in January. I'm not forgetting my vitamins either, and Solgar Female Multiple(€16.50) look serious enough to do me a lot of good, backed up with copious amounts of vitamin C. So far, so good.
Now for some topical products with a natural edge: The Body Shopcombines fair trade practices with keen prices, and the new Pink Grapefruitrange (from €7) is a winner. I've always been a fan of Dr Hauschkaproducts - the Rose Day Creamis legendary, and now comes in a tinted version (€23.45). I also love that company's Bronzing Powder (€22.60), which gives a subtle, healthy glow which is hard to overdo, even if you're a bit heavy handed with the bronzing brush.
If your skin is feeling a little dull, as can happen at this time of year, the Aveda Tourmalinerange claims to energise skin with a mix of marine elements and green tea. Normally I find the Lush range over-scented, but its Ultra Bland Cleanseris smoothing and feels a lot more than its €8.95 price tag. Neals Yard, with its iconic blue jars, is one of the original natural skincare ranges and its star product, Frankincense Nourishing Cream(€20), is rich and firming.
For sensitive skins I often recommend Lavera products. The range is extensive and there is a lovely light touch to the make up. The Originsbrand has upped the ante by taking on Dr Andrew Weil as a consultant. He seems to be into the magic of mushrooms as they crop up time and time again in his products, from cleansers to face serums.
When it comes to hair, one of my favourites is the Phytorange, with its brilliant Defrissant (€20.70) my top pick. The Aussie Three Minute Miracle(€5.99) is a super conditioner. And to protect constantly exposed hands, I usually have a tube of L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream(€20) in my handbag. It's great for stressed winter skin.
Bondi Bronze
How about a quick-drying, non-greasy self-tan which works with your individual skin type to develop into a natural tan? Australian company Hamilton makes a wide range of sun protection products, as well as Tru Bronz, which uses walnut extract, coconut and palm oils, among other natural ingredients, to produce a tan worthy of Bondi beach. Apply daily to exfoliated skin until the desired shade is achieved, then top up every three to five days to maintain the colour. It costs €11.98 from pharmacies nationwide.