5 Green Beauty Buys You Have To Try! [Review]
I would never claim to be the greenest person I know – but I do like to make sure that I do my bit to keep our planet safe whenever I can. The easiest way to be a bit of a greenie is to use natural and organic beauty products. Not only are they friendly to the environment but they’re also so much better for your skin! Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing some pretty fabulous natural products so I thought I would share my 5 favourite green beauty buys with you. All the products in my list are free from nasties and super fabulous at the same time – they’re great for ladies with problem skin or for those who just want to be a little kinder to the environment.
1. Esse Gel Cleanser: R160 for 100ml bottle
I discovered this cleanser 3 years ago and have been obsessed with it ever since. Not only because it’s an incredible cleaner but also because it is free from parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrance and synthetic colourants. The cleanser is manufactured by Esse, a natural beauty brand accredited by PhytoTrade Africa. All their products are made from plant-based ingredients (which means it’s Vegan-friendly), biodegradable, and packaged in recycled glass (you can even trade in your empty product containers for free products!)
Available online from Allure Cosmetics – click here to buy it now.
2.Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner – R684 for both
This natural and organic hair care range is made from Rahua oil – a natural botanical oil that deeply penetrates the hair’s cortex allowing it to repair while also smoothing the hair’s cuticle. The products are detergent, sulfate and chemical free and contain Coconut and Shea butter, which allows for the safe and gentle removal of oil, dirt and bacteria without stripping necessary nutrients and oils from the hair. If you feel like your hair needs a serious pick-me-up then you need to give this a shot. I also love that the Rahua hair care products are made in collaboration with the women from Amazonian nations such as Waorani, Achuar, Quichua, Quechua and Shuar in order to make sure that the manufacturing of the products doesn’t negatively affect their culture or the environment.
Available online from Thankful Planet.
3. Zoya Nail Lacquers – Between R120 and R140 per bottle
Zoya might not be massive in South Africa (yet), but the brand is well known overseas for creating the first fast-working drying topcoat and the longest wearing, toxin-free natural nail polish. Zoya was one of the first beauty brands to remove toxic ingredients (such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and DBP) from its formulations and focus on the health and well-being of salon and spa workers and their clients. I love Zoya because their products are natural but still super innovative. The brand is constantly releasing fabulous new colours to their already 300 colours-strong range and they are known for being ahead of the trends.
Contact info@incstyle.com for stockists or say Hi to Zoya SA on Facebook.
4. Oh Lief Natural Body Lotion – R145
Keep your skin well-hydrated throughout the colder months with this wonderful, natural body lotion from Oh-Lief. I love the Oh-Lief Natural Grapefruit Body Lotion because it smells great and keeps my skin feeling silky soft. Oh-Lief was founded in 2010 by sisters Christine Buchanan and Louiza Rademan, right here in South Africa and was born out of the sisters’ love for nature and the desire to use products that would not harm their skin or the environment. The result is a complete range of natural body products, made from 100% natural and organic, raw ingredients, sourced locally. Thier name references olive oil (the main ingredient found in all the products) and their products do not contain any harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, petroleum, parabens, artificial colours or nut oils.
Available from online Green Goods.
5. Alima Pure Colour Balancing Powder – R310 a pot
Alima Pure is the very best natural makeup brand of them all! The mineral makeup brand originated in Portland Oregon in the US and was brought to South Africa by local distributors Thankful Planet. Alima only uses the purest cosmetic-grade mineral pigments when manufacturing the range and there are no additives, fillers or fragrances that can irritate your skin or clog your pores in the products. The products are also free from parabens, talc, chemicals, gluten, dyes and nano particles and offer sun protection and anti-inflammatory properties. The entire range of 240 products is also certified cruelty-free. I love these colour balancing powders because they help to enhance and brighten your complexion while minimizing discoloration and redness. They’re perfect for brightening the complexion and toning down redness – Pistachio is perfect for balancing redness caused by Rosacea, or irritated, sensitive skin, Buttercup helps to softly brighten tired, dull skin and can also help to counter mild redness and dark circles.
Available online from Thankful Planet.
