Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Inspirational green: Northumberland

Just recently, I’ve been making our 2012 album and going through old photos. I got totally caught up in the pictures from the week we spent in Northumberland in early October. I’d always wanted to visit Northumberland because the word on its own is enough to make me think of faerie and mist-shrouded woodland, windswept coast and endless, epic skies. So we finally went and it didn’t disappoint one bit. We were incredibly lucky to get a week of almost unbroken sunshine which made it even more magical (although I completely get that windswept coastline is much easier to appreciate in gentle sunshine than minus 2 degrees sideways sleet…).

We stayed in Alnmouth, right where the coast meets the estuary and just down the road from Alnwick, home to Harry Potter’s castle (known locally as Alnwick Castle, of course). It was a fantastic base for exploring – everything we saw was less than 3/4 of an hour’s drive away and there was so much more we didn’t get time to see. All in all, I totally fell in love with the Northumberland and if you’re looking for a UK-based destination, you won’t be short of amazing stuff to see and do.

Alnmouth beach

Alnmouth beach

Alnmouth estuary bathed in evening sunshine

Alnmouth estuary bathed in evening sunshine

The coastline near Craster

The coastline near Craster

The fountains at Alnwick Gardens

The fountains at Alnwick Gardens

Alnwick Gardens

Alnwick Gardens

Alnwick Gardens

Alnwick Gardens

Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh Castle

Cragside

Cragside

Cragside

Cragside

Cragside

Cragside

Holy Island

Holy Island

Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island

Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island

Photos © Natural Beauty Cabinet. Please do not reproduce without permission.

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Merry Christmas from the NBC!

Dear everyone who landed on this site in 2012,

Thanks for sticking with me through a year of increasingly sporadic posting. I am currently wrapped up on the sofa watching the lights twinkling on my parent’s tree and eating homemade chocolate chip, cranberry and sultana biscuits. I spent the morning wrapping the last of the presents with my sister, who makes me laugh more than anyone in the world. Christmas is my ultimate happy time and while this year has delivered it’s share of hard work and challenges, at this exact moment, nothing feels too difficult and I’m looking forward to the exciting things that 2013 has to offer, both planned (come on house move….come ON!) and unplanned (come on lottery win….must remember to buy a ticket this year…).

I hope you all have wonderful holidays. Whatever makes you smile this time of year, embrace it wholeheartedly.

Do come back in 2013. It might still be trapped in my head for now, but there’s a lot I want to tell you about in the months ahead.

And because the weather has so far failed to deliver, I give you some snow from two Christmases ago.

NBC xxx

© Image copyright NaturalBeautyCabinet

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Heros (or my alternative TEAM GB…and some aussies…and a couple of others)

Whenever I’ve been slacking on the blog, I seem to end up creating a new page out of guilt. My recent hiatus is no exception.

So….<drum roll>…here is my new ‘Heros’ page.

I try a lot of products. Many are really good and I would happily recommend them to others. But only a very select few make it onto my repurchase list. Even fewer stay there indefinitely. There are just so many shiny new things out there. And each one might just be the miracle product that will transform my life and my skin and make me happy for happily ever after. (Unrealistic expectations much?)

All of which is a lengthy way of saying that if a product is on my heros page, I think it’s really really really good. And then some. However, it’s worth noting that making the list is about more than just performance. Price IS a factor. I absolutely don’t mind paying a bit more for something that’s truly amazing but paying loads more for good or even very good doesn’t quite work with my budget. How much use I’ll get out of the product for the price paid is also relevant. I’ve not put current prices on here because they do change but I’ve used a starring system for pricing to give you a rough idea. I like to try and keep a spread of options across all budgets for those months when I’m down to the coppers.

I’ll keep the Heros page updated whenever something new makes the cut. For now, here’s the rundown (complete with super topical Olympics theme…just in time for the Closing ceremony). Feet in starting blocks. Set. GO!

[Pricing: * = under £10, ** = £10-19, *** = £20-29, **** = £30+]

Cleansers (oil or cream):

Gold – Sophyto Purifying Silken Cleanser** (review here)

Silver – Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser*** (review here)

Bronze – Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish**/*** (review here)

Cleansers (wash or water):

Gold – Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt** (review here)

Silver – BioDerma Sensibio H20** (if you can get hold of it without going to France…)

Bronze – (empty podium, probably disqualified for running out of their lane…)

Toners: Some team events here…

Gold – Naturally Thinking floral waters*, Raw Gaia floral waters*/**

Silver – Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic** (reviews here and here), Spieza Organic Floral Skin Toner** (review coming soon)

Bronze – Sophyto pH Optimizing Restorative Toner* (review here)

Moisturisers:

Gold – Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser**, Cupcake Organics creams** (review here)

Silver – Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Moisturiser*** (review here), Organic Surge Super Intensive Daily Moisturiser* (review here)

Bronze – L’Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream**** (review here)

Facial oil:

Gold – Pai Rosehip Oil***

Silver – Trilogy Rosehip Oil**/*** (reviews here)

Bronze – Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate****

Facial sunscreen: Currently blowing the competition out of the water (although still looking for some more budget alternatives…) – Neal’s Yard Wild Rose Daily Moisture SPF30***

Exfoliator:

Gold – Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator**

Silver – Trilogy Gentle Face Exfoliant** (review here)

Bronze – (Another empy podium, this one disqualified for an ‘illegal move’…ooer)

Masks:

Gold – Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask**

Silver – Balance Me Radiance Face Mask** (review here)

Bronze – Liz Earle Nourishing mask**

 

Multipurpose balms:

Gold – Figs & Rouge Balms* (review here)

Silver – Balmology Calendula & Chamomile Comfort Balm** (review here)

Bronze – (Yet another empty podium. This one’s a no-show. Having too much post-race fun in the Olympic village.)

 

Lip balms:

Gold – Lanolips LemonAid lip balm* (review here)

Silver – Body shop Born Lippy lip balms* (review coming soon)

Bronze – Antipodes Cocoa Butter & Lime lip balm*(review here)

 

Eye stuff (notably missing a hero eye cream as yet):

Gold – Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion*/**

Silver – The Body Shop Chamomile Gentle Eye Make-up Remover*

Bronze – Living Nature Gentle Make-up Remover** (review here)

 

Shower gel:

Gold – Naked body washes* (review here and here); Australian Organics body washes*

Silver – Balance Me Shea Butter & Yarrow Super Moisturising Body Wash**; Weleda Creamy Body Washes*

Bronze – Faith In Nature Chocolate Shower Gel* (review here); Wild Planet body washes**

 

Body lotions and oils:

Gold – Dr Organic Body lotions*

Silver – Barefoot Botanicals Daily Rich Body Lotion**/*** (review here), Body Shop Polynesia Monoi Miracle Oil**

Bronze – Australian Organics Evening Primrose moisturising body lotion*, Wonder Oil** (review here)

 

Body sunscreen and aftersun:

Gold – Liz Earle Botanical After Sun Gel**

Silver – Lavera After Sun Care w/Shimmer Effect* (review here)

Bronze – Clinique SPF40 sun protection** (a bit of a cheat here cause this ‘ain’t natural. But I haven’t found a natural one I like as much just yet. Think of this as the athlete that will be found to be taking illegal substances at the next check…)

Body scrubs:

Gold – Weleda Birch body scrub* (review here)

Silver – Body Shop Body scrubs** (review here)

Bronze – (empty podium – stretchered out with last minute injury…)

Bath (therapeutic and indulgent!):

Gold – Better You Magnesium flakes* (review here), Weleda Pine Bath Milk**

Silver – Dead Sea Spa Magik bath salts* Dr Hauschka bath oils** (review here)

Bronze – Epsom salts* (available at Boots for about a pound…!), Pure Lochside Calm & Soothe bath oil*** (review here)

Hands:

Gold – Australian Organics Sweet Almond Oil Hand Cream*

Silver - Wild Planet hand washes** (review here)

Bronze – (empty podium – still waving at their mum after the victory lap)

Hair stuff:

Gold – Klorane Dry Shampoo*

Silver – Liz Earle Shampoo*, Liz Earle Conditioner*

Bronze – John Masters Rosemary & Peppermint detangler** (review coming soon)

 

Storecupboard: */**/*** (depending on size and product)

Aloe vera gel (try Holland & Barrett (including Dr Organic), Aubrey Organics)
Arnica gel or balm – for bruising and muscle pain (try Spieza)
Calendula infused oil (Try Fushi, Quinessence)
Coconut oil (Try Viridian, Pukka, Fushi, Akamuti, Dr Organic)
Jojoba oil (Try Fushi, Quinessence)
Shea butter (Try Melvita)

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An apology

Regular readers might have noticed the recent tumbleweedy silence. This is because I am now deep in the throes of revision. With work, revision, eating and sleeping there has been little time for blogging. But do please come back on the 1st July because I will rejoin the world. And I’ll be bringing you ’10 in 10′ – over 10 days, I’ll post up 10 reviews of 10 things that I have used and very much liked during my arduous revision fest.

In the meantime, I go back to the flashcards.

Hope you’re all keeping well.

[And finally, an apology for secretly hoping that the rubbish rainyness continues because it makes it so much easier to be inside with flashcards. I don't credit myself with THAT much power but I have been wishing it quite hard and the weather has continued to be quite rubbish. Sorry.]

 

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Barefoot Botanicals – Competition winner!

It’s a little belated….but finally I’m here with news of my competition winner.

Once again, I’ve applied the usual technologically-advanced methodology (by writing everyone’s name on identically-sized scraps of paper, screwing them up really small, shaking them around in a jar and then picking one out with my eyes closed, at random).

And the result was……

…..little drum roll….

NIC!

As you’re an email subscriber, Nic, I have your contact email address and will be in touch shortly to find out where you’d like the Barefoot Botanicals Soothing Face and Body Wash to be sent.

Commiserations to everyone else but thank you so much for entering. And in case you haven’t noticed and were interested in trying a different brand, Rob from Miessence left a recent comment on my post about their facial care range indicating that he has some samples available for any of my readers who were interested in trying the range. Get in quick – I’m not sure how many are on offer!

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My wedding and mini-moon kit

And so I’m back….

I’m married. I’m about as relaxed as can be (despite the unpacking and endless loads in the washing machine – seriously, if it’s all about the ONE dress, how can there BE so much washing) and I’m sat at my new ‘desk’. My blog (and soon to be Aromatherapy Course) now have a new workstation courtesy of The Man With The Camera. More on both anon, as well as a sneak peek of my wedding and mini-moon venues under the Inspirational Green banner, and the competition winner.

But first, in the name of natural beauty, a run-down of my wedding and mini-moon kit. I now test a lot of things for the blog but with sensitive skin, I need to be careful that I don’t overdo things. When the pressure’s on (approximately 2000 close-ups anyone?), I was interested to see what I would revert to. It’s an interesting mix of new and old. Some core favourites that I’ve relied on for years and trust as I do my gynaecologist (if I had one). Other relative newbies who’ve come along and impressed me recently. Some I’ve written about already (links where they apply). Some I’m definitely going to be writing about soon.

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to you all. [Apologies for all the long links - WordPress won't let me embed them at the moment. Anyone with any ideas as to why that might be, do please get in touch!]

Face – cleansers: Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/04/15/fresh-faced-liz-earles-cleanse-and-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser/); Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/08/09/evolve-gentle-cleansing-melt/); Caudalie Cleansing Water (more on this soon); The Body Shop Camomile eye make-up remover

Face – moisturisers: A’Kin Rosehip Oil (rosehip oil will definitely feature soon); Trilogy Sensitive Skin Very Gentle Calming Fluid and Moisturising Cream (a dedicated range from Trilogy that will feature soon); Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser (Dry/Sensitive); Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream SPF15 (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/07/31/sunscreen-my-guide-and-recommendations/)

Face – treatments, toners and balms: Figs & Rouge Balm Lip Repair (Peppermint and Tea Tree) (more later); Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask (more later); Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator;  Raw Gaia Chamomile Floral Water (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/06/28/spray-solutions-for-another-scorcher/); Avene Thermal Water; Trilogy Age Proof CoQ10 Eye Recovery Concentrate (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/07/21/trilogy-age-proof-coq10-eye-recovery-concentrate/)

Body: Pit Rok Natural Spray Deodorant, Lavender Bath and Body Oil (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/06/18/introducing-the-lavender-lady/); Wonder Oil (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/05/26/wonder-oil-whats-in-a-name/); The Body Shop Shea Body Scrub (read more here: http://naturalbeautycabinet.com/2011/07/17/skin-prep-for-summer-part-2-body-scrubs/); Balance Me Hand and Body Wash with Petitgrain and Green Myrtle (my favourite smell ever)

Hair: Philip Kingsley Shampoo for flaky/itchy scalps; MOP Mixed Greens Moisture Conditioner; Many other probably less-than-natural shine and hold sprays as used by my hairdresser (who thought a relaxed, mostly down do could require so much product?!)

Fragrance: Darphin Lys D’Eau Cologne; Kiehl’s Forest Rain EDT (it smells like wet green and is the most perfect androgynous, outdoorsy smell)

Make-up (not pictured): Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser; Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20; Max Factor Masterpiece Waterproof Mascara (not desperately natural but it didn’t budge and I knew I’d need it!); UNE lip gloss (more later)