Natracare Organic Makeup Removal Wipes

RRP: £3.99 for 20

--What does the promo say?--
"Rule number one of a good skincare regime is to cleanse the skin properly, removing all make-up and grime. The last thing you want is a product that could be putting more on to your skin than it is taking off. Unlike conventional wipes, we use only the best organic and natural ingredients, making them incredibly gentle on your skin. Infused with the organic essential oils of almond, apricot and chamomile, Natracare Cleansing Make-Up Removal Wipes leave your skin moisturised, cleansed and refreshed naturally. The soft and strong organic cotton cloth is gentle but effective, removing even waterproof mascara and lipstick. Formulated for sensitive skin, the wipes are dermatologically and opthalmologically tested and free from all the types of ingredients women have ever been concerned about putting on their skin."

--Packaging--
The blue, purple and white colour combination of the plastic pouch is refreshing and feminine. Furthermore, the pouch opens and closes securely throughout the product lifespan, not losing stickiness at all as time passes.

--Usage--
Sweep one wipe over face and neck to remove makeup, using both sides of the wipe to ensure thorough makeup removal.

--Appearance--
The wipes are white, and the lotion they are soaked in is invisible, meaning minimum fuss.

--Scent--
An overriding citrus scent thanks to the oranges, lemons and bergamot, which adds to the wipes' refreshing character.

--Texture and consistency--
The organic cotton wipes are smooth and non-irritating, yet have enough of a slightly raised texture to gently scrub skin, enabling makeup removal.

--Effects on the skin--
Removes makeup just as well as any conventional makeup removal wipe I've tried, and maybe even better - it even does a great job on mascara.

--Value for money--
At £3.99 for 20 wipes, it therefore comes to around 20p per wipe, which is about standard (and even more commendable given the high-quality, organic provenance of these wipes' ingredients, as well as their robust packaging). It also competes favourably price-wise with high street brands (Boots, Simple, Soap & Glory, Clearasil and L'Oréal all charge about the same, for example). This product's only weak point is perhaps its lack of availability: with its main suppliers being online, you have to put in a little more effort to seek it out. Nevertheless, despite being sent mine for free this time, I would still spend my money on them in future. A great product that truly sets an example to others in terms of both quality and ethics.

Dr Hauschka Cleansing Milk

RRP: £22.95/145ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Cleansing Milk gently removes dirt and make-up prior to cleansing with Cleansing Cream. For sensitive skin, Cleansing Milk is a daily cleanser with harmonising, protective properties to calm sensitivity and help diminish the appearance of redness, whilst maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance."

--Packaging--
The glass bottle with shiny metal pump action mechanism is elegant, but not travel friendly. The ubiquitous orange band at the bottom of the label makes it clear that this product belongs to the Dr Hauschka family, and the minimalist colour scheme makes the bottle look clean and sophisticated.

--Application--
There are several ways to do this. You can apply to wet skin for cleansing (before rinsing) or apply to damp cotton pads to remove makeup. Alternatively, you can just smear it around your face and remove with a dry cotton pad, which is what I prefer to do, as then any excess essential oils can be absorbed into the skin.

--Appearance--
A slightly beige-coloured cream that leaves no visible residue.

--Scent--
I'd say the jojoba and almond are most obvious (although who knows what woundwort smells like?).

--Texture and consistency--
A rich, luxurious cream that nonetheless won't clog pores.

--Effects on the skin--
Removes makeup effectively, and leaves skin feeling matte and moisturised. Technically a one-step/all-in-one product in my opinion.

--Value for money--
I'd take this even at the UK RRP, as I think it's excellent quality. However, as always, try to buy in Germany, where it can be had for as little as €15.95 (around £13.30).

perfect partners
Facial Toner, £22.95
Rose Day Cream Light, £23.95
Rejuvenating Mask, £33.95
Eye Contour Day Balm, £29

Mary Kay Limited Edition One Woman Can Creme Lipstick

RRP: £13

--What does the promo say?--
"Limited-edition Beauty That Counts^®Mary Kay^® Creme Lipstick,  in the shade One Woman Can™, celebrates Mary Kay’s 50th anniversary as the creme lipstick that gives back. Berry-pink shade looks great on everyone. Long-wearing, stay-true formula glides on easily. Helps protect lips with antioxidants. Provides instant moisture."

--Packaging--
The pale gold tube is fairly standard, in all honesty. Something at least partly transparent would be better so that the beautiful swirls of lipstick could be seen more immediately. However, it does the job, with the lid remaining secure.

--Application--
Apply straight from the tube or using a lip brush to clean dry lips. For a subtler look, apply just to the bottom lip before pressing together with the top lip for a paler result. Two dots of lipstick on each lip, and then blending, will do the same thing.

--Appearance--
Depending on which side of the lipstick you get more of when applying, results can vary from a darker berry to a brighter fuschia. The latter may be a bit full-on for some, so I'd recommend blotting for a more muted effect as mentioned above. Nonetheless, both colours in the stick should suit just about everyone. 

--Texture and consistency--
Beautifully smooth and soft thanks to the oodles of natural waxes and oils this contains. Lipstick's come a long way from those very drying days.

--Longevity--
About the same as most modern lippies, to be honest - although longer than you'd expect perhaps for something that glides on so smoothly and has so few artificial additives.

--Value for money--
This is a high-quality product that uses ingredients straight from nature, and its price tag of £13 competes favourably with lipsticks from brands with similar ideologies (Aveda, Origins and Bare Escentuals charge the same for their lip colours in department stores). With that in mind, I'd buy again once my free lippy from Mary Kay's lovely PR people has run out :)

perfect partners
TimeWise Age-Fighting Lip Primer, £16
Satin Lips Set, £19
Retractable Lip Brush, £2

Dr Hauschka Rejuvenating Mask

RRP: £35/30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"This pack brings life and vitality to pale, dry skin and helps improve the elasticity of pores. It can also help with the healing of scar tissue. Nurturing plant oils soothe and calm sensitivities as well as moisturising the skin."

--Packaging--
An almost medicinal metal tube with a plastic white screw-top lid and minimal writing. Only the characteristic orange band for decoration gives it away as being a Dr Hauschka product and not something your doctor would prescribe.

--Application--
The Dr Hauschka website advises use once or twice a week for best results. The mask (which I was kindly sent by Dr Hauschka's PR bods) should be applied liberally after cleansing and toning, left for 20-30 minutes, and then removed with a moist cloth. It can also be applied to heavily scarred areas lightly, on a daily basis, underneath moisturiser and makeup, to act as a day-to-day healing agent.

--Appearance--
The "mask" is in fact a thick cream, and the colour is a sickly-looking yellow-green colour. But don't let this put you off in the least: it leaves no visible residue on the skin and the colours come from entirely natural sources.

--Scent--
Refreshing, citric and herbal, meaning that this makes for a unisex product that can be used by all, although it's difficult to say where the scent comes from exactly, as the preparation is packed with good things, including apricot, borage, and jojoba oils.

--Texture and consistency--
Unlike a 'normal' face mask, this doesn't dry on your face. It comes out of the tube like a thick cream and stays that way throughout the 20-30 minute wait. The skin seems to absorb what it needs and then you can wipe away any excess. In spite of all the oils used, it's not greasy in the least, and it's easy to wipe off the excess too.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin definitely feels significantly softer after use, and even though I've only used it twice, I can see a small improvement in my skin already, with there being fewer spots and less redness.

--Value for money--
This is an interesting conundrum. To my mind it's an effective, luxurious product, made with high-quality ingredients, so theoretically I shouldn't baulk (much) at the £35 price tag, particularly as it does seem that one tube would last you a while. However, given that it costs €27 (today: £22.84) in Germany and around €32 (£27.07) in France, it's definitely worth waiting for your next hop to the continent to purchase this, as the UK markup seems a little high. Nonetheless, would definitely recommend.

perfect partners
Intensive Treatment, £48.45
Cleansing Cream, £14.95
Clarifying Toner, £24.95
Normalising Day Oil, £24.25
Rhythmic Night Conditioner, £44.95
Facial Steam Bath, £26.45
Cleansing Clay Mask, £25.45
Pure Care Cover Stick, £17.25
Daily Face Care Kit for Oily Skin, £17.95
*these are the recommended 'partner' products for oily skin. For recommendations for dry skin, sensitive skin, and other skin types, consult the Dr Hauschka website.

St Ives Blemish Fighting Apricot Scrub

RRP: £3.99/150ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Goodbye Blemishes. Fight blemishes and breakouts with the power of nature. St. Ives Blemish Fighting scrub gently helps prevent and treat breakouts with ingredients from nature – and give you the confidence that comes along with having naturally clear skin."

--Packaging--

While St Ives has always capitalised on its image of apricots, this has typically been accompanied by very pale colours (apricot, baby blue...) in the past. Not anymore: this squeezy plastic flip-top tube is now decorated with a bright orange strapline and a hot pink tab ringing in the changes. Orange and black text keeps things short and sweet and the St Ives logo is still recognisable and unchanged. The tube itself is very easy to use and doesn't leak at all.

--Application--

Rub a 5p-10p sized amount between wet hands and massage gently onto damp skin. Wipe off using a damp flannel. Use 3-4 times a week.

--Appearance--

A pale brown-peach coloured cream with dark brown flecks in it (that's the walnut shell and corn kernels that help exfoliate). Some of the exfoliating grains are left on the skin even after rinsing, which is a bit annoying.

--Scent--

Does smell like apricot, but I have the impression from the ingredients list that this is a synthetic scent (or at least the natural smell is pimped using synthetic products) due to the presence of the eternally vague 'Parfum (Fragrance)' that appears there. Smells nice nonetheless!

--Texture and consistency--

Satisfyingly scrubby without being at all irritating. You really feel like it's working as the walnut shell and corn kernels get to work.

--Effects on the skin--

Skin definitely feels smoother immediately after use, and longer term, blackheads and whiteheads cleared up. Blackheads that did reappear were much easier to extract and I definitely noticed a difference in the stubbornness of spots, redness of skin and general recurrence of acne when I stopped using the product. No going back for me now!

--Value for money--

This is an excellent product which manages to be simultaneously functional and luxurious. At £3.99 it's also bargainous, and while it's always been a classic, I can now see why. Without having tried any products from St Ives before, I now wonder where on earth I've been. Definitely a top quality product.

perfect partner

Deep Cleansing Body Scrub, £3.50/300ml

Montagne Jeunesse Weather Screen Lip Balm

--What does the promo say?--

"Are you a Busy outdoor Bee? Then protect your best feature from the elements with Wheatgerm & Black Pepper for a subtle tingly sensation, and flavour with a kick. The Olive Oil safeguards your skin whilst Shea Butter and 100% pure Beeswax soothes and locks moisture in."

--Packaging--

The honeycomb cartoon on the front of the tube is cheerful and the pull-off plastic lid stays secure, but is not difficult to remove when you do need to use it. More balm is exposed by twisting the bottom of the tube. It also features the Vegetarian Standard mark from the Vegetarian Society, but I don't know if the tube itself is recyclable (although the paper and plastic sleeve it comes in definitely is).

--Application--

Slap on to clean, dry lips and go about your daily business. Simples.

--Appearance--

The balm is a fairly solid white-yellow creamy block that leaves a slight, barely detectable sheen on the lips once applied.

--Scent--

The smell of shea and cocoa butters is dominant, which is a little boring; given the emphasis on beeswax, a honey-scented product might have been more pleasant and different.

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth, soft and absorbs well.

--Effects on the skin--

Softens and smoothens lips, but no better or worse than any other commercial lip balm. I also don't really "get" the weather screen part - it contains no SPF, so I don't see how it would provide any beyond-superficial protection to your lips. If the variety of essential oils that have been used do in fact have this effect, it needs to be explained on the pack, as it isn't really common knowledge.

--Value for money--

The main appeal of this product is its 99.5% natural claim. However, there are definitely other products out there for the same price that do just as well or better - Fair Squared's lip balms, for instance, are not only 99% organic but also vegan due to their lack of beeswax; Jason and Optima also offer natural lip balms for this price, and Optima's contain SPF too. This means that Montagne Jeunesse needs to constantly keep its eyes on the competition so as to constantly develop its products for the better. I'm loving the all-natural thing, but would prefer such a product to have a more obvious SPF in it - and if that SPF can be natural, so much the better.