Thanks for all the feedback

To all the lovely readers who have left comments.

I've had a lot of comments which arrive via the email connected to this blog, with some lovely responses.

Unfortunately I can only reply if a comment is left on the actual blog, so just wanted to say, I've read all the comments and thank everyone for them.

There are some reviews in the pipeline, but most of my time nowadays is taken up with English Rose Cosmetics, leaving me very little time to review and do blogs.

Many thanks
Karin Mckay

PS  Just found all the posts in the Spam folder and have now been able to add them to each post.

Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

Having been a fan of L'oreal Elvive with Argan Oil I was interested in trying another brand based on it. Its made  in China for Xpel Marketing in Bootle, who are unknown to me as experts in hair care. Whereas L'oreal have +_ 100 R&D scientists in the hair care lab and have many hair care brands – in short – they are pretty experienced hair care formulators.

Shampoo Ingredients

Claims: “nourishes and moisturises leaving hair shiny, smooth & healthy”

Its a basic formulation with Argan oil featuring 7^th on the list behind 2 surfactants (Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) - its unusual to have two surfactants in hair care formulation and a bit OTT and tends to make for a harsher shampoo.

Conditioner Ingredients

Claims: “rejuvenates and rehydrates leaving hair shiny, smooth & healthy”

This ought to be good as it contains Argan Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Coconut Oil & Avocado Oil – all lovely ingredients. However, the formulation is quite basic and lacks a lot of innovative ingredients found in most conditioners.

Personal Experience

Shampoo – I find the shampoo harsh on my hair and leaves it unmanageable, it doesn't have the anti-frizzing calming properties I find with most better known shampoos. It reminded me of a discount family shampoo.

Conditioner – disappointing as it does not untangle my hair, meaning I need to use serum after. I often leave conditioner on damp hair overnight as I find this gives a similar effect as an intensive hair mask, leaving my hair soft and silky. This condition does not give a similar effect.

Conclusion

Adding Argan Oil to a poor formulation isn't going to improve it.

Rating

Value for money – costs less than £2 from discount stores like Savers 150ml (shampoo) 250ml (conditioner)
Effectiveness – I won't be finishing the tubes, and certainly not purchasing again
Pampering factor – feels harsh on my hair, and does not untangle and condition
Have low expectations and you won't be disappointed

Bloggers website www.english-rose-cosmetics.com 

Nailtiques Formula Plus 2

"Recommended for Excessive Problem Nails ie nails that are weak, thin, soft peeling and bitten."

My nails have always been weak, brittle and soft, I rarely apply polish and only once have had false nails and always wear rubber gloves when doing housework. Unfortunately my nails only ever look half way decent after a 3 week holiday in the sun. Until one day a good friend, suggested I try Nailtiques. A couple of months later I had sourced this online as it’s made in the US and distributed by Grafton International.

Within 2-3 weeks I saw improvements, and now 10 months later I am still using this product every 2 weeks and my nails have NEVER looked so good. They grown evenly, are thicker, lovely white tips, stronger, rarely flake and look good and they are natural – I look like have a permanent French manicure.

 

Ingredients

Nail polishes are flammable as they contain nitrocellulose. This formulation contains some natural ingredients to strengthen and improve the condition of the the nails ie wheat amino acids, calcium pantothenate, hydrolyzed keratin and glycerine. It also contains some not so nice chemicals i.e. Tosylamide formaldehyde resin. However, if you apply products to your nails or use false nails etc, than you are not going down the natural route.

Rating

Value for money – good costs £8.76 for 7ml

Purchased mine from beautybag.com
Effectiveness – I doubt I will ever stop using it – very, very impressed
Highly Recommended – if your nails are weak, thin and brittle – use this and & they will improve loads!

Bloggers website www.english-rose-cosmetics.com 
 

Nighty Night Cream from English Rose Cosmetics

This is my 6^th English Rose product and I’d like to share with you how I’ve developed this product.  Available from www.english-rose-cosmetics.com  

Key Ingredients

Biden Pilosa also known as Hairy Beggarticks & Spanish Needles and has similar properties to Retinol (Vitamin A) without causing inflammation.

Bio-oils;- Cotton, Evening Primrose, Linseed, Palm, Rosehip, Shea and Wheatgerm work together to bring dry mature skin back to radiance. 

Sodium hyaluronate - a water binding molecule present in our skin too intensely moisturise.

Studies conducted on Revinage from Chemyunion, Brazil 

Chemyunion grow an organic sustainable harvest of Biden Pilosa and using super critical extraction turn it into Revinage. 

At 3% concentration Revinage (Biden Pilosa)

1. Increase collagen I by 24%
2. Increases functional elastin by 42%
3. Increases Sirtuin-6 gene expression by 2.4 fold
4. Lightens age spots by reducing melanin and tryrosinase production
5. Controls oiliness by inhibiting Dihydroxytestosterone.  

Further data can be provided on request.  Revinage has not been animal tested. 

Texture

This formulation contains a silicone elastomer which gives it bounce.  Its feels slightly rich and is absorbed quickly with long staying moisturisation.

Benefits

The key ingredient used – Revinage - has been clinically proven to be effective against early wrinkles and smoothing out deeper wrinkles, improving skin radiance and texture and restoring firmness in mature skin.  The bio-oils will strengthen the lipid barrier in the epidermis.

Value for Money

Contains mainly naturally effective ingredients and retails on line for £18.00 for 50ml.

http://bit.ly/ZsCCu5

We do not use Petrol in any of my products i.e. Petrolatum or Paraffinum Liquidum – there are so many more effective vegetable products which are more expensive, but our skin deserves it.  I source naturally active ingredients that are non-animal tested and the majority are Ecocert approved.

Daily Defence Moisturiser from English Rose Cosmetics

This is my 5^th English Rose product and I’d like to share with you how I’ve developed this product.  Available from www.english-rose-cosmetics.com

Key Ingredients

Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt of Hyaluronic Acid and occurs naturally in skin, it holds 1000 x its own weight in water which makes it an intensive moisturiser resulting in plumped out, wrinkle free skin.

Betaine is a by product of sugar beet production and is GMO free and Ecocert approved.  It attracts water which makes it a good moisturiser.   It tightens the skin which prevents water loss and prevents penetration of harmful substances into the skin i.e. allergens and pollutants.

A study was conducted on 22 panellists with inflamed blotchy skin that showed Betaine reduced hyper pigmentation by 86% after 56 days.

Anti-oxidants and Free Radicals
Free Radicals - UV radiation is one of the major creators of free radicals. Free radicals can damage cell function and alter genetic material. Free radical damage causes wrinkles by activating the metalloproteinase’s that break down collagen. They cause cancer by changing the genetic material, RNA and DNA, of the cell.  Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals and are therefore important ingredients to include in skincare products.

Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate) – as well as being an anti-oxidant it increases collagen production resulting in plumped out skin, regulates melanin production resulting in brighter more even skin tone, and strengthens blood capillaries resulting in reduced redness

Vitamin E (tocopherol) – promotes wound healing and prevents UV damage

Rooibos or red bush is a plant indigenous to South Africa it makes a lovely tea which excellent health benefits.  It is a powerful natural anti-oxidant which protects the skin from the inside out against harmful free radicals (often UV exposure).  It has a naturally has anti-bacterial action which makes it effective against acne.  It is also rich in zinc which regulates sebum production.

Texture - I’ve opted for a very light gel like texture that feels substantive yet sinks in quickly, is non sticky and non greasy.

Benefits -  The key ingredients used have been clinically proven to be effective against aging by protecting, moisturising and firming the skin.

Value for Money Contains only naturally effective ingredients and retails on line for £14.00 for 50ml – the texture and ingredients used are typically found in premium products retailing in excess of >£25.00

I do not use Petrol in any of my products i.e. Petrolatum or Paraffinum Liquidum – there are so many more effective vegetable products which are more expensive, but our skin deserves it.  I source naturally active ingredients that are non-animal tested and the majority are Ecocert approved.

Lay Back and Think of England Rose Bath Oil

This is the 2nd product under my English Rose Cosmetics brand of skin care and I’d like to share with you how I’ve developed this product.

Bubble Bath vs. Bath Oil?

Bubble or foam baths typically have high levels of Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) is used to 1) make the bubbles and 2) as a detergent.  SLS and SLES are very inexpensive and are used in many personal care products i.e. shower gels, shampoos, face washes and toothpaste.  At the levels used in cosmetics it is safe, however it is classed as a known irritant, and is usually formulated with other products such as betaine's to reduce the irritancy effect on the skin.  Not everyone reacts to skin but younger people or people with more sensitive skin are likely too.  Studies also show that the SLS becomes harsher with increased temperatures i.e. a hot bath.  Typical skin reactions to SLS would be inflammation, redness of skin, dryness and flakiness.

Bath Oils contain a base oil i.e. grapeseed, almond, and joboba are some of the best known ones. The more affordable base oils include olive oil, coconut oil, or even sunflower oil.  Vegetable oils tend to have a similar composition to skins own sebum and are hence loved by the skin and absorbed.  They often contain Vitamins and Essential Fatty Acids which have many benefits.  Essential oils would then be added to give a natural fragrance and for relaxing and de-stressing qualities you may want to use oils such as lavender, geranium, chamomile, and rose. For muscular aches and pains, you should try thyme and eucalyptus.

So in conclusion one will irritate your skin and dry it out and the other will condition and moisturize your skin – it’s a bit of a no brainer really.

  

Lay Back & Think of England from English Rose Cosmetics

The first 3 ingredients are:-

Sunflower oil – rich in Vitamins A, D & E

Jojoba Oil - very similar to natural skin oils
Sweet Almond Oil – rich in Tocopherol

Followed by Laureth -3 which allows it to disperse into the water so as not to leave an oily residue on top or even worse on the sides! 

I wanted a really strong rose fragrance, so that the whole bathroom smelled of Roses so I’ve used a combination of 5% Natural Rose fragrance and Rose Absolute which is very expensive essential oil from rose petals.

It is packed in a glass 200ml tall square bottle with silver cap, which comes in handy as a dispensing agent.  It looks lovely displayed in the bathroom.  I may bring out a plastic bottle in the future as I am concerned about shipping breakages, it would also be a lot cheaper, and I think could be offered as a refill.

Available to order online www.english-rose-cosmetics.com

Rose Kiss Spritz Floral Water

This is the 3rd product under my English Rose Cosmetics brand of skin care and I’d like to share with you how I’ve developed this product.

What should we expect from a Toner?

The main function of a toner is to cleanse the skin and shrink the appearance of the pores.  There is a danger that if we over cleanse our skin, it can lead to excess oil production and throw the skin out of balance.   For that reason I make moisturising more of a priority and try not to over cleanse and always make sure that if I do use a toner, it’s very gentle.

Sensitive skin – a mild toner with virtually no alcohol i.e. rose water, water and humectants to keep the upper layers of the skin moisturised

Normal/combination skin – a tonic with up to 20% alcohol i.e. orange floral water, water and humectants is recommended

Oily skin – an astringent with 20-60% alcohol i.e. witch hazel, anti-bacterial ingredients i.e. tea tree, water and humectants

Benefits of Rose Floral Water

Rosa Damascena Flower water is an aqueous solution of the steam of the distillate obtained from the flowers of the Damask Rose, Rosa damascene and Rosaceae.  Rose Floral Water is naturally self-preserving and therefore no preservatives are needed.

Rose Floral Water can be used for the following applications:-

• Gentle cleanser and toner
• Soothes sunburnt and irritated skin
• Balances skins ph.
• Suitable for all skin types
• Suitable for aftershave burn

Rose Kiss Spritz from English Rose Cosmetics

Is 100% natural and preservative free and contains only one ingredient – Rosa Damascena

It is packed in a recyclable 100ml bottle with spray mist. 

Available from English Rose Cosmetics