beautyawards With a base made from generous amounts of certified organic extra virgin olive oil, there is a balm for all reasons: from a Healing Balm which offers relief for hardworking hands to Cuticle Care Balm for quickly soothing dry cuticles.
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Highly commended in this category is Barefoot botanicals’ Rosa Fina satin gloves anti-ageing hand & nail cream. The miracle ingredient in this rich cream is rosa mosqueta, the sweetbriar rose, which grows high in the Chilean Andes. For centuries, Andean Indians have used the oil from its rosehip seeds for its rejuvenating and healing benefits. Scientific studies have shown application of rosa mosqueta oil to reduce wrinkles and blemishes as well as diminishing scarring. So, in the words of co-founder homeopaths Hilery Dorrian and Jonathan Stallick: “why use dead synthetic ingredients when you can benefit from natural actives?” with no harmful chemical additives. Rachelle Pope, Manager of Edgeware Victoria Health Natural Health store said: “I really like the Barefoot Botanicals range as I have very sensitive skin. They have lovely ingredients and are perfect for anyone with skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema.” Also highly commended is Bio Etic Organic Hand Cream with Aloe Vera. Just one product in an innovative range that includes an exciting array of natural ingredients from high vitamin C pink guava and Fairtrade quinoa from Bolivia to exotic Inca Inchi oil and essential fat-rich Mafura butter, this aloe vera based cream helps to calm irritated skin and speed up skin healing.
Best deodorant
For many readers deodorant may be the last chemical-based product in the bathroom
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cabinet. Yes, you’ve heard about the studies showing links with serious health issues, but is an ineffective natural alternative something that you’d take a risk on? The unisex Dermalogica Environmental Control Deodorant works. Dermalogica euphemistically urge us to ‘take control of our personal environment’, but all you really need to know is that the blend of coriander, parsley and clove neutralizes existing smells, while other plant-derived ingredients inhibit odour causing bacteria. Alice Howard, Beauty Expert, particularly rated their overall ethics: “I applaud Dermalogica for their exceptional skincare range. This is a brand that I can trust when it comes to my skin. I love the fact that each item in the collection does exactly what it says on the label. This earth friendly range is only crafted with natural ingredients caring for both inside and out making me feel really pampered and cared for. And it’s not
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30p from every sale goes to a complementary health care charity. Unlike most self tans, it also smells heavenly – of rosehip, geranium and sandalwood.
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only their skincare that is making a difference. In 1999 the Dermalogica foundation was established to provide charitable contributions to local “grass roots” organisations that primarily benefit women and children in need. Charities chosen by the Dermalogica Foundation are not supported by any major source of funding.” Also worth trying is Origins Totally Pure Deodorant, a 95% certified organic product which has been successfully tested on volunteer panels, and our other highly commended deodorant, Dr Hauschka Fresh Deodorant, which is also aluminium free and suitable for men and women.
Best self tan
Green People’s non streaky Self Tan Lotion was Lifescape’s top self tan. It is certified organic, suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and
The whole Lavera sun care range is a winner, but one product that deserves a stand-alone highly commended award is the Sunless Tan - Self Tanning Lotion. Soy extracts provide the active ingredient and are combined with extracts of sugar to deliver a smooth, foolproof application and a natural, even result. Another winner was the Organic Pharmacy’s Self Tan, which contains an extract from sugar beet that causes the skin to colour. As well as having an in-house herbal and homeopathic dispensary, the Organic Pharmacy offers an excellent education programme in its London stores and provides informative natural health fact sheets to download from its website.
Best shampoo
Over 30 years ago in rural Scotland, the aptlynamed Rona Rose started making natural skincare products and cosmetics in her own kitchen using herb and plant material, essential oils and other traditional ingredients. Since those humble beginnings Rose’s Faith In Nature range has gone from strength to strength and garnered a worldwide following. In 2007 a six man film crew heading to Everest chose Faith In Nature products as part of their effort to protect the Nepalese environment by leaving it as they found it. The Seaweed Shampoo is a best-seller. It contains wild harvested organic seaweed, which comes from the unpolluted deep sea rather than being collected from the shoreline after it has died. If like us (and many others) you fall for it, stock up with the eco and wallet-friendly 5 litre version!
beautyawards Beauty Awards
Moor Spa Purifying Shampoo receives a highly commended award for being excellent value for money and unique in containing healing water taken from the therapeutic Austrian and Hungarian lowland moors. Unlike distilled or purified water, moor water contains a distinctive blend of the essence of thousands of herbs, plants and flowers, as well as trace vitamins and minerals. The brave
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can indulge in a little purifying ‘geophagy’ – eating earth/mud/clay – by way of Moor Spa’s Earth Essence with Collagen Capsules, but for everyone else using this henna red powder and wheat germ oil based shampoo leaves hair soft and soothes the scalp. As one of the biggest players in the natural beauty products arena, Aveda leads by example with its environmental policies and charitable work. It is also the first beauty company manufacturing with 100% certified wind power. Its fantastic Dry Remedy Moisturizing Shampoo contains oil derived from the buriti palm in Brazil, which is called “the tree of life” by Amazon cultures because it contains everything necessary for survival.
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Dr Hauschka Neem Hair Oil is highly commended for the way it reduces these effects by activating the blood circulation and invigorating the scalp, helping hair to grow through thicker and faster. It is also a natural and child-friendly solution to help with the treatment of head lice. Hairspray that works is tricky to achieve with natural ingredients, which is why Jason’s Aloe Vera & Bergamot Finishing Spray is so impressive. Containing jojoba oil to resist humidity and protect hair, this quick-drying spray really does provide flexible control without stickiness. Rona Rose prioritises environmental issues, especially reducing carbon emissions from transporting products. She notes that buying British has never seemed to capture the imagination of British consumers in the way that the consumers of many other countries favour their own national manufacturers. Now that we are paying more attention to the source of our food, perhaps we should also do the same with our beauty products.
Best shaving gel/oil/lotion Barefoot botanicals S.O.S. Hydrating Shave Cream wins this category for being practical and easy to use, scented but not
Best specialist hair product Not only has it created a winning everyday conditioner, A’kin also wins this specialist category with its ginkgo and jojoba Intensive Moisture Vitamin Masque. You can leave it in for 30 minutes or overnight and the result is shiny, smooth and more manageable hair. As we age it is not only our skin that is affected, our hair is as well. There are four biological changes which
Best conditioner
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overpowering, and richly hydrating for the dry and sensitive skin that can be the result of daily shaving.
Coming from Australia, a nation famed for its active, outdoorsy approach to life, it’s not surprising that A’kin has come up with a great every day conditioner. A’kin means “being similar to the way the skin behaves naturally” and their Very Gentle Conditioner nourishes and detangles hair without any potentially skin-irritating chemicals. A highly commended award goes to Jason Lavender Conditioner, formulated with lavender extract, jojoba and evening primrose to help protect hair from everyday stresses and to strengthen it. Faith In Nature comes up trumps again with its Ginkgo Biloba Conditioner. Founder
can result in a thinning and a decrease in the health of our hair: the number of hair follicles decrease; the time that hair remains in its rest stage increases; the hair grows more slowly; and less nutrients and nourishment reach our hair as our blood circulation decreases, causing it to become thinner and weaker.
Weleda’s highly commendable Shaving Cream is based on pure vegetable soap and natural oils to produce a creamy lather, although not suitable for vegans as it contains organic goats milk as well as sweet almond milk to keep skin smooth and supple.
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Our second highly commended award goes to Living Nature Gentle Cleansing Shaving Gel. Living Nature was one of the world’s first companies to produce a skincare
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beautyawards line without the use of synthetic preservatives or parabens, and 20 years after it was founded in New Zealand the company is still a pioneer in blending science and nature to create highly effective natural products, as evidenced by this slick and functional shaving gel made with Manuka honey.
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Best men’s moisturiser Specialist natural men’s ranges are now catching up with the high quality, affordable products that have been available for women to use daily for years now. None exemplifies this better than Flint Edge, a paraben and sodium lauryl sulphate-free range that is the brainchild of Ratan
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Daryani, a former senior executive of The Body Shop. Flint Edge’s Face Moisturiser is a winning product due to its impressive blend of natural anti-oxidants, vitamins and other hydrating ingredients, including pomegranate extract, Sacha Inchi oil from the Amazon, black oat complex and co-enzyme Q10, as well as invigorating guarana.
achieve typical male aims of using something that gets the job done, is hassle free, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The range is Vegetarian Society approved and an application for accreditation with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) is pending. Bulldog’s website is a light-hearted reflection of the brand, with the home-made “Reclaim The Bathroom” video being a particular favourite with the Lifescape team. Bulldog’s excellent Post Shave Balm doesn’t contain alcohol that can sting and dry the skin out. Weleda scores a second award for men’s products with its practical 2 in 1 After Shave Balm, which combines the refreshing qualities of an aloe vera based aftershave in a moisturising lotion. Lavera’s comprehensive vegan men’s range includes the refreshing After Shave Lotion Aqua Fresh, especially formulated for sensitive skin.
Elysambre’s Fond de Teint Fluide will actually do your skin good. It is part of Elysambre’s environmentally-friendly range of refillable natural make-up and contains sweet almond oil, Kalahari melon, field horsetail, jojoba oil and olive extract. The first highly commended award goes to The Organic Pharmacy Luminous Antioxidant Foundation. Fitting with the company’s promise of using no artificial colourants or preservatives, this foundation contains active ingredients that work on your skin throughout the day. Antioxidants help protect the skin from pollution and free radical damage, whilst the mineral colours correct colour imperfections and give a luminous complexion. In recent years there has been a huge growth in the mineral based cosmetic market, and Lily Lolo has been part of this movement with its Mineral Foundation. The foundation is made from pure crushed minerals with no added chemicals, fillers or dyes, and contains zinc oxides that have healing properties. When applied it leaves the face with a healthy glow.
Best mascara As is the case with deodorant, mascara may be the last item of make up for many to convert. Help is at hand from the winning AnneMarie Borlind Mascara, which delivers a fuller lash with a silky sheen. Many years of research and a wealth of knowledge have gone
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Best foundation Foundation is a lifeline for many women, and as something that we use every day it’s crucial to make sure that it isn’t doing our skin any harm. In fact,
Green People have an Organic Homme range and the Cool Down cooling moisturiser with peppermint was highly commended as was Purely Skincare’s Organic Elemi & Clary Sage Moisturiser. This is made for men by a man – it shows in the strong packaging and subtly masculine fragrance.
into the development of this product as Anne Marie Lindner, co-founder of the company, has been creating skincare and cosmetics since 1947.
Best aftershave The new no-nonsense natural grooming range for men from Bulldog is flying off supermarket shelves across the country. And with good reason – the products more than
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Elysambre is highly commended for its water based Organic Mineral Mascara, which replaces skin-aggressive solvents with a conditioning blend of waxes. The mascara can be refilled and comes in a stylish copper case. The other highly commended award goes to Lavera for its Volume Mascara. It adds length and volume to lashes while extracts of organic jojoba and wild rose oils are hydrating.