December Love Lula Picks

These are my Love Lula picks for December.

JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS HAIR PASTE

One of the reasons I chose this new-to-Love-Lula product was I noticed that natural hair styling products aren't featured heavily in beauty bloggers' reviews. Another reason was that I wanted something to replace my beloved Tigi Bedhead Manipulator which I have been using for around ten years if not more, and am just finishing my last pot of. As far as I am aware, Tigi are a grey area brand who haven't given adequate answers to cruelty-free bloggers' questions in the past.
Hair styling products are very important to me as I have short hair, so I use a lot of products. Tigi has always been my go-to brand and helped me to look fabulous but the time has come to change.

One of the recent natural products I tried was Giovanni's hair pomade. Unfortunately, I didn't realise that pomade = wax which is a major no-no for me. Putting wax on my hair instantly makes me look like I haven't washed it in two weeks. I haven't seen any other natural brands making the sort of product I desire (like Manipulator, a kind of sticky gunk) and would love if readers can point me in the direction of any they have come across.

Meanwhile, as soon as I saw the word 'paste' in this new John Masters Organics product, I jumped for joy. It's a medium hold, matte finish glass jar of 57g (the same as Manipulator, which always lasts me months) and doesn't have much of a smell to it. It retails for £21 on Love Lula, compared to £14 for Tigi Bedhead.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Mel (Honey)*, Bentonite, Tapioca Starch, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil*, Aqua (Water), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract*, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract*, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene†, Linalool† *Organic ingredient †A natural component of essential oils

A quick look at the ingredients reveals a good line up, but it's not suitable for vegans and it also contains a palm oil derivative, which I'm not particularly thrilled about. Onto the review, it rubs into dry hair like a dream, doesn't leave any greasy residue and holds my hair well. I would prefer a glossy finish rather than a matt finish but overall, I'm really pleased with this and would definitely use it again. Highly recommended for short hair.

INIKA ORGANIC BB CREAM FOUNDATION

The description of this foundation is that it's a primer, BB cream and foundation in one and as I was looking for both a natural primer and foundation, I was keen to try this.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus Seed (Sunflower) Oil*, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil*, Glycerin*, Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Leaf Extract*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cetyl Alcohol, May Contain (+/-) Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007). *Certified Organic

Firstly, the porcelain shade is absolutely perfect for my pasty skin. Secondly, it goes on so smoothly with a beauty blender (Bellapierre's) that I can't get over it. It just melts into the skin with minimal blending. The one drawback is that the coverage is very light, for those wanting something heavier. However, since I seem to be coming out the other side of my recent skin traumas, this has been enough for me. It's a gorgeous product and like other Inika stuff, smells great. I'm highly impressed with this brand; they deserve all the praise they get.

PHB  ETHICAL BEAUTY SKIN REPAIR GEL

I also got three sample sachets with my order, the first one being from PHB, one of my favourite brands. I've had my eye on the full size so thought I would try the sample. This rather ungenerous smear did one calf. It felt soothing and cooling and soaked in fast. It would definitely be a winner in summer but I've no doubt it would be great on skin all year around. Also, a fabulous lavender scent.

JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS BLOOD ORANGE AND VANILLA BODY MILK

I was attracted by the scent of this and couldn't wait to try. OMG. The smell, the smell! A gorgeous decadent milk in a generous sachet which left my skin soft and smelling like heaven. I have to try the full size!

STOP THE WATER WHILE USING ME! LEMON HONEY HAND BALM

This mouthful of a brand has had some good reviews since it was introduced at Love Lula. I got the hand cream as my hands are having a bit of a winter trauma at the moment, plus I love anything to do with lemons. This was a thick luscious cream that smelled of lemon meringue pie. I used it at night and my hands were definitely better in the morning. A total winner.

I'd like to say a very Happy Christmas to my readers and to thank you for reading during the first year of my blog in 2017.

The items above can be purchased at Love Lula. 

*I received these items free of charge as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Programme. (LLABP).