Tuesday Ten: Winter beauty secrets

So winter is creeping up on us here in London! so I think it's time to share 10 beauty secrets that I'm fiercely facing winter with. Winter for me is a season of dry skin although I have combination skin when it come to winter my skin get very dry and dull. So to get the glow in winter here goes..

1. Facial steamers! I absolutely love steaming my face, it is great for opening up your pores for deep cleaning and retaining moisture in the skin!

2. Adding a dime size of coconut oil to my facial and body moisturiser leaves my skin feeling loveable.

3. Beauty Oils! So beauty oils are on a rise and what better season to use them than winter #getthatglow. I use Tamanu oil which my skin is loving at the moment, rosehip oil is also great if you don't have acne prone skin. You will wake up glowing with added skin and health benefits too!

4. Lip Scrubs. The skin on the lip is very sensitive which means it is prone to drying to keep it clean, moisturised and to get rid of that dead skin use a simple lip scrub consisting of honey, sugar, lemon and almond oil.

5. Body scrubbing and body brushing! Again get that dead skin off your body and leave it feeling silky smooth

6. Facial masks! Give your face that extra TLC by adding a face mask to your regimen at least once a week. My favourite one to use all year round is: gram flour, turmeric, almond oil and milk!

7. Avoiding very drying base primers unless your skin is super oily as it can end up making your make-up look very cakey.

8. Look after you hands and feet. Winter can be really harsh on your hands and feet so don't forget them. Make sure you have time in your beauty regimen especially dedicated to your hands and feet.

9. Always carry around hand cream! I hate the dry hand feeling and I'm sure you do too!

10. Last but not least, your nails! I use a nail strengthening varnish, in order to get that double strength I rub a little coconut oil on my nail before adding a full coat of nail strengthener!


XO Verified Beauty




Photo credits: Tumblr, Jan Bainar

Saturday? Favourites

Hello Lovelies, so i'm starting a new blog series called Friday Favourites which will be a compilation of my favourite things for that week! All lifestyle and beauty related. However, since this is the first of the series and since Friday was yesterday this one is going to be Saturday favourites (for this week only!) So here goes...

Favourite Scripture: Ephesians 6:10, God has all the strength we need, he must be at the centre of our lives...

Favourite Skincare: My Tamanu Oil and its amazing benefits which I add to my moisturiser at night!

Favourite Make up look: That "minimalistic" but bold glam which focuses on the skin, eyebrows and eyes with neutral lips. Will be creating this look with non-toxic products.

Favourite Style: Loving the "minimalistic bold" look. Loved the oversized coat, the colour and the simple outfit on KJ

Favourite Hair: Loving the wavy Bob

Favourite Interiors: Loving the Black and White Minimalistic looks  (I'm such a minimalist):

Hope you've had a great week

XO Verified Beauty


All pictures from instragram, pinterest or my own

Sowing into brands. #KnowYourBrands

Where is your money going?

A lot of the time when we get paid most of us have a budget for certain things and usually we fling our money into brands and products without necessarily thinking too deeply about it (I am guilty of this!). These are brands that have worked for us in the past that we are loyal to.  Let’s put it this way if something works for you, looks great and has proved its efficacy why should you change it? This is the same mentality that I had for a while and I'm still getting over for certain brands!

Investments:

“Investment is time, energy, money or matter spent in the hope of future benefits actualised”

Money is a blessing from God, you need to be accountable for where you're sowing into and what brands you're sowing into. I do believe that you reap what you sow and we need to identify what exactly we are sowing into. When you buy a product from a brand you are investing into the company and their business, as a consumer you should be given good reason for such an act.

When going into investments such as houses and cars people invest a lot of time to see whether it will be worthwhile and there is no investment bigger than your own body. Are the products you're putting on your skin really adding or are they taking away?

Meanings and Values:

Since starting this natural beauty journey my perspective has really changed! Now meanings and values are the driving force of everything I do. 

What do you mean by meanings?

In everything in life you need to know your ‘why’ to identify the reason behind what you're doing in all actions, as all actions have consequences. There is meaning in every verb therefore you need to stop and really have a think about that, it will help a lot of things come to light! Also identify your motives; this will stop you doing the status quo, robot, monumental things over and over again! Break the cycle!

It is important to identify them otherwise other people/brands will do it for you!  If you don’t know your meanings and values you need to find them as they make up who you are.

This was my old way of thinking:

•  I was driven by senses (sight and smell) with certain products. So let’s imagine I am looking to try a new face wash. If the packaging looked pretty I would buy it and if it smelled great then even better! Bonus points!

•  I was driven by popularity- Well this celebrity uses it and this blogger uses it and she looks good so I’ll give it a try.

New ways of thinking:

•  Driven by meaning: What is this product intended to do?

•  What is in the product that will achieve this?

•  What ingredients are in these products, what are these ingredients and what do they do?

•  Driven by values: Who is this brand? What do they stand for? What are their brand values? How do they source their ingredients?

So before you buy and invest into that cosmetic (or anything in life really) first identify your whys:

Why are you buying this face wash?

•   Do you need it?
•  What do you want to get from it?
•  Are you really getting that from this brand?
•  Do you know the values and promises of this brand you are giving your money to?

 What to do?

•         Research into companies and their brand values
•         What does the brand stand for?
•         Do they have the consumer’s best interests at heart?
•         How do they show their values?
•        Do they list their ingredients/toxic ingredients that they do not use?

These are all they types of questions you should be asking when you are buying products and you may ask whether it is really that deep? Yes! It is! If everyone has this mentality then imagine the millions that are being sown into brands with no true values and with profit being their only focus.  Some might say that business is business but true businesses that make it to the end are grounded in universal and timeless principles such as integrity!

Brands will sell what people buy into so let us as consumers take control of our destiny!

Product junkies- what this actually means and actually is this good idea?

This is when you try out and invest in lots of different brands and products in order to find the ‘right one’ or just have lots of products to choose from. I am definitely guilty of this but I am learning, praise God. People throw around this term like it is nothing! Guys we can’t keep doing this (lol).  Okay SO there is nothing wrong in trying out new things to find out which actually works for you but make sure you do your research first so you can avoid unnecessary spending and again identify your meaning, values and your whys!

How to AVOID being a product junkie (from a recovering PJ):

•  Be aware- brands will sell you what is there and with brands selling through bloggers as well you need to identify those who have the same values and meanings as you do. Remember that a lot of bloggers are being sent these items so if they seem like they are product junkies the chances are they can afford to be because a lot of it is free!

• Make use of bloggers, YouTubers and their reviews but again know their brand values? (because they are basically brands too! #believethat) Do they match up with yours?

• Even though we try and hide from it in this day and age it is still true Quality>Quantity. Don’t be a hoarder!! Simplify your life (lol I love that! Blog post coming soon with that title #yas)

Let's take control and powerfully influence the brands we sow into!

Lots of Love xx

Photo credit: Google

Cacao Nibs: The secret ingredient?

I first heard about cacao nibs when I was on Tia Ward's YouTube channel watching a video on her latest skincare smoothie which is absolutely yummy btw! I will come back to this in due time.

What are cacao nibs?

So first of all cacao and cocoa, what's the difference? I was very much confused by the spellings BUT now I know and it was a pretty cool find (well for a natural ingredient nerd like me). Cacao nibs are cacao beans that have been roasted and separated from their husks to produce the small pieces. Due to much less processing cacao nibs have a dark chocolatey but more bitter in taste. Cocoa is the word used to describe the powder form of the cacao bean that has endured higher temperatures to get it to the powder form and therefore not as nutritious as cacao nibs but great for you non the less. (cocoa powder is the base ingredient used to make chocolate- but you all knew that right?) 

Health Benefits?

Raw and organic: Cacao nibs are the best kind of chocolate you could consume and due to the minimal processing all the benefits and goodness is maintained.

A powerful natural antioxidant: a high level of dietary antioxidants can prevent many diseases and future age related diseases. It is also good for general health maintenance by cleaning out unhealthy electrically charged oxygen molecules called 'free radicals'  from our bloodstream.

High source of minerals: Cacao nibs are high in magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc and copper which means those multivitamins can go out the window (lol, well not quite but it's a start) 

How to add it to your diet?

Due to cacao nibs being in it's purest form, it's best to keep them in that way and not to apply heat to them. I purchased mine from my local Sainsbury for £3.00, a 100g packet and the brand was natural days. You can also buy them from Holland and Barrett which is a 300g packet for £7.99. The packets are quite small but a little really goes a long way with this product, due to the strong taste- think dark chocolate but much bitter so yes you really do not need that much!

I have been using them in my skincare and general well-being smoothie- first seen on Tia Ward's YouTube channel as mentioned before:

The ingredients useD in the smoothie- check out all that goodness:

NOTE: Be sure to check that your ingredients are raw, cold-pressed and organic where necessary

A hand full of Strawberries
A hand full of Raspberries
A hand full of Blueberries
Spoon full of avacodo oil
Spoonful of Flaxseed oil
A sprinkling of cinnamon powder
A sprinkling of nutmeg
A tiny tiny section of ginger (Ginger has a very strong taste, therefore a little really goes a long way. Don't make the mistake I did when I first started and use a huge chunk of ginger- much to my horror the ginger over powered the whole smoothie and it was just too much)
A sprinkling of cacao nibs
A sprinkling of cocoa powder 
A sprinkling of chia seeds
Almond milk
Coconut water 
A dollop of peanut butter
A dollop of honey

Same smoothie but with mango added to the mixture.

Finished product of the smoothie with my mackerel omelette

I have also seen cacao nibs been sprinkled on breakfast meals such as oats, cereals, it can be used as a substitute for chocolate chips in yoghurt, granola, pancakes, cookies and muffins- healthy ones off course!

Check out the instagram: naturalbeautejourney where I will be posting images of the different ways cacao nibs can be used.


Lots of Love xxx

Neem Oil: The overlooked leaf?

This month I I'm try out a new oil! I've heard about neem oil for a while so I decided to experiment.  Neem oil which is derived from neem leaves is highly treasured in India and South East Asia. Neem oil like other oils is packed full of nutrients! However, what stands out for me is that neem extracts are some of the most powerful anti-fungal plant extracts around! Here are some of the benefits of neem oil:

1) The antibacterial properties of this oil are amazing: it's antiviral which means it stops the growth of viruses.  Its anti-fungal which stops the growth of fungi and antimicrobial which destroys the growth of micro-organisms.- This is perfection
 for the scalp, a nice bit of neem oil would work wonders in a hot oil treatment!

2) That moves on nicely to the next benefit, it's a great treatment for the scalp due to its high levels of antioxidants- It improves scalp health, reducing redness and scalp irritation and maintains the scalp’s PH level. Which is great for those who suffer from dandruff or generally have a sensitive scalp! Remember! a healthy scalp= healthy hair!

3) It conditions dry and under-nourished hair! Neem oil contains several essential fatty acids which allows it to be absorbed quickly by the hair and to penetrate outer layers of the scalp so it can be used when needed. Which is most delightful for your hair!

Skin Benefits: Again due to its anti-bacterial properties, neem oil works well on acne prone skin! As a face mask it removes impurities, nourishes the skin, tightens pores and evens skintone! I'm yet to incorporate neem oil into my skincare regime so will let you know when I do!

So yes, neem oil has a-mazing benefits however, the only not-so-good thing about this oil is the smell! It has a distinctive smell which I can't even compare to anything (sorry guys lol, you're going to have to smell it yourselves). I use neem oil in my conditioning hair masks, mixed with coconut oil and a deep conditioner to dilute the smell. I do use the oil alone if I am applying it directly to a problem area on my scalp! 

I've been using neem oil for two weeks now in my deep conditioning regime and my hair definitely likes it! My hair came out really soft and felt lovely and nourished. My scalp is looking healthy too already. I will keep you updated!

I purchased my neem oil from my local afro-caribbean hair shop, however it can be purchased online or from natural health and beauty stores. Be sure to check that it is 100% pure and not mixed with mineral oil, petroleum or any other fillers. It should also be 'cold pressed' 

Be sure to patch test the oil before you use it!

#organicbeautyjourney #obj

Lots of Love,

xoxo

1st picture from google images

Giovanni Eco Chic Hair Care: Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating shampoo, conditioner and direct leave-in weightless moisture conditioner 250ml review

I came across the Giovanni brand on YouTube; following the beginning of my research I was really desperate to find a sulphate and paraben free shampoo. As soon as I found out about the effects of sulphate and parabens I quickly reviewed the ingredients in ALL the haircare products I had and to my horror I found that all my shampoos and conditioners contained sulphates!  So yes, the search was on to find a hair-friendly shampoo and conditioner, I was concerned with how much an organic shampoo and conditioner would be as I was so used to picking up mine from local superdrug! Listening to the reviews Giovanni quickly became my first choice and I began researching online where I could find it. I know that they sell it in Holland and Barrett’s now however, at the beginning of my journey they didn’t. Holland and Barrett currently sell Giovanni shampoo and conditioners for £7.99, they don’t however currently sell the tea tree triple threat shampoo and conditioner- which is a shame. In other news there are plenty of online shops that do! I bought mine on a site called skin nutrition. Which is a site for organic beauty products and natural skin care. They also sell 250ml Giovanni shampoos and conditioners for £7.99 however, they are currently having a 20% off special offer, which makes all the 3 products reviewing product £6.39 each (This offer has been on since I first purchased my Giovanni products in December 2013!- winning) Plus they have free postage on all UK orders over £10- amaaazing!

A bit about the Giovanni brand…” It was one of the first “natural” salon hair care products and today is the #1 selling Natural Hair Care brand in the United States natural products industry. Giovanni Cosmetics remains a family owned company, committed to creating only the purest formulations, packaged in aesthetically beautiful bottles and marketed with extraordinary visuals and graphics. Their products consist of only the most carefully selected blends of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, herbs and oils. These unique products contain no parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate or animal by-products. Their products are 100% vegetarian, cruelty-free, never tested on animals, pH Balanced, no dyes and biodegradable formulas with recyclable packaging. The range consists of shampoos, conditioners, repairing treatments, styling, finishing products, and body and skin care products.” (Reference: http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/)

So before I review I need to let you guys know how long these products have lasted me! So I co-wash my hair every week and shampoo my hair once or twice a month. I also use the leave in conditioner about twice a week. I have had these three products since the end of December 2013 and they are only just finishing now!! Although I did from have a 2 month break from the products I think that is pretty amaze!

Pros: Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, conditioner

• A small amount goes a long way: So when I first saw that it was £7.99 for a 250ml shampoo/conditioner I was shocked. The drugstore brands are usually 500ml and cheaper! So I started by not using a lot of product to save having to re-buy the products often! It worked wonders! It lathers very well and very quickly despite it having no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (winning again)
• The shampoo leaves my scalp feeling fresh and clean
• The tingly feeling from the tea tree-you can literally feel it working!
• It leaves my hair feeling quite soft and supple
• Great smell (if you like the smell of tea tree
•  Design  is simple and cool, it’s also a great shape and fits easily into bags.

Cons: Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, conditioner:

•          Conditioner is not deep conditioning

Pros: direct leave-in weightless moisture conditioner:

• Very lightweight- doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy or weighed down as the title rightly suggests
• This product mixed/ sealed with an essential oil makes a great moisturiser for those with Afro-Caribbean hair
• With this product a little goes a long way too
• Great product to use for detangling as it provides a great slip
• Doesn't leave any white residue if used correctly (as in not putting on heaps)

Cons: direct leave-in weightless moisture conditioner:

•         It's not deep-conditioning

Overall I’m really impressed the 3 Giovanni products and would thoroughly recommend them! Obviously I am comparing it to my previous sulphate brands however I am yet to compare it to other organic brands. I will be trying out other natural hair care products and reviewing them very soon!

#organicbeautyjourney #obj

Lots of Love,

xoxo

World class organic beauty secrets!

Women all over the world have one thing in common and that is the desire to enhance and maintain their beauty. In less westernised societies there is less of a focus on manufactured products sand more on natural, organic and pure products that have been passed down through generations. I believe that there is so much that we can learn from these remedies and these women! The desirable look for women all over the world is thick, long healthy hair and clear radiant skin. I would love to travel across the world and see how marginalised women live and their beauty regimes (maybe one day!). In the mean time I have come across some of the organic beauty staples from women across the globe!

Let’s start off by defining a few terms to look out for when purchasing some of these items…

Organic: Natural produce involving production without the use of any chemical aid

Natural: Made from nature without the interference of humans

Pure: Untouched and not mixed with any other ingredient fillers

Unrefined and Cold- Pressed: Extraction without excessive heat and as a result the nutrients remain intact which means the oil remains ‘virgin’ and ‘pure’

Tamanu Oil:  This oil is found in Polynesia, which is a region made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The islands in Polynesia are known for their tropical climate. These women are known for their well-tanned skin and legendary hair. This oil is extracted from the nut grown on the Tamanu Tree. The scientific name for the Tamanu Nut Tree is Calophyllum Inophyllum. Tamanu oil is used to accelerate wound healing and promotes healthy, glowing skin; it is also used for cuts, insect bites, stings and to treat acne, eczema and dry skin.

 Manoi Oil: Again used by Polynesians and specifically the Tahiti women who again have great skin and hair. It is not all down to genes but natural beauty products. It is made from soaking tiare petals. It is amazing for the hair when left to soak in and then rinsed thoroughly. For the skin it serves as an easily absorbed formula that rehydrates and protects against external damage. It is used as an after sun treatment and also during pregnancy to stop stretchmark’s. It is also used as an alternative to perfume.

Turmeric/Haldi: This is a well-known indian spice! From my experience Turmeric serves as a great ingredient for facial masks, it can be used on oily, dry and combination skin- winning! Turmeric is great for treating acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which fight pimples, breakouts as well as helping to clear acne scars, while providing a youthful glow to your skin. Since finding out about the uses of turmeric from the lovely Farah Dhukai’s YouTube channel it really has been a staple organic beauty treatment for me! More details on facial masks coming soon on the blog!

Honey: I am currently using Honey as a cleanser and I love it! I use it in the mornings and just before I go to bed, I put it on when my face is damp, leave it on for 15 minutes minimum and then wash it off; it leaves my skin feeling soft and supple. Here are some reasons why pure honey is so great. Honey is naturally antibacterial, so it's great to use as an acne/break out treatment and prevention. It is also full of antioxidants and it is great for slowing down aging. It is extremely moisturising and soothing, so it helps create a glow. Honey is cleansing and clarifying because it opens up pores making them easy to unclog! Amazing! Honey is used all over the world.

Gram/Besan Flour: This Hindi ingredient is great for face masks! It is known for its skin brightening properties, pimple fighting agents and general cleansing properties. This flour mixed with milk (or yogurt), with a pinch of turmeric and almond oil works wonders for my skin and literally overnight! It can also be mixed in with homemade body scrubs! How’s that for harsh chemical-free living!

Tulsi plant: Tulsi or basil is one plant you are sure to find in most Indian homes. It is a herb with medicinal and healing properties, tulsi leaves are added to dishes or even eaten raw for its numerous benefits. In terms of beauty, ground tulsi can come in handy when it comes to dealing with everyday beauty woes like pimples and dandruff especially when mixed with oils and honey. I am yet to try this plant however, I have heard great things! I will definitely be reviewing this herb when I do!

Amla Oil: This natural substance is often used to promote healthy hair and growth. It can be used fight hair loss and premature grey hair. When used as a hair treatment, amla oil is typically applied directly to the scalp and massaged thoroughly. Amla features a number of essential fatty acids, which help to strengthen the hair follicles and condition the hair. It can also help treat dry, itchy scalp. No wonder it’s one of India’s most trusted hair oils!  Lovely!

Shikakai: Shikakai (literally translates to "hair-fruit" or "fruit for hair") is a shrub-like tree that grows in central India. It has been used for centuries as a cleanser for hair, body, and pretty much anywhere else a cleanser might come in handy. What sets this plant apart from the rest is that shikakai actually lathers moderately because its bark, which foam up when shaken in water, similar to soap! Shikakai is very high in vitamin C as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K, antioxidants which are essential for healthy and rapid hair growth. These vitamins provide the hair follicles with the necessary micronutrients to help hair grow fast and healthy. I have not yet tried Shikakai powder but it sounds amazing! It is definitely something I will be looking to purchase and review. Shikakai has very low pH levels, which means your hair won’t be stripped of its natural oils, apparently it also works as a shampoo and detangler at the same time. This all natural product sounds almost too good to be true! - We’ll see!

Shea Butter:  It is a creamy-coloured fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees. Being of west African descent shea butter has always been a part of the family and I really did not used to like it (mainly because of the distinctive smell, although now I really don’t think its that bad). This was until I found out about its many uses! My mother and all the women in my family use shea butter as a moisturiser and skin healer. African women are known for their supple, gracefully aging skin. The vitamin A in shea butter contributes to this, it is important for improving a number of skin conditions including early lines and wrinkles, eczema, skin allergies, insect bites, sunburns and wounds! You can imagine my mother’s confusion when I asked her for some shea butter when I had snubbed it for nearly my whole life! Be careful though guys, only high quality premium shea butter can offer all the benefits of shea butter, once it has aged or loses its natural integrity many of the benefits can be lost so make sure you know what you are buying!

Rose hip seed oil/ Rosa mosqueta oil: South American women have used this oil for a while. It comes from the seeds of a wild rose that grows in the southern slopes of the Andes. It was used by the Araucanian Indians for its healing and regenerative properties. The oil is rich in unsaturated and essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E.  Rose hip seed oil helps prevent premature skin aging, helps improve uneven skin tone and pigmentation, and repairs sun damage. It also improves the texture of skin and increases elasticity.  Rose hip seed oil is known to be effective in treating skin conditions like dermatitis, acne and eczema too! Wow! Nature at its finest!

Coconut Oil: If you don’t own a bottle of organic coconut oil then you cannot sit with us (lol). Coconut oil and its many uses just had to feature in this post! Indian women are known for their luscious thick, long hair and this has been their beauty secret for centuries. Using coconut oil is a wonderful natural way to make your hair and skin soft, radiant, and healthy. Coconut oil is natural; chemicals free, all purpose moisturiser for skin and hair!

Sometimes, I think that we humans love chemicals and quick-fixes! We have so many natural remedies and although results won’t be seen overnight in most cases, in the longer term it is so beneficial! Be sure to patch-test out these products before thoroughly using them for any allergies! And always, always, always read ingredients, only natural, raw, pure and unrefined products out here!

Lots of Love,

xoxo

Pictures: All from google