[REVIEW]: Mio Skincare The A Cream

The A Cream - Firming Active Body Cream from Mio Skincare

Now that we're into the swing of summer, this means more time by the pool and having braai's with friends, it also means wanting your skin to look it's best in that cute little jumpsuit you just bought. 

This firming cream contains organic shea butter; organic avocardo oil; organic sweet almond oil; hyaluronic acid as well organic coconut oil and blueberry seed oil.What does this mean? Well for starters, it's super moisturising! Secondly, by including these ingredients, you're layering in some serious vitamins and anti-oxidants into your skin! 

This cream not only contains amazing properties but it's also free from parabens, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, colorants, xenoestrogens, PEGs, glycols and phthalates.

Another bonus about this A Cream? It can even be used as an after-sun as it leaves your skin with natural cooling effect! Also, the best when it's a scorcher of a summers evening.

Even though most of us suffer from dry-skin in the winter; I've had some dry patches on my arms lately so I've been applying this cream straight after I've showered as it locks in extra moisture!

This A Cream retails for R570 - you can phone Poise Brands (011 033 0500) for more contacts on stockists.

While I've been using my A Cream daily, I've just started using the Mio Skin Tight Tightening Body Serum, so I'll let you know about that soon!

ps: I'm giving away a Mio product next week so make sure to keep checking back on the blog ;)


Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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[ECO]: Reuse Coffee Grounds

Reusing Your Coffee Grounds

Image: Unsplash / Drew Coffman 

I love a good cup of Joe as much as the next person, but have you ever thought about what you can do with the leftover coffee grounds after your demolished your morning wake-up pot?

Here is what you can do with with your coffee grounds:

♥ Add them to your compost pile (also helps get rid of the smell of the compost)

♥ Scatter the coffee grounds around plants that are being attacked by snails and slugs

♥ Deodorize your bins by adding some to an old pantyhose and tying it around the lid.

♥ Get rid of odors in our fridge by adding some to a bowl and leaving it in your fridge for a few weeks

♥ Fertilize your soil or put some in a spray bottle with water when gardening

♥ Add a small amount to chocolate baked goods to add extra flavour

♥ Scrub your pots and pans gently with some coffee grounds and a sponge

♥ Create a scrub for your body (Great for treating those cellulite areas)

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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[REVIEW]: Comfort Zone Scrub

Body Strategist Scrub from Comfort Zone

I was first introduced to Comfort Zone through Davines, this is because it falls part of the Davines brand. Through my reviews of Davines, you will have read how I respect the company for their sustainability efforts and their amazing hair care products. Naturally I was enticed to try some of their skin care products. 

Comfort Zone products are developed and produced in Parma, Italy and the wonderful thing is that the facility uses 100% of it's energy from renewable sources! They also off set their carbon footprints through reforestation projects - such a fan of companies like this!

The Body Strategist Scrub is a renewing body scrub that leaves your skin feeling soft and and silky. Made from a mixture of alpha hydroxy acids and fruit extracts, these granules create an exfoliating effect which eliminates dead skin cells. 

This scrub can be used on either dry or wet skin and can then be rinsed off in the shower. I've tried both ways and I both work effectively to give you smooth and soft skin. 

90% of the ingredients are of natural origin plus this scrub is free of parabens; mineral oils and silicon. 

I use a body scrub weekly, sometime twice a week, I just love how my skin feels afterwards. Becareful not to over exfoliate your skin as you don't want to cause damage to your beautiful skin. 

R580 for 200ml - see the Comfort Zone SA Facebook Page for more details 

Do you love body scrubs as much as I do?

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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[REVIEW]: Africology Body Range

Look Good & Feel Good with Africology

Africology is a South African brand that is natural; eco-friendly and holistic. It's a brand that I've heard lots about but only recently tried their products out. With summer around the corner, they sent me these products to help me look good and feel good. I enjoy the fact that Africology only uses natural ingredients that balance with your body bringing a holistic approach to your skincare. Plus, they are local!

This Slimming Detox Cream contains a blend of seaweed; ivy; horsetail; queen-meadow and biting clematis which apparently helps with the slimming and firming action of the cream. It also contains the essential oils of Juiper; Rosemary and Lemon Verbena, which creates a scent that makes you feel like you are in a spa environment. Caffeine and guarana extract help trigger your cells to burn fat. 

I expected this detox cream to have a body butter consistency but it's a light cream that can be used both day and night. I prefer to use it at night after body brushing. 

This product retails for R320.00 

A natural shimmer in a body balm? This is created by mica minerals that create a natural shimmer and make you feel like you want to go head to a beach party! While this Renewal Body Glow Balm intensely hydrates your skin and gives you a glow with the shimmer, it's an everyday product in my books. I like to use a body balm when I got to bed so I can let my skin soak it up but the shimmer in this balms puts me off from doing that. Having said that though, now that the nights are getting longer, it's great for the summer parties! Plus, it has a divine floral scent!

This product retails for R500.00

For more information or to find out about their spas, go pop over to their website!

Which Africology products have you tried? I've heard great things about their serums! 

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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[REVIEW]: Pure Beginnings Body Lotion & Body Wash

Revitalising Body Wash & Hydrating Body Lotion from Pure Beginnings

 

Pure Beginnings is one of South Africa's skincare brands that helps you skin your skin as pure as when you were born. They use organically formulated ingredients that are non toxic and don't cause your skin or the environment any harm! They are also certified with Beauty Without Cruelty and have just been certified as the first South African Baby & Kids line that is organic with the internationally recognised organic certification organisation called Ecocert! How cool is that!

 

They have also relaunched their adult hair and body care line and I got to test the Body Wash & Body Lotion.

 

Here are my thoughts:

 

 

 The Hydrating Body Lotion with Organic Coconut & Kigelia is a nourishing yet light body lotion. It's perfect for in the day as it isn't too rich and still keeps your skin moisturised throughout the day. It doesn't have a heavy scent and is packed with anti-oxidants for your skin from ingredients such as Marula Oil and Kigelia. It even contains Coconut Oil which helps hydrate your skin. This light and non-greasy body lotion has become part of my daily routine!

 

 

When I first read that this Revitalising Body Wash with Organic Baobab & Ylang Ylang contained Ylang Ylang I was looking forward to trying it out as I'm a fan of the scent but the citrus and baobab scent comes out stronger in the body wash. Nevertheless, the scent is refreshing during shower time and this body wash is SLS free and has Baobab fruit extracts infused in it which helps keep your skin healthy while cleansing it.

 

 

The body lotion retails for R76.00 and the body wash is R65.00 and both are available on the Pure Beginnings website.

 

 

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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REVIEW: Firm Body Scrub

Firm Body Scrub from Blendbox

Hi beautiful friends!

Today I want to share with you on the blog, a divine body scrub that I received at the Bloggers Who Bless (a blogging group that I'm part of) Christmas In July party. It's the Firm Body Scrub from one of my favourite cruelty-free South African brands, Blendbox. You can read more about the brand here. 

Last year I got some Blendbox goodies and I loved each product, especially the Calm Room Spray & the Calm Body Scrub. I had been saving my Calm Body Scrub as it's one of the best scrubs that I've used lately and sadly a few weeks ago it finished *sob* so imagine my delight when I received this new scrub.

First of all it says that it helps firm skin, um hello summer body! From that statement it was already in my good books! Made from essential oils to tone and firm skin, detoxify your lymphatic system as well as help get rid of cellulite, this scrub is just what I need ahead of the upcoming bikini season.

With ingredients such as Shea Butter; Avocado Butter; Cocoa Butter and Citrus Oils, not only does this scrub hydrate your skin while getting rid of dead skin cells, but the citrus oils also help your immune system. 

The reason why I love scrubs from Blendbox so much is because of the fact that they use so many essential oils, so there is no need to apply moisturiser after you've stepped out of the shower!

Although I like the citrus sent of this product from the firm range, I will admit that the Calm range has the best scent for me. Apparently Blendbox have launched a new range, the grace range which sounds divine!

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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REVIEW: Healing Earth

Marula & Neroli Products from Healing Earth

Hi Lovely!

A few weeks ago I was sent these two indulgent products from Healing Earth and they could not have come at a better time! I was just recovering from bad flu when I received them  and have been under a lot of stress so these products have definitely been a delight in my life lately. 

Neroli is one of the main components in these two products and is one of  my favourite scents! What I love about Neroli is that it can be used on sensitive skin; can help treat scars as well as anxiety plus it can be worn as a perfume!

This Marulla & Neroli Oil is splendid for relaxation. It's ideal to apply to your skin after a shower or bath in an upwards stroke but my favourite is to add a few drops to my bath and to lie back, relax and enjoy the enchanting scent. Along with the Marula and Neroli Oils, it also contains Lavender Oil to help you unwind after a long day.

This Marula and Neroli Face & Body Balm has been one of my favourite products this winter! Absolutely love it! As I've already explained, I utterly love the scent plus it's super hydrating and nourishing as it's made from ingredients such as Shea butter; Coconut Oil; Baobab Oil; Sweet Almond Oil as well as Neroli and Marula Oil. Since it's a balm and can be quite oily, I like to use it at night after a bath. 

Have a look at the Healing Earth website to see what other products they stock. 

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx

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REVIEW: The Victorian Garden Mosquito Repellent Lotion

Basil & Lemongrass Mosquito Repellent Lotion by The Victorian Garden

I honestly don't know if there is a more annoying sound than a mosquito buzzing around your head while you are trying to sleep! I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that is driven insane by it! So what do you do? Spray yourself with toxic repellent hoping it will 'bug' off? I have the solution for you - The Basil & Lemongrass Mosquito Repellent Lotion from The Victorian Garden!

As most of you know, I'm a frequent traveler to Zambia and most recently to Zimbabwe (where the above photo was taken), so I need to have protection from mosquitos because they are both malaria affected countries. I was so grateful when the wonderful Jessica from The Victorian Garden sent me this lotion and I was so eager to test it out while on the house boat on Kariba in Zimbabwe. 

One of the first things I noted about this body lotion, was the scent. The invigorating presence of lemongrass in the mixture definitely makes it's mark in the fragrance of this lotion, even my brother was really impressed with how good it smelt. Another positive about this body lotion is that it really is mositurising. I could apply it straight after my shower and had hydrated, plus protected, skin for the rest of the night.

I'm so anti the usual toxic mosquito repellents especially after my mom once sprayed it and it melted her nail polish! If it can melt nail polish, imagine what it does when it's absorbed by your bloodstream! 

The best element of this mosquito repellent that I was most impressed with was the fact that it really did keep those pesky mozzies away! High five to you The Victorian Garden!

There really wasn't anything that I didn't like about this Basil & Lemongrass Mosquito Repellent Body Lotion and I can definitely tell you that I will be stocking up on more when my bottle is finished!

It's R72 for 100 ml which is an amazing deal and you can find on The Victorian Garden website

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REVIEW: Meadowsweet Lemongrass Range

Lemongrass Range from Meadowsweet

I've been a fan of Meadowsweet ever since I ordered some of their bath salts via Faithful-To-Nature. Jane from Meadowsweet was kind enough to send me some of their Lemograss products to test out for summer ~ thank you Jane!

Lemongrass is said to help de-stress and invigorate the body. It was traditionally used for infections; headaches and as a anti-insect repellent. It was also favoured for it's antiseptic properties. 

Refreshing Lemongrass Body Salt Scrub

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I'm a sucker for a body scrub! I know there are a lot of people who say yay to scrubs and those that say nay. I personally love the way my skin feels after I've exfoliated it and I do believe that if you do it gently and only every now and then it not too bad for you. But anyways, back to the product. This scrub is course as it's made from natural untreated sea salt so you should apply it gently to your skin. It has a strong lemongrass scent, which I love as it's so fresh!

Refreshing Lemongrass Luxurious Body Butter

This body butter is so creamy and a little bit goes a long way. Containing almond oil; coconut oil; grape oil and even Olive butter, this body butter will leave your skin super mositurised. It too, like the body salt scrub has a strong lemongrass scent which is ideal for hot summer days and nights!

I also received a lemongrass soap (not photographed) which I can't wait to take with to my next trip to Zambia as I think the lemongrass will help keep those pesky mozzies away!

For more info on these products, have a look at the Meadowsweet website and check out my review on their sore muscle bath soak

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REVIEW: Body Lotions

All About Body Lotions

Recently I've been sent a few body lotions to test out and two of the Rain products listed below are products that I won from the lovely Chicara (have a look at her beauty blog called Lipgloss Kisses). 

Here are my thoughts on them:

1. Biologie Hand & Body Lotion from Rain

This hand & body lotion is perfect for these hot days we've been having lately as it's such a light cream, it doesn't feel sticky or too heavy so I'm looking forward to using it this summer. It contains organic Marula oil which is a natural tissue oil! Another great factor about this product is that the scent isn't over powering at all!

Price: unknown as it was a prize

2. Rosehip and Pomegranate Body Lotion from The Victorian Garden

With this body lotion, you are happy that the scent is strong as it is just divine! I love it! Made with Rosehip oil which is great for uneven skin tone and Pomegranate which is known for it's anti-ageing properties, this body lotion is a real treat. It's a Limited Edition body lotion, but the wonderful ladies at The Victorian Garden has assured me it will be available for a while still as it is so popular!

Price: R120

3. Milk & Honey Hand and Body Lotion from Earthsap

Made with Jojoba; Aloe and Olive Oils as well as Shea Butter and Eevening Primrose, this body lotion is sure to keep your skin nourished and moisturised. The scent is subtle so it's great as a everyday lotion.

Price: R45

4. Kalahari Melon Body Lotion from Africa Organics

I received this body lotion in a pack with a large sized body wash, but I think this small size is so great for travelling or to pop in your handbag! I will be honest with you though, I'm not the greatest fan of the scent, it's a bit too overpowering for me but I think it's because I'm not a fan of melon. It is however a light lotion which is great for those hot days where you don't want to feel greasy. Plus, the omega 6 fatty acids from the Kalahari Melon are great for your skin.

Price: Travel size R13

5. Coconut & Shea Intense Hydration from Rain

This was another one of the products that I received in my prize from Lipgloss Kisses. It has a stronger scent than the body lotion as it also contains aloe ferox, tangerine & sesame oil, so the tangerine scent is quite prominent. I did find this body lotion a bit heavy for me and I put it on the one night before I went out and felt a bit sticky, but now I know to keep it for the nights that I stay in and just want to pamper my skin as it is an intense hydration as the name states.

Price: unknown as it was part of a prize.

The great thing about all these products? There are no nasty ingredients in them, making them Glam and Green!

Have you tried any of these body lotions? What are your thoughts? With is almost being summer, it's important to keep your skin nourished and moisturised to keep it looking it's best!

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GGG Tips: Winter Health & Beauty

Health & Beauty Tips for Winter

Since there are still are a few weeks of winter left here are some of my health and beauty tips to keep you looking and feeling your best!

  Swap your daily body lotion for a body oil – no one enjoys the feeling of dry legs itching beneath your jeans or you skirt sticking to your static legs

       Exfoliate your face and body twice a week – this helps get rid of the dead skin cells, leaving you with a fresh and soft skin, but please do so gently as not to cause skin tearing!

Try applying a mask on your face as well as a hydrating mask on your hair at least once a week – this will help keep your skin hydrated and your hair healthy and shiny.

 Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your bath – it will also create a lovely fragrance in your bathroom

A tip that I’m personally loving at the moment, add a dollop of a balm (I use the Balm Balm Baby Balm) to your bath water to help ‘soften’ the water. After my bath I apply some body oil and my skin just drinks it up!

Before you put on your socks at night, put on some foot cream to keep your heels soft - or if you are like me and you're not a fan of wearing socks at night, check out my GGG Tip for Foot Cream 

I know in winter it's harder to keep up your exercise routine as the thought of having to venture out into the cold usually over rules the thought of working out, but KEEP IT UP!

That being said, please make sure you dress warmly enough after leaving the gym, no matter how tempting the cold air might be to cool down after a sweat session (see mom, I do listen to you)

Lastly and it’s one most of us forget during the colder weather, don’t forget to keep drinking lots of water! A hydrated body leads to hydrated skin, so go and grab a glass of water right now! You can also swap the hot chocolate for green tea!

Next week I'll be posting some of my favourite winter products!

What are your tips for winter?

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REVIEW: Sherbet Angel

Sherbet Angel Studio Salon & Boutique

Situated in the beautiful suburb of Parkhurst, Johannesburg, is the beautiful Sherbet Angel Salon.

Last week I was treated to an amazing back, neck & shoulder massage and fell in love with all the pretty decor and fantastic service at the salon.

The room where I had my massage

The waiting area

Where the pedicures are done

The beautiful table for manicures

Sherbet Angel won The Professional Beauty Awards in 2012 for a salon with 3 rooms or less!

Sherbet Angel is mainly aimed at mommies and mommies-to-be but also caters for ladies at all stages in their lives. Using natural products, Sherbet Angel embraces a woman's natural beauty and makes you feel at home in their gorgeous girly themed salon!

Some exciting news about Sherbet Angel? They are now stocking my favourite nail polish brand, Zoya!

I can highly recommend the back, neck & shoulder massage, especially if you have a sore neck!

Check out the Sherbet Angel website to view the different treatments and packages they offer

Thank you to the ladies at Sherbet Angel for spoiling me!

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REVIEW: Tranquil Body Treats - Vanilla Bath Milkshake

Vanilla Bath Milkshake - Tranquil Body Treats

As I'm sure many of you have noted from my previous blog posts - I love bathing! Its my "me time" where I can just unwind and relax for a bit. I'm always on the lookout for great natural bath products and had been wanting to try out Tranquil Body Treats for a while, so I was delighted to see they are now stocked at Weleda Pharmacy in Pineslopes!

Tranquil Body Treats is naturally therapeutic handmade skin, body and baby care products and are made from the finest natural ingredients. They source their ingredients wherever possible from Fair Trade suppliers and from their own organically grown garden.

I honestly couldn't decide what product I wanted to buy but decided that the Vanilla Bath Milkshake sounded to good not to be bought! It smells divine and leaves your skin feeling soft after soaking in it in the bath. I've only had it for about 3 weeks and try save it but its nearly finished already as I love treating myself with it!

Check out Tranquil Body Treats website to see what other great products they have - I cant wait to try out the rest of their range!

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Hello Health: Vitamins

Vitamins in food

I found this on a fitness blog awhile ago and wanted to share it with you as I thought it was really interesting to see what food has what vitamins in it, and what each vitamin does for your body.

Its important to get lots of Vitamin A in your body as it helps boost your immune system, hence helping you to fight off winter colds!

Hope this helps :)

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GGG TIP: Foot Creams

The Glam Green Girl's Foot Cream Tip

I've decided to start a new series called "The Glam Green Girl's Tips" as a way of making your life easier, and for making better and greener choices!

My first tip has to do with foot cream! I drink a lot of water through out the day and during the night so when I go to sleep I'm always getting up to go to the bathroom. I really don't like wearing socks (only if its deathly cold) so I never used to put foot cream on as I would slide all the way to the toilet every night. But, your feet deserve to be pampered seeing as though we sometimes wear shoes that look better than they feel!

Since my foot cream was by my bed and I never used it, I forgot it was there. But then, I thought about putting it on before gym so it gave me an hour to be absorbed by my skin. I now keep my foot balm right next to my gym shoes and put it on before I put on my socks and trainers. This leaves me with soft feet and I'm no longer slipping and sliding around my room and bathroom.

Now that it's getting colder, why not put your foot cream near your boots or socks?

Hope this tip helped! Let me know what you think of this new series?

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REVIEW: Dr Hauschka - Shower Balms

Dr Hauschka Rose Shower Balm

A Body wash with essential oils? Sold!
These shower balms are good for the mind; body and spirit. Soft and gentle on your skin with a divine fragrance, it makes shower time a spoiling.

Formulated with a high content of botanical oils, you don't feel the need to apply body lotion straight after your shower  With it being winter now and everyone having dry skin, these oils will be lapped up by your skin.

An important ingredient of the shower balm, is the quince seed. Quince seed helps protect the skin, boosts its ability to absorb moisture and makes the shower balms more even gentle on your skin.

I love the rose fragrance, and would definitely like to try the Almond one next! I think the Lavender Sandalwood would be great for unwinding at night and the Lemon Lemongrass a nice wake up scent for your morning shower.

Available from June 2013 - R215 for 200ml

Which one would you consider buying?

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Hello Health: Getting back into routine

Motivation to get into routine

image source: pinterest

After I got back from my latest trip to Zambia at the end of April I was so ill for a few weeks. This put a damper on my gym routine and I could definitely feel it. I was so worried about getting  about getting back to the gym and if I had lost all the progress I had made. 

There was only one way to find out - last week I went to do a little cardio session, and survived haha! I was so nervous that I would be starting from step 1 but my muscles responded well to be pushed again! I fell back into my routine straight away!

Last night I went to my first yoga session in a month but it felt good, and today I feel the just right amount of stiffness!

So instead of delaying it by another day by saying "oh I'll go tomorrow" rather just do it today! You will get back into it straight away and wonder why you were so worried in the first place!

Rather choose to be sore tomorrow then sorry!

Have you ever felt like I did, where you were nervous to get back into a proper gym routine?

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