Lovea Bio Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Hair Mask review

As a beauty blogger for My Pure, I've already reviewed several products from Lovea so I came to this hair mask with high expectations. The blurb on the website says : "Lovea organic certified Tahitian Monoi moisturising hair mask is ideal for repairing hair damaged by the sun, wind and chemical treatments. LOVEA extends its Monoi know-how and expertise to offer a new range of organic certified Tahitian Monoi hair care that combines organic certified formulas, smooth textures and a genuine, 100% natural Monoi scent with a very affordable price."

The Monoi-scent is what really attracted me to this hair mask in particular - the blend of Tiaré flowers and coconut oil give a delicious, exotic fragrnce that always reminds me of summer. I was therefore slightly disappointed that the fragrance was so delicate and unpronounced. If it hadn't said Monoi on the label, I wouldn't actually have recognised the fragrance at all. It's not unpleasant but is a bit non-descript and bland.

In terms of efficiency, it reminded me more of an intensive conditioner than a mask. Although my hair was easy to brush and slightly sleeker after using it, it didn't feel totally nourished as I would expect after a really rich mask. I have just noticed on the My Pure website that this mask can also be used as a leave-in conditioner too, so I will give that a try next time.

For the price, its not bad and I love the natural ingredients promise that extends to all My Pure products.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £7.99

for more information : http://www.mypure.co.uk/lovea-bio-b136/tahitian-monoi-moisturising-hair-mask-p1154

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Lovea Bio Argan Oil Cell Renewal Body Scrub

Lovea Bio Le Monoï - Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Body Milk

Lovea's Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo

Living Nature Nourishing Conditioner

[A'kin] pureBaby Peaceful Calming Mist review

Since being a beauty blogger for My Pure, I've tried out several products made by [A'kin], in particular their hair products, and I've been consistently impressed, but this is the first time I've tried anything from their range of baby products. I opted for the optimistically-named Peaceful Calming Mist.

The blurb on the website describes this as : "a unique, gentle blend of chamomile, aloe vera, lavender, cornflower & pro vitamin B5 which help provide calming, soothing & cooling relief to your baby’s skin. Enriched with the scent of lavender & chamomile it also doubles as a room spray to help soothe & calm your baby. This spray promotes a restful sleep for your baby (and you!)". Sounds perfect !

It comes out as a very fine spray which instantly cools the skin without leaving you soaked. You can rub it into your skin with one swipe where it totally disappears, leaving no stickiness or greasiness at all, just a lovely sensation of coolness and a delicate fragrance. This would be absolutely perfect for hot summer days when your little one (or in fact anyone - babies, kids and adults alike could benefit from this cooling spray) needs a quick spritz to help beat the heat. It's instantly cooling without leaving a feeling of wetness that you get with water vaporisers.

If I was planning on going through childbirth again any time soon (which I'm not !), I would also definitely put one of these in my hospital bag as the cooling mist combined with the soothing fragrance would be ideal to cool foreheads and tempers. Toddlers going through the terrible twos (and threes and fours and fives ... !) who need to calm down after a huge temper tantrum or grizzly babies with fevers would also be perfect candidates for using the spray.

The product is packed full of natural ingredients and is paraben and sulfate free. This will definitely be a permanent fixture in my pushchair bag over the summer months for cooling down overheating kiddies (my own, nobody else's, I hasten to add !) at the park, but it will also be making frequent trips to the bedroom for those times when tempers fray or someone's feeling poorly and a little spritzer of peacefulness and calm is just what the doctor ordered !

star rating : 5/5

RRP : £8.99 for 125ml

for more information : http://www.mypure.co.uk/akin-baby-care-b103/pure-baby-natural-baby-calming-mist-p826

Other reviews you may be interested in :

[A'kin] Gingko & Jojoba Intensive Moisture Vitamin Hair Masque

[A'kin] Jojoba & Lavender Conditioner

[A'kin] Pure Rose Hydrating Facial Mist

Alva Naturkosmetik Intensive Refining Cream for Cellulite

Are you sitting comfortably ?! It's time for another My Pure review ! I decided to go for something a bit different this time and chose to review the Intensive Refining Cream from Alva Naturkosmetik, designed to target cellulite and slack cellular tissue. And let's face it, if there's one thing most mums have got, it's slack cellular tissue by the bucketload !

Before slathering it all over my dimply and wobbly bits, I wanted to find out what was in it. I know that My Pure only sell products made from natural and organic ingredients but even so, there must be some pretty harsh ingredients in there if it's designed to deal with cellulite, surely ?

Well, the website explains that it contains three active ingredients : caffeine, L-arginine and wellmune. I've obviously heard of caffeine, but the other two are complete unknowns to me. On the My Pure website, they explain : " Alva tell us the cream works like this: 1) Caffeine from organic coffee purifies the tissues, at the same time activating the enzyme triacylglycerol lipase, helping to break down and metabolise fat. It also acts as an antioxidant, a diuretic and a vaso-constrictor. Caffeine helps to dehydrate fat cells. 2) L-arginine tightens muscles and problem areas. The metabolism of L-arginine leads to the formation of nitric oxide, an important catalyst for the healthy dilation of blood vessels, circulation and blood flow. Other research indicates that L-arginine may support healthy lipid metabolism. 3) Wellmune builds up the skin's immune system, regenerates the cells by activating fibroblasts, and optimises long-term skin elasticity. The action of the fibroblasts gradually overhaul the skin, giving it a 'spring clean' from the inside and renewing the extra-cellular matrix."That all sounds a bit confusing so it's reassuring to see that GMTV's Dr Anu Bhatia proclaims to be a huge fan.

OK, on to the testing. Well, after a few days, I did find that my skin was softer, younger looking and smoother. I didn't suddenly have the body of a 20-something athlete but it was a definite improvement, both on my cellulite and wobbly mummy-tummy bits. However, as I've said in the past when reviewing this type of product, my midriff/thighs/bum area is normally quite neglected and doesn't get moisturised on a regular basis. I am therefore never sure if it's the cellulite cream working its magic or just the fact that I've been showing it some serious TLC, whatever the product. I really should do a placebo test and use regular moisturiser on one half and cellulite cream on the other for a fortnight !

Either way, it is a lovely cream to use. It's not greasy or overly runny so it's not messy to use, especially with the handy pump dispenser. It has a light texture, leaves no stickiness and has a pleasant citrus fragrance. And there's no doubt about it, it does help to regenerate and improve the condition of your skin. I'm usually quite cynical about this type of product but I have to say, I'm seriously impressed.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £26.20 for 150ml

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Alva Daily Care Vanilla/Orange Roll-on Deodorant

Living Nature Nourishing Conditioner

[A'kin] Gingko & Jojoba Intensive Moisture Vitamin Hair Masque

Lovea Bio Argan Oil Cell Renewal Body Scrub

[A'kin] Jojoba & Lavender Conditioner

Alva Daily Care Vanilla/Orange Roll-on Deodorant

Deodorants are always hard to buy. I like the idea of a natural deodorant that works with my body rather than just clogging up my sweat ducts with artificial nasties but I don't want to have to put up with underarm wetness. Oh, and it has to smell great too !

Well, the Alva Daily Care Vanilla/Orange Roll-on Deodorant ticks all the right boxes. As they explain on the mypure website : "Alva Daily Care Roll-on Vanilla & Orange Deodorant is an alcohol-free & aluminium-free roll-on crystal deodorant which helps prevent body odour and underarm wetness for up to 24 hours. Himalayan crystal salt, aloe vera, comfrey and an extract from chamomile make them skin friendly.."

The vanilla and orange scent is very sweet and actually reminds me of baking cakes ! It's not overpowering though as it's very light so it's perfect for young girls. In order to avoid having to mix fragrances, they've coordinated the scents of their whole range of products so you can buy shower gels to match their body lotions and roll-on deodorants too.

I don't often buy roll-on deodorants as I dislike the feeling of wetness and stickiness straight after application. The Alva Daily Care roll-on does feel cold and wet but this only lasts for a couple of minutes and I was impressed at how quickly it dries. It's very effective at keeping me dry all day too.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £7 for 50ml

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Green People Aloe Vera Organic Roll-On Deodorant

Palmolive Soft & Gentle Deodorant

Living Nature Nourishing Conditioner

[A'kin] Gingko & Jojoba Intensive Moisture Vitamin Hair Masque

Lovea Bio Argan Oil Cell Renewal Body Scrub

Living Nature Nourishing Conditioner

I've come to realise than many of the best and most effective natural beauty products seem to come from Australia, partly because the conditions are so harsh and extreme that Mother Nature has come up with some highly potent healing and protecting ingredients that can be exploited. Well, Living Nature comes from New Zealand so I already had high expectations before even setting eyes on the product.

The Nourishing Conditioner comes in a plain white and black bottle which some would describe as minimalist chic but I tend to think of as bland ! I also wasn't keen on the semi-circular bottle shape which seemed awkward but it is handy for leaning up against the wall of the shower and would look cool on the shelf if you have the matching shampoo to complete the circle.

According to the blurb, "This conditioner detangles and helps return natural beauty to hair affected by everyday damage". It promises to give you smooth, supple and shiny hair and is designed for dry or damaged hair. I should point out that for best results, they suggest you use the matching Living Nature Nourishing Shampoo but for this review, I didn't have that product available so I used my usual shampoo for dry hair.

The "hero ingredients" as they call them are Manuka Honey, renowned for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and Larch Tree extract, for its moisturising and humectant properties. I was slightly concerned about the honey leaving a slightly sticky feel but this is not the case - it actually feels like it would work nicely as hand cream in fact !

The scent is lovely and invigorating, smelling like a mixture of citrus fruit with a hint of foliage as an undercurrent. It doesn't smell very strong when you first squeeze it out but I found that the fragrance intensified as I worked it into my hair. The scent is natural and not at all overpowering.

The conditioner is quite light and rinses away easily without weighing down the hair. It left my hair tangle-free but not really any more nourished than with my usual product, although I do always use a conditioner for dry hair so that may be why I didn't notice much difference.

It was the Winner of the 2008 Natural Health and Beauty Award. I'm now keen to try it out with the matching shampoo to see if the results are even more impressive. As it stands, I really like it but think it's a bit expensive for what it is as the results are comparable to my usual cheaper brand.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £14.99 for 200ml

Other reviews you may be interested in :

[A'kin] Jojoba & Lavender Conditioner

Melvita Shampoo and Conditioner for Tired Hair

[A'kin] Gingko & Jojoba Intensive Moisture Vitamin Hair Masque

[A'kin] Gingko & Jojoba Intensive Moisture Vitamin Hair Masque

One comment I would make before getting anywhere near testing is that they should make the word "hair" on the label much more obvious because I almost slapped it all over my face before realising it was actually a masque for my hair ! Secondly, why did they choose the word "masque" instead of "mask" ? It just sounds silly and pretentious to me ! But on to the contents of the tube.

Despite these two negative first impressions, I actually really like the product itself. The thick creamy texture and the delicate, natural scent made me feel throughly pampered as I smoothed it into my hair.

As they explain on the my pure website, [A'kin] is a very environmentally-friendly and ethical company : "[A'kin] natural hair care consists of 7 shampoos, 4 conditioners and 2 styling/treatment products. [...] They are made from the finest ingredients, chosen for their purity and skin friendly compatibility. [A'kin] hair care is formulated free from sulfates, ethoxylates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemical cleansers, silicones, phthalates, mineral oils, DEA and artificial colours. All [A'kin] products are vegan and use certified organic ingredients where possible, they have been formulated without animal ingredients or animal testing. [A'kin] products are certified vegan by the Australian Vegan Society. They are also halal certified." That already makes me feel good about the products before I even try them.

I also love the ingredients - pure Australian jojoba and certified organic avocado oils, ginkgo and white tea, vitamins E & B5, rice amino acids and wheat protein - that sound almost good enough to eat !

After shampooing my hair and squeezing out the excess water, I smoothed the masque through my hair and left it on as I shaved my legs and used a body scrub, so probably for about ten minutes in total. As soon as I rinsed it out, I could feel that my hair felt shiny, tangle-free and smooth. Unlike some other conditioners and intensive treatments, this sensation continued after my hair was dry. I really could feel the difference right from the first use and my hair didn't feel as dry or coarse as usual. I also loved the fact that my hair didn't feel at all weighted-down or coated in product residue, as sometimes happens with intensive conditioning treatments.

The masque has won numerous beauty awards, including WINNER Best Specialist Hair Care, LifeScape Natural Beauty Awards 2008; FINALIST Best Hair Treatment, CEW Awards 2008; and WINNER Beauty Bible Beauty Steals Awards 2009, and I can totally understand why. At £7.49 for a 150ml tube, it's not cheap but it really does work so if your hair needs some serious TLC, it's worth it. I also found that I used less than my very thick hair usually needs with other similar products so the tube should last for quite a while.

star rating : 5/5

RRP : £7.49 for 150ml

for more information : http://www.mypure.co.uk/akin-hair-care-b2/ginkgo-jojoba-intensive-moisture-hair-masque-p236

Other reviews you might be interested in :
[A'kin] Jojoba & Lavender Conditioner
[A'kin] Pure Rose Hydrating Facial Mist
Lovea's Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo

Lovea Bio Argan Oil Cell Renewal Body Scrub

This was the first product in this month's blogger's package from my pure. Having already tried a couple of products from French organic brand Lovea and after reading up on argan oil when I reviewed the Lovea Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo, I was keen to try another product from the L'Argan range.

The label describes this as a regenerating body scrub with Argan oil from Morocco, suitable for all skin types, which gently exfoliates the skin. Having used numerous other body scrubs before, I'm used to the scratchy feel of gritty sand or salt that doesn't feel particularly nice but does effectively slough off dead skin cells leaving the smooth baby-soft skin underneath. Your skin feels all tingly and slightly irritated so you know it's been thoroughly exfoliated.

Well, you can forget that sensation with this product. I squeezed out a generous dollop and smeared it all over the skin on my arms and shoulders and I had the impression that I was smothering myself in mushed-up gingerbread ! It wasn't particularly unpleasant but it didn't feel at all scratchy so I wasn't entirely convinced it was efficiently exfoliating my skin. Having checked the label, the Lovea scrub contains micro-particles of orange peel and sugar - ah, that explains why I thought it felt like gingerbread !

My skin, after a fortnight in the Turkish sun, was dry with slightly flaky patches so it needed some thorough pampering. As I rubbed the scrub over my skin, all the dry flakiness totally disappeared but I'm not sure if that was down to the sugar exfoliating my skin or the Argan oil moisturising it. My skin didn't feel greasy but I could see the water from the shower was making pearly droplets on my skin rather than soaking into it so the oil was obviously sitting on the surface creating a waterproof layer.

I thought this would feel horribly greasy after the shower but I had a quick rinse with some shower gel and was surprised to see that the oily coating totally disappeared, leaving just lovely soft skin. I would have liked the fragrance to last on my skin a bit longer but overall I was impressed with the effect it had on my skin, especially without the scratchiness of my usual exfoliating body scrubs.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £7.49 for 150ml


Other reviews you may be interested in :
Lovea Bio Le Monoï - Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Body Milk
Lovea's Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo

[A'kin] Jojoba & Lavender Conditioner

Before I even got close to testing the product, I was wowed by the bottle - it reminds me of the really old-fashioned, dark bluey-green medicine bottles that you'd have found on apothecary shelves ! On closer inspection, this bottle is made of plastic, not glass, but it still looks pretty impressive and funky on your bathroom shelf and at least it won't shatter if you drop it in the shower.

But the really important thing is the contents, not the bottle. Well, they're very nice too. I wasn't sure how I would get on as this is billed as a light conditioner for normal, fine and oily hair whereas I have thick dry hair so I use very intensive conditioning treatments usually. But I was actually impressed. It was thicker and creamier than I expected and seemed just as nourishing as my usual conditioner, despite the "light" label.

The scent is gorgeous - the lovely relaxing smell of lavender works as an aromatherapy wind-down treat which is great for washing your troubles down the plughole at the end of a long day ! The scent smells very natural and delicate, not at all overpowering like some lavender-based beauty products, which is explained by the fact that it contains certified organic lavender flower extract combined with cold-pressed Australian jojoba.

At £7.45, it's pricier than my usual conditioning treatments but it is a nice, natural, lovely-smelling treat that's great for destressing your mind as you pamper your hair.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £7.45 for 225ml

Lovea Bio Le Monoï - Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Body Milk

I love the smell of Tiaré flowers but, apart from Yves Rocher's Jardin du Monde Polynesian Tiaré Flower Shower Gel, I've never found any products that are perfumed with them, apart from sun oil
and that's a definite no-no as I'm prone to sunburn even with a factor 60 sun cream ! I was therefore really pleased when mypure sent me a moisturising body milk to test called "le Monoï" by Lovea. I can see you already saying, "Eh ? What's she wittering on about Tiaré flowers for if it's made with Monoï" but it's the same fragrance ! They explain on the mypure website that "Monoi is a natural ingredient obtained by soaking Tiaré flowers in copra oil, which is extracted from ripe coconuts harvested in French Polynesia. [...] Tahitian Monoi is used locally as an everyday essential beauty treatment: “Tahitian Monoi” softens the skin after washing and moisturises it in a gradual, lasting manner. Used after swimming, it is effective in fighting against the combined effects of salt, sun and wind. " Aha, that explains why I've often seen it used in sun oil then.

The product seemed a bit too watery when I first used it, but closer inspection showed this to be a body milk, not a lotion or cream. Luckily, the pump dispenser makes it easy to apply in just the right quantity and is totally mess-free. As it is quite thin and runny, it is very easy to rub into your skin and is absorbed almost instantaneously. Despite its consistency, it does leave your skin feeling nicely moisturised and soothed without any greasy or sticky residue. It passed one of my sneaky tests - I just applied some to my hands to remind me of the scent and I didn't need to run off and wash my hands before I could resume typing.

I made pretty much the same comments last month when I tried out the Lovea Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo - that seemed too runny to do the job properly too but amazed me by delivering what it said on the label, namely brilliant shiny hair. This body milk is the same - don't be fooled by its consistency, it really will give you perfectly moisturised skin, although you should bear in mind that it is formulated for normal skin so it may not be rich and creamy enough for very dry skin.

As Monoï is so good at soothing salt, sun and wind damaged-skin, this body milk would be perfect for smoothing all over your body after a day at the beach, especially as it's runny consistency makes it so easy to apply - if you've got sunburn, you'll appreciate it then !

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £6.99 for 200ml

Kosmea Eighth Natural Wonder Revitalising Facial Serum

Well, here I am, about to review my third and final product for mypure - awwwww. But next month I'll get some more - yippee ! The final product in this month's beauty bloggers' package is Kosmea Eighth Natural Wonder Revitalising Facial Serum.

I have tried a sample of Kosmea handcream in the past and I remember saying it was lovely and luxurious but the fragrance of roses was a bit overpowering. Well, I was surprised to find that this facial serum has the same rose scent - it's not unpleasant but it is very strong so if you don't like roses, that might put you off. Presumably all Kosmea products must share this same rose fragrance : "Kosmea took Australia by storm in 1993 when they launched the first 100% pure certified organic rosehip oil. Since then Kosmea have gone from strength to strength with a complete range of skin care based around organic rosehip oil."

I have to admit, the actual feel of the product when you apply it to your skin isn't altogether pleasant - it's slightly sticky and even slimy. Luckily, this feeling doesn't last for long and once it has been absorbed by your skin, I have to say I'm impressed. My skin felt plumper, perfectly moisturised and soothed.


This is a serum though, not a moisturiser, so you might want to use it underneath your moisturiser, not in place of it. On the mypure website, they explain : "Apply to skin after cleansing in the morning. For added daytime hydration wear under Kosmea’s Replenishing Moisture Cream. At night-time no extra moisturiser is needed for skin that feels wonderful the very next day."
I preferred using it at night rather than in the morning because you have to wait a few minutes for the skin to absorb it, particularly if you want to wear make-up, and I'm in too much of a mad rush first thing in the morning. As part of a night-time pampering routine, it is lovely though, and I genuinely did see the difference on my skin next morning.
It's pricey - £25.00 for 20ml or £49.99 for 50ml - but then most miracle skin products that actually work usually are. If you're used to paying out for high end skin care anyway, you might like to give this natural option a try.
star rating : 4/5


RRP : £25 for 20ml

for more information : http://www.mypure.co.uk

[A'kin] Pure Rose Hydrating Facial Mist

As I mentioned on my recent review for Lovea's Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo, I'll be reviewing a whole host of natural and organic beauty products for mypure. Next up is [A'kin] Pure Rose Hydrating Facial Mist.

I had already heard of the luxury organic Australian beauty brand [A'kin] but had never tried their products so I was really looking forward to testing some of their goodies. I had high expectations of the company, especially after reading the write-up on mypure. "All [A'kin] products are ingredient-rich, vegan, and use certified organic ingredients where possible, they have been formulated without animal ingredients or animal testing. [A'kin] products are certified vegan by the Australian Vegan Society. They are also halal certified." Yet again, as with Lovea, mypure were the first to bring [A'kin] to Britain, back in 2004.

Although I liked the idea of the product, I wasn't totally convinced it would work in practice. "Spray over your face and body to instantly refresh and hydrate your skin, use throughout the day when your skin feels dehydrated, flushed or heated. Can be used over makeup and helps control shine. Great for dry environments, air conditioned offices and long flights. Remember to close your eyes when spraying the mist on your face !" Hmmm surely if you spray a mist all over your face, it will just make you get panda eyes from your mascara and make your foundation slide off your chin, won't it ?! Definitely one I am not going to try when I don't have a mirror to hand !

Well, I gave it a go in my bathroom (minus makeup) and was really surprised. It feels like a cooling mist of ultrafine raindrops but leaves your skin bone dry. I rubbed my fingers over my face in amazement seconds after spraying and there was no moisture at all and no sticky or greasy residue. Just a lovely lingering sensation of coolness and a gorgeous smell of roses.

I decided I had the perfect time to try it out on Tuesday lunchtimes. I finish class at my first school at five past twelve, finally getting to leave the building (especially if, as is often the case, the kids have been playing up and I have to keep them in after the bell for a few minutes !) around quarter past twelve. I then have a very brisk ten-minute walk to my other school, munching a quick lunch on the way, leaving me twenty minutes to deal with photocopies and paperwork before afternoon lessons begin. Now that the warmer weather has arrived, I now usually arrive either red-cheeked or sweaty-faced - not a good look for heading into the classroom !

So last week, I popped the [A'kin] Facial Mist in my bag and pulled out my secret weapon seconds before arriving at the school gates. An instant sensation of coolness and freshness, a nice relaxing smell of roses and I was ready to face the world (or at least a classroom full of spotty teenagers !).
In the summertime, I have occasionally bought the spray cans of pure water, made by Evian for example, to spray a fine mist of cooling, hydrating water droplets over the kids. They are lovely and refreshing but do leave your face dripping wet - the proof being that the kids invariably open their mouths for a drink ! - so there is no way you could use them over makeup and you need a towel or tissue handy to mop up the excess water. The [A'kin] Facial Mist is a much more discreet and work-friendly version.

I adore the exotic names of the natural ingredients : "Australian Bush Flower Essences, old man banksia, dog rose and tall mulla mulla are used in this mist as well as aloe barbadensis leaf juice to calm skin, and vitamins B5 to soothe skin." I found the name of one of the ingredients, hyaluronic acid, vaguely worrying as any sort of acid doesn't sound skin-friendly, but apparently names can be deceiving and it's good for you ! "Akin Hydrating Rose Mist is formulated using sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), one of the latest discoveries in natural skin care. Sodium hyaluronate is a key water maintaining component in our skin. Modern living and ageing can cause a decrease in this vital skin boosting ingredient, and as a result the water maintaining ability of the skin is weakened." Well that's me told then !

The only thing that may not appeal to some people is the fragrance - it smells very strongly of roses, so it's definitely one for the girls ! Personally, I like the scent because it smells natural, of real crushed rose petals, unlike synthetic rose fragrances which can often be sickeningly sweet or headachey.
This is definitely going to be a permanent fixture in my school bag until the end of term, then it will be great for keeping fresh and cool in the summertime.

star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £12.99 for 125ml
for more information : http://www.mypure.code.uk/

Lovea's Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo

I was really excited to be selected as a beauty blogger for mypure recently, because every month I'll get the chance to try out and tell you about a whole range of gorgeous and eco-friendly beauty products. As they explain on their website, "The basic principle behind mypure is that cosmetics, toiletries and home cleaning products made from natural & organic ingredients are easier on our bodies and less likely to cause problems like allergic reactions and skin sensitivity. Products made from natural ingredients are less polluting during manufacture and they biodegrade quickly after use. Great for you, even better for earth. . . Of course, it goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway, NONE of the products stocked at mypure have been tested on animals". Everything sold by mypure is also sulfate free, paraben free & phthalate free. Love it already, especially when I discovered that the company started out in a cabin at the bottom of the founder's garden and has now progressed to a converted chicken shed on an old farm in Kent !

But on to the goodies ! The first product to test was Lovea's Moroccan Argan Brilliance Shine Shampoo. Lovea Hair & Body Care is an organic range from France which was launched in the UK earlier in the month by mypure, the first UK store to stock it. As they explain on the website, "Lovea undertakes to respect people and the environment at every stage in the design and production of its products, and to offer you certified organic products that combine affordability and pleasure. We couldn't agree more! Lovea products are certified organic by the French organic certifying body: Cosmetique Bio & ECOCERT".

The shampoo sounded absolutely perfect for my hair, promising to "fortify hair and restore sheen and brilliance", allowing hair to be "stronger and rediscover its natural bounce". I have very long, very thick hair which tends to frizz and which isn't as sleek or shiny as I would like, despite using various deep-conditioning masks and conditioners. I therefore liked the idea behind Lovea's Brilliance Shine Shampoo but must admit I was a bit dubious about how well it would work.

Well, my first impressions weren't that good actually. When I poured it into my hand under the shower, it seemed too thin and runny - how deeply nourishing could it actually be if it wasn't really thick and creamy ? Then I lathered it into my hair and was amazed at how rich and creamy the foam was, especially for a shampoo with no chemical nasties. I also breathed in the gorgeous refreshing, zingy citrussy scent which reminded me of the "feel-good" aromatherapy shower gels you can buy - it's perfect for waking up with a smile on your face in the morning.

I was tempted to try this shampoo without my usual conditioner but decided that wouldn't really be a fair test as it doesn't claim to be a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner and I never normally use shampoo without conditioner. However, I did reduce the amount of conditioner I usually use to see how it would cope.

Out of the shower with wet hair, my hair seemed lovely and clean and nicely-fragranced but no different to usual really. I let my hair dry naturally and when I headed back to the bathroom to brush it through, I peeked in the mirror and was amazed to see that my hair actually did look glossier and shinier than usual. Wow ! I wasn't expecting that, despite what it says on the tube, because none of the other similar products that I've tried in the past have actually lived up to the claims !

Maybe it's down to the organic certified Moroccan Argan oil, described on the mypure website as "one of nature’s treasures for its nutritive, regenerative, anti-ageing properties" because of its high levels of vitamin E and saponin. There is an interesting and informative article about Argan Oil on mypure, where they explain that : "For centuries argan oil has been a well-kept secret known only to the Berber women of north Africa who use it to nourish their skin, hair and nails. They also use it to soothe eczema, acne, psoriasis and to help heal scar tissue." It sounds like an amazing ingredient that I'm sure will be used in a wide variety of natural beauty products.

As well as being pleasantly surprised by the product itself and my extra-shiny hair, I was also impressed with the price : £4.99 for a 200ml tube sounds like great value to me, compared to other natural and organic ranges. I would definitely recommend it if, like me, you're on a constant quest for sleek, glossy hair and you don't want to compromise your natural beauty ethics. I would also recommend complementing it with Lovea Burkina Shea Butter Nourishing Conditioner or Lovea Tahitian Monoi Moisturising Conditioner, both of which sound divine and are also available on mypure.

star rating : 5/5

RRP : £4.99 for 200ml

for more information and to buy online : http://www.mypure.co.uk