babyurbeautiful

Introducing Poppy

When I became pregnant with my first child, I really started to consider what I was putting onto and into my body. When breastfeeding, this seemed equally important. I am now nursing my second child, and plan to continue beyond this with my healthy regime, which included becoming vegan. I therefore look particularly for luxurious natural products to pamper my tired skin.

I recently discovered Ruth Romano's lovely range of natural skincare products including soap, lip balms and bath soaks, (see http://www.ruthromano.com ).

The brainchild of breast cancer survivor Ruth Cartwright, who truly believes that “going back to nature” is the best way to move forward, she founded her natural soap business, Ruth Romano, in April 2013, in her very own Cheshire cottage kitchen.

Ruth is very ingredient conscious and her research confirmed that many everyday skincare products are made with chemicals that may be linked to health issues and are damaging to the environment.

She therefore decided not to use any potentially harmful chemicals or palm oil in
her products.  Rainforests are being destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations. Even ‘sustainable palm oil’ has been brought into question as members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) are allowed to chop down ‘degraded forest.’

All products have the Janey Loves accreditation from Janey Lee Grace who is the UK’s number one natural living expert, described by Janey as “gorgeous, handcrafted and made with love.”

Products range from £3.99 - £14.99, making Ruth Romano an affordable option, whether
shopping for yourself or gifts for others.

I wanted to test some of Ruth's products which I felt would be a real pampering treat for tired new mums. Here are the reviews:

Bath Soak
£8.99



Ruth recommended her lemongrass bath soak, which is a real pick me up when feeling tired. This smells lovely in the bath, a real natural relaxing scent. I actually asked my own Mum to test this for me too, and she agreed that the salts are great for re-invigorating.

There is also a lavender bath soak for relaxation and to relieve muscle and back pain.

The bath soaks are made with genuine Dead Sea bathing salt which contains high levels of magnesium chloride and potassium chloride. These minerals are thought to have many health benefits and may help to relieve conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis. 

Soap
£3.99

 
Also using enlivening lemongrass, this gorgeous soap is really nice and natural. My Mum tested this too, and said that although she is not used to the 'tight' feeling of using soap, it was pretty softening for a soap, and she did feel lovely and clean with a fresh light scent.

Made with Castor oil, glycerine, shea butter and olive oil- truly moisturising ingredients.

Lip Balm
£3.95



I tested the lip balm myself. Made from olive oil, sweet almond oil, organic cocoa seed butter, beeswax and organic shea butter with vitamin E, this balm moisturises deeply without stickiness or residue. Although beeswax isn't stricly vegan, I personally still use it. This is a personal choice as a vegan.

Why not try for youself:


For more information and to purchase products, visit: www.ruthromano.com

CB

This amazing balm from Shea Mooti is being marketed as a nipple balm, but works brilliantly all over the body: for example, as an intensive hand cream for chapped mummy hands, a foot moisturiser and even to soothe baby's bottom!

Made from a blend of Organic Coconut, Pomegranate, Calenula Oils and Shea Butter to soothe and protect sore nipples, this balm is fairly thick and you can feel the moisurising effect, but it is absorbed just enough so it isn't greasy.

Coconut is known to have anti-fungal properties, great for nipple thrush, a common result of sore nipples from breastfeeding. Calenula is soothing. Shea butter is a fabulous moisturiser. It also smells delicious.

Safe to use while breastfeeding, it is also recommended for use as a lip balm.

Unlike most other nipple balms it doesn't contain sheep lanolin, and is made from purely vegan friendly ingredients. Yay!

The company is called ‘Shea Mooti’ because every product contains the purest, natural form of ‘Shea’ Butter, ethically sourced from AfriKids’ Daughters, a multi-cooperative in northern Ghana. ‘Mooti’ comes from ‘Muti’ meaning ‘tree’ in Shona – the language of the founder's native Zimbabwe. The range contains all pure, completely natural products for mothers and babies made with the highest quality ingredients. 

Nipple Balm

£9.99 for 50ml
Available from
www.sheamooti.co.uk/

CB

It has been 3 months since my son was born, and I am actually gaining weight rather than losing it! As Mum to a baby and a 2 year old, and with a constant breastfeeding appetite, I can't resist reaching for the Green and Blacks of an afternoon (and evening) to see me through!

My main gripe is that my belly seems to have gone outwards rather than inwards. Since I won't have time to exercise it off any time soon, I decided to invest in a few key bargain priced pieces for Spring, to cover my tummy.

Boohoo has some brilliant cheap clothes that won't break the bank (especially if you are on the pittance that is maternity pay), and they look good too. Here are my picks:

Tanya Daisy Print Woven Tea Dress
Product code: azz31632
£10.00
from www.boohoo.com






















Sasha Oversized V Neck Jumper
Product code: azz38162
£10.00
from www.boohoo.com





















Roxy V Neck Oversized Tee
Product code: azz34629
£10.00
from www.boohoo.com




















Luisa Laguna Batwing Cardigan 
Product code: azz33127
£22.00
from www.boohoo.com




















Happy hiding!

CB

Coming up to Christmas, I usually like to spend much of December eating mince pies and drinking mulled wine with friends. However still breastfeeding my 11 month old , I am not drinking any alcohol, which makes Christmas just a little less merry than it should be!

So, to try to keep spirits high with Xmas Cheer, I thought I would test out some non-alcoholic mulled wine alternatives.

Belvoir Mulled Winter Punch
£2.46 per bottle
Available from www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk/shop/mulled-winter-punch 


Description:
A rich spicy non-alcoholic fruit drink, best served warm. Made from fruit juices and spices.

Verdict:
Yum! This tastes just like mulled wine, although it doesn't have the 'kick' of an alcoholic wine. It is more fruity though which makes it so yummy. My hubby loved it too, possibly more than the alcoholic version!!

Belvoir Cordials
£3.84 per bottle
Available from www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk/shop/cordials


Description:
These fruit cordials come in a variety of flavours, but the Xmassy ones are:

• Spiced winter berry
• Honey, lemon, ginger
• Spiced apple and ginger

They can be mixed with hot water for a warm spicy punch.

Verdict:
These taste delicious. The Spiced Winter Berry flavour in particular, tastes to me a lot like mulled wine, again without the 'kick'. It is very sweet and delicious. In fact, I'm drinking one right now! It also lasts longer than a pre-mixed bottle!

Rochester Mulled Berry Punch
£4.99 for a 725ml Bottle
Available from Holland and Barrett
www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=3084



Description:
This fruit punch contains: Water, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Elderberry, Organic Blackcurrant and Organic Apple Juices (all from concentrate), Organic Mixed Spices (all ground), Citric Acid, Organic Orange Oil.

Verdict:
A nice warming, spicy Xmas drink, very similar to the Belvoir, although just not quite as tasty.

Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon 
The full range is available in Morrisons and selected varieties in Asda, Waitrose, at RRP £3.50.



Description:
The Eisberg alcohol free wine tastes like a real glass of wine, but without the alcohol units, and with just a third of the calories! Made in the same way as your favourite wine, the alcohol is then gently removed using one of the world’s most advanced techniques to ensure that as much of the original character and flavours of the wine are kept intact. The result is an alcohol-free wine containing less than 0.005% alcohol, only 34 calories per 125ml glass and the real flavour of the wine varieties that you know and love. Available in Chardonnay, Riesling, Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Verdict:
I tried the red, the Cabernet Sauvignon. Firstly I sampled a glass without the mulled spice, and yes, it does taste like wine! I then tried it warmed and mulled, and really couldn't tell the difference until I sipped a mouthful of hubb's 'real' one, and realised the alcohol 'kick' is definitely missing. However, this is the closest you will get to a verion of mulled wine that tastes like the real thing but without the alcohol.

Here is a lovely mulled wine recipe:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/recipe/jamie-s-mulled-wine

Or for lazy/busy Mums try a ready prepared spice bag from Schwartz: http://www.schwartz.co.uk/products/herbs-and-spices/spices/mulled-wine-spice.aspx?gclid=COqz2q_AmbsCFdHItAodyVAAIA
This contains an aromatic and warming blend including orange peel and cassia. With a Foil Fresh seal for extra flavour, it is £1.59 for 6 sachets.

Mulled Wine Instant Tea
Available from: www.whittard.co.uk/instant-tea/instant-tea-flavours/mulled-wine-instant-tea.htm
£5.50 for 475g



Description:
A fruity and mildly spiced mulled wine flavour tea, which is alcohol free. Ingredients are: Cane Sugar, citric acid, tea extract (0.95%), natural flavouring, colouring (beetroot red). This is an instant tea powder and is suitable for Vegans (me!) and Vegetarians.

Verdict: 
I was expecting a black tea with spices, but this actually has no 'tea' flavour, it is a magic powder which is stirred into hot water and makes a hot drink that tastes like a sweet mulled fruit punch. Amazing! Lasts forever too!

Twinings Christmas Loose Tea 
Description:
Assam Black tea with Christmas Spice flavouring

Verdict:
This is not decaf, so I limit myself to one a day, but absolutely love the taste. It is a nicer spice than a chai, much more Christmassy tasting, and works very well with the black tea and a dash of soya milk. Lovely as a gift. Tastes nothing like mulled wine but a Xmas tea and a mince pie always goes down well.

Merry Xmas!

It's a new mum curse: trying to make sure our hands are constantly germ free when touching our newborn, yet changing nappies and washing bottles every 2 seconds with no time to don the gloves! When my daughter was first born, my hands were almost raw and I could find nothing to soothe them, not even E45 (not a fave due to its lanolin content anyway- sheep wax, yuk!)

 My daughter is now 21 months old so my hands are just starting to recover a bit, but even now with potty training, cooking, cleaning etc they feel pretty rough and in serious need of some TLC!

I decided to test out loads of hand creams to see if any of them could heal my chapped hands. Here are the top results:

Help at Hand, Hand Cream 
£7.95 for 50ml
from Green People at www.greenpeople.co.uk



Help at Hand is a rich cream aimed at people with normal, dry or irritated hands. As usual, Green people have not disappointed. This was one of my very favourite creams.

It is rich but not greasy and sinks in easily. It has a light, pleasant scent but that doesn't linger too long. It feels really moisturising even a few hours after application. It comes in a small 50ml pump format with lid, so it is easy to throw into your handbag and doesn't leak or get messy.

This is a certified organic hand cream containing 91% certified organic ingredients and 100% fairly traded ingredients. It contains organic olive, hemp, beeswax, lavender and rose geranium oil.

It is a 'rescue remedy' for ‘hard-working’ hands and sensitive skin which both protects against moisture loss and acts as a light, non-greasy barrier cream, with a fragrant, calming scent and without nasties such as parabens, alcohol, phthalates, petrochemicals.

It states that it is vegetarian not vegan due to the beeswax content. Personally I eat vegan, but I still eat honey and use beeswax. A personal choice.


Seams Hand Cream
£9.50 for 50ml
Available from www.seamsbeauty.co.uk 



Originally designed for seamstresses at fashion shows to ensure smooth skin on the fabrics, this hand treatment is designed to be intense and restorative and deliver long lasting hydration. The light non greasy formula absorbs fast and will leave no residue on baby. Fragonia Oil gives anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial protection, shea Butter protects and nourishes, Macadamia Nut Oil improves suppleness and softens, Garden Cress evens skin tone and fades and prevents age spots, Keratin strengthens nails, and Glycerin heals burns, bites and cuts.

This cream smells lovely and does the job it claims to. Nice consistency, medium thick but not greasy. Really moisturising on chapped hands.Small, handbag friendly tube.

Bronnley Honey Blossom Hand and Nail Cream
£8.75 for 100ml
Available at www.bronnley.co.uk



This is a lovely smelling Honey Blossom fragranced hand and nail cream. Ingredients include extracts of Honey and Royal Jelly, Shea Butter, Evening Primrose Oil, Sweet Almond Protein, Vitamin E and Keratin to strengthen nails.

This is quite thick and really moisturising for dry hands, without being greasy. Really smells of honey, but in a good way!

Again not strictly vegan due to the honey content. However, personally I eat vegan, but I still eat honey. As stated above, personal choice.


DrOrganic Coconut Hand Cream

£5.99 for 100ml from www.hollandandbarrett.com




DrOrganic products contain bioactive, natural and organic ingredients. This hand cream is made from lots of scrummy smelling tropical organic oils, triglycerides and fruit extracts such as Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Coconut Extract (the predominant scent), Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Cocoa butter, Papaya Fruit Extract, Mango Fruit Extract, Cocoa Seed Extract, Mangosteen Fruit Extract, Fig Fruit Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Lime Oil, Vanilla Extract, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Good slim bag size tube but I keep this by the wash basin, as this cream is best if used every time you wash your hands to keep the moisture levels up. It's not as thick as the other creams mentioned here so perhaps not as good for repair but rather for prevention of further chapping. The natural ingredients and wonderful texture/smell make it a favourite for me, as well as the reasonable price.

Eau Thermale Avène Hand Cream with Cold Cream 
£7.50 for 75ml
Available from www.boots.com


Cold cream is a traditional cream which mixes water and fats (such as beeswax) to soothe the skin.

This rich cold cream contains beeswax and paraffinum liquidum mineral oil (used to lock in moisture) mixed with Avène Thermal Spring Water (a very low mineralised water, rich in silica and trace elements, which has been clinically proven to be naturally soothing, anti-irritating and anti-free radical). It also contains sucralfate, a powerful healing agent used in medical products which allows for rapid tissue regeneration.

I don't usually like to use products with mineral oils such as paraffinum liquidum, which is a petrochemical, a derivative of crude oil. However, when hands are severely chapped and sore then it calls for something stronger than many of the more natural formulas can provide, and this is just the job. This really helps to restore sore mummy hands to normality, making them feel immediately soft and silky, and it smells nice too. Another good handbag size.

CB

Fragrance free this natural handmade soap is made with organic butters, oils and essential oils to be rich and nourishing yet suitable for your delicate, sensitive skin. The 100% natural orgnaic ingredients are: Coconut Oil: Smoothes, softens and protects, removes dead skin cells. Olive Oil: Nourishes, softens and protects. Anti-inflammatory and packed with vitamins. Cocoa Butter: Soothing and repairing to dry, damaged skin. Shea Butter: Moisturising and nourishing, soothes sensitive skin, protects and heals dry, damaged skin, stimulates cell growth. Apricot Kernel Oil: Softens and smoothes sensitive skin, soothing on inflamed, dry skin. This soap is also palm oil free which is a bonus for anyone who knows the devastating effects of palm oil on the environment.

I don't usually use soap on my face and body due to it's drying effect but this didn't have that effect at all and was fine for face washing particularly making skin feel nice and clean but not squeaky clean, rather soft. Was therefore happy to use it on bubs who has sensitive skin. I also use it as a handsoap which is good for my chapped hands. Nice to know there are no nasties in it and that it's safe for bubba. Lasts for absolutely ages!!
This body butter is designed as a very gentle moisturiser for babies and young children, with soothing lavender and chamomile essential oils. It is packed with gorgeous smelling oils and organic ingredients: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil,  Sweet Almond Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, and Chamomile Essential Oil. Apparently it is also useful for allergies, eczema, urticaria and all dry, flaky, itchy skin conditions.

When you open the pot, it looks like someone poured a liquid in and it solidified in random waves- very 'natural' looking. Smells gorgeous. If you scrape some out and warm it in your hand then rub it on body and bump it feels extremely moisturising. A little greasy at first but soon sinks in. definitely good for extra dry skin and for the baby bump and any stretch mark areas. Also perfect for dry baby skin.

A little pricey but a little goes a long way and it's worth it to know it is ethical and contains absolutely nothing bad at all and is safe for expecting mums and babies.

The products also arrived in lovely packaging with dried rose buds on top, a lovely touch.

CB

Tints of Nature
Available from www.tintsofnature.com from £8.99
or in UK call: 01590 613490


I haven't really dyed my hair since getting pregnant with my first baby, just in case of any chemicals getting to the baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding. I am now pregnant again and still nursing, so still being extra careful but felt I needed a 'lift', so was looking for a really natural hair colourant.

Tints of Nature is a hair colourant that is as natural and organic as possible with the lowest levels of PPD pigments (p-Phenylenediamine an organic compound used in over 99% of all other permanent hair dyes and a known irritant) and no harsh chemicals. Tints of Nature colour contains up to 60% certified organic ingredients, natural extracts and contains no harsh chemicals and below minimum EU regulation quantities of PPDs (2% or less of the product depending on the colour shade) so is apparently one of the safest and healthiest ways to colour your hair.

However, the NHS recommends not using hair colour during the first eight weeks of pregnancy and not during the first month of breast-feeding. (The NHS issues guidelines on use of hair colour for pregnant and breastfeeding women can be found here: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/949.aspx?CategoryID=54#close).

I tried the semi-permanent colourant in Medium Chestnut Brown, which is quite similar to my natural colour. This is supposed to last 6-8 washes. I would say it lasted about 4 before fading gradually back to natural.

Before:

After:




I found it easy to use: it is a thick cream which you rub into your hair. It smells really nice and natural, no chemical smell, and doesn't stain the skin if you rub off any smudges quickly. My hair afterwards wasn't too different from my natural shade, maybe slightly redder, but the grey was gone (nice one!) and it looked nice and shiny.

My only grumble was that it coloured my bath water when my hair got wet for the few days after dyeing, and it also came off on my bath towel (although this wasn't a permanent stain).

The boyf took three days to notice I had coloured my hair! Not sure if that's just because I am preggers and have loast all sex appeal or because men just don't motice these things!

I would definitely try the permanent next time.

CB