Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with Miessence. I’m not their representative. I was, however, contacted by a number of representatives. One of them, Annie, sent me a few samples, some of which I’m about to review. So if the product appeals to you, check out her Miessence store.

Ok, let’s get started.

Annie sent me a number of products, but in the interest of time I’m only going to review two: the moisturizer and the cleanser.

Product names:

Miessence Soothing Moisturizer

Miessence Soothing Cleanser:

About the brand:

The company that produces Miessence is called ONEGroup which is an achronim for Organic and Natural Enterprise Group. It is Australian based and it produces a whole reange of skincare, haircare, health care and cosmetic products. It makes product that are certified by ACO (Australian Certified Organic), the USDA and IFOAM (Organic Federation of Agriculture Movements, in Europe).

The company distributes its products via independent representatives. (Sort of like Mary Kay and Avon).

Price:

According to the web the moisturizer is about $40 for 50 ml and the cleanser is $40.95 for 250 ml bottle.

Certifications:

This is where this brand shines. Miessence got it covered. The products are certified organic by Australian government, the USDA and IFOAM. They are certified organic to International Food Standard. You can’t get better than that.

Packaging:

Both products come in recyclable plastic tubes. To quote from the bottle: “100% Recyclable non leaching Plastic”

Reading the ingredients:

Both products are concoctions of organic oils and extracts. I did not spot any ingredients I could complain about. Bravo.

Scent:

The products have similar scent. For some reason it reminds me of a certain cooking oil but I can’t quite place it. I wouldn’t say that the smell is the product’s strongest feature. That’s one place where some tweaking wouldn’t hurt. But it’s not all that bad either. Just different…

Texture:

The moisturizer is a very thin cream, almost watery. The cleanser is also a gentle cream mix, though a bit less runny.

Performance:

The cleanser does it job perfectly well. I used it to wash off all the fancy organic makeup I’ve been wearing lately (a layer of foundation, brow pencil, mascara and some shadows) and it all came off without excessive rubbing. It also felt gentle and not in the least irritating.

The moisturizer was a bit too light for my skin. And a bit watery – my skin was softer than without cream, but I felt as if there was a tiny tight film on it. (Annie also sent me a really small pack of Miessence Rejuvinating Moisturiser. I wasn’t going to review it officially, but after I tried it I wish she sent me a tube of that one! It was exactly what my skin was craving).

Verdict:

Cleanser – I haven’t tried it on tough mainstream makeup. But for regular cleansing and removing of natural makekup I would definitely recommend it. It’s pure and gentle.

Moisturiser – this particular moisturizer is not for someone with really dry skin. Probably for normal but I wouldn’t know… I think it’s a bit too thin. For really dry skin try the rejuvenating moisturizer.

In any case, do give this line of organic products your consideration. I think they really get what it means to be organic.

Tips: Annie also sent me a set of small sample packs. Which supports my theory that most reputable companies have samples. So if you are unsure about a product you could probably try asking for some samples or buying really small size packages before you plunge into a full blown shopping spree.

And I really needed a mascara. No room for error.

So I went to Wal-Mart. Because they have the best return policy. Just in case.

And I bought a regular big-brand mascara as well. Just in case.

So yah, I was one biased customer.

But I worried for nothing. The mascara IS good. For me, at least. But if you want to know more details, here is the really detailed review:

Product Name:

Organic Wear Mascara, by Physician’s Formula, also referred to as Natural Origin Mascara

About the brand:

Organic Wear is a Brand created by Physician’s Formula. You can read my Physician’s Formula brand overview here.

Price:

I paid just over $14 Canadian. It is about 10US dollars in the US.

Certifications:

EcoCert Certified Organic.

Packaging:

This is one of the most innovative packaging to hit the mascara world in a long time. The tube and handle are stylized with the handle looking like some kind of leaf. The brush itself is very flexible, which I think is a pro – it was easy to reach all the lashes. The brush is also 100% recyclable, which is a bonus.

Reading the ingredients:

The packaging says that 100% of ingredients are of Natural Origin and 47% are Organic. Which is commendable given that EcoCert requires only 10% of ingredients to be Organic and 95% to be natural. Basically, Organic Wear is taking its “natural” and “organic” claims seriously.

Reading the insert (or Other claims):

The back of the box is dedicated to 100%. It list a whole set of features for which Organic Wear Mascara scored a 100:

100% Natural Origin Mascara
100% Free of Synthtetic Solvents
100% Natural Origin Biopolymers – for clump free lashes
100% Natural Origin Preservatives
100% Natural Origin Rice Protein & Organic Tapioca Starch – naturally boost volume. Organic Beeswax 00 for a buildable formula.
100% Natural Origin Color Pigments
100% Free of Petroleum By Products.

It’s also 100% Cruelty Free.

It’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance free.

Scent:

I’ve read some other reviews where users have complained about the smell. Granted, it doesn’t smell like roses. It is fragrance-free, after all. But it doesn’t smell awful either. And it’s going on your lashes, not your nose. (Though I did smudge my nose while doing the smell test – it still didn’t bother me.)

Performance:

I applied it very carefully and had no clumps or smudges. It looked very natural on my lashes. I didn’t even feel the need for a second coat. After I applied it I accidentally hit the lashes with my finger and a couple of them stuck together – I used the brush to separate them without any issues. I didn’t smudge – I wore it for most of the day and didn’t have any problems. The next day I did two coats (very nice lashy look) and even a few time scratched my eye (carefully) – still no smudging.

Tip: to ensure perfect distribution and no clumping use an eyebrow brush or a toothpick to separate lashes you accidentally stuck together… But make sure you don’t poke your eye!

Verdict:

For such a low price (as far as organic mascaras go) this mascara is outperforming all expectations. No, it’s not water-proof – no does it claim to be. If you are going out in the rain or are headed for a serious sweat at the gym, this might not be for you. But for an everyday normal application it’s perfect.

I liked it. I liked it a lot. I’m keeping it for sure. The mainstream brand backup package is going back to Wal-Mart…

P.S: If you live in the USA, for a limited time (till the end of 2009) you can get a rebate on this mascara. Here is a rebate form from the company’s site: http://www.physiciansformula.com/rebates/2009/ow-mascara-rebate.pdf

But when a really good company contacts me, backs up their claims and then sends me samples that actually DELIVER on their promises – well that makes my day. And it makes me feel that by spreading the word about them I am actually doing something meaningful.

So, this is my review of Pai chamomile and rosehip sensitive skin cream. Yes, it’s a positive review. They deserve it.

But let me take it one step at a time.

Product name:

Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream

What and who is it for:

It is a moisturizer for sensitive skin.

Price:

As of today the price on the company’s site is at $31.00 US, $39.90 CAD and GB £22.00

Packaging:

The cream comes in a glass bottle inside a recyclable box.

Reading the ingredients:

70% of the ingredients are organic. None of the ingredients look suspicious or unnatural. In fact the product is so pure that I was instructed to keep it in the refrigerator (which I promptly did – probably why it feels even fresher when I put it on).

Another nice thing about Pai is that they list all their ingredients in plain English. On the box every ingredient has the standard latin based name and the English explanation of it. For example, “butyrospermum parkii butter – shea butter”. Very convenient. Cause latin and me never really got along too well…

Other Claims:

Pai is certified by the Soil Association, one of the strictest and most reliable organic certifying bodies.

As a refresher, here is some information about the Soil Association’s standards:

• At least 70% of a beauty product’s non-water ingredients must be organic.
• These organic ingredients must be sustainably grown and harvested and extracted in an eco-friendly manner.
• Products cannot contain parabens, petrochemicals, propylene glycol and other potentially toxic chemicals.
• All non-organic ingredients have to pass strict toxicity and biodegradability criteria and carry a Non-GM certificate.
• Manufacturers have to pass annual inspections and must keep meticulous organic production records.

And just to drive the point further, Pai products contain:

No artifical colors
No artifical fragrances
No mineral oils
No parabens
No petrochemicals
No phthaltes
No propylene glycol
No sulfates

And they are not tested on animals

Phew…

Scent:

Very pleasant gentle scent. Reminds me of spring flowers without overwhelming the senses.

Texture:

It is a very light cream, extremely smooth with silky feeling.

What does it do on the face:

You know that commercial where the mouth sings from excitement caused by a drink? Well, my mouth never sang from a drink, but my skin sure sings praises to Pai. It sings: “thank you for making me moist, and soft, and baby-like. Thank you for making me smooth and gorgeous”.

I mean it. My face loves it. One time I had to apply the cream after being exposed for too long to a heating unit. I was flushed and dry and terrified, because usually creams in this situation sting like hell. But Pai was a real exception. I felt soothed and cooled down and ready to mimic right away. (Believe me, if you have a really dry sensitive face, you know the joy of being able to have facial expressions without pain…)

About the brand:

Pai is the new kid on the block. It has only been around since January of 2007. The founder, Sarah Brown, was inspired to create her own line after developing a bad skin allergy to everyday skincare products.

The name of the brand, Pai, means “goodness” in Maori, a name that Sarah chose because of her mother’s New Zealand’s roots, and because many of the ingredients in Pai have been used by Maoris for centuries in order to heal and protect the skin.

Since its inception Pai has received much favorable press, especially in the UK. It was featured in Marie Claire and Daily Express to name a few.

Verdict:

This is a fantastic product by a company that lives up to what the organic movement is all about. Huge thumbs up and congratulations to Sarah Brown for developing a product that truly delivers.

(Of course they also agree to my samples and review policy , just to make sure nobody expects a glowing review just cause they send me something… )

Anyways, a company I haven’t heard about before, The Body Deli , is one of the companies that contacted me, and upon reading about their products and philosophy I was intrigued. So I agreed to sample some products for them. And here is me delivering on that promise:

The Products:

Blueberry Fusion Antioxidant Scrub

and

Sea Cucumber Gelee

What and who is it for:
BFS is an exfoliant, while the Cucumber Gelee is a moisturizing gel.

About the brand:

As I haven’t heard about this brand before I had to do some online digging and rely on the information I received from the company. But overall the vibe I’m getting from them is very positive

So here is the gist:

Body Deli specialize in fresh, raw, organic skin and body care. Here is a quote from the flier they sent me “ our philosophy for a healthy lifestyle starts with a diet high in alkaline forming foods, enzymes, minerals, amino acids and rich in raw superfoods.” They’ve been in business for over 7 years now. And many of their products are so fresh, they require refrigeration…

You can read more about the company on their home page.

I also found that the founder had a blog going at http://cosmetichef.blogspot.com/. The main site has a more regularly updated blog.

Price:

I received my two samples for free. But the prices on the flier say that the blueberry scrub costs $36 for 2 oz and the cucumber gelee is $45 for 2 oz.

Packaging:

Both products came in recyclable glass jars.

Reading the ingredients:

What can I say? They look good. Almost eatable and definitely pronounceable. Here is the list for the blueberry antioxidant:

Organic Aloe vera Juice, Colloidal Oatmeal, Guar Gum, Organic Blueberries, Xantham Gum, Diatamaceous Earth, Vitamin E, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Jojoba oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Rosemary Oil Extact, Fresh Cells of Pomegranate, Kiwi, Potassium Sorbate.

The cucumber gelee looks just as innocent

Scent:

If I could use only one word, I’d say – “Fresh!”. Both jars smell fresh and real. The cucumber gelee reminds me of a green juice i make in the morning. And the Blueberry fusion – well, that one is just so delicious! It looks and smells like a fruit smoothie. In fact, every time I open the jar, I get smoothie cravings, because the berry smell is absolutely unmistakable. I have such a hard time putting this product on my face and not in my mouth…

Texture:

The Sea Cucumber Gelee is a gel. It’s slightly slimy. The Blueberry Fusion has a texture of a thick smoothie.

What does it do on the face:

I dutifully used both products on my face. My impressions from the too are different. If you can’t stand suspense, let me tell you that one did absolute wonders, and the other didn’t quite deliver, on my face at least.

Let’s start with the not so glowing news – the Sea Cucumber Gelee. I applied it cold on my face, and at first I liked the cool sensation. But then it just felt like an oily film. I generally don’t fancy the idea of a gel on the face at all – I like creamy texture. But since this was sent to me as a sample, I didn’t have a say on what I got to try (or I would’ve begged to try the “crème de la rose” ) So eventually I washed it all off, and put my regular cream on.

However, the Blueberry Fusion was a totally different story. The thing is, I have a horribly flaky skin. And on the particular day I decided to try it, I was supposed to go out for an important event. Therefore this was a do or die moment. I resisted the urge to eat this most deliciously smelling skin care product I’ve ever nosed, and applied it in a thin layer all over my face. Not wanting to take any chances, I only kept it on my face for a minute or so, and then washed it all of. My skin was the smoothest I can remember! It was a glorious moment, and even my husband noticed the difference right away. In fact he demanded that I do the same to his face as well (for the purposes of an objective scientific review, of course), and he loved the results as well. So, does the Blueberry Fusion deliver? You bet it does.

Verdict:

Naturally, if you’ve read the above section you know what it is. But I’ll reiterate anyways, just in case you skipped the rest of the post and are looking for organic skin care verdicts only…

Sea Cucumber Gelee by the Body Deli – I don’t particularly recommend it. It didn’t work too well or felt to pleasant on my face. But that could be just me. See if the company would send you a sample if you are really adamant about trying it out.

Blueberry Fusion Exfoliating Fruit Acid Polish by Body Deli – Yes! Yes! Yes! The smell alone makes it a great product. But the fact that it actually works wonders on a dreary flaky skin is its best selling point. Go for it. For sure.

Now, I realize this one does not yell organic on the cover, but it is a reputed natural skin care line, so I decided to give it a shot and let my face take a hit. It does contain organic ingredients, so that’s a good start. We’ll go from there.

Lavera Faces Wild Rose Moisturizing Cream

What and who is it for:

“Light moisturizer for a healthy & radiant skin.”

About the brand:

Lavera is a German brand. Lavera translates as “the truth” from Latin. According to the company’s site, Lavera was founded in 1987 by Thomas Haase who studied natural means of skin care because he had a skin condition (neurodermatitis). Twenty years later the line is growing in its world-wide popularity and celebrities are pushing it everywhere. Lavera also received some notable awards from BioFach, which is the most prestigious Organic Trade Fair in the world.

Lavera Naturkosmetics states that their products are 100% pure organic plant oils, herbs, flower extracts and essential oils. The products are free from parabens, petroleum and synthetic ingredients, are cruelty free and designed for sensitive skin.

Price:

Around $30 for 1 fl oz.

Certifications:

BDIH certification.

Packaging:

A standard cream in a tube in a box packaging.

Reading the ingredients:

Water, Alcohol, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Palm Oil, Shorea Stenoptera Butter, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Shea Butter *Sweet Almond Oil*, Sodium Lactate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract*, Rosa Damascena Flower Water*, Myrtus Communis Water*, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Rapeseed Sterols, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Parum **, Citral**, Geraniol**, Citronellol**, Limonene**, Linalool**

* ingredients from certified organic agriculture
** natural essential oils

What can I say… I am not a chemist. None of these ingredients are from the “to avoid” list. For a moisturizing gentle cream the alcohol seems to be way too ahead at the list. But other than that nothing rings my panic bell, so I’ll say it’s a go in terms of purity…

Other Claims:

“A complete cream, the natural ingredients of rose, orange and gingko leaves stimulate the skin’s renewal process. At the same time, plant moisture and hyaluronic acid bind the moisture to the skin to give a soft feeling.”

Scent:

This is probably the cream’s strongest point. It is very pleasant in a sensual and appetizing kind of way.

Texture:

Very light cream. Spreads in an extremely thin layer. And is very soft and smooth.

What does it do on the face:

It moisturizes and has no ill-effects in terms of reaction.

I found it to be a little thin on my face and I needed more towards the end of the day to feel normal. Which tells me that it is probably not strong enough for the REALLY dry skin, but good for normal skin. Or that I need to crank up the humidifier.

Verdict:

Nice, pleasant and pure. Not as organic as some of the other creams I’ve tried, but also a bit cheaper for that. Perfect compliment for normal skin. But if you have a REALLY dry skin, this will probably not be enough.

What I’m trying to say is that I went to one of my favorite “health” stores and saw a display of travel-sized tubes of Weleda products for a buck or two. Before I could stop myself, the Weleda Skin Food has found itself in my shopping cart, and a day later all over my face… Which is the basis for this report… As I’m sure you’ve already figured out.

But enough of the intro. Let’s get down to business.

Product name:

Weleda Skin Food (it doesn’t actually say “cream”) in English, but does in French…

What and who is it for:

The package states that it’s “for dry and rough skin”, which is ME! ME! ME!

About the brand:

Please consult my epos on Weleda. I can’t think of anything else to add to that monumental work and I can’t think of a reason why you shouldn’t read it!

Price:

Usually around $20 for 2.5 oz. 

It is frequently on special here:
Weleda Skin Food
(they also have a smaller 1 oz tube
Weleda Skin Food – Small
though it is significantly bigger than the one I got).

Certifications:

BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetic

Packaging:

My sample tube is a “mini-me” of the real aluminum tube with lining (so no, you’re not putting aluminum on your face…) The tube is then in the box… Waste of material, if you ask me, but hey – it’s the industry standard. And the box and insert are fully recyclable, so don’t sweat it. I just like writing about it.

Reading the ingredients:

Water, sunflower seed oil, lanolin, sweet almond oil, alcohol, beeswax, glyceryl linoleate, hydrolyzed beeswax, fragrance, viola tricolor extract, rosemary leaf extract, shamomilla recutita flower extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, cholesterol, limonene, linalool, geraniol, citral, coumarin.

The fragrance and the last five ingredients are from natural essential oils. Of course, in the ideal world we’d have no alcohol… But the world is not quite there yet, so I’m not gonna be too picky.

Reading the insert:

“Weleda Skin Food nourishes, restores and protects the skin, maintaining the skin’s moisture levels and keeping the skin feeling smooth and supple. This intensively nourishing formula made with extracts of organic Pansy, organic Chamomile and biodynamic Calendula, is ideal for both children and adults. Skin Food is the natural choice for everyday care of the face and body. It is especially recommended for dry skin, particularly on the hands, feet and elbows.”

Scent:

When you apply it, you can smell a shot of orange. At least that’s what I think it is. A very potent shot of something citrussy.

Texture:

This took me by surprise. The cream is thick. I mean really thick. It doesn’t spread out the way all my previous creams do. It feels waxy when applying (which wouldn’t have surprised me had I read the ingredients first – beeswax!). Not moist at all. But once it’s on the face, it feels totally normal. So I think the texture basically means that you need more of it per application then you would of something like Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream, or you need to rub harder, which is not always a good idea when it comes to face. Perhaps that’s why they recommend it for hands, feet and elbows…

What does it do on the face:

Nourishes it. Plain and simple. No fluff. If your face is dry and rough (after a dry and windy day, for example), it will make you feel human again. This is also good for other body parts. I heard people rave about the miracle work it does to dry elbows… I haven’t tried it on my hands, as they have been surprisingly normal lately.

Verdict:

One of the more reasonably priced organic ventures. Hard to go wrong here. I think it’s a necessity – not for daily use, though, but for those extra dry and rough moments. Unless, of course, your dry and rough moments are a daily occasion.