Showing posts with label Product Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Product Reviews. Show all posts

Monday, 25 January 2010

Product Review: Tamu Skincare, My New favourite Brand

Akwaaba! Hope you all had a fab weekend!
Check out this great review from Eco Chick on Tamu products!!
(The original can be found here http://blog.missecoglam.com/2010/01/tamu-african-organic-skincare.html, written by Anna Rogers )

Once in awhile, I stumble across a brand of products that ticks all the right boxes. Tamu Skin care is one of those brands that does that and much more.

Every single part of this product is completely ethical, from the way it was made, to how the people that made it were paid and treated, right down to the brochures being printed on recycled paper.

This is the type of brand that really deserves to be supported because it is just plain wonderful, in every way.

Tamu, was created by Afriyie Boateng who was born in the UK spent a few years of her childhood in Ghana, Africa.

Her mother instilled in her a deep sense of connection with nature and an appreciation and understanding for the healing power of plants and trees. In many cultures, particularly indigenous ones, grandparents taught the children certain things about their surroundings which were passed down through the generations. This is what western society is missing, I really do believe that. We need to remember our roots!

Along my journey as Miss Eco Glam, I am realising more and more that we all need to get back to nature, connect with the land and understand the use of these wonderful ingredients that were put on the earth to heal us and keep us healthy.

Afriyie had an idea to create an organic range of products that could incorporate all the knowledge that was given by her mother and her elders and the healing power of ingredients such as shea butter, coconut and african black soap.

Before starting the brand, Afriyie returned to Ghana and took a trip to question the African ladies about how they kept their skin so beautiful without the use of chemicals.

I find black skin so beautiful, it has a lovely healthy sheen and now I know why! Its because they smother ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter all over the skin on a regular basis.

Everything they used was completely organic, natural and simple.

So inspired by these women, that she offered them jobs with fair pay and good working conditions, to help hand make her products. She even uses cocoa butter that is from her very own Uncles farm in Ghana!

And so Tamu Skincare began!

The range consists of the most beautiful body butters I have ever tried, wonderful cleansing soaps, scented bath salts and an exotic body oil with Moroccan rose. I am sure this is the first of many products that will be added to the range in future.

The creams contain luxurious hand whipped pure shea butter (no water used either) which has long been used in African cultures for skincare. I immediately fell in love with the texture of the creams, with some being so similar to rich buttercream icing. I was reminded of my favorite hummingbird cake!

Afriyie has really done her research to create these products and it really shows, with each product truly doing what it says it will do. Nothing is heated to a hot temperature so the enzymes are intact.

She never uses any of these additives in her products:

  • Parabens
  • Sodium Lauryl sulphate
  • Petro Chemicals
  • Mineral oil
  • Petroleum Jelly
  • Perfume / Artificial fragrances
  • Phthalates
  • Triclosan

Tamu has been given the Soil Association stamp of approval.



I got to try quite a few things! I tested out the bath salts which made my bathroom and my house smell likes roses as I was filling up the bath. There are cute tiny little rose petals that will float around in the tub with you. The bath was really soothing, and detoxifying because of the Himalayan crystal salt and left my skin very clean yet soft.

I also tried the African Black Soap with Honey and Teatree which has a slight exfoliating texture – great for keeping the skin smooth. I have little bumps on my arms (they say from clogged liver!) and this soap really helps with them. What I love about the soap is how big the bar is and it lasts quite awhile! It lathers up beautifully as well and I will admit, I even use it on my face, something you shouldn’t really do with most soaps!

My absolute favorite product is hard to choose, there were about three. I don’t think I can now live without the Cocoa Vanilla Body butter, words can’t really describe that well enough just pure yumminess really. Even my husband, who will tell me if I get into bed with a cream on that smells like something he doesnt like, said to me, oh what is that you have on, yum! The texture of this cream is truly like the whipped icing I was telling you about, it is so luxurious and glides wonderfully over the skin.


It leaves a slight film on the skin, but in a good way, its not sticky and gives the skin a real glow. I love that you can keep smelling the cream even after its been on your skin for a while.


I also absolutely loved the Coconut and Lime body butter, I showed it to a friend who loves all things citrusy and she thought it smelt incredible. The ingredients in these products smell like they should because they are made with pure, unrefined, natural and REAL fragrances.



The Moroccan Rose Body oil is wonderful to use at night when you want to slip into bed with something decadent on your skin. Rose is one of my favorite smells and Moroccan Rose extract is thought to be the best quality. You can use this during the day as well, all of the products are for day or night or both!


I also tried out the Moroccan silky cream, Almond Brulee and Lemongrass and Ginger. All were fantastic!



Without a doubt, this range is just amazing.


Its my new favorite skincare range and I will definitely be buying more in the future. I love everything it stands for.



I get sent so much stuff to test out but I only have a few products that I can’t live without! My cocoa vanilla whipped body cream and coconut and Lime are added to that list of must have products.


I really hope you take a look at Tamu’s website, that in itself is lovely to look at you get a really close look at the products with enough info to describe how they are made, whats in the products and what they will do for your skin.

Friday, 15 January 2010

Product Review: Tamu Organics "Beauty with Responsibility"

Akwaba!


Our products have been reviewed (positively I should add) by a London blogger over at Love, Life & Locks.

Another glowing report, looks like we're picking up momentum here - go Tamu!

Little pots of luxury.

That's how I'd describe the range of 'decadent' whipped body butters Tamu has to offer. I like to support local businesses and Female entrepreneurs and this company ticks all the right boxes for me.

Founded on principles of social responsibility, fair trade and ethical investment; Tamu not only walks the walk but talks the talk: all the products are handmade and the ingredients are sourced from Tamu Founder, Afriyie's village in Goaso, Ghana.

These women personify what Tamu is about: economic empowerment for the historically underdeveloped, giving them a fair chance at an equal footing on the financial ladder.

The product range is based around shea butter and black soap (more on the latter later); the process of growing, harvesting and 'processing' the shea butter is a personal and labour intensive one - this is reflected in the high quality of the products. Furthermore (and much to my delight), they contain no petrochemicals (no mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin etc.), artificial fragrances or parabens; and the soaps contains no SLS.

So what's in the body butters? Only the finest organic ingredients, mostly Ghanaian Shea butter and fragrant essential oils. Hmmmmm....

"Rich, thick and whipped" that's how they're described on the website, and yet, less is more with these butters as a little bit goes a long way; the butter is so light and fluffy and it literally melts into your skin. How sumptuous is that?

Clients can choose from five luxurious creations:

You can also opt for the straight up 'simple' (if you can call anything in this range 'simple') - unrefined shea butter. My favourites are the Cocoa Vanilla and Almond Brule (which my daughter loves and therefore stole from me!)

Everything comes beautifully packaged and you can understand why the savvy Beauty Spas have begun clamouring for stock!

Not into whipped body butter? You can still pamper yourself with the luxurious Moroccan Rose Silk cream - which is absolutely divine. (Sorry, to gush - but it really is, unless of course you don't like roses!)


The Moroccan Roseline sits at the top of the Tamu product range and includes a Luxury Silk Body Bar, Sensual Body Oil and Himalayan Bath Salts which I tried out with HRH one evening and 'relaxing' just doesn't do justice as a description of the experience - trust me on that one! It was as if all the stress and strain of the day vapourised into the steamy rose scented air around us. Sleep was inevitable and oh so sweeeeeeeeeet! (Especially after a day of sliding around in the snow and running around behind the kids!)


I must also mention the handmade soaps. Yes, this phenomenal woman makes these herself. How'd ya like 'dem apples? Not counting the Moroccan Rose bar I've already mentioned, you have three choices:



I love the way, Afriyie (aka Lady Tamu) has taken time out to provide suggestions on which products will be suitable for what skin types and each product page is chocked full of information on the ingredients and how to get the best out of the products. Just lovely! (I'm going to shut up now before you think I'm a sales rep or something lol).

So, if you're looking for something different this year (and still have some leftover copper from xmas just waiting for the January Sales) - you could do a lot worse than to invest in a few Tamu products. Pamper yourself and empower someone at the same time - sounds like a win-win to me :) (Shipping is worldwide, yes that means Barbados too lol).

If you do try them or have already tried them - do post a comment and let me know your thoughts.

With Love from London,

xx

Thursday, 7 January 2010

Why Shea Butter?


Akwaba! Today, I thought I'd share with you an article on why my Ghanaian people use Shea Butter. The benefits speak for themselves!


In Ghana, Shea Butter is traditionally used to treat the following ailments:

  • Dry skin conditions
  • Eczema / psoriasis
  • Dermatitis
  • Cell renewal
  • Dry scalp
  • Skin rash- including nappy rash
  • Blemishes and wrinkles
  • Itchiness
  • Minor burns/sunburn
  • Razor irritation
  • Small skin wounds
  • Dry feet / heels
  • Stretch marks
  • Sun and wind protection
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Blemishes and scarring
  • Scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing
  • Bumps after shaving
  • Reduced skin elasticity
  • Dull, lacklustre hair

    Shea butter from the nuts of the Karite tree, or "tree of life" as it is known in West Africa, is the ultimate oasis for dry skin conditions. Ghanaian mothers use it to moisturise their newborn babies, as its purity makes it gentle and non-drying to their sensitive skin.

    In Ghana, destruction of the shea tree is prohibited because this little nut provides a valuable source of food, medicine, and income for the population. In fact, shea butter is sometimes referred to as 'women's gold' in Africa, because so many women are employed in its production.

    Shea butter protects your skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains naturally occurring vitamin A and vitamin E as well as complex fatty acids which feed and nourish your skin. Shea butter also contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect you from harmful UV rays, and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

    Shea butter can also help treat skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, however, you should always consult a physician or dermatologist about serious or persistent skin problems. Shea butter is not recommended for people with latex allergies.


Visit our website for more on the women who make our Shea Butter or to browse our products.

Saturday, 28 November 2009

Product Review: A-Shu Fashion & Trend Forecasts


Akwaba!

I am so thrilled to share with you a recent product review that appeared on the A-Shu blog earlier this month.


Claire Eluka, A-shu's Beauty Writer gave a glowing report on our products, but you don't have to take my word for it: read for yourself!

To read the original article click here or see below for more.





"With so many exquisite brands of skincare on the market, starting up your own business as a body and skin care specialist is no easy task. Afriyie Donkor took to the challenge like a duck to water using her business skills combined with her heritage of Ghanaian resources, namely Shea butter from her mothers village Gaoso in Ghana, Africa.

Tamu’s ethos is: Beauty with Responsibility. The process of handcrafted cosmetics in Ghana enables care and community trading with the local women and children of the Ghanaian villages.


Tamu is a brand with extreme integrity, respecting the traditions of homemade beauty remedies with the intensive 14hr labouring process of extraction from the Shea nut to decanting the pure form into recyclable bottles and jars.


Tamu products are naturally against animal testing and refuse to include parabens and chemical preservatives which enables it seal of approval as one of the best premium body care brands of our time.


Tamu is a fabulously chic range of beautifully rich whipped body butters all based with unrefined Shea Butter and no preservatives whatsoever! The delicious scents are provided with raw essential oils like coconut and lime, lavender, ylang ylang, lemon and ginger and Moroccan rose.


The Moroccan rose range is a sensuous treat that includes a relaxing bath soak with rose petals to enhance the spa tranquil feel at home, the fantastic sensuous body oil - (which I now swear by as a great all over body oil for hair, face and body after I finish my daily swim).


The soaps are traditional blocks of soaps, cut to measure your needs, which again are unrefined 100% organic. Get your hands on the African Black Tea Tree and honey soap - it is the best thing for oily and blemished skin. It’s rich lather and African herbs will leave your skin feeling super silky.


With such wisdom and blessing of African ingredients and long-term benefits to community trade for the financial independence of Ghana, Mrs Donkor deserves our hats taken off to her.


Goodbye high street imitations filled with glycerine and watered down by artificial fragrances… Hello Tamu!


Afriye’s wonderful range is available to purchase online with a fully comprehensive history page and list of her superior ingredients and is also stocked at Waterloo Body Station and in Cherry Picked Boutique in Greenwich.

By Clare Eluka - Beauty Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK."







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