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I'm finally back on YouTube. After technical difficulties and holidays I'm finally back.

Blog: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/sara-steele-organic-hairstylist-hair-blogger-13734223
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In this video I'm showing you my September favourites. Here are some of the things I've loved this month and they are:

1.Eat real Quinoa chips
2. Oatley oat drink - chocolate
3. Hurraw lip balm - liquorice
4. Zoya nail polish - Yana
5. Maria Åkerberg  lipstick - joyful
6.  Maria Åkerberg - Mineral powder foundation - natural beige
7. Vita coco - coconut oil
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Thank you for watching

Review | Face cream vs face oils

I've recently decided to try face oils. After a long time worrying about if it would make my skin greasy and give me spots. I'm sure I'm not the only one. In the end I just decided to go for it. I used Suti Rejuvenate face oil. This contains with Rosehip seed, Evening primrose, Argan oil and Frankincense.

Recently the hype of oils has got bigger and bigger. Such as argan, avocado, coconut and almond oils. Natural oils has been part of women's beauty regime for thousands of years.  

Skin cells are held together by plenty of oils. As we age, we produce less oils and we loose our healthy glow and lines starts to appear. We need to add oils back to our skin to keep it radiant and healthy by hydrate the skin. 

When oils are applied they absorb directly to the top layer of the epidermis and hydrates the skin right away. 

What is the difference between cream and oils? 

Creams are mostly waxes and water with a few oils. Waxes leaves a layer on the skin, which helps to hold moisture in. The problem with that a build up of waxes may lead to clogged pores and stops the oils from penetrating. So in the long run it has the opposite effect and dries your skin out. At first it helps to keep in moisture but as the pores clogs up your skin doesn't get the hydration it needs and your skin gets dry. 

Oils are lipophilic which means they love fat. So they can pass through our skin and fat layer easier than creams. Hydrating the skin thus, so more efficient. 

My experience 

My skin is normal to dry. I started to notice a difference almost immediately. Skin felt smooth and soft. 

I was worried that my skin would feel greasy. But within minutes the oil is penetrated through the skin and only left feeling smooth and hydrated. I haven't got any spots. I did feel applying the oil both morning and evening was a bit too much sometimes. I then changed to apply the face oil only in the evening before bed. Letting the oil sink in to my skin without spoiling the skin with makeup. Leaving the skin still feeling hydrated and good in the morning. 

Oils are not necessarily more natural and organic than creams, it completely depends on the type of oils and the cream. Both products usually have different abilities and objectives. Oils will give us more elasticity and also some vitamins.  Whereas creams nourish the skin and minimise the pores creating a protective layer between the face the world.

What do you prefer? Oil or cream? 

*disclaimer: I received the Suti face oil for free to review and been asked by Suti to write a post on face oil vs face cream. I did not get paid to do this and the view is my own. 

Review | Botanicals - Revitalising Mask Rose clay and Rosehip

When I received Botanicals revitalising mask, it was love at first sight. It's such a beautiful jar with my favourite pink coloured label. It's like you want to open it up and eat whatever is inside. Don't do that. 

The clay is a kind of red coppery colour. The smell is gorgeous. It's like sitting by a rose bush eating rose hips. Childhood memories right there. 

Botanicals organic face range is designed to restore the natural balance of the skin. On the website it explains: 

"Soft French rose clay helps draw out impurities and eliminate dead skin cells. While cold-pressed Rosehip and Jojoba, rich in essential fatty acids, leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and visibly brighter."

Botanicals revitalising mask is definitely the most gentle face mask I've ever tried. It doesn't dry my skin out at all. It doesn't make my skin feel tight. It's so gentle I almost forget I have it on.

The mask is designed to nourish the the skin's lower layers whilst slowly drawing out impurities. 

I only use a small amount, so it will last for a while. You can either use the clay as it is or mix it with a few drops of flower water in your hands. I tried both and works just as well either way. 

After rinsing my skin feels so clean and fresh. I can tell that any impurities and dirt are gone. The skin is still smooth and hasn't dried out at all. I was pleasantly surprised as it's so gentle on, I didn't think it would do much. But it does work and I feel so clean. Even my husband said I looked he didn't recognise me. I don't know if that was an insult to me or a compliment to Botanicals. Maybe both. 

Have you tried Botanicals yet?

*disclaimer: I received Botanicals mask for free to review. Opinions are all my own.

Different uses for Coconut oil

I often go on about how much I love coconut oil. I love using coconut oil for my hair, not just for cooking. Coconut oil is versatile and can be used for so many things. I took the opportunity when I received a coconut oil from Vita Coco days before my holiday. I decided to try as many ways to use the coconut oil as possible whilst on holiday. 

This will save me plenty of packing space right? 

Here some of the things I've used it for. 

Hair treatment

I used the coconut oil on both me and Stephen's hair to protect it from the sun and to dry out. For my hair I only use a little bit during the day to just work as a barrier to sea water, pool water and sun. Few times during my holiday I did a proper treatment so applied more. Stephen's hair is Afro so for him I used it as a moisturiser for his hair. In this hot weather its key to keep the hair moist and prevent breakage. 

Body lotion 

Apply coconut oil as a normal body lotion. You only need a small amount and it will keep your skin smooth.

Face cream

Apply a very small amount on your face. Skin will feel smooth and soft. Great to prevent wrinkles. 

Lip balm

Apply a small amount to lips to keep them soft. 

Shaving cream 

Apply on skin before shaving for a smooth soft feeling afterwards. Prevents any irritation. 

Sun lotion

Coconut oil contains natural sun protection.

Sunburn relief

If you've burned your skin in the sun. Apply coconut oil and it will turn in to a nice tan by the next day. Prevents from peeling. 

What are some of the things you use coconut oil for? 

My trip to Cambodia

Me and my husband just spent a few amazing days in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Part of our anniversary trip. Cambodia is an amazing and beautiful place. I loved it from the second we landed. 

Cambodia is country with so much painful history and it's inspiring to meet the local people and see their amazing hearts. They're all so friendly. 

We stayed in Viroth's villa. A small boutique hotel. It was a lovely place and because it was small it felt like you had the place by yourself. 

On our first full day we went to Angkor Wat. It was such an incredible sight. We had a tour guide, Dee from tour company Urban Adventures. She was so knowledgeable and managed to paint a picture of how it was like in the Angkor time. 

We saw a few other temples as well.

Bayon temple, the Kings temple 

The last temple we saw was Ta Prohm, also known for being the location where they filmed Tomb Raider. 

On our second day we visited a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake. This was incredible. Even just the journey out there was so beautiful and managed to meet more locals. Seeing the life of the villages was humbling yet inspiring. 

After visiting the floating villages we went back into town. To check out the Old Market.

We had some great food. This was their local dish called Amok, served in a coconut. 

I will share more about this trip later but I just wanted to show you some pictures now. 

Blog update - September 2015

You might be wondering why I've been a bit quiet recently. Especially on my YouTube channel. Let me explain. 

First of all my laptop needed to be repaired so for about two weeks I was without a laptop so unable to edit my videos. 

The other reason I might be a bit quieter for the next few weeks is that I'm now on holiday in Thailand and Cambodia. 

First stop of my Holiday was Bangkok, Thailand. We're now in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We're then going back to Thailand to Krabi to relax on the beach for a bit. 

I can't wait to share more about our trip with you on the blog soon. 

View from our dinner at the Moon bar, Bangkok

Busy streets of Bangkok

In the meantime make sure you follow me on Instagram or Twitter to see more of what I'm up to. 

www.instagram.com/sarasteelesnapswww.twitter.com/sarasteeletweets

Things to do for Organic September

Soil association launched Organic September to celebrate all things organic and make people more aware of choosing organic. I've put together a list of small and simple changes that we all can do this month. 

I always think of what things come from and where are they going. Think of all the rubbish we throw away. Think of all the chemicals we put down the drain daily in the shower or when we are doing the washing. All the little changes we do in our day to day life will make a huge difference. 

1. Start with your morning cuppa

Why don't you buy organic teabags or coffee grounds this month. Make your mornings even brighter for the future. Try and find teabags that are biodegradable or use loose leaf tea. 

2. Swap 5 food items

I understand it can be hard to change everything at once. Try and think of 5 food items you use a lot of and see if you can swap them to organic. It's all about starting somewhere. 

3. Swap to organic beauty

Your next beauty product that runs out. Instead of buying the same one why don't you swap it with an organic option instead. To a more in detail guide for green beauty why don't you read my green beauty guide for beginners. http://www.sarasteele.co.uk/2015/08/green-beauty-guide-for-beginners.html?m=1

4. Recycle or upcycle

Try and recycle as much as you can. But many of the things we throw away we can easily make use of in another way. There's a ton of inspiration for up cycling on Pinterest.

5. Swap to Eco friendly washing powder

Such an easy swap to do and it's less chemicals in our oceans and in our clothes. 

6. Buy organic clothes

I'm taking it a step further. Why don't buy organic clothes. All my jeans are made of organic cotton. Which means it's produced with less chemicals and so much better for both me and the environment. 

7. Visit a farmers market 

It's my favourite thing to do. Buy local, independent and organic. I'll promise you'll leave with a big smile and better tasting food. 

8. Go for organic coffee

Instead of your usual Starbucks why don't you go to a independent coffee shop using organic coffee.

9. Swap your essentials to organic

Think of the things you use everyday like body wash, deodorant and toothpaste. These things can make a huge damage to your body. But swap it to more natural and organic products. Remember our skin is the biggest organ and it absorbs so much of the toxics we put on it. Make that change. 

10. Don't get overwhelmed

When you start changing and seeing the good it does. It can be overwhelming when you think about all the toxic stuff you use everyday. Don't overwhelm yourself. You have started to change which is great. Then just do little by little. The last thing we want is more waste so don't throw out everything at once but simply replace the bad things with good things as they run out. Before you know it your home will soon be an environment friendly zone. 

Remember Organic month should just be the beginning of good habits. Don't wait for next year September until you buy your next organic product. 

What are some of the things you're doing for organic September?