Inspired by Aboriginal plant wisdom, the range of skin, hair and body-care products has been created by Australian Gayle Heron with the guidance of elders – tapping into their ancient knowledge of the healing power and beauty benefits of specific native plants. And from the harvesting techniques to the packaging of the products, Heron has adopted a ‘tread lightly upon the earth’ philosophy. Added to this, a percentage of the profits from Li’tya is given back to the communities that have inspired the products and treatments.
So far, so worthy – but what of the oils, cleansers and lotions themselves? Do they actually do the job? The days when natural and organic beauty products had limited glam appeal are well behind us, so I have high expectations. The Blue Cypress Body Wash (£21), in its black tube, has a masculine look to it (although all Li’tya products are unisex) and indeed you couldn’t really call it’s scent feminine. It has quite a strange, hard-to-define smell, with a hint of the grapefruit content sneaking through. It’s actually a blend of blue cypress (an anti-inflammatory and muscle soother), sandalwood (repairing and replenishing) and aloe vera (healing). In total, reckoned to be good for circulation and relaxation. I found that it lathered well and softened the skin.
Having a sensitive scalp I am always on the hunt for gentle, sulphate-free shampoos and this – Quadong & Camellia Hair Cleanser (£18) – definitely feels gentle. Quandong is Australia’s native fruit tree and its kernel helps with hair lustre and itchy scalps. Giving the shampoo it’s lovely fruity smell and vibrant colour is a combination of orange and madarin oils and then there’s a cocktail of camomile, green tea and wheat protein. As you’d expect from a sulphate-free cleanser, there’s not much lather on the first wash, but much more on the second, so the shampoo does have a frothy, luxurious feel.
We’re increasingly used to seeing skincare products with ever-more scientific properties to deal with ageing, so it’s interesting to try something that lets the botanicals do all the work. Boronia Eye Serum (£44) says it will deliver “absolute hydration and protection... soothe and restore with this intense vitamin-rich serum that firms, cools and softens as it protects against ageing. That’s a big ask of any eye cream, but the blend of cucumber, rosehip oil and extract, macadamia oil and green tea extract certainly feels wonderfully cool and refreshing to use – absolutely no drag and a little goes a long way. And the exotic native flower aroma is lovely too.
www.litya-spa.com |
