There is something about becoming a mum for the first time! It makes us rethink our lives, and many of us become acutely aware of the consequences of our lifestyles, and the impact it could have on the amazing little miracle growing inside of us. Motherhood truly is a journey and the transformation from women to mother begins, when we suddenly feel utterly in love with our unborn babies, and start making conscious choices and changes.

Amy Curtis (29), from Hale, describes how becoming pregnant with her daughter Elisa, made her switch from perfumed,  high street must-have moisturisers, to organic skin care, that smelled so gorgeous and natural, that she even started using it for her daughter after she was born.

" I could not continue using my regular skin care lotion when I became pregnant. The smell was just too strong and it seemed as though it made my morning sickness worse. " She recalls that it made her search the internet for natural products and whilst doing her research, she realised, that most high street products she was using, contained parabens, preservatives and a host of harmful chemical ingredients, that she did not want to expose her unborn baby to. "I am so glad I switched!" says Amy.

"I have discovered more, and more products since then, that have replaced my old skin care and beauty regimes, and I feel good about my skin, knowing that I do not have to worry about the ingredients in the products I use."

Amy is not the only young mother who has undergone this transition since switching office with playground. There are many celebrity mums setting the trend. Mother and TV presenter Sarah Beeny is a fan of organic skin care, and uses Lavera Body SPA Body Lotions: "I moisturise my body every day to keep it supple. This silky lotion contains vitamin E and shea butter, which melt in so easily. The Wild Rose fragrance is my absolute favourite."  American actress and star of Will & Grace, Debra Messing, also discovered Lavera's organic products whilst she was pregnant.

Hollywood mums Demi Moore, and Nicole Kidman are devotees of celebrity hairstylist Tara Smith's organic hair care products.
Tara Smith is the go-to girl for fabulous hair for magazines, film producers and high profile stars alike, on both sides of the Atlantic. Her client list reads like an A-list who's who, and includes Demi Moore, Anna Friel, Natalie Imbruglia, Rosario Dawson, Marisa Tomei, Orlando Bloom, Quentin Tarantino, Nicole Kidman and Kristen Davis. 

Tara was recently awarded Celebrity Hairdresser of the Year at The Clothes Show Style Awards 2009, and has brought something truly original to hair care with her new line of natural and organic hair products. Produced with earth-friendly ingredients and made here in the UK, Tara's range has limited the use of harsh chemicals and maximised her ethical and environmental values by avoiding measures such as animal testing. Besides being one of the most eco-friendly hair care ranges available, (Vegan and BUAV approved, and easily recyclable thanks to all the elements of the bottle being made of one material) Tara's new line is extremely wallet-friendly and is available on the high street with prices ranging from £2.25 to £4.99.

Real life Cheshire Mum Amy Curtis is pleased with the comments she gets from friends, and family about her radiant skin, and is confident that she would not want to return to her former beauty magazine endorsed toiletry bag. "I have cleaned up my act" she says, with a smile. " I have discovered products for myself that have since become catwalk favourites!"  It is true to say that sales of green cosmetics have been on a steady rise for several years now, and consumers are buying in on the idea, but Amy would not want to go back to  her pre-pregnancy cosmetics. "I used to try out samples from glossy magazines, and buy expensive brand products I saw on TV. Today I am much more confident. I know what I like, and I would rather spend my money on products that are pure, and naturally effective. It has made me so much more aware of what I use for Elisa to. She has gorgeous, long  curly hair, and I really need to apply a conditioner after we have washed it, otherwise it would be impossible to comb. I use a very natural curl conditioner that can even be left in. Her hair looks so healthy and smells delicious!"

At Cheshire Mums we have compiled a list of our very own top five must-have organic products that have all been tested by all and earned their place on our bathroom shelves and in our handbags/baby changing bags:

Cheshire MumsTop 5 Natural Beauty Products:

Dr. Hauschka Mascara, brown,  6ml £15.98

This natural mascara gives vibrant colour to the eyes as well as protecting, strengthening and enhances the lashes. It contains natural pigment colour, thickens, separates and defines eyelashes. Its plant and herb extracts soothe and protect. It is dermatologically tested and should be used within 6 months of opening. Dr. Hauschka Tel: 01386 791 022

Weleda Skin Food, 75ml £6.95

This balm is a firm favourite of the Cheshire mums team. It has just won the classic beauty product of the year silver award at the UK Beauty Awards 2009, and before that used the be the best kept secret of models and actresses. For decades Skin Food remained an unsung hero but recently many high-profile celebrities have revealed Skin Food as their backstage beauty secret. The enthusiastic following includes singers Joss Stone and Rihanna, and actresses Brooke Shields, Kerry Washington, Winona Ryder and Lili Taylor. Top models Helena Christensen, Chandra North, Angela Lindvall, Claudia Barila and Karen Ferrari are all fans.

Skin Food is an enriching balm to soothe and comfort skin that's battered by daily stresses - from poor diet to pollution. It's our best defence against wind and weather, and great for dry or rough hands that need a treat, or thirsty skin anywhere on the body, especially dry patches such as elbows. Miraculously Skin Food can also perk up a pasty complexion suffering from lack of sleep, for those of us who've been burning the candle at both ends, and makes a revitalising face pack to rescue tired skin.

NEAT NEW SIZE Skin Food has become a travel essential for many jet setters, to restore radiance to lacklustre skin. Weleda's NEW 30ml travel size Skin Food is ideal to protect and replenish skin blasted by drying air conditioning on the plane.

The ingredients are 100% natural (BDIH certified) and include extracts of organic chamomile, calendula and wild pansy to soothe rough skin, plus rosemary to revitalise dull complexions. This deep-penetrating cream contains natural plant oils and waxes known for their richness and gentleness. The refreshing fragrance is from pure essential oils including sweet orange and lavandulae, so artificial preservatives or parabens are not needed. It's just what your skin has been waiting for.

Weleda Skin Food is a nourishing and hydrating treatment for the whole body, especially hands, feet and elbows. Made with organic sunflower seed oil, and extracts of wild pansy, chamomile, calendula and revitalising rosemary extract to perk up tired skin, it is a great rescue remedy for lack-lustre or generally undernourished complexions. Skin Food is delicately fragranced with refreshing essential oils including sweet orange and lavandulae and is the natural choice for everyday care of the face and body. It can be used as a protective cream in harsh weather and is excellent for anyone regularly out of doors. Suitable for vegetarians.

Recent sales of Skin Food have grown ten-fold in the UK and this product regularly sells out - unbelievably there is often a waiting list as it barely touches the shelves. More incredible still is the price, at just £6.95 for 75ml or £4.95 for 30ml. Organic beauty needn't cost the earth.

0115 944 8222
www.weleda.co.uk

Lavera Lip Gloss No.6, blackberry, £ 8.25

The Lip Gloss contains natural berry extracts, Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil to keep lips soft and also contains sun protection. Winner of the Natural Health Magazine Beauty Awards 2009.

Lavera won the Innovation Prize Of The Year at The Biofach 2001 in Europe for this new product!

Lavera Stockist info and mail order available on 01557 870567 / www.lavera.co.uk

Local stockist: Amarya, Organic Beauty Salon, Knutsford, Tel: 01565 653 727
www.amarya.co.uk

Lavera Body Spa Lotion, Wildrose, 150ml, £7.25

This gentle body lotion gives gentle care to your skin due to Organic Wild Rose Oil. Feel the skin-smoothing influences of Lecithin and relax with the light rosy fragrance. We adore this light, naturally fragranced body lotion. It is so easily absorbed and leaves your skin feeling lovely and soft. It is well worth getting into a pampering routine with this great lotion!

Tara Smith Big Baby Gentle Shampoo, 100ml & 250ml, £2.25-£4.99

With an ensemble of natural ingredients creating Tara's new BIG BABY GENTLE Shampoo, mothers and babies can now share this organic resolution for a nurturing hair care routine, promising no harm to both mother and baby.

Tara's natural and organic hair care range is now available in ASDA (from August) and online at www.bodycare2000.com in addition to Tesco and www.cultbeauty.co.uk.