Review: Botanicals Lavender Botanical Water (and how to use it!)

You cannot deny - floral waters are bloody brilliant. They are generally purer than most traditional 'toners', and they are just so versatile. Recently, I've been trialling the Botanicals Lavender Botanical Water* and here are some of my favourite ways to use it:

As a toner... obviously. Okay, so this is probably a given - but floral waters really do make great toners. This Botanicals one in particular has brilliant ingredients (at the bottom of this post), and still feels like it's doing something. The lavender is both moisturising and soothing for slightly angry acneic skin. Sometimes I use this after a more exfoliating toner, and sometimes I use it on it's own. Works great either way.

To increase the efficacy of oils. A great way to get the most out of your favourite facial oil is to first spritz the skin with a good helping of floral water. The extra moisture will increase slip and make the oil go further, making sure that every bit of your face is nourished. 

As a cooling facial spritz. Again, probably an obviously one but floral waters are great for cooling down in this hot(?) weather we've been having lately. I like to carry my Botanicals one around with me as the packaging is small, compact, and secure enough for a handbag.

For setting makeup. Floral waters are also brilliant as natural makeup setting sprays. The light distilled (spring in the case of Botanicals), water is great to smooth out any cakey-ness and hide any dryness that may have been exacerbated my makeup application. I find that my makeup lasts a lot longer if I finish with a couple sprays of floral water.

For your hair. Bit of a funny one, but I also like to spritz my hair a little before blow-drying. I find that it helps to tame frizz and also makes my hair smell rather lovely, especially after it's regular ACV rinse!

If you're already a fan or if you're new to the world of floral waters, I highly suggest that you give Botanicals a go as their products are simple, organic, and super reasonably priced. You can get it here.

Ingredients:
Aqua, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil*, geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**. (Certified organic ingredients. **Natural constituents of essential oil.)

Have you tried any Botanicals products? Or do you LOVE floral waters like me?

Vegan Cuts June Snack Box Review

A good month or so ago (I've been super busy!), I was luckily enough to be emailed by Vegan Cuts and asked to review one of their snack boxes*. If you haven't already heard of Vegan Cuts, they are a company that provide monthly subscription boxes filled with amazing vegan snacks, or beauty products, depending on your preference. I filmed a ingredients review of their August 2014 beauty box last year - which you can see here - so I was super excited to receive some lovely new products from them. Especially considering that this time they were edible...

Unfortunately, after receiving the box, I almost completely forgot that I was meant to be doing a review. I was sure to take a picture immediately after it arrived, but I then proceeded to eat most of the snacks without making note of what they were or how I liked them. Wow Katie, super blogger skills. That's a compliment on their part though, right?

One thing I did notice about the snack box - in comparison to alternative vegan snack boxes - is that it was literally filled to the brim. You can see from the picture that the box was bursting with delicious vegan snacks which makes it extremely good value for money. In the US, a single snack box is just under $20 including delivery which is pretty much on point. I will note however that outside of the US, the value is not so good. A UK customer can expect to pay around $35 (£22) including shipping which is bummer considering that a lot of the products aren't available in the UK when you want to restock. In spite of this, let's get on to how delicious the snacks were! Here are the three highlights:

Yum Earth Organics Sour Jelly Beans

These were super yummy and especially satisfying seeing so I've been seriously craving jelly beans over the last few weeks. Most main market jelly beans contain beeswax, but of course these are 100% vegan. My only complaint is that the packet they came in was WAY too small. Still craving those jelly beans. :-(

Home Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Again, these satisfied a craving that I've been suffering with for a while. I'm not even a huge fan of chocolate cookies but these were really nice. They were a cute small bitesize which was perfect for a quick sweet snack at the work desk. However I'm not finding that I'm missing these as much as I just found out that I can eat Fox's dark chocolate cookies (amazing).

SuperEats Kale + Chia Chips, Chilli & Lime

These may have been bright green and not the most appetising looking things, but they were definitely yummy. They have the perfect amount of spice which is cleverly offset by the sourness of the lime. These were incredibly moreish and I zoomed through the packet in about ten seconds. If I could source just one of these products in the UK, it would be these. Or maybe the jelly beans. Or maybe these. Hm. 

Find out more about Vegan Cuts here. Have you tried one of their boxes?

Intro to: Marmozel Skincare

This review has been such a long time coming! I've been enjoying this brand for a while and I'm finally ready to put my thoughts in to words. A good couple months ago, I was contacting by the lovely Rimante from Marmozel and asked if I wanted to try a couple of their products. I took a gander at their website - was thoroughly impressed - and so was quick to jump on the chance to test a few out. I'd like to note also, that Rimante was super friendly throughout the entire process and you could actually tell that she had read my blog a little before emailing me, which is something that I REALLY appreciate when it comes to being approached by PRs. 

As a whole, Marmozel is near-enough vegan-friendly (apart from the beeswax in their lip balms), and all their products are made in Lithuania with certified organic ingredients. You can order for delivery to the UK through their website or I did actually notice that there is a reflexologist in the UK that uses their products and there is contact details for them if you were interested. I was sent five products to try, but today I wanted to focus on the three products that have really gone above and beyond in terms of performance.

Hair Mask*

If we're being completely honest, I haven't really used a hair mask at all since going natural. However, recently I've been experiencing some problems with a super dry scalp so this product has been well appreciated. One of the first things that I noticed about this hair mask is that it smells AMAZING - a true lavender and rosemary scent. It's lovely and thick but easy to spread throughout out your hair due to the coconut oil base that melts in to a luxurious oil. I did find myself quite skeptical about the 60ml product size, but I'm glad to report that there was no need for concern as I have safely got four uses out of this little tub, with still at least half of it left. It's been doing absolute wonders for my dry scalp and I love to sleep with this on before washing off in the morning. The scent lingers on the hair and everything feels just so soft and nourished. I would definitely consider repurchasing this product when it eventually runs out.

Floral Face Toner*

I've always been massively in to toners - but never really that much in to floral waters. Here's where things change. This toner is super simple in it's ingredients: using only rose damask and jasmine floral waters, and it's just what my skin has been needing lately. It's perfect to spritz on the skin before applying facial oils and this ritual really helps improve the efficacy of your oils. It did take me a while to get used to the strong rose scent (something that I've never been that keen on), but I'm definitely a floral water convert and already have a couple lined up in my arsenal to try next. 

Very Natural Perfume*

Marmozel also carry a selection of handmade perfume oils and I was lucky enough to try the scent named 'Very'. With a jojoba oil base, this perfume uses notes of bergamot, vetiver, black pepper, and rosemary. It smells absolute divine and the scent does seem to linger for a couple hours after application. I like carrying this around in my handbag as an emergency scent, in addition to a little aromatherapy rollerball when it's needed.

Have you tried anything from Marmozel? Let me know!

Orange Lips for Pale Chicks - Lippy Girl Review

I've only recently got in to bold lip colours. I'm not a red person as I prefer deep fushias and purples. Recently however, I've been experimenting with orange shades. Oranges tend to be hard to work with when you're as pale as me but good news guys... I've found the one. Son of a Brick* - from Canadian makeup brand, Lippy Girl - is a beautiful deep, burnt orange. It may look a little intimidating in the bullet (and swatched on the hand), but when layered over a little lip balm on the lips, it's a definite winner.

I'll start by admitting that my first foray in to Lippy Girl wasn't the best. I was originally sent the shade Abraca-BAM, but unfortunately, something was a little off with the formula and I found it to be dry, dragging and very patchy. Son of a Brick however is a big step up and I find it to be smooth and deliciously opaque in but a couple swipes. It took a few experiments for me to make this very unique shade wearable but as mentioned above, it works wonderfully when layered over lip balm. The burnt colour is paled out a little, making it perfect for my light complexion. This method also thankfully leaves your lips feeling moisturised without forfeiting any staying power. It lasts a good six hours and it also seems to behave when it comes to eating and drinking. I'm finding that I'm reaching for this shade more and more as we move in to spring, and I love to wear it with bare eyes and just a touch of peachy red blush.

The ingredients are also super impressive being 100% vegan and dye-free. It can be hard to find interesting lipstick shades without the addition of synthetic dyes but Lippy Girl seem to be doing a brilliant job bridging the gap. I also really enjoy the sleek black metal packaging, however, mine seems to have got damaged in my bag and now makes a strange rattling noise...

I will definitely be trying some more shades from Lippy Girl in the future (namely, Boss Lady) and you can take a gander yourself at Botanical Brands, where they retail for an affordable £12.50.

Review: Lovea Argan Detangling & Conditioning Hair Spray

We'll start this review with a fun fact: detangling spray has been one of my last beauty items to go green. I have really knotty, thick hair and I rely on a good detangler to make brushing my hair both effective and bearable. Considering how much I love my Lovea sun lotion, I thought that I should give their haircare a try in the form of their Argan Detangling and Conditioning Hair Spray*.

It's no joke that argan oil is fantastic for your hair. For a while now, I've been polishing off my hair routine with a few drops of the widely-proclaimed 'liquid gold'. This product claims to harness this wondrous oil, to leave your hair super smooth and tangle-free. Unfortunately, I'm not 100% sure whether I can agree. I started out believing that I LOVED this product. However, after a few more uses I came to realise that I was just being blinded by its pretty damn delicious scent. The simple packaging is great and the spray mechanism is spot-on, but I'm just not that sold on the formula within.

The product appears as a clear water-like liquid which is to be sprayed on to wet hair before drying. This is absolutely fine, however after drying my hair can sometimes feel a little sticky or gritty, almost as if I've sprayed it with a good amount of hairspray. As you can imagine, this doesn't help too much with the detangling. On the upside, spraying a little while dry, leaves my hair smooth, super shiny and with just enough texture for a little curl-scrunching action. 

Despite this being a definite bargain product (coming in at a little over £5), I can't help but feel a little disappointed with its performance. Saying this though, I only wash my hair once a week or so, so my opinions may change after a couple more uses. Maybe I'm using a bit too much? Who knows. If you'd like to give this a try (or try Lovea's awesome sun lotion), the brand is available on MyPure with free UK delivery.

Review: Herbfarmacy Pure Hydration Serum

I’m always on the look out for a good hydrating serum. I try to wear a decent SPF everyday (review of the one I use here), and I’ve found that my skin can’t handle this in addition to a regular moisturiser. Therefore, underneath, I prefer to use a good quality hydrating serum that ensures my skin will stay plump without overloading my pores. Recently I’ve been using the Herbfarmacy Pure Hydration Serum*, and frankly, I couldn’t be happier.

This serum has got to be one of my favourite samples that I recieved as part of the brilliant Reading meet-up that was arranged by the wonder-trio: Rach, Sarah and Jen. We left with some serious booty and this serum has really been impressing me, especially as I haven’t tried much from Herbfarmacy as a brand. I’ve found that a lot of their products aren’t suitable for vegans but I’m super happy that this serum seems to be an exception to the rule.

Well on to the product, the Pure Hydration Serum claims to be an ‘easily-absorbed serum with powerful hydrating and moisture holding capacity’. I would definitely agree with this and I’ve found that the effects are similar to that of Hydraluron, a popular mainstream hydrator that uses hyaluronic acid, a humectant that can often be derived from animals. Herbfarmacy’s option does include sodium hyaluronate (the sodium salt involved in hyaluronic acid), however, you can feel reassured in the fact that Herbfarmacy do in fact use vegetarian sources of this ingredient, which can not always be promised with more non-natural companies. For those out of the loop, hyaluronic acid is great at attracting and holding in moisture. In other words, in increases the effectiveness of products used in succession to itself, locking in moisture.  

As mentioned beforehand, I’ve been using this serum under my SPF and I have been seriously loving it. It’s definitely a winner when it comes to layering with other products, avoiding the dreaded pilling effect that you can occasionally encounter with such practices. Obviously - as mentioned above - the sodium hyaluronate really helps with SPF layering as it increases the moisturising properties of anything used after it. The texture is really interesting but I do find that it absorbs easily and my skin feels instantly smoother and plumper. The hydration does seem to last throughout the day for me, however I do have slightly oilier skin and so dry skin friends will definitely need to layer it with a heavier moisturiser. 

The serum has a really pleasant smell which I suspect, is down to the marshmallow root extract. Marshmallow root is also really great at deeply moisturising and this in addition to aloe vera, shea butter and rose water makes the product really effective. It does seem to be preserved with alcohol (as well as potassium sorbate), but I don’t find this to be a problem due to the sheer abundance of wonderful hydrating ingredients.

All in all, this will be a possible re-purchase for me as I just find it fits in really well with my current routine. It’s not the cheapest ever at £24.50 but it’s super effective and comes in the cutest packaging, don’t you agree?

Review: Red Apple Vegan Lipstick

I'm so glad to finally be reviewing the wonderful Red Apple Lipstick for you all! I've been trialling these lipsticks for a good few months, and all I can say is, the hype is dang real.

Red Apple Lipstick is a relatively new company, offering gorgeous natural lipsticks that are first and foremost, gluten-free, but also vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and mostly dye-free. As well as these, they also offer a wide range of other products such as lip pencils, lip glosses, mascara and pressed eyeshadows (which I am DESPERATE to try). They first approached the radar after a read over at Britanie's blog, but recently they have taken the green beauty community by storm, and for a good reason. I signed up for their blogger program, and was lucky enough to be sent the shades Audrey* and Hibiskiss*. Audrey is a beautiful slightly plum-toned pink nude, and Hibiskiss is a true berry pink shade. Consequently, they actually look rather lovely when layered over each other.

Admittedly, they do look quite similar in the bullet - something that worried me upon first opening - but from the swatches you'll notice that they are both beautiful and unique shades. They also vary slightly in formula: Audrey being a sheeny, slightly sheerer consistency; and Hibiskiss, a slightly matte, more opaque option. Both shades were perfect to be wearing throughout autumn and I'm continuing to get a whole lot of use out of them as winter wades on. Both shades are super moisturising and I've never had them dry out my lips. Further to this, the staying power is truly something that I have never experienced. Natural lipsticks can often be quite 'wet', leading to transfer and general wear & tear throughout the day. However, I've found that these lipsticks really do stay in place, even after a hefty breakfast ;-)

As mentioned, the ingredients are all gluten-free and vegan. However, ingredients do vary depending on the lipstick's collection, so you can have a look at their full ingredients list here.

Now I also have to bring your attention to the stunning packaging. I've really never seen a natural lipstick look so luxurious and high-end! The bullets are a beautiful matte black, with a textured grip and a really, really satisfying click-close. However this quality (and it really is quality), is most definitely shown in the price of these lipsticks. They are rather pricey, and even more so for us UK-dwellers who will be paying some hefty shipping/customs fees on top of this. A lipstick retails for $23.50, however, there is always some kind of discount or coupon available so they're definitely still worth looking in to. You can actually sign up to their free VIP programme, and be sent a new coupon code every month! In fact, I insist that you do look in to them if you haven't already because I am truly enamoured by their lipsticks and frankly, I need more.

Review: Inika Ultimate Lip Tint in 'Cosmic'

If I'm honest, I've not really tried much from Inika. Despite being a pretty 'mainstream' vegan/natural make-up brand, I've only ever tried an eyeshadow from them. Therefore, I was rather excited when I noticed MyPure were stocking one of their newest releases, the Ultimate Lip Tints*. I decided to give the shade 'Cosmic' a go, which is a sheer burnt orange-red.

My very first impressions about the product were definitely wrapped up in the gorgeous packaging. Along with Inika's trademark black & gold, the lip tints come in sleek, thin bullets which are really easy to apply, and are surprisingly cleaner than traditional lipstick packaging. I would definitely say that these longer tubes are my preference when it comes to lip products. They also have a very satisfying click when closing. Don't you just love that? Packaging may be beautiful, but let’s get on to what really matters… what’s inside.

Formula-wise, it's really lovely. I was a bit skeptical at first, but upon testing I was glad to find that the product applies smoothly, and with a consistent colour. It is worth noting however that this product is most definitely a sheer tint, so don't be expecting any major pigmentation. But, as I said, the colour that it does have applies really evenly. This sheerness does actually work really well with the burnt orange-red colour, and the very slight shimmer really brightens the face. I'm not at all a shimmery lip kind of person, so don't worry - it is indeed slight and in no way garish. However, I'm still not sure if this shade is really for me and it would probably look better on someone with a slightly warmer skin tone. The other colours available look really lovely, I have my eye on 'Cherish' - a super glossy purple. Purple lips are my current vice. The ingredients are also really decent, being of course vegan, a high percentage organic, halal, and - most importantly for lip products - dye-free. Peppermint oil is also included, to give the products a really delicious minty taste and smell.

Overall, I am really impressed with my second dip in to Inika. However, I would say that the price is a downside. The RRP is £15.50, which I would consider a little steep for a lip tint. Saying that, you can find these on MyPure slightly discounted at £13.95.

Ingredients:

Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) oil*, Euphorbia cerifera (Candelilla) wax, Ricinus communis (Castor) oil*, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil*, Copernicia cerifera (Carnauba) wax*, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Butter*, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) oil*, Natural flavours, Tocopherol, Silicon Dioxide, Mica 77019, Titanium Dioxide 77891, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77499. *Certified organic ingredient. Certified Organic, Cruelty-Free, Vegan and Halal.

Review: Lily Lolo Natural Mascara

This review has been a long-time coming. I've managed to keep the excitement under wraps but it has all got too much and I just need to tell you all about this mascara. We all know that the world of natural mascaras is both a minefield and generally full of disappointments. Personally, I've been pretty lucky so far - my first foray, the Ilia mascara, was a big hit and I loved it until the final drop. However, it's damn pricey and since then I've been looking for a cheaper replacement. This is where the new, reformulated Lily Lolo Mascara comes in. Similar in effect, it just ticks all the boxes where my previous love was lacking.

Following the huge rebrand of Lily Lolo, a lot of their products were reworked and reformulated. This included the previously-so-so Lash Alert Mascara. I never got to try its predecessor, but the new formulation has caught my heart firmly in its grasp. This new formulation is truly a masterpiece - for me anyway. If you're a fan of huge voluminous lashes then this is possibly not for you. However, if you're like me and you like; a little volume; a deep black colour; fluttery separation; length and just general prettiness... you've got to try it. The website describes it as creating a 'doe-eyed look', and I would most definitely agree.

It works wonderfully even with my slightly oily eyelids, being both smudge and flake-free. I wouldn't call it waterproof, but it doesn't seem to transfer or run, while still being super easy to remove at the end of the day. It's of course 100% vegan, which makes the formula (lacking in the usual beeswax), even more impressive in terms of staying power. In comparison to the Ilia mascara, the major difference is that Lily Lolo's formula is slightly drier, making application a whole lot cleaner. Also, at £10.99, it's a whole lot cheaper.

Ingredients-wise, everything is pretty low-level (0-2) on Skin Deep, however it is worth noting that the preservative used is potassium sorbate, which some people can react to (it scores a 3 on SD). I personally, have noticed no reaction, and I have experienced absolutely no itchy eyes while using this product. Which is great, because that always seemed to be a side effect of mascara for me.

Overall, I am super impressed with this product - and the price-point is just a happy addition to it's lovely formula (and gorgeous packaging!). I highly suggest that everyone gives it a go!

EDIT: I am no longer choosing to buy from Lily Lolo due to their continued sale of products containing carmine and lanolin. I am now endeavouring to solely support brands that are 100% vegetarian.

Two Cosy Bath Time Reviews: Isle of Wolf & Skin Blossom

So it's that time of year when all I want to do is sit around in the bath with a good book and soak away. My two essential ingredients for a good bath are as follows; a beautifully scented bath soak and a good quality soy candle that smells just as good. My two picks from MyPure this month have really been ticking all these boxes.

While I wait for my bath to fill, I pour in just a little of the Skin Blossom Therapeutic Bath Soak*. Skin Blossom are one of my top brands due to their brilliant ingredients, Soil Association accreditation (this product is 74% organic) and just the true value of their products. Everything is so well priced and this wonderful bath soak is no exception. You can grab a handy 300ml bottle from MyPure for just £7.95. This bath soak is foaming (using sodium coco-sulfate), but the appearance is far from your average bubble bath. The liquid is luxurious and richly scented with natural essentials oils, filling your bathroom with notes of relaxing rosemary and ylang-ylang. However, you can be sure the scents are by no-means overpowering. This is a massive plus-point for me as strong scents - especially after a couple reading hours in the bath - can leave me with terrible headaches. Fortunately, I've had absolutely no issues in this area when it comes to Skin Blossom products. I've really been enjoying using this soak, and the addition of the following Isle of Wolf candle has meant that my bath times have been equally luxurious and soothing. I'm usually not that picky with bath products but I've been thoroughly convinced by this offering and I'm pretty sure that it's going to be a continuing repurchase. 

Isle of Wolf is a totally new brand discovery for me. This wonderful brand - created out of the family-owned Viksala Manor near the Baltic Sea - creates gorgeous 100% natural  GMO-free soy-wax candles in the most divine of scents. I chose the suitably festive sounding Isle of Wolf Cinnamon Spice Candle* and I was most definitely not disappointed. This is actually my first time trying a soy-wax candle as post-veganism I've near enough just avoided them completely. However, I can now safely say that I am indeed a convert. I've never experienced a candle that has burnt so clean, without any black smoke or sooty residue. Everything about the candle is wonderfully crafted, from the natural Better Cotton Initiative wick, all the way down to the heatproof and scratch-proof coaster. I really am incredibly impressed with this candle and I am still all kinds of surprised that they only cost £20 for a whopping 40 hours of burn time. Of course, still considered a luxury, but considerably cheaper than most high-end mainstream candle houses. Unfortunately, this candle really has caught my fancy and I have already nearly burnt it through! :(

Both of these products are available from the MyPure website, and both would make stunning Christmas pressies for your loved ones next year!

Skin Blossom Soak Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin**, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil*, Coco-Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Linalool, Lauryl Glucoside, Stearyl Citrate, Sucrose Laurate, Sodium Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil*, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil*, Parfum*, Potassium Sorbate

Isle of Wolf Candle Ingredients:

100% pure plant wax & scented with 100% natural aromas obtained from pure essential oils. Natural cotton wick sourced from suppliers of Better Cotton Initiative Programme.

Review: Madara Detox Ultra-Purifying Mud Mask

Today we're talking about face masks - regular face masks - not the natural norm of a mask in powder form. Obviously, powdered face masks to be mixed with water etc. are always better in terms of purity of ingredients and lasting power. However, sometimes we just don't have the time for alchemy and need something quick, easy, and pre-mixed. 

With this in mind, let me introduce you to the Madara Detox Ultra-Purifying Mud Mask*. As mentioned, this mask is a refreshing departure from the fiddling and time-consumption that comes with our beloved clay powder-based masks. You'd think that this change would come with major sacrifice in terms of ingredients but I am happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised. Things could be better, but when I have only ten minutes to spare, it shall be this mask that I reach for - not my rhassoul powder. It is still clay-based (with the inclusion of kaolin), but the addition of sapropel mud and floral waters and extracts allow for a more traditional texture. 

I have been using this product throughout November and I am rather impressed with the improvements that it has made to my overall skin texture, which I am attributing to the lactic acid - an ingredient that my skin has always appreciated. As winter creeps forward, my skin has a tendency to become bumpy and rough, as a reaction to the quick changing weather and sudden usage of heavier moisturisers. However, this product has been effective at keeping those blocked pores, blackheads and uneven texture at bay, ensuring that a clear and bright complexion continues in to the colder months. Application takes just a couple seconds and after leaving on the skin for just ten minutes, this has been my skin's quick fix. 

Despite all this, there are a couple points I'd like to raise that may in the future, prevent me from repurchasing. Firstly, the packaging is small and you don't really get much product for your money. Just 60ml will set you back £20. Considering it's effectiveness this wouldn't be too much of a worry for me, but I am finding that the tube is going down quite quickly. The mask itself dries fast once applied to the face (within a minute) and so I found myself using a lot of product for only one application. Also, it is worth noting that the mask carries a strong scent (possibly from included floral waters), and although this dissipates after a time, some may find the strength mildly unpleasant. Personally, I didn't mind too much. 

Overall, I am extremely thankful to have the option of a quick face mask session, despite the slight financial sacrifice. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with oily combo skin, who is looking for a traditional style face mask that is still both natural and effective. You can find this new release at My Pure, who also provide sample sizes of the mask if you wanted to try before you buy!

Review: Skin Likes Natural Deodorant

This post is a big one. Because I've FINALLY tracked down a deodorant that is vegan, cruelty-free, natural, alliminum-free and doesn't irritate my underarms after shaving. This discovery goes with big thanks to my first ever TVK box*, and I am so very glad to have been introduced to it. Now let me introduce you, to the Skin Likes Natural Deodorant. 

I've always preferred roll-ons. They're less messy, don't leave white marks and are generally better for the environment than aerosols. However - when starting my search for an effective natural deodorant, most options were of the cream variety. Although this allows for arguably purer ingredients, I'm really not a fan of rubbing shea butter under my armpits. Also, creams tend to leave white marks and as an almost exclusive black clothing wearer, this is not an option. 

This is why I like Skin Likes. Here is a roll-on deodorant which doesn't compromise in terms of ingredients. The list is short, sweet and as follows: distilled water, food grade xanthan gum, bicarb of soda, and a blend of essential oils. Now, I don't have anything wrong with the ingredients in this product but I'd just like to point out that their ingredients listing itself is poor: the essential oil blend is listed as simply that, 'essential oil blend'. Also, the ingredients are not listed in INCI, with no essential oil allergens listed. Therefore, if you suffer with any allergies, please be sure to contact the company beforehand to protect yourself from any unwanted reactions to such oils. Unfortunately, I could not find such information on the website. I will be contacting them shortly to suggest that these issues are resolved as all products must now have their ingredients listed in INCI. Despite this, if you are lucky enough to not suffer with allergies, I would not disdain (just drop them a little email as well!).

As mentioned before, all other natural deodorants that I have tried (including Salt of the Earth), have stung on application, especially after shaving. I am yet to experience this with this product and that itself is enough for me to want to repurchase. The scent is very pleasant, seems to hang around throughout the day and it also absorbs immediately (which was always I problem I encountered with cream deodorants). The scent is quite sweet though so if that's not quite up your alley, they also other a 'male-orientated' scent which I assume will consist of a slightly altered essential oil blend. Of course it may not look as pretty as Schmidt's or Meow Meow Tweet, but it does the job and at £4.95 a bottle (or three for £9.90), who can complain?

EDIT: Since the publication of this post - and after many an email from the guys over at SkinLikes - it has now been announced that the website & label are to be updated with the full INCI list of ingredients!

*The Vegan Kind. A UK based, vegan lifestyle subscription service.

Review: Coutiver Palm-Free Vegan Soap

I am so excited to finally get this post out and introduce everyone to this amazing, palm-free, super ethical, vegan soap company. Coutiver is run by the ever-so-lovely Christophe Lecoeur from a base in Hornchurch, Essex. Christophe spent his entire childhood in the South of France and that is where the obsession with natural/organic ingredients began. Coutiver blends together amazing French artistry with truly wonderful environmental/ethical concerns. All Coutiver soaps are:

100% vegan

100% recycled, recyclable or compostable packaging

100% palm-oil free

100% produced with green energy

100% synthetic-free

100% perfume free

They are also handmade, cold-processed, carry c02 footprint compensation, local product based and use the maximum amount of organic ingredients available. Wow! Furthermore, they are cruelty-free certified by PETA, and when purchasing, you have the option to buy with or without the packaging (a lovely touch!).

I have been trying out two soaps from the line: Pinch of Rosemary* and Aniseed*. And yes, both smell as divine as they sound! Pinch of Rosemary is yet to be opened but I have been happily using Aniseed and I am most definitely impressed. Surprisingly, Aniseed is fragranced with purely essential oils and the aniseed-drop-like scent has been created purely with Fennel... amazing! The formula is super clean and it really does preform. Apart from fulfilling the general job description of a soap (and very well may I add - yay for lather!), this bar also feels incredibly moisturising. This can be attributed to the inclusion of coconut oil and sweet almond oil, both completely organic. It is so moisturising that I've even been finding that I can skip a body lotion after use! The ingredients are super simple and effective; saponified virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, sweet almond oil, ground fennel and filtered water. Most notably, no palm-oil in sight! I am a big fan of companies skipping palm oil in their recipes, as generally, the ingredient is not very sustainable, and the cultivation can be highly damaging to the habitats of primates such as orang-utans. I'm really impressed that this company has extended their ethical standpoint to saving animals as well as the environment - and your skin!

Pinch of Rosemary includes similar ingredients with the addition of rosemary essential oil, ground rosemary and spirulina. I absolute adore rosemary so I am more than excited about opening this one up when I have finished with Aniseed. Coutiver has become a company so very central on my radar and I am most definitely going to be making an order in the future. I love their ethical standpoint and the fact that they are based in my own county! I am currently eyeing up their shampoo bar as an alternative to liquid shampoo. I'll let you know how it goes... You can find Coutiver on Etsy or at Henna Herbals.

Review: Raw Gaia Organic Vegan Skincare

Long time no see! I'm gradually settling in to University and I thought it was about time to get a post up on my dear blog. Therefore, today, I've decided to talk to you about some truly beautiful products that I've recently received - and have been LOVING - from raw vegan skincare line, Raw Gaia.

If you haven't heard of Raw Gaia, they are an organic and vegan skincare line that was started by the wonderful Jessica Laura. All of Raw Gaia's products are made with raw ingredients such as cocoa butter, floral waters and the highest quality cold-pressed oils. One thing that I've noticed with this brand is that all of the products go an incredibly long way, which means that you're getting so much for your money! I was lucky enough to try two of their products and I am obsessed.

My favourite of the pair is the Hemp Heaven Moisturiser*. This pure blend of cocoa butter, cold-pressed hemp oil, apricot oil and wheatgerm oil is doing wonders for my oily problem skin. I can slather on a thick layer before bed (that doesn't feel greasy!) and wake up the next day with positively glowing skin - no matter how many blemishes I seem to have. The intense boost of hydration just makes everything seem better and it's been heaven-sent during the awkward transition between summer and autumnal weathers. My skin can be very dehydrated and this balm has been ensuring that I'm only left with plump and happy skin that heals itself incredibly fast. I don't need to worry about acne scarring or painful spots when I'm using this on a nightly basis. It also works incredibly well with the Odacite boosters, and the duo has really been helping to balance my skin. The balm texture is refreshing for someone like me who has become used to more water-based offerings. I'll tell you, I'm converted.

The second product is the MSM Beauty Spray*. I haven't used this one quite as regularly as the Hemp Heaven moisturiser, but when I have used it - I've been impressed. This toning spray is something a little different (as explained in my previous post). It is essentially a floral hydrasol with the added benefits of argan oil, EOs, and MSM - a nutritional form of sulphur, known as the "beauty mineral". However, despite this arsenal of nourishing oils, the spray is anything but oily. Everything remains at a definite water-like texture which makes it easy to apply and easy to absorb. This is great as a toner, but also as a light moisturiser for extremely oily skins come summer.  

Raw Gaia have really captured by heart with these two products and I'm excited to hopefully try more in the future!

Vegan Cuts August Box: Ingredients Review

I was recently contacted by Vegan Cuts and they asked me if I would like to be sent one of their subscription Beauty Boxes for review and sign up as an official Vegan Cuts ambassador. I happily obliged as frankly I've missed the fun of a subscription box and Vegan Cuts caters for vegans who are passionate about using purely cruelty-free and animal-free cosmetics. 

I was sent the August box which contained 5 products, 4 of which - I'm happy to say - just about lived up to my green standards. I really think this is great considering that 'natural' is not the company's primary concern. Vegan does not necessarily equal natural (unfortunately) but Vegan Cuts are doing a great job at bridging the gap. As both an ethical and environmentally motivated vegan, this is something that I'm extremely happy to see and want to actively encourage.

If you want to see what was included in this month's box (and how green it was), click play above!

Review: Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

This is an extremely over-due review. I've been using this cleanser for nearing on six months and it is about time that it was sung a little praise on my dear old blog. The Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser is a product that I actually prefer to use as a scrub, rather than it's primary intended function. A concoction of aromatic lemon oils and natural cane sugar, this glorious potion sloughs away dead skin cells like no other and leaves your face smooth and glowing. Of course, the inclusion of citrus oils means that it is however not suitable for all times and all people. If you have sensitivities/allergies to citrus oils, please skip this one. Also, if you do choose to splurge, keep this one for night time use only as these precious oils unfortunately increase photosensitivity.

Warnings aside, this is a really beautiful product. I feel like I don't even have to mention how amazing it smells because how can it not with such ingredients? The mention of cane sugar can be quite misinformed, leading you to believe that such a product would be scratchy and stripping. However, the granules emulsify and create the most luscious foam which stop the cleanser from becoming too harsh on even the most sensitive of skins. I do suggest remembering to add enough water though, as too thick of a consistency will lead to a stubborn sugary film that calls for a second cleanse. Also, I would choose not to use this on particularly acneaic skin as the combination of citrus oils and manual exfoliation could lead to inflammation, especially when the skin is already unhappy. Therefore, I love to use this when my skin is surprisingly behaving as it keeps me on a good skin streak and encourages a wonderful healthy glow. Also, there is the bonus that a freshly exfoliated face will easily accept and absorb serums or treatment oils. This in turn, leads to a happy, plump, bright face come morning. As a quick note: I would suggest using this product in the shower to ensure complete removal as the couple times that I have done otherwise (and removed with a flannel instead), I have been left - a few minutes later - finding sugar crystals stuck along my jawline, or more annoyingly, in my eyebrows! 

Another thing that I love about this product is that it just never seems to end! Granted I haven't been using everyday, but I have at least been using near enough 2-3 times a week. You only need about the amount shown to cleanse your entire face and I have not yet even reached the half way point after about six months of use. Now that's bang for your buck! The product itself is more on the high-end of price ranges but you can always track it down with some kind of discount and the longevity is impressive. If you're worried, you can always pick up a sample, which are available in pretty generously sized pots. I haven't tried much else from Suki but I'm really impressed with this cleanser and I'm really going to enjoy using it up!

Have you tried anything from Suki?

Ingredients:

natural (sugar) sucrose, organic potassium cocoate (saponified coconut oil), organic oryza sativa (rice) powder, cymbopogon flexuosus (lemongrass) oil, avena sativa (colloidal oat™) l., poaceae, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) peel extract, squalane (from olive oil), calming complexion complex™ (chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower/leaf extract, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract), carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, organic ascophyllum nodosum (seaweed) extract, 100% pure (fragrance) essential oils, limonene*, citral*.

*components of 100% pure steam-distilled essential oils.

17% certified organic ingredients

Review: Priti NYC Sweet Sultan

I'll admit, nail polish is something that I'm really dragging behind in when it comes to the switch to natural products. However, I recently had a purge, throwing away or donating many polishes to my younger sister. That left me with nothing but a couple of pregan (pre-Vegan) Essie polishes that I'm a little attached to. Essies are undeniably pretty but also undeniably non-cruelty free. Enter, Priti NYC, a wonderfully luxe green brand which boasts impressive non-toxic, 4-free polishes in a variety of beautiful shades. 4-free means that Priti NYC polishes are free of four known carcinogens that are commonly found in conventional polishes: toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and camphor.

I picked up Sweet Sultan during the Field Trip Tour, while Priti NYC polishes were on special for £9.99 at Wholefoods. The polishes come in adorable packaging and with equally adorable names. I would describe Sweet Sultan as a mid-toned purple-based taupe. It is actually very similar to one of my previous favourites, Mushroom by Barry M. I'd say that this is a good dupe if you're more eco-inclined. These photos really aren't doing the shade any justice unfortunately and it is actually a smidge or so darker than shown. It's so hard to capture correct colour representation!

Formula-wise, I'm actually super impressed. It's a little thinner than conventional options but the pigmentation is good and it hasn't chipped yet after 24 hours of wear time. I find that usually if a polish can make it a day then it's going to be pretty good. Bad polishes always chip quickly. The only down side is that it did take a little longer to dry than I'm used to, and so got a bit damaged during the rush to leave the house last night. All in all, I'm very excited about Priti NYC and I'm looking forward to picking up some more shades. I think Ginger Snap Orchid or Blue Wedgewood will have to be next!

More From Andalou Naturals

We all know how I feel about Andalou Naturals... and so when I received a cheeky little tax rebate last month, I decided that it was time to try a couple more things from the brand via iHerb. In the interest of staying "within budget", I opted for some items that I really do need at the moment (slightly debatable).

In a bid to rid myself of some lingering congestion, I decided to give the Clementine + C Illuminating Toner a go. I'd been wanting to try this since seeing Kendra's video and so far so good. I'm hoping that this is going to be a greener alternative to my much loved REN toner. It's cheaper, larger and I prefer it's spray function. I do like to have the choice of either misting or using a cotton pad when applying toner. Most importantly, it doesn't contain phenoxyethanol which was worryingly high on REN's ingredient list. Phenoxyethanol seems to be a 'personal choice' ingredient in the green community but I find that it irritates my dermatitis. This toner includes glycolic acid - something my skin reacts well to - so I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing some good results with this product. I suspect already that it could feature in my next favourites line-up...

Secondly and lastly, the Clementine Ginger Body Lotion. As you may be able to tell, clementine is one of my favourite scents and the addition of ginger in this body lotion is very interesting. It has a lovely and thick consistency, however, I still believe that it would not be moisturising enough for particularly dry skins. I do have to apply a thicker cream to my knees/elbows following. In spite of this - as a light summer lotion - this is perfect for me and with it's uplifting scent, I can see myself getting a fair bit of use out of the (beautifully packaged) bottle. I'm a sucker for a body lotion that has a pump. I've got high hopes for both of these products so hopefully soon they'll feature in more detail!

Want $5-10 off your first iHerb order? Use promo code CNB494 at checkout! 

Review: Ilia Beauty Lip Pencils

I've been meaning to do this post for aaaaages! I'm always talking about my Ilia Lip Pencils and finally I can share them with you guys. Let me first apologise for the super pasty pics... at least the colours for the swatches are spot on!

Ilia Beauty is such a dreamy company but unfortunately not many of their products are suitable for vegans. I'm so happy that the lip pencils are because they seriously offer some of the nicest unique shades. I own the beautifully bright Karma Chameleon and the muted mauve, Dress You Up. Can we just appreciate the shade names as well? Karma-karma-karma-karma-karma chameleon... *breaks out in dance*.

Karma Chameleon is probably the brightest lip colour I own, which all things considered, is a bit weak for the massive lip product addict that I am. It's a wonderfully bright orange coral and surprisingly, it's super flattering on my pale-as-pale skin. This one glides on a dream and it can be worn bold and bright, or dabbed carefully for a more demure pop of colour. Sometimes it can apply a little streaky, but that's easy to correct with just another coat. I love wearing this without any eye makeup and it is a perfect match for a bright coral fluffy jumper that I own... (see my latest YT vid for that one!). 

Dress You Up is a 'nude' but it definitely leans towards the purple side. It's one of those my-lips-but-better shades and it goes with absolutely everything. My only qualm with this one is that the formula isn't quite as good as Karma Chameleon. This one is slightly more matte which makes it quite dry to apply. It shows up any dry skin or lip imperfections so make sure you give your smackers a good scrub beforehand. Despite that, I probably wear this shade the most. It's a lovely deep colour that can really pull a look together without it looking like you have too much on. I really enjoy it.

These beauties are slightly pricey (I managed to snag mine in the 50% off BeautyMart sale) but I haven't really seen much to rival them in the green beauty world as of yet. They're probably the closest you are going to get to the Nars Lip Pencils. I've currently got my eye on the lovely red shade, 99 Red Balloons and I can't wait to add to my collection! 

INGREDIENTS/for KARMA CHAMELEON LIP CRAYON
Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Trisostearyl Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnuaba) Wax*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil*, Carica (Papya) Seed Oil. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Red 7 (CI15858), Iron Oxide (CI77499, CI77492, CI77491). *Certified Organic Ingredients. Ingrédients Certifiés Biologiques.

INGREDIENTS/for DRESS YOU UP LIP CRAYON
Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Trisostearyl Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnuaba) Wax*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil*, Carica (Papya) Seed Oil. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Red 7 (CI15858), Iron Oxide (CI77499, CI77492, CI77491). *Certified Organic Ingredients. Ingrédients Certifiés Biologiques.

Review: John Masters Organics Sea Mist

Summer is fast approaching. And what says summer more than luxe beachy waves? I'm lucky to be blessed with naturally thick and wavy hair, however, sometimes said hair can be more "frizzy madwoman" than "surfer goddess". Sometimes the lazy summer look calls for a bit of dirt and grit, and when we don't want to forgo our scalp hygiene, along comes the trusty salt spray. Namely, the John Masters Sea Mist.

Salt sprays are notorious money-grabbing rip-offs. And yes, this would still come under that category. But, have you ever tried to make a salt spray and succeeded? It's damn hard! Do-it-yourself woes aside, I'd say this John Masters offering is worth your pennies. For one, the ingredients are simple. Water, organic lavender oil and salt. No preservatives, no silicones and no synthetic fragrance. Awesome. Two, it smells nice. Three, you get a lot more for your money than the cult alternative (rhymes with Rumble and Tumble Malt Pray). And finally, it doesn't involve desperate attempts to work out the perfect salt-to-water ratio while simultaneously spilling sea salt in every possible nook and cranny.

I reach for this when my hair needs a little hold and a little texture and it works great. I never have to worry about my hair being too neat, or too fluffy. Aerosol texturising sprays are currently having a bit of a moment and salt sprays seem to have bagged a bad rap for making your hair feel crunchy and dry. You won't get that with this little wonder. You'll be left with perfectly textured hair, which still retains its natural movement and feel. It's during moments like these that I'd like to remind you of the humble spray bottle Sea Mist which is both better for your hair and better for the environment.