Payday Treats: 5 Green Beauty Brands To Try - Kathleen Natural, Bali Balm, Lavera, L'Odaïtès & Natura Siberica

Stuck in a beauty rut or simply bored of your current routine? Treat yourself this payday to some new products from these beautiful green beauty brands!

A Facial Spritz For The Summer Months: Try Kathleen Natural Rebalancing & Soothing Tonifying Mist* (150ml, £23, link)

Suitable for all skin types including sensitive, this alcohol-free Tonifying Mist from British brand Kathleen Natural helps to instantly soothe, hydrate, heal and rebalance your skin in just a few quick spritzes. It's made from 100% natural ingredients (80% of which are certified organic by the Soil Association) and features key plant-based actives such as Aloe Vera, Lemon extract and Chamomile Water. I love using this morning and night after cleansing, and it's also great to store in the fridge for a refreshing and hydrating mist whenever you feel that your skin needs a pick me up.

A Luxury Vegan Lip Balm: Try Bali Balm in Cinnamon & Burnt Orange* (15ml, £20, link)

If you've been looking for a truly luxurious, vegan-friendly lip balm that will saturate the driest, chapped lips with natural moisture, Bali Balm is a must-try. They specialise in 100% natural lip balms that are expertly formulated with a blend of specially selected ingredients which have high levels of antioxidants and boast antibacterial properties. Bali Balm has four different lip balms to choose from and I've had the pleasure of trying their Cinnamon & Burnt Orange balm which combines plant oils with juicy organic caramelised Orange Peel, anti-inflammatory Cinnamon and sweet Muscovado Sugar. The result is an ultra-nourishing and plumping lip balm that smells good enough to eat!

A Soothing Scalp & Hair Conditioner: Try Lavera Basis Sensitiv Moisture & Care Conditioner* (200ml, £6.95, link)

I'm a big fan of Lavera's Basis Sensitiv range and always have a tin of their amazing All Round Cream in my skincare stash. For a change, I decided to check out the Moisture & Care Conditioner in this line which has been formulated especially for sensitive scalps and dry hair. This is a really lovely and gentle conditioner to try if your scalp is feeling dry, itchy, flaky or irritated in any way as it's packed full of soothing and moisturising ingredients such as Organic Almond Milk and Avocado Oil. It's lightweight so won't weigh down fine hair and adds lots of shine and softness to the hair which is a pleasant added bonus.

A High-End Anti-Ageing Skincare Elixir: Try L'Odaïtès Elixir Bonheur Anti-Aging Replenishing Serum* (15ml, £52, link)

Now that I'm in my early 30s, I've been seeking out more targeted anti-ageing skincare products to help preserve my complexion and lessen those first visible signs of ageing. I've been most impressed by the products that I've tried out recently from the French brand L'Odaïtès who are popular amongst green beauty circles and mainstream skincare gurus alike. Their Elixir Bonheur Anti-Ageing Replenishing Serum is a beautiful elixir treatment that utilises the natural anti-ageing properties of Prickly Pear, Rosemary, Neroli and Apricot in a base of essential fatty acids which plumps, hydrates and helps to protect the skin from the elements. Best of all, it has the most sublime citrusy scent that makes it a real pleasure to include in your evening skincare routine.

A Pampering Treat For Dry Hands: Natura Siberica Oblepikha Hand Cream* (75ml, £3.95, link)

For a more affordable but still luxurious treat, try Natura Siberica's Oblepikha Hand Cream. This handbag-sized tube of moisturising goodness is a truly exceptional hand cream that will transform dry hands into baby soft skin in a matter of days. Massage a little into your hands before going to bed and breathe in the divine scent for pure pampering heaven!

Find all of these products online at LoveLula.com

Have you tried any of these brands?

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Foodie Friday: Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes (Gluten-Free / Vegetarian recipe)

If you're sick of the sight of chocolate Easter Eggs, but still fancy something sweet this weekend, why not try these Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes? Gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians, these cupcakes are ideal with your favourite cuppa for a relaxing afternoon treat.

Although I'm don't personally follow a gluten-free diet, I have several friends and relatives who are gluten-intolerant, so I've been experimenting with various gluten-free baking recipes to make sure that they don't miss out when I bring over homemade cakes and treats. 

Just before Christmas, I made a batch of these Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes from Lorraine Pascale's Bake cookbook and they were very popular with everyone who tried them. I decided to tweak the recipe slightly to see if less sugar and butter could work and they came out great! In fact, no-one really noticed and all of the cupcakes were quickly devoured over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Win-win!

So this is the adapted recipe from Lorraine Pascale - I've also added a chunk of Orange-flavoured Chocolate to finish off each cupcake and swapped the regular brown sugar for Coconut Sugar, but you can use whichever you have available.

Ingredients: (makes 6 cupcakes)

• 80g organic Butter (cubed & at room temperature)
• 60g Coconut Sugar
• 2 free-range, organic Eggs
• 100g Ground Almonds
• 1 tbsp Cacao Powder
• 50g fine Polenta
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder (gluten-free)
• Zest and Juice of 1 small Orange
• 6 chunks of Orange-flavoured Chocolate (I used a bar from Divine)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and line a muffin tin with six cupcake cases.
• In a large bowl add the Butter and Sugar, and beat with a wooden spoon or whisk until it's has a light and creamy texture. 
• Next, add the Eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each one is added.
• Gently fold in the Ground Almonds, Cacao Powder, Polenta, Baking Powder, Orange Zest and Juice, using as few stirs as possible to keep the mixture nice and light. 
• Carefully divide the mixture evenly between the six cupcake cases using a large spoon or mechanical ice-cream scoop. Press a Chocolate chunk into the top of each cupcake to finish.
• Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden brown.
• Allow to cool slightly and enjoy warm or cold.

Storage tip: Keep the cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though they are best eaten within 24 hours.

Have you tried using Polenta in baking?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - April 2019 review

I hope everyone had a good Easter! I've been catching up with a couple of my monthly beauty subscription boxes and wanted to share the contents of one of my faves from LoveLula.

If you haven't heard of LoveLula before, they're a natural and organic online retailer who specialises in all aspects of green beauty shopping. They offer a monthly beauty box subscription where all of the products fit in with their ethics, so everything is cruelty-free with no parabens and no SLS.

Curious to find out more? Here's what's inside this month's box!

Dr Botanicals Lemon Superfood All-in-One Rescue Butter (RRP £19)

With the Summer holidays coming up, multi-purpose products are brilliant for popping into your travel bag and this bright yellow tube of moisturising goodness from Dr Botanicals is a must-have! The Lemon Superfood All-in-One Rescue Butter is a super-thick balm that can be applied to lips, elbows, heels, face, body - anywhere that is feeling very dry and in need of some hydrating TLC. A little goes a long way so this tube will last a good while.

Alteya Organic Bulgarian Chamomile Water (RRP £7.95)

Packaged in an amber glass bottle, Alteya Organic's Bulgarian Chamomile Water is a beautiful product for the warmer months ahead and the perfect way to refresh and hydrate the skin. It helps to soothe, tone, revitalise and brighten your complexion with just a quick spritz and works well with Alteya's other skincare products, some of which I've reviewed in the past here.

Gallinée Body Milk (RRP £28)

Worth £28 on its own, LoveLula have included another full-size product in this month's box with Gallinée's Body Milk - a 94% natural body moisturiser that's infused with probiotics to keep skin smooth, soft and supple for longer. I've used this in the past and loved it so I'm very happy to have another bottle in my skincare collection.

Glossworks Nail Polish in Raspberry Parade (RRP £12)

The last main product is by Glossworks and this shade Raspberry Parade is from their brand new Spring collection. It boasts a 9-free formula which delivers a high shine glossy finish, and this juicy pink colour looks amazing on toes!

To round off the box, there are also two samples from Kimberly Sayer to try; the Gentle Face Cleanser and the Restore Anti-Ageing Cream.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Bank Holiday Beauty Buys: Footner, SOSU Lashes and Sunkissed Tan

Get ready for Spring with these Bank Holiday Beauty Buys from Footner, SOSU Lashes and Sunkissed Tan!

Treat Your Feet: Footner Exfoliating Socks* (1 pair, £19.99, link)

After months of hiding your feet away in socks and boots, it's time to take everything off and let your tootsies enjoy the warmer weather! Being able to slip on a pair of sandals or flipflops is when Spring truly starts for me, and there's nothing easier to prep your feet with than a pair of exfoliating socks. Lots of different brands do these and I've recently been trying out a pair from Footner. 

Exfoliating Socks basically work by saturating your feet in a formula that contains AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and this helps to kickstart the natural process of shedding dead skin cells. It's an easy and gentle method to remove any unwanted dry skin on your feet by slowly peeling it all away over 7-10 days - it sounds gross, but it works and it's actually quite satisfying to watch at the same time ;)

I slipped on this pair from Footner onto clean feet and left them on for 60 minutes, after which I took them off and rinsed my feet with warm water to remove any residue. Immediately afterwards, my feet felt very soft and moisturised and then around 6/7 days later, I started to see the peeling stage happen (don't be tempted to pick or pull at this dead skin - just let it do its own thing naturally so that you don't cause any damage to the healthy skin underneath). After 10 days, all the dry, hard, dead skin had completely peeled off and I had beautiful baby soft feet, ready for my favourite pair of flipflops!

N.B: These are single use but you only need to use a pair once every three months so they're a nice, luxury pampering treat for your feet.

For Special Occasions & Nights Out: SOSU Lashes* (from £5.95, link)

Bank holidays are a great time to meet up with friends and family, and if you have any evenings or nights out planned, why not use the occasion to try out some new false lashes? SOSU very kindly sent me these two designs to play with and I've been impressed by their overall quality. 

For a full-on glam look, SOSU Premium Lashes in Katie* have a beautifully textured flutter with lots of wispy drama that's surprisingly very easy to wear. They're handmade and feel lightweight on, adding full definition and volume - I love them! If you prefer something more natural looking instead, try the SOSU 7 Deadly Sins Sinful Lashes in Lust*. These synthetic, cruelty-free lashes are also handmade and are crafted from high-quality fibres that deliver a light and flexible finish for a gorgeous, fuller, longer and flirty look. Apply them with the SOSU GLU Eyelash Adhesive* which has a latex-free and waterproof formula, and you're good to go.

Sunkissed Professional Hydrating Jelly Tan in Light-Medium* (200ml, £13.99, link)

I always get excited when I come across a brand new self-tanning product and this one from Sunkissed arrived on my doorstep last month. Their Professional Hydrating Jelly Tan has a really interesting 'jelly' type texture, yet it's made from over 95% natural ingredients, is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, silicones and alcohol. The bottle itself is partly made with recycled plastic and features a 'Bio Pe' label which is derived from sugar cane - how cool is that?!

The tan has a handy pump applicator which makes the jelly-like formula easy to dispense. Once applied, it soon transforms into a light gel that quickly absorbs into the skin without any stickiness. There's a bit of a fake tan scent, but it's not overpowering or anything. I left it on overnight to develop for the strongest colour and was pleased to see a streak-free, lightly golden, very natural tan looking colour come through the next morning. Even better, my skin didn't feel dry as it contains Hyaluronic Acid to keep it moisturised - clever stuff indeed.

Will you be doing any beauty shopping this weekend?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treats: Tropic Skincare Clear Skin & Deep Hydration Face Masks review #MultiMasking

The long weekend is rapidly approaching, so now's a great time to treat your skin to a little mid-week pampering to get it in tip-top condition for the Easter festivities. My face masks of choice this week are both from Tropic Skincare for some serious Multi-Masking action!

Spring is a really weird time for my skin as it's battling against a combination of sunnier, warmer weather, with cooler, blustery winds and those chilly April showers. Add to that a sprinkling of breakouts that are triggered by my immune system going into overdrive as hayfever season hits, and it's safe to say that my skin has not been looking its best lately.

Help is on hand though from these two pots of joy from Tropic Skincare, a British and vegan-friendly natural skincare brand that regular readers will know that I'm particularly fond of. I've been putting two of their bestselling face masks through their paces, so keep on reading if you're curious to find out more about them!

Tropic Skincare Clear Skin Blemish-Fighting Mask* (50ml, £20, link)

I do love it when a brand names a product so accurately because this mask is all about blitzing those zits and delivering a clearer complexion. Tropic's Clear Skin Blemish-Fighting Mask is a multi-award winner for a reason; it balances sebum production which is particularly useful if you suffer from an excessively oily T-zone like I often do; tightens pores; helps to reduce redness, and quickly says a fond farewell to any blemishes that may have set up shop on your face. 

As you can see in the pot (and in my multi-masking selfie pic below), this mask is green in colour thanks to a blend of Green Clay and Spiriluna which help to draw out all of those stubborn impurities and blackheads. There's also Bamboo Charcoal, Goji Berry extract, Ginger, Cinnamon and Salicylic Acid included to refine pores and kill off any bacteria that are linked to causing breakouts in the first place. The texture is thick with a fresh herbal scent, and it's easy to apply with fingers or a spatula/mask brush. 

You can apply this mask to just your T-zone or dab it onto any stubborn individual blemishes, as well as using it all-over if you're particularly acne prone. Allow 10-20 minutes for it to work its magic before washing off, and voila, you should see a noticeable difference right away, especially on the T-zone. I could see that my pores looked much smaller and clearer, and any under-the-surface spots quickly rose to the top the next day which made it easier for me to deal with them. Use this treatment no more than twice a week as it's quite potent and although it didn't make my skin feel stripped afterwards, I'd still recommend following up with a hydrating mist and moisturiser or face oil, to keep your skin from drying out later on.

From L-R: Tropic Skincare Deep Hydration and Clear Skin Face Masks

Tropic Skincare Deep Hydration Soothing Cooling Mask* (50ml, £20, link)

One that's excellent for all skin types to try but particularly well suited for very dry skin, is the Deep Hydration Soothing Cooling Mask, which as you might have already guessed, is brilliant for instantly hydrating and soothing the skin. Rich in antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory ingredients such as Ressurection Flower, Allantoin and Wild Australian Superberries (Riberries, Muntries and Pepperberries), this super creamy-gel mask is a beautiful moisturising treat for the skin, especially if it's feeling dry, irritated or dehydrated. 

Texture-wise, it feels like a rich, thick and creamy moisturiser that you can leave on for 20-30 minutes (the perfect opportunity to enjoy a relaxing cuppa or catch up a short Netflix episode). It has a fresh, slightly berryish scent and feels wonderfully cooling - I can see myself reaching for this a lot over the next couple of months if we have a hot Summer, as it would be a fantastic post-sun treat for parched skin.

Once rinsed off, my skin felt so much happier with a plumped up, thoroughly hydrated glow about it!

These two masks are great for multi-masking with if you have combination skin - simply apply the Clear Skin Mask to your T-zone and any blemishes, and then add the Deep Hydration Mask to the cheeks/outer drier areas/around the nose etc for a quick and easy facial!

Shop the full range of skincare and more at tropicskincare.com

Are you a fan of multi-masking?

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Health & Lifestyle: A Healthy Haul from LoveLula.com

Many of you will be familiar with shopping online at LoveLula for natural and organic beauty, but did you know that they also stock a range of healthy food supplements too? Here's my latest health haul from them featuring KIKI Health, PureChimp, Neocell and Terra Nova.

KIKI Health Organic Carob Powder* (185g, £7.95, link)

If you're a healthy chocolate fan, you probably already have a jar of Carob Powder in your cupboard. Similar to Cacao, Carob Powder has a sweet, but milder chocolate-like flavour. It's derived from the Carob Tree where raw, unroasted beans are left to dry and ferment naturally in the tropical sun, before being ground down into a fine powder. This one from KIKI Health is 100% organic, high in dietary fibre and can be used in virtually the same way as Cacao. I like stirring a spoonful into porridge, sprinkling a little over Kefir or Skyr yoghurts, making hot chocolate, and it's brilliant in baking too as a substitute for cocoa powder if you want a chocolate flavour without the sugar!

PureChimp Matcha Green Tea* (50g, £9.95, link)

Matcha is something of an acquired taste, but if your tastebuds like it, a Matcha Latte is a great way to start your day. This now trendy healthy drink has been enjoyed in Japan for centuries and its benefits range from boosting the metabolism and improving your concentration, to clearing up minor skin problems and helping to keep blood sugar levels stable. Rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium, it's easy to see why Matcha is so popular. I've tried various different brands and have found that no two Matchas taste the same so it's often a case of trying a few and seeing which one you prefer. PureChimp is an excellent, high-quality ceremonial tea grade Matcha from Japan and they donate 5% of their profits to charity. It has a clean, very strong Green Tea flavour and can be easily whipped up into a Matcha Latte - check out my 'How To' here. You can bake with it as well!

Terra Nova Zinc 15mg Complex* (100 capsules, £12, link)

When shopping for food supplements such as vitamins and minerals, I always recommend buying from brands that don't use any 'rubbish' in their capsules, as a lot of the cheaper ones are full of unnecessary additives, fillers and bulking ingredients such as chalk. Terra Nova are a good one to look out for and I've purchased their products for years. They have a huge range available and something that I take as a supplement every day is their Zinc 15mg Complex. This vegan-friendly formula uses a Magnifood Complex for enhanced bioavailability and contains Rice Bran, Spirulina, Pumpkin Seed and Acai Berry. One a day is all you need so it's an affordable, high-quality supplement to pick up if you have a zinc deficiency. 

Neocell Beauty Bursts 2000mg Collagen* (60 chews, £19.99, link)

Looking for a beauty collagen supplement with a difference? Try these Neocell Beauty Bursts which taste like fruity Chewits! They help to provide bioactive collagen peptides to the body, which, along with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, support the body's natural collagen production which declines as you get older. These are great if you're concerned about the visible first signs of ageing (such as fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity in the skin), and they're free from GMOs, Gluten and Soy. 

Do you buy supplements for health and beauty?

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Foodie Friday: Courgette & Lemon Cake (Vegetarian recipe)

I know what you're thinking, courgettes in a cake? Say what?! It sounds bizarre at first, but they actually work really well at ensuring that you end up with a soft and moist cake. This is a lighter, slightly healthier take on the traditional Lemon Drizzle Cake with less sugar and fat, yet still packed full of flavour.

When I was at high school, there used to be a little Tuck Shop on site that sold all manner of sweet and savoury treats, most of which were handmade by either the dinner ladies or the parents/grandparents of students. Fridays were known as 'Cake Days', and I always looked forward to seeing what was available as the menu changed every week. One of my favourites was Lemon Drizzle Cake and to this day, I still love the soft, sweet flavour with its tangy and often sickly glaze. 

I've been attempting to make a 'healthier' Lemon Drizzle Cake for a while now, but truthfully, the recipes that I tried just didn't hit the spot. Sometimes the only option is to just use less fat and sugar, rather than trying to omit them altogether, and after some tweaking here and there, I'm finally happy with the end result!

Oh, and for those who are wondering, you can't actually taste the courgettes in this cake - they simply add extra moisture and bulk (plus a little soluble fibre), which means that you don't need to use so much butter - win-win!

Ingredients: (makes 1 cake)

• 280g Self-Raising Flour
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 3 free-range & organic Eggs
• 100g organic Butter
• 75g Coconut Sugar
• 250g Courgettes
• Zest of 2 unwaxed Lemons
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Salt

For the Glaze (optional):

• 30g Coconut Sugar
• Juice of 2 Lemons 

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and lightly grease a loaf tin with a little oil, butter or use baking parchment paper.
• On a clean work surface, lay out a towel and finely grate the Courgettes onto it. Once done, carefully wrap up the towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible over the sink to avoid a soggy cake. 
• Melt the Butter in a saucepan and then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the Coconut Sugar, grated Courgettes, Lemon Zest, Vanilla Extract and Eggs and mix together until thoroughly combined. 
• Next, gently fold in the sifted Self-Raising Flour, Baking Powder and a pinch of Salt, making sure that you don't overmix it as this can lead to a heavier/denser cake so use a light hand.
• Transfer the mixture to the loaf tin and bake for 1 hour, until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool before adding the glaze if using.
• To make the glaze, simply mix the Coconut Sugar with the Lemon Juice in a small bowl and then carefully pour it over the cake. Wait at least 10 minutes to allow the glaze to 'infuse' the cake, then cut into slices and serve. Enjoy!

Storage tip: Keep the cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though it's best eaten within 48 hours.

 What are you making this weekend?

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New In Beauty: Fushi BioVedic Skincare - Enyzme Face Wash, Daily Face Cream, Radiance Face Oil + Pomegranate Oil 80%+ review

Launched last month, Fushi's new BioVedic skincare range has been helping my skin to transition to Spring with its formulas that are inspired by Ayurveda.

You may be more familiar with Fushi's organic food supplements (I reviewed their fantastic Aloe Vera Juice earlier in the year here), but the popular wellbeing brand also has a whole host of beauty products available and this brand new BioVedic skincare range are the latest additions. 

I have admired the ethics of Fushi for a long time. Their commitment to supporting Fair Trade means that the brand will only purchase from suppliers that do not exploit indigenous populations, and they are proud members of the Ethical Company Organisation and the Good Shopping Guide so you can buy their products with a clear conscious. I also love the brand's Ayurvedic roots which regular readers will know that I'm fascinated with, and it's great to see traditional Ayurvedic herbs being used in more skincare these days.

The BioVedic skincare range features three effective products that make up a simple 3-step skincare routine which is based on formulas that contain the purest, freshly pressed oils and freshly ground herbs. There's a big emphasis on radiance and promoting a healthier, more glowy complexion so I'd recommend it for anyone who has dull skin in need of a boost.

The glass packaging and colourful labelling give the products an eco-friendly contemporary feel that stands out on your bathroom shelves and having used them for about a month now, I know that you'll definitely want to try them out for yourselves!

Fushi BioVedic Enzyme Face Wash* (150ml, £15, link)

Step one is, of course, a facial wash and this Enzyme Face Wash is a wonderfully light and refreshing gel-based cleanser with exfoliating properties. Packed full of revitalising herbs and oils that include Vanshlochan Stem extract, Rice Bran Oil, Bamboo Powder, Aloe Vera, Rose Otto, Kalahari Melon Seed Oil and Coconut Oil, it utilises plant-based enzymes to provide a gentle exfoliation to the skin which helps to boost cell renewal, leaving it looking brighter and more radiant than before. I've been using this just twice a week to combat any dullness and it's been working a treat, plus I find that it's blended seamlessly into my skincare routine with my other regular products.

Fushi BioVedic Radiance Face Cream* (50ml, £20, link)

If your skin is looking dull and feeling tired, the Radiance Face Cream is a brilliant product to try and offers a range of benefits including hydration, nourishment and overall brightening. Key ingredients include the revered Ayurvedic herb Manjisthta to promote long term radiance, Saffron to repair damaged skin, and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil which is rich in essential omegas to improve elasticity. This cream has a thicker than expected texture but once massaged in, it absorbs quickly, smells lovely and instantly hydrates the skin. I suspect that all skin types will like this, but do a patch test if yours is sensitive.

Fushi BioVedic Radiance Face Oil* (30ml, £22, link)

There are a plethora of facial oils in my skincare stash but I feel this Radiance Face Oil is an excellent all-rounder for many reasons. It's a good one to pick up if you're new to face oils in general and want to start using one in your daily routine. Formulated with a blend of five key nutrient dense oils which boasts Raspberry Seed to protect, Kalahari Melon Seed for anti-ageing properties, Rich Bran to brighten, Moringa to provide nourishment and Linseed to reduce inflammation, this Face Oil is lightweight and easy to use morning or night. Simply use a few drops directly onto the skin as the last step in your evening routine, or add to your AM moisturiser for a real brightening boost. 

Fushi Pomegranate Oil 80%+* (50ml, £20, link)

Last but not least, I wanted to include another new release from Fushi - their Pomegranate Oil 80%+. Pomegranate Oil contains Omega 5 (also known as Punicic Acid) which is a unique and beneficial fatty acid that's packed full of potent antioxidants, and Fushi's is considered to be the first Pomegranate Oil on the market that contains a guaranteed minimum content of 80%. Punicic Acid has a number of skin benefits and has been shown to be able to repair damaged skin, even out skin tone and pigmentation, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so it's great for those who have dry, mature, sensitive and damaged skin. You can use it all over the face and body for softer, more toned and supple skin.

This Pomegranate Oil is also food grade which means that you can take it internally so it doubles up as a useful food supplement. Drizzle a little over salads and soups, or blend into juices and smoothies to reap the heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory rewards thanks to high levels of Vitamin C, Linoleic Acid and Oleic Acid. The taste is somewhat acquired (kinda earthy and nutty) but the benefits are worth it!

Shop the full range of Fushi wellbeing at fushi.co.uk

Do you use Ayurvedic skincare?

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Eco-Style: 5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Impact On The Planet Every Day #ZeroWaste

Reducing your personal impact on the environment can seem like an overwhelming concept at first, but with a couple of clever swaps, you can help change your daily habits into a more sustainable way of living. Plus, you'll save money in the long run!

Here are 5 easy and simple zero waste tips to get you started:-

 Tip 1: Swap Single-Use Plastic Bottles For ONE Reusable Bottle

Do you buy a bottle of water or a soft drink to have with your lunch at college/Uni/work? Why not invest in a reusable bottle instead? Not only are you cutting down on your plastic waste, but it'll work out a lot cheaper in the long term. There are lots of different brands of reusable bottles to choose from and I've been enjoying carrying around my Hydratem8 Insulated Water Bottle* (£19.99, link) which comes in a range of colours and designs, including this gorgeous floral Sweet Pea print that's perfect for Spring! It has a 500ml capacity and is made from professional grade, thermal insulated stainless steel, so it'll keep drinks hot for up to 18 hours, or cold for up to 30 hours.  

 Tip 2: Prep Your Own Lunch & Choose Plastic-Free Snacks

It can be tempting to want to purchase your lunch out every day, but not only is this expensive, there's also all of that single-use packaging waste to deal with, most of which can't or doesn't get recycled. Prep your own lunches at home and save yourself around £25-30 a week - easy! With the money that you've saved, you can buy a reusable lunchbox instead that will last you for years to come. IKEA has some very affordable glass options (from £2, here) with different lids (the bamboo ones are great) that can also be used to heat food up in the oven, as well as storing food in the fridge and freezer.

Don't forget your snacks too - ditch the plastic wrapped variety and pop an Apple or Banana into your bag instead for a healthy, zero waste option.

 Tip 3: Say No To Disposable Cutlery and Straws

Every day, millions of plastic straws and cutlery across the UK are thrown away after lunch is over and whilst the EU has recently voted to ban these items by 2021 in a bid to get rid of unnecessary single-use waste, it's unclear at this stage as to when a ban would come into force in the UK due whatever the hell happens with Brexit. Get a head start by keeping a set of cutlery and a reusable straw in your bag. Bambu do a brilliant range of cutlery that's made from sustainable bamboo (my chopsticks, for example, are £1.50, link), and reusable stainless steel straws are popping up everywhere on the high street or you can purchase some online (EcoStrawz have a large range here).

 Tip 4: Always Carry A Reusable Bag With You

Most of us already do this, but I wanted to include it as a reminder as I see so many people on social media say that they've forgotten to bring their reusable bags with them when they've popped into town. Fold one or two up and tuck them into your handbag so that you've always got one with you and stick a few in your car door too for any impromptu trips to the supermarket.

Tip 5: Use Your Local Library

I've seen a lot of zero waste posts online lately that are heavily focused on reducing plastic waste, so I've decided to round off this particular post with something different. I'm an avid reader as many of you who follow me on Goodreads will know, and I've gotten back into the habit of using my local library to borrow books instead of buying them. The main reason was to save money at first and when I actually thought about how often I re-read a book, it just makes a lot of sense to borrow them instead. This way you also help to support your local community by keeping public services open, and it's better for the environment too. 

Do you already do all of these?

What are your daily zero waste tips?

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