The Weekend Post: How To Add Style to Plain Walls When You Rent with a DIY Canvas Print from Photowall

Whether you choose to rent or feel that you're stuck where you are whilst saving up to buy your own home, rented accommodation usually has one thing in common - plain, boring, magnolia walls. Thankfully, it's easy to add your own personal sense of taste and style to your rented living space with some DIY Canvas Prints!

In The Secret Lives of Colour, author Kassia St Clair describes the shade magnolia as the most  'inoffensive' colour which explains why landlords are so drawn to it. This bland, 'safe' colour has haunted me throughout my many years of renting, and whilst you can sometimes twist your landlord's arm to allow yourself a little bit of redecorating freedom (as I managed to do last year during the first lockdown with my blue accent wall in the living room - yay!), most of the time, you're met with a stern 'No' and have to resort to other methods of self-expression.

This is perhaps why creating gallery walls and hanging canvas prints has become so popular with my Millenial generation, so I was thrilled when the ultra-trendy Swedish brand Photowall got in touch with me to ask if I'd like to review one of their Canvas Prints.

They have an enormous range of prints, wall murals, photo wallpapers, posters and more available online with fast and free UK shipping. After much deliberation and scrolling through some incredible designs, I finally found the perfect piece of art to liven up one of the boring magnolia walls in my living room - hooray!

When you order a Canvas Print from Photowall, it arrives in a long slim box which is very Ikea as all of the components are typically Swedish in the standard flat-pack tradition. The first task is to assemble the frame which comes with self-adhesive strips and some metal fixtures for the corners to keep everything tight and secure. 

I found the assembly pretty easy to do by myself, but I would recommend having someone to help you hold it flat if you've ordered one of the larger sized prints. 

Once the frame is assembled, you simply roll out the canvas print, stretch it over the frame and glue it on with the self-adhesive strips on the frame itself. I was a little dubious about this at first, but I can assure you that this self-adhesive glue is STRONG! Again, I would recommend an extra pair of hands to help you get this absolutely perfect.

There is a quick and easy assembly video on the Photowall website if you need any assistance.

Et voila!

My chosen canvas print is titled 'Laura' by the South African art photographer Gabriela Slegrova, and I love it so much as I was looking for something that combined the two elements of water and feminity - this was just perfect. The quality is fantastic and it was easy to hang up (it comes with a sturdy metal fixture). It's definitely helped to make my living room less 'rented' and more 'home'.

Shop the full range at Photowall.co.uk

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - January 2021

I've noticed an increase in people searching for beauty subscription box reviews again due to the current lockdown so if you're looking to treat yourself this payday, why not try the LoveLula Beauty Box? 

Everything included is from a wide range of natural and organic beauty brands and all the products inside are guaranteed to be cruelty-free. I highly recommend it for those who love their skincare, as well as consumers who enjoy discovering brands that they may not have come across before!

To give you an idea of what to expect, here's what's inside the latest LoveLula Beauty Box:-

Natura Siberica Oblepikha Hand Cream

You can never have enough hand cream in my opinion, and this one from Natura Siberica is perfect for the cold winter weather as it's super moisturising and smells gorgeous. It features key ingredients such as Altai Sea Buckthorn, Amaranth Oil and Cranberry Seed Oil to hydrate and protect dry hand hands.

Ayumi Hibiscus & Turmeric Shampoo & Conditioner

If your hair is looking a bit dull, it could be time to change your shampoo and conditioner. This handy travel-sized duo from Ayumi lets you test out their bestselling Hibiscus & Tumeric Shampoo & Conditioner which helps to restore shine whilst having a volumising effect at the same time. Shine and extra volume? Count me in!

Balm Balm Lavender Face Balm

Super gentle and calming, Balm Balm's Lavender infused Face Balm is suitable for all skin types to use, including sensitive. As with most products of this nature, a little goes a long way thanks to its concentrated formula that's been carefully created with a blend of natural plant-based oils. This is great for calming any redness or irritation, and you can use it all over the body, so it's not just for your face.

Moi Vert Lemongrass Liquid Soap

A new release from Moi Vert, LoveLula beauty box subscribers are among the first to try out this exciting multipurpose Lemongrass Liquid Soap! You guys know how much I love a good multipurpose product and this liquid soap can be used in the shower, for your hands, to wash your makeup brushes and even as a greener alternative to regular laundry liquid.

Hurraw! Pitta Lip Balm

Made with all-natural ingredients that are raw, organic, vegan and fairly-traded, it's easy to see why Hurraw! are one of my favourite lip balm brands so I'm always happy to see one of their products included. There are various flavours/scents being sent out this month and I received the Pitta Lip Balm (based on the Ayurveda doshas) which is a combination of Coconut, Lemongrass and Mint.

Madara Hydra Firm Hyaluron Jelly

Last, but not least, there's a sample sachet of Madara's popular Hydra Firm Hyaluron Jelly to try out which is an intense moisturising and anti-ageing skincare treatment for all skin types.

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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A Guide to Natural K-Beauty Skincare Brands #AD

K-Beauty has become an increasingly popular trend among beauty product lovers over the last couple of years. With high-quality ingredients, effective formulas and a reasonable price tag to boot, it's no wonder that people are going crazy for K-Beauty skincare. 

The Korean skincare routine has also gained a lot of attention with 10 definitive steps on keeping your skin looking hydrated, supple, tight and younger-looking. In this short guide, we take a look at the leading natural K-Beauty skincare brands. There are no harsh chemicals or nasty fillers in these products, and many are also vegan and cruelty-free. 

The Top 4 K-Beauty Natural Skincare Brands

Innisfree

K-Beauty UK

Innisfree has been around for 20 years and claims to be the first natural K-Beauty brand. The company focuses heavily on natural ingredients sourced from the magical and fertile island of Jeju. This tiny volcanic island that enjoys a plethora of natural ingredients, is situated off the coast of South Korea and has rapidly become one of the most famous islands on the planet.

Innisfree provides a wide range of skincare products including facemasks, cleansers, moisturisers, serums, sunscreens and more. The brand is well known and loved for creating effective formulas that leave your skin healthy, glowing and defying age. 

This popular natural K-beauty brand is also serious about its commitment to the environment and the people who source their ingredients. They strive to reduce their carbon emissions where possible, use eco-friendly packaging and one per cent of all their profits goes to the local community.

Benton

K-Beauty UK

Benton uses only high-quality, natural and skin-friendly ingredients with zero synthetic chemicals or parabens. Everything you put on your skin from Benton is pure and natural, which is why it has gained such immense popularity and a massive number of loyal customers.

The natural ingredients used in their formulas are carefully chosen and are 100% sourced from Korea. Benton is also PETA-approved as a cruelty-free, vegan brand and uses Ecocert-certified natural preservatives in all their products.

Benton's line of skincare products includes soothing gels, serums, cleansing foams, eye creams, toners, face masks and much more. 

ACWELL

K-Beauty UK

ACWELL is famous for combining 400 years of natural Korean medicinal knowledge with modern cosmetics. This brand focuses on high-quality natural ingredients for its entire range, fusing ancient and modern healing formulas.

All ACWELL products are free from parabens, artificial dyes and mineral oils. The brand formulates skincare that effectively reduces skin irritation and protects from environmental aggressors like dirt and pollution. 

Each skincare product from ACWELL is designed to repair and restore your skin's balance — helping hydrate your skin, make it supple and tauter. Those with sensitive skin have become loyal customers of ACWELL, with its Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner the cult favourite. 

Purito

K-Beauty UK

The name Purito is a combination of the words "Purify" and "To", taken from the Chinese symbol meaning "Soil". Purito formulates products using natural and pure ingredients. 

The brand has gained a lot of attention in recent years for its simple but effective skincare that does exactly what it says — and for a fair price. The From Green Cleansing Oil is the favourite among loyal customers of Purito, harnessing the power of olive oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil and more to remove dirt and grime deep within your pores. 

Purito has a straightforward outlook on skincare — to create simple products enriched with safe and clean ingredients. You won't find parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phenoxyethanol or triethanolamine in any of their products. 

What's more, the brand is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and all their products come in eco-friendly packaging that’s recyclable and biodegradable.

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Organic Beauty Favourites from Green People - Nordic Roots Hyaluronic Booster Serum, Apple Complex Moisturiser + Coconut Charcoal Purifying Face Mask review

Green People have been one of my favourite organic skincare brands for a long time, so I'm always excited to try out their new releases. Their ethical credentials and commitment to promoting a healthier and more sustainable organic lifestyle is most admirable, and if you haven't tried anything from Green People before, I hope you will add them to your shopping list ASAP!

It's taken me a little longer than expected to properly test out the following products due to the lockdown situations that we've found ourselves in here in England, but better late than never right?! Thankfully, I had the opportunity to put this trio through their paces over the Christmas holidays so here are my thoughts on them.

Green People Nordic Roots Hyaluronic Booster Serum* (28ml, £27, link)

The new Nordic Roots range from Green People is based around GP's founder Charlotte Vøhtz's Danish upbringing and encompasses elements from her Nordic heritage by using natural, plant-based active ingredients that are found across Scandinavia. The range is also scent-free and gender-neutral so that it simply delivers pure, clean and functional skincare that works.

Regular readers will know that I'm a huge fan of any skincare that contains the wonder ingredient which is Hyaluronic Acid, and one of the easiest and most effective ways to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine, is by adding in one of these clever serums. I really love this Hyaluronic Booster Serum which is amazing for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin types. Nordic actives in this formula include Sugar Beets (rich in hydrating amino acids), Hop Flowers (to smooth uneven skin tone and target any age spots and hyperpigmentation), and of course, Hyaluronic Acid (for deep moisturisation that also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles). 

A few drops per application is all you need to begin to see the benefits of softer, more moisturised and plumped up skin. Apply morning or night after cleansing and before your regular moisturiser or face oil, to sandwich in all that hydrating goodness.

Green People Nordic Roots Apple Complex Moisturiser* (50ml, £25, link)

Although my skin is typically oily/combination, I find that it suffers a lot from dehydration during the winter months due to the cold weather and indoor heating. It can often feel tight and dry as a result, so I like to step up my skincare game by using a much more hydrating moisturiser at this time of the year. 

To complement the Hyaluronic Booster Serum, I was curious to try out the Nordic Roots Apple Complex Moisturiser and can confirm that the two work exceptionally well together. This moisturiser uses a combination of natural active ingredients such as Sugar Beets, Apple Cellular Water and Oat Kernel extract to calm and soothe any redness/irritation, deliver essential moisture and boost the skin's elasticity. The handly inbuilt pump makes it quick and easy to apply, and the cream formula sinks right in like a big drink for thirsty skin! It's like a 'winter coat' essential to protect the skin's natural barrier against the cold elements.

Green People Coconut Charcoal Purifying Face Mask* (50ml, £21, link)

Those of you who follow me on Instagram will no doubt have seen this Face Mask debuted on my IG stories and it's been so useful for combatting the tell-tale signs of all that post-Christmas food indulgence! 

Green People's Coconut Charcoal Purifying Face Mask is one of those incredible facial treatments that you expect to see on the skincare menu at an expensive spa. Key ingredients include Activated Charcoal (which gives it that rich black colour), Bentonite Clay and Alpine Willow, and these work together to draw out a range of toxins from the skin, including bacteria, oil, daily dirt and environmental pollutants, whilst also balancing sebum production and refining the skin's texture. Alpine Willow, in particular, has additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich properties to further benefit the complexion.

To use, simply apply an even layer to a freshly cleansed face and leave on for around 15-20 minutes, avoiding the eye area. As it's clay-based, it does set and can feel tight if you leave it on too long so make sure you set a timer and rinse off thoroughly with plenty of warm water afterwards. I generally only leave it on for 10-15 minutes at most as I feel that's enough for my skin, and then I'll always follow up with a good hydrating serum and moisturiser to complete the routine. I highly recommend this mask for clearing stubborn blackheads and congested areas, and don't forget, if you have combination skin, you can just apply this onto specific areas like your T-zone - it doesn't always need to be applied all over the face!

Fun eco fact: Green People use the husks of Coconut Shells (a common by-product of coconut-based beauty products that are usually thrown away) to create the Activated Charcoal in this mask. Pretty clever and resourceful, huh? 

Have you tried anything from Green People?

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Keep Your Hands Clean with Organii Purifying Hand Gel + Surface Spray

Coronavirus is sadly still around and whilst the vaccine rollout is underway across the UK, we'll still need to stick to the rules until the coast is finally clear. Until then, these two from Organii can help to keep you and your family safer when you're doing your essential errands.

I've been getting a lot of search requests through the blog from readers who have been looking for greener, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free alternatives to mainstream hand sanitisers. Thankfully, there are now a number of green beauty brands who have launched new products in response to the pandemic. One such brand is Organii who has recently brought out a new Purifying Hand Gel and Surface Spray.

Organii Purifying Hand Gel* (80ml, £3.95, link)

This handy(!) Purifying Hand Gel contains a certified natural blend of 60% alcohol, Organic Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerin and Organic Tea Tree essential oil, to keep your hands clean and sanitised whilst you're out and about. The formula feels very much like most other hand gels that I've tried, but the addition of Vegetable Glycerin and Aloe Vera means that it's not as drying, which is important if you're using it on a regular basis. Thanks to Organic Tea Tree essential oil, it also has natural antibacterial and anti-viral properties and it gives the gel a fresh scent.

Organii Purifying Surface Spray* (75ml, £3.95, link)

We've all seen those messy cleaning stations at the entrance of supermarkets and after trying to use several bottles of disinfectant that were empty, I've come to the decision that it's best to carry your own just in case. Organii's Purifying Surface Spray is a handbag friendly 75ml spray bottle size that quickly sanitises surfaces and can be used on pretty much anything from supermarket trollies, door handles, handrails, ATM machines and more, thanks to its purifying blend of alcohol and Organic Tea Tree essential oil. I've recommended this to parents as well, as it's very convenient to carry in the car and is safe to use on kids toys etc. Both the Surface Spray and the Hand Gel are certified vegan and cruelty-free.

Are you using cruelty-free hand sanitisers?

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Winter Skincare: Natura Siberica SOS Soothing Night Face Mask + Anti-Fatigue Eye Patch-Effect Mask review

Baby, it's cold outside! Whether it's currently snowing where you are, or an icy forecast is on its way to you soon, it's time to reach for those Winter Skincare staples to protect your skin against the freezing temperatures. Here are two mask-style treatments from Natura Siberica to add to your skincare routine this month.

When it comes to cold weather, it's always best to look towards those countries which handle it far better than we do here in the UK! So it's no surprise to learn that my inbox has been inundated with skincare brands that are based in the chilly Nordic countries as well as further east across the icy expanses of Siberia and beyond.

Focusing on the latter, I particularly love an affordable brand called Natura Siberica who ethically work with local tribes across Siberia to wild-harvest the most potent natural and organic ingredients for their products. These adaptogenic herbs and plants contain extraordinary antioxidant properties which help them to survive the freezing temperatures and harsh conditions of Siberia, and in turn, these offer many benefits to the skin to protect it from the same elements.

I've been trialling the following two mask treatments from Natura Siberica since December, and with the recent snowfall across England, it's been the perfect time to put them to the test!

Natura Siberica SOS Soothing Night Face Mask* (50ml, £10.49, link)

An award-winning face mask which was recently shortlisted in the ASOS 2020 Beauty Awards, Natura Siberica's SOS Soothing Night Face Mask is an overnight leave-on treatment mask that you can use once or twice a week whenever your skin is feeling dry, tight, stressed or sensitive. Simply apply to cleansed skin like a normal moisturiser and let it do its magic as you sleep! Key ingredients include everyone's favourite skin hydrator Hyaluronic Acid, as well as Vitamin E, Organic Siberian Pine Oil, Organic Rhodiola and Rose Hydrolate to quickly bring back life to tired, lacklustre complexions. Come the morning, my skin feels as soft as a baby's bum and I've noticed that I need to use far less face oil and moisturiser on the other days of the week following just one treatment with this.

Natura Siberica Anti-Fatigue Eye Patch-Effect Mask* (50ml, £11.49, link)

Give your eyes some TLC this winter with this ingenious Anti-Fatigue Eye Patch-Effect Mask. As the name suggests, this product works in a similar manner to those popular single-use undereye patches that you see all the time on Instagram, but without the plastic waste - win-win! Perfect for sensitive skin, it features many of the same hardworking plant-based actives as the SOS Soothing Night Face Mask, but in a lighter, gel-like texture instead. To use it, just apply a small amount in a thin layer under the eyes and leave on for 10-15 minutes, before gently wiping away with a warm flannel/cotton muslin cloth. It's great for reducing puffiness and relieving tired eyes so they feel soothed and more comfortable. I love it!

Have you tried anything from Natura Siberica?

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December Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

Happy New Year! It seems rather fitting to kick start the new year with an Empties post as we say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new! I have a LOT of empties so let's jump straight in, shall we? Here's what I've used up recently, my final thoughts on them and which ones I'll be repurchasing again in the future.

Nature's Notes Stress Relief Bergamot & Lavender Soap Bar* (review)

Nature's Notes were one of my favourite indie beauty finds of 2020 and I absolutely love their gorgeous range of natural soap bars. This Stress Relief Soap had a lovely relaxing scent which made it ideal to use in the shower, and they're great as a hand soap as well. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up a few others!

Antipodes Jubilation Hand & Body Cream* (review)

For a luxury natural hand and body cream, you really can't go wrong with anything from Antipodes and their iconic colourful metal tubes are incredibly popular for a reason. The texture of these moisturisers leaves skin velvety soft and the fragrances are beautiful - Jubilation is a good one to try if you love floral scents. Repurchase? Yes.

Balade en Provence Solid Night Cream* (review)

Featured back in my November Beauty Favourites, I've really enjoyed using this Solid Night Cream bar from Balade en Provence. If you want to include more zero-waste products in your skincare routine, I would highly recommend it! The only problem I had with it was that it became a bit more difficult to melt and use in my hands as the temperature dropped so I'll be waiting until Spring before I buy it again. Repurchase? Yes.

Fair Squared Apricot Facial Mask* (review)

Plastic-free skincare fans will love this Fair Squared Apricot Facial Mask which you can use with their cotton face mask that's 100% reusable as you can wash it after use. It's a brilliant alternative to disposable sheet masks! I got around 4-5 applications from this glass bottle. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel* (review)

One of the most hyped skincare releases of 2020, Antipodes' Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel does what it says on the jar as it offers essential hydration to all skin types in a light and water-based gel moisturiser. If you hate heavy face creams, this is definitely one to try. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some others.

Odacité Black Cumin Serum Concentrate* (review)

I've been fighting blemishes and breakouts with another bottle of Odacité Black Cumin Concentrate - this must be my third or fourth bottle that I've used up over the years. As the name suggests, it's a concentrated serum, so only a tiny amount is needed and I dab this directly onto any spots or congested areas. Come morning, most blemishes are gone or their appearance has been diminished significantly. I can't recommend it enough! Repurchase? Definitely!

Weleda Calendula Massage & Body Oil

I treated myself to this over the Summer months and just love the lemony-sherbert style scent it has as it's so fresh and uplifting. The oil itself is beautiful and silky - a great way to enjoy a pampering session at home after a long hot bath. Repurchase? Yes.

EQ EVOA Siberian Balm* (review)

A highly potent all-natural balm for clearing congested chests/noses when you have the flu or a bad cold, EQ EVOA Siberian Balm is one of the best natural remedies that I've tried. A tiny amount goes a long way and it gets to work immediately when you need it the most. Repurchase? Yes.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil

You can't beat a nice hot bath when it's freezing cold outside and I just love all the Bath & Shower Oils that Aromatherapy Associates do - over the years, I must have tried them all! One of my absolute favourites is called Revive Morning as it does just that and is a great way to wake up when you have some extra time on your hands.

Antipodes Resurrect Clarifying Facial Toner* (review)

If you have oily/combination skin, you can't go wrong with Antipodes Resurrect Clarifying Facial Toner. I use this a lot when my skin is playing up as it always helps to calm everything down, reduces any redness and rebalances excess oiliness, especially on the T-zone area for a clearer complexion. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil* (review)

Especially useful for dry, combination, dehydrated and stressed skin types, Antipodes Divine Face Oil is one of those products that I always have in my skincare arsenal and I've been using it for years now. It's a rich, plant-based oil so a little goes a long way, and I find it works particularly well when added to your skincare routine from Autumn onwards. Repurchase? Yes.

REN Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash* (review)

Last but not least, I've finished up another bottle of REN Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash - a lovely luxury shower gel infused with Magnesium to soothe tired and sore muscles. It's great to use after pilates and yoga sessions. Repurchase? Yes.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps, lids and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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