Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - March 2021 review

 

If you love green beauty products as much as I do, you'll love the monthly beauty subscription box from LoveLula! Filled with a surprise selection of natural, organic and cruelty-free products, it's a great way to discover something new!

Here's what's inside the March LoveLula Beauty Box:-

Sukin Rehydrating Gel Cream (RRP £17.95)

Specially formulated for dehydrated skin types, this Rehydrating Gel Cream from Sukin has arrived at the perfect time this week for me to test out during this mini heatwave! I love the light texture which instantly sinks into the skin, so if you hate the feeling of heavy or greasy creams, this is a brilliant lighter alternative. Key ingredients include a Bio-Matine blend of Sea Algae with Hyaluronic Acid and Maize Complex to deeply hydrate and plump up dry and tired skin.

Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Hair Serum (RRP £7.99)

I don't know about you, but my hair needs all the help it can get when it comes to frizz - any kind of humidity causes it to look so messy so I'm thrilled to be able to try out the bestselling Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Hair Serum. As usual for serums of this nature, a few drops is all you need to make a difference and it does a great job of smoothing and adding beautiful shine.

Balmonds Skin Salvation (RRP £7.99)

Next up, I was also pleased to find this cute mini pot of Balmonds Skin Salvation which is a rich, oil-based balm/ointment that helps to lock in moisture. It can be used on any dry skin area that needs some extra TLC so give it a go on feet, hands, cuticles, rough elbows, chapped lips and more. It does contain beeswax though so it's not suitable for vegans, unfortunately.

Ayumi Neem & Tea Tree Face Mask (RRP £6.99)

If you're on a budget, Ayumi is a lovely affordable, green beauty brand to check out and this Neem & Tea Tree Face Mask is ideal for anyone who has oily skin that's prone to breakouts. It's an intensive treatment that deep cleans and refreshes the skin, removing all traces of dirt and impurities from pores for a smoother and clearer complexion. 

Madara City CC Cream SPF 15 (sample sachet)

The last product is a free sample sachet of the award-winning Madara City CC Cream SPF 15. With an innovative Hyaluronic Acid infused formula and an antioxidant blend anti-pollution blend, this CC Cream reduces the appearance of redness and dark spots and adds some sun protection with SPF 15.

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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Health & Lifestyle: ZOJO Beauty Elixirs Golden Adapto Latte - Turmeric Beauty Drink review

 

Turmeric lattes have been trendy for a while now, but if you're short on time or don't want to make your own, ZOJO have a luxury ready-made version just for you!

I first discovered Turmeric Lattes a few years ago when I was reading up on Ayurveda. This popular health drink has been widely used for centuries across Asia and is more commonly known as 'golden milk'. Traditional recipes mix a little turmeric powder with steamed cow's milk, along with other specially chosen spices and natural sweeteners for an instantly comforting and nourishing drink.

Nowadays, you're likely to see Turmeric Latte or Golden Milk popping up on the menus of artisanal coffee houses as a caffeine-free alternative, and the option to veganize it by using non-dairy milk is quickly overtaking its mainstream counterpart.

You can make your own Turmeric Latte at home (check out my recipe which is adapted from Jasmine Hemsley's East By West cookbook here), however, for those who are looking for a convenient ready-made version, look no further.

ZOYO Beauty Elixirs have created the Golden Adapto Latte, a Tumeric Beauty Drink full of healthy benefits for the skin and body. 

What's it made of?

This award-winning drink is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and free from gluten, lactose, preservatives and artificial sweeteners. The base is Organic Coconut Milk Powder, with Organic Turmeric, Organic Ceylon Cinnamon and Organic Black Pepper. There's also Organic Tapioca for a little added thickness and Organic Gum Acacia which acts as a natural stabilizer.

What are the health benefits?

Turmeric is world-famous for its natural anti-inflammatory properties and it's packed full of antioxidants to help fight free radicals. It's an amazing ingredient to support a healthy gut and liver function which offers better fat digestion too. The Black Pepper component allows the body to absorb the active Curcumin in the Turmeric so that you can reap all of these benefits in a bio-available format.

How To Use

Add a flat tablespoon (5g) to hot water and stir well. You can use a frother to whizz up more of a latte texture and add a little natural sweetener if desired. 

Overall thoughts

Although this ready-made ZOJO Beauty Elixirs version is an expensive luxury, for those with the cash to splash, it's an ultra-convenient way to keep this healthy drink on hand in your cupboard and it takes seconds to make. The result was a little more watery than I perhaps had anticipated, so you may want to add a dash of non-dairy milk if you prefer your Turmeric Lattes to be more indulgent and 'creamy' in flavour. No amount of sweetener will make you like the flavour of Turmeric though, so I can appreciate that this is a love/hate it kinda thing for many people!

ZOJO Beauty Elixirs Golden Adapto Latte* (80g, £27, link)

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Introducing: Terre Verdi Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum + Yoga & Sports Body Oil review

One of the pleasures of being a beauty blogger is the joy of discovering new-to-me brands, and the latest brand that has caught my eye is Terre Verdi. 

Terre Verdi is a 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly skincare brand that's made in the UK. Its clean formulas have enabled Terre Verdi to be one of the first UK based companies to be awarded COSMOS Organic certification by the Soil Association, and their innovative products are kind to both skin and the environment. 

I love the luxurious and sleek black glass packaging and with enticing products for skincare and pampering, green beauty fans will easily fall in love with this organic range. To give you a taster of what you can expect from this brand, I've been testing out their Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum and Yoga & Sports Body Oil which you can read more about below.

Terre Verdi Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum* (30ml, £31, link)

As we move into Spring, you may notice that your skin becomes a bit less dry and breakouts are common amongst hayfever sufferers which starts to kick in around this time of the year due to the release of tree pollen. If this sounds like you, or you simply have oily or combination skin, Terre Verdi's Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum is a brilliant product to try to help restore your skin's natural balance. 

Focused on rebalancing sebum production and relieving redness and inflammation, I've found this serum to be very useful for combatting seasonal and hormonal breakouts, and it easily fits into your routine, either in the morning or evening. Key ingredients include the astringent Geranium and Tea Tree essential oils, whilst Patchouli Leaf Oil and Frankincense Oil work their magic with their natural anti-ageing and wrinkle-reducing properties. Calendula extract is also included for its ability to boost collagen production and the combination of Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil provides a rich source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants to deeply nourish the skin. 

As a result, this oil-based serum feels a little denser and heavier on the skin than water-based equivalents, so use less than you think - 1-2 drops is enough for me to use in the evenings and it's moisturising enough to use on its own after cleansing.

Terre Verdi Yoga & Sports Body Oil* (30ml, £15, link)

As many of my regular readers will know, I'm an avid Yoga and Pilates fan so I was excited to try out a mini bottle of the Yoga & Sports Body Oil. This beautiful oil is a real pleasure to use after a good stretching session as it helps to aid muscle recovery thanks to its clever blend of carefully chosen plant-based ingredients. 

The base is made up of Argan, Camellia, Sunflower Seed and Jojoba Oils which provide a silky texture to gently massage into weary limbs and this leaves the whole body feeling soft and supple. However, it's the addition of Ginger Root Oil that delivers a warming, almost tingling feeling which stimulates collagen production in the joints, whilst Eucalyptus Oil brings a soothing sense of balance and relief,  and Black Pepper essential oil helps to ease sore and aching muscles. 

If you're a Yoga devotee, add this to your shopping list ASAP!

Have you heard of Terre Verdi before?

Shop the full range of Terre Verdi at LoveLula.com and TerreVerdi.com

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Tried & Tested: KeraHealth Follicle Hero Shampoo & Conditoner + Supplements review

Give fine or damaged/weak hair a strengthening boost with KeraHealth's amazing Follicle Hero range - I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to try it out!

Since hitting my 30s, I've noticed that my hair, which has always been on the fine side anyway, has become much thinner as I've got older so I tend to always seek out haircare which can help to give it a boost. At the end of January, I received a lovely lockdown PR gift which included this haircare duo from KeraHealth, along with their popular Hair Women supplements to put to the test.

If you haven't heard of KeraHealth before, they're a specialist luxury brand dedicated to improving hair loss and hair health by combining the latest scientific research with ingredients that really work based on clinical tests.

KeraHealth Follicle Hero Shampoo* (250ml, £32, link) and Conditioner* (150ml, £38, link)

At the core of KeraHealth's haircare range is the Follicle Hero Shampoo and Conditioner. This hard-working duo is created with key ingredients such as Keratin, Biotin and Coconut Oil, and both products are free from SLES, parabens, silicones, petrochemicals, artificial colourants and mineral oils. 

For me personally, I found the Shampoo to be the real star here because you can massage the ultra-gentle, yet purifying formula deep into the scalp where I feel you'll see the best benefits. The combination of added Wheat Protein with the strengthening abilities of Keratin and Biotin make a huge difference in reducing breakage and split ends, whilst Coconut Oil adds essential moisture and has antimicrobial properties to remove dirt and impurities from the scalp, resulting in healthier hair overall.

The accompanying Conditioner plays its part by helping to increase hair density and adds lots of lovely moisture and shine. Like the Shampoo, it's packed full of nourishing and strengthening ingredients such as Keratin and Biotin, as well as Aloe Vera for additional hydration. It's a great conditioner for fine and thinning hair as it doesn't weigh it down so it can be used regularly to keep your hair in tip-top condition.

KeraHealth Hair Women Supplements* (60 capsules, £60, link)

A finalist in the recent 2021 Pure Beauty Global Awards, KeraHealth's Hair Women Supplements is a nutraceutical dietary supplement that specifically targets female hair loss (which is very different hormonally from men's hair loss) and helps to stimulate new growth at a cellular level. It features full-spectrum antioxidants which are not only great for hair loss but also help to boost immunity and have anti-inflammatory and stress adaptogenic benefits too.

So what's in these supplements? A daily dose of two capsules contains 18mg Niacin (113%), 2mg Vitamin B6 (140%), 300ug Biotin (600%), 12mg Panthothenic Acid (200%), 9mg Zinc (90%) and 1000ug Copper (100%), plus the key ingredients of 500mg KerCysteine (an exclusive combination of essential amino acids), 220mg L-Leucine and 10mg French Maritime Pink Bark Extract. It's worth mentioning that these include 10mg Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) which is derived from natural sources and coated in a patented process to ensure the capsules are bioavailable to the body.

For best results, you do need to take these for a minimum of three months in a row so it's certainly an investment for your hair, however, compared to other supplements on the market, these appear to have an edge based on their ingredients profile. Free from trans fat, lactose, gluten and stearates, they are a drug-free alternative for those seeking a solution to female hair loss.

Have you experienced hair loss?

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The Weekend Post: How To Prepare Your Skin Before Laser Hair Removal by Austin K #AD

Laser body hair removal is one of the most efficient and effective body hair removal solutions available for modern men and women. It can help anyone with any skin-type to get rid of body hair for a long time.

On top of this, the attractive laser hair removal prices are also ensuring that the treatment is rapidly adopted by people from all over the globe.

With that stated, before a person gets this treatment done on their skin, he or she would need to abide by the following pre-treatment precautions for the best results –

Keep your skin away from the sun at all costs

Before you head on over to the clinic, you would need to limit your sun exposure. You would need to stop heading out into the sun at least two weeks before your appointment date.

On top of this, you would also need to stop heading out to tanning parlours – if that is something that you prefer to do in your leisure. This is essential as it is the only way you can keep your skin from suffering burns or from developing blisters the moment it gets struck by the ray of the laser equipment used for removing body hair.

On that note, if you cannot stay away from the sun due to your work routine then cover every inch of your body before heading out. On top of this, you would also need to apply sunscreen all over your skin as an added layer of protection against sunburn.

You should stop waxing and plucking body hair from the target areas of your skin

Waxing or plucking body hair is one of the many ways that can irritate your skin. On top of this, it also leads to microscopic scratches on the surface of your skin. In such a situation, if laser beams strike on the surface of your skin then you are bound to feel a burning sensation. You can also suffer inflammation as well as redness.

Hence, to keep all of the above at bay, you have to stop waxing or plucking your body hair, especially on the target areas of your skin at least 6 weeks before you receive your laser body hair removal treatment.

Waxing and plucking lead to irritated skin – a condition that can worsen when laser beams strike the surface of waxed skin or an area of your skin that has been subjected to a body hair plucking regimen.

Shave the target areas at least two days from the appointment date

You would also need to shave the target areas of your skin that will be subjected to the laser body hair removal treatment at least two to three days before you receive the treatment.

This is essential as when laser beams strike a hair strand, it burns the latter. This can not only hinder the ability of the laser beam to strike the hair follicle directly but also increase the chances of the skin right below the hair strand from sustaining burns.

You should abide by the tips mentioned above before you head on over to receive your laser hair removal treatment. If you fail to do so then you might suffer from certain complications of your skin that can manifest as irritations or redness and even inflammation. Hence to avoid complications, you would need to follow the tips mentioned in the sections above with due diligence.

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Mother's Day Green Beauty Gift Guide 2021

Make mum's day a special one with a green beauty treat! Here are my top picks for Mother's Day this year from Green People, Nourish London, Farryn Amber and Evolve Organic Beauty.

The Skincare Gift Set: Green People Infinite Beauty Vitamin C Age Defy+ by Cha Vøhtz Set* (£40, link)

This latest release from Green People's founder Cha Vøhtz's Age Defy+ range, is a gorgeous Vitamin C infused Infinite Beauty Gift Set. The set is compromised of three organic beauty treats for the skin; a full-size Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum, a travel-size of Age Defy+ Cell Enrich Facial Oil and a sample sachet of Age Defy+ Hydra Glow Sleep Mask. Specially formulated for skin aged 30+, this is a brilliant introduction to Charlotte's innovative signature range and a great way to try out some of their bestselling products for the best organic routine for skin regeneration, hydration and brightening.

The Multipurpose Treat: Green People One Balm* (30ml, £20, link)

Another exciting new release from Green People is their fantastic One Balm which is described as a multi-tasking skin saviour and I couldn't agree more! Made with 99% certified organic ingredients, this wonder balm helps to bring instant moisture and relief to any dry skin area so it's ideal for elbows, feet, hands, cuticles, lips and more. Key plant-based ingredients include Myrrh Oil to soothe and reduce inflammation, Frankincense to rejuvenate the skin, Pomegranate Oil which is rich in antioxidants to deeply nourish and protect and Rosehip Oil, famed for its natural tissue regenerative properties. One Balm is also packaged in the UK's first-ever 100% biodegradable pot!

The Gift Of Sleep: Nourish London Sleepy Pillow Mist* (100ml, £18, link)

Give the gift of sleep with the brand new Sleepy Pillow Mist from Nourish London. Crafted from a unique blend of magnesium-rich Epsom Salts and nine carefully chosen aromatherapy essential oils, including Lavender, Rose, Frankincense, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Geranium and Bergamot, this luxury alcohol-free Pillow Mist smells beautiful! Spritz a little onto your pillows and bedsheets, and enjoy the calming and soothing fragrance to help relax your mind and body. 

The Natural Fragrance Gift: Farryn Amber Floral Oud Perfume Oil* (10ml, £18, link)

No gift guide would be complete without a fragrance mention and I've completely fallen in love with this divine Floral Oud Perfume Oil from Farryn Amber. Vegan, cruelty-free and organic, this convenient handbag-friendly rollerball format can be dabbed onto the pulse points whenever you want to cocoon yourself in its luxury scent with sweet hints of Vanilla mixed with woody Oud, Cedarwood and Frankincense, and topped off with floral notes of Ylang Ylang and Jasmine. Heaven in a rollerball!

The New Mum Pampering Treats: Evolve Organic Beauty Super Berry Body Oil* (100ml, £24, link) and Bath & Shower Oil* (250ml, £24, link)

Shopping for a new mum or mum-to-be? Treat them to the latest releases from Evolve Organic Beauty! The Super Berry Body Oil is not only a seriously indulgent and pampering treat, but it's incredible for hydrating dry skin and improving the appearance of stretch marks and scars. 100% natural, organic and safe to use during pregnancy, it's packed with Chilean Rosehip Oil to revive and regenerate, Upcycled Raspberry Oil to promote healthy cell regeneration with a lovely fresh and light scent, and Pomegranate Seed Oil which helps to assist skin recovery thanks to its composition of essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

It's worth splashing out on the matching Super Berry Bath & Shower Oil too which has a clever water-free formula which transforms into a light cleansing oil. The perfect at-home pamper treat for busy new mums as it's so hydrating and naturally nourishing for the skin, they won't need to apply a separate body lotion afterwards!

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3 Products To Try From Madara - Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter & Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss - Review & Swatches

 

Madara is one of those amazing green beauty brands which has a massive range of products, from organic skincare to makeup and everything in between! I wanted to focus on three of their hidden gems which I don't see many bloggers talking about; the Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter and Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss.

Madara Fake It Self Tan Milk* (150ml, £27, link)

After an unseasonably warm weekend with lots of sunshine, Spring most definitely feels like it is on its way, so I've been switching up some of my regular body lotions with gradual self-tanning formulas. These products are a super-easy way to add some much-needed colour and glow to my skin after such a long winter, and they're brilliant for people who find traditional self-tanning products a bit daunting, or perhaps only want a hint of sunkissed colour because it's virtually impossible to go wrong with them.

Madara's Fake It Self Tan Milk gives a beautiful non-streaky, healthy-looking glow to the skin and is recommended for light to medium skin tones which is perfect for me. It looks and feels like a normal body lotion and has a lovely hydrating formula thanks to added Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba Oil that makes this ideal to use if you have dry skin. 

As with all gradual self-tanners, you'll see the best results by applying a generous amount with a tanning mitt to freshly exfoliated skin so I always do this after a shower. Massage in well, enjoy the fresh scent and by the morning, you'll see a subtle, natural-looking tan with no orangey undertones.

Madara Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter in Naked Chromosphere* (13.5ml, £25, link)

If you've only used skincare from Madara, you're really missing out because their range of organic makeup most definitely deserves a spot on your vanity table. Perhaps one of the most underrated of all of their products is the incredible Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter which is available in three different shades. 

This gorgeous liquid highlighter is vegan-friendly and certified natural and organic by ECOCERT. Not only is the packaging very sleek with a long dropper applicator, but the formula of this highlighter is like pure liquid gold as it's crafted from a blend of ultra-fine minerals and a silky Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe based serum.

Best of all, it's so easy to work with as you can customise it to exactly what you want thanks to its buildable nature. For a subtle glow, add a drop directly to your moisturiser or foundation, or for a more 'hey, look at me!' megawatt finish, use a beauty sponge or your fingers to dab it directly onto the tops of the cheekbones for a stronger highlight. The golden shade you can see above is called Naked Chromosphere and I will be literally covering myself in it come Summer!

Madara Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss in Scandal 76* (4ml, £19, link)

I couldn't resist trying out one of Madara's Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Glosses, and again, I feel this is such a hidden little gem in their organic makeup range. More natural based lip glosses can struggle against their mainstream counterparts, but Madara has managed to tick all the boxes with theirs and this product is very similar to lip glosses that I own from Ilia. 

Like the liquid highlighter above, this Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss does what it says on the label. It delivers a high-shine, ultra-glossy finish which doesn't feel sticky/tacky and it's wonderfully hydrating, so another good choice for those who have dry lips. It's worth remembering that this is obviously a lip gloss and not a liquid lipstick so you'll only get a wash of pigment here (as shown above), but when layered over a lipstick, it really does add a desirable vinyl-like slick of extra colour so it's very versatile. 

Available in a wide range of vegan-friendly shades, I love the vampy blackened purple hue of Scandal 76 for those times when you want to dare to be different and come out of your comfort zone.

Do you have any favourites from Madara?

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