Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - December 2021 review

 

This month's LoveLula Beauty Box is another treat for skincare fans, with a variety of luxury natural and cruelty-free products from brands such as PHB Ethical Beauty, Madara, Balm Balm, and more. Worth £51, here's a rundown of what's inside.

PHB Ethical Beauty 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash

A 100% natural multi-tasking hair and body cleanser, this 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash from PHB Ethical Beauty is full of nourishing organic extracts to keep your hair soft and shiny, whilst refreshing and moisturising the body at the same time. It's fragrance-free and gentle enough to be used by all skin types including eczema and baby.

Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil

It wouldn't be a December beauty box without a little Frankincense, would it?! Balm Balm's Frankincense Light Facial Oil is rich in Apricot Kernel, Jojoba, and Rosehip Oils to add essential moisture to the skin during the Winter months, whilst Frankincense and Grapefruit essential oils are included to rejuvenate and refresh. I'm looking forward to trying it out!

Madara Hydra Firm Hyaluron Concentrate Jelly & Brightening AHA Peel Mask

Next up, I found two travel-size products from the luxury skincare brand Madara who appear in the LoveLula Beauty Boxes quite a lot (I'm a huge fan of the brand so I'm always happy to see them pop up!). The Hydra Firm Hyaluron Concentrate Jelly is an oil-free jelly style serum that quenches the skin, topping up its moisture levels and keeping the complexion hydrated and protected - perfect for Winter skincare. 

Need a brightening boost? The Brightening AHA Peel Mask uses a blend of potent AHAs derived from natural fruit acids to exfoliate and refine the skin, removing dull, dead skin cells in its path to reveal fresher, brighter skin underneath.

The Castilian Soap Company Natural Castile Soap with Lemongrass Essential Oil

The last product is a bottle of The Castilian Soap Company Natural Castile Soap with Lemongrass Essential Oil. Liquid castile soaps are amazing multi-purpose products to have in the household because you can use them for virtually all aspects of cleaning; from mopping the floors to washing your makeup brushes - the options are endless and a little goes a long way! 

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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The Perfect Gift for New Plant Mamas: Plant Puzzle Jungle Terrarium review - Step By Step Guide

 

Whether you're a plant-obsessed newbie or already have a growing number of plants taking over your home, this Plant Puzzle Jungle Terrarium is the perfect gift!

My Instagram feed has been full of quirky and beautiful terrariums, recently and these self-containing eco-systems have been capturing the imagination of many - in fact, terrariums have been cropping up in several bestseller gift guides lately. 

I decided to give myself an early Christmas present and purchased this Plant Puzzle Jungle Terrarium in the Bloombox Club Black Friday sale last month. Not only was it a much more affordable option than several other DIY terrariums that I was looking at, but it came with a light which I thought looked pretty cool.

Upon opening the box, I found a very handy and easy-to-follow instruction guide so this is ideal for beginners and kids alike. 

The Plant Puzzle Jungle Terrarium came with the following items:-

• A large recycled Glass Terrarium with lid and light
• Three different Baby Plants
• White Stone Gravel
• Active Charcoal
• Soil

Putting it together couldn't be easier, but here's a quick step-by-step guide to show you what I did.

Step One: Add The White Stone Gravel

As closed terrariums are classed as self-containing eco-systems, it's important that your very first layer is a decent quantity of stone gravel. This acts as a drainage layer to help the terrarium maintain the right level of humidity and to stop the roots of the plants inside from rotting.

Step Two: Add Active Charcoal

Equally important is a layer of active charcoal which helps to stop mold from forming in your terrarium. Nobody likes mold! This is added on top of the stone gravel.

Step Three: Add Soil

Inside the box, there are two disks of soil. To get them ready for your terrarium, simply put each disk into their own large bowls, and pour 500ml of warm (not boiling) water over each one. Allow the water to soak into the disks and after around 15 minutes, the disks will have turned into regular-looking soil. I'd recommend waiting a further 30 minutes or so for the soil to cool down before adding it to your terrarium so you can control the temperature better.

Step Four: Add The Plants

Now it's time to add the plants! Very carefully remove your plants from their nursery pots and plant them one by one, into the soil in the terrarium. This took a little longer than I was anticipating and it's recommended that you try to space them out so they have room to grow and that they aren't touching the glass, so go for a more central placing.

The baby plants in my terrarium are (from top clockwise) Pilea (aka Chinese Money Plant), Spider Plant, and Peperomia. 

The finished terrarium!

And there you have it, a super easy little ecosystem that you don't really need to do much maintenance with. Place it in an area that gets a lot of natural light, but not in direct sunlight as this will heat the inside of the terrarium up too much. Every so often, you can take the lid off and let some fresh air circulate for an hour, before closing it up again - this will further help to prevent any future mold issues. 

Watering?

You don't need to water a terrarium unless you start to see the soil look dry, and even then, water very sparingly. The humidity in the terrarium will keep the plants happily hydrated, so there's not much else to do other than enjoy its beauty. 

Oh, here's a quick photo of my terrarium in the dark with the light on - pretty cool, huh?

Are you a fan of terrariums and closed eco-systems?

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Green Beauty Christmas Gift Guide 2021 - All Under £35

 

Need some last-minute Christmas gift inspiration? Here's my short but sweet Green Beauty Christmas Gift Guide for 2021!

Under £10: Sukin Botanical Body Wash in Signature Scent* (250ml, £7.95, link)

Sukin's Signature Scent Botanical Body Wash is a blissful pampering treat and it both smells and feels much more expensive than it actually is which makes it ideal for those who are looking for a green beauty gift on a budget. I love the blend of aromatic botanicals and skin-loving ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Jojoba and Avocado Oils will ensure that dry winter skin is kept healthy and nourished. Free from a long list of nasties such as mineral oil, parabens, sulphates, silicones and more.

For £15: Kure Bazaar Limited Edition Nail Polish in Pigalle* (10ml, £15, link)

Makeup fans will love this festive red glitter called Pigalle from Kure Bazaar's Limited Edition Nail Polish range this year. This ultra-glam multi-tonal red glitter can be worn as a sparkly topcoat over a base shade or layer it up for a chunky block of eye-catching shimmer. It's spectacular! Kure Bazaar nail colours contain no toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and no synthetic camphor.

For £25: Nourish London Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash & Hand Lotion Duo* (£25, link)

It's never been more important to wash your hands these days, but it doesn't have to be a boring chore! Inject some natural luxury into this daily act with the new Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash and Hand Lotion Duo from Nourish London. This practical gift set not only smells amazing, but it'll keep hands soft and smooth so you can say goodbye to dry and irritated skin from frequent washing.

Under £35: JOIK Winter Favourites Candle Collection* (£33, link)

Candles are one of my favourite items to gift as they're often not bought by people, but always appreciated when received. This beautiful set from JOIK features three of their most festive scents, combined together in their Winter Favourites Collection. I have to say that it's hard to pick my personal favourite as they all smell so good! Take your pick from Gingerbread, Spiced Cranberry and Oh, Christmas Tree.

Under £35: Antipodes Healthier Skin Heroes Gift Set* (£32, link) 

With so many skincare gift sets to choose from, it's difficult to know what to opt for, however, I feel that Antipodes are onto a winner with their Healthier Skin Heroes Gift Set which is my top pick this year. Comprising of a full-size Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream, and two travel sizes of their bestselling Divine Face Oil and Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask, this trio is great for all skin types to try out. Cruelty-free, organic and natural.

What's left on your Christmas shopping list this year?

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Foodie Friday: Mr. Popple's Chocolate review - Raw, Organic, Vegan & Ethical #GiftGuide

 

Calling all fellow chocoholics - this post is especially for you! Dive into the scrumptious world of Mr. Popple's Chocolate and discover some of the best raw, organic, and vegan chocolate that I've ever had the pleasure of trying.

Chocolate is, of course, a very easy product to review, but it's not always the easiest to shop for these days. With increasing awareness about child labour, slavery and environmental destruction being linked to the process of making chocolate, it's more important than ever to make ethical choices for both people and the planet.

This is why I'm pleased to feature Mr. Popple's Chocolate as the first addition to my Christmas Gift Guide for 2021!

Why You Should Buy Mr. Popple's Chocolate

Mr. Popple's Chocolate is a proper bean-to-bar chocolate that's handcrafted using raw Criolla Cacao which is fairly traded in partnership with a local farmer's co-op in Peru. Not only is the cacao sustainably grown in the Amazon rainforest where no trees are cut down to farm it, but it's also higher in antioxidants and polyphenols than the leading dark chocolate brands (as tested by Oxford Brookes University).  

Using high-quality organic ingredients, the bars are handmade without any cheap refined sugars or fats, instead letting the flavour of the raw cacao do all the talking. A little sweetness is added with low GI Yacon Syrup or Coconut Blossom Sugar, so this chocolate is great for those who are keeping an eye on their sugar levels.

Mr. Popple's Chocolate is completely plant-based and free from the top 14 allergens including dairy, soya, gluten and nuts which means it can be enjoyed by everyone. 

That's not all! These chocolate bars are wrapped in plastic-free compostable packaging and are free from palm oil to be kinder to the planet.

There are currently seven different flavours in the main range to explore plus some special limited edition bars. Personally, I'm not much of a fan of dark chocolate, but if you are, Mr. Popple's have 88% and 100% raw chocolate bars available for those who like the really dark stuff. 

Signature Seventy

Mr Popple's original raw chocolate sensation, the Signature Seventy is 70% raw cacao, sweetened with Yacon Syrup and a touch of creamy Lucuma Fruit. It's as dark as I like my chocolate to be, and has a wonderful rich quality to it.

Dark Mylk

For something creamier but that still possesses that rich dark quality, the Dark Mylk bar is a real treat. A combination of Hemp and Rice Milks has been added to 61% raw cacao with a little golden Coconut Sugar for a truly indulgent result.

Creamy Mylk

Gloriously smooth and silky, the Creamy Mylk is one of those vegan chocolates where you have to double-check the packet just to make sure it doesn't contain any dairy as it tastes so similar to the real thing. With 43% raw cacao, this one has a proper moreish mouthfeel and it's the perfect choice for those who enjoy high-quality raw chocolate but prefer something milkier and sweeter.

Pumpkin Spice

A special limited-edition flavour, Pumpkin Spice is an additive blend of 43% raw cacao with a cosy mix of Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg and Cloves layered over creamy Hemp and Rice milks. I love seasonal flavours like this so stock up and pop them into your Santa stockings!

Euphoric Orange

Back to the darker quantities, Euphoric Orange is a festive choice for this time of the year with 70% raw cacao, Sweet Orange Oil and a little Yacon Syrup and another personal favourite of mine.

Uplifting Mint

To round off, I had to include Uplifting Mint which in my opinion is equally as festive as chocolate orange. It has a similar composition with 70% raw cacao and an interesting twist of Lime that fits nicely with the Mint Oil.

Mr. Popple's Chocolate Bars* (pictured above are 35g bars, £2.19 each) are available from mrpoppleschocolate.co.uk

Are you buying chocolate treats this year?

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Winter Wellness: Potter's Herbals Energise Tonic & Echinacea Tincture review

 

Fend off cold and flu symptoms and say goodbye to low energy levels with these two natural tonics and tinctures from Potter's Herbals this Winter.

Potter's Herbals are one of those old-school natural medicine companies that you see in virtually every single health food store. Established back in 1812 by Henry Potter in London, Potter's Herbals have developed into a tried and tested brand of useful natural tonics, supplements and tinctures to help with a wide range of common ailments.

With over 200 years of experience, it's admirable to see many of the original recipes still used in their bestselling products for the modern-day world. It was also high time that I tried some out for myself! 

Here are two of their popular remedies that I've been recently using.

Potter's Herbals Energise Tonic* (250ml, £18.99, link)

The key ingredient in Potter's Herbals Energise Tonic is called G115 which is a standardised extract of Panax Ginseng; a natural ingredient that has been used for centuries in Asian herbal medicine. It's an ingredient that has been widely researched for decades and is scientifically proven to support a healthy metabolism, fight tiredness and fatigue, boost physical performance and support the immune system. I've also found it useful for improving concentration whilst studying and keeping the yawns at bay when the usual tiredness kicks in around 3pm.

How to use: each 15ml daily dose of Energise Tonic contains 140mg of Panax Ginseng and should be taken first thing in the morning with breakfast. It has a pleasant cherry flavour, and as the tonic contains sweeteners, it's important not to exceed the recommended dose as excessive consumption can cause laxative effects.

Potter's Herbals Echinacea Tincture* (100ml, £12.99, link)

Another widely trusted and researched natural ingredient that's hugely popular nowadays is Echinacea. I'm sure you've seen it advertised in every health food shop window since October and I've noticed large displays and posters pop up in most pharmacies too. The success of Echinacea is its natural ability to help relieve some of the symptoms of the common cold and flu based upon traditional usage. Extracted from the root of the Echinacea Purpurea, this tincture is a long-standing natural cold and flu remedy which is used around the world during Winter.

I think it's important to mention that not all Echinacea products are the same and they vary in strength and quality from brand to brand so always check the certification mark and dosage amounts. In my experience, this is a product where it's important to pay a bit more to get the highest quality of organic Echinacea, and I've found Potter's Herbals Echinacea Tincture to be particularly more potent and effective compared to cheaper brands or tablets; each 2.5ml liquid contains 1.7ml of tincture derived from fresh organic Echinacea root.

How to use: Echinacea is best used at the very first sign/symptom of cold or flu. Take half a teaspoon (2.5ml) three times a day, spacing the doses out as much as possible. Due to its potency, it's not recommended for children under the age of 12 years and it should only be used for no more than 10 days at a time. 

Do you take any natural tinctures or tonics?

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