12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYS

The world of natural and organic skincare is one full of passion. Brands, bloggers and consumers are people who care about themselves and the planet, who don't accept the status quo in the beauty industry and strive for a safer, more ethical alternative. Being a part of this progressive community is incredibly rewarding, and it's here that I find inspiration from strong spirits making a change in the world.

To celebrate all of this, this December I'm running a giveaway series called the 12 Days of Christmas. Starting from December 6th, each day for 12 days I'll be running a different giveaway featuring some of the best brands in natural beauty and skincare. I've teamed up with both industry leaders and artisan companies, giving you the chance to win some truly incredible prizes. That's all I'm going to say for now, except this is going to be very exciting! Make sure you check back here, and also on my twitter & instagram, to keep up to date on the latest giveaway. It starts tomorrow, so good luck! x

REVIEW | GREEN PEOPLE ORGANIC HOMME

Green People are one of the few organic skincare brands that feature a men's range of products - something you don't often see in the world of natural skincare. In honour of Movember they kindly offered to send the man in my life some organic treats for him to try. Joe has often said he'd like to use more organic products, and this was the perfect opportunity. He chose the Vitamin Boost Shower Wash and the Stay Cool Deodorant, and this is what he thought!

Review | Spiezia Rose & Vanilla Face Oil

Some of you have been asking about the face oil I used in my latest Pamper Night video, so this is it. I was lucky enough to be asked by Spiezia if I'd like to try a couple of their products, and I jumped at the chance. They are one of my favourite organic brands for both their wonderful ethics and amazing ingredients, and one of my picks was their Rose & Vanilla Face Oil.

Review | Green People Eye Pencil in City Grey

I'm a big fan of eye pencils, they are such versatile things! They add a subtle definition for a cool day time look, and can be built up to produce a dramatic evening look without the need for liquid eyeliner. For what seems like forever, I've been using an old Neal's Yard Remedies eye pencil and never thought to replace it. When Green People kindly sent me their Pencil Eyeliner in City Grey, that quickly changed...

Review | Spiezia Organic Facial Cleanser

Spiezia are an incredible organic skin care brand that I don't hear enough about. They are committed to creating beautiful, sustainable beauty products that are good for both our skin and the planet. This cleansing balm is one of my favourites, being 100% organic and made from a blend of nourishing and exotic oils and flower extracts. Nothing harsh or toxic is used, and it leaves the skin feeling so refreshed, clear and healthy. I featured this in my first youtube video back in February, but I think it's time for it's own spotlight...

Review | Vapour Organics Illusionist Concealer

I'd been wanting to try this concealer from Vapour Organics for a long time, so I was beyond happy when the beautiful Katie from Katie Vibes offered to send me one she received in a goody bag from the Field Trip Tour. A bright, illuminating concealer, it's 100% natural and made with 70% certified organic ingredients.

Shade 010 - For Light Skin

Review | Green People Self Tan Lotion

Few things can make you feel as good as a golden glow during the summer months. Of course the most natural way of achieving this is by exposing your skin to some sun rays. I'm not against doing this, and think it's really important to let our skin absorb some sunlight each day so we can produce healthy amounts of vitamin D and get those endorphins flowing through our bodies. However, getting a nice tan is a different matter. I live in the UK and have nowhere near enough patience to sunbathe. I also have fair skin which has a tendency to burn, so for me, the safest, quickest and easiest way to get a glow is by using fake tan lotions. I used to swear by Xen Tan, but since going green I've been experimenting with some natural brands to see how they compare. First up is this Self Tan Lotion from Green People. 

Etsy Haul: Kyra Botanica

Kyra Botanica is run by Celia, a herbalist based in Portland, Oregon. Her passion for the beauty and healing power of plants is steeped in each one of her creations, which contain only the purest ingredients that nature can offer. Each order is hand crafted to ensure the ingredients are at their freshest and most potent. Organic and wild crafted herbs are blended and dried to create everything from organic herbal teas and hair rinses to floral waters and fragrances. It's too easy to fall in love with everything in this store.. These are what I picked up.

£50 Bespoke Beauty Box Giveaway ♥

I've only been running this blog for a few months, and the welcome and support I've received so far has been overwhelming. I wanted to thank everyone who takes the time to read, watch, comment and send me tweets and all the things that make me smile. I've loved getting to know so many amazing green beauty bloggers; women who are full of depth and passion and who stay true to their values and their principles, making their voices heard and so making a difference. I know there are great things ahead for the green beauty world, and it is so exciting to be a part of it. I've decided to run a giveaway as a way for me to say a big thank you to all of you.

I didn't want to exclude anyone, and so I'm offering the chance to win a Bespoke Beauty Box from Souk Souk. Many of you will know that Souk Souk are a wonderful subscription box company who offer monthly beauty boxes filled with natural and organic skincare, make up and body care products. 

Review | 'Studio 78' Off We Go Concealer

Studio 78 are a natural and organic make up brand that I don't hear many things about. Based in Paris, the ethos behind Studio 78 is to create high performing and beautiful make up that is organic and natural, but with the luxurious finish that so many of us have come to love from traditional make up. There are a few things from this line that stand out, but I was particularly interested in their concealer.  It promises to be particularly good at reducing the appearance of dark circles, and also at rejuvenating and moisturising the eye area.

Summer 2014 Hair Care Wish List

The less I do to my hair, the happier it is. Years of bleach and over styling left it dry, damaged, brittle and very unhappy. It's taken me a couple of years to get it looking healthy and I don't overload it with products or heat styling. I religiously treat my hair with oils and masks to retain moisture and keep it nourished, and below are a few things I would love to try out in the next few months.

Review | Green People Eye Shadow Duo in 'Night Forest'

I love mineral make up, I really do. But I get increasingly frustrated with loose mineral eyeshadows, blushes and bronzers. It's messy and awkward to work with them regularly, and I much prefer the ease and colour pay off from pressed powders, particularly eye shadows. Trying to find a high quality, organic pressed eyeshadow has proven to be a difficult task, but one that was hugely rewarded when I decided to purchase the Green People Eye Shadow Duo in Night Forest.

Review | Ilia Lipstick 'Funnel of Love'

Ilia Beauty are my holy grail for organic lipsticks. With 85% organic ingredients, their colour range is beautiful and the quality of their lipsticks easily rivals that of mainstream brands. A recent love of mine is 'Funnel of Love' - a peachy pink toned matte shade that adds the perfect flush of colour to your lips for the summer. With subtle warm undertones, it's flattering on almost any skin tone, and according to Ilia is inspired by the laid back glamour of Brigitte Bardot.

Summer 2014 Organic Make Up Wish List

We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful organic make up. Vibrant colours and long lasting performance don't need to rely on toxic ingredients that are potentially harmful to us and our environment. There are so many organic products that are blowing me away with their quality, and below are a few things I have my eye on for the summer months...

Review | Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil

The benefits of rosehip oil are no secret and the worst kept secret of all is the Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. This recently won best Face Oil in the Natural Health Beauty Awards 2014 and after using it for a few months, it's easy to see why.

Review | John Master's SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen

'Hurraw!' Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm Review

Everyone needs a good lip balm in the colder weather to keep their lips protected from the harsh conditions and the drying effects of central heating. I wear my lip balms every single day to make sure my lips are soft and smooth and to avoid horrible flaking and cracking.

Many of you will already know about lip saviours Hurraw! Balms, but for those of you who don't, they are an organic lip care company who use organic, wildcrafted and raw ingredients that are so clean and so good for you that after one use you will be hooked. I recently purchased their tinted lip balm in Black Cherry, which I thought would be perfect for adding a flush of colour to my lips without the need to apply lipstick or lipgloss.

Green People Mineral Powder Blush Review

Last week I posted a video reviewing the Green People Mineral Blusher in Rose. I'm a huge fan of mineral powders anyway, and find they leave a glowing finish without being cakey or too matte. Blusher isn't an everyday part of my make up routine, and I only really wear it if I'm going out somewhere for the day or popping into town. This is why I need a blush that is easy to use as I'm not the greatest expert at applying it! The Green People mineral blush ticks all the boxes for me, and everything from the ingredients to the finish are wonderful.

My Top 5 Organic Cleansing Balms

I uploaded my first Youtube video today - a quick review of my top 5 cleansing balms. When I first started using organic products, my skincare routine was what I tackled first. My skin loves cleansing balms, and as it's combination/oily and very prone to break outs, I find the oils completely balance out my skin leaving it radiant, clear and even. Since changing to an organic skincare routine, I've had a skin revolution! Never before has my skin felt so soft or been in such good condition. It just feels happier and I will never go back to putting chemical-laden cleansers or moisturisers on my skin. 

In my video, I've included only products that I've tried and tested and that I feel will work for everyone, no matter your skin type. I hope you enjoy! 

x

Toxic Thursday: Parabens

Each Thursday I’m going to discuss an ingredient that I think we should be avoiding in our beauty and skincare products. This is based on my own research and feelings, and many of you may have different opinions to me, which of course, is absolutely fine. It is so easy to get brainwashed - or greenwashed - into thinking some ingredients are 'greener' than others, and I think in order to avoid this we really need to understand what goes into our products and make rational, informed decisions. 

First up, I’m going to tackle the biggest and most controversial nasty in town, parabens. 

What are parabens? 

Parabens are a preservative used in the vast majority of conventional beauty and skin care products. They prevent bacterial and microbial growth and give everything in your beauty cabinet a long shelf life. The three most common used are methylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben. Parabens also weakly mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen and are also known as phytoestrogens.