Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - December 2020 review

Tuesday 29 December 2020


It's the last LoveLula Beauty Box of 2020 and with an overall value of £50, it features a range of popular green beauty brands with an amazing mix of skincare, pampering treats and fragrance. Read on to discover what's inside!

Soul Tree Hand & Foot Cream (RRP £14.03)
You know my philosophy - you can never have too many hand creams, especially these days! This multi-purpose Hand & Foot Cream from Soul Tree is based on a natural Ayurvedic formula and it instantly transforms and heals dry and cracked skin. I've found this to be incredibly rich and moisturising so it's a brilliant winter staple for me!

The Castillian Soap Company Travel Duo (RRP £9)
If you haven't tried a Castille Soap yet, you're in for a treat, especially if you enjoy using all-natural products for everyday tasks. Made from a fully biodegradable liquid formula that has an organic base and a blend of natural vegetable oils, Castille Soaps can be used to wash clothes, makeup brushes, your face, your body etc, and they're often a good option for those who have sensitive skin due to the small number of ingredients used. This handy travel-sized duo features two bestsellers from The Castillian Soap Company; their Fragrance-Free soap and the Lavender soap.

Ayumi Fairness Daily Intensive Facial Night Cream (RRP £8.99)
Skincare fans will enjoy adding Ayumi's Fairness Daily Intensive Facial Night Cream to their evening routines. This clever Ayurvedic blend of nourishing botanicals helps to repair, plump and rehydrate the skin, whilst hardworking natural peptides add radiance, glow and luminosity for all skin types. I'm excited to try it!

Walden Tonic Of Wildness Perfume Oil Rollerball (RRP £17)
Brand new from Walden Natural Perfumes (exclusive to LoveLula), beauty box subscribers are the first to try this latest fragrance release in a convenient rollerball format. Top notes include Bergamot, Grapefruit and Sour Orange, which work beautifully with middle notes of Black Pepper, Cardamom and Cabreuva, all layered on a sultry base of Iris Pallida and Ylang Ylang. It's a unique and interesting unisex scent which compliments the current range of Walden fragrances - read more about them here.
Kiss The Moon Dream Night Cream For Feet (samples)
As a bonus extra this month, there's a sample of Kiss The Moon Dream Night Cream For Feet, which is perhaps one of the most luxurious foot creams that I've ever tried! 

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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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: The Very Last Minute Digital Gift Idea from ZeroSmart #CarbonNeutral

Sunday 20 December 2020

Left it too late this year? Don't worry, ZeroSmart have just the perfect gift for anyone who wants to shop zero-waste, eco-friendly and sustainable this Christmas.

Whether you've been rushing around trying to juggle the gift shopping between life and work commitments this month, you've been caught out with the new Tier 4 rules down South or you've simply missed someone off your list, ZeroSmart are here to save the day!

Sustainability has been a big ongoing theme for the last few years and with many of us re-assessing our lifestyles, it's been encouraging to see so many more consumers actively choosing to purchase greener gifts this year. 

ZeroSmart specialises in offsetting carbon footprints for people and pets by planting trees and working with environmental charities and climate-change organisations around the world. All of the carbon offsetting projects that ZeroSmart are involved in, including all tree planting, are regularly verified by third-party organisations like the United Nations FCCC and Verra. For extra peace of mind, the trees are protected and cared for by experienced professionals and dedicated local communities who are paid a fair wage for their vital conservation work.

Gifts include personalised digital certificates for humans (example above) and the carbon offset is calculated using average carbon data stats from trustworthy organisations such as WWF, the EU and the UK Gov's own ONS (Office of National Statistics)

Pet lovers can also purchase digital certificates to offset the carbon of their own pets or those of their family and friends (examples above), as a thoughtful gift to the environment! Together we can plant more trees for a greener environment tomorrow :)

Learn more at zerosmart.co.uk

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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Last Minute Luxury Green Beauty Gifts Under £75

Wednesday 16 December 2020

 

The last dates for Christmas posting are coming up for many online businesses to ensure that your presents arrive on time for the big day, but don't worry if you're still doing some shopping! Here's a guide to some amazing last-minute luxury green beauty gifts to provide a little inspiration to help you finish your shopping list.

Give The Gift Of Sleep & Great Skin: Nourish Relaxing Retreat Gift Set* (£35, link)
This tranquil trio of products from London based natural skincare brand Nourish is just the perfect gift for anyone who has been feeling stressed and wants to treat their skin or has been having a difficult time sleeping lately. Named the Relaxing Retreat Gift Set, it comes neatly packaged in a re-usable, 100% organic and fairtrade cotton drawstring bag. Inside, there are three products; Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask (a quick and effective 5-minute facial treatment), Relax Hydrating Peptide Serum (a calming and smoothing serum) and the brand new Sleepy Pillow Mist which is a natural blend of Lavender, Sweet Orange, Rose and Bergamot to help you relax.

The overall contents are worth £55 if they were purchased individually which is a nice £20 saving and all products are certified organic, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and alcohol-free.

Give The Gift Of A Sustainable Home Spa Experience: Nereus Madagascan Ylang Ylang Luxury Body Wash* (£25, link) and Eucalyptus & Fresh Ginger Antibacterial Hand Gel* (£10, link)

Stay safe at home with all the indulgence of a spa experience thanks to Nereus' luxury natural and organic products. This decadent London based brand has developed a range of sustainable lifestyle and beauty products which are all completely plastic-free, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, paraben-free and gluten-free. Their sleek black aluminium bottles feature recyclable rose gold caps for additional luxury aesthetics and they simply look stunning in any bathroom. Nereus has also partnered with PlasticBank which means for every bottle purchased, 1kg of ocean-bound plastic will be recovered and recycled.

Shoppers can purchase directly from their range of ready-made up gift sets or purchase individual products to create their own. I highly recommend the beautiful Madagascan Ylang Ylang Luxury Body Wash and for a practical luxury stocking filler, you can't go wrong with their plastic-free Eucalyptus & Fresh Ginger Antibacterial Hand Gel which smells as good as it sounds!

Give The Gift Of Silky Soft Skin: Green People CV Age-Defy+ Pure Luxe Body Oil* (£25, link)
For the ultimate body care indulgence this Christmas, Green People's CV Age-Defy+ Pure Luxe Body Oil guarantees blissfully silky soft skin for anyone who discovers it under their tree. Packed full of the highest quality, carefully chosen plant-based ingredients, this natural and organic cruelty-free oil helps to nourish, hydrate and smooth dry skin all over the body, thanks to its expert blend of 23 botanical actives. It smells luxurious too with notes of uplifting fresh Mandarin and Neroli to enhance the experience for both body and mind.

Age Defy+ by Cha Vøhtz is a signature range from the founder of Green People, Charlotte Vøhtz, tailored for women aged 35+.

Give The Gift Of Flawless Skin: Baya Superfruit Priming Oil* (£28, link) and Chocolate Orange Lip Butter* (£9, link)
Handmade in the Cotswolds, England, Baya Beauty is a brand new natural indie skincare brand which prides itself on using only natural, ethically sourced ingredients with no hidden nasties. Designed for all skin types, their products are covered by a 30-day full refund guarantee so you have nothing to lose if you decide to try them!

Their newest launch is the Superfruit Priming Oil which is described as an elegant, conditioning oil serum that protects the skin's lipid barrier, improves moisture retention and enhances suppleness. It's a beautiful facial oil that's full of essential fatty acids, high levels of Vitamin A thanks to Raspberry and Blueberry Seed Oils and powerful plant-based ingredients that really do help to boost the appearance of the skin without causing irritation. 

If it's a stocking filler that you're after, make sure to add Baya's delicious Chocolate Orange Lip Butter to your shopping basket - you won't regret it and you might need to buy more than one! 

Give The Gift Of Beautiful Mineral Makeup: The English Mineral Makeup Company Limited Edition Fairy Godmother Box* (£73, link)
Last but by no means least, I've saved my favourite Christmas beauty gift that I've seen this year. Introducing the Limited Edition Fairy Godmother Box from The English Mineral Makeup Company, this gift set is sure to please any natural makeup lover. Don't just take my word for it though - it's also been featured in The Independent's 22 Best Luxury Beauty Gifts!

Presented in a stunning re-usable floral box with an interior mirror and a magnetic lid, the set comprises of four bestselling products and delivers a saving of £23.50. The products are; Fairy Godmother (5g size), a skin-softening mineral treatment with crushed pearl which cleverly reflects the light to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; Blusher in Soft Blush (full size), an award-winning shade, ultra-flattering colour that's highly pigmented so a little goes a long way, and Bronzer in Golden Bronze (full size), a gorgeous glowy bronzer that adds light and depth to the face. These are complemented with a large sustainable Pink Kabuki Brush which is super soft and applies mineral makeup effortlessly.

Keep an eye out on my Instagram stories for more on this gift set tomorrow!

Do any of these gifts catch your eye?

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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: The LoveLula.com Edit - Green Beauty & Lifestyle Gifts Under £25

Thursday 10 December 2020

The countdown to Christmas is fast approaching, so why not stay safe and cosy at home by shopping online at LoveLula.com? Here are my favourite green beauty and lifestyle picks, with all gifts retailing under £25!
 

The Plastic-Free Stocking Filler: Mádara Ocean Love Polishing Scrub Soap Bar* (90g, £6.90, link)
Presented in beautiful Limited Edition artwork packaging, Mádara's Ocean Love Polishing Scrub Soap Bar is a gorgeous contemporary product to gift, without any additional wrapping needed. Suitable for vegans and made with ocean-friendly natural ingredients that won't cause any harm to the environment, this Soap Bar contains black Volcanic Sand to give the skin a gentle scrub. It's also delicately scented with uplifting Cedar and Lime essential oils to boost the senses.

The Luxury Hand Cream: Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream* (50ml, £10, link)
Our hands have been through a lot this year so everyone deserves to find a luxury hand cream under the tree! One of my all-time favourites is Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream, which I've been been a fan of since it first launched back in 2013. I'm still utterly in love with its juicy Orange and sweet Honey scent, and the formula is wonderfully moisturising without any greasiness. Even better, Neal's Yard Remedies donates 3% of the profits from their Bee Lovely range to the Save The Bees campaign.

The Vegan Lip Balm That Everyone Will Love: Crazy Rumors Zodiac Lip Balm in Gemini* (4g, £4.49, link)
Lip balms make excellent little stocking fillers in my opinion, as everyone's lips always feel dry and chapped in winter due to the cold weather. This year, Crazy Rumors have released an exciting new range of their vegan and natural lip balms which are inspired by the constellations and the elements. Simply shop by finding the zodiac sign that you're after and put in your order! Gemini is mine which is a sweet and airy blend of Vanilla Cream, Fresh Berries and Botanical Lavender. A bargain for less than a fiver.

The Health & Wellbeing Gift: Alteya Organics Essential Oil Pure Gratitude Gift Set* (£14.95, link)
Fans of essential oils will simply love this Pure Gratitude Gift Set from Alteya Organics. Comprising of four essential oils which are ready to use thanks to their Apricot Kernel Oil bases, the scents have been carefully chosen to help lift the spirits and soothe the mind (something that we could all use during the busy festive season!). The set features 5ml bottles of Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Orange Oil and Lemongrass Oil.

The Luxury Happy Mood Pamper Kit: Kathleen Natural Christmas Special Mini Citrus Cheer Duo* (£23, link)
Spread some Christmas cheer this year with Kathleen Natural's lovely Christmas Special Mini Citrus Cheer Duo. Inside, there are two bestselling minis to enjoy; the Citrus Cheer Bath & Shower Gel (50ml) and a Citrus Cheer Roll-On Oil (10ml). I've used both of these in the past and absolutely love them - the natural fragrance of Citrus Cheer is a stunning blend of zesty Lemon, warming Rosewood notes and floral Geranium. Both products are suitable for vegans and of course, cruelty-free.

The Winter Treat For Hands & Feet: Natura Siberica Oblepikha Spa Therapy Gift Set* (£11.99, link)
Treat dry hands and feet to their very own gift set from Natura Siberica. Inside the Spa Therapy Gift Set, your recipient will discover two of the brand's superstar products, a Hand Cream and a Foot Cream (both 75ml sizes) which feature an ultra-nourishing plant-based blend of Organic Oblepikha Hydrolate and organic botanicals, many of which are wild-harvested in their native Siberia. 

The Multi-Purpose Balm: Trilogy Everything Balm* (45ml, £13.50, link)
For the person who seems to have literally everything, you can't go wrong with Trilogy's Everything Balm. This award-winning, multi-purpose balm is loved by skincare gurus and makeup artists alike, thanks to its intense healing, repairing and skin-conditioning properties. You can apply this anywhere and everywhere as the name suggests; it's great for dry lips, rough elbows, tired feet, flaky cuticles, weak nails, the list goes on. A practical dry skin saviour that everyone can use and without any nasty mineral oil or petrochemicals in sight!

The Beautiful Soy Wax Candle: JOIK Vanille Et Noisette Candle* (145g, £13.50, link)
I love giving and receiving candles as gifts, especially at Christmas when we naturally spend more time indoors and need the extra cosy effects of a warming scented candle in our living spaces. My top pick this year comes once again from JOIK as I adore their hand-poured soy wax candles which have a clean burn and an excellent scent throw. The Vanille Et Noisette Candle has the hallmarks of a traditional creamy Vanilla fragrance with added layers of sweet Caramel, rich Maple and roasted Chestnuts.

Shop all of these gifts and more at LoveLula.com

What will Santa be bringing you this Christmas?

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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Ethical & Sustainable Stocking Fillers & Gifts under £20 #ShopSmall

Wednesday 9 December 2020


Show independent businesses some love this Christmas by choosing to #ShopSmall, and discover a vast range of ethical and sustainable products that you may not have come across before.

The Spiritual/Hippy Lifestyle Gift: Sacred Elephant Pure Luxury Incense Sticks in Frankie & Myrrh* (£3.95 each, link)
For a stocking filler gift with a difference that's perfect for a spiritual/hippy friend, why not consider a box of Pure Luxury Incense Sticks from Sacred Elephant? Ethically produced and handcrafted in India using only natural ingredients and the highest quality pure essential oils, these vegan-friendly incense sticks have an impressive scent throw and feature plastic-free packaging. There's a specially curated range of scents to choose from including these two traditional ones, Myrrh and Frankie.

The Eco-Friendly Beauty Gift: Kind2 Fragrance-Free Sensitive Shampoo Bar* (80g, £12.50, link)
Give the gift of plastic-free beauty with one of the easiest products that they can change their routine with, a shampoo bar! Kind2 have won a New Business Award this year with their range of natural Shampoo Bars. Made from plant-based ingredients with no sulphates, these vegan-friendly Shampoo Bars replace 2 x 250ml plastic shampoo bottles, and the clever formulas are pH balanced and colour safe. I really like 'The Sensitive One' which is fragrance-free and ideal for dry and flaky scalps.

The Inclusive Beauty Gift: Nylah Moisture Retention Leave-In Cream* (200ml, £16, link)
Specially formulated for afro and curly hair, Nylah Moisture Retention Leave-In Cream is an award-winning, vegan, cruelty-free and hydrating leave-in curl cream. Packed full of carefully chosen botanical ingredients such as Davina Flower, Jojoba Oil and Ginger Oil, and with no synthetic fragrance, parabens, mineral oil, petrochemicals or formaldehydes, this ultra-nourishing hair treatment gives afro and curly hair all the essential moisture that it needs and deserves to look it's best and most beautiful. 

The Sustainable Beauty Gift: Tweezerfile The Original Tweezer Sharpener* (£19.99, link)
For the makeup lover that has everything and the eco-conscious friend who wants to reduce their carbon footprint, this genius unique gift is sure to please! Tweezerfile is described as The Original Tweezer Sharpener which has saved countless dull and blunt tweezers from ending up in landfill sites around the world. Diamond plated with a stainless steel blade and an easy to hold contoured handle, Tweezerfile is one of those brilliant practical products that will make you wonder how you lived without one! Available in blue or coral shades.

The Natural Vegan Candle Gift: Heaven Scent Natural Plant Wax Candle Tin in Winter Scent* (£8.99, link)
It wouldn't be a Christmas Gift Guide without a candle of course and for this edit, I was truly spoilt for choice as there are so many amazing independent small businesses and individuals who make candles from their home these days. In the end, I decided to throw a spotlight on Heaven Scent, an independent company whose candles are all handmade in Wiltshire without any paraffin or animal-derived ingredients. Instead, they use a blend of high-quality plant-based waxes and essential oils and I was completely won over by how beautiful this Winter Scent Candle Tin smells with its mix of festive Spices and warm Orange notes.

The Organic Beauty Pamper Gift: Bumi Naturals Organic Lavender Bath Melts* (£15, link)
To round off this gift guide, I have the pleasure of featuring these most beautiful Organic Lavender Bath Melts from Bumi Naturals. Inside the plastic-free box, your recipient will discover 10 small heart-shaped bath melts which are made from unrefined Organic Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil, and then blended with Lavender essential oil and dried Lavender pieces for a truly relaxing and pampering bathtime experience. A pinch of Himalayan Salt is also added to the melts to help draw out toxins from the body and only one melt is needed per bath. Skin is left feeling soft and nourished afterwards - pure bliss! Available from Blommabeauty

What gifts are you hoping to find under the tree this year?


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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Tropic Skincare - Cruelty-Free & Vegan Beauty Gifts Under £30

Tuesday 8 December 2020

 

'Tis the season for gorgeous cruelty-free and vegan beauty gifts, and with so many different gift sets and bundles on offer from Tropic Skincare this year, there's something to suit everyone's budget this Christmas. 

Tropic Skincare is one of my favourite British natural skincare brands and I was delighted to take part in their Christmas blogger event via Zoom a few weeks ago, where several of their new gifts were showcased by founder Susie Ma. As many of you may already know, everything from Tropic is certified cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, and they have a huge range of products to discover, including everything from haircare, skincare, body care, makeup, sun care and more!

Tropic also has a keen focus on sustainability and I was pleased to hear of both their current and future efforts to ensure that the brand is produced as sustainably as possible. One reflection of this is that all of their Christmas packaging is plastic-free and made from materials which can be easily recycled such as cardboard.

Here are three top gift picks from Tropic which are all under £30 to get you started with your shopping list:-

The Relaxing Gift: Tropic Joy Drum Unwind Me Set* (£28, link, pictured above)
It's been a stressful year, to say the least, so I can imagine that Tropic's Joy Drum Unwind Me Set will be a bestseller that's found under many Christmas trees later this month! This set contains everything that you need to gently soothe and relax your mind, so it's a great gift for those who struggle to sleep. There are three mini treats to enjoy; the So Sleepy Luxury Bath Foam (100ml), So Sleepy Whipped Body Velvet (50ml) and So Sleepy Temple Roll-On (10ml), plus a mini Bamboo Spatula to use with the body butter.

The Skincare Gift: Tropic Your Best Skin Bauble in Clear* (£28, link)
Give the gift of skin confidence with Tropic's range of Your Best Skin Baubles. There are three different baubles to choose from; Clear, Nourish and Glow so that you can find the right one for yourself or your recipient. With the season of indulgence in full swing during December, I often find that my skin gets congested quickly and has a tendency to break out so I was delighted to receive the Clear Bauble which is packed full of Tropic skincare minis that are formulated to keep pesky blemishes at bay. 

The set contains Clear Skies (18g), an exfoliating powder that you can add to your cleanser to gently buff away dull dead skin cells for a brighter and more oil-free complexion; Pure Lagoon (5ml), a blemish prevention serum, Super Greens (5ml), a nutrient boosting facial oil, Clear Skin (15ml), an amazing blemish-fighting, clay-based face mask (check out my review here), and a super soft Bamboo Face Cloth.

The Coffee Lover Gift (With A Twist!): Tropic Little Cracker Of Joy The Butterbalm Collection* (£24, link)
Many of us have had to miss out on lots of life's little luxuries this year, especially at the start of the first lockdown when nearly every shop was forced to close. For commuters and busy morning people, that little luxury may have been the daily indulgence of a takeaway coffee, so this gift is perfect for those people and also for anyone who wants to give their skin some extra TLC this Winter after a long year.

Packaged in a charming recyclable cracker, inside you'll discover The Butterbalm Collection; three mini glass pots of joy (25ml each) featuring a deliciously thick and buttery-balm treat in three different flavours; Almond Matcha Latte, Coffee Hazelnut Latte and White Chocolate Coconut Latte. These smell amazing and they are super hydrating on the skin - simply apply anywhere that needs some extra moisture - a little goes a long way with these Butterbalms! A mini Bamboo Spatula is also included for easy application.

Shop the full range of Tropic Skincare Christmas Gifts at tropicskincare.com

Will you be gifting any of these this year?

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November Empties: Products I've Used Up

Tuesday 1 December 2020

 

Another month has passed us by so it's time to have a recap of all the beauty products that I've used up recently - here are my November Empties!

Skin & Tonic Peppermint Lip Balm* (review
Lip balm season is well and truly here so no surprises to see I've finished off a longtime favourite of mine from Skin & Tonic. Their Peppermint Lip Balm is a lovely hydrating blend of just four natural and organic ingredients which help to keep chapped lips at bay. Repurchase? Yes.

Alima Pure Lip Tint in Petal (review)
If you want an easy to use, non-fussy tinted lip balm, Alima Pure's Lip Tints are a brilliant handbag staple. They're moisturising with a nice pop of colour. Petal is a very pretty soft-pink nude which is great for everyday wear. Repurchase? Yes.

MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion(review)
I had an awful cold at the start of the month and immediately reached for this from MOA. Their Fortifying Green Bath Potion is a strong and herbal concoction with extracts of Peppermint and Fennel to help revive the sinuses. You definitely feel better after a bath with this! Repurchase? Already have :)

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Masque*
If you have a fussy dry scalp that's prone to dandruff, I can't recommend this Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Masque enough. It's vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, and it's the most soothing treatment I've found for when my scalp feels sore and itchy. Works in just 10 minutes and leaves the rest of your hair feeling soft and moisturised. Repurchase? Definitely.

Mádara Plum Plum Lip Perfection Balm* (review)
Another lip balm empty, this time from Mádara. The Plum Plum Lip Perfection Balm is a gorgeous luxury lip balm with a sweet and natural fruity scent. Very hydrating, though you sometimes need to give the tube a hard squeeze if it's been caught out in the cold. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some others first.

Rabot 1745 Liquid Chocolate Body Mask* (review)
Earlier in the year, I had the pleasure of working with Rabot 1745 on creating a 'Luxury Spa Experience At Home' and their Liquid Chocolate Body Mask was one of my favourite products from that campaign. It's as decadent and indulgent as it sounds and great fun to use, if a little messy! Repurchase? On my xmas list.


Antipodes Worship Skin Defence Antioxidant Serum(review)
It wouldn't be an Empties post without something from Antipodes being featured and my latest empty from them is the glorious Worship Skin Defence Antioxidant Serum which I've used many times in the past. If you're looking for a water-based serum with anti-ageing properties, this is definitely one to try. Repurchase? Yes.

Hello My Bio Monoi Soap*
A beautiful artisan & organic French soap that I was kindly gifted by a dear friend during the first lockdown. I absolutely love anything that has Monoi in it (the scent is just heavenly) so I thoroughly enjoyed using this. Repurchase? If I can find it in the UK, I will.

Tropic Skincare Deep Hydration Cooling Mask(review)
Regular readers will no doubt already know how much I love this Tropic Deep Hydrating Cooling Mask - this must be the third pot that I've gone through this year alone! I regularly double-mask with it, using it straight after a clay mask to put moisture back into the skin and it always works a treat. Repurchase? Definitely.

Màdara Infusion Blanc Supreme Hydration Body Lotion*
Although I really liked the calming fresh scent of this Màdara body lotion, I have to admit that I just didn't find it as hydrating as other body lotions of a similar price point. The overall texture is also a little annoying as it takes a while to sink into the skin when applied. Repurchase? No.

Organii Argan Shower Gel(review)
You can't beat the affordable Organii Shower Gels when you're shopping for green beauty staples on a budget and their Argan scent is one of my faves. These are fantastic for anyone who has dry skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant
Another long time favourite, I've used so many of these over the years that I've lost count. If you like fresh and floral rose scents, you will love this light and alluring natural deodorant from Weleda. It's not a heavy-duty deo though so if you sweat a lot or run a lot of errands in the day, you'll probably need to layer it with something else. But for current WFH life, it's perfect! Repurchase? Already have.

NUXE Rêve De Miel Nourishing Body Scrub
Sadly, I'm wrapping up this Empties post with a disappointing product, but this NUXE Rêve De Miel Nourishing Body Scrub sample that I received in a recent beauty subscription box needed to be included so that no-one is tempted to purchase the full size! The scrubby bits are just so small and useless that they don't do the job, which is such a shame because I generally really like the Rêve De Miel range.


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?

Health & Lifestyle: Symprove Live & Active Bacteria - Water Based Food Supplement review #GutHealth

Monday 30 November 2020

 

The season of excess will be soon upon us and whilst Christmas will look very different this year, the latest consumer polls from the nation's supermarkets show that most of the British public will still be indulging in their favourite foods to celebrate the occasion. What does this mean for your gut health though and how can Symprove help?

Gut health has been at the forefront of many health and wellness trends over the past couple of years and it's been a fascinating area of discovery for scientists and nutritionists who haven't properly been able to understand how the gut works in such detail before, nor its important links to our health overall. One thing's for certain - when we look after our gut health with prebiotics and probiotics, it's not only our gut which benefits. It's everything; our mental and physical health and wellbeing are all linked to this interesting 'second brain' in the gut. So what can we do to improve our gut health? This is where Symprove comes in!

What is Symprove?
Symprove is a unique water-based food supplement which helps to support the gut microbiome. In the water-based formula, it carries several strains of beneficial live bacteria straight to your gut, where it then multiples and thrives to establish itself. This healthy bacteria then helps to feed and nourish the good gut bacteria in the microbiome, thus restoring the balance and making both your gut and yourself much healthier overall.

What ingredients are in Symprove?
There are four carefully chosen species of alive and activated bacteria in Symprove which have been rigorously tested for their bioavailability. These are L. rhamnosusL. plantarumE. faecium and L. acidophilus. As the formula is water-based, it's gluten-free and dairy-free, making it suitable for vegans to use and it contains no added colours. The Symprove formula has been designed to deliver approximately 10 billion colony forming units (CFUs) per cup.

How do I take it?
Shake the bottle gently before use to activate the bacteria, then pour into the cup that it comes with (70ml) and drink it at least 10 minutes before you eat or drink anything else so it's good to incorporate into your morning routine. This allows time for the live bacteria to reach your gut without any interference from any other ingredients. As Symprove is a live product, it needs to be stored in the fridge after use.

What does it taste like?
I tested out the Original flavour which has a sharp and sour, almost vinegary flavour to it. If you're used to fermented drinks like Kombucha, you'll probably be fine with it; if not, it may take some getting used to! I believe Symprove also have a fruity flavour available which you could try instead.

Overall thoughts?
I trialled Symprove over the course of four weeks without taking any other gut health supplements or changing my diet in any way, and I found that it significantly helped to reduce the bloating symptoms that are linked to my IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) after just two weeks of taking it daily. My stomach looked a lot flatter and I felt less 'heavy' and 'full' overall - instead, I was much more balanced. I was very surprised to experience results so quickly as other gut health supplements that I've tried in the past have taken considerably longer to kick in, which leads me to believe that the strains of bacteria in Symprove are perhaps ones that my gut was lacking in to start with. 

It's difficult, of course, to tell for sure without taking medical tests, so I can only comment on the physical results that I felt, but I'm very happy with it and will continue to take Symprove for the foreseeable future to see if my gut health can be further improved over time.


Symprove* (RRP £79 for a 4 week course) is available from thedrug.store


Have you tried Symprove?


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