New In Beauty: REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm review + Recycled Ocean Plastic Campaign

REN have been making waves (pun intended!) with their recent Recycled Ocean Plastic campaign, and with the addition of an exciting new product launch, I just had to dedicate a blog post to them. Here's what's been happening in the world of REN in case you've missed the latest news on social media.

New product launch: REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm* (30ml, £40, link)

Last month, I received an exciting package from REN which contained a full-size jar of their latest launch, the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm. This newbie is part of the brand's hugely popular Evercalm range which is targeted at sensitive skin types and I've used several products from this line over the years. 

The new Overnight Recovery Balm is a powerfully rich and hydrating night balm that's packed full of ultra-nourishing plant-based oils such as Olive, Almond, Borage, Jojoba, Sunflower and Linseed. These oils are naturally rich in lipids and active enzymes which help to strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier, as well as giving it an intense shot of moisture at the same time. Beta-Glucan is also included to soothe and calm any visible signs of sensitivity as it acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, so this is a fantastic product to try if you're currently suffering from any irritation or redness due to sensitive skin.

I've been using the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm after cleansing in the evenings instead of using a night moisturiser or facial oil (as this is so hydrating, you don't need anything else). A tiny amount goes a long way and it has a lovely light texture that's perfect for doing a facial massage with. It doesn't feel greasy but you do have to massage it in for it to fully absorb, as you would with any other type of balm product. I've had some patches of redness around my nose and on my cheeks in the last month, and this has instantly calmed everything down.

My skin also feels much more hydrated, softer and plumped up in the morning. It feels very luxurious and pampering to use, and it has a pleasant subtly botanical/natural scent that reminds me of a spa. Needless to say, it's a delightful luxury night treatment to add to your evening skincare routine and I can see myself using this even more as the seasons start to change in the coming weeks.

REN's Recycled Ocean Plastic Campaign

The alarming rate of plastic pollution in our oceans that's destroying delicate eco-systems and threatening the existence of thousands of species has caused a massive outcry from people all around the world, and many are now looking at ways to reduce their plastic consumption and consumer waste in a bid to stop the problem from escalating even further.

REN has been helping out in various ways, from organising beach cleanups across the UK with the charitable organisation Surfers Against Sewage (participants have been rewarded with REN products to thank them for their time), to their commitment to being a zero-waste company by 2021, changes are afoot and it's great to see a beauty brand as global as REN taking these positive steps forwards.

Their latest environmental campaign focuses on their partnership with TerraCycle, where they have created a new 100% recycled plastic bottle that contains 20% reclaimed ocean plastic. As recycled plastic isn't as clear as first use plastic, the bottle has a grey tint which you can see in their award-winning Atlantic Kelp & Magnesium Body Wash* (£22, 200ml, link) - the first product to be packaged in this new hybrid recycled plastic packaging. The bottle also features an innovative metal-free spring in the pump to make it fully recyclable and the new recycled plastic packaging will be phased in across REN's full global distribution by 2019.

Whilst I know that recycled plastic packaging isn't the saviour to the problem of plastic pollution, it is a welcome helping hand in a better direction and an admirable effort from a global beauty brand to be doing something like this, when many other larger brands are still sadly doing nothing. Hopefully, the actions of companies like REN will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

To find out more, visit renskincare.com

Do you agree that brands should be doing more to change their packaging?

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Green Beauty: Weleda's #CleanerBeauty Campaign + 5 Ways To Spring Clean Your Everyday Beauty Routine

One of my favourite green beauty brands Weleda, has recently launched a Cleaner Beauty Campaign and I'm thrilled to be involved as one of their Ambassadors to help spread the word!

Green beauty, organic beauty, natural beauty, vegan beauty, clean beauty - call it what you like, there has been a huge growing demand from consumers for beauty products that are 'cleaner', but what does this actually mean?

Weleda's Cleaner Beauty Campaign

To put across one brand's point of view, Weleda have launched their Cleaner Beauty campaign to raise further awareness about this topic, and to help open up discussions about the many definitions that surround natural beauty and what it all means in general. I've been using Weleda products for years (one of my first ever proper blog posts was a review of their amazing Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash way back in 2012 - you can check it out here!) and as they have been promoting clean beauty since 1921, I'd say they're in a pretty good position to start us off in the right direction.

Jayn Sterland, Managing Director of Weleda UK, says: “For Weleda, cleaner beauty is about taking a complete holistic approach to your personal care routine, minimising the impact on the world around us and strengthening mind, body and spirit. Consumers are becoming more informed in the choices they make, highlighting their desire for the principles Weleda have held true for over 90 years. Whether it’s through the natural products we develop, our commitment to sustainability, biodynamic cultivation, nurturing our team of Wellbeing Advisors or pioneering in ethical practices, cleaner beauty runs through everything we do, and it always has”. You can read more about the campaign here.

What Cleaner Beauty Means To Me

My viewpoint on cleaner beauty is very similar. I love the holistic approach and tying everything together because it makes a lot more sense that way, and I feel that when people see it linked like that, it helps them to fully understand it on a deeper level. I'm not 100% green or 'clean' with the beauty products that I use, but I've become more interested in the subject over the years, and especially since I've been studying Environmental Science and Social Policy at Uni. It's been fascinating to read about the natural properties of ingredients that have been used for centuries all around the world, and how often man-made ingredients haven't always been useful or beneficial replacements.

At the same time though, I've become increasingly frustrated with the lack of regulations in place in the beauty industry, which have allowed many unethical brands to hoodwink consumers via greenwashing (a marketing term used to deceptively promote the perception that an organization's products, aims or policies are environmentally friendly when they are not). This is why I strongly believe in certifications from independent bodies/associations on products so that consumers know who they can trust. For example, all of Weleda’s natural and organic cosmetics are NATRUE certified, and their products are also free from artificial additives such as synthetic fragrances, GMO ingredients, mineral oils, silicones and petroleum derivatives. If a brand doesn't have any certifications and doesn't properly list what they're free from, I'd suggest doing some more digging before buying from them. After all, there's nothing worse than thinking your hard earned cash is going towards something 'good' when it turns out to be the complete opposite!

5 Ways To Spring Clean Your Everyday Beauty Routine With Cleaner Products

Want to get involved with cleaner beauty, but don't know where to start? Here are 5 tips to help you give your everyday beauty routine a spring clean!

• Start with just three products. Think about three products that you use every single day; this might be shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant. Check the labels and if you don't like what you see, switch these three products to a cleaner alternative brand. This gives you a good starting point and allows you to experiment with some new products without overwhelming you.

• Look out for certifications. Certifications are one of the easiest ways to see if what you're buying is the real thing. For example, if a product says 'organic' on the front, check to see if there is an organic accreditation from an organisation such as the Soil Association, NATRUE or EcoCert etc. If there isn't, question why or don't buy!

• Do your own research. If you're reading this, you probably have internet access and a computer or a smartphone/tablet, so start to do your own research into ingredients and what you personally want to avoid using in your everyday beauty products. Concerned about parabens? Look into the natural alternatives. Only want to buy vegan? Search for vegan-friendly brands and find some new favourites.

• Don't bin your unused products, donate them instead. There's always a desire to automatically bin everything that you own and buy a clean version instead, but throwing away unused products only adds to the growing landfill/waste problem. Either use them up yourself, give them to a friend or relative, or donate them to a charity like Beauty Banks who distribute beauty products via food banks to those who can't afford to buy them (this helps to fight hygiene poverty). Local charity shops will gladly accept toiletries and makeup as donations as well.

• Use Facebook Swap groups and eBay to keep switching costs down. Buying cleaner beauty products can often be more expensive than purchasing the ones from mainstream brands because using things like organic ingredients costs more money for the manufacturers to use. Keep your personal costs down when switching by using swap groups on Facebook to swap your existing products with cleaner ones, or have a look at second-hand sites like eBay and Depop when you want to buy cleaner alternatives for a cheaper price (or sell the products that you no longer want on there). 

Photographed: Weleda Luxury Three Drawer Gift Set* retails for £32 and contains 15 try me/travel size products - available from weleda.co.uk

Are you interested in switching to more cleaner beauty products?

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Beauty Campaign: Save The Bees with Apivita & Friends Of The Earth + Review

The global decline of the bee population is one of the most worrying issues that we, as a human race, need to address and try to resolve as a matter of urgency.

Why Are Bees Important?  

Bees are one of nature's most vital pollinators, and we heavily depend on them to pollinate around 75% of the food that we eat. It's been estimated that if all the bees died out, the UK alone would have to spend upwards of £1.8 billion a year, just to pollinate all the crops manually or artificially. That's an enormous amount of money for any first world government to account for, and the financial impact upon poorer countries would be catastrophic. The Guardian has an interesting article on how much we rely upon bees here if you want some more information on the topic.  

Why Are The Bees Dying? 

There are multiple theories that scientists and environmentalists are currently studying to figure out exactly why the population of the world's bees are in decline. The three most popular ones are based around habitat loss, climate change and toxic pesticides such as neonicotinoids. Due to growing evidence linking neonicotinoids to bee deaths, the EU imposed a partial ban on them in 2013 whilst more research is carried out.

What Are Apivita & Friends Of The Earth Doing?

Natural Greek brand Apivita decided to celebrate the launch of their new UK online shop with a pledge to support Friends Of The Earth's 'Bee Cause' campaign. They are donating 20% of sales from their honey-based bath, body and hair range to the environmental charity to fund important research projects, and to raise public awareness of the bees decline. The brand's very name (Apivita or Apis Vita) means 'the life of the bee' in Latin, so it's a cause very close to the eco-friendly ethos of the company. I've tried out a number of Apivita products in the past, and I'm thrilled that more brands like them are highlighting this issue by donating some of their profits towards finding an answer. Below are just two products from Apivita's honey based range where a 20% donation will be made to Friends Of The Earth:-

 Apivita Royal Honey Rich Moisturising Body Cream* (200ml, £20.60, link)

Suffering from dry winter skin? This super rich body cream will instantly hydrate and soften, yet doesn't feel sticky or greasy. It absorbs easily and has a lovely pampering texture that makes it feel like a luxurious treat to apply after a hot bath or shower. Key ingredients in this 98% natural formula include Greek Thyme Honey, Olive Oil, Beeswax, Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and Cocoa Butter to thoroughly moisturise and nourish dry skin, whilst Organic Orange and Rose essential oils have been added to give it a sweet and fresh natural fragrance. I love using this during a pampering session at home - it feels very spa-like and makes my skin feel so soft and smooth afterwards.

Apivita Natural Soap with Propolis* (125g, £5.60, link)

This was the brand's very first product which was launched back in 1979, and it has retained the same 99% natural tried and tested formula ever since. Designed to be used on both the face and body, it offers a deep, purifying cleanse thanks to the mild natural antiseptic properties of Propolis. I don't personally use soap on my face, but I like it in the shower as it produces a nice SLS-free lather and does an excellent job of leaving you clean without feeling stripped or dry. Great to use after a sweaty Hot Yoga or Pilates session! 

To find out more about Apivita's support for the Friends Of The Earth Bee Cause campaign, visit here and you can shop the full range of honey-based natural products which include the 20% donation here. For those who are interested, I'm already a member of both Greenpeace and Friends Of The Earth, but I will still be making a personal donation to the Bee Cause campaign to cover the costs of receiving these products free of charge :)

Have you tried any Apivita products?

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Health & Lifestyle: Keeping Confident After Chemo

Being diagnosed with cancer throws your “normal” life into a whirlwind. From here on out, you’ll be faced with challenges that you hoped you’d never have to deal with, one of which may well be the daunting prospect of chemotherapy. 

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Review: NEOM Cocooning Home Candle & #NeomStressLessChallenge

This month, NEOM have launched a new promotional campaign called the #NeomStressLessChallenge which features one of their star products, the Cocooning Home Candle.

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Winter Skin Saviour: Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream (50ml, £10, link)

I wasn't expecting to write another Winter Skin Saviour post until at least October/November, but as it's still freezing cold out, it seems rather apt to fit in another.  I've often spoken of my love for L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Creams, but recently my hands have been having a little fling with this one.  

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream smells simply divine.  No other word can sum up the heavenly uplifting orange scent that it has.  But where some hand creams have only scent as their main marketable asset, Bee Lovely ticks all the other boxes too.   

It has organic honey and a plethora of other natural and organic ingredients in it.  The formula is just right for me; neither too thick, nor too thin.  I  You can use it like a light hand cream during the day by just using a small amount, or you can slather a generous amount on at night and leave it alone to do its moisturising magic.  Either way, my hands are loving this.  No wonder I picked up two when they were magazine freebies!

Have you tried this?

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Review: Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Body Lotion & Busy Bee Balm

Taking an interest the environment has always been a passion of mine, especially as I currently study Environmental Science part-time.  One of the most alarming discoveries in recent years has been the worldwide decline of bees which directly threatens our entire ecosystem and our current way of life.  It's vital to save bees, so I was really happy to see one of Britain's most well known (and loved!) organic and natural highstreet brands, Neal's Yard Remedies, launching their Bee Lovely and Help Save The Bees Campaign for a second year running.  I was very kindly sent two products from their Bee Lovely range to try out.

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