January Empties: Products I've Used Up (+ How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties)

I took part in the annual January No Buy Challenge and I'm pleased to say that I completed it! It may also explain why I have a fair amount of Empties to discuss, so grab a cuppa and let's get stuck in. Here's everything beauty-wise that I've used up recently.

Alter/Native by Suma Handmade Soap in Grapefruit & Mandarin*

A lovely 100% natural & plastic-free soap with no palm oil, parabens or SLS/SLES. I used it for washing my hands in the kitchen as the fruity fragrance is great for getting rid of cooking smells like garlic! Repurchase? Yes.

Swell Ultimate Protect & Renew Hair Serum

WFH life has meant that I haven't been blow-drying and straightening my hair much, so this travel-size tube has lasted a lot longer than it would in 'normal' times. Saying that a little does go a long way and it's great for getting rid of frizz, whilst doubling up as a heat protector. Repurchase? Will do when real-life resumes!

Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil in Support Breathe

These are my favourite bath & shower oils as they are really potent - a capful in the bath is all you need so you can easily get 2-3 uses out of one of these minis. Support Breathe is perfect to reach for when you have a cold as it helps to clear the sinuses. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask* (reviewed here)

Looking for a natural anti-ageing facial treatment? This amazing Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask from Evolve is a gorgeous pampering treat with a natural plant-based retinol ingredient that doesn't cause the irritation that's common with regular retinol. I loved using this whenever my complexion looked dull for an instant brightening pick-me-up. Repurchase? Definitely!

Aveda Hand Relief

Aveda may be famous for their haircare, but their Hand Relief creams are a real hidden gem in their product range and they're available in a couple of different scents which all smell amazing. Highly recommend checking them out if your hands need some TLC. Repurchase? Yes.

Organii Soothing Arnica Gel* (reviewed here)

One of my most popular blogposts of 2020 was my feature on 7 Natural Products To Help Ease Muscle Aches & Pains (Post-Gym/Exercise) and it included this wonderful Soothing Arnica Gel from Organii. This topical gel is great for reducing any inflammation or swelling from minor injuries and bruises, and it's very affordable too. Repurchase? Already have.

Tropic Whipped Body Velvet in Coconut Cream*

If you want to smell like sweet coconut ice cream, this luxuriously thick and whipped Body Velvet ticks all the right boxes. It's gorgeous to use after a long hot bath to complete a pampering session as it makes your skin feel so soft. Repurchase? Yes.

Soaper Duper Body Butter in Fruity Green Tuberose

I picked this up after seeing Caroline Hirons mention it and I adore the scent! A beautiful, non-sticky body butter that sinks straight in with an uplifting fresh floral fragrance. Excellent value for money as the large tub lasts ages. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some similar products first.

Epic Blend Vegan Pineapple Mint Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

Epic Blend are seriously underrated in the lip balm world as I hardly see anyone else mentioning them. They have a really great line of moisturising balms available, with a dedicated vegan-friendly range too. Pineapple Mint is an interesting flavour as it's cooling, fruity and refreshing! Repurchase? Yes.

REN Anti-Pollution Mist* (reviewed here)

Another product that I used to use a lot during 'normal' times, yet now hardly ever reach for is REN's Anti-Pollution Mist. I still love it and it doubles up as a brilliant makeup setting spray, but it's pretty pointless when we're all staying at home sadly. Repurchase? Definitely, once normal life happens again.

Typology Cyprès Genévrier Natural Eau de Parfum* (reviewed here)

One of my favourite brand discoveries last year was Typology and I've been enjoying using their Perfume Discovery Sets. This fragrance Cyprès Genévrier was very fresh and woody, so it's an interesting natural unisex option that can be worn alone or layered over other scents to create your own signature fragrance. Repurchase? I'll pick a fave when I've used up the other samples!

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?

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May Empties: Products I've Used Up

Another month is rapidly drawing to a close, so you know what that means - it's Empties time! I've managed to finish off a lot of products that I've had on the go for a while, plus a decent amount of travel sizes as my samples stash was getting a bit out of hand!

Samaya Kapha Anti-Ageing Cream* 

I thoroughly enjoyed using this daily anti-ageing moisturiser and my skin loved it just as much. Beautiful texture and perfect for morning use. Repurchase? I've been lucky to be gifted two of these in the past, but sadly it's way out of my budget to buy myself.

DHC Beauty Lift Eye Care Essence Roll On*

I've been using this on and off for the past couple of months and sometimes I love it, and other times I'll just reach for another product. I think the main reason is because it's such a light essence, it's not always hydrating enough for my undereye area, but I do like the cooling roll-on applicator. Repurchase?  Probably not.

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment

This is my favourite mask from Glamglow, but I've never purchased a full-size tub because I seem to have accumulated lots of these travel sizes from various GWPs and beauty boxes! It's a brilliant treatment for congested skin and really does draw everything out. Repurchase? Already have a bunch of these minis!

Naobay Calming Face Toner*

It takes me ages to get through toner and I've had this one from Naobay on the go for such a long time. It's a gentle soothing toner which is perfect for when my skin is feeling more sensitive than usual, but I generally prefer toners in spray bottles to be honest. Repurchase? No.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Lotion*

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm obsessed with the scent of Weleda's Pomegranate range and their Body Lotion formulas are just amazing. They sink in quickly and provide a lot of hydration. Repurchase? Yes, will definitely pick up a full-size at some point.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm*

I often seem to have one of these in my stash somewhere and these huge pots always last me several months! A brilliant cleansing balm that removes all makeup and daily grime, as well as being lovely to use as a second cleanse product. Repurchase? Yes. 

Westlab Detoxing Salt Body Scrub* 

Another product that's taken me ages to use up is this body scrub from Westlab - the tub is huge! I loved using this before applying fake tan because it always makes my skin so much smoother afterwards. Repurchase? Currently using up their Reviving Salt Body Scrub at the mo. 

Melvita L'Or Bio Huille Extraordinaire 

Multi-purpose oils are something that I like to carry in my travel bag and Melvita's L'Or Bio Huille Extraordinaire is a firm favourite. You can use it on the face body and hair, and it smells absolutely delicious. Repurchase? Yes.  

Weleda Lavender Creamy Body Wash*

I highly recommend Welda's Creamy Body Washes for anyone who has dry skin and doesn't have time to apply moisturiser after a shower - these work a treat! The Lavender scent is lovely to use in the evenings to help you relax. Repurchase? Yes.

Epic Blend More Moisture Lip Balm in Grape*

These Epic Blend lip balms really do live up to their name and this one definitely saved my lips during those chilly Beast From The East storms! The grape flavour is super yummy too. Repurchase? Will do once I've made a dent in my existing lip balm stash.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

I've gone through a couple of these travel-size serums in the past (again, they seem to be a regular in GWPs and beauty boxes) and I really like it. Certainly helps to brighten up a dull complexion thanks to the Vitamin C based formula. Repurchase? Already have some more minis in my samples stash.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Hand & Nail Cream

This was OK but nothing amazing - I ended up mainly using it up as a foot cream. Repurchase? No.

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood Shine Shampoo
This was OK, but I felt it was maybe better suited to a different hair type to mine as it left my hair a little frizzier than usual afterwards. I also tested out the matching conditioner but hated that one - it just wasn't moisturising enough for my dry ends. Repurchase? No.

Madara SOS Hydra Repair Intensive Serum*

I loved using this serum during those freezing months a while back, and I've finally just finished it up as I've been alternating it with a few others in my routine. It's definitely more of a cold weather essential for me, but if you have dry or dehydrated skin, you'll love it all year round I'm sure. Repurchase? Will do around Winter time.

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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Green Beauty: 5 Natural & Organic Lip Balms To Try (All Under £5)

Lip balm is an absolute beauty essential for me. I have countless tubes in every bag, every drawer, and on most surfaces scattered about in my bedroom. In my stash, I have an assortment of various brands and flavours, but there is one thing that unites all the lip balms that I own together.

None of them contains any mineral oil or any other petroleum derivatives. 

I used to religiously use Vaseline on my lips throughout my teens because everyone else that I knew did, and I had no idea why my lips still cracked or felt dry. I thought it was because I wasn't using enough of it, so I'd apply more and more just to stop my lips from feeling dry all the time. As those little round tins of Vaseline were always cheap in Boots, I never really properly thought about it until I started beauty blogging. I finally ditched the Vaseline for good a couple of years ago and I've bought natural based lip balms ever since.

I can definitely say that my lips are much, much happier! Some people can use products with mineral oil in and have no problems with it, but for me, things like Vaseline just didn't work in the long term, and when something doesn't work, it's time for a change! 

I've tried out a LOT of organic and natural lip balms over the years and I've become somewhat addicted to buying them. Below are just five that I'd recommend if you're looking for a new natural based lip balm to keep your lips smooth and hydrated.

Hurraw! Chai Spice Lip Balm* (4.3g, £4.99, link)

Hurraw! are one of my all time favourite lip balms brands. They have a huge range of different flavours available where you can pick up anything from Root Beer to Earl Grey, and all the ones that I've tried have tasted pretty damn good. Of course, flavour isn't everything with a lip balm, and I'm happy to report that the vegan-friendly formulas of these are just fantastic. They're made from all natural, raw, organic and fair trade ingredients comprised of a blend plant-based oils and waxes for soft, moisturised lips every time. I also love the curved oval shape of the balm which fits the contours of my mouth perfectly for easy on-the-go application.

Skin & Tonic Peppermint Lip Balm* (4.3g, £3.50, link)

British brand Skin & Tonic have created an excellent peppermint lip balm that's 100% natural and 100% organic (Soil Association accredited) for a bargain price and it shares the same cool oval shape as the Hurraw! lip balm above. It's made with just four ingredients; Shea Butter, Beeswax, Coconut Oil and Peppermint Oil, so if you're looking for a simple and fuss-free natural lip balm, give this one a go.

Naked Lips Organic Lip Balm in Superfruits* (4.25g, £4, link)

Naked Lips are a recent green beauty discovery for me and I've been really enjoying this lip balm in the Superfruits flavour. They have a good range of flavours and carry some tinted lip balms as well in various shades which look great if you want a sheer wash of colour on your lips. Their formulas are 100% natural and 97% organic (Eco-cert certified) and feature a mixed base of natural oils and waxes blended with Vitamin E and antioxidant ingredients.

Epic Blend More Moisture Lip Balm in Grape* (4.2g, £3.99, link)

If you have extremely dry or cracked lips that need a super strength lip balm, check out this one. Epic Blend offers some special 'more moisture' formulas alongside their regular lip balms, and these are perfect for anyone who is battling with the drying effects of Winter. The More Moisture lip balm is packed full organic ingredients such as Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, plus this grape flavour smells and tastes amazing!

Fairfield Gardens Lip Balm in Raspberry Rose* (4.25g, £3.89, link)

My final recommendation for this post comes from the British brand Fairfield Gardens who use a mix of organic beeswax, plant oils, pure essential oils and botanical extracts in their balms. They source at least 80% of their ingredients from the UK to minimise their carbon footprint for a more eco-friendly lip balm. I like this flavour Raspberry Rose as it's a classic fruity-floral coupled with a moisturising balm texture.

What are your favourite natural and organic lip balms?

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June Empties / Products I've Used Up

Is it really the end of another month already?! Here are my June empties then - all of the products that I've managed to use up recently, my thoughts on them and whether I will be repurchasing them again or not.

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The Beauty Edit: 9 Amazing Winter Skin (and hair) Saviours

With the promise of some snow and sub-zero temperatures on the way later this week, I wanted to share some of my new favourite Winter Saviours to help save your skin, body and hair from the cold.

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