November Empties: Products I've Used Up

Ready for a bumper Empties post?! As per my usual pre-Christmas tradition of having a declutter, I made it my mission to use up as many of the half-full and nearly used up bottles and jars in my bathroom as possible and here are the results! You might want to grab a snack and make a cuppa first...

Tropic Skin Feast Nourishing Cream Concentrate*

A gorgeous face moisturiser with Hyaluronic Acid for the winter months - nice thickish texture but absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy at all so perfect for most skin types I would imagine! Repurchase? I'm currently testing out the new fragrance-free version which I actually prefer :)

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish (travel size)

I love the scent of REN'S Moroccan Rose Otto range because it's so fresh and uplifting. This is a proper luxurious body scrub that works a treat. Repurchase? On my wishlist.

Bodhi & Birch Super 25 Botanical Serum* (reviewed here)

If you're in the market for a luxury all-natural serum, I would add this to your shopping basket right now. It's a sublime blend of 25 superfood botanicals and it's free from essential oils which makes it ideal for sensitive skin. Repurchase? It's out of my budget at the moment sadly.

Lola's Apothecary Sweet Lullaby Soothing Bath & Shower Oil (travel size)

Everything from Lola's Apothecary is beautiful and this bath oil is no exception - it smells gorgeous and so calming. Repurchase? On my xmas list.

Bodhi & Birch Sicilian Rose Body Oil (reviewed here)

A good friend gifted this to me for my birthday and I was so happy because I've used it in the past and absolutely adored it. The scent is heavenly and the texture of the oil just leaves your skin silky soft. Repurchase? Another that's on my xmas list ;)

Lavera All Round Cream (reviewed here)

Long-time readers will recognise this - I've gone through many tins of this amazing multi-purpose moisturiser over the years. Super thick and buttery, it's a must-have for dry skin during winter and it smells like lemon cheesecake! Repurchase? Already have.

Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Rapid Flash Serum (travel size)

I'm a big fan of Sunday Riley's C.E.O Vitamin C range and this serum was such a pleasure to use that I was gutted when it ran out. Brilliant for brightening up dull skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Saint Iris Adriatica Every Body Vitality Spritz* (reviewed here)

Uplifting and invigorating is how I would describe this luxury body spritz which is lovely to use after hot yoga or pilates. Repurchase? Sadly not, it's one of those products that I used a lot at first, but then forgot that I had which is why it's taken me such a long time to use it up.

Handmade Naturals Cocoa & Mandarin Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

A fantastic budget-friendly natural lip balm that tastes a bit like a Terry's Chocolate Orange - what's not to like?! Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Amande Shower Oil (travel size)

I will always have a soft spot for this as I've been using it for years and the scent is quite nostalgic for me now. It's also still one of the best products to use to shave your legs with - silky smoothness guaranteed every time. Repurchase? Yes.

A'kin Rosehip Oil* (reviewed here)

My skin loves Rosehip Oil so I always have a bottle of it in my stash and this one from A'kin is another longtime favourite of mine because it's so pure and has a lovely texture. Repurchase? Definitely.

Noughty To The Rescue Moisture Boost Shampoo* (reviewed here)

I can't remember how many tubes I've used up in the past but I often have one in my bathroom and alternate it with other shampoos. Brilliant for dry hair without weighing it down. Repurchase? Will do once I've used some other shampoos first.

Lavera Basis Sensitiv Toothpaste* (reviewed here)

One of the best organic toothpastes that I've tried for sensitive teeth. Contains sodium fluoride but is SLS free. Repurchase? I've trying out Lavera's Whitening Toothpaste at the moment.

B. Gentle Eye Makeup Remover* (reviewed here)

If your eyes are quite delicate and sensitive, as most people's are, this affordable, vegan eye makeup remover is fantastic because it removes everything (including waterproof makeup) without stinging or requiring scrubbing. I've used lots of these! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Monoi And Orange Flower Luxury Bath Foam* 

Perfect for a luxurious bubble bath, this SLS-free Tropic Bath Foam smells incredible - I'm a sucker for anything with Monoi in it - and it's really relaxing to use before bedtime. Repurchase? Yes.

Elsa's Organic Skin Foods Natural Deodorant Stick in Ocean* (reviewed here)

I've been lucky enough to try out all of the different natural deodorants from Elsa's and my two favourites are Love and Ocean. The latter is super fresh and a great unisex scent too. Repurchase? Already have.

P.S - Recycle your beauty empties with Terracycle! 

Most of these plastic and glass containers can be recycled through my local council service (blue bin in my area), however, things like the pumps have metal springs in them which are not accepted as they require a different method in order to be recycled. Luckily, Garnier have teamed up with Terracycle to recycle beauty and personal care waste which is deemed difficult to recycle. It's free, all brands are accepted and there are drop off locations all over the UK. Read more here.

What have you used up recently?

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In My Bathroom: Green Beauty Favourites from Noughty, Esse, Wild and Pura Source

My bathroom has become fondly known as 'the testing area' for many of the products that I'm lucky enough to be sent to try out as a blogger. Along the windowsill and around the sink, you'll find an array of haircare, some skincare (though I tend to keep most in my bedroom due to the humidity/heat), and of course, plenty of pampering bodycare items. 

For today's post, I thought I would share some of the new green beauty favourites that I've been enjoying testing out recently from brands such as Noughty, Esse, Wild and Pura Source.

 Noughty Tough Cookie Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner* (250ml, £6.99, link)

If you're looking for cruelty-free and vegan-friendly haircare on a budget, you can't go wrong with Noughty who have a large range of products to cater to every hair type and concern. I've used their To The Rescue line for frizzy and damaged hair on and off for years (I featured their Hair Mask Treatment earlier in the year here), and they've now added a new range called Tough Cookie which is specially formulated for weak and brittle hair. This strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner duo is made from 97% natural ingredients, and like all of Noughty's products, they're free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates and silicones. 

Tough Cookie features 'Anti-Pollution technology' which is derived from Wheat Bran extract to protect your hair against the dulling and drying effects of urban living and utilises an antioxidant blend of Cloudberry, Bilberry and Sea Buckthorn, to further protect and strengthen hair fibres on a daily basis.  I have noticed a reduction in hair breakage since using these so something is certainly working here, and I love how fresh and light my hair feels after every use.

Charity tip: Noughty Haircare will donate 5% of sales from Tough Cookie Shampoo and Conditioner to Fund4Trees to help promote the conservation and improvement of the natural environment.

 Esse Light Body Moisturiser* (200ml, £45, link)

On the higher-end of the beauty spectrum, I've been smitten with this Light Body Moisturiser from the South African natural and organic brand, Esse. The texture of this lotion is simply beautiful and it's perfect for the warmer months when you don't want anything thick or heavy on your skin. Instead, this body moisturiser is blissfully light and easily absorbed with a slightly medicinal plant-based scent that you'll either love or hate (strangely enough, it's definitely grown on me the more that I've used it!).  

Packed full of essential omega fatty acids and nourishing antioxidants from the likes of Marula Oil, Manketti Oil, Jojoba Oil, there's also Aloe Vera to soothe and hydrate, and an interesting ingredient called Kigelia which harnesses lightening, brightening and firming properties, and has been shown to help repair damage caused by the sun. A lovely luxury pampering treat for Summer which comes packaged in glass to show off in your next bathroom shelfie snap.

 Wild Natural Deodorant in Lemon & Thyme* (75g, £10, link)

One of the newer green beauty brands that I've recently been introduced to is Wild Cosmetics who currently specialise in natural deodorants which are free from common nasties such as aluminium and parabens. Made here in the UK, these cruelty-free and vegan-friendly deos are available in three different scents; Mint & Eucalyptus, Rose & Geranium and Lemon & Thyme, and there's also an Unscented version for those who have sensitive skin or allergies to essential oils. I was kindly sent the Lemon & Thyme deo to try and it smells amazing, plus it keeps me fresh all day!

Presently, Wild's stick deodorants are housed in recyclable plastic packaging, however, the brand has already put the wheels into motion with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, to launch a range of refillable deodorants in glass in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on their website for updates.

Charity tip: Wild have formed a partnership with the World Land Trust to donate 10p per product towards global reforestation.

Pura Source Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cotton Buds* (£8.99 for 4 boxes - 800 cotton buds, link)

Last, but by no means least, I wanted to mention Pura Source who are a fantastic new British brand that's focused on eco-friendly and sustainable products. Their first launch are these brilliant Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cotton Buds which are 100% biodegradable thanks to their natural bamboo stems which completely eliminates the need for any plastic to be used, and they come packaged in recycable cardboard. These Cotton Buds are excellent quality and can be purchased in bulk online from Amazon, so now's a great time to stock up and ditch the single-use plastic versions forever!

What green beauty products are you loving right now?

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Budget Beauty Under £15: Cruelty-Free & Vegan Hair Masks from Noughty and SheaMoisture

It's becoming easier than ever to find cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty products on the high street, so I wanted to highlight two of my favourite hair masks that you can pick up for under £15 from your local Boots and Superdrug.

 Noughty To The Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment* (300ml, £8.99, link)

Noughty have recently announced that they are now fully certified as cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny (as many of you will know, it's the internationally recognised gold standard in cruelty-free beauty), which is fantastic news! To celebrate, I wanted to mention one of their bestselling products; the To the Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment which has quite literally rescued my hair on numerous occasions.

This thick and creamy hair mask is 97% natural, free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates and silicones, and features several nourishing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Black Oats. It's particularly beneficial for frizzy, dry and damaged hair, so if you're prone to reaching for the bleach and curling tongs a lot, you need to try this ASAP! I love the fact that you can use this as a quick 3-minute job if you're short on time, or you can leave it on for 20 minutes for a seriously intense repairing and hydrating treatment for frazzled tresses.

SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque* (354ml, £12.99, link)

Finding a hydrating treatment for hair that's dry and fine can often be tricky and if I'm being perfectly honest, I've struggled to find decent ones that don't cost the earth. After trying out lots of different brands, the one that has come out on top for its performance, ethics and affordability is this beauty from SheaMoisture.

Formulated especially for fine, wavy, curly and afro hair types, SheaMoisture's Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque has really perfected the delicate art of balancing essential moisture for dry locks without weighing down fine/thin hair.  This treatment feels wonderfully lightweight and it's brilliant for hydrating and smoothing frizzy tresses and annoying static for an ultra-sleek result. Packed full of Coconut Water, certified organic and fairtrade Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Cocoa Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Imbe Oil and fruit extracts, this masque makes my hair much more manageable and easier to style. It's free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates,  paraffin and mineral oil, plus it smells amazing! Find it in your nearest Boots store.

What are your favourite hair masks?

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New In Beauty: Noughty Haircare at Feel Unique + Wave Hello Set Instagram Giveaway!

Have you heard the latest beauty news? Noughty Haircare are now available on Feel Unique - hooray! To celebrate, you can win a set of their popular Wave Hello range over on my Instagram page.

When it comes to affordable haircare that's both cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, Noughty Haircare is your hair's BFF. This budget-friendly brand has products which are 97% natural and everything from them is free from a range of common 'nasties' such as Petrochemicals, Parabens, Sulphates and Silicones. I've been using SLS-free haircare for many years now and it's been one of the best things that I've done for my sensitive scalp, so seeing a brand like this, that has effective products which won't break the bank, is definitely worth looking into if you're wanting to make the switch to a more natural alternative with your hair care.

Noughty Haircare Wave Hello range

Like most haircare brands, Noughty have different ranges to suit different hair types and styles, so you'll find something for everyone. One of their most popular ranges is called Wave Hello which has been specially formulated for curly and wavy hair. Its main aim is to help define your curls and enhance any natural wave texture to your hair, whilst also softening and adding essential moisture. My hair is naturally wavy and very frizzy when left to its own devices, so I was interested to try out the range to see if it would work for me.

Noughty Haircare Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo* (250ml, £6.99, link)

As I mentioned earlier, this shampoo is SLS-free and instead contains SLMI (Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate which is naturally derived from coconuts. It provides a much more gentle and subtle cleansing lather, but it still does a great job of cleaning your hair, although you may need to use a little more product than what you normally would with a regular shampoo. It smells very fresh and also contains vitamin-rich Avocado Oil to strengthen, Sea Kelp extract to soothe sensitive scalps (which is brilliant for mine) and Chlorella extract which contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals to replenish the overall health of your hair. 

Noughty Haircare Wave Hello Curl Defining Conditioner* (250ml, £6.99, link)

The matching conditioner is just as good as the shampoo and shares the same ocean fresh scent which I love. In addition to Avocado Oil, this conditioner also boasts a range of other plant-based oils that work their magic on dry, frizzy locks, whilst Sea Fennel extract is included to further hydrate and smooth the delicate hair cuticle and Irish Moss helps to replenish and lock in moisture. Combined with the shampoo, this duo leaves my hair much softer and sleeker, with a noticeable definition to my natural wave texture so it gets a thumbs up from me, plus the price is fantastic as you get a lot of bang for your buck!

Noughty Haircare Wave Hello Curl Defining Taming Cream* (150ml, £6.99, link)

To complete the Wave Hello range, there's a Taming Cream which acts as an additional anti-frizz treatment so that your hair stays sleeker for longer. Packed full of Wheat extract to detangle, Camelia Oil and Linoleic Acids to keep the hair moisturised all day long and pesky flyaways at bay, and Mango Butter to deeply hydrate and soften, this product can be used every day without any worry about buildup problems. A little goes a long way with this leave-in cream and it's great to use as the last step in your styling routine.

Giveaway & How To Enter

Head on over to my Instagram page here to enter to win a set of Noughty's Wave Hello products, as featured above, worth £20.97. Simply follow me, Noughty Haircare and Feel Unique and tag one of your best friends - easy! Giveaway ends on 25th September 2018 - good luck!

Shop Noughty Haircare at FeelUnique.com

Have you tried any haircare from Noughty?

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Budget Beauty: Noughty Haircare - To The Rescue Moisture Boost Shampoo & Conditioner + Intensive Care Leave-in Conditioner review

Natural and SLS-free haircare need not be as expensive as you might think, as Noughty Haircare demonstrates with its range of budget friendly shampoos, conditioners and treatments.

As I like to try out different products all the time as a beauty blogger, my bathroom shelves contain a varied assortment of both high-end and budget-friendly items from an array of brands, and I generally love to mix them up to keep things interesting. When it comes to haircare, I've been using SLS-free formulas for a couple of years now and my hair (and my fussy sensitive scalp!) has certainly thanked me for it.  

One of the latest brands that I've been putting to the test are Noughty Haircare, who pride themselves on being 97% natural, cruelty-free, and all of their products are free from petrochemicals, parabens, sulphates and silicones. I have to be honest here, I've previously tried their Care Taker Scalp Soothing Shampoo & Conditioner and my hair hated them, but luckily it's been getting along with the To The Rescue range much better!

Noughty To The Rescue Shampoo* (250ml, £6.99, link)

Noughty's To The Rescue range is aimed at people who have dry, frizzy and/or damaged hair, which sums up my hair type perfectly. It's formulated with lots of moisturising ingredients such as Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Argan Oil and Coconut Oil, to give dry hair that extra hydration boost that it needs. As I mentioned earlier, Noughty are completely sulphates and silicones free, so this shampoo won't lather up and you have to add a lot of water to it to get it to work properly, but once you get the right balance nailed it's a really good shampoo. It cleans your hair without stripping it and leaves dry hair transformed into much more manageable, smoother locks. That said, I would highly recommend washing twice with this shampoo, just to make sure that you've got everything properly rinsed out as it is very moisturising, so it can be a little heavy going for fine hair if you use too much of it.

Noughty To The Rescue Conditioner* (250ml, £6.99, link)

The matching To The Rescue conditioner features a lot of the same ingredients as the shampoo above and has a slightly thinner texture to it than traditional/mainstream hair conditioners. However, it still does an excellent job of hydrating the hair and was easy to rinse out. After a quick blow dry, my hair felt softer and smoother, but without being weighed down which I often find tricky as my hair is quite fine. I think this is a great conditioner to use for every day to keep your hair in check without overloading it.

Noughty Intensive Care Leave-In Conditioner* (150ml, £6.99, link) 

If you're looking for an affordable leave-in conditioner that's silicones free, this Intensive Care treatment is definitely worth a try. It contains Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed and Sweet Almond Seed extracts to help strengthen hair, banish flyaways and frizz and keep it nourished for longer. I like to run a little of this conditioner through my lengths and ends as a finishing treatment and then I'm pretty much good to go for the day. It doesn't weigh down or over-hydrate my dry, fine hair, and a little goes a long way so one tube will last you ages, even with regular use or if you have long hair. 

Noughty Haircare is available from Superdrug and is currently on a 2 for £9 offer, in stores and online at superdrug.com

Have you tried anything from Noughty Haircare?

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