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

A little later than usual but here are my recent Beauty Empties, plus some tips on how you can recycle them.

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream* (reviewed here)

I love all of Antipodes Hand & Body Creams but Joyful is definitely my favourite. Not only does it transform dry skin into silky smoothness virtually overnight, but the natural fragrance is just heavenly with a divine fruity floral scent. As this is pretty pricey, I save it for my hands! Repurchase? Yes.

Odacité Black Mint Cleanser* (reviewed here)

I feel that Odacité is such an underrated luxury natural skincare brand, however, their bestselling Black Mint Cleanser is certainly popular for a reason. This is one of the best purifying cleansers that I've tried for oily/combination skin and it's so refreshing to use first thing in the morning. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other cleansers first.

REN Atlantic Kelp & Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash* (reviewed here)

If you're in the market for a truly uplifting and fresh luxury Body Wash for your morning showers, you can't go wrong with this hidden gem from REN. Infused with Magnesium to give your energy levels a boost, it makes a real difference to how I feel when I'm tired or under the weather. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream* (reviewed here)

Quite possibly my all-time favourite Eye Cream ever, I've used Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream on and off for years now and keep coming back to it - it's that good. Perfect for those who have dry and sensitive eyes, if you've been struggling to find an eye cream that actually makes a difference, try this. Repurchase? I'm using up a few others at the moment but I'm sure I'll come back to this in the near future.

Seascape Island Apothecary Sleep Oil* (reviewed here)

I'm a terrible sleeper (thanks insomnia!) so I rely on a range of aromatherapy products to help me count those sheep at bedtime. Whilst I enjoyed using this one from Seascape Island Apothecary and found it relaxing, I thought the essential oil blend was not as potent as some other brands that I've tried. Repurchase? Probably not.

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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Green Beauty: The Plastic Free Edit #PlasticFreeJuly

Going plastic-free is a journey that many of us are currently taking as we actively cut down on our plastic waste to help save our oceans and the environment. As we near the end of the Plastic Free July campaign, I wanted to share some of my favourite plastic-free green beauties in this handy edit that covers shampoos, hand and body soaps, toothpaste, deodorant and hand sanitiser.

 Shampoo Bars

Having tested out well over 40 or 50 different brands of shampoo bars over the years, I can honestly say that no two shampoo bars are the same and it's a real trial and error process to find 'the one' that will work perfectly for your hair. Some people find this easier than others depending on their particular hair types and concerns, and thankfully there are more and more shampoo bars being released to address frizzy hair, dry hair, coloured hair, damaged hair, greasy hair and everything in between - I promise 'the one' is out there somewhere so don't give hope just yet if you're finding the switch from plastic a bit more difficult than other people's experiences.

I'm a big fan of My. Haircare Rescue My Hair Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar which I dedicated a whole post to here earlier in the year, and for this round-up, I wanted to shine the spotlight onto two more options that have been working really well for me. 

If you have a fussy scalp like mine that's prone to dryness and dandruff and gets easily irritated, I would recommend trying EarthKind Shampoo Bar for Improved Scalp Health* (50g, £6.95, link). This vegan-friendly formula is free from sulphates and contains Tea Tree and Eucalyptus essential oils which have natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties so they can fend off the bacteria and yeast that can cause dandruff. I find this one really gentle and soothing for when my scalp feels itchy or sore and it has a lovely fresh scent to it.

Another SLS-free and vegan-friendly option is Nuddy Ultra Volume Shampoo Bar* (100g, £8.95, link) which is amazing if you have fine and dull hair that needs a bit of a volumising boost. It's pH balanced so again, great for sensitive scalps, and is infused with the likes of Coconut Oil and Argan Oil. This bar lathers up beautifully and makes your hair much more manageable and shiny. Fruity fans will also love the Acai Berry and Peach fragrance which is very summery.

 Body & Hand Soaps

Good old-fashioned bars of soaps are well and truly back in the nation's bathrooms, and the choice out there is utterly outstanding. From handcrafted, small-batch, artisan-style soaps to mainstream brands that you can pick up alongside your supermarket shopping, the options are seemingly endless when it comes to multi-purpose soaps that you can use for hands and body. I would be here all day if I listed all of my favourites so here are just two brands that I've been using a lot recently. 

The Tropic Cleansing Body Pebbles* (130g, £8 each, link) are round body soaps that are perfect for using in the shower and their larger size makes them easier to hold too. These are great for dry skin as they contain Shea Butter and Oat Oil to help moisturise, they lather up well, and with four different scents available, there's something for everyone; I particularly love the Original and Creamy Colada Body Pebbles, both of which smell gorgeous.

For a budget-friendly alternative, you can't beat the amazing Organii Cream Soaps* (100g, £2.95, link) which are SLS-free, made from 100% natural ingredients, are vegan-friendly and produced Carbon Neutral with Greenpeace energy. These deliciously creamy Shea Butter based soaps have natural essential oils added to them after saponification and they've recently brought out five new scents, two of which you can see above; Almond & Avocado and Verbena & Lemon. They're heavenly! 

 Toothpaste & Deodorant

It's the little things that really add up when you're switching to plastic-free alternatives, so have a look at the everyday products that you and your family use, and see if there's one which is plastic-free next time when it runs out. Most of us use toothpaste and deodorant every day and whilst these plastic-free alternatives are more expensive, they have much better ingredients in them and are made by ethical brands so if you can afford to, invest in those companies that you want to see more of by purchasing their eco-friendly products for a better world for everyone.

There are lots of options becoming readily available for plastic-free toothpaste, from solid bars and 'tooth tabs', to tubes that feel like regular plastic but are actually made from biodegradable sugarcane. I know many of my readers prefer products which are packaged in glass so the Ben & Anna Natural Toothpaste* (100ml, £8.95, link) range would be perfect for you. The paste is a little thinner than the mainstream equivalents, but it's easy to use the mini wooden spatula that comes with each jar to scoop up a small amount and apply it to your toothbrush - then you simply brush your teeth as normal - easy! With fluoride and fluoride-free formulas available, you simply can't go wrong.

Plastic-free deodorant alternatives also come in a range of different formats, but the most common is as a solid stick or cream in a jar or tin, the latter of which you'll find from We Love The Planet. Their Forever Fresh Deodorant* (48g, £8.99, link) is a hard-working deo which keeps you smelling fresh all day thanks to a powerful combination of Beeswax, Coconut Oil and Cornstarch Powder, citrusy essential oils and botanical herbs. It has a thick and creamy balm type texture and is easy to apply with your fingers. 

Hand Sanitiser

Whilst we don't yet know what the lasting physical and mental effects of Coronavirus will be for ourselves, we do know that the ongoing fight against it requires billions of pieces of plastic to be produced and ultimately thrown away, whether in landfill or burnt into the atmosphere. Much of this is unavoidable at this point in time as sadly as there is no cost-effective alternative yet to plastic-based PPE, but there are a few things that we can do as individuals to help. We can switch to plastic-free soaps for hand-washing, wear a reusable cotton/cloth face mask that can be popped into the washing machine after each use, and we can make better choices about the hand sanitiser that we carry everywhere that we go.

One such brand who are leading the way is Beauty Kitchen who have developed an Organic Vegan Hand Sanitiser (link) as part of The Sustainables range. Made with 62% alcohol, Organic Aloe Vera and naturally antibacterial Mint essential oils, it has a light and refreshing, non-sticky feeling and comes packaged in a recyclable aluminium bottle. You can either refill this yourself by purchasing more direct from Beauty Kitchen, or you can send it back to them for free as part of their Return, Refill, Repeat scheme (read more here) where it will be washed and reused. You can also do this with the plastic pump when it wears out and Beauty Kitchen will recycle it for you!

What are your favourite plastic-free alternatives?

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June Empties: Products I've Used Up

I know, I know, I'm a bit late with my Empties post again, but here they are! My little wicker basket has been filled once again with all things beauty that have come and gone in my bathroom recently. Here are my thoughts on the ones that I'll be repurchasing again and the ones that might not have made the cut.

Hurraw! Moon Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

It's been a while since I last used up a lip balm and this Hurraw! Moon Lip Balm has been the one that I've had on my bedside table for the last few months. I'm a huge fan of the Hurraw! Lip Balms and this Moon version simply has some relaxing essential oils added to it, so it's lovely to use before going to bed. Repurchase? I have a bunch of opened lip balms that I need to use up first, but I'd be more than happy to purchase this again in the near future.

Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray* (link)

I was recommended to try this by a friend when my eczema was flaring up as my skin wasn't tolerating my usual thick creams and ointments. Instead, the Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray is a light spray-on moisturiser and it absorbs quickly. It's 98% natural and steroid-free so it's a great option for those who are looking for a more natural alternative to soothing their eczema problems, and it can be used for psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and any dry, itchy skin complaint. Repurchase? Yes, I really loved the convenience of the spray bottle and how fast-acting and effective it was. 

Laponie Balance & Prep Toner Spray (link)

I can't remember which beauty box this came in, but I do know that this is a gorgeous Laponie Balance & Prep Toner Spray and I've thoroughly enjoyed using it as part of my morning skincare routine. It's fragrance-free and specifically formulated for sensitive and problem skin. Repurchase? Laponie is a Scandinavian brand and I don't think I've seen them for sale in the UK sadly, but I'd love to try more from them if they do decide to come over here in the future.

Evolve Organic Beauty Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream (link)

My sister bought this for me a couple of months ago when she purchased a few products from Evolve Organic Beauty that I'd recommended to her online, and I absolutely love it. Being a massive fan of their skincare (check out my reviews of Evolve Organic Beauty here), I hadn't realised they had a deodorant in their range so it was a brilliant find. Evolve's Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream reminds me of Aurelia Botanical Deodorant in terms of consistency and how gentle it is for sensitive skin, so if you're a fan of that one, you'll love this just as much and it smells so clean and spa-like! Repurchase? I'm actually using the Aurelia one at the moment, though I will happily buy this again.

Tropic Skincare Glow Berry Brightening Serum* (reviewed here)

If a Vitamin C infused serum is on your shopping list, Tropic's Glow Berry Brightening Serum is one that I'd highly recommend trying. Used regularly, this serum delivers a noticeable brightening difference to dull complexions and I always feel that my skin looks 'healthier' when I've been using it. You do need to store it in the fridge though as it has a lot of active ingredients. Repurchase? Already have.

P'URE Papaypa Ointment* (reviewed here)

A multi-purpose staple, I've gone through at least three or four tubes of this stuff over the years and I always have one open somewhere. If you haven't tried it before, P'URE Papaya Ointment is a brilliant product that you can use to soften and instantly hydrate any dryness, so it's great for lips, feet, hands, cuticles etc, and I know a lot of new mums who have used it to soothe sore nipples when they've been breastfeeding. 100% natural and one tube lasts ages as you only need to use a tiny amount each time. Repurchase? I have the bigger sized tube currently on the go!

My. Haircare Rescue My Hair Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar* (reviewed here)

My hair is notoriously fussy when it comes to shampoo bars and I've tried loads of different brands in the past, most of which have been disappointing. Thankfully though, my fussy hair loves this Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar from My Haircare as it gently cleanses my scalp, removes all traces of dirt, pollution and product build-up, and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped or ultra-dry afterwards. It's free from sulphates and silicones, plus it's vegan-friendly. One bar has lasted me about 3 months and I usually wash my hair twice a week. Repurchase? Definitely.

Skin & Tonic Calm Balm (link)

I was very kindly sent this by a reader who responded to one of my Instagram posts about anxiety and I felt really touched that she chose to not only purchase this for me, but also that she shared her own story about dealing with anxiety so that I didn't feel alone when I was dealing with a lot of stress earlier in the year. Calm Balm is an aromatherapy balm that you can apply to your pulse points and temples to help you to relax as it has a soothing natural fragrance thanks to a clever blend of essential oils. I found it very useful and it's something that I'll certainly keep on my desk to add some calm to my day. Repurchase? Yes.

Lavera After Sun Lotion* (reviewed here)

With the recent heatwaves that we've had in the UK, Lavera's After Sun Lotion has been a must-have. This is a lovely cooling and hydrating lotion for anyone who enjoys the sun (with SPF of course!) and you get a huge tube for less than a tenner so it's a really good affordable option for families who want to use something that's more natural. I think this is the third tube that I've used up and you can also use it as an everyday body moisturiser in the summer months. Repurchase? Definitely.

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, such as flexible plastic tubes 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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March Empties: Products I've Used Up

The days seem to be blurring into one another at the moment which made me completely forget about posting my monthly beauty empties! Fear not, March's round-up is below - here's what I've finished off recently and which products I'll be repurchasing again. 

Tropic Summer Skin Gradual Tanning Lotion* (reviewed here)

Tropic's Summer Skin lotion is one of my favourite gradual tanning products and I've lost count of how many tubes I've gone through of these over the past few years! It's a tinted body lotion so you can see where you're applying it and it soon disappears into the skin after you've rubbed it in. I find it very moisturising and within a couple of days of applying it, you'll start to see a gorgeous, natural-looking tan appear. Repurchase? Definitely.

Lyonsleaf Calendula Cream* (reviewed here)

Like virtually everyone else in the UK, my hands have become drier than the Sahara thanks to a more rigorous hand-washing routine, but luckily this award-winning pot of magic from Lyonsleaf has helped enormously to restore essential hydration. Calendula Cream is fantastic for eczema flareups too and a tiny amount goes a long, long way. Repurchase? Already have!

Fushi BioVedic Enzyme Face Wash* (reviewed here)

This is a light gel-based cleanser from Fushi which has tiny, natural exfoliating particles to gently buff away dead skin cells and leave your complexion looking clearer and brighter. Repurchase? Probably not as I kept using it on and off over the past year, and there are other similar products that I use more often.

REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream*

I love REN's Evercalm range for sensitive skin and their Global Protection Day Cream is perfect for when my skin is playing up. It has a beautiful formula that sinks right in and gives me the hydration that I need without overloading my skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Worship Superfruit Antioxidant Serum* (reviewed here)

Regular readers will know that I'm a big fan of Antipodes and regularly use several of their products often in my skincare routine. Worship is an amazing water-based serum which is ideal for those who are starting to see the first signs of ageing. Repurchase? Definitely.

Ogario Revive & Shine Shampoo*

Brilliant SLS-free shampoo from Ogario for hair that needs an added boost and some extra shine. Always delivers soft and glossy results so it does what it says on the label! I also found it to be a concentrated formula so this bottle lasted me a good while. Repurchase? I've recently switched to this plastic-free shampoo bar but I may consider buying it again in the future.

Botanicals Gentle Cleanse Melt* (reviewed here)

I really enjoyed using this balm cleanser from Botanicals. It has a thick and rich texture but easily melts into the skin for a good massage and proper deep cleanse. Removes all traces of makeup, sunscreen and daily grime/pollution with no greasy residue afterwards. Repurchase? Yes.

The Humble Co Natural Charcoal Toothpaste* 

Discovered this natural toothpaste in a beauty box and I absolutely love the ethics of this brand who donate dental products to less fortunate children all over the world. Results-wise, this SLS-free toothpaste did the job and the charcoal formula helps to remove everyday stains. Repurchase? I'm currently using this plastic-free alternative from Ben & Anna, but again, I may repurchase in the near future.

Bali Balm Cinnamon & Burnt Orange Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

I've used a few different flavours of Bali Balm and Cinnamon & Burnt Orange is a firm favourite. Lovely hydrating balm that keeps chapped lips at bay. Repurchase? Hopefully in the future when my lip balm stash has decreased a bit!

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash* 

A really luxurious body wash, I adore everything from REN's Moroccan Rose Otto range because it just smells incredible! Lathers up well for a relaxing spa-time feeling at home. Repurchase? Yes.

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 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, such as flexible plastic tubes 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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January Empties: Products I've Used Up

January always feels like the longest month of the year and my Empties seem to reflect that as I have another bumper edit of them! Here's everything that I've used up recently and my thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them again or not.

D'Alchémy All-Over Blemish Solution (samples)

I had a horrible breakout when I had flu last month, so I decided to try out these samples of D'Alchémy's All-Over Blemish Solution and this stuff is amazing! It's a light, oil-free cream which unblocks pores and reduces inflammation so that blemishes heal faster. Worked a treat! Repurchase? Yes.

Lavera Whitening Toothpaste* 

I love Lavera's toothpastes as I believe all of them are SLS-free and their Whitening formula is a really good natural option for those who are looking for something to gently remove daily surface stains such as coffee, tea, wine and curry/spices. Gentle and effective. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Brit Beauty Oil (reviewed here)

I've used this wonderful omega-rich facial oil many times over the years and often come back to it during the Winter months when my skin feels drier and needs more nourishment. Great to use for an evening facial massage as well. Repurchase? Will do next Winter.

Tropic Smoothing Cleanser Complexion Purifier*
One of my favourite cream cleansers for combination skin, this one from Tropic is perfect to use morning or night and removes all traces of daily grime, pollution and impurities. Repurchase? Yes.

Lyonsleaf Natural Body Butter* (reviewed here)

Another long time fave of mine is Lyonleaf's Body Butter. This stuff is seriously thick, rich and super buttery as it's a water-free and preservative-free formula, and it's amazing for very dry skin and problems like eczema. Repurchase? Yes.

CHOBS Moringa Total Cream* (reviewed here)

This was a lovely moisturiser to use in the Winter months and I sometimes used it as a night cream when I felt like my skin was particularly parched. Repurchase? Will do next Winter.

Weleda Samples

I always seem to have a stash of Weleda minis lying around as they come in handy for travelling and weekends away. Here I've used up their Arnica Massage Oil, Almond Body Oil, Almond Sensitive Body Wash and Lotion, and Pomegranate Regenerating Body Lotion. Repurchase? I would happily buy full-sizes of all of these!

Organii Intensive Organic Face & Body Oil* (reviewed here)
Another Winter skin fave - Organii's Intensive range is ideally suited for people who suffer from eczema like myself and their Face & Body Oil is fantastic for sensitive and dry skin types as well. I didn't use this on my face but loved it on my body after a bath or shower. Repurchase? Yes.

Radical Skin Perfecting Screen SPF 30* (reviewed here)

I use sunscreen on my face all year round, regardless of the weather as I feel it's one of the best things that you can do in terms of anti-ageing, so it's no surprise that I've gone through many tubes of this over the years! Sinks in, doesn't feel greasy and sits well underneath makeup. Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Clear Skin Blemish-Fighting Mask* (reviewed here)

A powerful natural-based clay face mask for when you're fighting a nasty breakout - this gets to work quickly and helps to reduce the size of spots within 24 hours. Particularly useful for bringing those painful 'under-the-skin' blemishes to the surface. Repurchase? Yes.

Madara Smart Anti-Fatigue Eye Rescue Cream & Anti-Pollution Charcoal & Mud Repair Mask

Two from Madara - the eye cream is brilliant for those who are battling dark circles and fine lines - it creates a smooth surface for concealer, hydrates and de-puffs so it was my go-to in the mornings. The face mask uses a combination of charcoal and mud to detoxify congested skin and remove traces of pollution so it's a good one to use once a week. Repurchase? Yes to both!

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 sample sachets, pumps and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling toothpaste tubes with Colgate's partnership with Terracycle - more info here. 
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes 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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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - January 2020 review

The first LoveLula Beauty Box of 2020 arrived earlier this month and they've done a fantastic job of including a variety of green beauty products, with an overall value of £50! Curious to find out more? Keep on reading...

 Kathleen Natural Bright Mask (RRP £28)

Worth £28 on its own, this luxury, vegan-friendly face mask is proudly made in the UK by Kathleen Natural who are based in Royal Leamington Spa. The Bright Mask is appropriately named as it's been formulated to deliver refreshing, illuminating and hydrating results thanks to a blend of rich natural acids which are found in White Willow Bark and Hibiscus extracts. The acids help to speed up cell turnover as they gently clear away dull, dead skin cells on the surface, revealing brighter, fresher and younger-looking skin underneath - genius!

 Kiki Health Magnesium Oil (RRP £12.50)

Next up, I was delighted to find a Magnesium Oil from Kiki Health as I often talk about the benefits of magnesium supplements to anyone who will listen! Most of us in the UK have a magnesium deficiency so it's important to keep your levels topped up, especially if you exercise or train a lot. This convenient spray can be applied any time of the day directly to the skin, where it's quickly absorbed to help relax muscles and soothe any minor aches or pains.

 Hesh Black Seed Oil (RRP £7.99)

Another interesting product in this month's LoveLula box is Hesh Black Seed Oil which comes packaged in dark glass to protect the ingredients within from the elements. Containing simply 100% pure and virgin Black Seed Oil which is extracted from the seeds of the Nigella Sativa plant, this oil has been revered by Asian communities for centuries thanks to its antioxidant-rich properties. You can take it internally to help with allergies, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and digestive disorders, or you can apply it topically to treat dry skin problems, reduce inflammation and boost natural hair growth.

 Natura Siberica Taiga Daily Protection Hand Cream (30ml travel size)

As Winter continues its chilly assault on our skin, make sure to give your hands some extra TLC with this travel size Taiga Daily Protection Hand Cream from Natura Siberica. With ingredients such as Wild Honey, Arctic Cloudberries and Lingonberries, this hard-working hand cream instantly hydrates and softens, whilst also protecting the skin's natural barrier.

Mádara Grow Volume Shampoo & Conditioner (samples)

To round off this month's LoveLula box, we have two samples of Mádara Grow Volume Shampoo & Conditioner - a range of natural hair care which is infused with Caffeine and Zinc to give your hair a healthy boost. And don't forget that after you've tried these, you can recycle the sample sachet packaging at your nearest Neal's Yard Remedies as part of their national recycling scheme - more info here to find your local stockist.

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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December Empties: Products I've Used Up

Happy New Year! It made sense to me that the first blog post of 2020 should be an Empties one as I know a lot of people are currently embarking on No Buy and decluttering challenges (myself included), so I hope this helps to provide some additional motivation! Here's everything beauty-wise that I've used up recently and my overall thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them again.

Eco By Sonya Coconut & Mint Body Wash*

This massive bottle of body wash lingered in my bathroom for much of 2019 and I loved the unusual coconut and mint scent which was nice and refreshing for an early morning shower. Great SLS-free formula. Repurchase? I have a million other body washes to get through, but it's something that I would happily pick up again in the future.

Bali Balm Sandalwood & Ginger Lip Balm* (featured here)

A gorgeous luxury lip balm with a thick texture and surprisingly delicious flavour - it lasted ages and was perfect to apply before bedtime. Repurchase? I'm currently using up another Bali Balm in a different flavour so keep an eye out for that in a future Empties post.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil*

I'm a huge fan of REN's Moroccan Rose Otto range and this body oil was such a pleasure to use. Heavenly scented and with such a rich and nourishing formula, it's hard not to fall in love with this luxury pampering treat! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Deep Hydration Soothing Cooling Mask* (reviewed here)

If your skin is in need of some deep hydration, I can't recommend this Tropic face mask enough. I enjoyed using this after a clay mask to put moisture back into my skin, or whenever I felt like it was feeling tight or dry. Lovely cooling effect that just sinks right in. Repurchase? Will do in the future.

Alteya Organics Bulgarian Rosewater*

A simple 100% natural and organic rosewater spritz - I always have a bottle or two on the go as I regularly use it in my daily skincare routine to instantly calm any redness or irritation, as well as being a gentle toner for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? I have others to use first but would buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Nordic White Body Oil* (travel sizes)

Everything from Bodhi & Birch is ultra-luxurious and smells amazing, and this is no exception! I adore this Nordic White fragrance which is a mix of Spruce and Fennel - to my nose, it's very clean, piney, refreshing and spa-like. The Body Oil formula is also simply glorious to use on dry skin. Repurchase? Yes!

Nathalie Bond Himalayan Pink Salts Rose & Patchouli* (travel size)

Although I loved the relaxing scent of these bath salts, they sadly left a sticky residue all around my tub which was very disappointing. Repurchase? No.

a.po.the:ca Rosewater Face Mist* (reviewed here)

Surprise, surprise, another rosewater spritz - told you I liked them! Similar to the Alteya Organics one above, this one is also 100% natural and 96% organic, but it has the addition of Glycerin and Radish Root Ferment which makes it feel more hydrating. Repurchase? Will do once I've used some others up.

Tropic Passion Fruit & Ginger Lily Luxury Bath Foam* (travel size)

Last month, I finished off the Monoi & Orange Flower travel size bath foam from Tropic (post here) and now it's the turn of Passion Fruit & Ginger Lily, an equally beautiful fragrance with a fantastic SLS-free formula that generates lots of bubbles. Repurchase? Definitely.

Mitchell And Peach Flora No.1 Eau De Parfum* (travel size)

I finally emptied a perfume - hooray! OK, it's a travel size but considering how rare it is for me to actually get through a full-size bottle, I'm still counting it as a victory. Flora No.1 is a very sophisticated floral fragrance that really grew on me the more I wore it. Repurchase? I'm on a perfume buying ban at the moment until my stash is decreased, though it's certainly on my future wishlist.

Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair (reviewed here)

An old favourite that I've been using for well over five years now, this easy to use treatment has seriously saved my hair many, many times from too much blow-drying and straightening. I've gone through countless tubes and rest assured that I'll be taking the scissors to this one soon to get out every last drop! Repurchase? Of course.

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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October Empties: Products I've Used Up

My little wicker basket is full once again just in time for this month's Empties post, so here's another rundown of the products that I've finished up recently. Which ones will I be repurchasing in the future? Keep on reading to find out!

Gallineé Body Milk* (reviewed here)

This is a lovely body moisturiser with a light and easily absorbed texture so it's been great to use throughout Summer. I love the fresh and clean scent that it has and I think this is the third bottle that I've gone through so you know it's good! Repurchase? I'll buy it again next Summer as I need something much more heavy-duty for my dry skin in Winter.

Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil* (reviewed here)

From Bodhi & Birch's excellent Superfood skincare range, I enjoyed using this luxury cleansing oil as a first cleanse to remove makeup and daily grime and it smells absolutely delicious like a Bakewell tart! However, I prefer the overall texture and performance of the Avo Bao Cleansing Balm from this range more, so I wouldn't personally buy this one again. Repurchase? No.

Tropic Good Skin Day Resurfacing Serum* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a natural AHA based exfoliating treatment, you must try this and I believe it's my second or even third bottle that I've used up. I have the old packaging as it's since been renamed the Fruit Peel Serum but I believe the formula is still the same. Brilliant for brightening dull complexions and smoothing uneven skin texture. Repurchase? If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen that I've recently been sent two brand new serums to try out from Tropic, so I'm going to see what they're like first!

Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin-Brightening Eye Cream* (reviewed here)

Another skincare product that I've used many, many times in the past is this gorgeous Eye Cream from Antipodes. Perfect for dry under eyes like mine, it hydrates and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles, so it sits well underneath concealer. Plus, the pot lasts for ages too. Repurchase? I've gone back to the Dafna's Eye Care for the time being, but I would pick this up again.

Pai Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (reviewed here)

Whenever my skin throws a wobbly, I often come back to this ultra-gentle cream cleanser from Pai to help calm everything down. It always works a treat and usually restores my skin to its normal self within a week or so. This is another product that I've used countless tubes of and it's something that I'll always have in my skincare stash - I highly recommend it for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? Already have!

Yves Rocher Coconut Eau de Toilette

This travel-size bottle was an impulse purchase on holiday as I'd forgotten to pack a perfume with me. As the name suggests, it's a straight-up coconut scent which isn't too cloying like some others can be, but I found that it didn't last long before I needed to re-apply sadly. Repurchase? No.

Grace & Stella Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder Teeth Whitening Formula*

I was sent this from Amazon to try out and I have a real love/hate relationship with it! I love the fact that it's a natural teeth whitening alternative and it does help to remove stains and brighten up your teeth with regular use (it won't give you crazy white teeth as you can only achieve that through bleaching or by getting veneers, but I did notice a difference whilst I was using it). But I hated the mess as it's a loose powder and it gets everywhere. Repurchase? No, I'm using a different one from Laviish at the moment which I prefer as it's a solid formula.

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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Green Beauty: Trying Out A Natural Dental / Oral Hygiene Routine

For the past month, I've been experimenting with a more natural based oral hygiene routine to see if it would help my sensitive teeth. Here are a few words about my experience, and why I would recommend everyone to give it a go at least once.

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DIY Beauty: How to Recycle / Re-use your old Mascara Wands / Brushes

I've been having a clear out of my make-up this weekend in preparation for my new Muji make-up storage drawers which are due to arrive next week.  Whilst some things have gone straight into the bin (erm sweaty lipsticks and dried out eyeshadows from my teenage years anyone?  Honestly, I had a bit of a Chelsea Wears moment when I was throwing stuff out!), I decided to keep a few old mascaras to one side in order to re-use their wands.  

If you fancy doing the same, here are some pointers to start you off:- 

1. Pick out which old mascara wands you want to re-use.  Not all of them will be suitable, but it depends what you want to use them for.  The ones I find the most useful are the traditional bristle tree shaped ones.
2. Take off any excess mascara with some kitchen paper or an old cloth.  This will make the cleaning process much easier.
3. Put the mascara wands into an old mug/glass full of hot water and leave them soak for 10 minutes or so, and then rinse under a tap.
4. If needed, use a little of your waterproof eye-make-up remover to take off any stubborn mascara that may be still left.
5. Allow to dry and you're ready to re-use them!

5 easy ways to re-use your old mascara wands:-

1. Have a mascara that you love the formula of but hate the brush?  Simply discard the rubbish brush and use with one that you do like, or experiment to create different looks with different brushes and mascaras.
2. Use one as an eyebrow comb when applying eyebrow pencils or powders or helps to just tidy them up if they're a bit unruly.
3. Use one to coat eyelashes with castor oil to help them grow.
4. Comb through lashes after applying mascara to separate and remove clumps.
5. Around the house, you can use them to clean hard to reach and fiddly areas like taps, in between bathroom tiles and that bit in the windowsill that always gets grubby quickly!

Do you re-use your old mascara wands / brushes?  

If you have a tip to share, feel free to pop it in the comments below!

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