Beauty Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's time for a Beauty Empties post don't you think? Come and rummage through the recycling bin with me and discover which products I'll be repurchasing again, and which, if any, will be staying in the bin!

Skin & Me Purify + Prep Hydrating Cleanser* (featured here)

I'm all about using creamy hydrating cleansers during the winter months and this little gem from Skin & Me has served me well. It's brilliant as a quick morning cleanser to prep my skin for my makeup and I love the recyclable aluminum squeezy tube. Repurchase? I've switched back to the REN Evercalm Cleansing Milk at the moment, but I'll definitely pick this up again.

Nourish Balance Refining Toning Mist* (travel size)

I love a refreshing spritz and Nourish Balance Refining Toning Mist is perfect for balancing excess sebum and keeping pores clear. If you have oily/combination skin, you should try it! Repurchase? Yes.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser (travel size)

If you're a fan of thick cream cleansers that also double up as makeup removers, this bestseller Miracle Cleanser from Aurelia is amazing stuff. Removes all traces of makeup and leaves my skin so wonderfully fresh and clean. Repurchase? Yes.

Jacqueline Organic Honey Hydrating Lip Balm* 

Despite the name 'honey', this lip balm is suitable for vegans and has a 'honey-ish' natural scent to it which is really lovely. Keeps chapped lips at bay and is another product that I've enjoyed using this winter. Repurchase? I have a lot of lip balms in my stash to use up, but yes, I would repurchase!

Mádara Hyaluronic Acid Micellar Water (travel size)  

You can definitely spot a hydrating theme in this Empties round-up can't you?! I sometimes find that my eyes get very dry and scratchy when the central heating is on, so for days when I've been wearing mascara, I've been using Mádara Hyaluronic Acid Micellar Water to remove it. It's certainly one of the more hydrating/moisturising micellar waters that I've tried, no doubt due to the Hyaluronic Acid in the formula. Repurchase? Yes.

Westlab Reviving Epsom Bath Salts

Epsom Bath Salts are just amazing and I always, always have a bag or two in my bathroom. I've gotten into the habit of using them more often this winter, and my everyday aches and pains have been reduced as a result. Magical stuff! These ones are straight-up 100% natural mineral salts so I'll usually add a little bath/essential oil for some fragrance. Repurchase? Already have!

Wildheart Organics Revive Shower Oil*

Wildheart Organics is a beautiful natural luxury brand and I loved every single drop of their Revive Shower Oil. Incidentally, I used this purely as a bath oil and adored the blend of eucalyptus, lemongrass, and rosemary essential oils. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak* (featured here)

Very similar to the bath oil above, this Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak has a similar blend of essential oils which are infused into the bath salts, along with some CBD. This results in a very relaxing bath which is perfect to use after a long, stressful week. Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Stress Check Kind Hands

No winter empties post would be complete without at least one tube of hand cream and my go-to has been the bestselling Stress Check Kind Hands from This Works which I picked up for a bargain in TK Maxx. If you haven't smelt the Stress Check fragrance, you must! It's so calming and the hand cream itself is ultra-moisturising without being sticky or greasy. Repurchase? Already have.

Laidbare Butter Me Up Body Butter* (reviewed here)

Oh wow, this product has been a long-time favourite of mine, having first reviewed it back in 2012! Sadly, this amazing body butter has been discontinued and this was my very last tube of it so you better believe that I'll be cutting open the tube to get every last bit out! Repurchase? Discontinued :(

This Works Love Sleep Pillow Spray (travel size)

Lastly, I finished up a travel mini of the This Works Love Sleep Pillow Spray. This is the first that I've tried from the Love Sleep range and it's such a beautiful and highly addictive blend of Ylang Ylang and Patchouli. Repurchase? Very tempted to pick up the full size.

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2023 featuring Avīela, Skin & Tonic, Nourish London & Charlarts Crafts

Valentine's Day is fast approaching so now's the time to make those last-minute online orders, and perhaps send a subtle hint to someone special *wink wink*. For this gift edit, I've focused on just British brands and small businesses to make your V-Day purchases more ethical and supportive this year. 

For Those Who Love A Massage: Avīela Pure Shea Butter* (180ml, £30, link)

Treat your loved one to a massage this Valentine's Day with Avīela Pure Shea Butter. As the name suggests, this thick and luxurious body butter is made simply with 100% pure unrefined shea butter of the highest grade, with no additional ingredients. Made in the UK, this Shea Butter is cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny approved) and certified by the Vegan Society, with a beautiful light and airy texture that sinks straight in once warmed in the palms of your hands.

Shea Butter is something of a hero ingredient for the skin as it's incredibly rich in natural fatty acids and has high levels of Vitamins A and E so it offers some serious hydration for dry skin. In addition to being used all over the body, you can also add a tiny amount as a leave-in conditioner to dry and damaged hair to restore moisture and shine. For those on a budget, or if you're putting together a beauty box/hamper package, a smaller 15ml jar is available for £14.    

For Those Who Love A Relaxing Bath: Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak* (100g, £18, link)

Whether your partner enjoys a bath solo or with you, give the gift of relaxation with one of my favourite products from British brand, Skin & Tonic. Their Slow Down Bath Soak is a bestseller thanks to a sublime infusion of Epsom Salts, CBD Oil, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary essential oils.

This powerful, all-natural concoction of minerals and oils helps to restore the body and mind, so that you can properly unwind and destress after a long week; it's a brilliant self-care treat. Just two handfuls is all that's needed to be added to a hot bath.

For Those Who Love A Luxury Pampering Treat: Nourish London Bergamot & Cardamom Smoothing Body Cream* (100ml, £19, link)

You can't go wrong with a luxury body cream if your recipient loves their pampering products, and it can often be a safer bet than opting for skincare (which can be tricky to buy for someone else, especially if you don't know them that well). Instead, one of the new Body Creams from Nourish London is sure to please and I've been smitten with their Bergamot & Cardamon Smoothing Body Cream ever since it landed on my desk.

Suitable for all skin types, this cruelty-free, organic, and vegan-friendly Body Cream is ultra-rich so it's perfect for dry winter skin. It features nourishing Cocoa Butter, regenerating Aloe Vera and antioxidant-rich Brown Algae extract to leave the skin feeling velvety soft. I also absolutely adore the scent which is wonderfully fresh and very spa-like.

For Those Who Love A Good Smelling Home: Charlarts Crafts Valentines Wax Melt Gift Set* (£33.99, link)

Know someone who are house-proud and loves a good-smelling home? Soy wax melts are a fantastic gift that keeps on giving for months to come, especially with a large box like the one above from Charlarts Crafts! Specialising in a wide range of handmade wax melts, jewellery, and accessories, Charlarts Crafts' Valentines Wax Melt Gift Set consists of four packs of soy wax melts in a tempting range of scents. There are the Budding Roses melts which smell beautiful, and the Chocolate Milk scented heart melts which look so realistic, I did think they were chocolate at first!

My faves though are the Sex Bomb heart melts (I love this fragrance) and the Hot Night love token shaped melts. Also included are some yummy sweets and chocs, and the whole box is beautifully presented and wrapped up ready to gift.

Have you started your Valentine's Day gift shopping yet?

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November Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

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

Skin & Tonic Peppermint Lip Balm* (review) 

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

Alima Pure Lip Tint in Petal (review)

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

MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion* (review)

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

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Masque*

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

Mádara Plum Plum Lip Perfection Balm* (review)

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

Rabot 1745 Liquid Chocolate Body Mask* (review)

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

Antipodes Worship Skin Defence Antioxidant Serum* (review)

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

Hello My Bio Monoi Soap*

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

Tropic Skincare Deep Hydration Cooling Mask* (review)

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

Màdara Infusion Blanc Supreme Hydration Body Lotion*

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

Organii Argan Shower Gel* (review)

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

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant* 

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

NUXE Rêve De Miel Nourishing Body Scrub

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

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps, lids and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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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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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 News: Persephone Beauty - A New Online Place To Shop For Natural Beauty

Calling all green beauty fans! There's a brand new online shop called Persephone Beauty which has been set up recently by fellow blogger, Laura Franklin-Hollier from Laurzah.com

Founded by Laura and her husband, Persephone Beauty offers a small but carefully selected range of independent natural beauty brands which adhere to Persephone's strict ethos that's based on three main principles:-

• Natural beauty without compromise
• Picking sustainable products that are kind to the planet and the skin
• Only offering products that Persephone loves that contain ingredients that meet their high standards.

This means that every single product that you can purchase from Persephone is free from the following 'nasties' and for full transparency, INCI lists are provided alongside the listed products.

• All Parabens
• Mineral Oil
• Phthalates
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Silicones
• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• Artificial Fragrance
• Diethanolamine
• Hydroquinone
• Toulene
• Formaldehyde
• Oxybenzone

There are currently six natural beauty brands stocked on Persephone and I anticipate that more will be added soon as the brand continues to grow. Laura very kindly gave me a gift voucher to use on the site to help promote it and I chose the following products to give you all an idea of what you can expect. 

The package arrived quickly in a small cardboard box with biodegradable packing peanuts, and the contents were delicately wrapped in hot pink tissue paper. On the top was a lovely thank you card from Laura and a 10% discount code to use on your next order.

Here's what I picked:-

Evolve Organic Beauty Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum* (30ml, £22, link)

Evolve Organic Beauty have been a longtime favourite natural beauty brand of mine for years, so I was delighted to see several of their products stocked on Persephone. If you're new to Evolve, they're a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly skincare company who make all of their products by hand in small batches here in England.

I've been lucky enough to try out many of Evolve's products in the past and can highly recommend their Daily Defence Moisture Mist, Radiant Glow Organic Mask and Hyaluronic Serum 200 as good places to start. When I saw this new Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum, I knew I had to have it!

Specially formulated for oily and combination skin types, this treatment serum is composed of 99.7% natural and 82% organic ingredients, and uses key actives such as Willow Bark, Acai and Copaiba to reduce sebum production and treat existing blemishes. Willow Bark, in particular, is a very useful ingredient as it's a natural source of Salicylic Acid which I always find works well for my skin when I'm tackling a breakout and indeed, this serum has definitely been helping to clear up my complexion since I've been using it.

What I like the most about the Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum is that it doesn't irritate my skin when I apply it (no stinging) and it doesn't dry it out either like so many anti-acne products have a hideous tendency of doing. Instead, it's gentle but effective and you should see noticeable results within two weeks of using it daily.

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

Skin & Tonic are another amazing British natural skincare brand and I feel like I don't sing their praises enough! To remedy that, I wanted to give a cheeky shout-out to their range of Lip Balms, which like the rest of their products, are 100% natural and organic, as well as being handmade in London. 

I believe that they have around three or four different lip balm varieties to choose from, but my personal favourite is the Peppermint one as it reminds me of the classic Burts Bees formula, and I know that so many people struggle to find an independent and organic version to replace a mainstream beauty fave so now you can try this instead!

This lip balm is made from just four ingredients; Shea Butter, Beeswax, Coconut Oil and Peppermint Oil, and it's this no-fuss simplicity which originally attracted me to Skin & Tonic in the first place. It does what it says on the tin by keeping my lips moisturised and soft for longer and has a pleasant zingy mint feeling - what more do you need?

Discover these products and more at persephone-beauty.com

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October Empties: Products I've Used Up

Lots of Empties again for last month - the beauty stash in my bathroom is slowly being decluttered - yay! Here's everything that I've used up recently, and my thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them again or not.

The Soap Shop Peppermint & Cornflower Sugar Scrub

If you're looking for a hardcore body scrub that's also plastic-free, this is a really good one to try. It's almost identical to the PHB Sugar Scrubs and does an excellent job of removing dead skin, especially on your feet! Repurchase? Yes.

Naobay Oxygenating Moisturising Cream

I think this is my second or possibly even third bottle that I've gone through and it's one of those face moisturisers that I keep going back to. Great for combination skin as it feels hydrating and balancing at the same time. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other moisturisers first.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser

Another skincare fave that I've used on/off for the past few years is this wonderful Miracle Cleanser from Aurelia. It has lots of probiotics and peptides to give your skin a lovely glow and it works particularly well as a first or second cleanser in the evenings. Repurchase? I think I might have another travel size from a GWP somewhere!

Westlab Supersalt Body Cleanse Himalayan Bathing Salt*

I love using bath salts and these ones from Westlab are a firm favourite. They're delicately scented with Lemon and Rose, and always help me to relax after a stressful day. Repurchase? Definitely.

Hope's Relief Formula 2 Scalp & Hair Conditioner*

If you have a dry scalp that's prone to dandruff, eczema, psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, this stuff is a must try. It's gentle enough to be used every day, but I tend to use it just once a week or fortnight and find that it really helps to keep my scalp hydrated and happy. Repurchase? Yes.

Bloomtown Botanicals The Spring Soothing Mask*

This is a beautiful fragrance-free face mask that I often used when my skin was feeling congested or overly sensitive. There are lots of natural anti-inflammatory ingredients in it which help to calm down irritation and redness, plus it doesn't dry out the skin as the clay in it doesn't set. Brilliant stuff! Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Wild Rose Body Oil*

I'm a huge fan of all of the Weleda Body Oils, but this Wild Rose one is definitely one of my favourites and I absolutely love the scent. Formula-wise, it's very rich and moisturising - just the kind of product to use during the Winter months if you have dry skin. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some similar products in my stash.

Green People Daily Aloe Shower Gel*

Whenever my eczema flares up, I'll switch my shower gel to something like this and use it until my skin calms down, so I've had this in my bathroom for a while now. It's super gentle and SLS-free. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Coco Mask*

I've got a bit of a love/hate relationship with this face mask because it's a powder that requires mixing with water before you can use it. I love the hydrating results, but I simply found that I didn't reach for it very often because I'd always pick a mask that didn't need mixing over it, almost every time. It's a great product, just not for me. Repurchase? No.

Elemental Herbology Vital Cleanse Facial Cleanser

I enjoyed using this light gel cleanser but it's definitely more of a Spring/Summer product for my combination skin, now that the weather has turned much colder. Repurchase? Will consider next year.

Elemental Herbology Moisture Milk Ultra-Light Facial Moisturiser

Same as the above for this one too - liked it a lot but it would definitely be better suited for my skin in Summer than it would in Winter, as I need some more hydration from my face moisturiser right now. Repurchase? Possibly next year.

Barefoot SOS Daily Rich Body Lotion*

Fantastic product for eczema and very dry skin. I always have a tube or two of this on hand in my bathroom to deal with flare-ups, although you can happily use it as an everyday body moisturiser if you just have dry skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Hurraw! Papaya & Pineapple Lip Balm*

I've tried so many different flavours of these Hurraw! Lip Balms and I loved this fruity Papaya & Pineapple one, it's very Summery! These lip balms have brilliant moisturising formulas and I often go back to them when I need a new one. Repurchase? Yes.

What have you used up recently?

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December Empties: Products I've Used Up

There's nothing more satisfying than collecting together a bunch of empty beauty products, and it's even more satisfying when it's for the last blogpost of the year! Let's round off 2017 with my December Empties, which includes a lot of travel sizes that I've used up over the Christmas break.

BetterYou Magnesium Flakes Original Foot & Body Soak 

If you suffer from any soreness after exercise or get a bad case of the monthly cramps, magnesium products are an absolute godsend (check out my original feature on them here for more info about their benefits). I've tried a couple of different brands, but my favourite are these Magnesium Flakes from BetterYou which I always stock up on during Holland & Barrett's penny sales. Repurchase? Already have!  

Kneipp Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts 

Another bath product that I enjoy using are Kneipp's Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts, which are super relaxing and ideal to use before going to bed if you have any sleep or stress problems. They're enriched with Poppy and Hemp Oils and they smell SO good. Repurchase? Yes.  

STARSKIN Hydrating Mask*

I love STARSKIN's Bio-Cellulose masks because they feel like a 'second skin' and do an excellent job of locking in all the goodness from the serum, plus they're a good fit! This Hydrating Mask is one of my favourites from them and is perfect for this time of the year. Repurchase? Yes.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum* 

You know when you finish a really expensive skincare product and feel incredibly sad because you know you can't afford to buy another one? That's how I feel right now!  I absolutely loved this serum and it's one of the few that I've tried where I really saw a difference in my skin. The downside? It's £80 *sobs*. Repurchase? Way out of my budget at the moment sadly!

Bodhi & Birch Ylang Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy*

If you're a fan of Ylang Ylang and you haven't smelt this yet, you need to get a bottle pronto. It's seriously heavenly and feels like such a pampering treat whenever I use it. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other bath products first.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer

Lost count of how many of these I've gone through over the years, and I love these 30ml sizes for travelling with. A really great toner spritz that you can also use over makeup to refresh it during the day. Repurchase? Already have another one in my stash.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Bath Oil*

Last month, I used up a big size bottle of this and I just had to finish off this travel size afterwards! One of my favourite relaxing bath oils, especially for those evenings when I feel like I'm not going to get any sleep, this really does help. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Satin Leg Gloss*

If you're into shimmery body oils, Evolve's Satin Leg Gloss is a must-try and is 99% natural. Despite the name, you can use this all over your body, but it looks especially good on arms and legs to give them a sexy and healthy looking sheen. Perfect for the party season and it smells incredible! Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Another relaxing/stress relieving favourite of mine and something that I always travel with. Used up a lot of these over the years! Repurchase? Currently using a full-size bottle that's on my bedside table.

Wabi-Sabi Botanicals SAGGA Rose Cleansing Grains

This is one of those dry blends of exfoliator that you mix with water or a base oil/cream to create your own cleanser/scrub/mask. I liked it and it was fun to mix up, but there are other exfoliators out there that do a better job for my skin type. Repurchase? No.  

Herbfarmacy Calming Face Cream*

One of the best moisturisers for combination skin on the green beauty market, I was sad to see this end. It's wonderfully calming and balancing, plus I found that I needed to use less of it compared to a mainstream moisturiser, so it lasted ages. Repurchase? Definitely will after I've finished up some other moisturisers.

Caudalie Divine Oil

Oh, how happy I was when I found this in my stash as I thought I'd used up my last one last month! I've raved about this multi-purpose oil so many times and can't recommend it enough. It smells divine and is brilliant on hair and body. Repurchase? Yes.

Ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation

There's a definite 'relaxing bath' theme going on in this post isn't there?! Here's yet another favourite of mine from a lovely Cotswolds based company. This bath soak is pure bliss and always makes me feel relaxed afterwards. Repurchase? Yes.

Balm Balm Petitgrain Single Note Eau de Parfum*

It takes me forever to use up a bottle of perfume so it always feels like such an achievement when I get to include one in an Empties post. I love the Balm Balm Single Note fragrances and Petitgrain was a delightfully fresh and woody scent. Repurchase? I think it's been discontinued sadly.

Kneipp Herbal Bath Back Comfort Devil's Claw

This is the last bath product I swear! Another Kneipp favourite of mine is their Back Comfort Herbal Bath. Very relaxing and a great way to temporarily reduce back pains and tension. It does turn the bath water red though which is a little strange, but it doesn't stain anything. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Steam Clean

I've used a couple of these travel size pots from Skin & Tonic and I'm still not sure whether I like this balm cleanser or not. It does a fantastic job of removing makeup and gives a really deep clean, but it stings a little if I get it anywhere near my eyes which puts me off buying the full size. Repurchase? No.

Weleda Skin Food*

Skin Food needs no introduction on my blog as my regular readers will have seen this iconic green tube featured on here many, many times! I always get through a tube during the Winter months and I highly recommend it for anyone who has very dry skin as it can be used anywhere and everywhere. Repurchase? Already have!

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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