Beauty News: I'm judging CertClean's Clean Beauty Awards 2020! #cleanbeautyawards

I'm thrilled to announce that I've been asked to be a finalist judge for CertClean's Beauty Awards 2020! For the past couple of weeks, I've been testing out the exciting finalists for the Best Eye Care category and now that I'm in my last week of judging, I thought I would give you a quick glimpse into the products that have been gracing my vanity table.

What Are The Clean Beauty Awards?

The Clean Beauty Awards have been created by CertClean who is North America's leading certification for safer skincare. Although many of the products that I've tested out below fall into typical areas of green, vegan, natural and organic beauty, the general idea behind the awards isn't about how natural or organic a product is, it's about the overall safety of that product instead (in particular, CertClean focuses on products which are free from over 1400+ potentially harmful chemicals).

Where Can I Find Out More?

You can check out CertClean's official website here, and be sure to head on over to the PurPicks website here as well as they are basically like a Tripadvisor review site for nontoxic skincare, and a partner to the Clean Beauty Awards.

Which products have I been judging?

I've been given the very exciting task of judging the finalists for the Best Eye Care category so I've been testing out the following which have all been new-to-me products:-

• Polyn Cooling Under Eye Serum
• Biossance Squalene+ Marine Algae Eye Cream
• Puristy Yerba Mate Eye Cream
• Eco By Sonya Eye Compost
• Sanre Organic Skinfood Eye Candy
• Biossance Squalene+ Peptide Eye Gel
• Lo & Behold White Turmeric & Green Tea Eye Cream

How have I been testing them out?

With just over five weeks of time available to trial seven eye care products, I decided to follow Sali Hughes' expert skincare judging advice and test out two different products at the same time by applying one to each undereye area. I then took notes over the days of using them and switched up the products accordingly - pretty easy! I was quite surprised by some of the differences that I noticed by doing this method as it really drew attention to how my skin responded to the different ingredients and formulas of the products.

When will the winners be announced?

Juding for the finalists ends on 20th March 2020 so I will update my social media to let you know who the winners are when they are announced in due course.

Huge thanks for Cert Clean for asking me to be part of their judging panel for a third year in a row! 

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Foodie Friday: Creamy Leek, Chickpea & Sweet Potato Soup (Vegan) recipe

It's been a chilly start to March so this comforting bowl of vegan-friendly Creamy Leek, Chickpea & Sweet Potato Soup is the perfect way to warm yourself up! 

Despite being a foodie, I've never been much of a fan of Onions and have always favoured using Leeks in their place wherever I can. Leeks have a much more subtle flavour overall, and I feel that Onions can sometimes overpower a dish, especially if you're not particularly keen on them in the first place. 

This homemade Creamy Leek, Chickpea & Sweet Potato Soup really brings out the best flavours of seasonal Leeks and when combined with the natural sweetness of the Sweet Potato and the creaminess of the Chickpeas, it's easy to see why this is a vegan-friendly favourite! The Chickpeas also add protein so this is a great recipe to try if you want something healthy, warming and filling.

Ingredients (makes 4-6 portions)

• 300g Leeks (washed & finely sliced with the darkest green end parts removed)
• 400g Sweet Potatoes (peeled & roughly chopped into small chunks)
• 1 tin of Chickpeas (drained - save the aquafaba water for a vegan meringue or dessert!)
• 500ml Vegetable Stock
• 2 cloves of Garlic (peeled & crushed or finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper to season
• Nutritional Yeast or Hemp Seeds to serve (optional)

Method

• Place the Sweet Potatoes in a large saucepan and pour over hot water so that they are fully submerged. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid for 15 minutes.
• In a separate pan add the Leeks, Garlic and 1tbsp of the Olive Oil, sauteing for around 5 minutes until they start to caramelise. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Drain the Sweet Potatoes and return to the large saucepan. Add the Vegetable Stock, Chickpeas and sauteed Leeks, stirring everything together. Cook over a simmering heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.
• Transfer to a food processor, add the remaining 1 tbsp of Olive Oil and blend until you reach your desired soup texture - I prefer mine to be mostly thick and smooth.
• Serve immediately whilst still hot with a little Salt & Pepper to season. You can add Nutritional Yeast or Hemp Seeds for an optional sprinkle of extra flavour if desired.

Storage tip: I don't find that potato-based soups freeze very well, so it's best to keep this one in a suitable covered container in the fridge and consume within 2-3 days.

Are you a fan of homemade soups?

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Currently Loving: Sister & Co Almond Milk Bath Soak, True Cleansing Oil, Raw Cacao & Coffee Sugar Scrub and PURE Hydrate & Renew Face Oil review

Last month, I was lucky enough to win a fantastic natural beauty giveaway on Instagram from Pure Spa & Beauty, and I've been enjoying the products that I won so much that I wanted to share a quick review of them on here!

Inside my prize package, I found three products from the London based luxury brand Sister & Co, plus a facial oil from Pure Spa & Beauty's own brand range which they were kind enough to include for me to try out.

 Sister & Co True Cleansing Oil*

I'm a huge fan of using cleansing oils to remove my makeup after a long day so I was delighted to discover the True Cleanse Oil from Sister & Co. Packaged in a luxurious glass bottle with a handy pump dispenser, this cleansing oil is made from 100% raw, natural and organic ingredients which are hand-blended here in England. 

This is a really lovely cleanser for all skin types as it's gentle but effective, so it would be perfectly suitable for even sensitive skin to try. Key ingredients include Apricot Kernel Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Frankincense Oil, Rose Flower extract and Vitamin E, and it feels as nourishing as it sounds! The scent is very subtle with just a hint of Rose coming through and 1-2 pumps is all you need to thoroughly cleanse your whole face - I like to apply it with my hands to dry skin, give it a good massage and then use a warm flannel to remove it. Hello beautifully soft and clean skin!

 Sister & Co Almond Milk Bath Soak*

Almond Milk is often the go-to milk alternative for those who are going dairy-free, but have you tried having a bath in the stuff?! This gorgeous Bath Soak features dehydrated Almond Milk so that you can reap all of its skin-softening benefits. There's also Kaolin Clay to purify and draw out impurities, and warm and fragrant Cardamom is added to the mix to create a seriously indulgent pampering bathtime experience that will instantly give you Cleopatra- bathing-in-milk vibes. 

Like the Cleansing Oil above, the Bath Soak is packaged in glass, made from 100% natural ingredients, is vegan-friendly and SLS-free.

 Sister & Co Raw Cacao & Coffee Sugar Scrub

Pouches of loose coffee and sugar-based body scrubs have been popular for a while now and for good reason - all of the brands that I've tried have delivered excellent results and this one from Sister & Co is no exception. Packed full of antioxidants thanks to the 100% raw and natural concoction of Coffee Seed Powder, Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E, this scrub has an uplifting natural fragrance of Peppermint and Orange essential oils so it's a great product to use first thing in the morning to awaken the senses!

I generally use one or two large handfuls all over my body, concentrating on those 'wobbly bits' to promote a healthy circulation and smooth the skin. Yes, it's messy and you'll want to give your shower a proper rinse down after using it, but it's a lot of fun at the same time. Who doesn't want skin as soft as a baby's bottom afterwards?

PURE Hydrate & Renew Face Oil*

I'd not heard of Pure Spa & Beauty before until I started to follow them on Instagram, so I was thrilled to try out one of their own-brand products - the Hydrate & Renew Face Oil which I believe is used in some of their facial treatments. Made in the UK (the brand are based in Edinburgh), this 100% natural and cruelty-free Face Oil is free from parabens and boasts many of my favourite skin-loving ingredients. 

There's Macadamia Seed Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Calendula, Jojoba Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Tamanu Seed Oil and Vitamin E to name just a few of the hydrating and Omega-rich properties that this Face Oil has, and with additional essential oils of Orange, Rose, and Frankincense, it smells naturally beautiful too. I've been using it regularly in the evenings to moisturise my poor Winter battered complexion and I simply love the glow that it gives come the morning - definitely one to try out for yourselves.

Discover more at Pure Spa & bEAUTY online - purespauk.com

Have you won anything online recently?

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February Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's that time again, Empties time! Here's what I've used up beauty-wise recently, my overall thoughts and which ones I'll be repurchasing again.

Mádara Cloudberry Oat Milk Hand & Body Soap*

My hands get horribly dry during the winter months so this rich and creamy Cloudberry Oat Milk Soap from Mádara has been a little saviour! It's gentle enough to use in the bath or shower all over your body, or as a simple hand soap which is how I used this one up. Repurchase? Yes.

Saint Iris Adriatica Every Body Energy Cleanse* (reviewed here)

A gorgeous luxury body wash with a creamy, hydrating texture and a beautifully uplifting and regenerating natural scent. Perfect for cold and miserable mornings when you need a boost. Repurchase? On my wishlist.  

Dr Bronners 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure Castille Soap

I've used Dr Bronners consistently for years now and always have a bottle in my stash especially for cleaning my makeup brushes (you can read one of my very old blog posts on this here!). Repurchase? Already have.

Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Plumping Serum* (reviewed here)

Hydrating serums really do work well during winter to keep your moisture levels topped up and this one from Antipodes is a long-time favourite of mine. It's oil-free, suitable for all skin types and does an amazing job of protecting your skin against the harsh weather. Repurchase? Yes.

Pure Potions Skin Salvation Intense Moisturising Ointment* (reviewed here)

Another long-time skincare fave that I always like to have in winter is this little pot of magic from Pure Potions. I first featured it in my recommended cold weather products for eczema and dry skin post here a few years ago, and it's still one of the best that I've tried. Apply it anywhere and everywhere! Repurchase? Yes.

Organii Intensive Organic Soothing Cream* (reviewed here)

Similar to the product above, I've also used this several times in the past but I'm not sure if they've changed the formula as I found this pot to be much stickier and greasier in texture than I previously remembered? It still worked well but I definitely prefer the Pure Potions cream a lot more. Repurchase? Unlikely.

Bodhi & Birch Jasmin de Luna & Rosa Verde Bath & Shower Oils* (minis)

No surprise here that I've used up a few bath products as it's been so cold recently! These two bath oils from Bodhi & Birch are just so luxurious and incredible, I can't recommend them enough. Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Citrus Body Wash & Wild Rose Body Oil* (minis)

My last two empties are both minis from Weleda and again, they are gorgeous products that you can't go wrong with. These travel sizes are perfect for weekends away and holidays. 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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