Introducing: Chameleon Candles - Soy Wax Melts & Candles from Brighton, UK #ShopSmall

With an Artic blast currently sweeping across the country, there's no better time to wrap up warm on the sofa with a cuppa and Netflix, so why not enjoy some gorgeous home fragrance scents at the same time?

I was recently introduced to Chameleon Candles via Instagram (which coincidentally is where I seem to be discovering so many amazing small businesses at the moment!) by the founder Hani who got in touch with me to ask if I'd like to try out some of his products. Hani started to learn how to make candles, wax melts and stop motion animation when the pandemic began last year, as a way to find some positivity, creativity and inner peace in a world that was quickly being engulfed by panic, negativity and uncertanity. 

He named his small business Chameleon Candles as chameleons are well known for their ability to change their colour to adapt to whatever environment they're in, which suited Hani perfectly as he takes inspiration from nature and the changing seasons, as well as being able to adapt his products to produce candles and wax melts of all sizes, shapes and scents.

Hani very kindly sent me a selection of his amazing products to try and I'm thrilled to share them with you all below! Everything is handmade and poured in small batches in Brighton from natural plant-based wax for a clean burn.

Chameleon Candles Teddy Bear 3D Wax Melts* (box of 4, £11.95, link)

These adorable 3D Teddy Bear Wax Melts are some of the cutest products that I've ever been sent - they are almost too cute to actually use! Crafted from a blend of high quality, vegan-friendly plant-based wax and fragrance oils, each teddy bear weighs 50g so these will last a good while in your oil burner. 

In the box of four, you can select the fragrances that you'd like from an enticing list which includes Velvet Rose & Oud, Honey, Avocado Mint, Ruby Jasmine, Kir Royale and more. I was sent two beautiful teddies in Grapefruit & Lemon (very uplifting and citrusy) and Blackberry Jam (fruity and sweet). These really do pack a punch in the fragrance department and would make a beautiful gift for someone special.

Chameleon Candles Roses 3D Wax Melts (box of 10, £10.95, link) and Teddy Bear Wax Melts (box of 6, £4.45, link)

If you are as in love with rose scents as I am, you will of course love these 3D Rose Wax Melts which have a classic and timeless rose fragrance, and for those who are a budget or just want to try something out from Chameleon Candles, the Teddy Bear Wax Melts are a great affordable option where you try four different scents of your choice. The Honey and Oud scents are highly recommended!

Chameleon Candles Velvet Rose & Oud Medium Candle* (230g, £17.95, link)

Chameleon Candles truly excel at creating luxurious, clean-burning candles and they have a wide range of scents available, many of which are similar to popular women's fragrances. This Velvet Rose & Oud Candle is comparable to the much-loved fragrance of the same name by Jo Malone and features rich and textured notes of smoky Oud wood with sweet and creamy Praline, and spikes of spicy Clove. It's warm and inviting so perfect for lounge areas when you have guests over in the future, or for creating a sophisticated and cosy ambience for the evening. 

Beautifully presented with a dark wooden lid that doubles up as a coaster/stand and bearing the bronze wax seal logo of Chameleon Candles.

Discover the full range at chamcandles.com

Have you discovered any new small business that you love?

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

Last month, I only had two empties so I've put them together for a better selection for you to read this time around! Here's everything that I've used up over the past two months and my thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them again or not.

Evolve Organic Beauty Radiant Glow Mask* (reviewed here)

This is a sticky and slightly messy face mask to use (the consistency and scent is similar to chocolate brownie batter!), but it does an amazing job of brightening and exfoliating my skin. You also get a lot more applications from the jar than you might imagine. Repurchase? On my list.

Antipodes Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask* (reviewed here)

I've gone through at least three or four jars of this over the years and I still love it. If you're looking for a brightening clay-based face mask, definitely give it a go! Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other masks.

Weleda Citrus Deodorant* (reviewed here)

As WFH life has continued, I've enjoyed using up another bottle of Weleda Citrus Deodorant to keep me smelling fresh and feeling uplifted. This isn't a heavy-duty natural deodorant so use something else if you're out and about doing your essential errands, but it's perfect for home use or layering with other deos. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum* (reviewed here)

You can tell we're coming out of Winter with the number of brightening products I've been using in my skincare routine, can't you?! Antipodes Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum is suitable for all skin types and really helps my skin to look more alive again. Repurchase? Definitely.

Fushi BioVedic Radiance Face Oil* (reviewed here)

I'm pretty sure this is the third bottle I've used up and it just works so well over the top of any brand of serum to finish up my evening skincare. It's lightweight and easily absorbed so I imagine most people will love it as much as I do. I find that it worked particularly well when used in conjunction with the Antipodes Apostle Serum above. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other face oils.

Madara Infusion Vert Body Cream* (reviewed here)

My skin gets so dry during Winter so it's no surprise to see another tube of the amazing Infusion Vert Body Cream from Madara in my Empties round-up this month. It's a seriously luxurious and rich body moisturiser that keeps my skin wonderfully hydrated and it smells gorgeous too - what more could you ask for?!

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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The Weekend Post: How to Get the Engagement Ring You Really Want #AD

Choosing the right engagement ring is no easy task. It is the ring you will be wearing for the rest of your life. That’s why you need to ensure that you absolutely love it right off the bat. But making sure that you get just the right ring can be a bit tricky.

That’s why it is best to approach this matter carefully, so as not to come off too controlling or crazy. Help your significant other make the best choice by tactically approaching this matter and offering some (not-so-subtle) hints.

Research your options together

One of the best ways to ensure that you get the engagement ring you’ve always wanted is to simply show it to your partner. But don’t just simply show them the ring you’ve already chosen. Instead, talk to your partner and see if they would be interested in doing some joint research. That way you can both explore various options out there, while you will get the opportunity to drop hints whenever you come across something you like. Since you are starting your life together, you can also read this cost guide and settle on a budget you both feel comfortable with. This way both of you will get a better picture of what’s out there and what are your options when it comes to choosing the right engagement ring.

Show pictures of your preferred style

On the other hand, if you don’t want to go with such a direct approach, you can always take a more subtle route. For instance, if you’ve already talked about the proposal and you know that it is coming, you can start putting together a proposal scrapbook. Here, you can print out various pictures of engagement rings that fit your style. Then, simply leave your scrapbook somewhere where your partner will surely find it a hope that they take the hint. Alternatively, you can always “accidentally” stay logged in on Pinterest on your joint computer, right on the page where you pinned all the engagement rings you really like.

Ask a friend to help you out

The next option is to rely on either your or their best friend. Talk to a friend you know will be willing to help both of you out and ask them for a bit of help. You can either suggest to your partner to ask the friend in question if they ever need help. Or you can simply ask your friend to get involved directly and simply offer help to your partner. Chances are neither of them will deny.

Learn to trust your partner

In the end, we can sometimes be a bit too controlling without even realizing it. Since your partner obviously loves you, chances are that they know more about you than you may think. So, it may be a good idea to simply let go and allow your partner to surprise you. Tell your partner that the ball is entirely in their court when it comes to choosing the right engagement ring. Let go of any control and simply allow yourself to be surprised. Chances are you’ll end up loving the ring you receive even more than the one you might have picked out yourself.

Engagements are beautiful but people sometimes make them into a bigger deal than they actually are. If you end up stressing too much about it you can easily forget to enjoy this wonderful part of your life. So, maybe just try to relax and let go and trust us, everything will turn out great in the end.

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March Beauty Favourites

 

It's time for a quick round-up of my March Beauty Favourites! This little edit features new green beauty products from Evolve Organic Beauty, The English Mineral Makeup Company, Wilkinson Sword and Green People. Let's jump straight in!

Evolve Organic Beauty Deep Clean Micellar Water* (190ml, £20, link)

First up, I'm pleased to introduce this brand new release from one of my favourite British green beauty brands, Evolve. Their Deep Clean Micellar Water is just the most beautiful refreshing cleanser to reach for at the end of the day when you want to take all of your makeup off. It's made from 100% natural ingredients, is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and suitable for all skin types to use, including sensitive, as it's gentle on the skin. 

Packed full of Moringa Peptides to remove microparticles of pollution, there's also Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture so your skin won't be left feeling stripped afterwards and Organic Pomegranate which is well known for its high level of antioxidants to further protect and hydrate your complexion.

This cleanser doubles up as a toner as well, so it's a convenient 2-in-1 product to use and super easy to incorporate into your evening skincare routine. I also love the glass packaging and don't forget that you can recycle the pump via TerraCycle. 

The English Mineral Makeup Company Lip Massive Moisture Drench in Barely Peony* (15g, £28, link)

The perfect new lip product for Spring, I'm thrilled that The English Mineral Makeup Company has launched this brilliant Lip Massive Moisture Drench, and if you're a fan of organic, vegan and clean makeup, you'll love this as much as I do!

I always find that my lips are still feeling a bit chapped and dry at this time of the year, so this skincare-meets-makeup hybrid is the ideal lip product to keep in your handbag for those essential touch-ups throughout the day. With an intensely hydrating formula that features Jojoba Wax, Calendula Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Vitamin E, Hemp Oil, Rosehip Oil, Apricot Oil and Shea Butter, this luxury lip treat lives up to its namesake by literally drenching lips in moisture and minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother pout.

You can pick this up in a colour-free version, as well as the beautiful Barely Peony (shown above) for a pretty pink tint. Sustainably packaged in a glass jar and aluminium lid so it's plastic-free.

Wilkinson Sword Xtreme 3 Beauty Eco-Green* (12 pack, £11.99, link)

As one of the best-selling brands of razors across the UK and Europe, it's great to see Wilkinson Sword bringing out a more eco-friendly and sustainable razor option for women. 

Named the Xtreme 3 Beauty Eco-Green, this new razor has a recyclable handle that is also made from 95% recycled plastic, and they have ditched the traditional plastic packaging for a new card box FSC certified design which is made from over 90% recycled paper. 

Not only is it better for the environment, but it's kinder to skin too with two lubricating strips of Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, sandwiched between three blades to protect against irritation for a comfortable smooth shave. The uniquely designed handle has an inbuilt grip and the razor is designed to be flexible so it moves with the natural contours of your body - very clever!

Green People All Paws Cleansing Shampoo in Wild Mint for Dogs* (200ml, £14, link)

The last product that I wanted to mention is from the new range of pet grooming care from Green People which is the UK's first certified organic range for pets. Also certified organic and vegan-friendly, they have created two All Paws Cleansing Shampoos (a fragrance-free and a Wild Mint) just for your four-legged-friend!

I love this Wild Mint version which is a lovely, uplifting and refreshing blend of Mint and Eucalyptus. It's easy to use and despite being free from SLS, it lathers up well, leaves my dog's fur clean and soft afterwards, and of course, smelling much nicer! 

What have you been loving lately?

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