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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What green beauty products are you loving right now?

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Adulting 101: Finding Enough Money In Your Household Budget For Beauty Products #Collaboration

Even if you do not use high-end beauty products and makeup, the costs can still add up. The average UK woman spends nearly £500 a year on beauty products. That is a fair amount of money to find every year. Add in what we spend on our hair and beauty salon treatments and you can see why you need to be good at budgeting to be able to afford to look your best. 

So, today, for a change, I have decided to write about keeping your finances in order. If you do not and you end up in debt, sticking to your preferred beauty routine will be a lot harder. 

Keep track of your savings and investments 

If you are older, you will likely already have a savings account that can be dipped into in an emergency and, probably some form of investments, for example, an ISA or two. If that is the case, you could use this investment app to keep track of them and encourage yourself to invest more. 

You need your money to work hard for you, which means getting as good a return on your savings as you can. With interest rates at an all-time low, you will likely end up deciding to invest some of your cash in shares of property. Provided you get proper independent advice before doing so, you can grow your cash reserves at a faster rate than if you just stuck to traditional saving methods. 

Shop around for the best deals 

Regardless of what you are buying, looking around to see if you can buy it for less is an excellent idea. Using comparison sites will enable you to save money on most of your essential services and utilities. 

Before renewing your insurance, get some quotes to see if you can secure yourself a better deal. Often, you will easily be able to do so. 

Ask for a discount 

Whether you are making major or minor purchases shop around. It is also a good idea to ask for a discount. It is surprising how often stallholders, garages and shop owners will say yes if you just ask. If you are not used to doing this, take a look at this article. It outlines techniques you can use. Reading it will help you to work out if you would be comfortable doing this. If you are not, don’t worry just stick to the more traditional ways of saving money on your purchases. 

Look for coupon codes and sales 

It is surprising how easy it is to find discount codes and coupons you can use for everything from food and clothes to tools and home furnishings. If you like shopping with a particular retailer, sign up for their newsletter. When you do this you will usually receive early notification of sales and special offers. 

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to save money on day to day items. Putting just a few of the above ideas into action should mean that you can easily get together the cash you need to be able to afford the beauty products you really like.

[*This is a colloborative post - Photo by Element 5 Digital via Unsplash]

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New In Beauty: Travel-Friendly Summer Products To Try This Month

The sun is shining and it's Friday - yay! There's no better time to dive into a New In Beauty round-up to catch up with some of the latest travel-friendly releases.

Vitage Skin Defence SPF 30* (100ml, £26, link)

I say it every single year, but sunscreen is the number one skincare essential that you need to be applying every day, so if you only purchase one beauty product all Summer, make it sunscreen! I've been enjoying using this one from Vitage - their Skin Defence SPF 30 protects from both UVA and UVB rays so that you're fully shielded from the harmful effects of the sun. It has a brilliant lightweight formula that leaves the skin nice and matte, and it sits well underneath makeup without pilling or flaking off, plus the 100ml tube will fit perfectly into your hand luggage if you're going abroad this year. 

Don't just take my word for it though - it won an Anti-Ageing award from the Beauty Bible and is suitable for all skin types to use, including sensitive. P.S: As with all sunscreens, make sure that you re-apply a generous amount all over every two hours, and straight away after swimming/washing.

Hershesons Almost Everything Cream* (50ml, £10, link)

Hershesons are hair gods - seriously, pop into any of their coveted 'beauty spaces' and you'll be guaranteed to walk out with the best blow dry or hair cut that you've ever had. Needless to say, I've been smitten with their latest product which is available to purchase online if you don't live near one of their stores - the Almost Everything Cream. This multi-purpose cream is a true hair wonder and then some!

Ideal to use on any kind of hair including Afros and beards, this clever multi-tasker tames frizz and flyaways, adds shine, defines curls, deeply conditions and hydrates, gives texture to any style, oh, and it can also be used as a stand-alone hair mask once a week. Pretty impressive, huh? I've tested it on my fine, frizzy hair and it gives me such a beautifully sleek and shiny finish. A tiny amount goes a long way and at just £10 a tube, I can see this being a regular purchase to keep my fussy hair in check, especially in humid weather.

Arbonne RE9 Advanced Prepwork Overnight Face Jelly* (50ml, £36, link)

I must admit that I've tried several products from Arbonne in the past which I didn't rate at all, but their new RE9 Advanced Prepwork Overnight Face Jelly has really surprised me. A great product to try if you hate the feeling of heavy, greasy creams or sticky serums, this Face Jelly instead has a light gel texture that absorbs into the skin quickly and doesn't leave any residue sitting on the top. 

I find it quite refreshing to use after a hot and humid day of running errands, and with a vegan-friendly formula that's packed with Vitamins C and E, phytonutrients, omegas and ceramides, it delivers an intense shot of moisture and essential nutrition to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Apply after cleansing in the evenings instead of your usual face cream or oil, or pair it with one of those if you have particularly dry or dehydrated skin.

KISS Lash Couture Faux Mink Collection Lashes in Soir and Muse* (£11.99 each, link)

Fans of false lashes are in for a treat as KISS have recently brought out these handy new double packs for their hugely popular Lash Couture Faux Mink Collection. Each pack contains two pairs of the same lash design, making it ultra-convenient to have a spare set to take with you on holiday, without taking up loads of space in your handbag. 

I'm a big fan of these cruelty-free lashes as they feature a flexible knot-free lash band and I find them a lot easier to apply than some other brands. They also feel lightweight when you're wearing them and you can re-use them up to 10 times (as long as you carefully take them off after each use of course!). Shown above are Soir, a full on, darker and thicker fluttery lash which are perfect for nights out, and Muse, a super pretty, wispy and fluttery style for those who prefer a more natural, but still full lash look. 

Which Summer beauty products are you currently enjoying?

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June & July Empties: Products That I've Used Up

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that I didn't do an Empties post last month as I only had about four finished products in my basket, but I've made up for it now with a bumper collection of Empties today! Here's everything that I've used up over the past two months.

Weleda Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion* (travel size)

I've been trying to use up more of my minis and Weleda has such a great selection that you can try. Their Body Lotions are brilliant and I loved this Citrus Hydrating one which smells really uplifting and summery. Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil (travel size)

One of the few topical 'anti-cellulite' products that actually seems to make a difference to the texture of your skin when used alongside body brushing. Highly recommended if this is an area of concern for you. Repurchase? I already have a full-size bottle that I've recently reviewed here.

Weleda Birch Body Scrub

I bought this to use when I was doing the Spring Cleanse 30 Day Challenge but sadly, I just didn't find it scrubby enough for me as I prefer a lot more 'grit' in my body exfoliators. I imagine that it would be great for sensitive skin though. Repurchase? No.

LUSH Happy Hippy Shower Gel

It's been a long time since I finished up a product from LUSH! I received this in a Christmas gift set and it's still one of my favourite products from them - the scent is really fruity and juicy! Repurchase? Yes.

 Zenon Kition Floral Beauty Mist* (reviewed here)

I've had this in my travel bag for about a year and have only just used it up. It's a brilliant, straight-up rosewater facial toner without anything else added and feels wonderfully refreshing to use on a hot day. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other toners first.

The Library Of Fragrance Spray in Baby Powder (travel size)

Another travel bag item that I've had for a while - this smells exactly like Baby Powder so if you like clean, comforting fragrances like that, definitely try it. Repurchase? Already have!

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream* (reviewed here)

Regular readers will know that I adore this as it's one of my favourite luxury body care products and I've gone through several tubes of it in the past. If you have a shop that sells Antipodes near you, you must pop in and smell it - it's divine. Repurchase? Yes.

Handmade Naturals Ultra Light Face Cream* (reviewed here)

Yet another travel bag essential from earlier in the year, this Ultra Light Facial Cream is perfect for oily and problematic skin types, especially during the Summer months as it's very balancing and easily absorbed. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up a few other face moisturisers.

Bilou Cotton Candy Gentle Cream Foam*

This is such an unusual product for me to mention because I typically hate and very rarely use anything that's foaming as it dries out my skin, but I've been able to use this for shaving my legs and it's worked a treat! The Cotton Candy scent is way too sickly sweet IMO though. Repurchase? Probably not.

Dr. Hauschka Lemongrass Vitalising Bath Essence (travel size)

Dr. Hauschka do some incredible bath oils and this Lemongrass Bath Essence was no exception. Ideal for an early morning bath on a relaxing Sunday morning to help you recharge after a busy or stressful week. Repurchase? Yes.

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

My go-to face mask for when any blemishes have popped up over the past couple of months, I've really enjoyed using this dedicated treatment from Tropic. It draws everything out so great for stubborn blackheads and unclogging pores. Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic So Sleepy Pillow Mist* (travel size)

I'm a terrible sleeper as many of you know so I regularly use calming aromatherapy based products like this to help put my anxious mind to rest. I liked this pillow mist but I don't think it's as effective as the one from This Works. Repurchase? Probably not.

Esse Eye Contour Cream* (reviewed here)

I was over the moon when I won this in a Christmas giveaway because I've used it in the past and absolutely loved it, but the price tag was just too expensive for me to repurchase. If you have a big budget for luxury natural skincare, I guarantee that you will fall in love with this brand! Repurchase? Sadly out of my price range at the moment :(

infuse My Colour Copper Wash* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a shampoo treatment that will add colour and life back into your hair between hair dye sessions, I strongly recommend checking out the range from infuse My Colour. I use henna every 4-5 months and use this about once a week or fortnight when I want to freshen up my colour. Repurchase? I'm currently using the Ruby Wash for a change.

Baija Green Tea Jasmine Body Oil (travel size)

A friend brought me this back from Paris last month and oh my, it smells incredible! Gorgeous silky formula and the fragrance is to-die-for. Repurchase? If I can find it in the UK, I will!

MOA Dreamy Mineral Soak* (reviewed here)

Last, but not least, I have an empty pouch of MOA's Dreamy Mineral Soak which is a beautiful blend of infused Himalayan and Sea Salts. Super relaxing for mind and body, so perfect to use before bedtime for a peaceful night's sleep. Repurchase? Yes.

What have you used up recently?

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