Lush Charity Pot

If you're looking for a kind and passionate beauty product that will change the world - you're in the right place. Lush Charity Pot is a hand and body lotion based on fairtrade ingredients and every single penny goes straight to charity, not to Lush. It's the most beautiful donation I've ever made and, selfishly, you get the most heavenly treat for yourself in exchange.

It comes in a range of sizes from 10g up to 240g. Unfortunately (or not), I have a cupboard full of body lotions to use up as they're a gift I often receive from friends and family so I feel unable to commit to a large lovely jubbly pot just yet, but was tempted at the till to get this mini trial size which is only £1. If you were to trust me on anything - I urge you to trust me on this. Lush Charity Pot is paradise in a pot.

It is made of fairtrade organic cocoa butter and almond oil and a combination of uplifting essential oils, including ylang ylang, tagetes and geranium. The chocolately notes from the cocoa are to die for and the finished consistency of a loose emulsion means the lotion is perfectly light and gentle and it sinks into the skin like a luxurious elixir that leaves skin softly conditioned.

Ylang ylang is an exceptionally delicate scent with notes of custard and hints of jasmine and neroli and is known for its calming and soothing effects. Geranium on the other hand is balancing and healing while tagetes is fresh, minty and also has antifungal properties. It is a little miracle pot as each of these ingredients restore and improve the skin.

The three reasons why I will absolutely only ever buy this lotion though are the consistency, scent and charitable element. It is the lightest, milkiest lotion I have ever come across - if I was to compare it to something I would have to say rich double cream. My trial pot was a little overstuffed so the first few times I used it it did overflow and pour everywhere, but it was so easy to mop up as it instantly melts into the skin as if it has disappeared and it leaves you feeling irresistibly soft. Secondly, the scent is magic. I am a fan of Palmer's cocoa butter and often long it was safe to eat it up, but this product goes that little bit further. It has hints of chocolate and subtle fragrances of nut, jasmine and mint that combine to make something divine. I can't do it justice in writing - you will just have to try it. The best word I can think of would be decadent.

And the loveliest little bonus is of course the charity donation you make when you buy the product. 100% goes to charity and best of all - they are a selection of the smallest and most struggling charities Lush could find. Lush assures us that they are small grassroots groups of caring and determined people who make a small amount of money go a long way. For more information about these charities please visit here.

Charity pot also has its own Facebook page which you can like and discover fun and interesting facts and updates.

If you're like me you'll spend a lot of time thinking that you really should give more to charity and this is a great way to start. There is nobody else benefiting from your donation and, although this shouldn't really be an incentive, you do get a lovely little treat to remember the good causes by.

Top tip: keep your pot by your pillow just like me and dab a little on your pulse points before bed for sweet dreams and to leave you smelling like a princess.

Fashion Recycling: Sunglasses

All true green goddesses are familiar with recyling, but I'm not just talking sorting your greens and your clears at the bottle bank. No, I'm talking about fashion recycling: my new favourite hobby.

If you're familiar with my blog, you will have noticed my profile picture where I can be seen sporting some rather flowery sunglasses. I can reveal that I made them myself for a grand total of £2.99. Now, although I'm talking about recycling, I have bought all the pairs of sunglasses in this post as new pairs. However, I have used old bits and pieces that were otherwise destined for the bin to bring them to life. I am prone to reinventing old bags and clutches with odd buttons, hair accessories and ribbons, but this post is an opportunity to showcase my sunglasses collection... enjoy!


Roses

If it's not already obvious, these are my favourite pair. I had some rope-like bracelets which these flowers were orginially part of, but they were so itchy and always tilted at an odd angle. They therefore made it into my craft cupboard as I no longer desired to wear them. The flowers were far too pretty to throw away though and I'm glad I didn't as a walk through London's Liberty's provided me with the perfect light bulb moment. I spied the most stunning pair of floral adorned sunglasses, but they were of course nearing the £300 mark; ridiculous - I'd only sit on them! A slither of superglue meant that I could make my own, however, and I love them. They cost me a few pennies and feel ultra glam. And best of all they are an excuse to be eco friendly and resourceful :)


Antlers

Stags are super trendy but you don't need to go hunting to stay in vogue - absolutely not! I was ever so proud of my gold deer ring...

So when it inevitably got caught and broke I was a little teary. But bit bash bosh, a droplet of glue and bibbidi bobbido boo... a funky pair of sunglasses was reborn.

These may be a little out there for some, but if you're not afraid of a truly statement piece - then this is the one for you. I'd recommend teaming it with very simple styling on the clothes front so as not to overwhelm and match with other gold jewelry and accessories to keep it classic.

Top tip: In order to secure metal on metal, glue a small swab of fabric in the middle. In this instance I cut a corner of ribbon which worked well to fuse each piece together


Butterflies

Another fashion crisis: losing one earring and thus separating a pair. This doesn't have to be a dilemma as wearing earrings which don't match can be striking fashion statement in itself, such as teaming a simple stud with a longer, flashier style. Unfortunately, I misplaced a silver hoop embellished with buttlerflies, which only really worked as a pair. So what better excuse to salvage a pretty piece of jewelry than getting trigger happy with the pliers.

This design's success lies in its simplicity. I am guilty of often going OTT, but this understated finish still makes a statement without you having to wear a pair of antlers on your forehead!


Wings

I have to admit that this wasn't a case of recyling as I bought a pair of wing earrings purely with the intention of taking them apart. The thought of a pair of sunglasses with wings saw me search far and wide for the perfect pair to satisfy my creative vision. They aren't my favourite pair, but I hope they inspire you to come up with your own original and recycled designs...

I hope I have shown than recycling can be glamorous and I can testify that leading a cruely-free life leaves you feeling beautiful, fresh, natural, healthy and like you're making a difference. Don't always dig deep for designer gear (which often comes with a carbon frontprint or contributes to suppliers who also stock fur, leather and skins), but make your own! Get involved :)

Passionate for Pink Grapefruit

I'm staying with family this weekend and couldn't resist sabotaging their shower gel and grapefruit breakfast basket for a review. I was far too excited to spot this beauty in their shower and was quick to get my fruity weekend fling underway.

Original Source Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel is packed with natural fragrance and has the most sumptuously zingy scent. If you're a fan of true natural beauty, this really does make you feel as though you're showering with grapefruit juice and using one of the fruity segments as a loofah!

Original Source run regular competitions via their Facebook page to produce special edition seasonal flavours and this scent represents summer in a bottle. 33,000 fans voted this Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel as their winner for an instant and intense summer vibe, even on the rainiest of days! Previous seasonal editions include Orange and Cinnamon, a perfect winter warmer, and British Strawberries.

Pink Grapefruit has always been one of my favourite scents as it leaves you feeling super fresh and it has that added sharpness which is the perfect degree of subtle. Original Source are perhaps most famous for their mint and strong citrus shower gels, but I much prefer their softer variants. My boyfriend is a regular purchaser of their popular Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel, stuffed full of 7,927 tingling real mint leaves.There is no doubt that it does exactly what it says on the bottle, but I find it far too tingly for my liking at 6am in the morning if you know what I mean...

I love the Body Shop Pink Grapefruit range, but this bottle is a lot easier to use and does smell more authentic and natural. It's very light and gooey but lathers up well and is not an assault on the nose or skin. It is in fact the perfect start to any morning: it's vegan society approved, tested on humans not animals, made here in the UK and recyclable.

Original Source Vanilla and Raspberry (oh so creamy and just divine) is my current favourite, but I'd recommend getting involved on Facebook and voting for the next special edition... if we're preparing for Autumn I'm thinking hot chocolate, pumpkins or toffee apple!

Boring bits: £2.20 for 100ml from major supermarkets and chemists

P.s. Never underestimate the power that you have to change the world! I discovered this vegan-friendly bottle of joy in a shower which wasn't my own and I know I have converted my own guests who have borrowed my natural beauty goodies... every little helps and one little person can make a difference :)

One Sweaty Betty!

The less glamorous side of being a vegan is definitely the trickiest. Finding household products and basic nuts and bolts like toothpaste and deodorant, which are each areas largely dominated by consumer giants, can be difficult as they are often forgotten and left behind. My first foray into natural, cruelty-free deodorants saw me trying the Dr Organic Lavender Deodorant from high-street healthstore Holland & Barrett. Dr Organic is an award winning company with prestigious acolades from beauty trade giant CEW, Pure Beauty, Cosmopolitan and the Beauty Bible. They are committed to using only the finest natural and organic raw materials where possible and are strong campaigners against animal cruelty.

I found the packaging instantly striking. It is simple and sleek and aligned with the natural and organic messaging of the product. I love the shiny white screw cap and the eye-catching purple to hint at the lavender scent. To put it simply: it suceeds in making deodorant attractive and almost premium.

Secondly, I was drawn to the scent. I am a huge fan of lavender; I love to pour it into my bath and sprinkle it on my pillow before bed. It's proven to be calming, balancing and beneficial to the soul - what's not to love! It enhances natural skin cell renewal and improves the skin's health and texture too. On second thoughts though, lavender's only place is perhaps in the bath and bed. It somewhat jarred as a deodorant. When applying it in the morning, the subtle aroma would tempt me to crawl straight back into bed instead of setting me up for the day.

The functionality also impressed me. There is nothing worse than a rollerball deodorant that simply doesn't roll and although it feels unusual to discuss the degree to which a deodorant rolled (not my most insightful beauty input), but this is a deal breaker for me! I can therefore assure you that it was well lubricated and also rolled well to distribute the anti-perspirant effectively across the armpit area :)

As a result,  it is fresh and cool and just what I'm looking for: a thin gel-like consistency. No whiteness or flakiness.

I also cannot argue with the sentiment. Dr Organic promise to use organic, natural and bioactive ingredients, no harsh chemicals, no animal ingredients, no animal testing, no mineral oils or petro-chemicals and no GM ingredients. Sounds fantastic and a truly inspirational company.

However, as much as I love the packaging, the scent, the functionality and the sentiment, I will not be repeat purchasing this product.

Despite all of the above, surely the one thing you would look for in a deodorant is to keep you smelling fresh. And I'm sorry to say that I was one sweaty Betty.... Everyday I told myself that it was perhaps because I was warm or overexerting myself, but now having stopped using the product I can tell that it just wasn't delivering.

Who knows - I may be sweatier and smellier than some, but if I could smell myself I dread to think what others thought. It promises to be fragrant and purifying and its organic lavender oil and aloe vera, Sunflower oil, Icelandic Moss and Vitamin E did improve the quality of my underarms - reducing any irritation and leaving them soft and smooth. However, I did smell and that is that. No more Dr Organic deodorants I'm afraid. It hasn't put me off the entire range though - the body oils and lip serums in particular may find themselves into my shopping basket when I'm popping into Holland & Barrett for my non-dairys.

 

Foundation: Out with the Old...

A major part of making the transition to a cruelty-free lifestyle is grieving the things you have to leave behind. Today I have said goodbye to my foundation and it was tough. I have been using Clinique Superbalanced Makeup Foundation in 27 Alabastor for seven years and it certainly wasn't a beauty rut. I kept repeat purchasing as I loved it so much and its oil-free base perfectly complemented by skin. It was light, blended well and was just the right colour for the au natural look. It also came in a little glass pot which looked very snazzy on my dressing table.

It is, however, tested on animals so I am proud to say that after scraping out as much as I could (which is difficult in a glass jar...), we have parted ways.

The bonus of using up beauty products is getting to go shopping for a replacement though - my favourite! Foundation is something I feel you have to wear everyday for a short time to really discover if it's right for you, so I personally haven't been requesting samples as I don't feel they give a true indication of the product. I have instead bitten the bullet and popped into the Body Shop in which I left with my little brown paper bag after around only 20 minutes.
 

I've only ever tried their illuminator before (after having to bin my YSL Touche Eclat - another sad memory), but I find their staff very helpful as they always offer free makeup consultations. We selected their three foundation options in my colours (I didn't want to try a BB cream as I'm still a cynic and I just don't trust it to give the coverage I'm after) and sat in front of the mirror doing all you can... try them out on your face (not your hand!). I opted for the Body Shop Moisture Foundation SPF 15 in shade 3 which seemed an instant winner.

At first the assistant was reluctant for me to try it as I don't have dry skin, but we both found out that it was just right. I'm not one for wearing foundation all over my face so the colour absolutely has to match my skintone and this light and milky, creamy number was perfect. I have rosy cheeks (lucky my friends and family say - a natural blusher!), but I like to cover them up for a clean complexion and my first impressions of this foundation were beautiful blendability, a natural finish and my skin, (even having removed all my makeup a few hours ago), still feels super soft.

I could be delirious from the bright lights of the cosmetics counter so I don't want to pass judgement yet - I did only buy it today! I will be putting it to the ultimate test by wearing it right there on my face (as it should be) everyday I'm out and about, so stay tuned to find out if I'm a convert.

Some other deets:

• It comes in a super sleek and shiny bottle which is ever so sexy
• It has a pump dispenser, but is easy to control (not dispensing too much or too little) and leaves the foundation bubbly and fluffy for application - it also looks as though I'll be able to keep track of how much I have left as the pump will cause the base to rise with use
• It is only £13 - half the price of my last foundation!
• It's 100% vegetarian and not tested on animals!
• It contains an SPF to keep your face happy in the sun

So So Sexy Studded Shopper

After beauty, my passion is handbags. Everybody is of the opinion that I have too many, but I assure you I don't. I used to buy a bag at every chance I could, including super cheap numbers for under a tenner on the high street. I have now matured, however, and like to buy quality bags that I know will last me and surpass every trend.

There is nothing worse than spotting that drop dead gorgeous bag on the shelf, only to check the label and discover that it's made of leather. So I was super smug when my latest purchase turned out to be 100% vegan and oh so suave. This studded tote shopper is from high street hero Zara and is just the right size. I need a big bag as (being truly British) I absolutely always have to carry an umbrella as well as an assortment of  other oddities, including emergency snacks and extra lip balms. I also agree that a larger bag slims you so I love to hide myself behind a big beauty.

It's made of 100% polyurethane with a 100% cotton lining which is music to my ears. Polyurethane is perhaps not as durable as leather, but it's a pretty flawless substitute and doesn't have the strong scent of leather that I personally find overpowering. The stud detailing and buckles also provide a striking contrast to the bag's somewhat shiny finish.

I usually opt for lengthier handles, but these smaller ones have really grown on me - I feel high fashion with it either hanging from my bended arm or swinging down by my legs rather than slouched over my shoulder. It's also perfect for work, a day of shopping or an evening accessory. The structural shape is also very in vogue, but subtly executed so as not to overdo the geometric trend. As pictured, it comes with a strap, but I prefer the clean finish without it hanging down. I have found an alternative use for it though and have been wearing it around my waist as a belt...

Zara is my new favourite place to purchase bags as they not only provide some fantastic vegan options, but they're also affordable. This bag comes in at £49.99 which is a bit more than I usually spend in Zara, but still a great price for an investment piece. Can you tell I love it yet?

It's also good to know that the inner lining handily comes complete with two adjacent pocket pouches, the perfect size for keys or a phone (which can easily be separated to prevent scratching). It also comes in a gorgeous rich brown and should simply be cleaned by using a damp cloth. Buy it here now while it lasts!

Some other beauties tempting and tantalising me at the moment....

Lime Bowling Bag

Khaki Doctor's Bag