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

Lip-Smackingly Good

Whether your lips need some tlc after a harsh winter or you're simply a teensy bit peckish, this scrummy lip scrub is for you.

I do suffer from dry lips so I had an excuse to purchase Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub even though the real reason I just had to have it was because it's yummy and pink and tastes like candy floss!

In all seriousness, this lip scrub is a beauty saviour. It's made from castor sugar which acts as a gentle scrub to clear dead skin and flakiness away from the lips. Just about the only other ingredient, apart from flavour and colouring, is jojoba oil which provides a gorgeously light and natural moisturisation for smooth kissable lips that are not at all greasy.

It comes packed into a small glass jar which makes it feel more premium than the average Lush product and a treat to slip into your makeup case or clutch. Simply dip in a clean finger and scoop up a healthy amount of the sugary scrub and apply directly to your lips. I never worry about getting too much as it's the perfect case of more is more! Work in and massage it all over your smackers and enjoy the instant feeling of silky smoothness it brings. The best part of all is that you can then lick your lips clean and enjoy the excess! I of course wouldn't recommend eating the scrub, but as it is largely castor sugar it is edible and totally safe to consume. It enhances the experience for me to be able to literally lick my lips rather than wipe off a product that's oily, medicinal or tangy to taste. I also think it has the added bonus of a mini breath refresher. I can't believe anybody wouldn't like the taste as it's the most divine sugary sweet flavour, like candy floss or bubblegum as it says on the tin! Have a try in store as I suppose I can understand that it may be a little sickly or overpowering for some. It also comes in Popcorn and Mint Julips, but I'm personally not a fan of either. The Popcorn flavour made me want to rinse my mouth and lips as it tastes super salty whereas the mint felt too powerful like a mouthwash!

The texture is literally like a coarse-grain sugar and has a crystalised effect. I would certainly admit to being someone who didn't pay enough attention to my lips so this is a great product to get you into a healthy little routine. I tend to apply it at night before a rich lip butter so my lips can enjoy a night of beauty sleep and deep moisturisation. It is the perfect base for lipstick though and great before an event. It will ensure no flakes or dry patches remain and, I believe, enhances the shine and quality of your lipstick, which looks much better when applied to cared for lips.

I have had my pot for a good 6 months and I barely seem to have used much at all - despite my generous scoops! It is only £5.25 for 25g and will bring you months of beautiful lips - all without a single preservative and no harm to animals. It's 100% vegan and cruelty-free - delicious!

Top tip: Finish off by rubbing your top and bottom lips together to really get the grains exfoliating after massaging in with your finger


Now all you have to do is find somebody equally as beautiful to kiss so as not to waste a perfect pout!

Pearly Whites

Keeping teeth clean and shining is a daily beauty essential, but unfortunately you'd struggle to find a single product not tested on animals or owned by a consumer giant in the dental aisle. I have to travel a little further than the supermarket for my teeth staples, but I've discovered some natural and vegan alternatives that keep my pearly whites white.


In the essence of being thorough, I even like to choose my toothbrush wisely and get mine from my local Co-op. The Co-op is fantastic for their animal welfare and ethical trading. They are the largest retailer to exclusively sell free range eggs and have a stringent non animal testing policy for their own brand products. Furthermore, all of their toiletries and household products are independently verified and accredited by BUAV (the leaping bunny below which campaigns agaisnt cruel cosmetics). I therefore love to support my local branch whenever I can and am pleased to say that their manual toothbrushes are just to my taste.

I prefer a fairly tough bristle and this simple medium toothbrush (available in a range of colours) is perfect. I can really feel it working, unlike a soft bristle brush, one of which I was using previously. It can take a couple of days to get used to, especially for those with sensitive gums, but if you persevere your gums will truly benefit from a gentle, healthy brush. I can also feel the bristles penetrate down between each tooth and they're great at lathering up my toothpaste for an all-over mouth freshness.

I have a feeling that I'll be buying this toothbrush again and again and remember - your mouth is regularly full of bacteria so I would recommended getting a new brush every few months.

I can't remember the price or exact name of this brush, but I would hazard a guess at around £2 to £3.

 A friend of mine recommended the next product I'm about to discuss: Sarakan Toothpaste. He told me an intriguing story of a travelling doctor who noticed that, despite a bad diet, his patients in India had great dental health. He discovered that many had been using a 'chewing stick' to clean their teeth and gums from a shrub known as the Salvadora persica, which has since been promoted by the World Health Organization for oral hygience. This toothbrush tree is the main ingredient of Sarakan: nature's toothpaste.

Although it did work a treat at keeping my teeth clean and white, the taste and texture really does take some getting used to. To put it in perspective, I was woken up one night after my dad chose to borrow my tooth paste by his yells of disgust, the sound of him spitting it out and rinsing his mouth. After a few days it is bearable and not as bad as I have made it sound, but it is still very grainy, rather than smooth, and does taste natural (unforunately in a bad way) - like fennel or aniseed. I'm sorry to say that I won't be repurchasing it myself, but the main reason is that it doesn't contain fluoride. The fluoride debate will continue to rage, but my dentist insists that, bearing in mind my vegan diet, it is an aboslute essential for keeping teeth healthy and is a must for preventing tooth decay.

If you're agaisnt fluoride, I wouldn't want to put you off from giving it a go. Sarakan also do a mouthwash which I'm interested in trying, but for now I have found another toothpaste which I much prefer.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. £2.29 from Holland & Barrett.

 The tooth paste I do love and use daily is Kingfisher Toothpaste. Described as the UK's leading natural toothpaste, Kingfisher contains no artificial colourings, flavourings, sweeteners or preservatives. It's also gluten-free, GM free and is made in Britain.

Best of all though - it not only tastes as great as toothpaste could taste, but no animals are harmed in the production of Kingfisher toothpaste and no animal testing is undertaken at any stage. It has also been named PETA's Best Cruelty-Free Toiletries and Beauty Product. It is, too, the toothpaste with the highest ethical rating.

It is made with natural ingredients, including fennel, lemons and peppermint and comes in 7 variants. I buy the mint (with fluoride) variety and it is just a dream to use. It is very smooth across the teeth, lathers up well and tastes subtly, not aggressively, minty.

It also carries the BDHF (British Health Foundation) logo so is recognised for its effectiveness at cleaning teeth so you don't need to worry that by choosing to go natural, you loose any benefits of the mainstream products.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians and available from Holland & Barrett, Waitrose and independent chemists. £2.85 for 100 ml tube

I felt very lost as a vegan wandering down the dental aisle so I hope this helps. There are options out there if you look!

Lush Ocean Salt... Worth its salt!

Warning: your life will change if you use this product!

To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? That is the question! There are  numerous different opinions in the beauty industry about using an exfoliator as some say it's essential to scrub dead skin away and brighten whereas others believe that simply washing with a flannel is almost too much abrasion for delicate faces. I think there is such thing as too much exfoliation, but I could not live without it. I only exfoliate my face when I wash my hair in the shower, usually three times a week, or perhaps before using a face mask. I love to feel it deep cleaning my skin and think it can be truly beneficial a couple of times a week to keep skin feeling alive. Know your skin and use the right amount and pressure for your face, and if you are going to exfoliate... you must use Lush Ocean Salt Facial Scrub.

This facial scrub, as its name suggests, is made up of fine sea salt which acts as its exfoliating ingredient. It provides a scrubby mix which cleans the skin by removing dead skin cells, leaving your mush bright and glowing. It doesn't tighten or dry out the skin, however, as lashings of fresh and softening ingredients are also packed into the pot. Organic limes, avocado butter and infusion of fresh grapefruit also all make this scrub truly scrumptious. The limes are soaked in vodka which account for its astringent, tangy feeling which may not be to everybody's tastes. There is a slight sting and even if I avoid getting the product anywhere near my mouth, I can always taste the lime and salt on the tip of tongue when washing it off. It's not entirely unpleasant though and I now enjoy it as I associate the taste and experience with this good old scrub! It is, however, therefore antiseptic which is a little added benefit.

To counteract the zesty assault on your face, the avocado butter, extra virgin coconut oil, lanolin, seaweed and violet leaf all moisturise and leave your skin supple. It is the most beautiful combination. I first used the product after having a sickness bug and being bed ridden for a few days. I emerged from under the sheets and headed straight for a much-needed bath and this scrub sorted me right out! My face was a lank and oily mess and after a quick dab of Ocean Salt, it was back to normal having been miraculously both scrubbed within an inch of its life yet also feeling so so soft. Divine! Even the gorgeous turquoise colour is heavenly.

It literally has the consistency of salt so certainly is abrasive. I would recommend only using a small amount as even a teeny scoop will do the job. I will warn you that to some it may seem harsh, but as long as you are gentle I think it does your skin the world of good. Simply dip your finger in the tub after wetting your skin and then softly work onto your face in circular motions, paying special attention to crevices and problem areas - for me my t-zone, chin and the crevices around my nose. Then simply wash it off and feel your skin breathe and whisper 'oh wow!' :).
An extra good tip to know is that it comes with most of the salt sitting at the top of the pot so just like when you open a new pot of paint - it needs a good mix. Use a lollypop stick or similar implement to spread the salt all throughout the mixture until you get the beautiful aquamarine colouring and it looks something like the pictures above, rather than below:

This beauty gem is also Vegetarian Society approved and of course, like all Lush products, NOT tested on animals! Praise the Lord! It's unfortunately not vegan though as, as mentioned, it contains lanolin which is sheep's wool wax or fat. It is plainly and simply a substance secreted to keep wool waterproof and protected. But for us, it means excellent moisturisating, plumping and protecting.

Lush https://www.lush.co.uk/product/306/Ocean-Salt-Facial-Scrub-100g 
£6.95 for 100g
£12.95 for 250g

If you listen to any advice I give you - please give this product a go. It is my absolute favourite beauty product at the moment and the best thing I bought in 2012. It can also be used on the body, but I like to enjoy the kick it gives to my skin (and envigoration of my senses) and use a thicker and less concentrated scrub on the rest of my wobbly bits. I only bought the 100g pot as it was my first time, but I think I will rebuy this smaller size. It lasts a long time as only a small scoop is required and it's nice to keep it fresh once mixed together and activated.
Let me know how you get on! And if your skin really does whisper 'oh wow!' like mine.

I'm Over the Treacle Moon

Happy New Year!
The decorations are coming down today - can't believe it's so soon! But I just thought I'd get in a quick last Christmas-related post and share a new product Santa left me in my stocking!

I love cheap and cheerful beauty products in my stocking to keep the cupboards stocked up and this treacle moon those lemonade days bath and shower gel was a lovely surprise.

that warm sunny feeling... you know the one... when for no proper reason your tummy just goes all weird and you grin like a silly hen.

Reads the front of the bottle, perhaps a description of the feeling that is bottled up inside the gel to be released when used? I can't say feeling like a silly hen is something I experienced when washing with the product, but I do love this quirky brand. Its look and feel and messaging definitely caught my attention and I'd love to give the other products in their range a try (including body scrubs, hand creams, body butters and hand washes).
 Have a look at their website as its a really fun and interesting read: www.treaclemoon.net

This product is designed to be massaged directly onto damp skin whilst showering or poured under warm running water for a bubbly soak. I haven't given it a go in the bath yet (as I've been slightly distracted by all the bright and colourful Lush bath bombs I also received for Crimbo!), but I love this as a body wash in the shower! It has a gorgeous lemony scent that is neither sour or sickly Penicillin-sweet (If you know what I mean... that banana lemon medicine still haunts me from my childhood!). The consistency is also nice and runny and lathers up really well. Its perfect for pouring over a loofah for a really nice bubbly scrub!

In addition to being something that can sit proudly on my shower caddy shelf with its stylish bottle and beautiful bright colouring, it also leaves me feeling super squeaky clean - and what more do you really need from a shower wash? The way I'm gushing on, perhaps it really does make you feel like a silly hen!

Thankfully, and best of all, I can safely shower guilt-free as treacle moon claim to have never tested any of their products on animals - only themselves! Their formulations do not contain any animal derived ingredients so are suitable for vegetarians, and vegans as far as I am aware.

treacle moon are also involved in charitable work, including pledging to sponsor poverty-stricken children and supporting development projects such as providing access to clean water and sanitation and better healthcare.
There's nothing I love more than finding a great new brand to support, write about and add to my repetoire of products I can use knowing they are not tested on animals. Please do give this brand a go - their fragrances also include that vanilla moment, the raspberry kiss, one ginger morning, my coconut island, her mango thoughts and the pomegranate secret - they all sound delicious and I'm dying to read all the different blurbs and 'feelings' on the front of the bottles (no doubt thought up by the team's 'rather random garden gnome' Charles Henry Nelson who they reveal is consulted on all elementsof design and creativity)! My New Year's resolution is to continue keeping you informed on similar beautiful beauty secrets so stay tuned!

£3.03 for 500 ml
Available from Treaclemoon.net or Tescos