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 

Behind the door of my advent calendar today...

A few years ago you'd struggle to find much exciting out there for vegans - no advent calendars, easter eggs, etc. Now, however, I am so thankful that more and more options are becoming available.
I know it's a little late for getting an advent calendar this year, but I'd thought I'd share how I'm enjoying my advent and give some tips and heads ups for next year. The below suggestions could equally work well for stocking fillers and other seasonal goodies, such as for treating your Secret Santa or attaching to your Christmas cards.

I found this little gem in my local Montezuma's chocolate shop, their Montezuma's Organic Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar. It's completely vegan and is also free from soya, gluten, GM and preservatives. It's a little pricey at £9.99, but you get a healthy slab of delicious dark chocolate each day and I also love the design - very stylish.
www.montezumas.co.uk

Me and my boyfriend have also begun a tradition of filling a calendar for each other (which we started back in the days when vegan advent calendars were super hard to find). We bought each other a fabric calendar which can be refilled each year, such as this one from the RSPB shop which you can make yourself and add a name. (Plus at the RSPB {Royal Society for the Protection of Birds} shop you can save nature while you shop with 100% of profit going towards saving birds and wildlife).

My boyfriend then filled mine with some scrummy vegan chocs such as the below, again from Montezuma's.

Montezuma's Organic Dark Chunky Snowmen
£4.99 for 8

Montezuma's Sunrise Truffles
£4.79 for 120g
These gorgeous balls are organic orange and dark chocolate truffles sprinkled with sugar - sublime!

If I'm lucky, behind some of the doors I also find a little gift and today I got to unwrap a very exciting little beauty treat - The Body Shop Coconut Lip Butter. I love the Body Shop lip butters, but have never tried the coconut flavour before. I instantly love it though. It is so buttery and creamy and is not an overpowering scent - it is nice and subtle and sits beautifully on the lips. It contains organic virgin coconut oil for instant hydration and is perfect for this time of year when my lips are often chapped and dry no matter what I do!
The only downside is that I keep having to top it up as I'm continually licking it off! Perhaps not something I should recommend you do...

The Body Shop Coconut Lip Butter

 £4.00

It is clear that I like coconut and the Body Shop though (and that great minds think alike!) as my boyfriend got to unwrap The Body Shop Coconut Hand Cleanse Gel in his calendar from me this week. I have every intention of stealing this - it's a handy pocket-size hand cleanse gel which should be great for my boyfriend who is always on the move and travelling on public transport.
It instantly cleanses and requires no water for use. You simply squirt it onto your hands for instant cleansing on the go. It's also only 60ml so can be taken on board planes to rid yourself of all those germs between meals (if you dare to eat aeroplane food that is). The coconut scent is also gorgeous - an immeditate refreshing smack in the nose!! I have Pink Grapefruit gel on my desk at work and everybody in the office knows when I have used it (and wants to borrow some!). Plus at £2.50 it's an absolute bargain!

The Body Shop Coconut Hand Cleanse Gel
£2.50 for 60ml

Whether you're a vegan or not, I hope you like these ideas. I think it's lovely to fill an advent calendar with chocolates and gifts that you know the recipient will love. It's a nice personal touch too and it's fun to get it down from the attic every year and know that Christmas is just around the corner!

 

Christmas Gift Guide

Shopping is perhaps admittedly my favourite hobby, if it can be called that! Although, as soppy as it sounds, buying for others is even more fun that buying for myself.
The one thing I do hate about shopping, however, is spotting that special something and must-have purchase, only to read the label to find out that it's made of leather or contains another animal ingredient.
I've been putting in the leg work to find some nice vegan and vegetarian goodies which are of great quality and sure not to disappoint. Read my Christmas gift guide to see what I've been buying this year and hopefully get some last-minute inspiration for yourself!

For Mum

The fashion world is unfortunately full of fur and skins, but I absolutely love these vegan friendly loafers from Asos.com. They're 100% textile and polyurethane and you'd never be able to tell that they weren't leather.  The metal clasp is gorgeous and oh-so-subtly Gucci-esque while the nude grey colour is perfectly in vogue and will go with everything.
My mum is also a horse lover and this rodeo cowboy trend is going to be huge next year (trust me).

Asos Marshmallow Loafers with Metal Trim
£25.00 now £12.50


 For Dad

My dad is officially the world's hardest person to buy for, but as a music fan and collector I couldn't go wrong with this new live album from Coldplay. Music and books are always nice gifts and are, I imagine, produced in a largely cruelty-free industry. I know the link here is tenuous, but Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, has also been voted the world's sexiest vegetarian.

Coldplay Live 2012
£10.00 from Amazon

For The Boyfriend

Me and my bofriend recently graduated and started our first jobs so I have spent many hours searching far and wide for a nice satchel-look briefcase that is not leather and I think I have found the perfect one. This designer number from Tommy Hilger comes with the big name, but without the big guilt. It's rare to find a designer who doesn't always use leather and this product is 100% polyurethane, but looks the real deal. It's also smart and youthful at the same time. A nice investment piece.


Tommy Hilfiger Mace Messenger
£85

For The Teen Brother

 My younger brother is not afraid of a bit of man-pampering and I have often bought him Cosmetic Lad from Lush before, a lavender honey moisturising and shaving cream, which he loves. This year I've got him Whoosh Shower Jelly which is one of those great Lush products which are innovative and fun to use. It literally is a wobbly jelly which I can't resist prodding and poking when I'm in a Lush store. You simply break off a piece which foams up like magic. This shower jelly is made with seaweed and fresh lemon, lime and grapefruit juice - perfect for smelly boys. 

This product isn't vegan as it contains honey water, made by bees, but it will certainly wake you up in the morning!

Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly
£3.50 for 100g
£6.50 for 250g

For Friends

I love these  lollipop gift sets. This Born Lippy set from the Body Shop features five juicy lip balms in Strawberry, Raspberry, Satsuma Shimmer, Passionberry and Watermelon - ideal for Christmas kisses under the mistletoe! They do contain beeswax so are again not vegan, but the Body Shop is a fantastic company to support. They are agaisnt animal testing, part of Cruelty-Free international and support community fair trade, defend human rights and protect the planet! Superheroes!

The Body Shop Born Lippy Fruity Lip Balms
£10.00

Stocking Fillers

Last but not least, what's not to love about this great selection... 

 

The Body Shop Mango Buter Up Duo
£6.00

 

Lush Sandy Santa Sugar Scrub
£2.

Lush Melting Snowman Luxury Bath Melt
£1.95

 Merry Christmas and happy shopping!