Supporting Local....Skincare!

We're told that one of the best things we can do for our bodies and our environment is to purchase our groceries local & seasonal. There's a lot of truth to this; buying local reduces the miles food has to travel in order to get to your shop shelf, thus reducing carbon emissions. It also means that you're getting the freshest possible produce. After all, if you live in London and just bought a mango...are you really sure how long it's been since that mango was plucked from the tree?

So on a similar wave length: why not shop your cosmetics locally too?

For English Roses, consider the following beautiful brands:

• Balance Me 'Balance Me uses innovative naturally active botanicals, hi-tech natural formulations and pure grade essential oils powerful botanicals to deliver a skincare range that offers the customer sophisticated textures and aromatherapy-inspired exquisite active aromas that can be used daily across all skin types.'
• Dr. Jackson's 'Dr Jackson’s is a niche cosmeceutical company created from 21 years of pharmacognosy research, utilising the best from nature.'
• Emma Hardie "I believe in treating the skin with the utmost respect. Just as we need to nurture the natural ground cover that protects the earth’s surface from erosion, so we need to nourish and nurture our protective cover, our skin. This way we can be assured of a life-long vibrant complexion that radiates the vitality of youth"
• Sarah Chapman 'Luxury with efficacy, softness meets strength, Skinesis is a solutions driven skincare range that combines high potency cosmeceutical ingredients with nurturing naturals and ultra luxurious packaging.'
• Aromatherapy Associates 'Aromatherapy Associates have been the leading experts within aromatherapy for over 30 years.'
• Ren 'Since its launch in 2000 REN has become a cult favourite amongst beauty editors and consumers and is now available in department stores, pharmacies and spas in over 50 countries around the world.'
• LUSH - I couldn't write this list without including this classic fun, natural, innovative brand. They stand for what they believe in, make bath time fun and sell some cracking skincare.

I hope you found this informative! Please share your favourite British brands below. There are so many more that I equally adore.

The Infamous Issue: Animal Testing

Every girl has got to have her mascara or lipstick or foundation, but I think many of us forget that there is an ugly side to all that appears to be 'beautiful'. LUSH fans will likely know about their latest campaign for fighting animal testing. They decided to go all out with a brutal display of what it is like for animal subjects by creating a reenactment on a young woman in their Regent St shop window that has passers-by stunned! I think there is still a lot of dispute over animal testing for medical purposes and my honest opinion is that I remain undecided on that note, but as for cosmetics (a luxury that very many men and women on the planet cannot afford to enjoy), animal testing is obscene and should absolutely be brought to an end.

Head over to www.fightinganimaltesting.com and sign the petition if you would like to have your voice heard to let legislators know that you disagree with it and believe it must be brought to an end. Supporting LUSH is also great; they are a fantastic cosmetics company for raising awareness of many important environmental and humanitarian issues around the world.

I pledge to take special care to absolutely ensure no future cosmetic purchases have been tested on animals, and I hope you can join me! Check this out to snoop on the good and bad companies.

LUSH review: Soak and Float

I have to talk about this solid shampoo bar from LUSH. Soak and Float aims to combat sore, itchy and flaky scalps suffering from dandruff and psoriasis. Containing cade oil (similar to coal tar for you fellow psoriasis sufferers) and lavendar, this soothes the scalp and calms down redness and itching.

I have suffered from psoriasis on the scalp since I was a little kid. This hereditary skin condition leads to skin cells multiplying at a super-rapid rate, so the tell-tale flaking is your skin trying to shed itself as fast as it can, but not being able to do so quick enough! The result is itching..which can lead to tender exposed skin and sometimes even bleeding (if you do what I used to do and scratch in your sleep!). For an informative video, check this out.

Doctors will recommend shampoos containing coal tar, but often these little concoctions contain a plethora of nasty chemical additives. It was my mission to find something that would do the trick without exposing my sensitive and exposed scalp to lots of nasties!

I have been a LUSH junkie for years and use everything from their soaps to skincare. I was moaning to one of the sales assistants in my local store about my problem scalp (especially in the Winter.. for those of you who don't know, the sun works WONDERS for psoriasis. Oh how I long to live in a hot place again!) and she recommended me this shampoo. Now, I must warn you, the scent is rather overwhelming. It smells exactly like a bonfire, which i personally love. However, I am sure many wont like the idea of their hair smelling like a burning pile of wood! Hahaha :). I will say, once I've rinsed it out and used my conditioner, there is no lingering smell.

TO USE: wet hair thoroughly then rub this bar around your head to create a good lather. I let some of the shampoo drip into and behind my ears where I also suffer from psoriasis. Leave it on while I get on with washing my body etc then rinse it off after a few minutes. Voila!

I hope this helps! Happy scalps for everyone :)x

Smells so good you'll wanna eat it!

I find LUSH to be one of those shops that you either love or loathe. My boyfriend claims the place gives him a headache just walking past, whereas others could literally set up camp in there and happily inhale the inviting aroma.

I've been using their products for years and wanted to give praise today to my favourite body lotion in the world.

Vanilla Dee-Lite Body Lotion is a 'Delightfully soothing, creamily smoothing, vanilla scented lotion for your body and hands. With natural coconut and illipe butters and vitamin-packed, fresh kiwi fruit.'

At £11.75, this definitely is not the cheapest of lotions, but once you start, you cannot stop using it! The very strong vanilla scent (and not the nasty artificial kind) hits you every time you use it, and lasts for over 24 hours on the skin. If I shower in the AM and apply, the next morning when I get in the shower I can smell it rubbing off! It is wonderfully calming on any red, dry, waxed or irritated skin, which I think is a trait that many find surprising. Generally these days, if a product has a strong scent to it, those with sensitive skin tend to stay away thinking it will only make matters worse, but LUSH products include natural scents, not the artificial perfume that causes all sorts of issues!

This beautiful lotion is easily absorbed but thoroughly moisturising, a rare trait I find, thus can be used all year round! It lingers on the skin, and is perfect for those that don't like to wear perfume, but want smell wonderful with their lotion. Even if you don't want to shell out for it, please just do me a favour and go take a whiff next time you pass a LUSH store :), it'll make my day!

Mega Love xx

My Skincare Routine!

Hello! Thank you to those that wished me well in my recovery, I am definitely on my way back to a normal self :D. I thought I would post some skincare recommendations based on my routine, and what has worked for me.

To begin, I have normal-dry skin. It is hard to put anyone's skin into any one category, because our skin varies throughout the seasons and throughout the month, but this is a rough idea. I used to have very oily skin, but took Accutane to cure my acne about 3 years ago, and ever since then my skin has been on the dry side. So this is what I use to keep my skin healthy and glowy, even throughout the winter! You will notice a lot of LUSH products. I don't think enough people look into and try out LUSH skincare products, but they truly are amazing value for money.

CLEANSER:
Angels on Bare Skin (LUSH) £5.95:

I would describe the consistency as a scrubby putty, with lavender and rose chunks in it - ha! In case you're not familiar with LUSH, every product has a sticker posted on the packaging with an expiry date on it. The length for this cleanser is roughly 3 months - the exact length of time it takes me to use a pot up. I use this at night to exfoliate. It is very gentle, and recommended especially if you have sensitive skin. 


Daily Care Face Wash (Organic Surge) £4.99:

Organic Surge is a great line! Pure skincare, great price. The full range used to be sold in Boots, though I can never seem to find them these days and have to order direct off their website. I use this in the morning to rid my skin of any oils that may have set in overnight, and it leaves my skin clean but not tight. 

Toner: 
Breath of Fresh Air (LUSH) £3.75/100g:

Amazing toner! I spray a couple spritzes onto my face after I cleanse either morning or night and gently pat into the skin. You can also use on a cotton pad to remove excess make-up if you like. It instantly refreshes and reduces redness, and smells DIVINE - like you are at the beach :). Lasts just over a year before expiry.

Moisturiser:
Natural Repair Face Cream (Oilatum) £7.65:

Now, I change up my moisturisers depending on if I need SPF, what my mood is etc, but this one is always a staple. It gives me long-lasting moisture that I desperately need when my skin is dehydrated and lacking juice! Natural ingredients, great price, very uninvasive and great for dry and sensitive skin types. 

Celestial (LUSH) £11.50: 

This is also advertised for sensitive skin, with soothing vanilla and almond milk it smells incredible and provides beautiful moisture for the skin, helping to rid any irritation. It isn't very thick, so would work for any skin type I think, as long as you aren't either extremely oily or dry. Expiry is 12-15 months after purchase.

Vita-Zing (Origins) £25:

Now, this little beastie is rather on the pricey side as far as moisturisers go, like all Origins products, BUT I heard an unbelievable amount of hype about this product so gave in around February and got one. Boy am I not disappointed! The product comes out a greyish-white colour, and once in contact with the skin changes to your skintone to even out the skin and provide a light coverage. I would say it is similar to a tinted moisturiser, but perhaps with a little less coverage? I don't know.. its a unique product, and really makes my skin look dewy and healthy. I am lucky in that my skin is pretty clear and even, so I don't really need foundation, but when I just want a little evening and sun protection then this is a great option. 

Extras:
To remove make-up at night, I usually use Simple Face Wipes. When I want a treat, I usually go for a LUSH face mask or one from Montagne-Jeunesse. DID YOU KNOW: If you save 5 black pots when you have used up the LUSH product inside, you can take them into store and get a free face mask!
 
Let me know what you use! And if you have any recommendations :D.

Mega Love xx