1 June 2021
(not sponsored/researched and selected by Sugarpuffish)
I always struggle for Father's Day gifts so whilst searching the internet for my own ideas I've collated a little collection of presents. I hope you find this helpful.
Peace with the Wild - this site has a lovely collection of gift sets, they have everything covered from sweet treats, gardening, skincare and more. I am sure you would find something for most budgets.
Sea Change Wine - this company keeps popping up on my Instagram so I'll give them a mention. Their message "We want to combine our love of great wine with our desire to do something to help protect our oceans." seems admirable and appealing.
Soap Daze - if you are looking for a zero waste option then what about a classic soap on a rope? lovely to see a modern twist on this old classic. Soap Daze also have gift set options.
Thought Clothing - ethical clothing is always an option from t-shirts, trousers to sock and undies. I particularly like their smaller gift sets including one containing a reusable PLA coffee cup and two pairs of bamboo organic cotton blend socks.
Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate - you'll be able to pick this one up at the supermarket or online. If you visit their website there is a feature to create your own wrapper which is something a little different. The Dark Almond Sea Salt and Extra Dark Chocolate 70% are suitable for vegans.
Wave Phone Cases - back in January I reviewed the Wave case I had purchased. It's still on my phone, holding up well and I like it so I can't think of any reason not to recommend as a gift.
Sarah x
28 February 2021
17 April 2020
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1 April 2020
29 March 2020
29 January 2019
12 November 2015
5 November 2015
You all know I'm a huge fan of Bloom Remedies. I cannot be parted with my Serenity Slumber Pillow Mist so imagine my delight when I learnt new for Christmas is the Serenity Slumber Luxury Candle. Marie is also launching The Peaceful Mind Range, perfect for those with over active minds, who struggle to relax and unwind. Look out for the Peaceful Mind set which contains a pulse point roll on and bath oil. In addition there also a Luxury Candle in this scent. Last year I did the majority of my Christmas shopping from Bloom Remedies, they have the best gifts sets so go check them out.
Fragrant Stocking Fillers
If you are looking for unique stocking fillers then turn your attention to Natural Wisdom. They have launched a range of natural, alcohol-free solid perfumes (£12.50 each), which can be worn to scent your skin or hair and also used as a room fragrance with the lid off. Alternatively, take a look at the new Plump & Nourish lip balm (£10 each), which comes in a beautifully tactile reusable cedar wood pot. Ingredients include peppermint, chilli pepper and cinnamon oils, which help naturally plump the lips.
Learn a new skill
Ruth Romano runs regular soap making courses in Cheshire alongside selling her award-winning range of soap and natural skincare products. If you know someone who enjoys getting creative and learning new skills then you could buy a Gift Voucher to spend a day getting creative and take a lovely selection box of soap home with them.
Bath time Soapy Delights
Based in a little barn at the foot of the Sugar Loaf mountain in Wales, The Sugar Loaf Soap Company has a very simple mission, to provide natural, handmade soaps produced from high quality, ethically sourced raw materials. They offer a delightful range of products and gift sets.
Luxury Candles
I adore Petits Rituels’ candles they would make a beautiful gift but if you’re looking for something on a smaller scale the hand-poured wax melts are highly fragranced with an intricate floral design. Simply place in a warmer and light an unscented tea light, as the wax melts the fragrance is released. Also ideal for lining your clothes and linen draws.
Not only does MBotanicals* have a range face and body care they also have some lovely candles. You can choose from Vanilla Bean, Citrus Basil, Gardenia, Rose Oudh, Sandalwood and Tobacco.
Festive Nails
Little Ondine’s Limited Edition Winter Wonderland Collection is the perfect way to get you in the holiday mood. There’s no better time of year for sparkles and with this no-fuss glitter polish you can change your look with ease while you’re on the go from office to family gatherings to all your festive celebrations. The beautifully packaged collection makes a stylish stocking stuffer, secret santa or last-minute gift or even a self-indulgent treat.
Sarah x
P.S Part 2 to follow.........
Disclaimer - *PR sample
18 October 2014
27 February 2014
I am noticing a new trend in natural skincare for all things Bee related but I want to raise awareness that some bee by-products are potential allergens. You will be aware from my reviews, at this moment in time I do not avoid beeswax or honey. I am also going to touch on the issue of cruelty but I understand this is a sensitive topic. Let me talk you through the ingredients used in skincare that Bees produce.
Bee Venom - I am sure most of you understand that venom is the poison which makes a sting painful, but are you aware of how the venom is collected? Bees are given a tiny electric shock as they enter the hive, not enough to kill them (debatable as I'm sure some would die) but just enough to put them in a bad mood so they will release venom. Believe it or not this method is regarded as cruelty free because the alternative would involve killing the bees by removing the stinger and venom sacks. People with an allergy to bee stings need to avoid this ingredient in skincare.
Royal Jelly – secreted from the glands of the bee and used to feed the larvae. Royal Jelly is used in skincare because it is rich in amino acid, vitamins and minerals. To harvest this ingredient a bee hive needs to be encouraged to produce more queen bees. The hive does not survive without a queen bee so she is removed and larvae introduced, this then encourages worker bees to feed the larvae to produce a new queen. I have read that anyone with asthma or allergies may wish to avoid Royal Jelly. Reactions can range from mild skin irritation to anaphylaxis shock.
Propolis – a resinous mixture which is used to seal open spaces in the hive and is collected by Bees from tree buds and sap. Propolis is used in skincare because it seems to have anti inflammatory and skin healing effects. Claims have been made that it can be used to treat allergies but it can cause severe reactions especially if you are sensitive to bees. Some experts believe it can make asthma worse and anyone allergic to conifers, poplars, Peru balsam and salicylates are advised to avoid propolis.
Honey – if you follow natural bloggers, you may have seen the growing popularity in using honey as a cleanser because of the antiseptic, anti inflammatory, healing and moisturing properties. Honey is made when bees transform nectar by a process of regurgitation and evaporation. That does kind of gross me out a little. If you wanted to substitute honey in skincare, then opt for products containing manuka essential oil which is extracted from the species of New Zealand tree called Leptospermum Scoparium. It offers the same benefits as manuka honey but is obtained from the leaves, flowers and wood. If you would like to substitute honey in cooking, Vegan alternatives are Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Coconut Nectar and Dates (there are probably more but these are the ones I am familiar with).
Beeswax – worker bees secrete wax from their glands and use it to build the honeycomb cells in the hive. It is used in skincare as a surfactant as it forms a protective barrier on the skin but unlike mineral oil, as with all Bee by-products, it does offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Harvesting the beeswax and honey involves taking it from the hive which they reside in. This is the part of the Vegan argument that likens it to factory farming, forcing the bees to construct the hives for humans to steal from.
The thought process for writing this post was sparked following a Twitter conversation where someone told me propolis would ‘cure’ my eczema. I personally believe that when you have eczema linked to allergies you need to be very wary of this type of advice. From my viewpoint, bee venom and royal jelly are the ingredients that upset me the most due to the method of extraction. I can appreciate the Vegan argument that bee keeping is exploitative and cruel. Writing this blog post has certainly got me thinking in a different way. Eliminating beeswax from my skincare at this time seems a little daunting as several creams I rely on to help manage my eczema contain this ingredient. I'm not against the idea and I will be researching into the alternatives. The decision to avoid ingredients from bees is entirely your own but I hope by sharing my thoughts you can understand why it matters to me and welcome opinions.
Sarah x
27 August 2013
Essential Care (@EssentialCareUK) are holding a twitter chat on Thursday 5th September at 7pm (UK time). The hashtag you need to follow is #organicbeauty and you have the opportunity to ask any questions about organic make up and beauty. Expert Guests including Laura Jane Sessions, will be on hand to offer tips and advice
17 July 2013
Do you shop for natural and organic skincare on Etsy? Do you have a favourite seller?
Disclaimer - this is NOT sponsored, pictures are from seller's Etsy/websites
5 July 2013
The Twitter chat is taking place on 10th July at 7pm (GMT), using the hashtag #WHATSORGANIC - I hope you will join us :-)
11 June 2013
I think this Tag was started by Kat of Tales of a Pale Face and I have also seen Alice (Bright Town Girl) and Andy (Pampered Prince) take part.
Top blemish zapper
Manuka – it has the same properties of Tea Tree but is not astringent on the skin. For any vegans you don’t need to use the honey have a look out for oil derived from the tree.
Face wipes yay or nay?
High end skincare or high end makeup?
Tell us your top skincare tip
I'm tagging anyone who reads this :-) If you do take part leave me a comment so I can have a read of your answers.
Sarah x
7 October 2012
Have you tried Antipodes Rejoice? What are your thoughts on this product and the brand?
Sarah x
12 August 2012
In case you were wondering the awards are judge by an Independent Judging Panel. The criteria was Judges consider four main factors to select the winning beauty blog: style of blog and writing, investigative reporting and getting to grips with the issue, interaction with followers and readers, point of difference. The awards were open to every beauty blogger, regardless of how long you've been blogging, follower numbers or popularity.
22 June 2012
20 December 2011
23 October 2011
In the original review I had purchased samples to branch out into the unknown. I was keen to test suitability of products before committing to full sizes. This is an important rule of thumb especially with sensitive skin and allergies. I always commend brands for offering this type of service. I know it can be costly to them but it's a massive help to the consumer. I remember out of the samples I ordered I was instantly won over by the Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt and this remains a core product in their range.
If you'd like to join me in the future then here are the reviews I have written about my love for Evolve Organic Beauty.
Evolve Organic Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt
Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir
Brand Focus: Evolve Organic Beauty
Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist
Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200
19 August 2011
Naturally Thinking is a great company that hand makes chemical free aromatherapy skin care at affordable prices. I discovered the website a few years ago and have used many of their products. The range of products available from Naturally Thinking is large and varied.
If you are looking for a low cost but effective paraben free and vegan friendly moisturiser then check out Naturally Thinking. The range has 8 different face creams for a variety of skin types. Prices range from £5 to £14 and my personal favourite is Lavender & Geranium (£7). This cream absorbs easily and keeps dry patches moisturised. You can compliment your chosen moisturiser with a cleanser, face wash, toner, face masks, exfoliator and eye treatment, all of which are very reasonably priced.
Even though I am not currently using any of their products, I do feel they are worthy of a mention. We are all feeling the effects of the credit crunch and they are a brand I turn to when my bank account is almost running on empty. I have never been disappointed with the quality of these products so that is why I have confidence in recommending them. Delivery is available within UK and Worldwide.
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