Eco Mind Organic Reusable Bamboo Cleansing Pads

Just a few weeks I made a pledge to REN Skincare that I would stop using cotton wool pads and instead switch to something much more sustainable in its place.  Then the lovely people over at Eco Mind got in touch to see if I wanted to try their reusable organic bamboo cleansing pads and I said yes.

Having looked online and asked on Instagram what people use in place of cotton wool, I decided to ask Google for some ideas too and honestly, with over 3.5million returns, it is an absolute minefield as to which ones are the best. So Eco Mind saved me hours of trawling reviews and websites.

Eco Mind reuseable make up pads are made from soft bamboo cotton fibres that are not just hypoallergenic but they are suitable for all skin types, plus they are also kind to that delicate skin around your eyes too. Our product is manufactured from GOTS organic bamboo cotton which is said to be certified to be free of harmful substances.  The pads arrive in a recyclable tub and inside you will find nestled inside a drawstring bag, two different types of cleansing pad. One is made from white bamboo cotton and the other from a black bamboo velour. Both pads have what is referred too as 'Custom Z stitching' which is used to prevent the two layers from slipping.

I have been using cotton wool pads for as long as I can remember, I've never given any thought on not using them until a few months ago, I use them with a toner, I use them with makeup remover and sometimes with a Micellar water depending on my mood. With these Organic Bamboo Cleansing pads I can do all of that and more.  

Using them for the first time was not as expected because I am used to cotton wool, but the big difference was how they felt on my skin, much smoother, much softer and since I started using them, I have seemingly used less eye makeup remover than I would usually do. When it comes to their size, they are slightly bigger than your average (Primark 50p ones) cotton wool pad and for me, I love that they come with a laundry bag so I can wash them and not lose them with wherever socks go to and never return. After washing them, they don't shrink and I can air dry them too.  

For me, these have been an amazing alternative to cotton wool and I have since purchased another set so that should I lose any, I have a back up.  Priced at just £15.99 on Amazon* they are such a good price point and obviously anything you can do switch too that is eco-friendly, is always going to be a plus point.

Have you made any changes to become more eco-friendly with your beauty routine?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Christmas with Burt’s Bees

Once again this year, Burt's Bees have an incredible range of Christmas products for 2019 and today I am sharing some of them with you. I have a selection of everything from stocking fillers and medium gifts to full-on gift sets which promise to keep you looking and feeling amazing from head to toe.

The first items from the Burt's Bees Gift Collection is called 'A Bit of Burt's Bees' (£6.99 each) and over the years, it has become one of my favourite items because it looks so festive in red or in gold and I usually purchase a few of these for friends of mine as well as having them hanging on my Christmas Tree, usually to entertain the cats more than myself.

Inside the red coloured bauble, you will find the Pomegranate Lip Balm (4.25g) and this is one of my favourite lip balms from the range. It is infused with hydrating Coconut oil and vitamin-rich Pear Extract to moisturise and renew your lips and it smells just absolutely heavenly. The second product is the Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (8.5g) and I always have a tin of this on my desk. It has been specially formulated to moisturise and soften dry cuticles. Infused with sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter as well as vitamin E and sunflower oil all of which help to nourish nails. It also has a wonderful fresh lemon scent.

The second bauble, which is gold coloured features the Beeswax Peppermint lip balm which gives a lovely coolness to the lips when used and as before, it is designed to moisturise and hydrate your lips. The second product inside the bauble is the Burt's Bees Hand Salve and this is one product that always needs to be in your stash. With its fresh herb scent, this hand salve is described as being 'Brimming with botanical oils, herbs and beeswax' and its job is to bring hydration and moisturise to hard-working hands, particularly good if you have dry skin.

If Lip balms are something you are a bit of a fan of, then the next gift item, Mistletoe Kiss (£9.99), is definitely something that you will want to see hanging on your tree, if not in your stocking.

Inside the festive packaging, you will find three of Burt's Bees favourite products which includes a Tinted Lip balm in hibiscus. These balms are designed to give a hint of colour and hydrate the lips for up to 8 hours. The second product is a Lip Shimmer in shade peony which I absolutely adore as it is such a flattering shade. Enriched with shea butter and antioxidant-rich Fruit Oils which work to moisturise, nourish and soften lips. The final product within this trio is the Pomegranate Lip Balm, which is really hydrating and moisturising on the lips and if you have never tried a lip balms from Burt's Bees before, this is one you should try.

As I have said, you can never have too many lip balms in your stash and the Beeswax Bounty (£11.99) is definitely the one you need to be snapping up and adding to your gift/wish list.

What this Beeswax Bounty does is give you the chance to stock up on your lip balm stash or it gives you one of the best ways to become acquainted with the brand and what makes them most famous.  Inside you will find four different balms which include:

• Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint
• Coconut and Pear Lip Balm
• Vanilla Bean lip Balm
• Cucumber and Mint Balm

Within this foursome, my favourite Coconut and Pear Lip Balm features and what I love is that there is an array of scents and flavours to try.

The final set within this gift guide is the Naturally beautiful gift set (£17.99) and this is an absolute must for any Burt's Bees fan, someone wanting to find a new favourite brand and of course, it makes a beautiful gift for a loved one.

Inside this gift set, you will find a handbag-sized red cosmetics pouch which I am already using to keep the products I use daily safe within my rucksack.  Added to the pouch you will find:

• Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint
• Matte Lip Crayon in shade Sedona Sands
• Tinted Lip Balm in shade Hibiscus
• Lavender and Honey Hand Cream with Shea Butter

All of these products have featured on my blog and if you are looking for a new hand cream, I have already raved about the new additions to the Burt's Bees range here on my blog.   

So, if you are looking for a custom-curated gift set this Christmas, Burt's Bees has absolutely something for everyone and because each set is so beautifully presented, you don't need to wrap them!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Christmas Jumper's with IWOOT

It's that time of year when it is absolutely acceptable to find your Christmas Jumpers or Jumpers and get right into that Christmas spirit of ordering your tree, booking the Christmas food slot, writing those Christmas cards and of course deciding what to wear for the office party!

I love a good Christmas Jumper, usually in the office we have a bad taste jumper competition to see who can come up with literally the worst interpretation of a Christmas themes jumper and over the years there have been some absolute corkers.  This year, I have been kindly sent a selection of jumpers from IWOOT and not only do they have an incredible selection, they literally have something for everyone.  If you are a politics nerd, Disney fan, Star Wars, love Donald Trump, are a mad cat lady or just want something a little bit weird and out there then this is where you need to be looking.

Nothing says festive cheer quite like Christmas jumpers. Worn for approximately less than 1 day a year, they are essential for bringing good tidings, merriment and cheer. Our Christmas jumpers range from funny or cute, to naughty or nice and everything in between, so why not kit out the whole family in these essential festive frocks?

I found it really hard to choose a selection of jumpers, as I've mentioned, I love something sensible as much as something that makes me giggle. I have a flashing Disney jumper that always comes out at Christmas and from IWOOT, I chose the following:

Ho Ho Ho Women's Sweatshirt in Black (£24.99) - As a crazy cat lady, how could I resist a sweatshirt of a Christmas Kitty? 

This sweatshirt is crafted from a cotton mix and it has a crew neck and long sleeves.

Make Christmas Great Again in Black (£14.99) - Whether you love or loathe Donald Trump, this sweatshirt did make me chuckle and it is one the mister will be wearing for work.  

It features a cross-stitch style print of Donald Trump in his Santa outfit and is again crafted from an 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester mix, true to size with its fit.

National Lampoon Fun Old Fashion Christmas Sweatshirt in Black (£18.99). A Christmas Eve tradition for the mister and I is to sit down and watch The National Lampoon Christmas Vacation featuring the Griswald family and when I saw this sweatshirt, it was the first one I was wanting to buy. 

The film is most definitely a Christmas Classic and must watch film and this sweatshirt which is made from an 80% Cotton/20% Polyester Mix and is again a really good fit for the large size that I ordered.

A little move away from black sweatshirts now with this beauty. Merry Kiss My Ass in Burgundy (£18.99) is perfect for those who love a bit of Christmas fun or are 100% in the Bah Humbug camp. 

Made from 80% Cotton.20% Polyester Mix, I ordered this one in an XL size because I like my sweaters to be slightly baggy when worn with jeans or leggings and for me, the XL is perfectly sized.

The final sweatshirt is titled Joy To The World (£24.99) and what I love about this the bold lettering which really catches the eye.  It's also a phrase I say quite a lot at this time of the year, often more sarcastically than I need to, but it is a great phrase. 

Again, this sweatshirt is black in colour and is crafted from a cotton mix, meaning it is incredibly soft and comfortable to wear.

This is just a small selection as to what IWOOT has to offer you and I could quite easily find a different jumper to wear every single day of the festive season as could the mister.  I would love to know if you are a fan of the Christmas Jumper or whether you have seen a jumper on IWOOT that you just need in your life?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Beatitude Award Winning Aromatherapy Gift Guide

With the stress of Christmas, it is always a great idea to take some time out, relax, breathe, have a bath or whatever it is you do to wind down and just have some time out. Rushing around town, in and out of shops, joining queues and wandering for hours to find that one last gift is never good for the blood pressure - trust me, I am moaned at enough by my GP!  One brand which helps to take the stress out of life is Beatitude.

I first came across Beatitude a few years ago when I was gifted the Patience Bath Oil and then the Comfort Aromatherapy Candle, two products which are just divine.  If you have never come across the brand before, Beatitude is best described as being a luxury aromatherapy brand that has been created by beauty therapist and aromatherapist Rebecca O’Connor. Launched in Scotland in 2011 is 100% natural with no parabens, no petrochemicals, no sulphates and no artificial colours or fragrances. Beatitude is the ultimate feel-good brand and represents a luxurious high-quality product that has consideration for the environment.

Today on the blog I am sharing a mini gift guide which could be for yourself, a loved one, a friend or anyone who just needs some time out.  What I love about this brand is how much thought goes into each and every product, they are always divinely wrapped and the presentation is just beautiful.  Starting with the Joy Body Oil Christmas Bauble (£12).

Joy Body Oil is described as being like 'pure happiness for your skin' and it is formulated using 100% natural ingredients to nourish and hydrate the skin.   The oils of Oat, Camellia, Peach Kernel and Daikon Radish Seed work together to provide a beautiful oil which has a really silky texture that is easily absorbed, non-greasy and leaves behind beautiful soft, smooth skin. if you like an oil which is uplifting then this one does absolutely that because it used an aromatherapy blend of uplifting and citrus essential citrus oils including - bergamot, grapefruit, orange and petitgrain.

The best way I have found to use this oil is immediately after stepping out of the bath/shower on to damp skin and because your skin is still warm from the water, the essential oils come to life and the scent is just incredible.  

The second item in this little guide comes in the form of a candle and it is the Winter Comfort Candle (£30). I am a huge fan of candles and I have them in every room of the house.  For me, they provide a relaxing atmosphere and when you need some time out, especially during the colder months, I love a deeply scented candle and in the summer months, I like the fresher scents.

As soon as you open the lid on the box for this candle, the fragrance comes to life and for me, you know you have a good quality candle. Beatitude candles are all-natural and are made from eco soy wax with a lead-free wick and they only use the finest essential oils.

Winter Comfort has what is referred to as a 'beautiful seasonal blend' and it combines uplifting, citrus essential oils of mandarin, bergamot and clementine and they are more definitely the first hint of fragrance notes to capture your attention.  Then as the candle begins to burn, there is a beautiful fresh aroma of lavender and eucalyptus which then give way to the lovely spicy notes of both clove and cinnamon. 

This candle has a burn time of up to 20 hours and is definitely one to choose on those notes when the curtains are shut, the lights have been dimmed and you just want to sit back and relax.

You can find both of these products on the Beatitude website along with a whole host of other products.  I have my eye firmly on the bath oils!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.