Nice to see You here again! In this Monthly Recap type of posts I will let You in behind the scenes on what’s happening at Green Life In Dublin HQ, aka my living room š You will learn what products I have been getting/ testing/ using; what I am doing/ enjoying/ reading/ watching. Sounds good? Then keep on reading š Continue reading “Monthly Recap – September 2019”
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
First and foremost, let me just start by saying I am not the health professional in any shape or form, I am not advising You to do or to buy anything I am mentioning here - and I won't be responsible for what You will do with this information. Consult with Your doctor or Your health practitioner before starting taking anything new. I am simply sharing what I use myself and what's working for me.
Now that we got boring-but-necessary disclaimer out of the way, shall we look into natural and holistic remedies I apply to support mine and my family’s health during the sickness season? Besides the obvious things like being outside, sports, healthy diet and such, we still get sick from time to time, because, well, there’s no barriers for bacteria and viruses to fly around? The remedies I am showing You here are tried and tested by me and my family for the last ten years or so, with the exception of OreganolP73, which I discovered about four years ago and won’t be without for as long as I will continue to live. Or god-forbid Big Pharma decides to outlaw like we have seen with so many natural remedies before.
For immune system support
Ginger. I take it in tea, with lemon and honey a couple of times a day. Some people also add Cayenne pepper and garlic, but that’s not for me. If you take this at the very beginning of the cold, there is a good chance you will nip the cold in the bud and not get sick at all? Put on your woolen socks and go to bed to sweat it all out. Organic and fresh is the best, but powder works too. Check iHerb.
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Garlic/ginger/turmeric paste – I use it in copious amounts in my cooking, doubling the doses if I am already sick. I have a post on it here.
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Organic Lemons – I don’t think I need to explain this š
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Cold SeasonĀ /ImmunityĀ and such teas in high quantities if I can. CheckĀ my tea collection on my iHerb page for more. I also count organic matcha tea as superfood and try to get it as much as my budget allows, as well as turmeric latte & mushroom latte – you can add all kinds of herbs and adaptogens to it. I am big on superfood drinks & always get something nice from Dutch Health Store & Live In The Light store.
Thieves/Organic defence/tea tree/lemon EOs in a diffuser. Or spray bottle. Also don’t forget to open a window. I do think Living Libations essential oils are the best on the planet, so I highly recommend getting at least one. I also use Pure Anada, Soil orĀ Medicine Flower. You know when some companies are shouting that their brand is the only one therapeutic grade or the only one certified organic brand in the world? Not true! Whatever brand you will choose, make sure to do your homework first, you want to make sure the essential oils are organic (to make sure you are not using concentrated pesticides) and therapeutic or food grade (to make sure there are no harsh solvents/ chemicals in it).Ā For years I used Esta Aroma Diffuser from NYR, but due to the high humidity and mold problems in the house I am now saving up have two nebulizing (waterless) diffusers from Living Libations.(review). I also make dilutions into roll ons to carry around.
Probiotics. Vital in my opinion, especially if you already have compromised immune system, leaky gut and digestive problems like I do. If you will take away just one thing from this post, please do yourself a favour and start taking care of yourself with daily probiotics. Look for as many different strains as possible and you want billions, not millions per capsule. This is one area where you can’t save, I am sorry, but cheap brands just won’t cut it – they will not be strong enough to make a difference or just won’t survive the acidity of the stomach fluid. Did you see the reports that GMO foods kill all the bacteria in our gut? This is non negotiable in my two cents, but you do you boo. If you are healthy and fit as a horse, eating organic only everything, you might not need them?
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Medicinal Mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps are supposed to stimulate the immune system in the long run. I swear by cordyceps, because that’s what I’ve seen working on my kids, reishi is new addition. It is so much more bitter that they won’t go near it, so I am taking it all on my own. I also recommendĀ Shaman Shack Herbs and Na’avi Organics from Dutch Health Store – don’t you love their logo “The Best Or Nothing”?Ā I die š
Up vitamin C – lemon tea with honey, maybe take extra – I love Ener C, or get liposomal vitamin C. That is supposed to be miles better and highly absorbable, as it bypassed digestive system and goes straight to the cells, but I will admit I am yet to get it due to high cost. By the way, do research on optimum vitamins and mineral levels versus RDA and your life will be forever changed. Just check out DrAxe and nutritionist Patrick Holford books – when it comes to vitamin C, Patrick Holford recommends 3grams of it EVERY HOUR (as opposed to 50mg daily RDA) when you are sick! Mind blowing.
Vitamin D – turns out this sunshine vitamin is crucial for us, it is not only a vitamin but also a hormone needed for more than 300 body functions daily! Again, the optimal dose is far more than recommended daily allowance told to us. Research for Yourself and You will be blown away. It is said to work better with K2, so I go for Better You brand – it is a pleasant tasting spray, absorbed straight into the mouth. Perfect for kids, who won’t take tablets, perfect for me, with impaired liver.
Zinc – this is something that is new to me, as I haven’t taken it separately up until last year maybe. Since I learned of it’s ability to fight viruses, I stocked up on Solgar Flavo Zinc, but it tastes chalky and upsets my stomach. I am open to suggestions for good brands.
Elderberry. Proved to both protect and support your immune system and fight whatever is attacking you, shortening illness by four days! Four days people! So whether you gather it yourself & make it into syrups, get dried berries to make it into teas & syrups, get Sambucol or other brand’s good stuff, just make sure to get it into you. I stock up onĀ Sambucol. There are other good brands out there too. Get gummies for the kids, they love them!
Manuka honey.Ā If you havenāt heard of it, Manuka Honey is the most unique and powerful form of honey on the planet. Ā Itās exclusive to New Zealand, created by bees who pollinate the Manuka Bush. But what makes Manuka that much better than your average honey? Ā Itās all in the nutrient composition. Manuka honey is known as āactiveā honey; it has natural antibacterial qualities and proven health benefits. Itās made by bees foraging from the New Zealand Manuka (tea tree) bush. Look for the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating on the jar ā the higher the rating, the greater the antibacterial activity. Scientists say it can help ease ulcers and an upset stomach, prevent gum disease, boost your immunity by fighting bacterial infections, and ease skin conditions. Raw honey has a multitude of beneficial nutrients: Amino acids, B-Vitamins, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Zinc to be exact. Ā ButĀ in Manuka honey, the density of these nutrients is over four times greater than your average honey, so your body is getting a powerful dose of enzymes that fight inflammation and bacteria and boost your immune system.Ā
For the skin, a good UMF rating means your skin will receive incredible benefits - the anti-inflammatory quality of Manuka honey is proven to improve skin texture and tone. But that's for another post :) See here for my 12 DIY Masks with manuka honey.
If you don’t want to shell out for manuka honey, please feel free to use raw local honey (preferably organic) as your next best bet. Just please do your research on different types of honeys first and then decide. Honey in the teddy shaped plastic jar? Not the best thing for your skin, as it is not only heat treated, it is mixed honey too. Meaning it is only slightly better than sugar, and it is not what you want at all.
Epsom salt/ Magnesium salt bath. Sweat. Go to bed and wrap up. You will rise like a new person.
Garlic. Organic. Crush and leave for 10 mins to activate allicin.
Also don’t forget frequent hand washes and cleaning all the germy surfaces, including door handles.Ā Don’t use those nasty antibacterial soaps, they are so full of harmful chemicals that smarter countries are banning them already. If you are a germophobe, add a few drops of tea tree oil into your natural hand soap, it will do the trick. If you use antibacterial gel, useĀ Green People organic hand sanitiser. Or go full Gwyneth and use Colloidal Silver instead.
Homeopathic remedies. I myself useĀ OscillococcinumĀ &Ā Coryzalia by Boiron but you might try different ones, as the thing with homeopathic remedies is that there are no āgeneral recommendationsā what works for me might not work for you. If l have a cold (if you know yourself well enough, you know the difference. For me aching bones is a surefire way to tell the difference) I take the latter two, if I know it is a flu (or if I don’t get better after 3 days) I take Oscillococcinum, and maybe combine it with Oreganol if I am sick for more than 4-5 days and I am not getting better.
Lots of rest and sleep if you can? I know I am guilty of not slowing down because of the flu/cold, because like many of us women I tend to feel that I still have to take care of everyone and everything, but the truth is that by doing so you (I) are only prolonging the time of disease! So tell everyone to share the chores for a few days and get that deserved rest! Just think of what men do when they get sick? At the first sigh of unwell they are dying, not lifting a finger and demanding all kind of stuff every five minutes, right? Totally double standards! Shall we do the same?
Essential Oils Sprays To Clean The Air
Opening the windows is one of the ways to clean the air, but essential oils packed sprays also helps. Be cautious not to overdo it and never spray directly onto someone. I love and use Saint ComeĀ (sadly production stopped due to Covid) , there’s also ViroGuard by Medicine Flower, butĀ suggestions and recommendations are welcome! You can also DIY it with “five thieves” type of essential oils. If you want a post on that, be sure to let me know and I will be happy to do it for you.
during sickness
OreganolP73Ā – I have already written about thisĀ hereĀ andĀ here, but basically it is nature’s miracle – it is a natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal stuff that is amazingly also antioxidant! Too good to be true? Well, in this case it is not, and if you only will take one thing out of this post, this is it! Not easy to find in the stores, you might have to get online.
You can also tryĀ Grapefruit Seed Extract, andĀ Olive Leaf Extract as other forms of natural antibiotics. Both extracts taste vile, not going to lie, so maybe look into capsules?
Linden tea. This helps to break a sweat faster. Add honey (manukaĀ is best, but any natural honey will do). Don’t add to boiling hot tea as not to kill those healing nutrients.
Camomile teaĀ these two go hand in hand, their main job is to make you sweat and thus get rid of disease faster.
More rest.Ā More sleep.
Pick and choose any remedies mentioned above. Garlic & fire cider might be awesome but hard to swallow, so maybe up lemon tea and manuka?
for cough
For coughs, my best bet is used to be NYR Thyme Syrup (because Brexit), so now I getĀ Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa – Sore Throat Syrup –Ā funny name, alright, but it is Chinese herbs & honey cough syrup from iHerb. Ā There are loads of homemade remedies out there too, but I haven’t been successful with them. If you have tried and tested recipe, please let me know in the comments? Also Iāve just read that fresh pineapple juice should be better than anything for cough, has anyone tried it?
For sore throats, try Himalayan salt gargles. Maybe adding some thyme and or Oreganol.
What are your tips and tricks, would you share with me? I am always willing to learn new natural things š The more natural remedies we will know, the better for all of us.
Thatās all for now. Please like and share this or any of my other posts on social media, it really helps to get the green beauty word out ā and you will forever have my gratitude!
Lots of Love,
Renata.
Enjoy my content? AĀ tip into my PayPal Tip Jar -Ā will get You my eternal gratitude and more awesome green beauty reviews Your way! I weed out all the greenwashing products so You won't have to.
Resources - books, naturopathic doctors and websites.Ā I highly encourage You to do your own research too.
Today is going to be a quick post on what natural and organic products I took to Rome for a mini getaway to treat Mom for her birthday. For those of you who might not know, my mom had a breast cancer about a year and a half ago. She won, which pleases me to no end, but being aware of the limited time we had left, I got this idea in my head to whisk my mom away for her ultimate Birthday this year and I didn’t rest until I made that happen.
I got request to see what exactly I took with me, so this post is for you guys – here is the breakdown of the products. Continue reading “Natural & Organic Products For A Weekend Away”
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.
Now, if you follow me for at least a couple of months, you might remember me ordering Joy roller in my Love Lula blogger order back in February here, and putting all of the products into my Pinterest wishlist here – and guess what? The Universe has a strange ways of working, but I am happy to say that Amy reached out to me not too long after and asked if I would like some more products to try. Not only that, but she offered to pick the products for me by dowsing (don’t ask me, she is the expert). I was like “does one legged duck swim in circles? Yes please!”
So long story short, Amy picked the products she thought I need at this time based on my energy field – and boy, did she get it right! I am not an expert when it comes to all things aura/ energy field / flower and gemstone essences/ aura sprays, etc,Ā butĀ I am a believer – I think there’s not only our physical body, but also spiritual one and it is just as important to take care of both. It took me a very long time to realize this, but let’s leave it for another time and come back to the wonderful Nature’s Wish products. Let me just say that while all these products you see here were sent to me, I have full intentions to repurchase them with my own money. Not only that, I am sharing them with you – yep, there will be a mini giveaway at the end of this review, and this time it is international!
A bit about the brand and it’s founder:
Nature’s Wish is an award winning wellbeing and skincare company, offering a range of high quality products that are rich in vitamins, essential oils, flower and crystal essences. Each product is handmade in small batches to retain the quality and integrity of the essences.
Inspired by the profound effects that flower essences can have on a persons wellbeing, Amy Murphy-Watts founded Nature’s Wish in Hampshire in 2010. She is passionate about flower essences and their remarkable ability to be absorbed into your energetic system, as such she only uses natural and organic ingredients. Amy is a trained Bach flower practitioner and through her extensive learning and experience she now makes all her own flower essences. She places a lot of love, care and hard work into what she does and considers flower essences to hold a key part in helping to rebalance our own vibrational energy.Ā Each of her combination essences have a particular purpose.
Combining the essences into sprays and beauty products enables you to get the benefits of the essences in many ways, Amy blends them into Face Oils, Roller Balls, Energy Sprays, Lip Balms and Body Oils. All the flower essences are made from plants grown in Amy’s garden or gathered on local walks in Hampshire, thus preserving the highest quality distinct imprint of the flowers.Ā None of the products contain any chemicals, petroleum, palm oil, parabens or additives and is never tested on animals.
Stay tuned and let’s look at each of the products individually, shall we?
NATURE’S WISH PEACE ENERGY SPRAY
This wonderful product is probably my favourite from the whole lot – don’t ask me how it works, but it has the ability to silence my monkey brain within seconds! It is a blend of floral waters, essential oils, flower, crystal and environmental essences to cleanse and revitalise your natural energy field.
BENEFITS: A soothing blend to help calm when you are feeling overwhelmed or under pressure. Provides grounding and protection allowing you to feel strong and safe, enabling your aura energy to have a sense of inner peace. FLOWER ESSENCES: The Peace blend of Angel’s Trumpet, Daisy and Walnut. ESSENTIAL OILS: Palmarosa, Rose Otto and Grapefruit. FLORAL WATER: Rose Bulgarian.
I always have this within reach and am spraying it multiple times per day – and I make sure to take it with me to work on the weekends too. It comes in the 100ml glass bottle and I hope it never runs out!
Ingredients: Rose Floral Water Palmarosa Rose Grapefruit Angel's Trumpet flower essence in Brandy and Water Daisy flower essence in Brandy and Water Walnut flower essence in Brandy and Water
TRANQUILITY BATH & BODY MASSAGE OIL
The description says it is aĀ luxurious combination of natural and organic oils that are rich in vitamins, essential oils, flower essences and crystal essences.
BENEFITS: A relaxing blend to provide a feeling of calm in times of stress. Helps to centre and rebalance the mind and body. Aids connection of thoughts and information with patience and sensitivity. FLOWER ESSENCES: The Tranquility blend of Daisy, Impatiens, Lavender and Walnut. ESSENTIAL OILS: Neroli, Mandarin and Rose Otto.
This product is also very enjoyable to use and I don’t want to run out of it too! I find 100ml bottle gives me around 10 full body applications – and I am very generous when applying body oils, I am obsessed with them for the last year or so! I wish the scent was a bit stronger, but I appreciate that is is all natural and natural essential oils do not give you that in-your-face aroma some of you might want. I have to say I am yet to use it as a bath oil, I don’t want to waste it, so I keep using it as a body oil.
Ingredients: Grape Seed Oil Thistle Org Avocado Org Sunflower Oil Org Castor Oil Org Vitamin E Neroli Rose Mandarin Daisy flower essence in olive oil Impatiens flower essence in olive oil Lavender flower essence in olive oil Walnut flower essence in olive oil
Nature’s Wish Tranquility ESSENCE
Now, at this point I should probably tell you that all of the Nature’s Wish products are available on Love Lula* (sadly no more) except for the essences (this link above will take you directly to their website. No affiliation or sponsorship, purely for your convenience) As far as essences go, I haven’t tried too much, so I don’t have an extensive experience with them. I also didn’t know what I was going to get, so I wasn’t able to go and look up the product beforehand and get some preconceived thoughts about it, so when I did get the product, I decided to take the essence without looking at the description and to see where it goes. I have to say I was taken by surprise – my normal state of stress-head was instantly mellowed when I took this product, and the problems that seemed huge before definitely did seem on a lesser and more manageable degree. So this made me a believer – this is something you have to experience for yourself as flower and crystal essences are still outcast as the “witchy” “hippy” stuff, sadly so. This Tranquility essence is a mix of a few flower essences and is designed to help us ground back to the earth, bring calm to work the situation out, feel patient and connect with the inner self. It is also a great enabler in meditation.
Ingredients /Essences:Daisy:Ā Helps to bring together scattered thoughts and information. It creates clarity and a calm mind. Enables us to connect our thoughts and information into a coherent patter. Very good as an aid with study to help focus the mind.Ā
Impatiens:Ā For impatient and impulsive people. For those who like working their way, at their speed and are often critical of others who don't. Sudden temper outbursts, impatiens, irritability. By taking impatiens it brings a calmer nature, more patient and sensitive to others.Ā
Lavender:Ā For those who over stretch themselves emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. Helps us to connect to our higher self, bringing spirituality into everyday life. It brings clarity, enabling us to hear our inner guidance. It relaxes those who over stimulate themselves. It also helps to protect those who absorb too much spiritual energy which can often result in difficulties in the head, neck and shouldersĀ
Walnut:Ā For those who find it difficult to adapt to change. Very useful for major-life changes, teething, puberty, pregnancy, divorce, moving home or school, changing job, bereavement etc. For those who feel affected by other's influences and personality. It is also a good grounding essence and an all round protector.
NATURE’S WISH JOY ROLLER BALL
Roller balls are a mix of different essences and essential oils in some type of carrier oil. They are convenient to carry around and apply on the pulse points as needed, you are meant to inhale them after application. The smell is faint but pleasant (again, this is not a perfume) and I find if used regularly, this centers my thoughts and makes me less stressed, so I guess you can say it gives me some joy if you will.
Ingredients:
Flower Essences:Ā Angel's Trumpet, Willow, Sweet Pea
Crystal Essences:Ā Rose Quartz
Essential Oils:Ā Bergamot, Lemon, Rose Geranium, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang
Breakdown of what each of the ingredient and what it does:
Essential Oils:
Bergamot:Ā Psychologically Bergamot has soothing, balancing and reviving qualities. It is a sunny essential oil, connected to the heart chakra, helping to relieve sadness, depression and grief.
The Bergamot we use is Bergapten-free – so less likely to be phototoxic and less likely to be a skin sensitiser.
Lemon:Ā Lemon is uplifting, refreshing, reviving and stimulant. It helps to bring clarity to the mind and prevent emotional outbursts. As well as clearing the mind it can help to open the heart.
Rose Geranium:Ā It helps to gently uplift and balance. It creates a feeling of security by helping to calm anxiety and bring about a sense of balance. Good to steady out moody swings.
Roman Chamomile:Ā This is a deeply calming and balancing essential oil. It helps to create a feeling of relaxation.
Ylang Ylang:Ā This is a very pleasant smelling oil with a delicate fragrance. It works as an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and aphrodisiac.
Flower Essences:
Sweet Pea:Ā For grounding in over crowded places, families or situations. To bring our thoughts back to the here and now, for those who escape to fantasy. Helps us to form connections with home and communities, for anti-social behaviour. To create a sense of belonging and connection with others. Good for those moving around.
Angels Trumpet:Ā Heralding and welcoming in the angels. To break down inhibitions and self doubt. Good for those on spiritual journeys to connect to inner self and the angels. To feel inner peace, balance and calm. A beautiful essence.
Willow:Ā For resentment and bitterness. For those blaming others and feeling hard done by ‘poor me’. Helps us to take responsibility and not blame others. Allows us to be more open and less resentful.
Crystal Essences:
Rose Quartz:Ā Helps to release emotional stress, and helps with emotional problems such as negative self-image.
And now for the (mini) giveaway, the part you have been waiting for! If you want to win Nature’s Wish roller ball in Joy, all you have to do is to leave me a comment here – anything you want to say, simple “want” will do š
The giveaway is open worldwide for one week, closing date is May 16 2019 and the winner will be live drawn in my Insta stories on 17 May.
That’s all for now, see you here next Tuesday š
Lots of Love,
Renata.
Enjoy my content? AĀ tip into my PayPal Tip Jar -Ā will get You my eternal gratitude and more awesome green beauty reviews Your way! I weed out all the greenwashing products so You won't have to.
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
How are all of you, I hope you are well?
Today I will do a bit of a different post, a Clean Beauty tag one. I was watching Andie’s The Green Queen Clean Beauty Tag video (here) and it turns out the tag was created by the Conscious Bee (see her video here) whom I just discovered in a series of serendipitous moments. Loving what I saw, I self taggedĀ into it, because that’s how I roll š Both ladies did Youtube videos, Get Ready With Me style, but since I am a blogger, not a Youtuber, I will improvise a bit – I will answer questions first and will link to some of the make up post after, pretending I was sort of doing make up all along. There are quite a few I’ve done lately, what can I say, I have rediscovered my love for make up š
See my Natural Beauty interview with adorable Andie here and let’s get into the tag, shall we?
CLEAN BEAUTY TAG:
1. When did u switch to green beauty and why?
That was around a decade ago, after accidentally discovering Janey Lee Grace’s book Imperfectly Natural Woman – I was looking for some light read for the weekend and that book changed my life! Many years later I managed to get Natural Beauty interview with Janey Lee Grace, see that post here. Funny story with that book, I had to buy it not one, not two, but four times, because after reading it IĀ started lending the book to everyone around me and I didn’t get it back a couple of times. So I had to buy it for myself again and again, and it was the exact same book I did my very first Instagram giveaway with š Before that I was naively assuming that all the products on the shelves go through rigorous testing for safety and ingredients aren’t harmful for humans in any way shape or form- oh boy, how wrong I was! I was sick to my stomach to find out how many harmful ingredients are in our skincare (formaldehyde in babies products for God’s sake, don’t get me started on this!!) and I started switching out my products there and then. But the trouble was, clean beauty products were soooo hard to find back then – most people (millennials) will have a hard time believing this, but there were NO online shops back then, so I was having the hardest time switching my products. Yes, you read that right, no Detox Markets, no Love Lula or anything. In fact, I can credit Janey Lee Grace for my blog too – I was having the worst time finding not only my best natural products, but any natural products around me at all, so I remember thinking to myself “this is nuts, what if someone is going through the same transformation and does not know where to start or where to go, I better blog about this to let people know”. So that’s how my blog started, out of desire to help out fellow green beauty sisters – and that’s still a driving force behind my blog to this day! I was here before it became popular and way before PR and marketing was happening. Up until two years or so ago I was purchasing all the products myself, so if that doesn’t prove I am not in it for the money, then I don’t know what will. Fortunately the green beauty scene exploded since – and that makes me very happy! I kind of made it my mission to help all the ladies (and gents) to switch to natural and organic products. Clean beauty world has an answer to any conventional product out there, and it is a proven fact the products work – and they work even better! Just check my post on more than 20 natural dupes for Nars Orgasm here for example – I worked really hard on that post š
2. Do you remember your first green makeup product? Did it work well for you?
Yes I do – it was a Dr Hauschka mascara and for then-unemployed me it cost me eye wateringly amount of money, I remember wincing when parting with my cash – and to make matters worse, it didn’t do anything apart from making my lashes black and it started crumbling in the first week. I remember thinking “oh no, what if all the natural products are so expensive and work so bad?”. Fortunately I was able to find aĀ Holy Grail product in every single category since, you can see them here. I sifted through a ton of products to find good ones that work amazingly well.Ā And they are at all price points too – you don’t need to spend a ton of money in every single category. I choose to splurge on skincare (I am five minutes to forty after all, I kind of need to) and am quite happy to save on body care for example. No money? No problem, use coconut oil as your body moisturizer! Make up? I have it at all price points starting from just 2.50ā¬ going to up to 50ā¬ for a palette. I think that is quite reasonable, no?
3. Have you noticed a change in your skin/overall health since the switch?
Yes! My skin was a disaster before the switch – dry, super sensitive, reactive to every single product I have tried and more and more adult acne as the time went by – and amazingly I never attributed my skin’s conditions are caused directly by the products I was using. I guess I was blindly falling for the “I am worth it” marketing hype – oh the naivety of me! Insert face palm emoji here š I see history repeating itself with my elder daughter, who’s is convinced she needs certain ingredients and products for her skin to look good. She buys her own products (oftentimes conventional, resistance to parents, sigh) but she reacts to them more often than not, so I am strategically suggesting natural alternatives and am doing a happy little dance every time she does not reject something. I have to say she and I started on the wrong foot with all things natural – I gave her my own DIY deodorant and it burned her pits – turns out she is allergic to baking soda! not only in deodorants but in toothpastes and dry shampoos, everything š She rejected all natural products for a couple of years since then, and I can’t say I blame her. Slowly but surely she is coming to our side, but we have a long way to go. I do not push her in any way shape or form, I am not one of those green beauty bullies with scare mongering tactics, you might notice that in a way I blog too –Ā I simply let people know about amazing natural stuff and let people think and choose for themselves.
Whoops, Renata, get back to the question, will you? Yes, my skin balanced itself in a month when I switched to natural products and the acne never came back – amazing or what?
4. Is there anything you wish was different about the green beauty space?
Yes, a few things come to mind. Price points for one (a whole topic on it’s own, for another time maybe, there are few things worth their price point, but not all) limited shade ranges when it comes to make up; scare mongering tactics needs to go, as well as greenwashing.
5. What is the nr 1 ingredient you avoid in cosmetics?
Fragrance, parabens, bismuth oxychloride, phenoxyethanol – although the latter is increasingly hard to avoid, it is everywhere!
6. What are your favorite 3 make up products you discovered thus far?
Well, if we are talking about make up only, my first love would be Peachy Keen by Inika – it is a natural and more gorgeous version of Nars Orgasm, even though it does not look like much in most of online shop photos. Trust me, it will get you all heart eyed once you will get it and put it on. Very concentrated, so the jar will last you for years, I promise! Nars Orgasm was the last product I switched, but having found Peachy Keen, I haven’t looked back.
Next would be my trusty workhorse for many many years, a product used and appreciated daily; I have stuck with it going through branding and packaging changes – please step forward Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer! By far the most full coverage concealer in the green beauty or not green beauty and it is something I keep coming back to no matter how many other products I have tried. I have not one but two reviews of it on my old blog (see here and here) so I won’t be going into too many details here. So well worth the money, I have my last jar for well over the year and I am yet to hit pan or see a change in the formula (as in going bad) when my newer concealers are starting to smell a bit off after six months. I can’t praise it enough, really. Just one teeny tiny thing, dear Hynt Beauty, if you are reading this, please introduce a shade in between of Light and Medium – those two shades need to have a love child, pronto! You have introduced a shade in between for the darker shades, now please do so for the lighter ones too, pretty please? As you can guess, I happen to be in between the shades and would love to be able to buy just one jar instead of two at a time. The formula is very impressive, so that’s why I keep buying two shades, but I have heard many and many ladies say the same thing. Once again, Hynt Beauty, pretty please?
Do you guys know how hard this question is?? I have to say both moisturizers and Antioxidant Booster by Bella Aura Skincare (review) – I can’t live without them!
*Update on why I no longer stand by this brand, even though I still think their products are fantastic here, scroll down to the very end.
8. What brands do you really want to try but still havenāt?
My wishlist is probably two miles long, haha! The first brands that come to mind are Okoko Cosmetiques, Lovinah, Osea, Live Botanicals, Blue Beautifly, De Mamiel, Odacite, Mayia Chia, Aether Beauty, Laurel, Antonym, Amly – do I need to go on? š
9. What type of product do you buy the most of?
Toothpaste, rinse, body wash (mostly soap, Black African soap preferably). Body Oils. Shampoo. From beauty products, mascara. Same like a regular person, really.
10. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?
A bit of both really. My uber sensitive and dermatitis prone skin does not allow me much room for wriggle, I am most likely to react to any product, even to the ones everyone is raving about. Having found my perfect skincare in Bella Aura, I kind of don’t want to test or try anything else, plus having put my skin through a marathon (and burning it more than once!) for the sake of judging in the green beauty awards (see more on my IG), I don’t really want to try anything else for the time being. But still there comes a product from time to time that calls my name organically and I get that magical experience – I am talking about May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon as an example, see more in my recent Favourites post here.
11. If you could only buy from one brand, which one would you choose? Pick one for makeup and one for skincare.
Skincare, easy – Bella Aura! Make up, it would have to be between Inika (amazing blushes and mascara) and Hynt BeautyĀ (concealer and lipstick Holy Grails), but W3LL People are also very high up there – oh, what to do??
12. What do you love about makeup?Ā What about skincare?
I love that make up lets me create the best version of myself – isn’t that amazing how much more confident you feel when you look great? Skincare is my everyday treat to myself, my “me time”, my self care. What’s not to love, am I right or am I right?
13. Name your favorite thing about the Green Beauty community?
The support! I am so so grateful to green beauty community for welcoming me with open arms. Up until then I was kind of not belonging or should I say not feeling welcome anywhere really, and this is where I feel at home and feeling like I am contributing to a great cause. Andie’s comment about other women struck a chord with me, all the backstabbing in my life came from other women, even close friends, so I was kind of floating around in life not feeling that love, support, girl or sister power, up until I discovered the green beauty community. Huge thanks each and every one of you!
(ps. catty behaviour still happens in the green beauty world, this is an industry like any other industry. Fact of life)
Now that all of the questions are answered, let’s pretend I was doing make up at the same time š I will link three of my last make up posts, so check out the one which look you like the most – I didn’t mention any make up in my recent Favourites post, but any product from those posts below is still a strong favourite to date. Or skip them all together. Your call. Thanks for reading anyway!
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Today I am coming at you with a short post on what you can find in the beauty section in your local TK Maxx, or TJ Maxx for my US green beauty sisters. This has been my secret weapon for years, and I I hope more of you will discover this great place to shop and save a bit of money too. This is especially great for people like me, when you have no Wholefoods or Detox Market or any place indeed where you can get anything your heart desires under one roof in your city. A good few stores are now jumping on the natural beauty bandwagon, but when you actually look into the selection, it is oftentimes very expensive or just plain greenwashing brands and products. So what’s a gal to do? Apart from going online, check out TK Maxx! Continue reading “Natural Products in TK Maxx”
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As you might know, Love Lula* is not only awesome online shop, but they do their own monthly beauty box – which feels like Christmas or Birthday present each month, mind you! I don’t know about you, but I certainly am looking forward to getting it each month.
Welcome back! and if you are new here, welcome xoxo
Today I wanted to share another well kept Winter Wellness secret of mine, the secret I’ve been shouting about from the rooftops for the last few months years, haha! Seriously, this post is a result of the multiple Instagram conversations about the things I do in order to stay healthy, where I found myself writing the same recipe to many many people all over again – I figured it would make it easier to blog about it, than share it another forty times, haha! Ā It gathered so much interest that I thought it might as well do a special blog post about š So here we go, let’s see what is the fuss all about it? Continue reading “The Tea That Keeps Me Well In Winters”