Cruelty Free Brands

Something I've been thinking about for a while but haven't got around to doing is make-up printables. Not that you are required to print them and so I got rather smug and thought that today's post would be announcing the launch of my printables page. But it's not because I'm not the technical wizard I thought I was.

But the first one I will put up is a list of my regularly used or discussed brands and which are cruelty-free and which are not. This is by no means a full list but it's the one that works for me and I thought it might be useful for you.

Hopefully I will be able to update you with joyous news of my printables page soon but for now I hope this is useful - it's an animal testing minefield out there so it's helpful to know what's what. Cruelty Free Kitty is my go-to place to check whether a brand is cruelty-free or not.

LimeLife by Alcone Perfect Mascara Quick Review

So this is the first Quick Review I've done for a LimeLife product and in fact I think it's the quickest Quick Review I've done. Let me know if you'd like more info on any of the LimeLife products. This mascara is great.

You can buy the mascara through me here

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Heliocare 360 Fluid SPF 50 Review

This is one of those products that has really grown on me. The day after I ordered it online I tried my mother's Dermalogica Sport SPF50 and loved it and wished I'd bought that instead. So poor old Heliocare was already playing catch-up before it had even arrived.

I'd also bought it on the spur of the moment, possibly after some wine (come on I'm not the only one), and I thought it was a tinted moisturiser. It's not. It looks like it is when you squeeze it out but it just sort of blurs some imperfections without giving any colour.

I grudgingly took it on holiday to Mallorca, I needed something that fitted in my hand luggage, wouldn't get confiscated and would work with just concealer if I wanted it to. 4 days later and I was converted! I really love this now and it's a recurring feature in my Bespoke Beauty Boxes I make for my clients.

Top Cleansers for Dry Skin

Let's not limit ourselves, these cleansers would work for all but oily skins, but dry skin recommendations I get asked for a lot so that's where I thought I would start. All three of these I use myself regularly, I have dry, sensitive, often reactive skin. This is not in order though possibly it accidentally is.

1. Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Balm
I love this though I can't exactly pinpoint why. Full of antioxidants, brightening but not astringent, easy to use. Good value for money, cruelty free. I'm 90% sure this would also work on oily skins but I haven't tried it on a client with oily skin so I can't confirm. Good enough for make-up and grime removal I mostly use this in the morning to prep my skin with antioxidants and because it has never caused a reaction and works well under make-up. £31

2. The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter 
When people finally want to move away from a foam cleanser (step away from the foam cleanser people) this is the place I send them. It's affordable, easy to find and use and feels great on the skin. Once they have tried this there's no turning back. I've yet to find someone who doesn't love this. Use morning and evening I like to use as my PM cleanser as it's sooo easy and not too expensive so I can wearily slap it on without being too frugal. £10

3. Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
This used to be my number 1 and I still love it but of late Oskia has slightly edged it out of the running. A tub of this will last you a long time. It feels incredible on the skin and gets all the make-up off. But this has made my skin react when it is at it's most sensitive, not irrevocably, I carried on using it once a day and it is, for me, the original balm cleanser. The one that really changed my skin and made me realise that what you use on your skin really can make a difference.

What's your skin type?

Empties 2

My second empties video of 2018 and a bit of YouTube housekeeping.

Waitrose Bath Foam
Mane & Tail Conditioner
Shea Moisture 10-in-1 Moisture Shampoo
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Dr Dennis Gross C+Collagen Deep Cream
Origins Make a Difference Plus + Cream
Tresemme Keratin Smooth
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser

UVA vs UVB

I feel like everyone knows about UVB but not many people know about it's horrible big brother UVA. And it's really important you know about both. Not because I'm worried about you burning. You know that you need to be in charge of that. But because I'm worried about much worse damage and I am constantly being talked to about premature ageing. Want skin like a baby? Don't put your face in the sun and wear a high SPF all year round (and don't touch booze, but I'm not a crazy lady).