UK Vegan Supermarket Finds - May

Meet the most exciting new vegan products I've discovered in UK supermarkets this month!

While I was picking my brain for new, fun, and useful content to start churning out now that I'm rediscovering my blogging mojo again, I got to thinking about what sort of posts my followers on Instagram (which I managed not to ditch during that dark period) have been liking the most, and...

It seems that people like it when you find new and exciting vegan products in UK supermarkets! I certainly do! It's why I'm always straight onto Insta to share them! So I figured it might be cool to try making a round-up blog post each month, featuring any delicious new plant-based products that have appeared on the market in the UK. Admittedly, these may only be new to me, but they're still worth sharing for anyone who might not know what to look out for...

Firstly... and most importantly....

Daiya Cheese comes to Sainsbury's!!

This discovery has been an absolute game-changer for me. I can absolutely live without cheese of any kind and, when I do dabble in non-dairy cheese, I'm happy to accept something that isn't quite how I remember dairy cheese to be, as long as it's semi-decent in its own right (thanks a bunch Violife and Sainsbury's Greek Style), but then I found Daiya Foods' Mozzerella Shreds and Medium Cheddar Farmhouse Block twinkling away next to the Vegenaise in my local Sainsbo's.

Not gonna lie, the price on these cheeses makes me unhappy (they're £4.50 a piece), but I couldn't not try them, as I've been hearing about Daiya ever since I first went vegan in January 2014, and I'm so pleased they're finally in the UK.

In short, these cheeses are pretty amazeballs. I'm going to do a separate post so I can talk more about them because they have the best texture and flavour of any vegan cheese I've tried. I'm still getting creative with them and figuring out new ways to use them (can you believe that I've actually forgotten a lot of ways you can eat cheese), but I'll be reporting back soon!

Sticking with Sainsbury's...

Vegan Summer Iced Coffee - SORTED!

Another brand that seems to have found its way across the pond is Califia Farms with their uber-posh almond milk creations. My local Sainsbury's started stocking these last year, but I didn't get round to trying them until recently. Again, not the most budget-friendly of brands (like Daiya, these products are coming all the way from the US/Canada so the price hike its kinda understandable) but well worth grabbing when you see them on offer, especially now that the weather is heating up.

Also worth mentioning here is the new Alpro Caffe range of soy drinks - which includes a salted caramel coffee and hazlenut coffee flavour, which are slightly friendlier on the purse. I've tried them all and they are GOOD!

Let's nip over to Tesco for a minute...

Quick and Easy Freezer Finds

These products might not be new to some of you, but I can't be the only one who hasn't been able to get my mitts on them until recently? The Itsu Vegetable Fusion Gyoza Dumplings have been on my shopping list for a long time, but only last week did I actually spot them when doing my online Tesco shop. I'm a massive fan of Asian cuisine, and dumplings are my jam so I will probably hoover all of these up in one go!

I also wanted to include these really handy bags of chickpea, bulgar wheat and mixed vegetables, because they look fantastic for a quick lunch thrown over  big salad with some yummy dressing. Exactly what I want for summer! And really affordable too! 

Aaaaaaaand, back to Sainsbo's....

Salty Vegan Chocolate Heaven!

I actually first discovered these Sweet'n'Salty Almond choc bars by Rhythm 108 in a The Vegan Kind box (and they completely rocked my world), but only recently did they appear in Sainsbury's. I almost cried with happiness! 

This is perhaps the best chocolate bar I've ever eaten - vegan or non vegan. Sainsbury's also carries the coconut variety, and there is also a choc hazelnut bar in the range (although not currently in Sainsbury's). At £1.25 each I think they're fairly reasonably priced. The bars could be a little bigger, but maybe that's a good thing for my muffin top in the long run. I could easily go mad on these! Throw one in your basket next time you're in Sainsbury's Free-From aisle - you won't regret it!

And finally... Superdrug!

Vegan, Cruelty Free Glow

Had to add a little mention for this vegan gradual tan lotion I snapped up in Superdrug this week. I go through phases of loving tan and really not caring about it at all, but since I got back from Gran Canaria (see my last post here) I'm loving my new, bronzed look for the first time in ages and I wanted a little something to help it last just a little bit longer. 

While most of my other body care products at the moment are from The Body Shop, their tan contains honey so that's a no-go for me. I used to be a fan of Johnson's Holiday Skin, but didn't like the smell, and I don't like the cruelty... ENTER Superdrug Gradual Tan Lotion. Not going to say too much about this as I want to do a Summer Bodycare post over the next few weeks, but it smells like holidays and I can't wait to try it out. I really hope it's amazing! 

Not sure if I'm going to be doing one of these posts every month, but I'll definitely be back in touch the next time I have a few exciting finds to share with you.

What new Vegan or Cruelty-Free products have you been trying lately?

Top 5 Products for Glowing Winter Skin

Ack, doesn't Winter really take it out of your skin?! It seems that, every year, as soon as the air gets colder and the wind picks up a bit, my skin begins to turn to stone. Dull, rough skin isn't a good look in any weather and I refuse to spend the festive party season looking and feeling like sandpaper so I've done something about it. Next week I'll be sharing with you my ultimate winter skincare picks, but today I'm feeling all festive so I thought I'd share with you 5 favourite products of mine for a glowing winter complexion, for face and body. 

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

Words cannot express my everlasting love for this product. I've been using it since it first launched. This is an exfoliating product designed to even out the skin's texture as well as brighten skin tone. I tend to pair it with my Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant a couple of times a week to really smooth things over but, after cleansing, I always swoosh one of these badboys around my face before toning, moisturising and applying makeup. Makes for a super smooth base. 

Superdrug Vitamin E Sugar & Oil Scrub

Superdrug's own branded products are regular in my routine now, and have been ever since I became vegan (almost) 2 years ago. Their Vitamin E range is a particular favourite of mine. In the past I've stuck religiously to Soap & Glory scrubs, and I still do use them, but this is a fantastic budget option. It's grainy, silky and really gets the job done. My skin feels glorious after I've used it and it really helps buff away that nasty, dull layer to make way for...

Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil*

New favourite fake tan alert! Confession; I've had this product for ages, but never actually got around to using it regularly until the last couple of months, due to a seriously busy year of exams, graduations and moving house. This product just refuses to streak... ever. It's an oil so it smooths on really easily and gets into all those awkward bits with little effort. It's also really quick to sink in. It's made up of a blend of organic, eco-certified oils and gives a wonderful subtle glow after a single application. Totally buildable though, if you desire a deeper colour. For me, it just takes off that pasty winter tinge. Usually I'd prefer a more olive toned product, while this one is more gold, but I find that nowadays I don't desire such a deep colour. Perhaps I'm getting old. 

GOSH Cosmetics Giant Sun Powder

I'd be nothing without this huge compact. Can you believe that I've managed to use one up already? My favourite way to use it is to dust it over my shoulders, chest and legs (if I've dared to expose my pins, that is) ready for a night out. Great for when you haven't had time to tan and gives off a lovely, subtle shimmer. I also like to use it on my cheeks if I'm going for a more bronzed look (which is usually the case for me, I love my gold and brown tones). On darker skintones it would also make a brilliant highlight. 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

I'm sooooo late to the Too Faced party. I've heard cruelty-free bloggers across the board rave about this bronzer so I gave in a purchased it a couple of weeks ago. No word of a lie, I've used it almost every day since (well, the days I've dared brave the weather and venture outside, that is). It's the most amazing, blendable contour shade but it's also great for dusting over foundation and powder for a deeper colour. Because it's matte, its lovely for daytime wear, when you don't really want too much of a shimmer. My guess is I'm preaching to the converted here so I'll leave it there. 

For a more thorough round-up of my Winter skincare essentials, stay tuned for next week's post. With everyone gearing up for the Christmas party season, I thought we could all use some extra glow this week. I also wanted to officially give the finger to this nasty stormy weather we're currently having in the UK. Desmond can officially do one. My skin is armed and ready! 

What are your top products for the perfect winter glow? Do you reach for the bronze when the weather gets rough?

Cruelty-Free Favourites: Bath & Shower Gel

I admit it: I'm a shower gel hoarder. I get that little glint in my eye the second I turn the corner into the aisle in Superdrug. I just have to have it, whether I need it or not. As you can imagine, my bathroom shelf is very 'busy' as a result (although I tidied it up for the sake of this post). I have it stuffed into cabinets and drawers. Since I've been exclusively vegan and cruelty free with my product purchases, my habit hasn't eased. In fact, it's got worse! As I made it my mission to find *all* of the amazing cruelty-free options, it also became my duty to try them all. So, I thought I'd give you all the benefit of my addiction and share a few of my favourites with you... 

 Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

Come on though, who doesn't love Soap & Glory products? Certainly not I, and I was ecstatic to discover that the products are 100% cruelty free with a long list of vegan options (check them out here). Pretty much all of their body washes, and some of their scrubs, are vegan-friendly and my current favourite of the bunch is Sugar Crush. It's just got that zing. It's also wonderfully lathery and lasts a long time, which is just as well as, at £6.50, it's the most expensive of the bunch. And the packaging... Oh, the packaging!

Organic Surge Super Fresh Awakening Body Wash

Organic Surge have some gorgeous products. They use natural ingredients and are eco-certified. I'm currently also using their lemongrass facial scrub. I was first introduced to Super Fresh in one of my The Vegan Kind boxes and it's one that I have since repurchased. It contains mandarin, may chang and bergamot essential oils so it's a thoroughly uplifting experience. Perfect as a morning pick-me-up. 

Superdrug Shea Butter & Bamboo Shower Gel

If you're a seasoned vegan like myself, you'll know that Superdrug is pretty much a fail-safe for affordable, cruelty-free, vegan products. If in doubt... head to Superdrug. I think I've tried most of their shower gels to date, but the one that's sitting in my current stash is Shea Butter & Bamboo. Nothing not to love about them at all. Cheap and cheerful (99p) and get the job done. 

Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry

Original Source are another 'ye olde faithful' brand for vegans. Whilst not all of their varieties are vegan-friendly (honey is the main culprit, if I remember correctly), there are plenty that are, and that goes for shower gels, shampoos and their new range of scrubs and creams. Vanilla & Raspberry is my ultimate favourite. Like washing yourself in pudding. 

Treacle Moon Marshmallow Hearts

I don't buy Treacle Moon very often as I can only really get them online with my Tesco shop, but they're a lovely treat once in a while. I tend to use these more as a bubble bath than a body wash as they are a little bit on the sickly side, but they double up wonderfully. That said, they have some lovely, fun, girly fragrances. I often go for the apple pie variety but I spotted this recently and had to try it. Treacle Moon label their vegan products clearly and are 100% cruelty-free. 

Those were my current favourites but, no doubt, I'll be skulking back into Superdrug very soon to feed my habit. I just want to put it out there that there are so many amazing, quality, cruelty-free products to be had, and maybe some you might have assumed were off-limits to those living a compassionate lifestyle. Not the case, I can assure you. I'm probably going to be doing more of these kinds of posts. I haven't even begun to tell you about my body scrub collection... but I'll leave that for another day.

Do you rate these cruelty-free brands? What's your current favourite product to lather up with? 

Haircare Heroes for Long, Thick Hair

I went for my annual haircut last week (as a former hairstylist I find I can keep on top of any split ends myself most of the time but, when it needs a thorough overhaul, I'll let someone else loose on it). Whilst I was in the chair it dawned on me that I haven't done a haircare post on this blog in a helluva long time. In truth, I consider my haircare regime to be pretty standard and boring, and it doesn't change much, however, I'm using some lovely products at the moment so I thought I'd share my haircare staples with you. My hair, while being quite soft and fine in texture, is very long and there is - literally - tons of it. It's thick and heavy and requires a firm hand... 

Washing

It's very easy for me, as a stylist and as a blogger, to get caught up in designer hair product hype. I've been guilty in the past of brand snobbery but, since I've been trying to remain as cruelty-free as I possibly can, I've woken up to the beauty (and quality) of some own-brand products. Superdrug's own brand to be precise; it's really rather good and has been popping up in my hair, skin and makeup routines of late. My current favourite shampoo/conditioner combo is their Pro-Vitamin Silky Smooth range, with argan oil. The formula is rich and smells lovely and fresh. I can also get a brush through my wet hair after using it, which I can't say for some of the higher-end brands (Moroccan Oil, I'm looking at you here). It's just a great budget haircare range, and also caters to coloured and fine hair. I'm also a fan of the Heat Defense version. I'll usually wash my hair 2 or 3 times a week, depending on the time of year and what I've got going on. 

Blow Drying 

As I mentioned before, getting a brush through my epic thick mane is no easy task, even when using a Tangle Teaser. I have to painstakingly brush it through in sections before drying. My hair also likes to wave and kink, and not in the good way. The best way I've found to handle it is a smoothing blowdry using my trusty ghd paddle brush*, which is not pictured in this post due to the fact that it is so well 'loved'. Perhaps time to replace that one, Lisa..

Before I blow-dry, I like to run a good 2/3 pumps of Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment through the mid-lengths and ends of my hair just to smooth things along and keep my hair soft and healthy. And can I just take a moment to emphasise how amazing this product smells...... Urgh. For anyone curious, I'm still using my DIVA Ultima 5000* hairdryer (seriously, this thing is indestructible). Given the ungodly amount of hair I seem to possess, it gets my hair dry relatively quickly and the adjustable heat and speed settings really come in handy. 

Finishing & Styling

Half the time I don't put much effort into finishing or styling my hair for everyday because it just takes so long. I'll just blow dry it and run my straighteners through it and then leave it to its own devices until the next wash. After a day or so it seems to find its own natural movement. I love my ghd Gold Max Styler for straightening. My hair is so long, and so thick, and so relentlessly wavy, that regular ghds don't quite cut it and I need a wider plate. With these it's a much quicker task. I always do a good squirt of Percy & Reed Heat Protect Styling Mist, beforehand. I prefer it because it's a very dry formula and doesn't give my hair that sticky, clogged feeling I get from some creams and wet sprays. 

To finish, if I'm going out or to an event, I'll then add either Neal & Wolf Glow shine spray (which doubles as perfume, it smells that good) to add extra shine and tame any flyaways, or Tigi Catwalk Transforming Dry Shampoo when I want a more textured finish. I've mentioned the dry shampoo before on this blog and it's an old favourite. I have a love/hate relationship with dry shampoos but this one is definite love. It's also the only product I've ever found that can give my heavy mop some root lift. The texture it gives has a really matte finish and it's the sort of look I'd wear with eyeliner and a bold, red lip (I'm a rock star at heart.)

I guess I'm somewhat stuck in my ways when it comes to my hair but, if you're looking for solutions to thick, long hair-related issues, I'd recommend giving any of these products a try. My hair is currently more manageable than it has been in a long time. Just don't follow my example regarding the annual haircuts. Regular trims are your friend.

What are your essential haircare products?

*Post contains affiliate links

A Few Daily Beauty Essentials

Happy Weekend Everyone! 

Whilst I was streamlining my makeup bag the other day I got to considering what my absolute essential beauty items are and which products I am constantly pulling out every day, regardless of where I'm going. I must admit, I don't wear makeup every single day. Now that I'm self-employed and working mostly from home, I'm not constantly showing my face off to the world. Still, when I do venture out I definitely have my favourite go-to products, so I thought I'd share them with you. 

Superdrug B. Pure Micellar Water 

I first reviewed this product last year (check it out) and it's become an essential part of my daily routine. It freshens my face in the morning and does a great job of removing makeup at night. At night I'll use it alongside another, more intensive, cleanser such as my beloved Elemis Lime Blossom Cleanser or, more recently, Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser (more on that in a future post.) It's reasonably priced and super-handy and it's always on special offer.

Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner*

I never used to understand the purpose of toners, but I wouldn't be without one now, especially as we move into summer. It's been a revelation! I'm currently using this multi-active toner by Dermalogica and I love how it enhances the performance of my moisturiser. I'm not going to say too much as I'd really like to do a full review of this at some point. I also adore Elemis' Lavender Toner, but this one definitely gives it a run for its money. 

Amie Skincare Hydrating Daily Moisturiser

I cannot praise this product enough. At the moment I'm using it day and night, despite it being a day cream. As a rule, I have combination skin, however, I have hydration issues in some areas and this cream offers instant relief. I love it under makeup and it leaves my skin feeling so smooth. I'm a huge fan of Amie products as they are BUAV approved cruelty-free and almost all of their products are free of animal ingredients. 

Illamasqua Skinbase Foundation - Shade 9

I tend to use high-end foundations sparingly due to budget issues (sigh) but, during the summertime, I find that a lot of drugstore foundations just can't stand the heat so I have repurchased this old favourite. I love Skinbase because you can get an exact match due to the extensive shade range. It also has similar properties to a BB cream so you get a lovely coverage without having to use a lot of product. Exactly what I need now that the weather is hotting up a bit. I've also gone a shade darker, because tan. 

Superdrug B. Blusher - Golden Peach

I think it's pretty obvious (despite it being out of focus - fail) that I've got a crush on this product - I've hit pan! You'll find this on my cheeks most days at the moment, whether it be nipping to the shops or on a night out. I find it very similar to my old favourite MAC Melba (but with a touch of added sparkle). I need to try more from the B. makeup range. I'm a huge fan of their skincare. 

OCC Lip Tars - Interlace and Hush

I'll confess something to you now... I am still using up a lot of my old, pre-vegan lipsticks. I refuse to waste makeup and I have enough to open a store. However, for daily wear I prefer to use something that is 100% cruelty-free and OCC Lip Tars are the best around in my opinion. They last all day with minimal retouches. On the surface these shades may look identical but Hush (bottom) has a lovely, dusky pink hue to it, whereas Interlace (top) is just a great all-round peachy nude. I'm developing a Lip-Tar habit. I get mine from cutECOsmetics.co.uk.

MUA Cosmetics Matte Palette

I praised this palette in my previous post. Luckily the one pictured here was a more recent repurchase (my previous palette was too 'loved' to be photographed.) It's just the most perfect palette for neutral, everyday looks, but also gives a decent smokey eye should the need arise. I keep a spare at my parents house as well in case of emergencies. At £4 it's an absolute essential for me. 

GOSH Amazing Length & Build Mascara

Y'know, it's pretty difficult to come by a decent, cruelty-free drugstore mascara, mainly because there are only a few to choose from. This is the only one in the GOSH range that is suitable for vegans. Luckily I really rather love it. Most of the time I don't go for liner if it's just a normal day but, if I'm feeling fancy or have somewhere to go, I'll team this with my Illamasqua Precision Ink. 

Those are my most-loved, can't-live-without products. Don't get me wrong, I love to switch it up depending on my outfit or where I'm going on a particular day, but everyone has those fail-safe products that they fall back on time and time again. I will probably follow this post up with an everyday FOTD-type post (once I grow a pair and get my eyebrows sorted out). 

What are your everyday beauty essentials? 

MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer

Matte lips are EVERYWHERE on the high street at the moment! It seems that every drugstore brand has taken their cue from Limecrime and brought out their own take on the velvet, matte lip. I'm a huge fan of the Limecrime Velvetines, however, my bank account really isn't. Imagine my joy one afternoon, mooching around in Superdrug (a regular occurrence for me) and spotting the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers on 3 for 2! After a little studying of ingredients, I deemed them vegan friendly and picked up one of each shade they had in stock...

These really are a great budget option if you're looking for a long-lasting matte lip. Very easy to apply and, once dry, perfectly matte. The longevity is fantastic as well. One tip though... I did find that after several hours, it did become a little 'grainy' on my lips but this was fixed by a quick wipe with a tissue followed by a touch up. The swatches below might as well have been a tattoo. It took washing up liquid and a scourer to shift those badboys once they had dried! As you'll see, the pigmentation is fantastic and the colours range from raspberry red, to hot pink, to nude. There's even a Limecrime dupe in there (more on that in a future comparison post).

  L-R: Halcyon, Atomic, Reckless, Funk

The only lip swatch I did was for Halcyon, which is a nude shade that can't seem to decide whether it is pink or peachy in tone. Depends on the light I suppose. It's definitely the one I've been wearing most and is extremely versatile. I think if I'd tried to lip swatch them all, my lips would have been raw. They really do take some removing! This isn't even all of the shades. There are nine in total (really rather gutted I haven't been able to get my hands on the purple shade). 

These lip colours are great for summer as you can just apply it and forget about it for hours and because they're matte, they're not going to melt off your lips at the faintest hint of heat. I'd say they're worth every penny of the £3 price tag and a very worthy budget competitor for the higher end versions. 

Check out the full shade range and shop MUA online at
muastore.co.uk

Summer of Skincare

This post was supposed to be a July Favourites... but when I got to picking out the products, they turned out to ALL be skincare. So now it has evolved into yet another summer skincare round-up. I posted a summer skincare post a little while ago with a few new products I'd acquired, but my skin is being so evil just lately that I seem to have switched everything up again. I've discovered even more new products and repurchased a couple of older favourites. I think I'm finally onto something here as my skin is finally starting to behave itself again! 

Amie Skincare 'Morning Light' Hydrating Moisturiser

Whenever Amie bring out a new moisturiser I just have to have it and, as this one is a hydrating day cream, I knew I had to give it a whirl. I'm a huge fan of their mattifying moisturiser as well as their Skin Shield. This one doesn't have the SPF that Skin Shield has but my skin has been so smooth and touchable (without getting greasy) when I've used it, that I can forgive it. Amie products are affordable, cruelty free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Full review coming soon!

Superdrug 5-in-1 Skin Perfecting BB Cream - Medium

If you're a long time reader of this blog you'll know that I go bonkers for BB creams during the summer months when I can't be doing with a heavy foundation that's going to melt off my face as soon as the weather heats up. This Superdrug budget version is fantastic and contains vitamin c, hyaluronic acid and caffeine with mineral pigments and SPF15. There is also an Anti-Age SPF30 version in the range. 

Indeed Labs Hydraluron

You have my permission to scold me. I've only just got around to discovering the magic of Hydraluron. What kind of a blogger am I?? Hydration is a huge issue for me, even though I have combination skin, and I need products that will quench my thirsty face without turning my t-zone into an oil slick. This product acts as a supercharger for any moisturiser you team it with, allowing the skin to retain the moisture more effectively. I NEED to get my hands on their new Moisture Jelly to go along with it because it's LOVE! This product is currently a third off at Boots.

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner

I posted about this product and the Lime Blossom cleanser that goes along with it quite a while ago now. I can't believe I've only just got around to repurchasing it! It's been a godsend while the weather has been warmer. I've been keeping it in the fridge and spritzing my face with it and it feels soooooo good!! The lavender fragrance won't be for everyone but I particularly enjoy it at the end of the day, after removing my makeup just to freshen my skin up and prep my skin for moisturiser. It's very soothing.

Una Brennan Superfacialist Neroli Brightening Cleanser

This popped up in my last skincare post as another product that I'd forgotten I loved and I'm loving it again for very similar reasons to the Elemis toner. It's just wonderfully freshening with a floral scent and leaves my skin feeling firmed up and smooth. I mainly use this product in the morning before I've put on any makeup to wake my skin up. 

White Rabbit Skincare Lime and Coconut Cleansing Water

I received this product in my The Vegan Kind Beauty Box last month and it was instant love. This product is completely handmade using spring water, orange blossom water, coconut oil and lime essential oil. The scent is out of this world! It's milkier in texture than your usual micellar-type cleansing waters, and I'd go easy around the eyes with this one (lime oil - yikes) but it does an amazing job of removing makeup whilst cleansing the skin. The lime and orange blossom are also great antibacterial ingredients and the coconut oil helps to smooth. 

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins

Last but not least... I loved this product to death in the new year and the latter half of Winter, but my skin seemed to get sick of it after a while so it has been sat in my stash waiting for another chance to shine. It got that chance a couple of weeks ago after I felt that the Superdrug cream I'd been using was starting to leave me a little oily. Sure enough my skin welcomed it back with open arms and they are friends once more. Read my original review here.

*****

Those were my current summer skincare crushes. I'm hoping this love affair will carry on into Autumn/Winter as the harsh elements seem to take it out of my skin every bit as much as the summer sun. I haven't felt great about my skincare routine for a little while now so it's great to finally have a winning set of products... until the next time my face gets bored and demands something else. I guess we shall see. 

What are your skincare must haves?? Is hydration an issue for you?? What products can't you live without during the summer months??

Smells Like Nostalgia: Impulse Vanilla Kisses

No P.E kit was complete without it. Every girl in my form reeked of it. We were ALL obsessed with it. Any 90s teenager will need no introduction to classic Impulse fragrance, Vanilla Kisses*. This stuff was like crack in a can to teenage girls. Fast-forward almost two decades and, at the age of (almost) 32, I once again find myself marinating in it! Surreal to say the least. To celebrate Superdrug's 50th Birthday, Impulse have relaunched Vanilla Kisses and, just as we've all matured a little since those good old days, this iconic fragrance has been given a grown-up, designer makeover...

The 90s revival seems to be in full swing this summer. Scrunchies, jelly shoes and chokers are popping up all over high streets and catwalks. What better than a nostalgic scent to go along with them? Vanilla Kisses has been reformulated with real perfume oils by the fragrance experts behind Dior and Calvin Klein. It still has that signature sweet vanilla base with notes of apple and peach, just with added grown-up chic. These quality ingredients means that the fragrance lasts longer making it a great, on the go, handbag (not school bag) essential. 

Vanilla Kisses is a limited edition release and is currently available exclusively at Superdrug and

superdrug.com

Did anyone else go mental for this fragrance back in the day? I used to team mine with 17 Heatherberry lippy and my Morgan school bag. Oh the memories!

A Few Recent Summer Skincare Changes

Its that time of year again when my skin begins to completely reject my Winter skin routine and demands a fresh start for Summer. Not to mention the fact that Summer skincare is an entirely different kettle of fish to Winter with a whole different set of considerations. Add to that my 2014 switch to Veganism and a commitment to cruelty free products and you get a serious 'Alice in Wonderland' type of scenario. I thought I'd post a few of my recent skincare changes to prep my skin for the warmer months ahead. My skin has been a little unruly of late and can't seem to decide whether it wants to break out or shrivel up so I doubt these will be my only purchases this Summer, but here's the story so far...

Oqibo Purifying Cleanser and Toner* - oqibo.co.uk 

A completely new brand to me, Oqibo were kind enough to send me a huge bottle of their Purifying Cleanser and Toner earlier in the year. I was promised cruelty free and no animal ingredients so I can use this product with absolute confidence. I'll probably do a more in-depth review after I've been using it for a little while longer but this is a lovely, freshening product and does a great job of getting rid of dirt and oil. It's designed to regulate and balance the skin, which is great news for combination girlies like me. It has quite a strong scent of mint and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. 

DHC Pore Lotion - dhcuk.co.uk

I'm a huge fan of DHC. I emailed the Japanese-based brand to confirm a few ingredients with them recently and was delighted to discover that none of their ingredients are animal derived so now I adore them even more! I've been particularly enjoying their pore range of products lately as they're really gentle, alcohol free  and are really good for clarifying and minimising pores and creating a smooth canvas for makeup. I use this as I would a toner in between cleansing and moisturising (I also have their Pore Milk which is a lovely, light moisturiser for daytime). 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream - superdrug.com

It seems that even my beloved Origins Night-a-Mins isn't good enough for my face lately so I'm having a rest from it. I was scratching my head trying to find an affordable, cruelty free substitute (I'm truly skint) and I spotted this in Superdrug and thought it would be well worth a try for £5.99. This cream smells so good! I can't stop sniffing it. It is infused with extracts of kiwi and mulberry with sugar beet and other fruit acids to nourish and resurface skin overnight. For the price I've been very impressed. My skin definitely feels smoother and softer upon waking. 

Organic Surge Blissful Daily Moisturiser - organicsurge.com

I've been using this for a little while as a light daytime moisturiser for my combination skin. I suspect I will need something more intensive with SPF as we continue on into Summer but this really has been lovely. Extremely gentle and perfect for normal/combination skin types. It keeps my skin hydrated whilst also keeping oilier areas at bay and sits well under makeup. I also love how it absorbs so quickly. Organic Surge, like Superdrug, are 100% committed to no animal testing and no animal ingredients.

Amie Pure & Natural Beauty 'Spring Clean' Clay Mask - amieskincare.com

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Amie Skincare products!! They've been a favourite for a couple of years now and I've tried most of their products. What I particularly love about them are their natural ingredients and Leaping Bunny certification which means no animal testing and virtually no animal ingredients (except beeswax, which it turns out this product does actually contain - serves me right for assuming - but most of their products are 100% Vegan friendly). This is an old favourite of mine from way back and I've started using it again once a week to purge my skin of any excess oiliness for a really deep clean. It has an gorgeous fresh lime/mint scent and an added bonus of making me closely resemble a White Walker for 10mins a week... HA!!

Those are a handful of my recent skincare switch ups. It's felt a little like I'm fighting a losing battle with my skin recently as it's been so unpredictable. I thought vegans were supposed to have perfect skin?!?! To be fair I was a little neglectful with my skincare routine whilst I was battling my way through exams so that might have something to do with it. Time to get back on it and treat my face right! 

What are your skin saviours?? Do you switch up your routine when the weather gets warmer?? What are your recommendations for Summer skincare??

Skincare Saturday! Superdrug B. Pure Micellar Water

I'm developing a serious crush on Superdrug's own brands just lately. I love that almost everything is cruelty free and animal friendly. As I've been loving Micellar waters for cleansing lately, I just had to pick up this one. I had been previously using the LOreal version, however, I've fallen out with them regarding their sketchy animal testing policy and would prefer not to repurchase until I can find out a bit more. The B. Micellar water, on the other hand, is Leaping Bunny approved and marked suitable for Vegans so I'm entirely confident to use it. 

B. Pure Micellar Water - £2.47 for 150ml superdrug.com

Cleanses - Removes impurities and makeup.

Tones - Restores pH balance whilst keeping the skin supple.

Refreshes - with cucumber juice extract.

Ophthalmically approved.

Dermatologically approved.

This is a thoroughly decent little product. It's not as big a bottle as the LOreal version but, for the price, you can't grumble. I always felt like the product was dispensed too quickly from the bottle with the LOreal so I'm sure there was wastage there. Not the case here thankfully. I'm sure most micellar waters are used in the same way so I'll not bore you by commenting on application. This product really does the job and even had my mascara off in a flash without much effort. I tend to use micellar waters mainly for getting my makeup off prior to using another cleanser such as my Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser but this one works fine on its own for when I'm having a lazy day. I normally follow it up with a Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix exfoliating pad and an appropriate moisturiser.

Once again I'm really impressed with the quality of a Superdrug product as well as their prices. The B. range is slightly fancier than their regular own branded skincare and I've heard great things about the entire range. I may well dabble with their day/night creams once I've done with my current choices (I'm not going to be able to afford my Origins Night-a-Mins every time after all).

The B. range by Superdrug is well worth investigating. They have a wide range of skincare and makeup items to choose from. You can view the full range at superdrug.com or check them out instore.

Do you love Micellar Water for cleansing?? Do you have a favourite brand?? Have you tried the B. range yet??

Skincare Saturday: My Top 3 Body Butters

Oh HAI! Sorry it's been a slow blog week this week compared to the last fortnight, folks. I've had a presentation to prepare for University so my time has been well and truly taken up until now. Now that it's all finished, however, I've been taking advantage of the sunshine. I thought I'd follow my trend from last week and do a Skincare Saturday post for you all featuring my Top 3 Body Butter products...

The Body Shop Passionfruit Body Butter (£13) -  thebodyshop.co.uk

Oh come on now, who doesn't love The Body Shop's body butters?? I'll be honest now and admit that their Passionfruit butter isn't currently available It is, however, my all time favourite of all the varieties they do and I was excited to spot it in their January Sale. It smells heavenly! I'm sure it will be back again as a special edition in the future though. In general though, I speak for all of the range of butters that they have, and they have so many to choose from. Their Hemp butter has been another favourite of mine. The formula is really rich and luxurious and leaves my skin so smooth and smelling AMAZING! Sadly for me, these butters contain beeswax (which is not a vegan friendly ingredient, I bought this tub while I was still somewhere in between vegetarian and vegan) so I will not be repurchasing them again unless I can find a variant without. I'll just have to savour this one while it lasts. I'm definitely not going to let it go to waste. 

Superdrug Cherry & Macadamia Body Butter (£1.98) - superdrug.com

I thought I'd add a little budget beauty into the mix for good measure. I picked this up as an emergency purchase over Christmas whilst away at my parents in Derbyshire and have since repurchased it. There are several varieties in the range but I picked this one because I love a fruity fragrance when it comes to body creams and BOY is this one fruity! Considering this butter costs up to a £11 less than either of the others in this post it really does hold its own. It's not quite as heavy as the other two which is great if you don't always need an intensive product. This has become my 'everyday' product. 

Nip+Fab Pistachio Sundae Body Butter 

Major grumble time now... Nip+Fab have DISCONTINUED this product!! You might recognise it from my Stars of 2013 Skincare edition post back in January but, upon investigation today, it appears that it is no more. Also discontinued is their Coconut Latte version. I'm still going to feature it as I really enjoy their body butters in general (as with The Body Shop) and it's the formula that counts over the scent at the end of the day. I find this butter to be really quick to absorb and not at all greasy on the skin. The range contains Aquaxyl which provides up to 24hrs moisturisation. They do a wonderful Mango Smoothie version and I'm hoping that this sad news will mean that there will be new varieties being released for 2014. I'll let you know if I make any discoveries!

As you can see, I haven't dared dig into my Passionfruit butter yet. That one will be reserved just for special occasions. I like to switch up scents when it comes to body products so I dip in and out of all the butters I have depending on my mood. I also have The Body Shop's new Chocomania body butter on the go from the sale which is also gorgeous. I'd recommend any of these brands for moisturisation, application and wonderful scents. Variety is the spice of life after all! 

What are your favourite body products?? Do you favour a particular brand?? Do you prefer fruity fragrances??

Cruelty Free/Vegan Superdrug Beauty Haul

Thought I'd do this little post today as a follow on from yesterday's post on Cruelty Free and Vegan Beauty. I did a bit of browsing around Superdrug today and picked up a few animal-friendly bits. I was really impressed at how well labelled everything was and truly amazed at how little I spent. Everything in this post came to just over £5! I thought I'd share my buys with you and give you an example of cruelty free labelling in action so you know what to look out for. Superdrug actually state on the back of the products which ones are Vegetarian/Vegan as well as showing the Leaping Bunny logo so completely stress free and no need to read through every ingredient.

Superdrug Revitalising Raspberry & Macadamia Nut Shampoo/Conditioner 400ml - 2 for £3 (£1.99 each)

I've been in the market for a new shampoo and conditioner for a little while now. Not least because the products I was using before were L'Oreal, who I have now lost faith in somewhat with regard to animal testing. I like to think that I'm not a product snob but I'd never really considered Superdrug as a brand in their own right until recently. I've heard some great things about their stuff from Vegan beauty bloggers and on YouTube so I thought I'd give these a whirl. My hair has been feeling very dull and tangled lately so I'm hoping these will brighten it up a bit. 

Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry Shower Cream - £1.13 (Half Price)

I'd spotted this shower cream on the Original Source Facebook page and had to grab it when I spotted it today. This is a new variety in their shower range and smells sweet and comforting. It is a moisturising formula and I can't wait to try it out. I'm running low on my Creightons Argan Body shower cream (which I love but I'm not 100% sure how Vegan friendly it is) and a moisturising product is really important for me. I love how clearly labelled their products are and I definitely think this will become a go-to brand for me. 

Superdrug Cherry & Almond Shower Gel - 99p

I didn't really NEED two new shower gels today but, after smelling this one, I had to add it to my basket. It smells gorgeous! A really fruity fragrance with natural extracts. It contains added skin conditioners, is Ph balanced and soap free. Winning!! 

Here are a couple of examples of the logos I mentioned in my last post in action. Labelling like this really takes the hassle out of cruelty free shopping for me. I'm also going to give Superdrug body moisturisers a chance once I've used up all the yummy Body Shop butters I got in the January Sale. 

The other thing I picked up today, although not really beauty related as such, was the Superdrug Total Care Sensitive Whitening toothpaste. I've found it difficult to figure out which brands of toothpaste are cruelty free due to parent companies etc so to find this one clearly labelled AND vegan I knew I had to try it. The other brand of toothpaste I know to be Vegan is Beverly Hills Formula but at £4.99 it's a bit pricey, as toothpaste goes. This one was just 59p so I thought I'd give it a chance first. Superdrug also carry a range of Vegan/Cruelty Free mouthwashes. 

I'm definitely going to report back on how I get on with these products, particularly the haircare. I wanted to do this little haul just to show you how readily available cruelty free beauty can be. I know they're not the current must-have brand names but they seem to be very good quality and so well priced! Other cruelty free brands include Sainsbury's and the Co Op (own branded products), Amie Skincare, Liz Earle, Lush and The Body Shop. 

Is cruelty free beauty important to you?? Do you check ingredients before you buy?? Are you a Vegan beauty addict??

Sleek Blush by 3: Lace

I know I said that this week was gonna be mainly skincare but, in an attempt to be more organised, I did photos for some new Sleek goodies at the same time and decided that this little beauty couldn't wait. The Sleek Blush By 3 palettes aren't a recent thing. They landed last year in Superdrug stores and online. At the time I picked up the 'Pumpkin' palette (my post on this can be found Here) and missed out on 'Lace' (it always seemed to be sold out) but it occurred to me recently that I hadn't bought any new Sleek products in a while and I went along to Superdrug and came out with this. 

I think it's safe to say that this is such a pretty blush palette. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Sleek are my favourite drugstore brand for blushes and these palettes are great value (3 full size Sleek blushes for £9.99 vs 3 single blushes from their core selection at £4.99 each). This shade palette is much more subtle than 'Pumpkin' but just as pigmented and buildable. This is one that I feel like I will use all year round for both day to day and evening makeup.

The Shades Are....

Crochet (Matte)

A slightly muted deep orange/peach 

Guipure (Shimmer)

A cool-ish toned pink with a stunning gold shimmer

and

Chantilly (Satin)

A deep reddened pink which looks different in different lights

Just as I have come to expect from Sleek, these shades were a pleasure to swatch and took little building to show the true colour. I'd say this palette is perfect for fair to medium skin tones. The texture is very blendable so, even if you find you've put a bit too much on your brush, they're easily evened out with a few strokes. Guipure has the most beautiful sheen (this photo really does not do it justice) and could give the infamous NARS Orgasm a run for it's money. I think Chantilly will get the most use out of the bunch but we'll see. I also love these Sleek blush palettes for travelling because they're so compact (saves makeup bag space for more lippy hehe) and have a GREAT size mirror. 

 All Sleek products can be found in selected Superdrug stores and online. The Blush By 3 palettes come in 5 different shade combinations to suit different skin tones and cost £9.99. Browse all the shades at

 sleekmakeup.com

Do you love Sleek blushes?? What are your favourite drugstore brands for blush?? What other Sleek products can't you live without??