Tuesday 28 July 2015

Cruelty-Free Summer | Superdrug Sunscreen

Superdrug Cruelty-Free Sunscreen

Since I went cruelty-free a few years ago I've always used Superdrug's sun lotions and I can't fault them. They're affordable, quick to apply and never let me down. I'm the one who keeps sunscreen in my bag through the whole summer, and pleads with my friends to put it on! I've also used factor 50 for a long time now, as I'm super pale and happy to forsake a tan to know that my skin isn't getting damaged. These are the two products I'm using this summer.


Suitable for vegetarians

This is the one I keep in my handbag, as it's the perfect size for topping up through the day if I'm out in the sunshine. I use it on my face every morning after moisturising, and then use e.l.f.'s blotting sheets (similar here) to get rid of any shininess. Despite what it says on the tube I don't find it mattifying but it is certainly a lot less greasy than your regular suncream. I know fellow cruelty-free blogger Vicki uses it too and skips moisturiser to stop her skin getting too oily. It also makes a nice smooth base for my make-up and I've had no problems break out wise since using it, so I'm very pleased to say it doesn't clog my pores!


Suitable for vegetarians and vegans

This spray is fantastic as it's so quick to apply. You can cover everywhere in a few seconds, spend one minute to rub it in and then it's completely absorbed. Super fast sun protection. It also works upside down! This makes it so much easier for applying to the backs of your legs, knees and everywhere else. As a negative, it does have a very strong seal on the cap that I found hard to break (but maybe I just have puny fingers). Also like with any sunscreen, it can get a bit greasy if you get carried away with applying. But for the price and the speedy application I'm very happy.


Is your sunscreen cruelty-free? What are your summer essentials?

Sunday 19 July 2015

Summer Scents | Pacifica Island Vanilla Perfume

Pacifica Island Vanilla Roll On Vegan Perfume

Vegan

This perfume earned its place in my handbag many months ago, but now that summer has at last arrived it's become my new favourite scent. It's very sweet, deliciously so. Rolling it on my wrists with the sun shining, I feel like I could be on a wonderful exotic holiday. The little bottle is the perfect size to carry around too. The wear time isn't that long, around three or four hours, but the bottle is so light and small I don't mind keeping it with me and topping up throughout the day. 

Even after using it for many weeks, the perfume inside has barely diminished so I know this bottle is going to last a long time yet. I've also discovered that if I dab it on my wrists before styling my hair in the morning, the scent lingers on my hair and I get the sweet smell for longer. It's a light, floral scent that you just want more of!

Pacifica's range is completely vegan, natural, and of course cruelty-free. I'm lusting after a lot of their products right now, especially their make-up which is mostly only available in the U.S. This palette though is number one on my wishlist, as well as more perfumes!

Do you have a favourite perfume for summer?

Thursday 16 July 2015

Vegan Life Review on magazine.co.uk

Vegan Life Magazine Issue 7

Recently magazine.co.uk got in touch to ask if I'd like to write a few guest posts for them, as part of their new blogger network. The first of my posts is up now, and it's a review of the excellent magazine Vegan Life. I've read two issues so far and it's already become my favourite publication. You can find out why in my review here ;) If you're interested in a cruelty-free lifestyle you should definitely go pick up a copy - it's packed with vegan news, recipes, interviews and articles. And if you like the look of Vegan Life, you can subscribe here. I can certainly recommend it!

magazine.co.uk approved blogger badge

Tuesday 7 July 2015

An Interview With Emily of The Bell Jar

An interview with cruelty-free blogger The Bell Jar

For the third feature of my 'An Interview With' series, I had a chat with cruelty-free blogger Emily of The Bell Jar. Emily's lifestyle blog is a wonderful mix of her adventures, book reviews and beauty finds that I just had to share with you. Also if you're looking for any Lush recommendations Emily knows her stuff!


The Bell Jar Blog

Hi Emily! Tell us a bit about yourself and your blog.

Hi! The Bell Jar is my little corner of the internet. The name comes from the famous book by one of my favourite writers, Sylvia Plath. There I talk about cruelty free beauty, books and my life - a bit of everything, really!

When did you start blogging and what inspired you to start your own?


I've blogged on and off since the end of 2014. I've always loved writing. When I was at school I used a Diaryland account like a diary then when I was in college/uni, I was big into Tumblr. A friend started blogging and I had just come back from travelling and pursuing a career in fashion. Starting my own blog gave me something to do that I thought would look good on my CV, although fashion has never featured very heavily on my blog!

What are your favourite cruelty-free products?


Oh gosh, where do I begin?! Lush are my go-to when it comes to skincare, perfume, shower gel/bath bombs. My all time favourite products from Lush "Cocktail" & "Kerbside Violet" perfumes. I'm loving Mane 'n' Tail shampoo and conditioner, Too Faced's "Better Than Sex" mascara, Illamasqua's contour kit & Spectrum's gorgeous make up brushes at the moment.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to buy cruelty-free?


It's not as difficult as you may first think and researching new products to try is really fun! Don't worry if you don't have time to contact companies yourself - there are so many bloggers out there with amazing advice and product knowledge - make the most of them. Also, the Leaping Bunny symbol is a fail safe guide and is particularly useful for buying household cleaning products.

What's your favourite part of blogging?

There's so many aspects that I love! I enjoy meeting and chatting to lots of lovely like-minded people on blogger Twitter chats. Reading other blogs is great to get inspiration for pretty much anything - from fashion to make up, places to visit, food to cook or which books to read next. As for my favourite thing about writing my own blog, it would be having a place to be completely myself and share my opinions with the world.

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Thank you Emily for taking part! Also make sure to check out my interviews with Morag of mo'adore and Kelly of The Vegan Taff for their thoughts on blogging and buying cruelty-free.

Sunday 5 July 2015

5 Cruelty-Free Lifestyle Blogs To Follow

Cruelty-free and vegan lifetyle blogs

I adore finding new blogs to read, so I wanted to share the love for some I'm currently enjoying. I read absolutely loads of different blogs, about beauty, lifestyle and blogging, but my favourites are always those that have a cruelty-free aspect and help their readers to be a little kinder towards animals. So here are some that do that very well!


Mindful Eating & Conscious Living

Besma posts plant based recipes, reviews of cruelty-free beauty and ethical clothing as well as round ups of what's in season each month. I love her approach to being more conscious of everything we consume. She also takes beautiful photos and her posts always inspire me to eat and live a little healthier.




Nadia's is one of my favourite lifestyle blogs - she describes it as her virtual notebook. Each month she posts her hopes and goals, and if she's achieved her past ones. There's also a brilliant mix of cruelty-free beauty, trips away, at home DIYs and her thoughts on writing, embracing failure and finding that elusive work/life balance.



Finding a sweet and healthy balance

Kerry's recipes and incredible photos always make me starving hungry! Everything she makes is free from free dairy and refined sugar, two things I'm currently trying to cut down on. Yesterday I made a variation of her black bean raspberry brownies and they turned out scrumptious! Be ready to drool.



Veg food, travel & cruelty-free living 

I love reading Natalie's travel posts and reviews to discover new cafes and restaurants to eat veggie and vegan. I have a lot on my list to visit now! As well as adventures like llama trekking, she posts mouth watering vegan recipes. Also check out Natalie's Instagram because her pictures are stunning!



A veg-friendly space for happy, healthy humans

The Friendly Fig is run by two talented bloggers from the U.S., Bianca and Sarah. I love their sense of humour and that they're Seinfeld fans. Along with plenty of delicious looking vegan recipes, they post about cruelty-free finds, tips for shopping vegan and fruit and veggies galore.



What are some of your favourite blogs right now? Leave your links below if you'd like me to check yours out :)
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