Natural & Organic Empties - March & February 2018

Hi Lovelies,


Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 💕💕💕

Natural and organic empties

How are all of you? I hope you are well?
Due to health struggles and generally feeling down, I will keep this post short if that's ok with you? I will touch on what products I will repurchase without going into too much details and ingredients, I usually like to do that, but not today. Empties posts feels more and more like a chore, and I have to force myself to do them, so not too sure how long I will keep them going on - I have no joyous feeling like I have writing all my other posts. But at the same time I feel it is important to show consistency, it is important for my readers to see that the products I use and review are the same products. So let's jump in, shall we?

By the way, products pictured are March Empties only, I have deleted the picture from February by accident.

March Empties:

Skin & Tonic Calm Clean for dry /sensitive skin
Was lovely to use, but due to owning too much products, not getting it anytime soon

Comvita Olive Leaf Extract 
Couldn't stomach the taste (foul) so will look into capsules next

Fruu Lip Balm
Not too sure if repurchasing, too hard to apply & it does not last on the lips.

100%Pure Caffeine Sheet Mask
A pure gold, makes your skin red carpet ready. Hit search button for a review and a tip on how to last it 3x longer. Will repurchase.

Cordyceps by Terra Nova
A winner in my eyes, and constant repurchase from now on come winters - this boosted my immune system so much that I didn't get sick! I used to get sick 8 times before.

Ere Perez Concealer duo in Light
I have a review of this, and will get it again. For now I repurchased Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting concealer, which I also have a review on - it is my Holy Grail and I missed not having it. Have my eyes on Hiro Space Balms too. We will see.

Inika Long Lash Mascara
Amazing product, and that is all I use for more than 6 months! Due a review, and I repurchased it already.

Sambucol
The last one from the stash I've squirreled for winter, but I think I need a couple of more for spring too. 

OreganolP73
Look for my Top Three Natural Products post where I talk more in detail about it, but let me just say I never want to be without it! Nature's antibiotics at it's best.

Sante Myrrh Tootpaste
This was only 3eu, which was a nice change for me - here in Ireland we pay around 8 and more for any kind of natural toothpastes. Having said that, this had too much of glycerine for me, I could really feel that coating in my mouth and had "furry" teeth in the mornings, so not repurchasing. Glad I had a chance to try it though.

Acure Smooth Shampoo
I was so excited to try it, thinking it would make a cheaper alternative to my beloved (but pricy) Rahua Voluminous Shampoo, but it was not meant to be - it gave me dandruff. Not a shortfall of the product, as 99% of shampoos do that. My family have finished it and asked for more. Amazing, they said.

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Shower Gel
Amazing product, I love NYR shower gels - they last for months! And there's four of us! I would like to not repurchase, as I am keen to use soaps only, due to wanting to go zero waste, but my family are putting up a good fight. So we will see. A lot of NYR products are housed in glass, but not this one sadly.



February Empties:

Sand & Fog Goji Berry candle
Came from TKMaxx, the brand isn't available to me otherwise, so not going out 
of my way to repurchase

Mahalo Rare Indigo Balm
Ammmaaazing! Holy Grail for my sensitive skin, have another jar already

Eco Body Wash with Jasmine, Lemon & Patchouli 
TKMaxx purchase again - if I will see it there again, getting it

Calia Moisturising Shampoo
Mr. Green Life In Dublin finished it before I got a chance to
reach for it for a review, so I made him to buy ALL of their shampoos!
The boy had to learn his lesson, no?

Inner Senses Awakening Meditative Oil 
I don't think I will be able to live without this again! Repurchased already.
 Due a review soon. Just got their Sensual and Vitality body oils.

John Masters Organics Spearmint Shampoo & Citrus Detangler

Bought this before JMO sold out, so therefore it is old. Can't recommend 
this brand due to changing formulations for the worse.

Wabi-Sabi Botanicals Budhi Awaken Eye Nectar 
Loved this eye oil for a year and was going to put a review of four of their products
I own. But guess what? They discontinued everything and came out with a set of 
brand new products - formulations, packaging, everything! I mean, huh?

Greenfrog Soap berry Body Wash
Really natural wash I enjoy and use on the kids

Cliff House Organics soap x2
I like my Dudu Osun soaps better, sorry

Jack & Jill Strawberry Toothpaste 
Constant repurchase

Balm Balm Beauty Balm

Loved the fact it's organic, will looks into repurchasing come winter. For now, Mahalo 
Rare Indigo is it for me

Kiki Health Body Biotics for children
Repurchased already

Sambucol
Again, a repurchase on the repeat.

That's it for today. What have you used up and repurchased recently, please share?

Please follow my new blog Greenlifeindublin.com

Lots of Love,
Renata. 

Enjoy my content? I would appreciate any  tip into my PayPal Tip Jar - any donation 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.

12 Best Green Beauty Discoveries of 2017

Hi Lovelies,



Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 💕💕💕

Best Green Beauty Discoveries of 2017

So I was browsing some blog or the other, and it had a post that struck a chord with me, New Discoveries Of The Year. So it got me thinking what are my best discoveries for last year and how come I never did any post like this before? After careful consideration and thinking about it for a week, here are my Best Discoveries of 2017 in no particular order. Most of them have reviews on the blog already, so I won't spend time talking about each product in great detail, and thus repeating myself. Only two products escaped my scrutiny so far, but I will make sure to get those reviews out asap. It's just that blogger's overwhelm is getting very real at this stage. Don't get me wrong, I love discovering new products! It's just I am afraid I could miss out on amazing products by not giving them the proper attention they deserve, due to the sheer volume of products I own. By the way, I am stock taking and minimizing my stash at the moment, so expect a blog sale post with lots of free products too.
But for now, let's focus on my best discoveries from last year, shall we?




Isun Ormus Myst

This is a signature ISUN product and for me, love at a first spritz! Have you ever heard of mystical ormus creatures found in living water? Well, you are about to find out! They are tiny spherical atoms of gold, silver and platinum found in clear spring water in Colorado mountains, where ISUN products are made, and that is exactly the base for this facial spritz. They are awesome at renewing and rejuvenating your skin. Plus it smells amazing! See review here. I need this beauty back in my life. It was very hard to choose as all Isun products are amazing in my opinion, but this was a love at a first spritz!



Earthwise Beauty Nap In The Meadow

This is my favourite product from Earthwise Beauty - I haven't tried that many, but I am keen to try more. The woman behind the brand, Ava Zhan is kind of green beauty wizard. Find my review of their Nap In The Meadow, Marshmallow Suds and Passion Eye Serum here. Many things from them are on my wishlist, and those include Sungod, Farizad's Veil, Cistus & Moonlight face mist, Ruby facial oil and one of the facial steams (I want to compare professional formulation to my own DIY)



Living Libations Products 

As soon as I discovered Dutch Health Store carries a large selection of Living Libations products, not just selected few Best Skin Ever, I placed an order for some dental products, and I loved them! Next came the spirulina shampoo, and it was equally amazing - so much that all of these products made into my 2017 Best Products post. You can find my review of the dental products here and the shampoo here; and all I can say, all the other products my this amazing truly clean brand, come this way! Seriously, you should see my Living Libations wishlist! Two miles long, no kidding.

Related posts:

DEW DAB REVIEW

ZEST THE BEST REVIEW

LIVING LIBATIONS HAIR CARE REVIEW

WINTERGREEN & CLEAN TOOTHPASTE REVIEW

MY HOLISTIC DENTAL CARE ROUTINE & PRODUCTS

EVERYBODY LOVES SUNSHINE WITH ZINC BEACH BALM REVIEW

Dr.Alkaitis Organic Healing Gel

This is one of those few items that escaped my scrutiny and exposure on social media. I bought this after receiving a sample in a green beauty swap with Italian blogger 1988 Bori, as I fell love with how good this was for my dermatitis affected area, it was instantly much calmer and soothed! I will review it separately some day, but I can say that it is one of those high end priced products worth the money, at least for me. Fabulous natural ingredients, but if you are very sensitive and can't handle much essential oils, please try to obtain a sample of it - my skin miraculously can handle it, but I have to close my eyes when I apply it, as it irritates them. It increased in price since I bought it, so let me just say I will be looking for deals like a hawk :)

Walden A Different Drummer Perfume

This was a pleasant surprise and the most successful shoot-in-the-dark purchase of the year, and by that I mean it was the most successful perfume purchase online. So successful in fact that it went into my Top Three Favourite Perfumes Of All Times. Please see the review here if you missed it. It has sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean, tobacco and cedarwood. Can be used for men too, which is exactly why I like it! I am one of those rare breed of females who prefer to wear male fragrance.

Get it from Love Lula here, or try a sample kit.

Leahlani Mermaid Mask

This isn't technically a 2017 discovery, it was only a year I finally invested in a full size of the mask, after discovering it a year previously. It is really amazing, with visible results (with continuous use) and amazing ingredients! Essentially it is a honey based mask with spirulina, but it also has some amazing extracts in it, and it is why I can't DIY it. It is also one of the cheapest masks in green beauty (and also available within Europe) and that is exactly why I will keep repurchasing it. Review to come soon.

Couleur Caramel Cosmetics

A great natural brand that is available locally to me, and thanks goodness for that! (Get if from Amazon if not) I have numerous products, and I don't plan to stop there. Review can be found here, and I can tell I can understand why Hollywood and stars of a lesser caliber favour it - it is amazing. Palette and the liquid eye liner made into my 2017 Best Products post, and there is so many products I want to try next - mascara, lip products, green concealer, and hopefully V.Claire will make the coloured finishing pearls called Perles Sublimatrices available here too, because I really want to get them. It is not a need thing, more of a "want" thing - it would finish off my green beauty make up collection very nicely. It reminds me so much of those Guerlain pearls, and I see it as an ultimate luxe product.

 


Dudu Osun African Black Soap

Probably the most affordable out of all products I am mentioning here, and the one I intend to re-purchase time and time again. First of all, it has only minimal natural ingredients, secondly it works very well and does not dry out the skin, thirdly it comes in only cardboard box, no plastic, so it is good for the planet (and us). I have reviewed it here, and I kind of don't want to test and review other soaps, because this is so good. Get it from Love Lula here.

Ere Perez Concealer

If you are after a full coverage concealer, you would love this. I have to be upfront, it is sticky, but it offers full coverage and I find it does not crease. This is my second favourite green beauty concealer after the Hynt Beauty Duo Perfecting concealer (which offers more coverage, but creases slightly, plus I sadly happen to be in between the shades). I have a review of a couple of Ere Perez products here, and I happen to love their Bondi blush too, which is one of the 20+ natural Nars Orgasm dupes I've found. Can be found in Love Lula here.

Dr.Hauschka Rose Day Cream

The best discovery of 2017 for my dermatitis prone skin. Repurchased at least five times in last year alone, so let this be a testament of how much I love it. We all know that bloggers rarely repurchase a thing, unless it is really good. And this is really good for my dry skin - it is amazing, and my skin just drinks it up! it is not designed to treat dermatitis, but my skin is on it's best behavior when I use this, and if I happen to have a breakout due to accidentally glutening myself or testing some unsuitable products, this is the first thing I reach for, as I know my skin will be soothed and calmed in an instant. See review in this link, and if you want to, get it from Love Lula here. 



Rahua Shampoo

Just like with Living Libations True Blue Spirulina shampoo, all I can say is this - it is worth the money. And trust me, I am not someone who recommends pricy products easily! Rahua line has been on my radar since the very start of my own switch to the green side, but it took me eight years to come round to try this - until then I spent many years having bad hair days - trying all the budget clean shampoos I could find, and crying crocodile tears when none of them worked for me.
I got mine in Love Lula.

So those were my favourite discoveries of 2017 - thinking back, it was amazing year for discovering new fantastic products. This is the first this type of post I'd done to date, but I will keep it up. It was fun to look back and remember the new-to-me things I enjoyed. 

What were your best discoveries of 2017? Please share, I would love to know!

*Update in 2020 - every single product is still a favourite and that is saying something 💕

P.s. Please make my day and subscribe & share this or any of my blog posts on social media - it helps to get the green beauty word out and for that I Thank You!

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Tata for now.

Lots of Love,

Renata.

Click to find all the green beauty reviews I'd done to date.

Disclaimer: You can't use any of my photos or blog text without my permission.

Disclaimer II: this post contains affiliate links. It is at no extra cost to you, and I thank you for using them. I am only affiliated with brands and online shops that align with my values. At the moment those are Love Lula and Neal's Yard Remedies. Other links are purely for your convenience and I do not earn anything from them. I want to be crystal clear about it, so we would be on the same page about it.

Black Friday Love Lula Picks

Hello Lovelies,



Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 💕💕💕

Love Lula product recommendations by Green Life In Dublin

Some of you might know I am working on Black Friday post rounding up the best deals in EU and UK, to be published very soon. So let this be a little preview of it, because guess what? Love Lula have already started their 15% off sale and it runs until December 2nd! Fabulous or what?

So I thought it would be helpful if I made a list of my favourite products and my wishlist too. I have a dermatitis prone and sensitive skin, and my scalp is more or less the same, so these products are tried and tested. I have reviews on most of the things I am recommending, and I will link them at the end of this post in the case you want to read my thoughts on them in great detail. 

Recommendations:

✅ Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream

I've never had repurchased a cream more times! I am on my 4th or 5th tube, I don't even know, and I know for sure this is what I am definitely buying as a replacement as my BF treat to myself. Greasy looking, yes, but I never had a face cream suit my sensitive skin so well. Never any issues or major dermatitis outbreaks when I use this, in fact, the opposite it true - soothed, nourished skin anyone? I know for sure this is a repurchase for life and definitely this year's Favourite Face Cream. I freak out when I am halfway through, and order next one straight away, as I never want to be without it. What's better, this comes with two mini side kicks in Love Lula's Christmas shop, so you are getting even more stuff for your money.

✅ Rahua Voluminous Shampoo

 My favourite shampoo for the last half a year, and I still have about 2 cm left which I assume will give me another 6 to 8 weeks out of it. I have known about this shampoo for years but I finally splurged on it, and I am so glad I did. I enjoyed having good hair days for a change, as so many other shampoos don't work for me and give me all kinds of issues - dandruff, itchy scalp, tangly mess for the hair - this is none of those things. I didn't realise until I was about to post the review that I hadn't had any scalp issues for months! So now it is a good time to get it.

✅ Inika Highlighting Creme 

I should get my stuff together and post that Inika review! So many great products I am really enjoying this line lately. I have this for about 2yrs and I am far from done! You need a pin prick amount, and what I love the most about it, it's that it lasts all day - it is there until you are ready to take it off. Great universally flattering shade too, not too pink, not too golden. Definitely getting it again, but at the moment it seems to be out of stock - whoopsie! Keep your eyes peeled - if you love Modern Minerals Moonstone highlighter, this is very similar, but better :) 

✅ Inika Naked Kiss Lipstick

Really enjoying this nude/ brown shade, that came in the November Love Lula Beauty Box. I am not someone who switches to dark or berry lips for autumn and winter, so I am sure I will get loads of wear out of it. You can see swatches and how it looks on in the picture. 

Inika Naked Kiss Lipstick swatch

✅ Inika Long Lash Mascara

This is really impressive mascara - it gives you length, volume (not too much though) and you can build it up nicely, all of which I like. It also doesn't flake, and I have it since August. Definitely a contender for repurchasing and I will talk more about it in the upcoming Inika review. 

✅ Ere Perez Arnica Concealer 

Really great full coverage moisturising concealer. Sticky, yes, but it does not crease and I really enjoyed it for the last few months. See the review in the link down below. Great if you need to hide tiredness in a pinch.

✅ Ere Perez Bondi blush

It is one of the Nars Orgasm natural dupes I am enjoying at the moment. I will link that post down below as well - I worked very hard on that post to find you natural dupes, and I list more than twenty! 

✅ Konjac sponges

Really recommend it for everyone, and especially for my sensitive skin gals - very gentle and natural way to wash your face and exfoliate. A must. 

✅ Kimberly Sayer Daily Moisturiser SPF30

I am yet to review this despite using the product for over two years. This I use as my face SPF, but bear in mind it is not a specific sunblock product, it is a moisturiser with SPF. Good for city, but I wouldn't rely on it for sun holidays.The only face SPF product not to break me out or have a white cast, and that's why I continue to use it.

✅ Hurraw Moon Balm

Another product I am using for well over two years and don't have a review on! This is different in texture than regular Hurraw balms, I find it stays on better, and I love lovely vanilla scent too. Definitely recommend if you haven't tried it. I use it all year round as my nightly lip balm, but when autumn and winter rolls around, I use it for day too - for the reason mentioned above, it stays in your lips when so many other lip balms fail. 

✅ Walden A Different Drummer Perfume

This I recommend purely because it is one of my top three natural Perfumes - so deep and sensual with Tobacco, Amber, Vanilla and Sandalwood notes. Exactly how I like my Perfumes to be. I do realize Perfumes are highly personal, so I am suggesting you try a sample first. You might be interested in a sample kit?

✅ Dudu Osun African Black Soap

Great very natural and very affordable product that is very well loved and used in our house. Lasts a long time, has only paper box for packaging - great product if you are keen to move into less waste lifestyle. Can replace shaving product and I heard a ton of great reviews using this as a face wash for acne prone skin too. 

Love Lula Wishlist

Wishlist:


✅ Living Nature Manuka Honey Gel

I have had a few samples of this and I am finally ready to commit to a full size of it! Really amazing at healing all kinds of skin boo boos from scrapes to zits, and I really like the clean ingredients too. Just like with Rahua shampoo, I will probably have to hide it from my hubs, who uses stuff at a blink-and-you-will-miss-it rate. Shh, don't tell.

  

✅ Esse Plus Ageless Probiotics Serum

Well, since it is a wishlist, I am allowed to go all out with my wishes, am I? Probiotic skincare intrigues me to no end, and I am very keen to explore this line soon. Uber pricy, but this is my fantasy wish list, and 15% would bring significant savings in this case. Other products are less expensive, but serum is one of the two areas I would splurge on, so that is why I am including this. 

✅ Turbliss Mask & Toner 

I am not sure how I feel about using peat on my face, but the pull is greater than push, so expect me to get (and review) these products soon. 

✅ Africa Organics Baobab Shampoo

Baobab is one of the things that is calling my name, and what can I say, all things baobab, come this way please 💕 starting with this shampoo. I have my eye on this shampoo (and others from this range too) for a little while now, but I want to finish my Rahua before getting anything else. Trying not to have too many open products at once.

✅ Cv SkinLabs Calming Moisture

As someone with face dermatitis I am naturally keen to try this product. The only thing that is stopping me is high price point, even though it has a myriad of glowing reviews. We shall see. 

✅ Rossi Uvema skincare

This line started calling my name recently, I checked the ingredients of everything and was very impressed - very natural. Price point is affordable, so I am intrigued to see if the products are good. I am waiting to finish some of the products I currently own, and these will be next.

✅ Acure shampoo, conditioner and Overnight Fluff Mask

Despite this brand being available on our side of the pond for months now, I am yet to try it. All down to not wanting of overflow of products at any given time. But let me say this - Acure, I have my eye on you baby! When the time is right, I will start with shampoo, conditioner and this intriguing sounding overnight mask called fluff. I am coming for ya!

✅ Ren anti redness serum & mask 

Ren is the brand I sort of boycotted for a while because of the phenoxyethanol in every single product, but let me tell you this, it is increasingly hard to find a product that is NOT using this preservative novadays, so I had to throw my hands in the air. Besides samples I had worked wonders on the redness and my dermatitis patch, I need to have both products in my life. 


✅ RMS Lipstick. Or Two

Enough said.


So that is it, my post for today. I hope it will be helpful to you to choose products from the vast majority Love Lula carries. 

On Your Marks! Ready, Steady, Go Shop Now!!

Tata for now! Let me know what will you be getting?

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Lots Of Love,
Renata.

 Disclaimer: This post features my honest recommendations, real wishlist and affiliate link. Thank You for using it.

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