Looking behind the labels // Cruelty free beauty

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I have mentioned before that I favour organic and natural based beauty products in my Looking behind the labels: Parabens post, but what about cruelty free products? 

I have always been an animal lover since I collected the Animal Ark book series as a child. Although my vet aspirations did not last long (weak stomach!), my love for animals has always stayed with me. Due to this I would never knowingly purchase a product that has been tested on animals, but like many beauty lovers I feel that the industry makes it difficult to find out the origins of the products we buy. Many consumers buy products based on their advertising or on a whim whilst out shopping - therefore skipping the research into the ingredients and whether or not they are tested on animals. This convenience shopping could mean that people are unknowingly purchasing products that they might otherwise avoid for ethical reasons.  

Fortunately there are many fantastic cruelty free brands on the market today which certainly makes it easier for those of us who want to avoid products that have been tested on animals. For an easy way to identify cruelty-free products look out for the Leaping Bunny logo which are 'certified cruelty free under the internationally-recognised Humane Cosmetics or Humane Household Products Standards.' Although the EU has now banned animal tested cosmetics, this is not applicable to cosmetics sold outside the EU. As Go Cruelty Free states, 'The Leaping Bunny is a global standard and applies to all of the operations and sales of companies, not just those for the EU. We only certify companies that have a policy not to test their products on animals for any market, including China where animal testing for imported products is currently required.' So definitely keep an eye out for the Leaping Bunny if you want to ensure you are buying cruelty-free products! 

Cruelty free brands:

Burt's Bees

Neals Yard

Liz Earle

Dermalogica

Lush

Marks and Spencer's own brand products 

Models Own

REN

Sainsbury's own brand products

Soap and Glory

Pai Skincare

The Body Shop

To name but a few! For more cruelty-free brands and shopping advice I highly recommend visiting the Go Cruelty Free website. How do you feel about cruelty-free products? Do you research cosmetics or companies before you make a purchase?

Book Review // Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson

Before I Go To Sleep - S J Watson, published 2011

Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of a middle-aged woman named Christine who suffers from anterograde amnesia - she wakes up every morning with no recollection of who or where she is. The book is a psychological thriller that follows Christine as she attempts to reconstruct her memories and discover who she is. 

For a first novel I think that this book is very well written and well paced. As a reader you are kept in a sense of anticipation as to what will happen next throughout the book. I enjoy psychological thrillers and find stories that revolve around memory quite fascinating (Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind happen to be a couple of my favourite films), so I was instantly drawn towards the premise of this novel. Although a little slow in parts, I think that this doesn't distract from the book rather acts to highlight the mundane suburban existence that Christine finds herself living. For me the ending was somewhat predictable and dry, but overall I enjoyed the story and felt that I connected with the character of Christine - a trait that I look for and associate with a good writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller and I am looking forward to SJ Watson's next novel! Before I Go To Sleep is now being turned into a film adaption written and directed by Rowan Joffé, starring Nicole Kidman as Christine and Colin Firth as Ben. I will be intrigued to see how the film lives up to the novel and how the actors will portray the characters. I think Colin Firth has been cast well but remain unsure of Nicole Kidman as Christine.

Have you read Before I Go To Sleep? What do you think about the film adaption?

Scalp Saviour // E45 Shampoo Review

Sometimes products are not pretty or glamourous... this is one of those times. Over the past couple of years I have been struggling with my scalp. I have no idea what triggered it, but after one sunny holiday my poor head was never quite the same again. I am not sure if my issues are due to sun damage (always wear a hat folks!), but ever since I have had an extremely sensitive scalp. Oh so glamourous. 

Although I am fortunate not to suffer with any unsightly dandruff, I do get a very uncomfortable scalp. It often feels tight, itchy or sore and means that I have to wash my hair everyday in order to keep it comfortable. Over time I have tried many different shampoos and conditioners, but all have seemed to irritate my sensitive head - until now!

Feeling fed up with my poor head, I decided to try a few more specialist shampoos that are designed for either extreme sensitivity or dry conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Having tried similar products in the past I wasn't too hopeful, but decided to try the E45 shampoo as I had seen some positive reviews. The shampoo is perfume free and hypoallergenic and claims to be a 'gentle, effective shampoo for dry, itchy scalps...'. Even after first use I could tell that my head was happier. It felt somehow soothed and not at all irritated. Once dry my hair also felt incredibly soft - a pleasant surprise to say the least! 

Although it is still early days for my scalp, I feel that this shampoo has really helped me and I could not help but share my thoughts. If you are suffering from similar sensitivity issues I would really recommend giving E45 a try! E45 dry scalp shampoo retails for £5.89 for 200ml and is available to buy from Boots.

Estèe Lauder Zodiac Powder Compact Review // Virgo

Happy new year! After a break over the christmas period, I'm back (a little heavier) and looking forward to the next year in beauty. I also wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who followed my blog during 2013! I really appreciate all your lovely comments and support, and stay tuned as there is lots more to come this year.

I was lucky enough to receive some lovely christmas presents this year, including this beautiful limited edition Estèe Lauder zodiac compact*. Estèe Lauder always make such beautiful and luxurious products, but this compact feels truly special. It is a small yet weighty, gold coloured compact with a zodiac design (mine is virgo) and crystal detail on the front. What drew me to this compact was the design - it is gloriously vintage inspired with an art deco style and seems reminiscent of old school Hollywood glamour. Each star sign is represented with an individual design (12 in total), all of which are equally beautiful! 

The compact arrives in a lovely box, and is accompanied by a little blue velvet pouch in order to protect your compact from wear and tear. The powder itself is translucent and very good at getting rid of unwanted shine. The powder refills are pricey at £15, but I know that I will get a lot of use out of this compact for the mirror as well as the powder. This is definitely a keepsake product and I am sure I will be using it for many years to come. 

I have nothing negative to say about this compact at all! It is a joy to use and I feel oh so glamorous every time I bring it out of my handbag. The limited edition zodiac compact retails for £38.50 and is available from the Estèe Lauder website. Did you get any beauty presents this year?

* Item was a gift.