Zero Waste with REN Clean Skincare

In 2018, REN Clean Skincare pledged to become zero waste by the end of 2021. Changing packaging that is designed to be recyclable, using recycled materials or is reusable and through education, positive activism, education and being sustainable - it was achieved and if this one small brand can manage it, then so can the global brands with bigger budgets, bigger product lines and bigger workforces.

I am a huge fan of REN Clean Skincare and am really proud of their achievements, many scoffed it would be an impossible feat, but time and time again there was many industry firsts. 

We made our Zero Waste Pledge in 2018, to only produce packaging designed to be recyclable, containing recycled materials or being reusable by the end of 2021. And we achieved it!

Here is how REN achieved their aims:

• 2018 - Ocean Plastic Packaging - partnering with TerraCycle to create an industry first. A bottle made from 80% recycled plastic and 20% reclaimed Ocean plastic for use in the Atlantic Kelp Range.
• 2019 - PCR Plastic Pack. Known as Post-Consumer Recycled plastic, these materials are obtained from recycling packaging that has been used by consumers and placed in their recycling bins.
• 2020 - Infinity Recycling - another industry first for REN. Pioneering this new certified plastic packaging with the re-launch of EverCalm Global Protection Day Cream. Infinity Recycling  repurposes plastic destined for landfill.
• 2021 - 100% Recyclable. Launching Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic in packaging that is 100% recyclable from PCR Plastic.
• 2021 - A world first this time and that is the Aluminium sample sized products. REN stopped the use of single use plastic sachets back in 2018 and fast-forwarding to 2021, we now see a world-first recycled and recyclable aluminium sample tube.

The sample tubes are absolutely genius and it is one of those inventions that you question why it hasn’t been thought of before.

If that isn’t enough, as of the beginning of 2022 REN went that one step further with Recyclable Glass Jars which feature an aluminium lid.

All of that might not sound like such a big deal, but it really is. Throughout the last 4 years, in changing and upgrading their packaging, REN has been able to:

• Remove 400kg of litter from outlet waterways
• Saved 900kg of plastic with a world-first 100% recyclable aluminium tube
• Repurposed 3 tons of plastic waste with just one product - the Brightening Eye Cream
• Saved 16 tons of plastic from entering landfill by designing packaging to global recycling guidelines that supports the circular economy
• Recycled 45 tons of plastic by repurposing waste from landfills and giving it a second life.

As well as their own brand, through the #WeAreAllies campaign and by working together with other brands such as Caudalie, Biossance, Herbivore and Youth To The People, the hope is that by working together, sharing ideas and pioneering new solutions while at the same time raising awareness that will inspire other brands to follow suit with their own sustainable efforts.

If we can go to supermarkets and refill bottles, and containers to save the need for excess packaging, use shampoo and conditioner bars and if we can refill beauty products - then we should be able to make Zero Waste much easier and much more achievable than it currently is and I really hope to see more brands look at what REN has achieved, champion them and learn from them!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aldi Lacura Vanilla Honey Golden Bath Nectar

It is no secret that I happen to think Aldi has some pretty amazing beauty offers, having recently upped their K-Beauty collection, they have now just released another incredible product that you are going to want to try and it is the Aldi Lacura Vanilla Honey Golden Bath Nectar.  It will be back on sale online and in store this week!!

Now looking at this Bath Nectar, you might notice that it is very much inspired by the Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Honey Bath, which retails at £45 for 300g, so as a product, it is very much on the luxurious side of things. The Aldi Lacura Vanilla Honey Golden Bath Nectar is priced at just £5.99 for the same 300g, which is a saving of almost £40!

Relax and unwind in complete luxury with Aldi Lacura Vanilla Honey Golden Bath Nectar (£5.99), the latest launch from Aldi’s Health and Beauty brand. With calming scents of vanilla and honey, the indulgent nectar comes complete with a wooden honey dipper to leave skin soft and smooth and in complete serenity. What’s more, shoppers can save up to 82% compared to Laura Mercier.

To look at, the packaging is completely different to Laura Mercier in that Aldi's version has a much more rounded plastic jar with a silver lid and Laura Mercier is less Jam Jar and very sleek, though both have silver lids. For fans of Laura Mercier it is all about the honey dipper and that scent. Well the Aldi Bath Nectar also comes with the wooden honey dipper and surprisingly it is really well made and slightly more rounded.

The Aldi Vanilla Honey Golden Bath Nectar does have the most wonderful golden colour to it and when removing the lid there is an immediate vanilla and honey scent that wafts past, like the very first opening of a jar of fresh honey, that wonderfully sweet scent that is just so moreish, very much like a freshly opened bar of honey!

The directions for using this Bath Nectar is swirl the wooden honey dipper into the jar and then place it under the running tap to create lovely honey vanilla scented bubbles.  The honey dipper itself works really well with the bath nectar and does a great job at helping you to use the product without getting it everywhere.

If you love the sound of this and want to try the Aldi Lacura Vanilla Honey Golden Bath Nectar, then get ready to get your hands on it.  The Aldi Lacura Vanilla Golders Bath Nectar will be available to pre-order online from the 23rd January, and you can find in stores from the 27th January.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Ultimate Hair Spa Box by TOYL - May Edition

This months TOYL box is themed around hair, specifically getting your hair into its best shape of its life. As we get older our hair changes - it might be greyer than we hoped, thinner, drier and often other problems occur as our body changes. 

This box is about glossy locks, no silicones and it has been curated with all hair types in mind with a treat right at the end, what’s more it is worth £110 and is on sale for an amazing £39.99 but keep on reading to find out how you can get it for less and why every single month, I champion this box as being incredible value for money!

For me, my hair has always been combination, much like my skin. Greasy roots and dry ends, when I’m stressed my scalp reacts and whilst I try to use as little heat as possible, I’ve also switched to sleeping on a silk pillowcase and dry shampoo is my best friend!

The first product in this months box is from Michael Van Clarke with 3’’’ More inches Lifesaver Pre-wash Treatment.

This is a pre-wash treatment that helps to get rid of silicone and dive deep into the hairs shaft to rebuild protein to shore up breakages. It uses Wheat Proteins which work to strengthen and protect as well as too increase hydration and elasticity. Coconut and vegetable extracts to moisturise, condition and protect as well as Cashmere Amino Acids which are described as being are almost identical to human hair so are absorbed deeply helping replenish the voids in damaged hair, rehydrate the hairshaft and protect it from further shrinking.

The second product comes from Living Proof and your box will either contain the shampoo or conditioner from the Full collection. 

I have the shampoo in my box and it is described as being gentle yet effective at thoroughly cleansing the hair and priming it by removing residue and buildup.  Ideal for fine, flat hair, this shampoo uses a whole array of ingredients such as propriety amino cleansing complex which gently cleans the hair, removing dirt and debris build-up, without stripping natural oils. An infusion of amaranth peptides to support a fuller-looking appearance by plumping the fibres, alongside phytantriol which helps to strengthen and protect the colour vibrancy of chemically treated hair.

The third product comes from WeAreParadoxx with the Repair 3-in-1 Conditioner. Priding themselves on being 99% natural, WeAreParadoxx is a always greeted warmly in our house.

This 3-in-1 conditioner is quite the multi-tasker as it works as a conditioner, leave-in treatment and finishing balm. Using the likes of coconut oil to strengthen and hydrate, Carrageen Moss to fortify and condition plus Matcha Green Tea which adds strength and fullness. After using, your hair should feel soft, look glossy and be frizz free!

The final product for your hair is the one I was most intrigued by! From DrPawPaw, the brand who has those cute lip balms, we have the It Does It All, 7-in-1 Hair Treatment Styler.

This product is 95% natural, vegan-friendly and has a whole lot of things it claims to do, which includes:

• Heat Protect
• Reduce Split Ends
• Detangler
• Leave-in-hair Treatment
• Reduce Fizz and smooth
• Blow dry styling
• Adds Shine

Packaged in a spray bottle, it is easy to apply to the hair and it does come with the DrPawPaw signature coconut and mango scent, which I absolutely love. 

Finally, in this box is a real treat and it isn’t hair related but it is amazing and it comes from Aromatherapy Associates.

The Hydrating Rose Face Mask is described as being the mask you need when your skin needs a bit of moisture. The Damask Rose Water infused gel mask is enriched with ingredients such as Aloe Vera and sodium hyaluronate, which work together to hydrate skin and restore its radiance and vitality. Perfect for using after exfoliating and it needs just ten minutes of your time - perfect for using whilst you have a hair mask on! Plus, if your skin is extra dry, you can leave it work it’s magic overnight too!

I don’t need to tell you just how amazing this box is, all of these amazing brands and their products and the box is priced at just £39.99, though it is worth an incredible £110, it includes free P&P and if you use the code BQUK, you will get £5 off your first box!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask

There is no doubt that we have and continue to live in unprecedented times, regardless of your beliefs and like so many, not only have I had Covid19 and lived to see another day, but I am also still suffering from a few of those side effects which continue to blight my days. Aside from still not having my taste and smell back, the insomnia is worse than ever, life has gone back to the norm, or new norm and it is pretty full on, I’m useless at being able to switch off and relax, so putting the Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask to the test has been quite timely.

Sleep Masks are not something new, but this is a mask with a difference and one which has courted a whole lot of attention across my Social Media feed and having been kindly sent the mask over 3 months ago, I really wanted to try it out before sharing my thoughts, especially because it had a waiting list of over 5000 people before it had even launched!

Want to tackle sleep, relaxation and wrinkles in one? Meet the Anti-Wrinkle Eye Mask from Dr Harris, an innovative sleep mask with raised silicone dots that gently press on your skin to help ease tension and temporarily smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Whether you're taking a 15-minute power nap or you're wearing this fabulous mask overnight, it's sure to redefine the meaning of beauty sleep! 

That description alone had me absolutely sold that I had found an amazing product that I am being blessed to try. 

Referred to by many as being a super sleep mask, it has been designed by leading aesthetic practitioner Dr Harris in collaboration with CurrentBody. Aside from being a sleep mask, it is also an anti-wrinkle eye mask, which is what makes it so unique.

The mask is made from 100% silk and it is super soft to the touch and when you are wearing it, it is really lightweight whilst being snug and it is a mask which stays in place whether you are wearing it to lay down and just relax for a few minutes or happen to fall asleep wearing it.  So, as you can see, it looks like any other sleep mask, that is until you turn it over and it is here you are greeted with a series of silicone dots which have been specifically placed to stimulate the mechanoreceptors, or put simply, those tiny nerve endings, on the face. 

Whilst wearing it, I had read reviews which claimed it was hard to frown, so like any child who is told not to the painted wall/fence because there is a sign stating that paint is wet, you touch it. With this mask I did and still do try to frown and it’s true, it is incredibly difficult to frown as these tiny silicone dots have gently gripped your skin to do what Dr Harris intended by creating a sensation that is akin to someone stroking your face whilst at the same time targeting those temporary wrinkles which are caused by smiling and frowning.

Now the wrinkle side of things I can’t really comment on as I just don’t have enough to make a comparison and being honest, they don’t worry me if they are to arrive. For me, the intrigue with this mask is for the relaxation and sleep benefits, which I really struggle with. Using the mask is incredibly simple:

How to use:

• Put on the anti-ageing sleep mask with the strap surrounding your ear
• Press one finger firmly over the relaxation point between your eyebrows
• Hold for five seconds
• Release and lean back, allowing the mask to work for at least 15 minutes

So the instructions are easy to follow which is a relief and it has become my most used mask, even the mister uses it if he gets a chance to swipe it from me. Once the mask is in position, for me, I use it in numerous ways:

• Headaches - I have shared my challenge with headaches on many occasions. A condition known as Barometric headaches is my nemesis and it is caused by changes to atmospheric pressure. They usually start with a sharp pain that runs across the head and then settle to a migraine type headache and make me feel quite nauseous. This eye mask is one of the most soothing products I’ve ever used when my headaches are triggered, as they silicone dots add just the right amount of pressure to work against the pain.
• Relaxing - I’m not good at just sitting down and doing nothing, I’m a fidget and almost need to be strapped down to stay still. What I do love is the use of this mask, my oil diffuser blend working its magic and then those 15 minutes of absolute me time to think of nothing. This is something I can absolutely manage to do and usually on a Sunday when the working week is finished.
• Drifting back off to sleep - falling asleep for me is not a problem, it is very rare that I am awake all night. For me, the issue is staying asleep. Many a time I’ve shared on my Instagram stories the hours that I lay awake overthinking, being unsettled, wondering if I could just clean the kitchen floor without waking anyone. This mask is the absolute best at helping me drift back off to sleep, because it does help me to relax, if after half an hour I am unable to sleep, the mask is applied and off I will go back to sleep for differing lengths of time, but for me it works.

All of those uses and still this mask is safe to use all night long if you so wish and it is here that it is claimed you will see longer lasting results, so I do try and ensure I do this more often than I really do.

If that isn’t enough, this incredible mask, of which I now have two because I purchased a spare one, is perfect for travelling with because it comes packaged with a branded black storage pouch.  

This mask is priced at £90 or £99 with two skincare products from CurrentBody, so it is at the higher end price bracket of products of a similar market, but I believe you are getting a whole lot more with this Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask than just any normal silk eye mask, for me the benefits alone make it worth every single penny and more so given I’ve purchase a second to use when this one is being washed.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.