Something green

A few weeks ago I got sent an intriguing package…

Green Goods are newbies on the online block. The site offers a vast range of green and eco friendly products for you and your home.

I got a collection of ‘green’ beauty-related products to try. As I don’t ever really go out of my way to find ‘green’ versions of anything, I was interested to see how the products compared to non-green ones. These are my thoughts…

Oh-Lief Grapefruit and Lime Natural Hand Lotion, R94. Firstly, I love the slick, sliver bottle. The lotion has a thick, creamy texture, but absorbs pretty fast, and didn’t leave my hands at all sticky. The scent is light and subtle, which I much prefer to strong, over powering hand creams.

Just Pure Lemongrass Handmade Soap, R45. I loved this soap. It isn’t overly foamy, but still left my skin feeling clean and super soft. I loved the fresh lemongrass scent too! Incredible considering it only contains 5 ingredients!

SoyLites Votive Candle in Vanilla Spice, R58. I’ve been a SoyLites fan for ages, so knew what I was getting with this divinely scented candle. The Vanilla Spice consists of vanilla, pine, clove and cinnamon – it makes the room smell like Christmas.

Zao Cream Eyeshadow in Golden Bronze, R179. It’s not often I come across a make-up brand I’ve never heard of. Zao is an Eco Cert and Cruelty-Free certified French brand. All their packaging is either recyclable or reusable – you can buy refills! Very green indeed, but how do the products perform? The shadow was incredible. It starts out as a silky cream texture that sets with a velvety finish. The colour payoff is great, too. I wore this bronze by itself during the day, and layered it over darker shades for a hint of shimmer in the evenings.  This is a new favourite!

The Victorian Garden Lavender and Honey Hydrating Cream Face Mask, R83. This is also a brand I’ve known about for a while. This mask has been a lifesaver in this cooler weather. You apply a layer to clean skin and leave for 10 minutes (you can leave it for longer if your skin is incredibly dry). It left my skin feeling soft, supple and very well hydrated. I did find the scent slightly too strong for my liking, but if you really love lavender, you’ll love it!

Balm Balm Rose Geranium Lip Balm, R98. I love Balm Balm’s Little Miracle serum, so had high hope for this balm. It didn’t disappoint. The texture is runnier than you’d expect, but absorbs well and leaves your lips feeling well conditioned. It also works a treat on dry cuticles if you’re in a pinch. Oh, and it smells like Turkish Delight!!

Badger Lavender and Chamomile Night Night Balm, R70. This is actually for kids, but when it comes to Badger, I’m like a big kid, so it worked well. This balm is designed to help calm kids down before they go to bed and to aid peaceful sleep. It does this thanks to a combo of aloe, lavender, sandalwood, mandarin and spearmint oils (all of which are certified organic). You rub a small amount under your nose before you go to bed. I was a bit concerned about rubbing essential oils on my nose, as I thought it would probably be far too strong, but it wasn’t at all, and I found it really did help me relax. They have to win the award for the cutest packaging in the history of the world, too.

So I have to say I was very impressed with this bunch of organic and green beauties.

Keen to try some green goodies for yourself?  Green Goods are giving away a winter pamper hamper. The hamper includes a Meadowsweet Nourishing Vitamin E Luxurious Body Butter, a SoyLites Votive Candle in Decadence, a Naturals Beauty Gel Body Wash and a Just Pure Hypo-Allergenic Cleansing Bar.

To stand a chance of winning, all you have to do is pop over to the Green Goods FB page here. Like their page (if you haven’t already) and share your favourite winter indulgence on their wall. Be creative – the best indulgence wins! The giveaway closes next Friday, 13 June 2014