Curious Pandora: eco friendly

10 Things You Might Not Know About Essential Oils // Health & Wellbeing

Hey cats!

I recently took part in an essential oils workshop and wanted to create a quick post covering what I learnt about essential oils that I was previously unaware of. The majority of the points relate to very high quality oils, so remember to always do your research from a reliable source when it comes to purchasing good products, and know that good products won't always come cheap. I will leave useful product links at the end of this post!

Shockingly many products can be classed as an 'essential oil' whilst containing only 3% of that actual oil (hence the need for researching what you buy)!
Using essential oils (EO's) in a burner isn't as effective for aromatherapy as a diffuser, because a burner does exactly as it says, burning off the oil and its helpful properties in the process
Good quality oils can be used for a lot more than aromatherapy, such as making beauty, skincare and cleaning products, warding off insects, being used topically and they can even be used in food & drink (depending on the oil quality of course, please don't ingest oils unless they are 100% pure and you know the correct dosage!)
If you want to mix an EO to use topically then coconut oil is one of the best things to use as a carrier oil and it's also great for oil pulling; you can even add a drop of your favourite essential oil into your pulling routine
100% naturally sourced oils absorb much more quickly into the blood stream and have a highly detoxing effect
However, because of this you mustn't put a natural oil into plastic containers of any kind as the oil will mimic this detoxing effect and draw all the chemicals out of the plastic!
If you use a chemical based laundry detergent and dry your clothes on a radiator, this exposes you to a dose of chemical aromatherapy - there are alternate laundry solutions available where essential oils with disinfectant properties (such as tea tree or lemon) can be used with an EcoEgg or Soapnuts
Scarily, not all EO's are rigorously tested and a common issue includes Cassia oil being passed off as Cinnamon oil due to the fact that their chemical structure is identical unless analysed further
Putting EO's onto your pulse points is a great way to get the most benefit out of your oil as it absorbs into your bloodstream for quicker effectiveness and it gives you aromatherapy on the go!
It's easy to get creative with EO's and they can be used for most things, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to heavily research the best oil for what you want and also the brand/company you're purchasing them from, especially if you plan on ingesting any of the oils!

So whether you're already into essential oils or new to them, I hope that this post was a useful and enjoyable read. I'm such a huge fan of using essential oils for a variety of things and they're also a great help in moving towards a more eco-friendly & chemical-free lifestyle; I want to keep learning and growing as much as I can whilst walking a more natural path. I hope I can follow up this post with some of my favourite essential oils and why, so keep your eyes peeled and let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to cover in the future!

100% naturally sourced oils - DoTerra

Other great oils - Eco Aroma // Natural by Nature // Miaroma

Diffusers - Muji // Made By Zen // Amora Scent Hubs

For workshops and creative wellness - The Wonder Inn

Essential oil workshops by Gill - Facebook and Instagram: @essentialoilsliverpool

Is aromatherapy part of your life already or is it on your to-do list? Let me know in the comments!

Stay curious

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2016 As My Teacher // Lifestyle

2016 15:33

Hey cats!

Today I just wanted to do a little bit of a reflective and rambling post for myself looking back at what 2016 has taught me; I feel like for many people this hasn't been the best of years and that is certainly the case for me but within all that negativity are very positive lessons to carry forward. For those I am very thankful and I am under no illusion that 2017 isn't going to be magically better, but I'm going to work my hardest to make it so! So here's what I learnt in 2016...

Myself

This year I feel I've gone through an absolute tonne of self-discovery thanks to college and the people around me, the biggest focus being my health and issues surrounding that. In January I found out I had pernicious anaemia which I had to have regular B12 shots for every three months, since then I still felt no better and in August my shots were spaced only 6-8 weeks apart instead; it's helped a bit more but I'm still experiencing huge amounts of fatigue and pain. Later on in the year around March I found out I have severe asthma and now I have a steroid inhaler to use every day which so far is improving the quality of my lungs. Despite gaining some clarity on why I always felt so consistently rubbish (aside from having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) I still feel there's a lot more to work on and figure out because flare ups/pain/zombie brain aren't normal as far as I'm concerned. Another way my health became the most consistent feature of my year is due to a college workshop before the Summer, we learnt about the 'wounded healer' and how those in caring professions typically have their own wounds that lead them to care for others. For the next 2 days we were asked to choose and focus on one of our wounds, I chose my health thinking that was something I'd already boxed off and dealt with since suffering from the age of 11, I was wrong. I picked off this metaphorical scab and opened up the most gargantuan wound I could have imagined, it was a shock to me just how much my poor health subconsciously affected every area of my life and how I feel. I got angry, I cried buckets and at the core I couldn't figure out why until I came to the realisation that all of my complexes had resulted from losses, loss of health having the biggest impact which in turn lead to more losses: loss of independence, loss of social life, loss of education, loss of my identity, loss of confidence, loss of my childhood...the list goes on. I've spent the whole of my life since being 11 silently mourning and I spent the whole of Summer in quite a mess because of this until finally coming to the conclusion that I have always felt sub-standard since becoming chronically ill. Before that I could do everything, I was everyone's little star that my family were so proud of and all that went away when I became ill...I became distant, distrustful and lonely; I just felt like a burden to all of those around me, incapable of doing anything right or well and that's something I've carried forward over the years. I'm working on letting go of that and accepting that this illness is just as a part of me and not me as a whole, I won't let it define me and I'm done grieving.

So from this point on I've been trying to accept myself and my wounds, I've learnt to be more in the moment and not worry so much, to be spontaneous and enjoy each day regardless of how I'll feel the day after. I've found the utmost importance in being authentic and congruent and strive to surround myself with people the same, I've tapped into more of what I love and took action on that by going cruelty-free, working on being more eco-friendly and slowly changing my diet. I've found more direction in life and know my focus lies with alternate therapies and spirituality. I've learnt that I have empathic tendencies and I need to protect myself more from others energies and emotions because it's resulted in me becoming very drained. I've also learnt to stand up for myself, to not take crap, hypocrisy or blame from anyone, to not avoid confrontations (they don't always mean a screaming match) and most of all I've learnt to trust my gut instinct as it's never been wrong thus far especially when it comes to other people; if you're naturally wary and distrustful of someone else's energy, chances are that it is for a very good reason. I really feel I'm coming out of 2016 a much tougher person in myself without losing that tender part that strives to see good in others, even if my gut tells me it's not there.

Blogging

Starting up my blog again at the beginning of this year is hands down one of the best things I've done! Not only has this pushed me to be more creative, it's made me realise I can really do things I put my mind to and I'm still capable of learning new skills. Another great thing about blogging is that it threw me into the Twitter blogging communities and meeting so many lovely people has enriched my life and taught me that it's possible to trust again. I'm so thankful for everything blogging has given me.

Relationships

After finding some solutions to my health I started to become more sociable, I responded to messages promptly (the norm is usually a long wait because I forget or don't have the energy to formulate a reply), I sought out conversations, I arranged to do things and meet friends and then when Summer came along after the discovery of my issues with health this all took a backslide. I went back into myself in complete isolation, I was in a real slump but I came out of it the other side with people who still stuck by me, understanding where I was at and I'm so thankful to have the right kind of people close to me. My partner and I are also now closer than ever after naturally going through difficulty because of my low mood, I feel so blessed to have found such a kind, supportive and resilient soul who has stuck by me through thick & thin. I really couldn't be happier with the people in my life right now and although I don't have many, I'm all for quality over quantity!

Another big learning curve throughout this year has been by way of confrontation, there have been a lot of instances that I couldn't shy away from. I really hate confrontation, it makes me dreadfully uncomfortable but I've rose to the challenges this year in all areas of my life and have learnt that not everyone has to get along. Despite this, confrontations still fill me with sadness and guilt though I shouldn't feel guilty for speaking my mind as long as it's in a mature & intelligent way. It's not in my nature not to get along with people but it's also not in my nature to distrust my instincts and bottle up how I feel; I spent a long time in my life being a doormat and I refuse to be one now. Unfortunately confrontations are a part of life but it's not about the confrontation occurring, it's how you conduct yourself within them that shows what kind of person you are. I like to think I'm firm but fair, typically I'll give people 2nd/3rd chances, I try my best to observe and reflect back how someone comes across rather than make assumptions about their behaviour (a lot of the time there's often something else going on under the surface). But what I don't stand for is people projecting/transferring their own problems/insecurities/assumptions onto me; this is a product of my learning at college, that we all have to accept our own problems rather than dish out blame to others, you have to take responsibility for your whole self. I always feel like it's best to look inwards before turning outwards, if something offends you or hurts you it's often beneficial to ask yourself why that is having an effect on you before going out into the world making assumptions or attacking someone for something they might not have even done or been aware of. If a person isn't made aware of how they come across (whether they mean to or not) or at first given the benefit of the doubt then the kindest thing to do is let them know as honesty saves everyones time; how they react subsequently will also tell you a lot about who they are.

Naturally with each passing year some people will fall by the wayside, or won't become as big a part of your life as you would hope, I experience feelings of failure in not being able to secure new friendships but obviously they're just not meant to be, not everyone can click or understand each other enough to continue a relationship. On the other hand I've grown so much closer to one person in my life and would now class her as my best friend, and I haven't had a best friend since Primary School so that's a big deal for me! At the end of the day everyone is made up of chemicals, some react well with each other and some don't, it's all energy based and if two vibes don't match then that's just the way it is. You go your separate ways or if you have to see each other again then you're polite and civil; honesty is better than animosity. That's probably my biggest lesson of all in 2016, to actually use my voice without fear of the outcome. Whatever is meant to be, will be.

What's been your biggest lesson in 2016? I'd love to know!

Stay curious

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My Make-up Brush Collection & Cleaner // CF Beauty

beauty 11:15

Hey cats!

Today I wanted to share with you my make-up brush collection; it's taken me a long time to find what brushes work well for me and suit the make-up I choose to wear so why not give it a little love?! Now I don't often use brushes for the purpose they're marketed for but there's nothing wrong with that at all, everyone's facial structure is different and it's about making things work for you! However, because of this I'll be sharing what I use each brush for instead of what they're 'meant' for (plus the fact I can't remember their original uses as most came in mixed sets rather than individual purchases, whoops!)

Face Brushes

These little beauties are my current faves for my base makeup, from foundation to highlighter these haven't yet failed me; not an easy task considering I have super sensitive, rough, acne-prone skin. I think it's worth mentioning that I was given the oval brushes by my Mum as she knew I was interested in this type of brush, so she got me these Primark ones to try and see if I like what effect they have; turns out I really do but I was hesitant around using them because I'm cruelty-free. According to Primarks FAQs "Primark does not conduct and does not commission any animal testing. Our terms of trade with suppliers make it clear that cosmetic products and their ingredients must not be tested on animals"; how true this is and how far it stretches I don't quite know so I imagine I'll eventually invest in some from a company I know for sure is CF just to put my mind at rest.

From left to right:

The biggest of the oval brushes is of course the one I use for applying foundation, don't get me wrong I adore the effect this brush gives in smoothing and blending my foundation but it was super tricky to get my head around working at first, it's such a transition from a normal brush. I've accidentally whacked and flicked myself plenty of times with this brush but it's still my fave!
In contrast to the previous brush this contour brush works so easily at sweeping that contour line on and blending around your forehead. I only had powder bronzer to use but have bought a cream contour stick which I think the brush will work much better with
This little lovely is for blending my concealer, it's the perfect size for working it in around your eyes and the creases either side of your nose. I know a lot of people typically use this size for popping on liquid lipsticks and that sort of thing
I love using this stumpy little brush for my highlight and have done for a while, sweeping highlight on with a delicate fan brush just isn't something that works for me so patting it on with this over my strobe cream works like a charm & sets everything in place without smooshing it everywhere (very professional description!)
I find it hilarious how huge this brush looks in comparison to the others but that's what makes it a great powder brush, even though I rarely sweep powder over my whole face I have the option to do so quickly & efficiently! Usually I'll just sweep it over my eye area and nose, anywhere I know is likely to get more greasy than the rest of my face

Eye Brushes

All of these brushes bar one came from an essential eye set from EcoTools (link at the bottom of the post) and the angled brush came from another starter set of theirs. I absolutely adore all of these brushes, the quality is phenomenal, they feel great to use, I think they're aesthetically pleasing and best of all they're cruelty-free & eco-friendly!

From left to right:

Typically I use this brush for applying eyeshadow just on my eyelid and no further up, it's a really solid shape that allows you to pat & load the pigment on
Albeit this was classed as an angled eyeliner brush I use it for doing my brows as it helps to give the best shape and manoeuvrability needed for getting my brows 'on fleek'
I love this angled fluffy brush for using on my brow bone, whether it's popping on a neutral shade or a highlight, it sweeps through that part of my eye with ease
I use this little brush for putting eyeshadow underneath my bottom lash line, it's perfect for this because it's solid enough to get a good line but also fluffy enough to blend out shadow so it's not too harsh looking
This one is my eye crease brush, it's a great shape for starting at your outer corner; I usually wiggle in small circles then sweep it in and out of the crease to darken things up
This chubby brush is great for darkening above the crease of your eye if you're into that, alternatively it's also useful as a clean 'blending out' brush

Spare Brushes

This little collection is my overflow of brushes which sometimes I choose to use instead of my regulars if I find they fit the purpose better, I always think it's good to be prepared and have spares lying around should the need arise.

From left to right:

I loved this Body Shop brush for a long time until I got given the ones I'm currently using, it's a fabulous foundation brush and gives a really smooth, airbrushed finish. It's such a surprisingly soft brush too so it's really pleasant and easy to use, I would highly recommend it if you're into round foundation brushes or looking for a change!
This is a contour brush and shockingly I actually used to use it for that purpose too, it's perfect for getting the right shaped contour and fluffy enough to blend it out so you don't end up with a harsh line
I've used this one for absolutely all sorts, from concealer to highlighter to eyeshadow, its a really handy multi-purpose brush!
I bought this brush for its original purpose which was to blend in concealer and soon got bored of using it for that so instead if I'm wanting to wear quite a dark eyeshadow in my outer corner/crease I use this instead to get a more 'pinpointed' look that doesn't blend out as much
Another like my small under eye brush, great for shadow and for highlighting your inner corner, I just like spares okay?
This new little cutie came in my Makeup Revolution advent calendar and the only thing I've used it for as yet is as an eyeshadow brush

Brush Cleaner

These are my go-to products for brush washing and they get my brushes squeaky clean! I first got into Dr. Bronner's after becoming cruelty-free and having noticed them often when I was browsing the bath & beauty section in TK Maxx. What's great about castile soap is that it has a tonne of uses aside from washing make-up brushes; I use it in the shower as body wash, you can use it as a household cleaner, a shampoo, a laundry detergent, a pet shampoo and loads of other things! So naturally it's exceedingly good value for money especially since at most you need to just add a few drops to a large amount of water because it's so concentrated and lathers up a treat, a little goes a seriously long way. Another thing I love is that it's super eco-friendly and ethical, "their soaps are certified by the USDA as organic and by IMO as FairTrade. They do not contain SLS. Pure Castile soaps are made from vegetable oils and do not contain any synthetic detergents." Even better, they come in lots of scrummy different scents such as lavender and rose.

The pink brush pad was another recent purchase by my Mum which she gave to me and it basically acts like an old-fashioned wash board that people used to scrub clothes on. It helps get right into the brush without roughing it up too much and gives me piece of mind that my brushes are actually getting fully cleaned, you simply use the suction cup to stick it to your sink and wash away! Both of these products help to make sure my brushes come out as new each time I wash them and I think that also says a lot about the quality of the brushes I use, they don't get frayed/frizzy, they don't shed and they don't come out looking worn.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I've linked all the products below in case you fancy trying any out for yourself!

Products shown:

EcoTools Starter Set

EcoTools Essential Eye Set

EcoTools Correcting Concealer Brush

Real Techniques Core Collection

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation Brush

Dr. Bronner's Hemp Green Tea Castile Soap

Primark PS...Pro Brushes

Primark PS...Pro Make-up Brush Cleaner Pad

Makeup Revolution Advent Calendar Brush

What's your go-to brand for brushes and cleaner? I'd love to know your thoughts & any cruelty-free recommendations!

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10 Simple Ways To Go Green // Lifestyle

compostable 11:00

Hey cats!

So today I wanted to share some of the easiest ways I like to be eco-friendly around the house; these may all seem really simple and some of you may even do these already, but if not then here are some really simple ways to give back to both the planet and yourself!

1. Switch to accessible, eco-friendly cleaning products (e.g Ecover, EcoEgg, Method)

WHY? - Products like these tend to have many less chemicals in them and a hell of a lot more natural ingredients which means they're not only better for the environment but they also safer for you to use! A lot of these products are also cruelty-free and suitable for veggies/vegans which is also another great way to give back.

2. Switch off at the plug when not in use

WHY? - That way you're not using up electricity unnecessarily, in turn you'll be saving yourself money on your electricity bill and call me paranoid, but I just feel its safer all round!

3. Buy recyclable/biodegradable products or even products that are already made from recycled materials

WHY? - I feel that this one really speaks for itself because naturally if you're buying plastic items for example, plastic doesn't degrade back into the earth and instead just clogs up landfill, whereas materials such as wood, metal, fabric and ceramic can all be recycled or destroyed in a less damaging way. I'm much more inclined these days to buy wooden or metal storage and utensils knowing that they do less damage and are much better to have around (if you cook with plastic implements the chemicals can seep into what you're cooking). I also love buying recycled products like toilet/kitchen roll because it's great to support products that are pro the environment!

4. Use your recycling bins to the fullest and recycle as much as possible!

WHY? - I'm sure by now we all get that recycling is good for the planet and here in the UK we have plenty of bins to allow us to do that! You can even buy biodegradable bags for your food waste so that it can go straight into the brown bin with no hassle. Even things like batteries can be taken into certain shops to be recycled (I know Wilko's have bins for this) and many charity shops with accept 'rag' bags full of old/unusable clothing and fabrics in order to be recycled!

5. Go paperless

WHY? - I suppose this is a quite well known one and fairly self-explanatory, less paper used = less deforestation! Plus it saves companies a lot of money and reduces the use of ink cartridges which can contain nasty materials.

6. Reuse candle wax

WHY? - This may seem like a lot of effort to some, but when the wick on any tea-light candle dies out I like to scrape out the remaining wax and pop it into another half used tea-light. For the little bit of effort it takes, you're wasting so much less and getting more bang for your buck; I know typically tea-lights are cheap anyway, but why not make them last longer?

7. Be conscious of your water usage

WHY? - Now I'm by no means hating on baths and that sort of thing but in terms of using water I always think it's better to be careful with how much you use. If you're not the squeamish type you don't always have to flush the toilet after a wee (though morning ones aren't the nicest are they?) and instead of washing your hands after using the toilet you can always use antibacterial gel. Again, less water usage means a much lower bill for you.

8. Buy second hand/reuse products

WHY? - The current disposable lifestyle many of us fall victim to is far from good for the planet and is majorly jamming up landfill sites; extending the life of certain products helps to alleviate this pressure and minimises the growing consumerism culture. I don't know about you but I absolutely love visiting charity shops/antique halls, you can find some brilliant condition (often nearly new) items for much less money with a much less negative effect on our planet! Going one step further, upcycling is a great way of finding new uses for old things with just a bit of TLC.

9. Have plenty of house plants

WHY? - Another simple one but having lots of lovely plants helps produce more oxygen, purifies the air in your home and well, who doesn't love a cactus or succulent these days?!

10. Have plenty of throws/blankets and jumpers

WHY? - Bit of a silly one but the more you're wrapped up (charity shops sell great jumpers & throws for low prices) then the less you'll need to use the heating; thus reducing any harmful emissions, lessening fuel consumption and it's a brilliant money saver!

So there you have it! I know many of these may not float everyone's boat but if you find even one that you'd like to use day-to-day it will make such a positive impact on our planet, after all we only have the one. I also find these benefit your bank balance too and have actually saved me more money buying in an eco-friendly way than just purchasing willy nilly!

Did you find any of these helpful, are there any you do already? I'd love for you to share any tips in the comments!

Stay curious

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*Original header image before text: DTTSP

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Where I Am Right Now vs Where I Want To Be // Lifestyle

achievements 16:47

Hey cats!

I've let a lot of things drag me down and get the better of me lately so now I feel I need to focus on myself a lot more; knowing that self-care is not selfish, it's necessary for surviving. I wanted to jot down what is significant in my life right now and what I hope to achieve in the not-so-distant future. I realise that these things will take time and it's all about practicing patience/being mindful of my situation.

So this blog post is me sharing a few personal things that may seem predictable/obvious to many, but having a place where they are actually written down is a big help to me in gaining clarification and getting them out of my head into somewhere I can look back and reflect on them. Fingers crossed in a couple of months I can review this and see what I've achieved!

Where I'm At

Jobless & living with my parents
Stuck in limbo with all my belongings, trying to sort through and get rid of as much as possible
Passed my theory test but my anxiety is too bad for me to be able to take my driving test
Out of shape with zero stamina & in very poor health (albeit a lot of this is out of my control)
However, I don't completely hate the way my body looks considering everything
On the road to replacing my products with cruelty-free/organic/vegan alternatives but not wanting to be wasteful with the products I already own
Mentally exhausted & emotionally drained almost constantly
On a college course that I used to enjoy but currently have no passion for & therefore I'm very demotivated/behind on work
Hormones all over the place due to a bad experience with the contraceptive implant
In a strong, happy and consistent relationship
Taking steps to point my life in a different direction whilst keeping my options open

Where I Want To Be

Living with my boyfriend & secure in a part-time job
Having a more minimal amount of 'stuff and things' clogging up my life
Passing my driving test so that it's done and I don't have to retake anything
Maybe joining a gym or keeing up a fitness regime of some kind, eating well and doing what is in my control to improve/maintain my health
Loving the way my body looks
Living a mainly cruelty-free, organic, sustainable & eco-friendly lifestyle that works for me
In a better mental state, either by helping myself out or finding counselling again
Seeking help at college to assist in gaining my passion again & get back on track with work
Getting the implant out and being on contraception that works for me
Still in a strong, happy and consistent relationship that continues to grow as we live together and build our own family/life together
Living each day in the moment, finding balance, being happy and helping others

Are you happy where you are or have you got goals you'd like to achieve?

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10 Things You Might Not Know About Essential Oils // Health & Wellbeing

2016 As My Teacher // Lifestyle

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Relationships

My Make-up Brush Collection & Cleaner // CF Beauty

Face Brushes

Eye Brushes

Spare Brushes

Brush Cleaner

10 Simple Ways To Go Green // Lifestyle

Where I Am Right Now vs Where I Want To Be // Lifestyle

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