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The Happiness Planner 2022

The Happiness Planner 2022 Review

General, Inspiration, Reviews

The Happiness Planner brand:

Launched in 2015, The Happiness Planner was the first planner brand that started incorporating CBT & NLP techniques into beautiful everyday agendas, helping you tap into the power of your subconscious mind and learn to reframe the way you look at things.

What’s in the box:

The Happiness Planner 2022 box

    • Planner
    • Review & reflections booklet
    • Stickers
    • Planner drawstring bag

I pre-ordered my 2022 planner in early October, thankfully it arrived just in time for Christmas 2021. The total cost was £51.00 including tax and shipping costs.

(The cost will vary depending on your location.)

The Happiness Planner Review:

The Happiness Planner 2022 & 2021

For 2021, I used the planner on the left. Personally, I was not a fan of the rough material. Whenever I would clean it, the colour of the cover would fade away. I tried my very best to avoid that but it really was challenging. Cover aside, the planner itself is brilliant.

This year, I’m so glad that the brand have gone with a smooth cover. It might seem like such a minor thing, but it truly is something that matters to the overall quality of the planner.

I’ve been using The Happiness Planner for the past 3 years – it’s safe to say I’ve not been disappointed. The daily pages are hands down my favourite feature.

Every person is different, I genuinely enjoy having one place to write about my reflections, schedule, meals and to-do’s. For me it just makes sense having all that information in one planner.

The past year has been especially difficult with the pandemic continuing. Which can make time feel like a blur. I’m a firm believer that using a planner and journals can significantly improve your mental wellbeing.

Thankfully, having a planner with daily inspirational quotes and room to write my reflections for the day helped me cope with the stress of last year. I also managed to achieve my goals, both personal and professional, in 2021 with the help of this planner. 🎉

I hope you all enjoyed my review and have a wonderful start to 2022.

Click here to see what else The Happiness Planner offers.

(For more inspirational posts, click here.)

 

NatureCan CBD Skincare flatlay

NatureCan CBD Skincare

General, Reviews, Skincare

THE BRAND,

Naturecan is a wellness brand focused on offering safe, effective and premium hemp-derived CBD products like skincare, supplements such as vitamins and minerals.

Harnessing the therapeutic properties of expertly sourced cannabinoids, plant extracts and effective oils, buy CBD skincare products certified 100% vegan and individually lab-tested.

THE PRODUCTS,

NatureCan CBD Skincare

Purify CBD Clay Mask:

The smell of the CBD oil is a little strong, the mask dries within 5-10minutes completely and the smell does eventually fade when. Those of you that have been following me for a long time will know that I’m a big fan of clay masks. There’s no real science to this but I genuinely feel like keeping clay masks on for longer generally helps to nourish the skin more. 

✨ RESULTS ✨

The picture above was one day after using the CBD purify clay mask.

This was my first time using a CBD mask, and I’m very impressed with the way that it has managed to keep my acne-prone skin looking smooth and clear. As someone with sensitive skin, I can confidently say that I did not experience any discomfort with this clay mask. I also felt that it made my t-zone area look more balanced, which can be be pretty difficult to achieve

Moisturiser:

I’ve mainly been using this at night as part of my night skincare (alongside the Dwira Hemp Face Oil) routine. It’s lightweight and doesn’t require a lot of product to moisturise my skin. In the last 5-6months I’ve had a very small flare up of acne after quite a long time. Generally I find that skincare products with hemp oil have help to reduce acne inflammation. Note: if you struggle with more severe acne, then please do consult a dermatologist. 

Acne pads:

For the longest time I used to avoid using toner up until the last year or so. I just never felt the need for it. Since using the acne pads, I realise what I’ve been missing out on. The toner in the pads feels quite refreshing and cooling on the skin. And I really do feel that adding this extra step in my skincare has made all the difference to getting consistent smooth skin. Again, I do get very mild, minor acne flares. And this can very depending on your skin type. 

These three are the main products that I’ve been using in my daily skincare routine lately, and the results are brilliant. CBD is unsurprisingly a great ingredient for skincare, that unfortunately still has negative associations to it. The results speaks for itself! I genuinely do highly recommend Naturecan’s 100% vegan skincare range.

Get 20% off with the code CHRISTMAS20. Buy the Naturecan skincare range by clicking here. 

For more skincare reviews,click here.

Dwira Hemp Superfood Face Oil Review

Dwira Hemp Superfood Face Oil Review

Beauty, General, Reviews, Skincare

THE BRAND,

DWIRA is a cruelty-free and vegan holistic Skincare & Wellness brand providing you with pure potent West African products without compromise, crafted to rejuvenate, nourish and Feed Your Skin and Body.

THE PRODUCT,

I bought the face oil for £25 (15ml).

DWIRA Hemp Superfood Oil is a nourishing and rejuvenating skin superfood, packed with organic nutrients to supercharge your skin whilst protecting it from the harsh effects of the environment.

Light weight and absorbent, it is formulated with a botanically active blend of nutrient rich cold-pressed superfood and essential oils. It contains Hemp, Rosehip, Moringa and Baobab superfood oils, which are rich in omega and antioxidants to deliver nourishment where it is needed and carrot seed essential oil which contains carotenoids known for anti-ageing. This dry oil formulation is easily absorbed for instant hydration, leaving skin with a fresh, healthy & radiant glow.

POWERFUL AFRICAN SUPERFOOD BLEND: 

ORGANIC HEMP OIL 

The skin food. 0% comedogenic rating which means NO CLOGGED PORES! It is high in omega 3, 6 & 9 to regenerate skin. It also reduces water loss and protects the skin from dehydration. With strong firming power, it is an excellent oil for the elasticity of the skin and cell renewal.

ORGANIC MORINGA OIL 

A prized beautifying oil for anti-ageing, hydrating, moisturising and smoothing the skin. It offers cleansing and refreshing qualities to leave the skin looking fresh.

ORGANIC BAOBAB OIL

When it comes to natural skin care, Baobab oil is being considered the next big deal. Well, what’s so good about it? The unique blend of oleic and linoleic acids in the oil decongests skin pores. The fatty acids also balance sebum production. Linoleic acid in baobab oil also inhibits the inflammation associated with acne.

ORGANIC ROSEHIP OIL

Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. All of which contribute to plumper and healthier skin

POWERFUL ANTI AGEING INGREDIENTS 

Organic Carrot seed, Sweet Orange & Turmeric Essential Oils 

The resurfacers –  Carrot seed is rich in carotenoids known for anti ageing. Sweet Orange has strong antibacterial properties to help heal the skin from breakouts and Turmeric is great for evening out pigmentation, blemishes & scars. These essential oils contain Vitamins A and C which stimulate collagen production and offer anti-aging benefits and the essential fatty acids in the oil, namely oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and gamma linoleic acids, are absorbed by the skin and converted into prostaglandins. These compounds play a role in the regeneration of tissues and cellular membranes which helps improve skin health by delaying the signs of ageing.

AND THE VERDICT:

This is the 2nd time round that I’m using this oil and honestly, it’s brilliant for my sensitive skin. 🙂

Normally, I use the hemp oil as part of my night skincare routine as I feel it works the best overnight. The oil generally absorbs into the skin well without feeling thick or leaving an oil residue. By the morning, my skin looks hydrated and dewy without much effort on my part.

As someone whose skin can feel like it requires a lot of maintenance at times, this face oil is one of the few products that I am confident can work well for me. I sometimes get very mild acne flares from time to time, and this has helped to reduce the inflammation too.

Personally, I know from experience that rosehip oil and hemp oil can restore the appearance of your skin. I feel like overtime Dwira’s hemp oil has gradually improved the texture of my skin to be more glowy, which depending on the season can vary from combination to dry skin.

I also like that the brand is 100% natural and the packaging is staying true to it’s West African roots. This is my first time trying any skincare with moringa oil (I’ve only ever had moringa tea) and baobab oil – I am very impressed with the results.

I will definitely be trying the other skincare products by Dwira in the near future. Buy Dwira Hemp Superfood Face Oil here.

For more skincare reviews, click here.

Mondays Child Skin Perfecting Oil

Monday’s Child Skin Perfecting Oil Review

Beauty, General, Reviews, Skincare

THE BRAND,

Monday’s Child skincare is a British brand that launched in 2019, with the aim of providing the best line of skincare products, in the UK and beyond, tailored for oily and blemish-prone skin.

The products are designed specifically to tackle the range of skin concerns that are often associated with this skin type – from blemishes and breakouts, to excess oil production, to marks and scars. Rather than having to use clinical-feeling products that can feel harsh on your skin, Monday’s Child get results but also feel amazing to use. They are, and always will be, all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free.

 

THE PRODUCT,

I bought the face oil on online for £36.00 for 30ml.

The skin perfecting face oil is designed to address a wide range of skin concerns: it erases acne scars, marks and redness; helps to control oil production; evens out skin tone; smooths out any fine lines; intensely hydrates any dry, patchy skin; and gives a super boost to dull, tired skin.

Made with a blend of ;

    • Jojoba Golden oil
    • Calendula oil
    • Rosehip oil
    • Vitamin E
    • Sunflower Seed oil
    • Lavender Essential oil
    • Frankincense oil
    • Geranium oil

AND THE VERDICT:

The Monday’s Child Skin Perfecting Oil is so refreshing and lightweight. It’s great for everyday use, I’ve been using it after doing my morning skincare routine, as a moisturiser under my makeup  (see below) and after wearing a clay mask. The face oil just leaves my skin looking and feeling so nourished.

 

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As someone with combination skin, I couldn’t recommend it enough. My skin can get dry from time to time, and can sometimes look a bit dull depending on my energy level. For me, using the face oil with my bareMinerals powder foundation worked like a charm, my base didn’t look oily and appeared dewy the entire day – my favourite kind of look! 🙂

I appreciate that this won’t always be the same for everyone, it depends on your skin and the makeup you normally use.  I also like that the skin perfecting oil is a combination of different essential oils,  that can be multi-purpose, meaning less time on my skincare. Any time I’ve been using the face oil, it’s left my skin feeling healthy and glowing.

I cannot wait to see what else Monday’s Child Skincare produce. Buy the Monday’s Child Skin Perfecting Oil here.

For more skincare reviews, click here.

Wake Skincare Cream jar flatlay

Wake Skincare Face Cream Review

Beauty, General, Reviews, Skincare

THE BRAND,

Wake Skincare is a start-up business on a mission, to create products designed for ‘#GenerationConnected’.  This British based brand sources all of their materials ethically from the UK. All their products are cruelty-free, paraben free, sulphate-free and responsibly sourced. The brand is also approved by the FSC.

THE PRODUCT,

I bought the moisturiser on Amazon for £19.95.

Use any time skin needs a generous helping of nourishing, comforting hydration. Good for use under makeup throughout the day or as a night cream before bed.

  • Reduces blemishes caused by a non-stop lifestyle;
  • Targets fine lines that result from irregular sleeping patterns;
  • Easy to apply before and after working out without feeling thick or heavy;
  • Protects the environment by using glass jars to reduce plastic waste

AND THE VERDICT:

 

 

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Although the main use for the face cream is for anti-ageing, I’ve been using it primarily for hydrating my skin.

The first time I used the moisturiser, it smoothed out the look of my skin completely. As the moisturiser is hydrating, I didn’t need to use too much product. I have sensitive, combination skin that can get dry when the weather changes. I’ve mainly been using the face cream as a night cream – my skin literally stays smooth right up until I wake up.

Since I’ve been using the cream, the condition of my skin has improved in almost a month. My skin is visibly smoother and softer, and I don’t get dry patches on parts of my skin. The cream gives my skin a natural looking glow, which is great for days when you want to go makeup free. From time to time, I’ve applied the moisturiser under my makeup too – my base looked so dewy throughout the day, I was shook!

I’m so glad that I came across Wake Skincare, I hope you all enjoyed my face cream review. Buy the Wake Skincare Face Cream on Amazon here.

 

For more skincare reviews, click here.

Suntribe Mineral Sunscreen Flatlay

Suntribe Mineral Sunscreen Review

Bath & Body, General, Reviews, Skincare

THE BRAND,

Suntribe is an organic and cruelty-free sunscreen brand based in Sweden. The brand was founded by three friends that are passionate about nature and outdoor sports. All their products are free from synthetic chemicals, preservatives, micro-plastics, alcohol and perfumes.

The Suntribe philosophy is grounded in only using ingredients that have been proven safe; for both humans and the environment – while still retaining functionality. In keeping with their love of nature, Suntribe only use sustainable packaging and source COSMOS Organic certified ingredients.

THE PRODUCT,

Suntribe Mineral Sunscreen hand in sky

The All Natural Mineral Body & Face Sunscreen is a 100% natural, reef safe mineral sunscreen. Like all Suntribe cosmetics, it’s worry-free and therefore completely free from synthetic chemicals, preservatives, perfume, and any and all types of questionable ingredients. The natural choice for spending a day at the beach and for all other outdoor activities imaginable.

This mineral sunscreen builds a protective shield on top of your skin from the first moment of application, providing broad spectrum SPF 30 protection against UVA & UVB rays (blocks 97% of UVB rays). Contains Non-Nano Zinc Oxide which according to research is the safest available UV-filter for human health, corals and marine life.

This organic sunscreen comes with a natural scent of cacao and coconut and keeps your skin moisturised thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Cacao. Suitable for all skin types. Also great for children, babies, sensitive skin and people with allergies.

Since it’s relaunch in May, the mineral sunscreen now comes in sustainable packaging and has a slight tint to blend in with the skin.

AND THE VERDICT:

 

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A little really goes a long way with this product! I ended up using too much product when I started out and had to spread the sunscreen all over my skin.  Too much of the product can make your skin look ashy if you don’t blend it properly. Thankfully, it blends into the skin quite well when using the right amount of sunscreen.

It’s always great when you can find something that works for people with sensitive skin like me. This mineral sunscreen is lightweight and retains the natural coconut smell which lasts through out the day. I would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a new sunscreen, especially one that is so ethical.

🚨EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT 🚨

Get your exclusive 10% discount from Suntribe on Instagram by;

  1. Following Suntribe @suntribesunscreen
  2. Post a summer related post or story
  3. Tag @suntribe + use the hashtag #jointhetribe

And Suntribe will dm you the discount code. Simple 😃

I hope you all enjoyed my review of the Mineral Sunscreen.

Thank you so much to Suntribe for sending me this wonderful sunscreen 🙂

 

Click here for more skincare reviews. 

Good Vibes, Good Life - Vex King

Good Vibes, Good Life Review

General, Inspiration, Reviews

Hey peeps 🙂

How have you all been?

So much has been going on since I last posted in April. Initially, I consciously decided to not work on my blog because of a course that I was doing. Once I had completed the course I realised that I was burnt out and hadn’t given myself time to recharge. I cannot stress the importance of putting yourself first, especially when you feel like you’re perpetually exhausted and truthfully I had been feeling that way for a while.

While I was taking a break from blogging, I read Vex King’s ‘Good Vibes, Good Life’ book in one weekend (so you can probably tell how I feel about the book)

Scroll on down to read my review!

Who is Vex King?

Vex King is a mind coach, a writer and a lifestyle entrepreneur who fuses his natural business acumen and creative knack for the arts with a philosophical mindset, spiritual wisdom and faith in a positive attitude to achieve success.

As an optimist, visionary and philanthropist, Vex is the owner and founder of the Bon Vita lifestyle brand – a platform which delivers empowering perspectives, spiritual wisdom, practical solutions, inspirational stories, life lessons and more. Vex is using his positive influence to spread Good Vibes Only so that people can unlock their full potential and demonstrate greatness in all areas of their life.

I’d been following Vex King for a few years on both Twitter and Instagram (@vexking) as I found his content both motivational and relatable. It’s definitely worth following him.

Good Vibes, Good Life

When I bought the book, I couldn’t put it down – I managed to read the entire book in one weekend! I thoroughly enjoyed it on so many levels. One thing that stood out to me the most was the authenticity of the book, the entire book is filled with the authors’ anecdotes which made the advice much more personable and relatable.

The book takes a more practical approach in terms of addressing the issues, trauma and habits that can bring you down in life as opposed to simply ‘being positive’. Chapters like ‘Check your own behaviour’, ‘Your mentality is your reality’ and ‘Lessons will repeat themselves’ not only provide great advice but give tips to unlearn our individual toxicity.

Self-love, or the lack thereof, is central to understanding how our lives are effected by our mentality, behaviour and actions. The references to Philosophical concepts made the points in the book all the more valid and personally aligned with my own beliefs. Like Manifest Now by Idil Ahmed, this book doesn’t focus on religion but rather is grounded in spirituality which is accessible for anyone.

As I mentioned before, I was feeling completely burnt out from blogging, working full-time and maintaining a balance in life. It was important to step back and acknowledge where I was going wrong (i.e not taking time out for myself). Reading this book has empowered and given me reassurance that it’s okay to prioritize myself and provided a new perspective on self-love.

I’d love to know your thoughts on my Good Vibes, Good Life review. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. ☺

Get your copy of Good Vibes, Good Life here. Don’t forget to comment, share and follow.

 

– Sonam x

(For more inspirational posts, click here.)

 

KiteNest Shampoo Bar

KiteNest Shampoo Bar Review

Bath & Body, General, Hair Care, Reviews

This review is long overdue, but I’m so glad that I’m finally sharing it today – scroll on down to read my review on the KiteNest Shampoo Bar.

Who are KiteNest?

Natural cleaning power combines with May Chang, Cedarwood and Lemon peel powder leaving hair smelling fresh, whilst revitalising your senses. Designed to be suitable for regular or infrequent use these bars are the perfect companion for KiteNest Organic Dry Shampoo.

Our solid Shampoo Bars are zero waste and each one is accompanied with a seed card, which when no longer needed can be placed into moist soil and frequently watered to grow a mixture of wild flowers. We print our seed cards with vegetable inks so no harmful or harsh chemicals are left in the ground.

This is a 100% natural product, cruelty free, palm oil free, suitable for vegans, and free from any nasties (no toxic chemicals or G.M.O.s)

KiteNest’s Shampoo Bar is available to buy via the KiteNest website and is now available to buy £5.95, and if your order is over £30 your postage will be free! (That’s unfortunately only for U.K residents)

Review

The Lemon Shampoo Bar is perfect to take with you literally anywhere, and I love that there is zero plastic waste with this shampoo.

Because I have quite thick hair, I have a tendency to use more product than I need. So initially, I used way too much of the shampoo bar and then used a different conditioner, which made my hair look greasy. After I got the hang of just how much product I needed, the shampoo bar worked amazingly – I now use the shampoo bar as a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner bar.

The shampoo completely nourishes my hair and gives a little extra shine to it. When it comes to dark hair, it’s difficult to find products that strike the right balance between shiny and greasy. It’s safe to say that when you use the right amount of the shampoo bar that it really does add a healthy shine to the hair.

And of course I have to mention how refreshing it smells, which as you all know is important for me :). I’m so glad that more brands are embracing the zero waste philosophy with their products. Supporting brands like KiteNest, that actually make that conscious effort to be cruelty-free and eco-friendly, makes all the difference to our environment.

Thank you to the lovely KiteNest team for sending me the Shampoo Bar. To check out KiteNest’s full range of products click here.

I hope you all enjoyed the KiteNest Shampoo Bar Review and have a great Easter.

Don’t forget to comment, subscribe and share ♥

– Sonam x

 

(For more hair care reviews, click here. )

Forest Essentials Facial Essentials Kit

Forest Essentials Facial Essentials Review

Beauty, General, Reviews, Skincare

Forest Essentials Facial Essentials Review

Last month, I went on holiday to India and honestly it was a nice break  from not having to worry about work and getting everything else done.

Speaking of work, I’ve got a new job! 🙂 Which is why I didn’t have enough time to blog this month – thankfully, I’ve got the hang of juggling everything now.

As I was coming back from holiday, I found this facial set by Forest Essentials at Delhi Airport – after spending the entire trip looking for the brand in Punjab. I’d actually heard about the Forest Essentials before but I never got round to buying their products – which is why I’m so excited to share this review with you all.

Scroll on down to read my review!

A little about Forest Essentials…

Forest Essentials is an authentic, traditional skin care brand, with its foundations in the ancient science of Ayurveda. A pioneer in the luxury Ayurvedic segment, today it has become the quintessential Indian Beauty Brand where secrets of ancient beauty rituals for skin and hair care have been made available to modern-day customers.

Forest Essentials cater to four major categories i.e. Facial Care, Body Care, Hair Care and Wellness. Each handmade product uses traditional methods in its making and adheres to the highest standards of purity, authenticity and quality. Forest Essentials extracts the best from nature’s vast repertoire and recreates fresh seasonal formulations using organic cold pressed oils, rare plant extracts, herb infusions and steam-distilled pure essential oils and best of all they’re cruelty-free and vegan.

The Facial Essentials set:

The Facial Essentials set is the perfect to keep with you on the go while you travel or to give as a gift. Inside the box are four travel size handmade items worth 1,625 INR (which works out to be between £17-£18, depending on the exchange rate;  the Luscious Lip Balm Sugared Rose Petal 4g, Facial Cleanser Honey Lemon Rosewater 50ml, Sunscreen Lotion Aloe Vera & Sandalwood 50ml, Refining Facial Scrub Kashmiri Walnut Gel 15g.

Review

Luscious Lip Balm Sugared Rose Petal

This Sugared Rose Petal Lip Balm is uniquely designed to replenish and soften dry, chapped lips. The lip balm is a lot thinner than I expected than I’m used to, and you can definitely smell the rose petal. I’ve used it a lot lately, and it definitely helps keep the lips soft. It reminds me a lot of the Rose Salve Lip Balm.

Refining Facial Scrub Kashmiri Walnut Gel


This Revitalising Kashmiri Walnut Gel Scrub has been formulated with a distinctive combination of high quality Kashmiri Walnuts with selected herbs like Agneemanth and Kachoor. At first, I only used a tiny amount and I was quite surprised at how such a small amount helped polish and smoothen my skin. I’ll definitely be ordering the full size scrub after I’m done using this one.

Facial Cleanser Honey Lemon Rosewater


This Wild Honey, Steam distilled Rosewater & fresh lemon Cleanser gently cleanses your face to remove surface toxins and exfoliates dead skin cells making it clean and fresh. For a gentle cleanser it sure managed to brighten the look of my skin. I do feel that the fragrance of the rosewater was a little much, but it did the job so I can’t complain too much.

Sunscreen Lotion Aloe Vera & Sandalwood

I was admittedly a little scared to use this, mainly because I’ve had quite a bad reaction to products with aloe vera in it. The lotion was pretty soothing on my skin and the sandalwood oil in the lotion helped to maintain balance of my skintone. If you never tried anything with sandalwood oil, you should seriously consider trying it, this oil is known for bringing out your natural glow by reducing the look of dark circles and patches.

Generally, I’m so glad that I finally managed to come across this brand and try it out. The quality of the brand is brilliant, and so affordable considering that it’s mostly handmade. I always love supporting Ayurveda brands, especially ones that people may not have heard much of, I feel like Ayurveda doesn’t get enough credit for pioneering organic beauty.

I hope you all enjoyed my Forest Essentials Facial Essentials review. ☺

Click here to try out Forest Essentials.

Don’t forget to comment, subscribe and share ♥

– Sonam x

 

P.S: For more skincare reviews click here.