JUDGING BEAUTY AWARDS & MY FAVOURITE FINDS

One of the highlights of my work is being asked to judge hair and beauty, wellbeing and eco awards for various publications. Not only do I get to discover new brands doing great things in this space and try out the latest products, but it feels like a celebration to witness the sea change in our approach to what's healthy for us as well as for the environment. Over the years, I’ve been a regular judge for the Marie Claire Skin Awards and Hair Awards, the Natural Health Awards and the Get the Gloss Awards, focusing on sustainable, natural and ethical innovation categories. Along with my A-team who work with me to investigate each of the ingredients, I also personally try and test each product out to get hands-on with its efficacy and usability.

Here are some of my absolute faves that will be finding a permanent place on my bathroom shelf.

Earth’s Kitchen Kawakawa & Tamanu SPF50+ Certified Natural Sun Protection

Finding a natural sunscreen that isn’t super sticky or otherwise impractical can be a bit of a ‘mare (though I’ve found lots of good options over the years). This one from New Zealand-based brand Earth’s Kitchen ticks all my boxes, including natural, muck-free ingredients.

Ambustum Honey & Tobacco Candle

If I’m gonna light up a candle, it simply has to be a natural one — otherwise, rather than nurturing our wellbeing, we are negatively impacting the air quality of our living spaces as well as harming the environment during the candle’s production. This one by Ambustum has that chic look that makes a scented candle such a luxury and smells completely amazing thanks to tobacco leaf, honey, amber and patchouli. It’s hand-poured in London with coconut and rapeseed wax and using solar power, and comes in a recyclable tin. It’s renewable and biodegradable.

Codex Beauty Labs Bia Face Oil

Thanks to the rough and dry qualities of Vata making up a large part of my constitution according to Ayurveda, my skin gets extra dry in the colder months — and I need something pretty strong to bring back some of that much-needed moisture. This oil more than does the trick, giving my skin a healthy, bouncy glow thanks to an expert blend of natural oils including rosehip seed, kiwi seed, sweet almond and more.

weDo/ Professional No Plastic Shampoo Bar

The bathroom is one of the places where we use the most unnecessary plastic packaging (after the kitchen, obviously), and I try to reduce that wastage everywhere I can. Shampoo bars are a really easy way to do that, and this clarifying one by weDo/ is a winner in my book. It lasts for up to 80 washes (!!!), is free from sulphates, silicones and artificial dyes, is vegan and cruelty-free, and comes in 100% recycled cardboard.

Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream

This skin-plumping night cream is simply gorgeous, helping my skin repair while I sleep, thanks to Kalibiome AGE Probiotic, the ever-popular Hyaluronic Acid, and Mamaku Black Fern. It’s great for those times you just need a little boost.

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil

What’s not to love about a facial product that suits all skin types? IN FACT THIS IS ONE OF MY RECOMMENDED Face oils to use with my Kansa Wand (ADD LINK) This bright red elixir can be used for whatever skin concerns you’re dealing with: blemishes, dry patches, pigmentation, dullness, redness or fine lines. It’s cruelty-free, organic, vegan and a tried and tested fan favourite.

BYBI Night Nutrition

Don’t be fooled by the plastic-looking packaging on this one — it’s actually made from sugarcane! This amazing eco product is also made with natural ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free and carbon-neutral, which are truly impressive credentials. As for the night cream itself, it’s beautifully moisturising, nourishing and repairing. I love it.

Neal’s Yard Frankincense Hydrating Essence

Neal’s Yard has been a fan favourite for ages when it comes to sustainable beauty — and with good reason. Having started in London’s Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard have their own eco factory in North Dorset, where they make their organic lotions and potions in small batches. They are also certified carbon-neutral and cruelty-free. This hydrating essence works to smooth and moisturise the skin using hyaluronic acid, purified pomegranate extract, organic argan oil, and of course frankincense. It smells, predictably, divine.

REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

I love the sustainable packaging innovation for this product. The brand completely remodelled to make it 100% recyclable by removing the pump, which is a rarity when it comes to cosmetics. This tonic works wonders as a skin brightener and exfoliator thanks to AHAs and BHAs derived from natural ingredients.

Nuddy Shampoo Bar

Who said shampoo bars can’t help with your specific hair concerns? This one by Nuddy comes in volumising, thickening and shine treatment versions — all three rated with close to a perfect five stars by hundreds of users. Independent, female-led, British brand Nuddy have set out to popularise shampoo bars since 2017. Their products use raw African Shea Butter and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

Bambu Babe Reusable Rounds

If you use regular disposable cotton rounds, you’ve likely thought about how wasteful they can be — but it’s hard to beat their efficiency and practicality. If you’re ready to take the plunge into a sustainable alternative, may I suggest these little circles of magic? These reusable bamboo makeup remover pads are the best ones I’ve used — they’re really soft and I promise you can’t tell you’re not using your trusty 100-pack from Boots. Win, win, win.

Revamp Progloss Hollywood Curl Automatic Rotating Hair Curler

This is probably the best hair curler on the market, if you ask me. You just *feed* your hair strands to the barrel and they come out beautifully waved! The temperature is adjustable, and the plates are infused with keratin, argan oil and coconut oil so your hair comes out silky and soft.

Jasmine HemsleyFebruary 2, 2022