12 Days of Giftmas - TanOrganic ¦ Giveaway

On the second day of Giftmas my true love gave to me, a healthy glow made easy...

If anyone knows me at all, they know that I'm not a fake tan person. I just don't think it suits me. However, I am still a fan of a fake tan brand...bizarre, right? TanOrganic, are an Irish brand that make the only certified organic fake tan in the world which would be reason enough for me to admire them but I also love a lot of their products. The tanning oil is my go-to when shopping for my sister and their exfoliating mitt and argan oil are my must-haves for soft, happy bodies and hair. In fact, I use their products on the daily. Which is why, even though I don't tan, I am 100% behind this brand and why I had to include them in the 12 Days of Giftmas.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

If you didn't read yesterday's post about Lush, let me explain it again!

The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

Christmas means parties, right? And, for a lot of Irish people, party season means tanning. Obviously, for the skincare conscious like myself, I don't think there's any other option than a fake tan, if you want one. It's not worth hurting yourself over! TanOrganic offers a healthy glow without UV damage or exposing yourself to skin cancer, it also provides an organic, healthy, safe glow!

So, if you're tanning for this part season, you need to hit up TanOrganic. And, if you have pals doing the same, this is where to get them the perfect gift. I promise you, once they try it, they'll be ruined for any other brand!

They have a few different tanning options as well as products for those less interested in tans and more into healthy skin and makeup. Their original Self-Tan (€19.99) offers a streak-free, odourless, non-orange tan which has enough product for 5-6 applications and guarantee you'll be looking glam rather than like an extra in a certain movie about a chocolate factory.

The Tanning Oil (€24.99) which also is without icky, typical fake tan smells, doesn't go orange and offers the same amount of applications but has the added bonus of being moisturising, fast-drying and doesn't budge off your skin once applied - so, you won't have any horror stories about butt prints on walls like I heard of in college...To complement these is the Luxury Tanning Mitt (€5.00) which, I've been told, is the way to make sure you get a perfect, even application. 

For removing remains of a tan or for getting rid of dead skin cells the Tan Erase (€14.99) exfoliator mitt is fantastic. This is a holy grail product for me that I repurchase again and again. Their OilArganic dry oil (€24.99) smells like lemonade (in the best way possible) and makes your skin and hair super happy and hydrated. Again, an item I repurchase and reach for each day.

Finally, their Bronzer Duo (€29.90) has long been my go-to bronzer and one of my favourite highlights is the other half of said duo. It's a great option for vegan and organic makeup fans and is pretty, flattering and in super-cute wooden packaging with a mirror. Pretty much everything you want and need from a bronzer!

Hopefully, you've gotten some gift ideas/party prep inspo from all that! But let's get to the important part - the giveaway! Here's the deets:

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!
2. The prize is one TanOrganic Self Tanning Oil and a Box of TanOrganic Caramel Chocolates.
3. All you need to do is comment below with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment!
4. Competition closes a week from now on the 9th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.
5. Winners will be chosen at random.
6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's it! Good luck and see you again tomorrow for the next brand and giveaway!

(Thanks to TanOrganic for working with me!)

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Favourite Things - April 2014.

Here be a post of the things I've been enjoying this month!

Dad brought this necklace home to me from Singapore. I was convinced it wouldn't fit because it looks SO TINY. But it actually does fit and rests in the hollow of my neck in a lovely way. Kinda obsessed - it looks so cool on.

The dress this is sitting on is from Next and should feature in posts soooon. I love it!

No real explanation necessary here. So delicious! But dangerous. I could easily polish off the whole thing in one sitting...Eep!

I don't like putting my hair through too much and while this is not entirely natural, it's slightly better! Leaves my hair feeling lovely, doesn't weigh it down and lathers brilliantly in spite of not being a chock-full of chemicals.

I'm loving anything from the Sapien Women line from Surya Brasil but the body moisturiser is a particular favourite. It smells SO GOOD. Seriously. I love it. My mam loves it. My brother loves it. It's coconut and mango...connect the dots right there. Good enough to eat (though I wouldn't recommend that).

So multi-purpose and so effective!

I've been late more often since I started using this as I spend waaayyy more time on my brows. Still, worth it. Obsessed.

L'Oreal Elvive always smells amazing and, bonus: this has GLITTER in it. I can't say I've noticed it after washing my hair but, hey, I'm a sucker for a gimmick.

Re-reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Because, I mean, who needs sleep? Yeah, I felt empty and hollow after I finished it last time and had to sleep in my mam's bed that night but it's a damn good book.

I'm loving Wuthering Heights everything and anything at the moment. Major obsession coming on. 

Not Teletubbies - but the sun! How I've missed thee! It's nice to get some Vitamin D into the system.

So, those are my faves du moment. What are you guys loving? I'd love to know...ahahah...I'm going now.

Being an absolute ladyboss - Clelia Angelon of Surya Brasil.

Clelia Angelon is a powerhouse of a woman. She has created an internationally successful beauty brand, travelled, done extensive humanitarian work, rescued a lion from a circus (!) and formed a band with her employees. Her company, Surya Brasil, makes natural (organic, where possible), vegan products sustainably. It is now carbon neutral and serves both the local community through various schemes and its own workers, who are given organic, vegan breakfasts each morning. When I speak to her in Dublin she laughs and jokes and chats with me very earnestly. Her joy for what she does, and how she does it, is apparent. And, at the end, when I turn off my dictaphone and we chat for a few more minutes, she extends an invitation to visit her if I ever find myself in Brazil. She offers to show me the best clubs to go dancing and the animals she continuously rescues and accumulates.

Image via suryabrasilproducts.com

Moi: So, what in your background motivated you to be so green?

Clelia: Okay, eh, I started researching y'know...natural living...when I was eighteen. And my father was the start because he had some issues about health. And I went from macrobiotic, to whole foods, to vegetarian, to raw food. So, today I'm vegan. My company's vegan, I'm vegan...And since I was twenty-eight years old, I started to y'know make vegetarian food, whole food...all natural. I wouldn't allow my children to take sugar in the house...no soft drinks. So, my children were brought up with these ideas. And, then, in 1995, my daughter and I decided...my daughter said why not make a company according to our way of living, y'know. And all the time we were animal lovers, animal protectors and doing social work. So, we wanted to do something we believed in. And not just to make a trading company to make money. To survive. So, we created a company that started worrying about sustainability, to start worrying about social work, starting with caring about the animals. And the most important thing, respecting the consumer. Not just to launch a product that will give them a quick result but in the medium-long term, damaging their health...that's going to damage the environment. And for that I have to test on animals, to use and kill the animals. No. I wanted to respect the consumer, the animals, the planet. And, we think that everyone in the world has the responsibility to give back to the communities they live in. So, we do a lot of social work with the small children, with old people, with animals, with the environment...we have a lot of sustainable actions....like, em, gathering the water from the rain, eh...using clay filters...not using plastic but using a bamboo glass...I don't know what you call it-

A tumbler?

- a tumbler...to drink from. Clay for coffee, tea and coconut milk...we don't use cow milk. We give a big organic and vegan breakfast to our workers each day...They used to come in the morning and take this margarine and white bread with milk with coffee. And I had a vegan company! I felt so guilty! So, now they are so happy...In two months, I'm going to restructure my kitchen and they'll have lunch too...They're going to have proper food.

So, that makes sense. You're investing in your company when you invest in them.

You know, eh, when you invest in your employee, of course you're doing your obligation, your duty. But, I tell you, the results are much more than you expect. Because they are happy, they fight for you. They, y'know, have more energy to work. They bring all this energy to the product...The environment is good. They're happy...laughing. They make a band. You know, we formed a band...

I know! I read about that!

Hahaha, you read about it? We made a band. You know, I hope we are successful in exporting West because if we are then I'll bring them all over the world! Hahaha. Because you know, I'm a little bit selfish and I want to play in the band.

Some of the lines.

So, obviously it's more difficult to go about business the way you do. But, because you're doing it, it's obviously possible. Do you think with other companies, it's just laziness or...?

No, they are not aware. Because I tell you, it's not difficult. It's difficult maybe when you have to convince, the retailer. But with the consumer...no. I'm very lucky with consumers. I don't have customers, I have followers. Whenever you want to complain about a product, you write us. And you'll never believe the complaints we get. “I can't find Surya!” “You're such a responsible company...why, in my small town...I don't have Surya!” They don't write to complain, they write to say “Oh, I love Surya.” Hahaha...When I opened an office in New York...a Texan woman...and she said, “I don't think you're going to survive because it's a very wide market. But I want to buy enough for one year because you're product is so good I can't live without it!” Hahaha. So, they're all so enthusiastic!...I have problems of course. We had problems with the government. Companies were lobbying against organic products...So, the problem I have is with government to accept this...eh, sometimes to convince some retailers. But once they start, they can't stop. Because if they stop, the client goes and starts shouting.

Our business is to do a collaboration. My relationship with my employees is exchange, it's collaboration. I always tell them, “Here, who commands is Surya Brasil. I am also an employee.” My duty is strategy and to give the rules. But we are all together in the same boat. If something happens to the company, I lose, they lose. We are responsible for the community, we are responsible for the consumer, for the animals.

And this causes problems. Any dog they see in the street, they bring to the company...I have many [animals], pigs, a lion-

- even a lion?

Yes, I rescued a lion. Hahaha. I paid for his transport from a circus. He was there for twelve years...now he lives in a beautiful place. And then, the pigs. And then I have two horses...We are going to have a film that my PR from the United States made. So, you are going to see this film showing the horses, showing the pigs...showing all the animals that we rescued.

So, most of my skincare now is by an Irish organic company, VOYA and people say to me, “Your skin looks great” when I meet them. And I think, with organic products you really see the results long-term. It affects your body in such a positive way.

It does, it does! Because you know when you use these mineral oils they put in moisturisers, it gives you the momentary result. But in the long-term it gives you premature aging.

Do you have a favourite product from the line yourself?

Amazonia Preziosa.

Just the whole line? Ha.

Yeah, yeah. I use the shampoo, conditioner, the 100% oil, moisturiser – only this one...[The  packaging] is 100% biodegradable. It's made out of wood resin and you can just throw it in the earth and 6-8 months, it's gone. Even if you leave it many years on the shelf, it'll start fading.

Many of Clelia's own favourites come from this line!

You've done so much in your career, is there anything you want next?

We opened a factory in New York. We've been in the United States for seventeen years. We are distributed all over the country and we're opening a factory and spa. It's our plan for this year. For my employees, I want to do many things. Like, I'm buying land to make a club for the weekends, to bring the kids...for them to have the childhood I think they should. I'll keep rescuing the dogs. I continue to work with animal protection and some children's charities...What else? Actually, what I want is to launch more products here. We're launching nearly every month a new product. And, em, do a franchise of shops and spas. And, of course, do as much social work and research into sustainability.

Some swag I'll be reviewing soon!

So, there you are! Admirable philosophies, policies and a majorly inspiring businesswoman. Check out the range at the Surya Brasil site and keep an eye out for my review of my favourite products coming up soon!

On skincare - That actually works.

Many times in the past, I've designed myself an elaborate skincare routine and declared myself ready to stick to it. Weeks would pass and I wouldn't see results and so I'd drop the routine.

I guess I never gave it time to start working, or was being overly aggressive with my poor skin, or had unrealistic expectations. My skin, I now know, is combination with dryness around the jawline and nostrils and oiliness in the t-zone. I'm also blemish prone, especially PMS related breakouts, but have never suffered from serious acne. I kind of assumed I'd stop getting spots automatically when I went to college. Sounds stupid, I know, but teen dramas feature people struggling with acne whereas college-age dramas never have an episode where someone skips out on school because no one could ever possibly see them with a spot.

Anyway....now that I know what I'm dealing with...I can go about dealing with it. I've got my concern areas and a certain philosophy. Because I know I'll never stick to anything overly elaborate and I know I don't want to stress out my skin by throwing a shit-ton more chemicals on it. So, my skincare is simplistic but effective, nearly all organic and mostly Irish (as a nice extra point in its favour).

And I've been genuinely seeing a huge difference since I adopted this routine. Not just me either, people have been telling me a lot recently that my skin looks great. As a result of how good its been, even on the days where I decide wear makeup, I use much less. It's gotten to the point that if I do wear BB cream or foundation, I basically just apply a small amount to blemishes with a concealer brush. So, yay for all that! I can see why 80% of Korean women spend much more money on skincare than makeup.

Here are my morning and night routines that have proven to give visible results - at least on me!

Morning:

1. I wash my hands with soap - don't want to be handling your skin with dirty hands, it'd defeat the purpose.

2. Cleanse. I generally use VOYA's Cleanse and Mend - about one pump applied to the face and then washed off. A few times a week (maybe twice) I'll use Yes to Carrots' C is for Clean Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. This is really important to get rid of dead skin. However, even this organic exfoliator makes my skin bitch at me so I don't use it every day. I just switch out the VOYA for it every now and then. It's applied pretty much the same way; very, very gently massaged into the skin in small circles and then washed off.

3. I have yet to find the perfect toner. There's one from Lush I like. That would go here.

4. I use the VOYA My Little Hero serum here. Again, a single pump applied to the face. A little of VOYA products goes a long way so they really last.

5. I moisturise with the VOYA Softly Does It, focusing on the dry areas of my face and spending a little longer massaging the product in those patches. Technically, it's a body moisturiser but I use it for both. It smells amazing and is so gentle that my face can handle it.

6. I use Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel as the last step. This feels gorgeous, so soothing and lovely and I can visibly see my eye bags calm down. I'm not worried about anti-aging products yet (also think they're kind of bull crap) but eyes are pretty big and, as a result, display my troubled relationship with sleep quite obviously. I genuinely see results with this product. And, again, such a tiny amount is needed. A small downside is that it leaves a layer that peels a little a few hours later but this can be wiped away easily.

Night:

The night routine is pretty much the same except I never, ever use the exfoliating cleanser as I feel it's too harsh. At least if I use it in the morning, I'll be moisturising twice that day afterwards and my skin has time to settle down. The other addition is this Aloe Vera Gel which, again, is organic and bought in Holland and Barrett. Once again, a little goes a long way. I just take a small amount on my fingertips and apply it to any blemishes. This helps them heal and disappear much quicker and takes down swelling overnight. Spots are reduced in size, literally overnight and it takes any pain or tenderness away from blemishes. It's kind of a wonder product. 

Body:

I use the TanOrganic Tan Erase Ultimate Exfoliator mitt once or twice a week. Usually I use it if I'm going to shave my legs and exfoliating goes before that step. The combination of the mitt, shaving and moisturising is unbelievably effective - soft limbs, ahoy! 

The body moisturisers I use are the aforementioned VOYA one or TanOrganic's Oil Arganic. Both smell gorgeous and it's really down to mood as to which one wins out on any given day.

Extra:

I also have two face masks that I use on the reg. The Oriflame Hydrating Face Mask is one an old housemate who worked for the company gave me and really doesn't feel like it does much. I don't use it super-often but it smells nice (of watermelon!). The Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask, however, I'm mad about! You store it in the fridge so it feels lovely and soothing going on and it hardens pretty tight so you feel really cleansed after using it. Long-term results have yet to be seen but I do enjoy it.

So, that's all! What do you guys think? Use any of these products yourselves? Any secret tips you got handy?

TanOrganic Love and Use.

I'm not a fake tan kind of girl, I have to say. However, I do approve of the people who might be willing to burn, using it instead. I also approve of using an Irish product which is the only organic fake tan in the world.

At the launch of their new bronzer, I got a few products which have become major faves. The tan went directly to my little sister who has received many a compliment since using it. And I've been using the bronzer, Argan oil and exfoliating mitt religiously.

The Argan Oil, or Oil Arganic (€24.99), - so witty - has quite a dent in it already! I use it in my hair on almost a daily basis, just pouring a little into my palms and running it through. It's also useful as a natural way to tame fly-aways. And I have to say, after using it for a while now, my hair is a lot better behaved and healthier looking. And less with the knots too! Though it can be used on your hair, it was primarily intended for the body and I also use it as a moisturiser after showering.  It smells lightly of lemons and oranges which is a major plus as well.

The Tan-Erase exfoliating mitt (€14.99) is cracked out a few times a week and my skin is always noticably softer afterwards with the combination of mitt and Argan oil. It's also not too rough. It removes the dead skin without agitating my skin.

I was going to say that the serious coup is the Bronzing Powder (€29.90) but that would be unfair to how much I love the Oil Arganic. However, the bronzer is gorgeous. First of all, the wooden packaging (reminiscent of Tarte products) is majorly cute and a lovely touch. The shades are so beautiful - a matte cocoa brown and a shimmer sandy colour. This product is a great multi-use - something I always approve of. I use it for bronzer, contouring and eyebrows. 

Here's a quick outline of what I do.

1. Start with unadorned face as I did today.

2. Load a blusher brush with the matte shade.

And contour! I do a '3' shape on my face, starting at the temple, tracing down under the cheekbones and then around the jawline.

PS Sucking in my cheeks helps me find those wily cheekbones!

3. Using the same brush (I don't bother switching), I dust the shimmer shade over my cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, neck and chest.

Again, the silly face to make sure I'm on track.

Notice a difference yet?

4. Using an eyeshadow brush loaded with the matte shade, I fill in my brows.

5. I may also use this brush and shade to shape and contour my nose. I apply to the sides of the nose, up towards the inner edge of the brow and blend the crap out of it!

How about the difference now?

6. I then use a different eyeshadow brush with the shimmer shade to highlight the centre of the nose, under and above the eyes and the philtrum. If I'm not wearing full-on makeup, I'll use the same shade for a splash of colour on my eyelid.

All that put together looks like this.

If I am wearing BB cream it goes on before any of this. However, if it's a light, s/s look I just add concealer to relevant areas and powder over the entirety. I'll also probably add a lip balm and some mascara. Which then looks like this:

So, there you have it - products I've been loving and how I use them. Sorry this post was so full of pictures of my face! 

Have you tried any of the above? What did you think?