Eco-Friendly Bamboo Towels from The Towel Shop

Bamboo is also one of the most efficient and sustainable sources of fibre in the world, with an amazing 2 feet of growth per day. Using bamboo fibres in manufacturing contributes to conservation efforts and helps tackle deforestation, making it a more environmentally friendly material.  As a consumer, I try to chose eco-friendly products where possible, so I was very interested when The Towel Shop got in touch with me to discuss their new product range - The Bamboo Collection.

The Bamboo Towel Bale brings eco-friendly comfort and luxury to the home.  Made using 50% bamboo fibre and 50% natural cotton, these towels are up to 3 times more absorbent than cotton towels.  They are made using only the finest and highest quality materials on the market, ensuring a better quality product that stays soft and fluffy for longer. With a 600gsm weight density, they are thick, dense and durable, feeling luxurious and smooth to the touch.

Bamboo has anti-fungal properties, so your towels remain odour free and more hygienically clean and they are machine washable at 40 degrees centigrade to maintain their freshness.

The bamboo towel collection includes a range of sizes from the 33cm x 33cm face cloth through to the 100cm x 150cm bath sheet. They are also available in a range of colours including the charcoal grey colour that I received.

I am really impressed with my bale of Bamboo towels. They really are soft, absorbent and the quality is good. They feel lovely on the skin and soak up more water than other towels. I love the eco-friendly element of the product, as I try to reduce my impact on the planet where I can. Bamboo is a sustainable material that I look out for to use instead of cotton or plastic in the home. In buying bamboo towels you will not be compromising on quality or luxury, but instead will feel perfectly pampered as a more ethical consumer. They are a great choice for my family.

A 10 piece bale consisting of four face cloths, two hand towels, two bath towels and two bath sheets is £55.14, which is great value for money. Other bale sizes and individual towels are available starting at 65p for an individual face cloth. They can also be bought in bulk for businesses at wholesale prices. The Towel Shop offers free delivery, same day dispatch if ordered before 3pm, 365 day returns policy and a price match guarantee meaning that you can buy in confidence.

Check out The Towel Shop at http://www.thetowelshop.co.uk to find the Bamboo towels along with a huge range of bedding and household linen for the home or business. It's great quality without an inflated price tag!

Beauty Products on Review - TanOrganic Original Self Tan and Jooma 2 in 1 Cleanser and Moisturiser

TanOrganic Original Self Tan

I've always used to associate fake tans with the cast of TOWIE, who sport their orange hued skin like a designer fashion accessory. Or I think of Ross from Friends and his unfortunate experience in the spray tan booth where he counted 'Mississipily' and ended up with a shade 8 instead of a 2!

However, in real life, fake tans are definitely not as extreme as those examples.  My daughter, who has a very pale complexion, swears by using a little fake tan to give her a healthy glow, and it looks great. So when I was offered the chance to try out some, I looked forward to giving myself a sunless bronzing, as an antidote to the winter blues. 

Fake tans are so much safer than using sunbeds or indeed sunbathing, but it is very important to me that faking it gives a subtle, natural looking tan, rather than an artificial orange coating!

TanOrganic is the first Eco certified, all natural, organic self tanning oil that nourishes and hydrates the skin.  It is marketed to those who care about what they put on their skin but who still want a professional looking finish.  As it is ethically made and approved by PETA it is also a brand for conscientious consumers.  For me, all these things are very important, and TanOrganic's outstanding credentials make it very appealing.

In addition to its ethical appeal, TanOrganic also gives:

– Buildable colour that allows you the versatility to go from a subtle glow to a deep tan

– 84% Aloe Vera for a streak free application that moisturises your skin and fades perfectly

– No perfume or fragrance, so no more “fake tan” smell

– Develops quickly and lasts for days

But what about the results?  

The TanOrganic oil applies really well to the skin.  When first squeezed out I detected a slight orange smell which was very pleasant, but this faded very quickly to give a fragrance free application.  It feels really smooth and moisturising on the skin, with no stickiness or residue.  I must confess that I was a little nervous and worried about streaking but it went on easily with a streak free and even finish.  I didn't have to faff about at all. Simple!

My skin glowed and looked naturally bronzed, but maybe more importantly, it felt lovely and soft and hydrated.  The formula feels very moisturising. It's amazing what a boost it gives you, having a healthy looking glow.  I love that it is an all natural and organic product, and is definitely something that I will enjoy using.

A 100ml bottle of TanOrganic costs £19.99 and is available from Superdrug or from TanOrganic online (with free delivery on orders over £7).  Aplication mitts and erasers are also available.

Joomo 2 in 1 Cleanser and Moisturiser

Joomo is a 100% natural face wash, made with out using any junk such as parabens, preservatives, soaps or foamers. There is nothing synthetic, nothing harsh and nothing dangerous in the ingredients list. Everything is 100% natural with no physical or chemical changes, harnessing the power of their active ingredients to cleanse and repair the skin.  Raw honey, cinnamon, orange and sea salt are among the ingredients used to create the gentle and effective face wash, which helps prevent acne, spots, blackheads, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis.

Joomo Face wash contains SaponinJTM, which is a unique proprietary skin repair system that enables the skin to return to its natural state and helps prevent ailments. It consists of a specially balanced all natural formula of Saponins, essential oils, sea salt, natural sugars, natural pH modifiers, natural anti-oxidants, natural softeners & emollients.  It  treats existing skin ailments and rebuilds and repairs the damage done through the use of synthetic products. Joomo is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and hypoallergenic, making it totally safe to use with therapeutic properties.

Although designed for young, spot prone skin, Joomo is suitable for everyone, especially if you have sensitive or problem skin.  Both Kezia and I love using Joomo face wash and were excited to try out the new 2 in 1 Cleanser and Moisturiser.

The Honey and Orange fragrance is gorgeous.  It smells so natural with a warming hint of cinnamon spice.  Using the face wash can at first seem a little strange as it doesn't foam up like other synthetic cleansers that many of us have previously been used to. But it does make the skin feel silky smooth and soft after using it.  You simply smooth it on then rinse well. There is no tightness or dryness and your face feels hydrated and moisturised without any greasiness. Knowing that it is 'junk' free and natural is so reassuring.

The Joomo Face Wash 2 in 1 Cleanser and Moisturiser comes in two packaging designs for both boys and girls, to appeal to the youngsters that the product is marketed for.  I think this is a great idea as so many beauty products are targeted primarily at women.  Having the boy friendly packaging makes this product great for lads too, giving them ownership of their skincare regime.

The 100ml tube costs £9.95 and is available to buy from the Joomo website (delivery rates apply).

***

Both of these products tick all of the boxes when it comes to choosing ethical, natural beauty products.  I was impressed by the performance of both and love knowing that they are made from ingredients that are completely safe and not synthetic.  Both TanOrganic and Joomo are leading the way, creating natural, top quality, effective products for conscientious consumers who care about what they put on their skin and what goes into the beauty products they buy.


We were sent a sample of each product to test out for the purpose of this review, but retain all editorial control.

An Ethical Christmas with WWF

My girls love their fashion.  9 year old Kizzy really enjoys picking out matching ensembles from her wardrobe.  So when I heard about the new range of ethical and Fairtrade clothing from WWF, I knew she would love to try one of their new long sleeved T-Shirts. She was delighted to receive a gorgeous chrysanthemum pink slim fit top with a giant panda design, courtesy of WWF.

The quality of the garment is excellent with strong double stitching securing the seams.  The gorgeous design is of a Panda created out of floral print.  It is unusual, distinctive and very effective.  The organic cotton is Soil Association standard and Fairtrade certified.  Kizzy was really impressed with it saying it was "lovely and warm with a really cute picture on the front plus it is good for the planet!"

Many consumers these days care about the impact of their shopping habits on the environment and are actively sourcing ethical products to buy.  The WWF clothing range fulfills this consideration and also reflects their ethos and mission, giving a range of clothing that both parents and children will adore with designs that feature endangered animals.

Renowned the world over, WWF is one of the leading global conservation organisations, established in 1961 to help preserve the environment and protect the Earth’s wildlife.  The main objective of the charity’s retail division has been to help raise much-needed funds to contribute to the WWF’s on-going projects.  This year the charity celebrates its 50^th anniversary – a timeframe during which it has become a household name in conservation and recognised as an innovator in sustainability.


The WWF Shop has some great ideas for Christmas.  They include unusual panda design bone china mugs, gorgeous personalised dressing gowns, adoption kits, beautiful traditional games, environmentally friendly tote shopper bags and adults’ clothing including panda and penguin design hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts.  The Christmas cards and gift wrap available in the store are also beautifully designed.


The top that Kizzy received is very reasonably priced for such a quality garment at £16.95.  It really is gorgeous for any little girl and is available in sizes 18-24 months up to 9-11years.  Other colours and animal designs are available for both boys and girls.

Howard Wright of WWF-UK, said: “We take our role as a green retailer very seriously and we think it’s fantastic that more and more consumers are questioning where their products come from and the impact their purchases could have on our environment.  This range should also help bring that message and knowledge to children – as well as injecting some fun!”

So if you want to buy gifts that will make others green with envy whilst keeping your shopping credentials green look no further than wwf.org.uk/shop!

Do One Good Thing...

  

Can you believe that 1.1 billion people don't have access to clean water?  Or that 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation?  It is difficult for us to comprehend that in the 21st century, people are living without these things that we take for granted.  These statistics are shocking and I'm sure each and every one of us would like to do our bit to help relieve the suffering.

One has come up with a way that makes it easy for us all to do something good that can help make a difference to the challenges facing the world today.  The idea is so simple.  They create brilliant, quality products and 100% of the profits go towards funding life-changing projects in developing countries.   So by switching from your regular branded products to One's products you will be doing something good, for someone else, somewhere else. Brilliant!

I was sent a selection of One products to try out.  All everyday household products that we buy regularly.  Just by changing the contents of your shopping basket, you are directly helping change someone's life for the better.

The beauty of buying One products is that they fund like for like projects so you can easily understand where your money goes.  For example, buying One Water helps provide safe drinking water in some of the poorest parts of Africa.  This will save lives...helping quench Africa's thirst as well as your own.

The Supersofty Quilted Toilet Tissue is strong, soft and cushioned.  The nourishing Handwash keeps hands smooth, soft and hygienically clean.  They also help fund hygiene and sanitation projects in Africa.  These projects are life changing and often life saving for the 2.6 million without access to a simple toilet or running water to wash their hands with.  Everytime we buy One products we know that 100% of the profits are going directly to help those who don't have the things that we take for granted.  It is easy to explain to children how buying One will help others.  The direct link between the product and the project is clear.  My 8 year old daughter was very excited to think that by having a bottle of One Water she would help a child in Africa have access to fresh water.

Other projects include providing chickens for community egg farming in Malawi, sponsored by One Eggs.  One Condoms fund HIV projects.  70% of worldwide AIDS deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

In this economic climate, many of us can't afford to set up direct debits for charities.  One believe it shouldn't be difficult to make a difference. They are giving us an easy way to do our part.  We can all do this one good thing to help change the lives of others...simply by purchasing with principles.  

One is in the top 2% of UK charities by donation and are affecting real change in developing countries.  We can all play our part!  You can buy the products in the One online shop.  The Co-Op currently have a 25% off promotion on toilet tissue!