VEGAN HEAVEN (4/5)

Wai kika moo kau

By now I'm probably boring you with all these Brighton posts but there really is a lot to say on the matter! It has without doubt been the easiest place I've found to holiday and eat 'normally' without having to worrying about a thing, which is exactly what you want from a relaxing trip away - alas if only vegan was the norm worldwide, but for now we have Brighton!

Wai kika moo kau (or Why kick a moo cow) is a strictly veggie/vegan cafe situated in the laines. It was our breakfast place of choice for the last morning of our stay, we chose pancakes as I'd been craving them for quite some time! They came nicely presented in a fluffy stack of 4, with cinnamon and sugar dusted all around the plate and a large pot of maple syrup for pouring - they were light, fluffy and absolutely divine. We decided to go all out, seeing as it was our last morning and ordered a creamy banana mylkshake to go with, the whole breakfast could have been straight out of an American diner.

I like that it took a while for them to arrive as this is usually a good sign (i.e no microwaves). The menu was also surprisingly cheap for the quality and quantity received. The place itself was light and airy with a fun cow print adorning the counter and walls. It also had a good energy about it, which I usually find with most strictly veggie/vegan places, I believe like-minded people coming together in this kind of environment in a great inducer of mindful conversation and feel good vibes. I would be interested to know if this is something other people have experienced while visiting all veggie restaurants and cafes, let me know in the comments below!

VEGAN HEAVEN (3/5)

Terre a Terre

Terre a Terre has a really special place in my heart as it opened my eyes to the wonderous possibilities of vegan food and made me confirm in my mind that I'd made the right decision by turning vegan. It's also the very reason we came back to Brighton in the first place, it's THAT good, albeit an indulgent treat. I've never had such beautifully presented plates that taste better with every bite, you won't want to waste a morsel! It deserves 10/5 for everything; food, presentation and service - no exaggeration.

This is a predominantly vegetarian restaurant but the menu is clearly labelled with what dishes are vegan or have a vegan choice and the same goes for gluten free. We were so excited to eat we actually forgot to say that we wanted the vegan option and had to hurriedly change our order!

While we don't normally drink wine this was organic and vegan so we decided to give it a try. We had it with our meal last year in celebration of my birthday and enjoyed it so much we had to order it again. You can even buy their wine, condiments and sweets to take home which I thought was a clever idea, especially for those that live out of town. Fyi these products are also available through their website if you can't make it all the way to Brighton. 

We skipped starters and went straight for the main. I fully recommend you go for the Terre a Tapas Plate to share as you get two of every mini dish (one on on either side), again much like the Food for Friends mezze it gives you a chance to sample a variety of different dishes the restaurant has to offer. The creamy possibly(?) cashew cheese dip in the middle was to die for and the grapefruit tucked into a Japanese style bun initially looked like salmon so that was a fun detail. To top our meal off nicely, for dessert we chose churros that came with 3 incredible dipping sauces: salty caramel, vodka cherries and dark chocolate, mm mm!

VEGAN HEAVEN (2/5)

Rock-Ola

After having a large dinner at Food for Friends the evening before, coffee bar Rock-ola was our port of call for a late all-day vegan breakfast. While it's not a strictly vegetarian/vegan place, what first attracted us to visit Rock-Ola over all other breakfast joints was the fun 50 and 60s diner theme, which made it so much more than your typical greasy spoon.

The attention to detail given to the theme can be seen throughout the diner, from the wall hangings and shelves of memorabilia, right down to the retro salt and pepper shakers. The cafe even joins on to a record shop, which was a nice continuation of the music theme, there's also a free jukebox complete with songs from the time for you to peruse and play records while you dine.

The breakfasts were naughty but super tasty, we'd never tried fake bacon before (or fakon if you will) so that was a nice change, it really just tasted like the smokey bacon flavour found in crisps, so it wasn't as scarily meaty as it first seemed. While I wouldn't normally eat this much 'bad food' or buy fakon myself, I feel it's fine to splash out on holiday and try something different once in a while (providing it's vegan!), to me life is about balance.

We had the option of chips or hash browns and beans or tomatoes, being the opposite couple we are we had to choose differently but then try each others - which were equally delish in different ways. We had it with a cup of soya milk tea and the breakfast came with a huge plate of (vegan) buttered toast - bonus! If I lived in Brighton I'm sure this would be a regular haunt of mine.

VEGAN HEAVEN (1/5)

Food for Friends

Last week we decided to treat ourselves to a weekend away from the big smoke, we wanted somewhere by the sea where we could relax but have fun and not have to worry about where to eat. Brighton seemed to fit the bill perfectly. We'd been before and visited a veggie restaurant called Terre a Terre which made us hungry for more! - (not literally we were stuffed to the brim). It turns out the rumours were true, Brighton really is like being in vegan heaven. All the food we had was to die for, I could not recommend it more for a completely indulgent mini break. There's plenty of healthy and raw vegan options too so there really is something for every mood.

We visited Food for Friends on our first evening in Brighton for dinner, as I'd done my research before our trip we knew it was a highly rated vegetarian restaurant with lots of vegan options so we were prepared to have an amazing meal. It didn't disappoint, the ambience was sophisticated and special enough for occasions but still felt homely and warm. The food was hearty and filling with a rustic feel and we got to sample all kinds of vegan options from around the world. I liked that everything was clearly marked on the menu as to whether it was vegan, gluten free or contained nuts, making us so called 'fussy-eaters' feel normal by not having to ask. The little bowl of complimentary vegetable crisps on the side were also a nice touch - though definitely not needed due to the vast portion sizes!

To start we ordered some bread which came in huge chunks (there's that rustic feel again) with a sesame breadstick and some balsamic and chilli dipping sauces. The cocktail to the left was a non-alcoholic strawberry and elderflower mixer and like everything else it was delicious so I savoured every sip!

If your one of those people that likes to try what's on everyone else's plate (hands up thats me - much to the annoyance of my bf) the best thing to do is to share a mezze platter. It's a real experience for the senses and that way you get to sample a variety of dishes the restaurant has to offer. Food for Friends even has a sweet platter made up of 4 different desserts complete with different sauces, cream and garnishes - it was out of this world! 

PAI SKINCARE REVIEW

My skin is notoriously dry and sensitive, especially in the cold weather. Even so, tired from work I would guiltily swipe a face wipe over my face before bed and only cleanse when I had extra time on my days off. This month after learning that toxins are absorbed through our skin and then go directly into our bloodstream, I decided to extend my clean living diet to my skincare regime too. 

Organic skincare brand Pai was recommended to me by a friend and it's exactly what I had been looking for. All their products contain naturally derived ingredients and are specifically formulated for sensitive, allergy prone skin. Their ingredients list is clean with no nasty hidden chemicals, while the packaging is modern, luxurious and fresh. The fact that these products are so luxurious to use - from the heavenly smell to the thick creamy formula - means I now enjoy taking a bit of extra time out of my day to look after my skin. 

Camellia and Rose Cleanser:

I've never used a 'wet' cleanser before and always thought they would be a hassle but the Pai Camellia and Rose cleanser is a dual acting product. As well as being a facial cleanser, it can also be used as an eye makeup remover, making it quick and easy to remove all of your makeup at once. It even comes with a little organic exfoliating muslin cloth to wash it off with - 3 products in 1! My face feels so fresh and soft after cleansing this way and I don't think I could ever go back!

Fragonia and Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream:

It's almost like you can feel the moisture being sucked into your skin the instant you put this on your hands (hence the name!). I love that this formula is non-greasy as that's the main reason I usually try to avoid hand cream. I also really admire that Pai uses intelligent ingredients in their products, for example - 'Fragonia, has anti-inflammatory properties, while Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip and Grape Seed extracts promote cell regeneration and skin restructure' - perfect for mature or dry hands like mine. 

Avocado and Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream:

I feel positively glowing after using this moisturiser. I like that it dries quickly and is light enough to use under my makeup. It makes my face feel baby soft but doesn't add the greasiness I've experienced with moisturisers in the past. 

While these products are a bit on the pricey side (definitely more than my £3 face wipes) you gain so much from them. I believe this is a luxury to invest in, they really are a treat to use and have improved my skins radiance and softness. I also found I only needed to pump a small amount of product, meaning they should last a long time. They're also definitely more environmentally friendly than throwing away a face wipe each day. 

URBAN DECAY NAKED SKIN

I thought I'd introduce you to one of my favourite vegan make up lines so far, which is the Naked Skin range by Urban Decay. 

I've tried lots of different foundations but this one has got to be the most perfect for my combination skin by far. The formula is truly weightless and goes on like a dream, it feels more like applying a light moisturiser than a foundation. The coverage is also quite light but for me it's enough, I don't like the feel of a heavy foundation on my skin, or god forbid streaky tide marks! I started off with shade 1.0 but realised once a camera flash hit me that I looked like Casper so decided to bump up to shade 2.0, there wasn't a huge difference between the two but I feel the slightly warmer tone of shade 2.0 helps during the Winter months! 

Shade 1 below and 2 above, as you can see not that much of a difference between the two.

I also like to use a concealer underneath (and sometimes on top if I have a big spot!) by Too Faced called 'Absolutely Flawless' in shade Vanilla. This is a paraben free, vegan friendly concealer with a buildable coverage that blends easily and will completely mask any blemishes you may have. Unfortunately the Naked line doesn't include a concealer at the moment but hopefully Urban Decay will release one one day!

The UD ultra definition loose finishing powder sets the foundation for the whole day, leaving your skin shine free and silky smooth. I use shade light in the powder, which works with foundation shades 0.5-3.0. It's worth mentioning that the powder doesn't come with an applicator, I recommend using the vegan friendly baby buki brush by Lily Lolo to apply.

Have any of you tried the Naked line? Or do you have any other vegan friendly make-up recommendations? Leave your comments below!

LIMECRIME VELVETINE REVIEW

Limecrime is a vegan, cruelty-free make-up brand that offers an array of unique shades from rainbow brights and unicorn pastels to witchy autumnal hues. I love their velvetine range of lipsticks that go on as a liquid and dry completely matt. I get so many compliments when I wear it and at least a dozen people a day ask me where it's from - strangers will even stop me in the street!

The application is a little trickier than normal lipstick as you have to apply it right first time, any error around the lip line will result in a smudge on your face that's hard to remove without taking the rest of your face off! However it's worth spending a bit of extra time getting that outline right as the result will be a perfect lip that lasts all day. Saying that I can still apply this on my bumpy tube journey to work every morning, it just needs a bit more concentration than your bog standard lippy.

Left: Wicked, Right: Red Velvet

Above: Wicked, Below: Red Velvet

As you can see in the pics above the colours are so bright, it's this pigmentation along with the liquid to matt formula that makes the velvetine really stand out from the crowd. I've also previously tried the Suedeberry shade which is a lovely orangey red and perfect for the Summer months. I'm totally in love with this brand and won't stop until I've tried everything they have to offer! I'm contemplating the black velvetine next, which would also be ideal for Halloween. Have you ever tried Limecrime make-up? If so what's your fav product and shade?

ELF MINERAL LIPSTICK

After binning my whole make-up collection (yep that's right) when I decided to avoid parabens, aluminium and animal ingredients for good (see older post here). I'm still trying to expand my make-up bag and grow my collection of natural vegan lipsticks. So I thought I'd give Elf's mineral lipstick line a go, after hearing only good things about it. 

Their website states the range is 100% mineral based with no parabens, no preservatives and no chemical dyes (hooray!). I really like the application of the lipstick and it certainly lives up to it's description, it really does glide on easily and leave your lips feeling nourished, as though your wearing a balm rather than a lipstick. But make no mistake, although they are natural they're also really pigmented and there's no need for blotting, lining or sealing, this lipstick goes on perfect all by itself! 

 Runway Pink

Cheerful Cherry 

(this actually looks like I lined my lips but it's just the light)

I love the Cheerful Cherry shade but the Runway Pink is a little too bubblegum for my liking, I was actually on the lookout for a more neutral shade but this goes on much pinker than it photographs, making the website photos a little bit deceiving. I've tried to photograph it in different ways so hopefully this post will help you guys decide! I would say the most accurate colour of the pink would be the pic of my lips and for the red it would be the swatch on my hand. 

I would like to try the whole Elf mineral lipstick line eventually, as they feel so nice to wear and will probably order some more shades soon, seeing as they're only £5 a pop and the cheapest vegan line around! 

Have you ever tried the Elf mineral range? Let me know what you think of it and what your favourite product is.

L'OREAL VEGAN?

Apparently so! Now the words L'Oreal and vegan are not usually synonymous with each other but maybe times are 'a changing. I recently discovered L'Oreal's 'Ever' haircare line is 100% vegan, their website states the whole range is not tested on animals and contains no animal by products. Not to mention being sulphate and silicone free - this all seems too good to be true! 

So how did the products fair? Funnily enough I had been using this line for a while but since becoming a vegan I wanted to change my haircare routine asap (automatically assuming these products would be tested on animals and/or contain animal ingredients). Little did I know they were already suitable for vegans! (thanking my intuition for that save).

The fact that I've been using these products for a long time now speaks volumes as I'm very particular about my hair. I used to only use high end hair products as I've always thought they were the best but this L'Oreal Ever line can hold it's own against the pricey crème de la crème brands as far as I'm concerned. The fact that the range is so affordable (even more so when it's on a 3 for 2 offer at Boots) is a huge plus, especially for someone with masses of hair like myself!

So some people will say if your buying this range then your supporting the animal testing/animal ingredients that go into their other product lines, but I say if we the consumer show that we only want to purchase products like this by putting our money into them, then what choice will companies have but to listen to us? 

On another note, in the same shopping trip or 'haul' if you will (but that word makes me gag) I also purchased some more of the Boots botanics range as my skin seems to be agreeing with it quite well and this No7 eyeliner. I'm going to attempt the eyeliner flick again as I love the 60s style look of winged eye but I've never quite got the hang of it in the past. I'm hoping the felt tip nib will make it easier and this was the only drugstore liquid eyeliner I could find that is both paraben and (as far as I can tell) aluminium free! So I'll let you know how that one goes.

SKINCARE: BOOTS BOTANICS

With the air getting colder and my skin becoming increasingly dryer, I've been on the lookout for some natural, or as close to natural skincare products as I can get. Online is probably your best bet when trying to scour something truly pure and vegan, alas I was down to my last make-up wipe and needed a replacement quick so I headed down to my local Boots.

Doubtful I would find anything I was happy with on the high street I had a look anyway and was pleasantly surprised to see the Boots Botanics range has had a makeover and offering skincare that's between 80 and 100% organic.

Hand Cream // Cleanser // Day Cream

The products were all great to use, I put them on before I went to bed last night. The initial application of the moisturiser made my skin feel slightly tightened but I awoke to find my skin soft and clear this morning. I believe they must have changed the formula, that or the organic one is the only one that agrees with my skin, as I tried the normal botanics moisturiser last year and broke out in a nasty rash! 

The cleanser removed my makeup really well, quickly and easily - which is exactly what I was looking for, being a self confessed lazy makeup wipe abuser. I'm glad I made the change to cleanser as my current brand of make up wipes were actually beginning to sting my eyes. I won't name names but they're a VERY well known brand that claims to be natural (in a round about way) with 'no chemicals, no alcohol, perfume or colour', so I was surprised to find the ingredients listed as Methyparaban and Propylparaben, you can read more about these controversial ingredients here. 

As I was weighing up which products to get in the store (I frequently spend hours in stores doing this!) I googled Boots products and their statement to someone who enquired was:

"Thanks for your enquiry regarding our Botanics range.

I am pleased to confirm that all of this range will be suitable for vegetarians, as it does not contain any animal ingredients.

None of the Boots branded products are tested on animals."

Which led me to believe they were ok for vegans too, however I did notice when I got home that the Botanics day moisturiser does contain beeswax which is considered by some to not be a vegan ingredient. Being a transitioning vegetarian, I am still on the fence about this one, I definately don't eat honey anymore as I'm aware of the damage this causes to the bees (read: here) however the beeswax extraction seems like a non-harmful process. While it is still an animal by-product, the bees don't need the wax and the collection of it doesn't harm them in the process (that I'm aware of). Please correct me if I'm wrong as I am still forming opinions about this...

What natural skincare products do you use?

THE POWER OF RED LIPSTICK

When I'm not designing sustainable fashion I work as a part-time concession manager for a lovely 1940s style brand. Yesterday my boss told me I looked the part with my red lipstick on and am now convinced that's one of the main reasons I got the job in the first place (having worn a red lip to my interview). Never underestimate the power of a red lip I say - this shall be my mantra from now on, especially when I can't be bothered to apply it at 7am in the morning.

When I think of red lips I think of all the powerful female style icons; Marilyn Monroe, Dita Von Tease, Gwen Stefani and Elizabeth Taylor. I know red lipstick is not for everyone but don't knock it till you've tried it. It can be a little bit daunting at first if you've never worn it before, as it's very "hey look at me", but once you start wearing it you'll soon notice the huge difference it makes. Not only to the way you look but also to your head, it somehow manages to instantly cheer me up and give me more confidence, like I can walk tall and take on the world (cheesey but true!).

So lipstick shouldn't be your only source of confidence but some days we all need a little extra help, for example if I have something important going on that day or a meeting to attend, you will definitely find me rocking a red lip. Red lipstick can work in any situation making it great for everyday, special occasions and evenings out. I even heard a story of a woman putting on red lipstick before giving birth as it made her feel stronger!

Having recently switched to au natural cosmetics (see my previous post on lead in lipstick) I have been searching for an alternative to replace my YSL Le Orange lipstick. After turning vegan I was disgusted to learn that carmine was an ingredient, also the fact that YSL was rated as having the most lead content in it's lipsticks is seriously not worth it, especially when you factor in how much of it you consume in a day (lipstick sandwich anyone?) I've been loving Lily Lolo's range but there wasn't a red bright enough to hit the spot, so I headed to the Bare Minerals make-up counter in Debenhams as they have a new(ish) range of bright colours in their 'Moxie' line.

I've tried to show you guys the exact shade of the Moxie I chose in the pics. The colour is Live It Up as it was the closest match to the Le Orange that I could find. Again the colour is great but the application is not so much... I find it really hard to apply without looking like a toddler that's been at the raspberry jam! I wore it to a wedding and then the reception afterwards and must have re-applied it around 5-6 times, although I did eat and drink a LOT that day so I won't pass judgement on it's staying power just yet. It also seems to feather when you first apply but tissue blotting helps that, having looked at their website I've noticed a few others commenting on the feathering issue as well. They do sell a lip primer and liner to match (as recommended in their tutorial video) so I may have to dig deep and give them a go too as I don't want to give up on it yet. All in all it's a great shade with a very hydrating texture and I love the fact that's it's an au natural red (with no carmine!).

You can read all about the fascinating history of red lipstick and it's many trials and tribulations here.

Do you have any recommendations for a good natural red lippy? Please leave your comments below...

READY, SET, GLOW!

As promised here is my review for the Lily Lolo goodies I purchased last week. Now I don't profess to be a make up buff or anything like that, I'm just a girl that enjoys wearing make-up, like everyday, as in won't even go to the shops without at least a slick of mascara and concealer! 

I don't even particularly like to experiment with makeup either but must have tried out every brand going when trying to pin down my everyday faithfuls. Until now my signature look has always been: Rimmel wake me up liquid foundation and concealer (switching to Chanel whenever I could afford it), Max Factor finishing powder, YSL or Mac red lipstick, Chanel black crayon eyeliner, Benefit 'They're Real' mascara, Rimmel Autumn blush/Nars orgasm and a Bobbi Brown brick palette for a neutral eye.

That was pretty much me, day in day out, you could say I was stuck in a make-up rut. So to try out something new was pretty exciting and I'm so glad I did! As you know I'm on a quest to find natural, alternative products as I don't want to lather chemicals or lead on my face every day (see earlier post here) and Lily Lolo was exactly what I was looking for. I found the brand through the ravingly good reviews on MakeUpAlley.com and once I saw the price of their mineral starter kit I was sold. At only £13.49 for a starter kit and sample size products on offer, it makes it easy to take the leap of faith and experiment with getting the right shade of mineral foundation. I actually needn't have bothered with the kit as I bought a sample of 'Warm Peach' foundation alongside it and I knew that was the perfect shade for me as soon as I tried it, proving the website's Shade Guide to be extremely accurate. Alongside 3 foundation shades, the 'light' kit also contained a baby Buki brush and the sheer finishing powder.

I am in Love with the results, I really wasn't expecting too much as I doubted that mineral powder, dusted on lightly with a fluffy brush could give me the same kind of coverage as a liquid foundation slapped on heavily with my fingers! I did dip the brush in a couple of times when applying but you only need a very small amount of product each time. It was all so easy to apply and even has the little separator holes so you don't use too much product or have any spillages. You must be sure to moisturise first though as the powder will highlight any dry patches. The final effect was lovely and glowing, my skin barely felt like I was wearing any makeup at all! I also have quite dark circles so the yellow corrector did a good job at disguising them too, I bought one of their sponges to apply this but it didn't work very well so ended up using one of my own brushes instead so would definitely get one of their concealer brush next time.