The Christmas countdown has officially begun, with only 50 days left until Christmas Eve, so I thought it was the perfect time to bring you The ecoLogical's first official Ethical Gift Guide!




This year I will be sharing not one, but TWO special holiday gift guides on The ecoLogical. The first will contain natural beauty brands I have widely tried, tested, and loved throughout 2018, and the second will cover the best of the best of ethical products -- skincare, travel, makeup, clothing, homeware, aromatherapy, and more! Every area, and at every price range.

I hope both of these offer you help in your present search and shopping, and maybe even add a few extras to your own Christmas wishlist -- and who knows, maybe if you have been very very good and find yourself on Santa's Nice List, you may just end up with a special treat at the end of this post...

That's right -- I'm kicking off the holiday season with a special giveaway courtesy of Alexa Sky Botanicals!  Remember the bath oil I have been raving about for the last few months?  Well, now you will have a chance to win your very own full size bottle of Rooibos & Roses!  You can find full details at the bottom of the page.

But before you scroll down and enter, be sure to browse my top natural beauty brand picks from 2018.  Each of these are brands whose range or service I have had a full experience of, meaning I have tested out a large part of their range, have gotten several boxes from, or have received a variety of products from.  Each of them have truly wowed me and I am 100% confident that anyone gifted an item from these businesses will be thrilled to bits with their present!**

I will introduce each brand below in alphabetical order under their fitting category -- Beauty, Boxes, and Retailers -- and give an idea of prices points so you can choose what works best for your budget.  Plus, I will even suggest a few gorgeous goodies where appropriate.  But trust me, you just can't go wrong with these beauties!


PRICE KEY:
£ - 0-20
££ - 20-50
£££  - 50-100
££££ - 100+

LIFESTYLE KEY:
CF - cruelty free
AN - all natural
O - organic ingredients
VF - vegan friendly
VFO - vegan friendly options
PPF - primarily plastic free
PFO - plastic free options

* this post contains affiliate links -- this does not influence my reviews! :)  **Keep in mind, there are definitely other products from brands that have made an impression on me this year, but if I have not gotten the chance to personally try at least a handful of items from them, I have not included them here.  You will find one off products that I loved in my second gift guide -- this will be up on The ecoLogical in just a handful of weeks, so keep posted and subscribe so you don't miss out!   





Beauty:

There have been SO many natural beauty brands I have been lucky enough to use this year.  I have bought more than my fair share of green goodies over 2018, received nearly 40 subscription/gift boxes, been kindly sent dozens of items to trial or review, swapped regularly, and of course been given the odd gift occasionally.  If anyone is able to point you in the right direction in terms of natural beauty, I have to say I'm a good bet!  I can be pretty fussy when it comes to formula, smell, packaging, and just overall presentation, so when a brand succeeds to entirely win me over, they are definitely something special.

I have done my best to limit my top natural beauty brand picks to just my top 15, as I know having a never-ending list can be pretty overwhelming.  There is a little something for everyone here -- budget friendly options, zero-wasters, artisan, skincare, makeup, bath, baby...  No matter who you are shopping for, you can be sure that there is a brand here that will fit their needs!  Many have been reviewed here on The ecoLogical previously, though several have yet to be featured on the blog (don't worry -- Brand Spotlights and full reviews will definitely be upcoming!) -- just click the tag to see previous posts or have a little search if you are interested in reading more!


Alexa Sky Botanicals (CF, AL, O, VFO, PPF)

Who Are They: Handmade in Surrey, this small business is focused on creating all natural anti-aging products that are effective and developed especially for those with any skin sensitivities or conditions like psoriasis or eczema.  Alexa Sky Botanicals' range is free from nasties like parabens, artificial dyes, synthetic fragrance, and mineral oils so there is no need to worry about their green credentials, and each distinct formula is charged with crystals to increase their benefit and create a holistic approach to health and beauty.  Plus, each ingredient is carefully selected from organic farmers, local communities, and family run businesses to ensure their formulas are sustainably grown and sourced!

What Do They Offer: face oil, balm, toner, bath oil, tea, body oil, eye serum, face mask, serum, aromatherapy roller...

My Favourite: Rooibos & Roses Bath Oil, Cactus Fruit Eye Serum, The One Balm

Cost: £-££ (samples available)


Awake Organics (CF, AL, O, VFO, PPF)

Who Are They: A British brand focused on utilizing the power of aromatherapy and avoiding exposure to unnecessary toxic chemicals.  I was immediately hooked on both the quality of their products as well as their ethos.  The brand promises a range free from GMOs, fillers, synthetic fragrance, parabens, artificial colour, animal testing, mineral oil, phthalates, and chemical preservatives, making this ideal for those of us trying to steer clear of  avoidable toxins.  This UK-based company has it all - a clean range spanning deodorant to face masks, certified cruelty free, unique formulas that are super effective and suitable for all skin types, transparency in all aspects of the business, and a kindheartedness that shines brightly in everything they do.  Awake Organics certainly raises the bar when it comes to eco-friendly beauty.

What Do They Offer: face mask, serums, cleanser, deodorant, perfumes, moisturizer...

My Favourites: Green Tea + Detox Face Mask, Sea Quartz Crystal + Algae Cleanser

Cost: £-££££ (samples available)
Grab 15% off your first purchase over £14 from Awake Organics (excluding shipping and taxes).




Bodhi & Birch (CF, AN, O, VF minus Rosa Rosa, PPF)

Who Are They:  Made in England, this eco-luxe skincare brand delivers exceptional face and body products that "create 24/7 antidotes to modern life – sensory bath, body and skin care to awaken the skin and enlighten your senses.  Packed with ethically sourced organic ingredients, each product draws on the healing power of the earth to address the skin's needs.  Over time, many products within the range have become cult favourites, and once you experience their quality it is no surprise why!  

What Do They Offer: bath oil, body oil, shower gel, face oil, face mask, cleansing balm, cleansing oil, lotion, hand serum, hydrosol, lip balm, aromatherapy balm, beauty tools, body scrub, cleanser, moisturizer...

My Favourites: Lemon Water Hydrosol Tonic, Mint The Bath & Shower Therapy, Super 25 Botanical Serum

Cost: ££-£££ (samples available) 


Evolve (CF, AN, O, VF, some PPF)

Who Are They: This Hertfordshire based natural beauty brand creates small batches of haircare and skincare that is totally vegan friendly and free from nasty synthetics.  While not certified organic, a large quantity of their quality ingredients are from organic farming and adhere to the set standards.  Their formulas are effective and gentle enough for sensitive skin, and the brand has been making quite the buzz in beauty circles!  And although not all of their products are primarily free from plastic, efforts have been made to reduce the impact of their packaging -- for example, their shampoos and conditioners in their range are made from 75% post consumer recycled bottles (and these are also fully recyclable).

What Do They Offer: skin creams & serums, face oil, haircare, cleansers, face masks, eye serum, toners, deodorant, body lotion, butter & oil, body scrub, body wash, lip balm...

My Favourites: Radiant Glow Organic Face Mask, Nourishing Hair Elixir

Cost: £-££ (samples available) 


Guiltless Skin (CF, AN, O, VF, PPF + PFO)

Who Are They: For this English brand it is all in the name -- the entirety of the range is formulated so your skincare routine is totally guiltless.  From their certified organic ingredients to their facility in Essex, every aspect of the business is focused on sustainability and integrity.  Each product is free from potential toxins and is totally vegan friendly, plus they are all created with the aim of supporting the skin's natural processes rather than covering up or distracting from the needs at hand.

What Do They Offer: moisturizer, facial serums, body oil, face oils, face masks, body butter, cleansers...

My Favourites: Timeless Daily Moisturiser, Clarify: Charcoal Cleansing Powder

Cost: £-££ (samples available)





Inika (CF, AN, O, VF)

Who Are They: Best known for their high quality and wide ranging makeup, this certified organic Australian brand is one of my go-tos for all things cosmetics.  Free from talc, parabens, harmful fillers, synthetic colourings and fragrance, PEGS, and other nasties commonly found in formulas, they are definitely one of my most trusted brands for makeup.  Their products are pigmented and long lasting, and they have never irritated my semi-sensitive skin, meaning they are a constant in my makeup bag!

What Do They Offer: foundation, blusher, highlighter, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, eyeliner, primer, powder, concealer, bronzer, eyebrow pencils, lip liners, tints & glosses, and select makeup related skincare...

My Favourites: Loose Mineral Eye Shadows, Certified Organic Vegan Lipstick, Certified Organic Light Reflect Cream

Cost: £-££ (samples available) 


Kiss the Moon (CF, AN, VF, PPF + PFO)

Who Are They: An English natural beauty brand that focuses on the importance of restful sleep.  The idea of promoting sleep through skincare routines is such a great holistic approach, and it makes me really love the ethos behind the brand.  Not only does a full night of sleep assist in the cell renewal process, it reduces blood pressure, stabilizes heart beat rate and insulin sensitivity, lowers stress, and helps the body make healthier choices the next day.  Each of Kiss the Moon's restoring ranges target a different need, and there is an option for every skin type.

What Do They Offer: bath oil, face oil, aromatherapy balm, sleep spray, soap

My Favourites: Calm After Dark Balm, Love Night Cream for Hands, Calm Pure Essential Oil Soap, Love After Dark Pillow Spray, Glow Bedtime Bath Salts

Cost: ££ (samples available)

Lily Lolo (CF, AN, VFO)

Who Are They: Another of my trusted cosmetics brands, this original British mineral makeup brand creates nontoxic lip, eye, and face products free from parabens, phthlates, synthetic fragrances and colourings, and unnecessary fillers.  The formulas are designed to be safe for even the most sensitive skin, will not clog pores, and around 90% are vegan friendly.  

What Do They Offer: eye shadow, lip gloss, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, blush, bronzer, contour, concealer, colour corrector, foundation, BB cream, lip pencils, primer, illuminator, beauty tools, brow pencils, makeup mist, and select skincare related to makeup...

My Favourites: Laid Bare Eye Palette, Natural Lip Gloss, Mineral Concealer

Cost: £-££

SPECIAL OFFER: Free cosmetic bag with any order over £25 until December 31st!




Max & Me (CF, AN, O, VFO, PPF + PFO)

Who Are They: Initiated through love and created with the intention of nurturing harmony, "all this inspired a vision of skincare that has never been there before, luminous skincare based on high vibrational ingredients.  Skincare that goes beyond mere product performance.  Skincare that suffuses you with a most beautiful, vibrant flow of energy.  Skincare that realigns people with the wholeness that is inside themselves, with their innate healing abilities.  Skincare that brightens people and the world we live in."  This Austrian brand does all this and more. 

What Do They Offer: body oil, face oil, facial mist, balm, oil cleanser, face mask

My Favourites: The Intuitive, Circle of Protection Body Oil, Sweet Serenity Mask

Cost: £££-££££


Mia & Dom (CF, AN, O, VFO, PPF + PFO)

Who Are They: This organic skincare range is specially made for for expectant mothers and babies, and is formulated to soothe the skin and calm the senses.  Each product is free from harsh and potentially toxic ingredients like sulphates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, silicones, parabens, and mineral oils, making it safe for mama and newborn.  This brand focuses on utilizing botanical oils, and uses them to treat everything from stretch marks to nappy rash.

What Do They Offer: oils for cradle cap, baby baths, massage, labour, and stretch marks; aromatherapy remedies; balms for morning sickness, lips, nipples, and skin...

My Favourites: Organic Headache Remedy, Organic Baby Massage Oil, Organic Lip Balm

Cost: £


MOA (CF, AN, O, VF, PPF + PFO)

Who Are They: This London based skincare company believes in using herbal folklore to create products for the modern user.  They have a wonderful range, all focused on using natural ingredients to boost wellbeing, improve skin radiance, and teach daily skincare routines.  Their go-to ingredient is UK grown yarrow, a herb they believe has 'magical' qualities.  While I can't speak on the history of this herb, I can say I agree about it having 'miraculous' powers -- I have never used a bath oil so relaxing and invigorating, nor a beauty balm that heals cracked skin or broken skin overnight (especially around my finger nails -- bad habit of picking at my skin!).

What Do They Offer: bath oil, bath salts, balm, body oil, facial oil, lip balm

My Favourites: Fortifying Green Bath Potion, The Green Balm

Cost: £-££ (samples available)


Myroo (CF, AN, O, VF, PPF)

Who Are They: This is a brand for those suffering from skin sensitivities (or those who just want to experience a gorgeous range of skincare!).  Based in Harrogate, this organic business is the UK's first totally free from skincare range, meaning their formulations do not contain any of the 14 food allergens or the 26 cosmetic allergens.  Each product has a Fragrance Free version ideal for those with allergies or suffer from conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and a naturally scented option for those wanting a gentle aroma.  Award winning and a fast consumer favourite, they have proven their plant based formulas are effective, safe, and high performing.

What Do They Offer: body + massage oil, facial serum, oil cleanser, beauty tools, beauty balm, hand balm, lip balm, candles, body polish...

My Favourites: Skin Boost Facial Serum Starflower & Orange Blossom, Lip Balm Spearmint

Cost: £-££ (samples available)


PHB (CF, AN, O, VF)

Who Are They: When a company is not only ethical, but vegan, cruelty free, and uses organic ingredients, I am totally sold.  And this brand has a lot to boast about, being free from animal ingredients, SLS, PEGs, TEA, DEA, parabens, harsh alcohols, SLS, artificial dyes and fragrances, phenoxyethonal, and more.  Their incredibly affordable range does not skimp on quality, and each product has shown to be effective in the area it targets -- and I expect their new launches will as well.

What Do They Offer: mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, moisturizer, face mask, toner, lipstick, foundation, concealer, eye gel, cleanser, lip balm & tints, powders, BB cream, hand soap, body moisturizer, hand cream, shampoo, conditioner, candles, facial wash, serum...

My Favourites: Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow, Peppermint & Rosemary 100%  Natural Soy Wax Candle

Cost: £-££ (samples available)


Tisserand (CF, AN, VFO, PPF other than bath & body range)

Who Are They:  This brand sources pure essential oils in either organic, wild-crafted, or ethically harvested conditions, meaning that the product is as high quality as possible without tampering with the environment or endangering the sustainability of the resources.  All of their product ranges include the holistic power of plants, and are expertly blended to create the effect you desire, whether that is mental or physical.  

What Do They Offer: essential oils and oil blends, aromatherapy roller balls, body & massage oils, bath oils, aromatherapy mists, diffusers, bath salts, bath soaks, shower gel, deodorant, hand lotion, body lotion, hand soaps...

My Favourites: AromaSpa Diffuser, Focus Pulse Point Roller Ball

Cost: £


Walden

Who Are They: Initially exclusive to Love Lula, these perfumes are made from natural resins, essential oils, and absolutes.  Totally free from nasties, the formula for each blend goes back to basics and draws only on the powers of nature.  Inspired by Henry David Thoreau, the story of each perfume can be traced back to a quote from Walden, from The Solid Earth to Castles in the Air.  What else could you ask for??

What Do They Offer: perfumes, perfume oils, purse sprays

My Favourites: See the Moonlight, A Little Star-Dust

Cost: £-££


BONUS PICKS: Trilogy, Gallinee


Boxes:

If you are looking for a gift that keeps on giving, why not consider taking out a subscription for your loved one or best mate??  Subscription boxes tend to offer excellent value, with most of my favourites averaging around 50-80 worth of products in each collection.  I have narrowed it down to my top five picks so you can choose the one that most aligns with your gifting needs!


Love Lula Beauty Box (CF)



Who Are They: This box is a total grab bag and you never really know what to expect – there are no themes or clues leading up to the box, so it is always a complete surprise.  Some months focus on makeup, while others are all about skincare, but most are a mix of the two.  They tend to include at least one higher end brand per box, and the contents tend to be worth 3-4 times the amount you pay.  The products are always cruelty free, but they cannot guarantee that each month's edit will feature all natural or all vegan formulas.  If you are looking to sample many different brands and perhaps score the newest releases, this is definitely one to check out.

What Do They Offer: primarily skincare, with occasional makeup, perfume, and beauty tools 

Cost: £


LowToxBox (CF, AN, VF, PPF)



Who Are They: Rather than a recurring month to month box, the company is instead offering a series of Ethical Gift Boxes alongside their usual shop offers, including a zero waste starter kit, a selection of eco-friendly travel essentials, and a box perfect for new mums looking to lead a nontoxic lifestyle.  Each set is between £12.95 and £60 plus postage, and hits all the marks in terms of being sustainable, vegan-friendly, cruelty free, toxin-free, zero-waste, organic, and natural.  Plus, this brand has commited to plant a tree for every box sold!

What Do They Offer: gift boxes featuring nontoxic essentials -- primarily lifestyle and beauty

Cost: £-£££


Natural Wellness Box (CF, AN, VF)



Who Are They: A bi-monthly ethical subscription that started up in March of this year, this box hits all of my requirements and more.  Not only does it take a unique approach to natural beauty by tackling it from the inside out, but the collections thoughtfully select contents based on the seasons and the given theme each month.  Plus, as an added bonus for those of us worried about reducing what we waste, there has been minimal excess packaging and almost no plastic in sight!

What Do They Offer: primarily healthy snacks, supplements, nontoxic beauty, aromatherapy...

Cost: ££


The Cruelty Free Beauty Box (CF, VF)



Who Are They: Launched in May of 2017, this box promises a subscription that does not skimp on ethics.  Every featured brand and every product included in their boxes fulfills the following five criteria: They DO NOT test on animals at any point during production of their products; They DO NOT allow third parties to test their products on animals; The ingredients they use from suppliers are NOT tested on animals; They DO NOT allow countries to test on animals when required by law (For Example, Cosmetics sold in China are required by Law to be tested on animals); They are NOT owned by a company who isn't Cruelty Free.  Not only do they do the work for you, they aim to make the switch to cruelty free and vegan products as simple and fun as possible.  And all the while you can receive a box full of lovely treats every month.

What Do They Offer: primarily makeup, skincare, beauty tools

Cost: £


The Natural Beauty Box (CF, AN, O, VF)



Who Are They: This one ticks all the boxes for me – everything inside is cruelty-free, vegan, and all natural, plus packaging is a considered factor as well!  There are loads of small businesses involved, plus bigger names too, and I love the variety included.  Ranging from skincare and bath products to candles and makeup, this box does a fantastic job at keeping things fresh, and the theme is always perfectly selected for the time of year.  The value is always incredible, and I have never once come across a product I couldn’t use.

What Do They Offer: a wide variety of everything -- see the month's theme or reveals for clues

Cost: ££

SPECIAL OFFER: Grab 10% off your first box by using this link


BONUS PICKS: Stars & Sage, Full of Kindness

Looking for even more ideas?  You can find my full list of ethical subscriptions here and my favourite picks in a guest post I wrote over on Life in a Breakdown.



Retailers: 

I totally get the draw of doing all your shopping in one place -- not only do you finish the Christmas gift hunting sooner, but you tend to save money as you can combine shipping costs and sometimes even qualify for fantastic offers or free gifts from your purchase!  But when you are trying to shop ethical, is it possible to find that one stop shop??  

100% yes!! These four retailers are ones I highly recommend, as they have exceptional customer service, offer eco-friendly and ethically minded brands, and are incredibly mindful about packaging (no excess plastics to be found in these parcels!!).  


Love Lula

Who Are They: With a 'beauty for life' philosophy, Love Lula insists their product offerings must be free from parabens, SLS, SLES, and animal testing.  They hand-pick the brands they decide to represent in their shop, and state all products are tried to ensure only those that are effective and 'guilt free' are chosen.  Offering everything from skincare and makeup to sunscreen and period products, Love Lula truly carries a bit of everything related to beauty.  Plus, they carry loads of samples, a variety of gift sets, have special free products with purchase, and offer free shipping over £15 -- this is definitely a retailer to browse before Christmas!




What Do They Offer: skincare, haircare, bath & body, makeup, nail polish, period products, razors, aromatherapy, personal care products...

My Favourites: Balm Balm Starter Kit, JOIK White Chocolate Bath Truffles, Nula Soy Aromatherapy Candle Maui Beach

Shipping: Free over £15

Cost: £-££££


Origins of Beauty (CF, AN, O, VF)

Who Are They: Do you want to shop guilt free beauty?  Then Origins of Beauty is the place for you!  Their whole premise is to bring the conscious consumer to natural, ethical products that come from environmentally passionate brands.  The range is chosen to reflect the needs of both the planet and customers, so you can find "natural, organic, vegan, vegetarian, halal certified, free from harmful ingredients, chemicals, animal derivatives, alcohol, parabens, SLS, GMOs, nano particles, formaldehyde, mineral oils, fillers, synthetic fragrances and preservatives products."  Truly something for everyone! Plus, they have gone that one step further and guaranteed that even their packaging is eco-minded.  Their parcels come in recyclable kraft boxes done up with recyclable brown tape, and even the loose fillings can be dissolved in water!



What Do They Offer: skincare, nail products, aromatherapy, beauty tools, makeup, deodorant, haircare, bath & body...

My Favourites: BYBI Babe Balm, The Korean Konjac Facial Sponge, Join Soy Wax "Pebble" Candle

Shipping: Free UK postage

Cost: £-££

SPECIAL OFFER: 15% off orders over £30 with code BSKYE15


Rare Beauty (CF, AN, VFO)

Who Are They: Rare Beauty is dedicated to all things natural, and promises to deliver cruelty free, nontoxic skincare that comes in eco-friendly packaging.  Not only that, but it has also taken a truly innovative approach and is completely women-led -- girl gang on all fronts!  From Corinne, the founder of Rare Beauty, and the business owners of the featured products to the "Rare Residents," each person involved in this luxurious ethical online shop is a lady boss, pure and simple.


What Do They Offer: skincare, bath & body

My Favourites: Terre Verdi NeroliPom Moisturiser, Mallow + White Soothe Facial Oil, Soap Folk Lavender & Oatmilk Soap

Shipping: Free over £30

Cost: £-££


That Natural Hygge (CF, AN, O, VFO, PPF)

Who Are They: Everything about my experience with That Natural Hygge was exceptional, from the presentation to the products selected for my Blogger Box, and I have full confidence in every product Lou carries on the shop.  All the little touches that have gone into just this one parcel show that this business is special.  That Natural Hygge believes "your beauty routine isn't just about the products you put on your skin, but the way it makes you feel." You can feel the heart behind the business, and that has completely won my trust, respect, and appreciation.



What Do They Offer: bath, skincare, candles

My Favourites: 100 Acres Rose & Lavender Bubble Bath, Alteya Organics Organic Illuminating Perfecting Face Serum

Shipping: Free over £50

Cost: £-£££



I truly hope this Christmas gift guide helps you in your quest to make those around you happy during the holiday season -- I know shopping ethically can be a bit more difficult if you are not sure where to start or where to look, so I wanted to make the whole thing easier for all you eco-beauties.  I am certain that if you were to get any of these gorgeous goodies for your family, friend, or loved one, they would be impressed by the quality and results -- they deserve the best of the best!

And as a way to kick of the holiday season and capture the spirit of giving, I have a special competition for you!  As I mentioned at the beginning of "Christmas Guide: Best Natural Beauty Brands to Gift This Year," Alexa Sky Botanicals has teamed up with me to offer one full size of their stunning Rooibos & Roses Bath Oil to one lucky winner!  To enter, just click the Rafflecopter below and follow the required entry steps!  The giveaway will run from today (Nov 5th) through Friday (Nov 9th), and a winner will be selected at random from all the valid entries.  Best of luck!!


CLICK HERE TO ENTER:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


I'll be back with another Christmas Gift Guide in a handful of weeks time, and this present roundup will be perfect for all you last minute shoppers (like me!) and for those of you searching for something super specific -- the present guide will include organized categories ranging from makeup and bath products to household goodies and clothing!  So keep an eye out, or better yet, subscribe and give a follow on Twitter/Insta so you don't miss out on anything here on The ecoLogical xx



Terms & Conditions of Giveaway:
There will be one winner.
Any entrants who unsubscribe/unfollow within 28 days of the giveaway will be excluded from future giveaways.
Prize supplied by brand, sent by me.
The prize is the item pictured in the blog post (one bottle of ASB Rooibos & Roses Bath Oil).
There is no cash alternative.
There is no limit on the number of entries per person, follow the instructions to enable multiple entries.
Winner will be notified within 28 days.
The winner must claim their prize within 7 days of being notified or it will be forfeited and passed on to a new winner.
All entries must be received by the date and time specified.
The winner will be picked at random by Rafflecopter & notified by email.
Giveaways are open to the UK only.
The winner's name is available upon request.
All entries will be checked - any entry that is found to have not fulfilled the entry requirements will be removed.






*Blogger Note: Every product mentioned in all of my posts are purchased with my own money, are gifts from friends or family, or were won in public competitions unless otherwise stated.  However, my posts may contain affiliate links. This will never change my approach to my reviews, nor will it influence how I represent the products I am writing about, as I only choose to represent or work with brands and companies that I 100% respect and trust