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Thursday, 31 July 2025

Tropic I Genuinely ADORE: Vegan, Ethical & Everyday


ad | One thing about me is that when I find a brand I truly align with ethically, I’m loyal as heck. That’s exactly how I feel about Tropic: a brand I’ve used for years and still reach for everyday. They tick every box: vegan, cruelty-free, female-founded, carbon neutral... all the good things 🎀

I think I first discovered Tropic in 2015 - I had just gone cruelty free with my cosmetics and plant based with my diet. I was immediately drawn to their ethos - sustainability without greenwashing, formulas that feel luxurious but gentle, and genuinely fab skincare and makeup.


So, whether you’re new to Tropic, or you've been watching a while and you've already heard me bang on about much I love their products, let's go through rundown of the products I genuinely love and recommend - complete with honest mini reviews and my top picks ↓

✨ Tamanu Balm: The Unsung Hero Your Skin Needs

If I had to choose one Tropic product to take to a desert island, this would be it. Tamanu Balm is what I’d call a skin saviour. It’s soothing, multipurpose, and truly underrated. 

Whether you’ve got dry patches, irritated skin, healing scabs, or even minor cuts, this balm works like magic. I’ve used it on everything from chapped elbows to grazes on my knees (clumsy girl probs x) and it noticeably speeds up healing. 

Tamanu oil itself originates from Polynesia and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and regenerative properties - so it’s no surprise it works wonders. Honestly, this should be in every first aid kit. Not just a skincare item, but a household essential.

^Use sparingly - it’s rich and a little goes a long way. One pot lasts me ages!


🎀 Lipsticks I Wear on Repeat: Peony Pop, Go Go Goji & Wild Watermelon

Tropic’s lipsticks are chef’s kiss. I’ve tried a lot of natural or vegan lipsticks in the past, and they often fall short when it comes to pigment or texture. Not these.

Peony Pop is my go-to for a soft everyday, neutral pink.
Go Go Goji is a juicy coral with real personality. Super flattering & fab for summer - some corals make your teeth look yellow... not this one
Wild Watermelon takes the crown as the summer shade — fun, fruity, and uplifting 🍉🍉🍉

They’re comfortable to wear and non-drying <3.

Pair with the Line Up Lip Pencil in ‘Flirt’ for extra definition and staying power.



✨ Liquid Radiance Foundation & Velvet Beauty Cushion

I have combination skin that’s also quite sensitive - so foundation can be tricky for me. Tropic’s Liquid Radiance Adaptogen Serum Foundation is one of the few I’ve stuck with over time. It has a skin-like finish (not matte, not dewy), blends beautifully, and doesn’t cling to dry patches or aggravate breakouts.

The Velvet Beauty Cushion is a reallllyyyy soft applicator sponge that doesn't absorb much product at all. The travel case means it's good for on the go too. Together, they create the kind of finish that just looks like healthy, happy skin. 


🎀 The So Sleepy Range. The Pillow Mist of Dreams 🌙

Best pillow mist EVER. I've been saying it since I first tried it back in 2017 - and I’ve tried a fair few. It’s got a calming blend of lavender, chamomile and frankincense, and I swear it helps me fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.

It feels like a little moment of self-care every time I spritz it onto my pillow or duvet. It also makes a gorgeous gift 0 especially when paired with the So Sleepy Temple Balm, which you dab on your wrists and temples before bed.


✨ Hydrogel Sheet Masks – Pop in the Fridge!

Skincare and self-care in one. Their Hydrogel Sheet Masks are soothing, cooling, and leave your skin feeling plump and calm. They’re especially lovely after a sunny day or a stressful week.

I keep mine in the fridge and it takes the experience to another level — the coolness helps de-puff and refresh the skin instantly.

They're also biodegradable and compostable, which is another reason to love them!

Definitely use one before an event or night out to give your skin a boost — makeup goes on like a dream afterwards. If I get married one day....... I'll be wearing this the night & morning of.


🎀 Comfort Food Face Mask – An Old Favourite

The name says it all: this is comfort in a tube. Their Comfort Food Deep Hydration Mask is a rich, creamy formula that soothes and nourishes parched skin - especially in summer when time in the sun can leave your skin dehydrated.

I reach for this whenever my skin feels tight, tired or in need of a reset. You only need 10-15 minutes and it leaves your skin looking soft, calm and glowy.

It’s also great for travel — especially if you’ve been flying or changing climates.



✨ Fresh Waves Moisturiser – Perfect Under Makeup

A new-ish favourite that quickly earned holy grail status. Tropic’s Fresh Waves Moisturiser is lightweight, cooling, and sits perfectly under makeup.

It’s one of those rare moisturisers that hydrates without leaving a film or making your base slide off. Bonus points: it’s a dreamy baby blue colour 🩵 and looks so cute on your shelf.

It also contains hyaluronic acid and blue algae extract, which help plump and soothe the skin. Great if you’re prone to redness or irritation.


🎀 Lip Glaze in Candy Pop – My Favourite Gloss

I’ll be honest - I’m fussy about lip gloss. I want shine, but not stickiness. A good scent, but not artificial. I don't want to taste the scent. And something that lasts without drying my lips out or leaving a weird ring around the edge. 

Candy Pop ticks every box. It’s the perfect pink — glossy but natural, wearable for day or night, and it smells like sweeties 🍬 (in the best way).

It’s one of the glosses I actually use up and re-buy. That’s when you know it’s good!


Watch my favourites on my face here.

Here’s a quick rundown of everything featured above, all vegan and cruelty-free, of course!

ᰔ Hydrogel Sheet Masks
ᰔ Fresh Waves Moisturiser 
ᰔ Liquid Radiance Adaptogen Foundation Serum in Shade 3
ᰔ Velvet Cushion Foundation
ᰔ Undercover Concealer in Shade 2
ᰔ Lift + Sculpt Palette – refillable with my chosen shades
ᰔ Eco Artist Brushes – Precision & Expert Blending Brush
ᰔ Line Up Lip Pencil in Flirt
ᰔ Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Go Go Goji
ᰔ Lip Glaze in Velvet Peach

All available at Tropicskincare.com

So there we go! A lot of love for Tropic - they've been leading the way in ethical, sustainable beauty without compromising on quality or aesthetic :) 

If you’re looking to switch to more ethical beauty brands - or if you just want products that feel good + do good - I couldn’t recommend Tropic more. 

I hope this post helps you find some new bits to try - let me know if you have any questions about the range or any favs of your own to share  💌

Becks x


AD – This post is part of a paid partnership with Tropic - all views are my own (as always!)

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Thursday, 8 August 2024

Feel Watermelon Collagen Gels review

As a girlie who's always keeping an eye out for effective, ethical beauty switches, I was intrigued when I came across Feel's Pro Collagen Gels. Feel is a female wellness brand who specialise in science-backed and vegan supplements. I’ve known about their collagen range for a while and have always been intrigued, so when the brand reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in trying them in exchange for a review, I thought, why not? This supplement promises to deliver all the benefits of collagen without any animal-derived ingredients. After giving it a try for two months, I'm ready to share my thoughts. Read on for a full review and a cheeky discount code!

What is ‘vegan collagen’? ↓

First off, let's talk about how someone who follows a plant-based diet like myself can consume collagen. Unlike traditional collagen supplements from marine or bovine sources (AKA from fish or cow), Feel's formula is entirely vegan.

Now, I’m no chemist, but essentially, their formula is designed to replicate human Type I collagen. Collagen is a protein made from amino acids, and the Feel Collagen Pro formula contains all 18 amino acids found in our bodies. This is especially great as getting all my amino acids in is really important for me as a plant-based girl.

The standout feature of their formula is its absorption rate. Feel claims their collagen absorbs 4 times better than animal-based alternatives, which is pretty impressive. This is thanks to its incredibly small molecule size. In practical terms, this means 1 gram of Feel Pro Collagen is equivalent to 4 grams of animal or marine collagen. For those of us conscious about both efficacy and ethics, this is a big win. It also shows that vegan products can often be just as effective, if not more effective, than the non-vegan version!


Does it actually work? ↓

So, Feel’s clinical studies found that users saw a 32.9% reduction in their fine lines and wrinkles over 28 days. The gels are said to increase collagen production by 135% and double it after just two days. This is because they contain fancy "inductors" helping to boost collagen production to this level in the form of Gotu Kola, Ginseng, and Vitamin C. They also contain antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin E which tend to be beneficial for skin, hair and nails.

Whilst I’m not of the age range that has prominent wrinkles yet, and I can't personally verify the exact percentages, I have noticed some changes…


My results ↓

As mentioned, the three key areas collagen is said to help with is hair, skin & nails. After two months of daily use, the most noticeable difference for me has been in my nails. They feel stronger and seem less prone to tearing. Even when the mood strikes me and I feel the need to try to stress-bite my nails off, they’ve remained intact. Too strong for my own teeth!

As for my skin, it’s currently clear and less inflamed, although at my age (20s), it's harder to gauge improvements in elasticity. My skin also feels pretty hydrated, which is something I usually struggle to maintain over the summer months as it gets hotter in the UK. I'm very curious to see what longer-term use might reveal - especially when we head into colder months later in the year.

Around the time of starting the supplements, I actually had a balayage treatment done on my hair (AKA bleach to the ends to lighten and add body). My hair type is straight, fine and dehydrated, which means bleaching my hair really exacerbates these issues. I’ve noticed my hair significantly retains shine compared to previous times I’ve had a balayage treatment, suggesting it’s in a healthier state than before.


The taste & packaging

Let's talk about the practical aspects. The gels come in individual sachets, making them super convenient for travel or on-the-go use. You can choose between watermelon or cherry flavour, I went for watermelon. Taste-wise, they're... okay. Let's be honest, collagen supplements aren't known for their delicious flavour! But these are definitely tolerable and much better than some others I've tried and at least there’s no nasty fishy aftertaste that marine collagen is known for. I take mine followed by a big glass of water to make sure I’m getting my daily water in as well.

One thing I do appreciate about Feel is that their packaging is 100% plastic-free and recyclable. Plus, the product is vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, non-GMO, and free from all 14 major allergens. For those with sensitivities or dietary restrictions, this is a huge plus.

It's also worth noting that Feel offers flexible delivery options with no long-term commitment, which is good if you wanted to try it out without feeling locked in to a long subscription. They recommend using it for at least 90 days to see noticeable results, so keep that in mind when considering making a purchase.




Final thoughts ↓
Overall, while it's hard to definitively prove all of Feel's claims without extensive testing, my experience with Pro Collagen Gels has been largely positive. The convenience, ethical production, and early signs of effectiveness make it a pretty compelling option in the world of collagen supplements.

These could definitely be worth the switch if you already take collagen supplements and want to opt for a more ethical, but just as effective option. Or if you’re new to the world of collagen products, I would recommend trying the Feel Pro Collagen Gels over traditional collagen products. Just remember, as with any supplement, it's best used as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

You can shop Feel Pro Collagen Gels here. You can use code PARTNER20 for 20% site wide too (excluding bundles).


If you do try these, please let me know how you get on as I’d love to hear :) 

DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by Feel. All opinions are my own (as always!)
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Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Merit Beauty: My Honest Review of a Capsule Brand

As a longtime beauty lover and content creator, I'm always on the hunt for new brands and products that can simplify and streamline my routine. So when I heard about the minimalist capsule brand Merit Beauty, I knew I had to give them a try. I recently filmed a YouTube video where I tested out a range of products from their collection, and I'm excited to share my honest thoughts and favourites with you all today.

Merit's approach is all about a "less is more" philosophy, focusing on high-quality, multi-tasking essentials to create a flawless, natural-looking makeup look. The brand sent over their Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, No.1 Blending Brush, and Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick in Bisque. I tried these three and was so impressed I then placed and order for their Signature Lip in Millennial, Bronzer Balm in Siene, Flush Balm in Stockholm, Daylight Highlighter Balm in Cava, Solo Shadow in Vachetta, and their Clean Lash Perfect Black Mascara.

Of all the products, I have to say the Clean Lash Perfect Black Mascara, Great Skin Instant Glow Serum and the No.1 Blending Brush were definite standouts for me. The serum gives such a beautiful, healthy-looking glow to the skin without feeling heavy or greasy on my normal, dehydrated skin, and the brush makes blending cream and liquid products a total breeze. It works really well with cream products from other brands too. I also really loved the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick - it offers light, buildable coverage that blends seamlessly with the serum. That said, I'm not sure how well it'll work for dry skin. 

A few products didn't quite hit the mark for me, though. I found the the Bronzer Balm in Siene was a huge let down. It is really lightweight on the skin and blends well - but almost TOO well. It blends into nothing on my skin and takes a long time to build up. The formula is similar to the Flush Balm which I also think is a waste of time due to the lack of pigment. 

Overall, I am still really impressed with the quality and performance of most of the Merit Beauty products I tried. The brand's focus on essential makeup staples is really refreshing, and I can see their products becoming a staple in my routine. If you're looking to streamline and simplify your beauty routine, I'd definitely recommend checking out Merit Beauty - just make sure you watch a lot of reviews first to make sure the products will work for your tastes. You could start with my full review video here.
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Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Top Vegan Cafes in London for Plant-Based Vegan Eats in 2024



It brings me such joy that veganism is continuing to gain popularity across the UK. It brings me even more joy that London's cafe scene is full of plant-based options these days to make a vegan lifestyle even easier. It's so important to support vegan options wherever we see them and support small businesses when possible - so whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply want to reduce your meat intake, here are some exceptional vegan-friendly cafes across London have delicious animal-free options worth trying in 2024.




Silverberry | Hampstead, North West London

Hampstead is one of the most beautiful areas of London and the *perfect* place to window-shop for the dream house. Nestled near Hampstead Heath overground station, Silverberry Cafe is a must-visit spot. This is a relaxed cafe that serves great coffee and has a really lovely team. If you go, you definitely have to try their signature vegan banana and blueberry bread – it's a work of art! The perfect balance of vanilla & fruit, with a cake-bread texture. 

They've also got outdoor seating for a weekend brunch if you fancy some fuel before exploring the natural beauty of Hampstead Heath.































WAVE | Hackney & Stoke Newington, North East London

For an exclusively vegan experience, I recommend heading  to WAVE Cafe in Hackney or Stoke Newington. I am very passionate about supporting businesses that commit to making their entire offering vegan-friendly - but these guys are also quite adventurous with their menus.

Their 100% plant-based menu features nutritious breakfast bowls, bac'n and vanilla pancakes, tu'nah focaccia sandwiches and more. They also offer baked goodies like muffins, brownies and croissants. The vibe inside has a really chilled, Aussie feel.




Cafe Van Gogh | Brixton Road, South London

On Brixton Road, South London, Cafe Van Gogh is a pioneering 100% vegan community cafe and non-profit social enterprise. With a focus on ethical practices, they provide employment opportunities for marginalised groups and use fully compostable packaging for any takeaway options. 

They have various options on all-vegan daytime or evening menus, including Sunday roasts (with vegan Yorkshire puddings!).



























































British Patagonia | Islington, North London

For a quick coffee and pastry, check out British Patagonia in Islington's bustling Upper Street. The coffee is good and they have periodical vegan pastries and other options - you may have seen them on your social media feeds this summer as they were serving highly-coveted vegan croissant cones filled with dairy-free soft serve ice cream. 


With veganism continually on the rise in London and beyond, I love to see the city's cafes continue to innovate with animal-free menus. I'll keep updating this list as and when I come across more great vegan-friendly eateries in London. It doesn't matter if your diet is fully vegan or not, these are all great options for delicious and ethical dining. 

Follow me on Instagram for regular London cafe reviews and the inside scoop on new vegan dishes being launched in 2024 and beyond!
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