In Style Magazine - October

I first mentioned here that with October's Instyle magazine you received a Clinique freebie.  I picked one up today and I chose Clinique Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturiser.  This is a 7ml pot.  Looking forward to trying it.  Have you picked up the magazine yet?

There is also a 1ml sachet of L'Oreal True Match Foundation in in Golden Beige and a carded sample of Dahlia Noir EDT by Givenchy.

August Books

I didn't seem to read much in July.  I started The Schemer and the final fifty shades book but only got half way through them both.  I think I was too busy reading blogs and learning how to tweet!

The Schemer by Kimberley chambers is an easy read (but not one of my favourites from her).  It tells the story of Stephanie Crouch.  She meets East-End wide boy Barry and falls head over heels.  Barry's mum relocates to Spain with her partner and Stephanie finds love in the arms of Barry's friend Wayne.  Ten years later Barry returns to England and Stephanie's life starts to unravel... 

I loved The Book of Summers - very nice easy reading book.  Beth is living her life as normal when her dad brings her a parcel.  Inside is a letter telling her that her estranged mother has died.  Included is a scrapbook entitled "The Book of Summers".  It is full of photographs and mementoes compiled by her mum to record seven summers Beth spent in rural Hungary.  A story with a twist or two!

My final book is the third part in the Fifty Shades trilogy.  You can read about what I thought about the other two here.  I did enjoy the final part but I'm ready to read something else now - in fact I've nearly finished The Girl on the Stairs which has been totally compelling from the first page.

What have you been reading this month?

August Empties

It's time for August empties!

Naked ooh la la creamy bliss Coco de Mer Body Wash 250ml - love this body wash scented with coconut and passionflower scent.  I'll definitely pick this up again and again.  You can see my review here.

Miller Harris Citron Citron Body Lotion 60ml - I got this from What's in my Handbag along with a vial of the scent.  Absolutely loved this and would re-purchase.  #1 of my body lotion project pan.

Clarins Eau Ressourcante Body Cream 200ml - Adore this rich body cream.  I'll definitely buy it again.  Another project pan product.

Freyaluna Stop and Smell the Roses Bath & Body Oil - this came from my Freyaluna Selection Box - loved it would buy full size.

Freyaluna Regain your Balance Facial Tonic - another from my selection box.  I've since bought full size.  You can read my review here.

Antipodes Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream 5ml sachet - this came in an Amarya box.  Lovely cream but I hated the scent so wouldn't purchase.

Suti Cleanse Balm Cleanser sample - love this.  Reviewed it here.  Would buy full size.

L'Occitane Fresh Face Water 100ml - this was a lovely product to use.  Reviewed it here.  Unsure if I'd re-purchase at full price but if I saw it in the sale again I'd snap it up.

PG Embrace EDP sample vial - lovely perfume.  You can read my review here.  Patricia actually sent me a full size bottle after my review which I thought was so kind and generous.  One of my current favourites.

Lush Vanilla Dee-lite Body Lotion sample - love this.  Will definitely buy full size at some point.

NEOM Sumptuous Rose & Neroli Room Mist vial - this was from Amarya box and I loved it.  Would love to buy the full size.

Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel 30ml x 2 - one of my favourite shower gels of the moment.  Will definitely pick up the full size at some point.

Lancome Hydra Zen Nuit 15ml - lovely night cream.  Got one in my recent Lancome GWP.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Daily Cleansing Gel 150ml - quite liked this, took ages to finish though.  Unsure if I'd re-purchase.

NEOM Tranquility Bath Oil 5ml - loved this little bath oil.  Very relaxing.  Would definitely buy full size.

Miller Harris La Fumee EDP vial - this was lovely with woods and incense.  I'd maybe consider buying it but it is quite expensive.  If you sign up to the Miller Harris newsletter they will send you out sample vials of their newest launches.

Kerastase Bain Satin 1 Shampoo 250ml - the shampoo I always come back to because my hair loves it.  You can see my review here.

Vaseline Aloe Fresh Deodorant - a staple which works for me.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 5ml sachet - lovely, would definitely purchase full size.

L'Occitane Verbena Sorbet Body Ice Gel 6ml sachet - loved trying this, be fab on a hot day chilled in the fridge.  A limited edition so will not be around for long...would love to purchase but I don't need any body lotions.  

Snowberry trio of sachets 3 x 3ml - Intensive Renewal Face Serum, Night Defence Night Cream and Rich Day Cream - nice to use but doubt if I'd purchase as I didn't love the scents.

Pure Thoughts Yoghurt & Green Clay Face Mask - single use sachet - will purchase at some point really nice and effective product.

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml sachet - nice enough but probably wouldn't purchase due to liking the Elemis Absolute Eye Serum too much plus as a 1ml sample not much product to get a good enough idea if it's doing anything. I prefer serums or gel texture in an eye cream.

Aloe Vera+Vitamin E Sheet Mask - love sheet masks got a few in store but would buy again.

Bodhi Ylang Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - loved using this in the bath - made great bubbles and the scent is gorgeous.  You can read my review here.  I want to try some of the other scents in the range.

Eve Lom Cleanser Sachet 5ml - enjoyed using this cleanser.  The original hot cloth cleanser and still one of the best.  I have another sachet to use up. Would maybe buy a full size.  I got about 6 or 7 uses out of this one sachet.

Lancome Nutrix Royal Mains Hand Cream 100ml - I like to get every last drop out of every tube!  Love this hand cream.  Have already stocked up in a recent GWP deal.

NEOM Refresh Bath Oil 5ml - this was lovely to use on the recent hot and sticky days in a cool bath - very refreshing.  Would love the full size.

Creme de la Mer the Moisturising Soft Cream mini pot - gorgeous.  Love Creme de la Mer - doing a project pan with moisturisers to buy one of the CDLM ones!  But I reckon it will take me a year (at least) to do it!

What have you been using up this month?

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil

I told you about the launch of Bodhi's Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil here.  It is the first product in Bodhi's Artisan Series.

I was very lucky to receive a PR sample to try out and review.

Until the end of September the face oil is retailing at £46 for 30ml thereafter it will sell at £56.

Suitable for normal, dry, dehydrated, sensitive, mature and stressed skin types.  My skin is combination to dry and loves it!

The scent of the oil is amazing!  There are approximately 320 roses in each 30ml bottle.

It contains - Bulgarian Rose Otto, Organic Moroccan Argan Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Tunisian Neroli Oil, Kuku Nut Oil, Strawberry Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E.

Apply morning and night after cleansing and toning.  Smooth 2 pumps over face and neck.  Use after serum but before moisturising.  I've been using this alone as a night time treatment and under a little bit of moisturiser daytime.  If there is any excess Bodhi suggests rubbing it in to your hands and cuticles.

The oil is free from petrochemicals, parabens, silicones etc and has no artificial colours and fragrances.  Tested on humans not animals.

This is my Holy Grail product - it makes my skin feel soft and smooth and leaves it looking radiant, dewy, glowing and super-moisturised as well as beautifully scented.  I'm definitely buying a full size bottle soon.

Use within six months of opening.

Here are places you can buy:

Just now

Bodhi

From 1st September
Amarya

Les Senteurs

Camp Hopson

Jarrold

Stanwells

Flitty Bird

Natural Boudoir

There are also some lovely gift sets for Autumn/Winter one which includes a 5ml bottle of Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil, 50ml of Ylang-Ylang Incensa and Palmarosa Verde Bath & Shower Therapy, 40ml sensual body moisturiser and a bamboo flannel.  This will retail at £32 - one I'll be adding to my Christmas wishlist!

Maganda - Mango Lip Balm

I came across Maganda on Twitter.  They were offering a free sample of mango lip balm to five people selected at random who re-tweeted their tweet and followed.  You can follow them on Twitter here.

I was one of the lucky ones! The lip balm is gorgeous!  Super moisturising and scented with fruity mango - delicious!

Products are 100% natural and are made in small batches to ensure freshness.  No animal testing and they are suitable for vegans.  Ingredients used in the products are cocoa butter, avocado butter, mango butter, shea butter, Vitamin E, Honey, Hemp wax, Coconut butter, Almond oil, fragrance and flavour oils.

Maganda  are currently running a very tempting introductory offer - three sample lip balms for £3 plus £1 P&P.  This is the choices they come in:

Mango - Strawberry Lace - White Chocolate

Vanilla Sugar - Candyfloss - Strawberry

Cookie Dough - Mango - Sugar Spice

White Chocolate - Candyfloss - Vanilla Sugar

Sugar Spice - Vanilla Sugar - Strawberry

Apart from loving the mango one I fancy trying White Chocolate, Vanilla Sugar and Sugar Spice.  The lip balms will be available to buy individually also.

Other products coming soon - body butter, scrubs, creams, lotions and hair treatments.

You can see the website here and follow on Twitter here.  There is also a Facebook page which you can click on via the website.

Joliebox Review - August

 

August Joliebox arrived on Friday a few hours after my amazing Selfridges Beauty Box had arrived so I was initially a bit jaded with the box.  On second inspection on Saturday I realised it's actually a good box!

Here is what is included:-

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Dry Clean Revitalising Dry Shampoo 75ml which is a full size and retails at £2.99.  I've just recently become a dry shampoo fan so looking forward to trying this out.

So Susan Cosmetics Wide Awake Face Palette which retails at £15.  Contains Illuminating Cream, Highlighting Cream and Eyebrow sculptor, a brow brush and tweezers.  A nice little set.

So Susan Lip Cushion  a sheer pinky lip gloss in Crush worth £6 which came in a cute pale pink box.

Dr Bronner's Magic Soap x 3 sachets - 18-in-1 Peppermint, Citrus Orange and Unscented.  Heard about these but not tried - they sound interesting!

A Joliebox Leather Hair Styling Lace and Joliesong download (this month The Nodz - Holidays).

What are your thoughts?

Samples #1

I set myself a challenge to use up sachet samples and mini tubes every week as my basket in the bathroom was overflowing.  You can see my post here.

These are the ones I tried last week -

Here are my thoughts -

L'Occitane Verbena Sorbet Body Ice Gel 6ml - light, gel texture and cooling on the skin.  Loved this.  If I didn't have so many body lotions to use up I'd buy this Limited Edition.  Would be lovely kept in the fridge and used on hot days or on holiday.

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml - seems a nice eye cream but hard to tell if it's doing much for me as its such a small sachet.  My favourite eye product is Elemis Absolute Eye Serum - I find nothing can beat it.

Snowberry - Intensive Renewal Face Serum, Nourishing Rich Day Cream and Night Defence Night Cream - all 3ml sachets.  Got three uses out of each.  Nice products.  I found the day cream too rich for my skin and the serum was a bit thick.  Nice to use although I probably wouldn't purchase (and I wasn't keen on the scents).

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 5ml - rich body cream with light scent.  Got this in the Advent Calendar last year and had used previously.  A lovely body product and would purchase.

Aloe Vera+Vitamin E Sheet Mask - I love sheet masks so this was very lovely to use.  I've got a wee supply of various sheet masks.  Would definitely purchase again.

Aqua Boost Moisturising Eye Mask - there are three in the pack, only used one this week.  Really uplifting around the eye area.  A nice product.

Pure Thoughts Yoghurt & Green Clay Face Mask - a single use sachet.  It's a powder which you mix up with water and apply to the face.  Gorgeous.  Would buy again after I finish the Strawberry & Pink Clay version.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion 3ml sachet - I'm not sure if it was just a reaction I had but as soon as I put this on my skin I felt a burning sensation - eeek!  So not one I'd think about purchasing!  

Eve Lom Cleanser 5ml - the original Hot Cloth Cleanser.  Contains mineral oil making it a no-no of the natural skincare lovers.  I have used this in the past and I must admit quite like it.  Removes make up easily and makes skin feel clean and refreshed.  The sachet is actually not finished yet as a little goes a long way.  I have enjoyed using the cleanser and I would maybe buy in the future.

Here's my selection for week 2 -

L'Occitane Divine Cream 1ml sachet

L'Occitane Shine Mask 8ml sachet

L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel 5ml sachet

L'Occitane Milk Concentrate Body Lotion 8ml

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Sheet Mask

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner 10ml/8ml sachets

RMK Cleansing Oil 3ml sachet

Lavera Intensive Cream 1ml sachet

Selfridges Beauty Box

I know I was so lucky to receive one of these sought after boxes!  Thanks Julie!

Selfridges brought out this limited edition beauty box to celebrate the launch of the Beauty Workshop - an exciting sounding department where you can get treatments done and buy from over 100 niche brands - guess where I'm going next time I'm in London!

The box sold out within half an hour (and left many beauty addicts unhappy at not securing a box - myself included).

I know I was very lucky to receive a box - I got this one through Julie, a friend on Facebook who'd managed to get two and she agreed to sell me one - thank you so much!  It arrived super-quick yesterday morning.

As ever with Selfridges, beautifully packaged in a neat bright yellow and white Selfridges box tied with yellow ribbon.

Here's what's included:

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum 15ml - I've heard of this brand but haven't ever used any of the products before.  Contains the finest plant ingredients and delivers light hydration.  On the website it says perfect for use in the warmer months or in humid conditions.  It's got a floral herbal smell.  Looking forward to trying this one out but wish it had a stopper/pump as it will be difficult to not pour too much out.

Estelle & Thild Raspberry Lip Balm 15ml - this is a full size product from a brand I've heard of before but never tried.  A Swedish Organic brand. It is a clear balm flavoured with raspberry.  You can also buy from Love Lula.

Philip B Katira Hair Masque 60ml - another brand I've heard of but never tried any of its products.  Made with pure botanicals and essential oils.  Plumps up fine hair and calms hard to manage hair.  You can use it on wet or dry hair and left on  until dry or overnight.  Love hair treatments so looking forward to testing this out.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil 30ml - with organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip.  This New Zealand brand uses only bioactive botanical ingredients blended with Avocado Oil to anti-age your skin.  Leaves skin feeling fresh and plump.  Another one I'm looking forward to trying.

Stila One Step Correct 30ml - another full size product.  I probably can't say it any better than Selfridges "This innovative, triple-swirled helix serum instantly colour-corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless face with no fuss. Swirl your way to perfect skin in one step! This primer, colour-corrector, brightener and anti-aging skincare serum does it all with the help of Stila's Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex. The weightless, creamy formula blends imperceptibly into skin and won't clog pores or settle into fine lines so all anyone will notice is your perfectly flawless skin!".  Sounds too good to be true!  

Bio Effect EGF Serum 5ml - this retails at a whopping £49!  An award winning anti-ageing formula which apparently makes visible and dramatic improvement to the skin.  I've heard lots about this product and it was in a beauty box previously.  Again, looking forward to trying this.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask 5ml - A mask packed full of mineral moor mud from Lake Herviz in Hungary.  Purifies skin and leaves it smooth, soft and radiant.  I love masks so looking forward to trying it.

Full reviews will follow and thanks again Julie.

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil

Just a quick post to let you know about an amazing new launch from Bodhi - Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil (30ml).  This is the first product in Bodhi's Artisan series.  Available from 25 August (that's tomorrow!) on the Bodhi website.  Available at an introductory price of £46 until the end of September.  Thereafter it will retail at £56.

source

It contains Damask Rose Otto, Organic Argan Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Neroli Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Strawberry Seed Oil and Vitamin E.  Suitable for normal/dry, dehydrated, sensitive, mature or stressed skins.  It smells and feels amazing on the skin.

I have been lucky enough to receive a 5ml sample* of the facial oil and a full review will follow. 

*PR sample

Neil George Intense Repair Mask

I picked up this Neil George Intense Repair Mask from Beauty Expert recently.  Paypal were offering 20% off and Beauty Expert offer free delivery.  I previously tried another Neil George conditioning product - the Intense Illuminating Conditioner and you can read my review here.

This product is also scented with Indian Gooseberry - it smells so yummy.  Normally retails at £29 for 215ml - a huge tube - will last for ages.

It is ideal for dry, colour treated and damaged hair and is paraben free.  A luxe product which helps to maintain colour, makes hair shiny and helps with hair strength and elasticity.

Shampoo hair, squeeze out excess water and apply the mask leaving on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.  For a more intensive treatment leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.  It's one of my favourite hair masks.

Have you used any Neil George products?

Niki's Organic Balms

I came across Niki's Organic Balms on Twitter.  Niki first made a balm for use in her reflexology treatments (Original Organic Reflexology Foot Balm), her clients loved it and asked her to make it for them to use at home and so Niki's Organic Balms was established.

Thanks to Sugarpuffish for recommending the Organic Lavender & Chamomile Balm and the Rose Balm.  I picked the smallest sizes - both 10ml £4.99 for the Lavender and £5.99 for the rose.  P&P is £1.50.

The balms are made with a beeswax base and a blend of oils.  To use simply scoop a small amount out of the pot.  The balm will melt to a delicious oil with the warmth of your fingertips.

The Lavender & Chamomile Balm can be used on your face as a cleanser or moisturiser, it is also good for Eczema, Rosacea, Psoriasis, Burns, Sunburn, Bites, Stings, Sleeplessness and Headaches.

The Rose Balm is perfect for using for facial massage but can also be used as an everyday moisturiser and night balm.  Suitable for all skin types.  Gentle enough to use as an eye balm.  It can also help with Brightening the complexion, Minimising pores, Reducing redness, Balancing oily and dry patches, minimising scars, Eczema, Reducing fine lines and wrinkles and Rosacea.  My only negative is the scent of this one - I hardly detect any rose scent at all - you know my love of all things rose!  Still a lovely product though.

I've been using the Lavender & Chamomile balm on my neck and shoulders after a busy day and as a cleanser.  Really pampering, nurturing and relaxing too and I've been using the Rose Balm as a night time moisturiser (any left-over balm I've been massaging into my cuticles).

You can see the other balms available here.

www.nikisbalms.co.uk
@nikimcglynn

Noble Isle Fragrance Sampler Gift Set

I bought this little Fragrance Sampler Gift Set from Noble Isle recently.  It costs £10.00 plus £4.95 P&P (thought the post and packaging costs were a little steep for one item to be honest!).  It is a cute little set though and would make a great gift. Each bath & shower gel is 30ml - so an ideal try me size or for travel.

Noble Isle takes inspiration from all corners of the British Isles - "misty moorlands and old English Orchards to Highland Distilleries and wind swept coastal cliffs".

I already love the Summer Rising scent - it came in a beauty box and I got it in a swap from Wendy (thanks again).  I've also picked up a few minis on ebay.

The scents included in the set are:

Summer Rising - with elderflower, gooseberry, orange blossom, cut grass and moss

Willow Song - with green florals, woods, waterlily and willow bark

Fireside - cinamon, cypress, vanilla, beet

Lightening Oak - woods, pepper, bergamot and oak

A full size bottle of shower gel retails at £20 for 250ml.

Also available are body lotion, hand wash, hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner and candles.  You can see the full range here.

Do you use the Noble Isle brand?

Lancome Gift with Purchase - Boots

After getting my brows threaded at Benito Brow Bar on yesterday lunchtime I was walking back to work when I spotted Boots were running a Lancome GWP.  I'm not sure how long  this offer is running for - but it's a good one!

You could buy any two products to receive the gift (usually you've got to buy a skincare item).  I decided to buy two Lancome Nutrix Royal Mains Hand Cream (£21.50 for 100ml).  This is one of my favourite hand cream - it featured in my May Favourites.  It is expensive but I only use it at night and I've just nearly finished the one which featured in my May favourites having started it a couple of months previously.

The gift includes:

Tonique Douceur Softening Hydrating Toner 125ml

Bi-Facil Non-Oily Instant Cleanser for Sensitive Skin 30ml

Hydra-Zen Neurocalm SPF 15 Day Cream 15ml

Hydra-Zen Neurocalm Night Cream 15ml

Visionnaire 5ml

Genifique 5ml

Hypnose Mascara - Black - 2ml

Mini Juicy Tube - Marshmallow Electro 7ml

An extra offer running 3rd-18th September is a flyer offering £8 off your next Lancome serum purchase.

A great gift I thought.  Do you think you will get it/have you already?

Borders Journeys

Borders Journeys is owned and run by Ian, my friend's brother.  He takes visitors on trips around the Scottish Borders and Dumfriesshire in his mini bus affectionately known as "Jeannie".

Ian was born in the Borders and has a great passion and knowledge of the region.  Tours start from £35 per person and include visits to - stately homes, castles and gardens, historic towns, mills, museums, craft and heritage centres, to the theatre, concerts, tea rooms, fine dining restaurants, local festivals, local genealogy tours and mystery tours.  Tours can also be designed to suit where you want to visit.

Tours start at £35 per person (excluding entry fees, meals and refreshments).  A tour can be half a day or the whole day.  Please see an up-to-date calendar here.  Ian now runs tours which leave from Edinburgh.

I'm fancying this one - Depart Edinburgh 9.00am - stop at Borders Cashmere and then visit the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre - somewhere I've wanted to visit since I discovered meditation - it looks a fascinating place to visit.  The tour returns to Edinburgh at approximately 6.00pm.

You can see details of other tours here.  

Ian can be contacted by phone, via the website contact form, by email or Twitter:-

01896 822690 or 07794021819

Borders Journeys

Ian@bordersjourneys.co.uk

@Bordersjourneys

OV Naturals - Triple Rose Luxury Organic Facial Oil

OV Naturals is skincare and therapy business based in rural Somerset and owned and run by Lucy Stevens, a professional Aromatherapist. 

As well as producing OV Naturals skincare products Lucy, as a practitioner treats clients to facials and massage in her clinic.

Products are hand blended in small batches and packaging is recycled and recyclable where possible.  There is also no animal testing and products are free from parabens, PEGS, SLS, synthetic fragances and colours.

I bought the mini bottle (10ml - £7.50) of Triple Rose Luxury Organic Facial Oil.  Full size retails at £32.99 for 50ml.

Commended in the Free From Skincare Awards 2012.

The face oil contains Soil Association Certified Damask Rose Otto Essential Oil, Organic Rose Geranium Essential Oil and Organic Rosehip Essential Oil, Trans-retinoic Acid, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.

It brings radiance to dry and dehydrated skin, repairs, soothes, helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and can help reduce the appearance of broken capillaries.

You can use the oil alone morning and night or under moisturiser or night cream.  You can use the oil everyday or just when skin needs a boost.

To use - using the dropper dispense 2 drops into the palm of your hand and press onto your face and neck.  It is a gorgeous product - you know how much I love rose scents!  Super moisturising and helps make the skin look radiant.  I've been using it mainly at night. This is a great try me size and you can see tester sizes of cleanser, toner and moisturiser here. 

Have you used any OV Naturals products before?

Rococo Rose Otto Organic Chocolate

Imagine my delight when I came across Rococco Rose Otto Organic Chocolate in a local deli yesterday.  You know how much I love my rose scents!

This is gorgeous it tastes of Turkish Delight.  Bit expensive but good for a special treat.  Pure Rose Otto Essential Oil flavours this artisan chocolate bar.   You can see other delicious treats here.

Samples

I seem to have accumulated loads of samples and trial sizes.  So, I'm picking a selection to try over the next week and I'll let you know which ones I loved and which ones I loathed and if I'd buy any full size.

Below is the selection I've chosen to try this week:

Aloe Vera+Vitamin E Sheet mask - I got this from my Asian box from Maria a while ago.  Ditto the Aqua Boost Moisturising Eye Mask (there are three in the pack so I may not use all up this week).

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml sachet.  I love the brand so keen to try this.

Pure Thoughts Yoghurt & Green Clay Face Mask - single use sachet.  I love the Strawberry & Pink Clay version.

L'Occitane Verbena Sorbet Body Ice Gel 6ml sachet

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 5ml sachet

Eve Lom Cleanser 5ml - have tried this in the past but not for a while.

Snowberry Nourishing Day Cream 3ml sachet, Intensive Renewal Face Serum 3ml sachet and Night Defence Night Cream 3ml sachet.

This is going to be a regular feature - at least until I use up my samples.

Veggie Growing - Update 4

I can't believe my last Veggie growing update was in June.  I've had loads of lettuce, potatoes and a few courgettes so far. (just ignore the weeds!)  My herb garden (see third pic) has Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender and Sage - bought these as full size bushes.  Some sage, coriander and parsley has grown from seed.

Skinvelop Body Balm (and cleanser, toner, moisturiser, eye therapy and soap samples)

I noticed on Bespoke Therapies & Skincare's Facebook page that Jean was developing a new body balm and was selling 30g try me sizes for £8 including P&P.  Jean said she also pop in some samples* for me to try.

The body balm is gorgeous!  It has a gel-balm like texture which melts into the skin leaving it super-moisturised (I'm so sad I've finished it!).  It's also good for healing scars and burns.  Scented with Rose Geranium and Patchouli Essential Oils along with Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Coconut, Argan, Rosehip, Avocado and Pumpkin Seed Oils with Shea and Cocoa Butters.  Full size will cost £16.00 for 200g (£3 P&P).

Of the samples* sent I absolutely adore The Cleanser (full size 120ml - £8.50).  I think it is the best cleanser I've ever used. It is great for removing waterproof eyeliner and mascara, and leaves no film over the eyes.  Simply massage onto dry skin and remove with a warm cloth.  This one is on my ever expanding wish list!

The Toner (full size 100ml - £7.00) made with a minimum of 25% Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Rosehip Oil, with Lavender and Roman Chamomile Essential Oils.  An effective toner but I was put off by the scent.  So probably wouldn't buy this full size.

The Moisturiser (full size 50ml - £10.50) a ph balanced moisturiser made with Certified Organic Argan Oil and Aloe Vera.  With essential oils of Damask Rose and Frankincense.  A light cream which evens out skin tone and fine lines, smells great and feels really nice on the skin.  Apply morning and night after toning.

The Eye Therapy (full size 10ml - £8.50) an eye serum which smooths out fine lines and brightens dark circles.  Simply pat on as often as required.  I love the tightening and cooling feeling around the eye area when applied.

Finally, I was sent a sample of Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Soap - which is really gentle on the skin and lightly scented.

Really lovely products and such reasonable prices too.

You can see my post on the Skinvelop Intensive Rose Night Balm here.


*free samples

Korres Mango Shower Gel & Free Gift from Beauty Expert

I'm signed up to email newsletters from Beauty Expert so I'm one of the first to see any offers or freebies they may have.  They were recently offering a free goodie bag worth £15 with any purchase!  They also offer free P&P and you can pay with Paypal.

I bought the Korres Mango Shower Gel (£7.50 for 250ml).  I've been wanting to try this shower gel for a while now.  It smells super-fruity.  If you bought any Korres product you got a free 10ml size of Korres Wild Rose 24hr Moisturiser SPF6 worth £5 - I've already used this from a beauty box and it's lovely.

Onto the freebie gift - isn't it fab!  Here is what is included:

Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser 59ml

Gatineau Advanced Anti-Ageing Cream 15ml

Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial 2ml

Tend Skin Liquid .28fl oz

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 2ml

Rodial Glamtox 2ml sachet

Eve Lom Cleanser sachet with muslin cloth

Ole Henriksen 3 little wonder sachets - truth serum collagen booster, invigorate night gel, sheer transformation creme

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml sachet

Dr brandt lineless lines no more filler and volumizer 0.5ml sachet

A great little lot of goodies to try.  Did you get this offer?