Laboratory Perfumes: No.002 Gorse EDT

I first tried No. 002 Gorse EDT from Laboratory Perfumes via samples from Roullier White (see what I bought here). When Cult Beauty recently had a GWP offer I jumped right in!  See my purchases here.

I just love the packaging (which is all recyclable) and the simple clear glass "lab flask" type bottles. Costing £55 for a huge 100ml spray bottle.

The creator of this amazing scent is Christopher Perry, a British Perfumer who loves the landscape and natural history of the British Isles.  His product are on the shelves of some of London's most prestigious fragrance retailers. He creates unisex perfumes and candles (you've guessed it Gorse Candle is now on my wishlist!).

The perfumes are formulated to smell differently on each wearer. Gorse is made using gorse flowers, lemon balm and cardamon. On me it smells slightly coco-nutty with lemon and spicy notes but with a fresh feel. Not every wearer will get the same notes on their skin.  

I know I'll always have a bottle of this magical perfume in my collection.  Have you tried it?

October Books

Here's what I've been reading in October - 

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Stealing Power by Bo Brennan - a fab first novel!  Detective Chief Inspector AJ Colt is star of New Scotland Yard and everyone loves him..well apart from a serial rapist who for the last few years has been sending him DVDs of his crimes as well as to his victims who have no recollection of the rape due to being drugged.  All goes quiet and a year later Colt receives a new one which takes him back to this hometown of Winchester.

Detective India Kane, a private person with a temper is unhappy when DCI Colt appears on the scene to take over her investigation.  It is interesting watching the relationship which develops between India and Colt. Fast moving story with lots of twists and turns. I didn't see the ending coming! Great read.

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Baby Snatchers by Bo Brennan - this is the second novel in the Colt/Kane trilogy.

School Teacher Terri is unhappy to find out that her star pupil has been left home alone. She enlists the help of India to find out what has happened to her mum.  They find out that she's been sectioned and her new baby has disappeared.  This is quite a disturbing novel as it features a predatory paedophile ring, missing girls, the family court system and corrupt social services.  Again, Colt as Head of the Met's Paedophile Unit and Kane's cases become embroiled...

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The Wedding Speech by Isabelle Broom - this teeny tiny book is only 22 pages long!  Ed has been best friends with Billy for years. He knew he'd ask him to be his best man when he married Amelia.  There is a twist in the tale I didn't see coming.

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Just what kind of mother are you? by Paula Daly - Kate's 13 year old daughter Lucinda is meant to be having a sleepover at her friend Sally's house. Lisa, a working mum with too many things on her plate takes the eye off the ball and forgets to let Kate know the sleepover has been cancelled.  Lucinda is missing and Lisa gets the blame...

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Hunted (Dividing Line #7) by Heather Atkinson - Ryan and Rachel have to put moving back to their home off when a body is discovered in the garden. With the police taking too long to come to any conclusions Ryan, Battler and Bruiser do a bit of detective work themselves and discover some secrets. Someone is kidnapped and Mikey, Jez and Jules arrive.  Jules has some secrets of her own she doesn't want to be uncovered.  Katia is hoping for her own revenge. Great characters and scary plot.  Can't wait for book #8.

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Hush Little Baby (Jefferson Winter Chronicles) by James Carol - FBI profiler Yoko Tanaka is going to help out at a case in Tampa, Florida and takes Jefferson Winter along for the ride.  Three mothers and daughters have been murdered in their homes and they are looking for the Sandman but of course there is a twist which Jefferson solves. In this book we learn more about Winter, how he feels about having a serial killer for a father, his emotions and get to see a bit more of his character.  I found this an enjoyable read.

What have you been reading this month?

Green People Age Defy+ Soft Buff Exfoliator

I first mentioned Green People's fabulous Age Defy+ Soft Buff Exfoliator way back in August while Shopping my Stash.

I've been using the exfoliator* for a couple of months now. It is great value for money at £19.95 for 30ml.  Enriched with 24 beauty enhancing actives it exfoliates gently (the cream has tiny exfoliating particles) and did I tell you it smells amazing! It contains Essential oils of Orange Blossom, Roman Chamomile and Red Mandarin along with pineapple extract to dissolve dead skin cells and Bamboo extract lifting them away.  Bentonite Clay unblocks pores and deep cleans.  It also help to speed up cell renewal which helps serums and moisturisers penetrate the skin more deeply.

It revives and refines the skin leaving it looking radiant, smoother and soft.  To use: apply in circular motions to cleansed skin 2-3 times a week. Remove with a warmed muslin cloth.

The Age Defy+ range is made without sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate, parabens, alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol), methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, lanolin, propylene glycol, silicone, synthetic perfume, PABA sunscreen, petrochemicals, colourants, DEA, TEA, PEGs and all other unnecessary synthetic additives.

Suitable for Vegetarians and Cruelty free.

See my other Green People reviews:

Gentle Cleanse & Make Up Remover

Neutral Scent Free Cleanser*

Anti-Ageing Facial Oil*

Moisturising Shower/Bath Wash

*PR samples

September/October: Lately I've been Loving

I just ran out of time in September to do a Lately I've been Loving. So this month I'm doing a joint post for both September and October.

My friends Magi and Derek recently got a lovely wee kitten called Alfie. He's an absolute sweetheart.

At the end of September we had a trip to London and I got to meet Nardine, Sam and Grace. It was really fab to meet them and we had a great time catching up.

me, Sam (@HoneyGo_Lightly), Grace (@allthatslap) & Nardine (@Miss_Nardine)

While in London we had some super yummy macarons. My favourite sweet treat.

Also in London I got some chocolate from Fortnum & Mason No.38 Rose & Violet Dark Chocolate bar which was delicious.

I'm really thrilled for my veggie growing posts to feature on Bodhi Luxe - it's such an honour!  You can see these here.

I love discovering new brands and Love Lula have a huge selection. One of my favourite discoveries in September was JOIK's White Chocolate Bath Truffles. Seriously gorgeous!

I've been really enjoying a lot of kindle books. A favourite in October has been Bo Brennan. Her books Stealing Power and Baby Snatchers were super creepy. Check them out on Amazon here.

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I've been loving Lucy's Lotions Lip Balm which I received in my October Souk Souk box. I loved it so much I bought the rest of the range - which is great too. I love getting new to me brands in beauty boxes.

I've also been loving Odylique's very gorgeous latest launch Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie* which is the best hand cream I've ever used! It smells simply delicious of lemon with a touch of vanilla, absorbs instantly and leaves the hands super moisturised, nurtured and comfortable. Love!

What have you been loving this month?

*PR sample

Love Me Beauty Box - October

An unexpected Love Me Beauty beauty box* arrived with me on Friday.  I loved September's box* which you can see here. The box costs £10 a month plus P&P.

Here's the top picks I was sent:

Oriflame Seeing is Believing Eye Cream 15ml (£10.95 - 2 credits) - I'm enjoying using the ecollagen wrinkle correcting eye cream from last months box.  This cream reduces puffiness, softens dark circles and targets fine lines and wrinkles. Looking forward to trying this out.

Percy & Reed Eau My Goodness Shine & Fragrance Spray 50ml (£6 - 1 credit) - A great haircare brand. I've not tried this particular product before.  Rose scented it adds shine and gloss to your hair.

Montagne Jeunesse Hot Spring Sauna Mask (single use £1 - 1 credit) - I really like this brand and the masks are nice to use. This one is self-heating and exfoliating. It opens up the pores for a deep clean. It helps to remove dead skin cells leaving the skin clean, radiant and refreshed.

anatomicals beauty nutter? here's your butter - orange flower and amber body butter 200ml (£4.99 - 2 credits) - this has a nice scent but I wouldn't personally have chosen this product.

What do you think of the choices this month?

*PR sample

October Empties

Here's what I've been using up in October:

Pinks Boutique Lemongrass Organic Toner sample size* - loved this. In fact I loved the whole mini set.  See my review here. This is one I'll buy full size.

Rosemira Aloe & Pink Grapefruit Gel Cleanser sample* - I simply loved this refreshing and super fruity cleanser.  See my review here. Sure to pick this up full size at some point as I loved it.

Rosemira Organics Calming Toner sample* - this was lovely to use. See my review here. Sure to buy some bits from the brand at some point. Love that they sell samples too.

Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil 3ml* - one of my favourite Aromatherapy Associates bath oils. See my review here. Sure to buy full size one of these days!

Marble & Milkweed Tulsi Facial Tonic sample - this came in the extra special summer getaway kit. Loved it and would consider buying full size. Everything from the mini kit I've loved.

bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - one of my favourite bodhi & birch scents. Got another in my stash.

L'Occitane Relaxing Bath Salts 300g - I loved these and have re-purchased. See my review here.

Hotel Costes Bath Flakes 7g - loved this single use sachet. Full size firmly on the wishlist.

Madara Refreshing Fresh Mint Soap 250ml - love this. This is my second bottle and sure to buy again.  See my review here.

bodhi & birch Camomile Sky Calming Bath & Shower Therapy 200ml* - a gorgeous newish launch. See my review here. Sure to buy at some point.

Bee Good Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair 50ml*- love this intensive hand cream. See my review here and see the Xmas box* here.  

Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Shampoo 27ml - this was a hotel room freebie and was nice to use although I probably wouldn't buy full size.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Conditioner 22ml - again nice to use but probably wouldn't buy full size.

balm balm Mandarin EDT - I got this in one of the earlier Souk Souk boxes. Really liked it. It featured in Little Treats #4. Would maybe purchase.

Be Yummy Skin Food sample - I really like this cream and would buy again. See my review here.

bite beauty lip gloss - shade six - my favourite shade from the Deconstructed Rose box.  I wore it constantly. Would definitely re-purchase this shade if available.

John Masters Organics Lavender & Rosemary Shampoo 30ml - enjoyed using this. Would maybe purchase.

Tay Rosehip Balancing Cleanser 15ml* - this was nice enough but not powerful enough to remove waterproof mascara.  I tended to use it on non-make up days. Wouldn't purchase.

LJ's Natural Solutions Balancing Organic Moisturiser sample - this was really nice to use. I'd consider buying once I use up my huge stash of moisturisers.

LJ's Natural Solutions Very Indulgent Organic Face Oil 30ml - this was really lovely to use.  See my review here. I'd buy once I reduce my stash.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts 100g - these are a staple and I'll keep buying them. See my review here.

NHP Nourish Hair Bath 250ml* - I'm sorry to have finished this super moisturising shampoo.  See my review here. I'll definitely buy.

L'Occitane Relaxing Shower Gel 35ml - this was nice to use but unsure if I'd buy again.

Neal's Yard Aromatic Foaming Bath 100ml - I enjoyed using this bubble bath but as I really prefer bath oils I probably wouldn't purchase.

Hairy Jayne Pre-Shampoo Treatment Oil 30ml - this was lovely to use. See my initial thoughts here.

Odylique Superfruit Concentrate 5ml - I simply loved this serum. Full size is on the ever expanding wishlist. See my thoughts here.

Dahliana Overnight Fruit Lift Cream trial size - I simply love this. See my review here. Full size is on the wishlist!

What have you been using this month?

*PR samples

Petit Vour x Emily Nolan: Limited Edition F/W 14

I thought about it for a week or so but knew I really wanted to buy Petit Vour's Limited Edition F/W 14 luxury beauty box (even though I didn't really need it!)  Costing $40 (just under £25) with $14.99 (£9.32) shipping costs. The box has a $95+ value (£59+) and it took just over a week to arrive.

"Pamper and Prep for the fall season" The box is co-curated by Vegan Supermodel Emily Nolan. The packaging is simply gorgeous. The KYPRIS luxury samples for example, are packaged in a super luxe velvet drawstring bag.  The My Daughter Joyful spritzer comes in a spotty organza drawstring bag, the Rare El'ements haircare sachets are in a paper envelope and the Marie Natie Lip Gloss is packaged in a cute cardboard tube.

Inside there are two KYPRIS luxury samples - Antioxidant dew and Beauty Elixir I - 1,000 roses both 3ml.  These are super luxurious and I can't wait to try them.  The Beauty Elixir smells heavenly.

My Daughter Joyful Spritzer (10ml - $25 - approx £15) - this is a fresh and floral scent with notes of orange flower, lime blossom, rose, jasmine and sandalwood. 

Marie Natie Lip Gloss ($18 - approx £11) is a pretty pink shade called Tickled. A really gorgeous shade and non-sticky! 

Antonym Ecocert Certified Natural Eye Pencil in Noir ($18 - approx £11) - a smooth and creamy long lasting liner with built in pencil.

Rare El'ements Luxury Haircare Sample Set - which includes 2 x 7ml Pure Shampoo, 1 x 7ml Essential Lite Conditioner and 1 x 7ml Essential Conditioner. They contain exotic and rare ingredients. I'm always on the lookout for great haircare products so I'm looking forward to trying these.

Tres Pure Mini Face Cleanse ($10 - approx £6) - a water activated cleansing powder which removes impurities and make up. Looking forward to trying this out.

A fab box. I'm really pleased with the contents and can't wait to try everything out. What do you think?

Petit Vour: October Beauty Box: Beauty Thrillers

This month's Petit Vour* beauty box is stuffed full of products which are natural, vegan and kind to animals.

Pacifica Devocean Natural Lipstick in Tenderness (a nude pink) ($14 - just under £9) - this is super moisturising and feels great on the lips. Long lasting colour with anti-ageing benefits and highly pigmented. Love this!

Flo+Theo Lavender Flowers Body Butter sample pot (full size $28 - approx £17) - a brand I've not heard of before! A rich and nourishing butter scented with Lavender. Looking forward to try this!

Forager Botanicals Woodland Natural EDP sample vial (full size $98 - £61) - I love trying new perfumes so am happy to see a sample included in the box. This scent seems lovely with notes of cedarwood, lavender and herbs.

SW Basics Cleanser mini ($12 - just over £7) full sizes range from $14-28 - just under £9-£17) - I'm a huge fan of the range having tried other products. This one smells gorgeous and love that it is only made with 3 ingredients.

Another great box! What are your thoughts?

*PR sample

Organic Surge: Lavender Meadow Super Rich Body Butter

As you'll know I'm a huge Organic Surge fan. This very luxe Lavender Meadow Super Rich Body Butter* (£15.75 - 150ml) is simply gorgeous.  A rich butter which melts on contact with the skin leaving it feeling deeply nourished and lightly scented. I love using it just before bed waking up with smooth and soft skin.

The Body Butter is made with Aloe Vera, Plant extracts, Cocoa and Shea Butters, Coconut Oil and scented with Lavender and Geranium Essential Oils.

It nourishes and firms the skin leaving it feeling hydrated and nurtured. This butter is one of my favourite body products this year!

*PR sample

Lucy's Lotions: Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm

I received this fabulous Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm 30ml (£6.50) in my October Souk Souk Beauty Box. I've been wearing it everyday since my box arrived and I love it!

Packaged in a huge pot this balm is super moisturising and uplifting. It is my favourite item in this month's box.

Lucy makes everything by hand in her London kitchen and products are free from parabens, are suitable for Vegans and there is no animal testing.

The balm is a blend of Macadamia nut butter, Cocoa butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E and scented with Grapefruit essential oil.  See the full ingredient list here.

Of course as I love this so much I bought the rest of the range - Vitamin E & Grapefruit Rejuvenating Night Oil, Vitamin E & Grapefruit Body Butter and Vitamin E & Grapefruit Day Cream and they arrived yesterday! Reviews will follow.

See the website here
Follow on Twitter @LucysLotions

True Nature Botanicals: Noble Floral Solid Perfume

True Nature Botanicals product lines includes three gorgeous solid perfumes and anti-ageing Pacific Skin Care Products.  The skincare range used to be sold via Marie Veronique Organics.

The solid perfumes are super luxe. The chic metal containers are presented in a cardboard outer box. They are perfect for popping in your make up bag, handbag or pocket for truly gorgeous natural scent on the go.

I chose Noble Floral* ($95 - approx £58, refills £46) which is a beautiful floral scent with Rose, Jasmine, Tuberose and citrus.  Apply to the pulse points and anywhere else you wish! Apply generously and often.

No expense is spared as to the cost of ingredients and 100% natural "noble materials" are used. No fillers, no water, no toxins and no synthetic fragrances are used.

The scents: Noble Floral*, Noble Citrus and Noble Woods are created by some of the most respected and experienced perfumers working at one of the oldest and most prestigious fragrance houses in France. 

"for a perfumer being able to work without price restrictions is really a dream. It not only allowed me to work with the most precious raw materials, but also to select the best quality for every essential oil or absolute. This is taking me back to the roots of the fragrance history, when perfumes were created for a very few exclusive royals and only the quality was something to consider. This is the real essence of luxury".

You can also request a free sampler - which are hand dipped scent strips. This will help you to decide if a fragrance is for you or not...and yes I like the other two as well!  Once your solid perfume is finished buy a refill - the same or one of the other scents.  Each refill comes with a wand for easy removal of the existing tin.

Noble Floral* is one of the most luxurious perfumes I've ever owned. I love how it smells on my skin. It initially smells quite heady with the notes of Rose, Jasmine and Tuberose mellowing to a lighter and softer floral scent on my skin. I simply love it.

Ingredients: simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, Noble Floral BlendTM [citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, cananga odorata flower oil, juniperus mexicana oil, polianthes tuberosa extract, zingiber officinale (ginger) root oil, fusanus spicatus wood oil, jasminum sambac (jasmine) flower wax, vanilla planifolia flower extract, citrus reticulata (tangerine) leaf oil, rosa centifolia flower extract, viola odorata flower/leaf extract], polyglycerol-3 beeswax (cera bellina), hydrogenated jojoba oil (jojoba esters), cera alba (beeswax), butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, copernicia prunifera (carnauba) wax, dimethicone*, magnesium stearate

* We strongly believe in manufacturing the most effective results driven products without the use of toxins. Not ever. Our solid perfumes use Dimethicone 1000 which is a linear dimethicone with very large molecule size so it is not absorbed into the skin where as a the dimethicone rated by the EWG with a score of 3 contains much smaller molecule size which can then be absorbed into your body; because of this we feel confident in the safety and use of this source of Dimethicone in our solid perfumes.

*PR sample

Blue Labelle:Body Oil with Ylang Ylang & Frankincense & Hand Oil with Rosemary

I recently tried Blue Labelle's gorgeous Argan & Sea Buckthorn Face Oil* - see my review here*.  

My readers are offered a very generous 20% off until the end of October using code bbalm20% on any Blue Labelle purchases (if order is under £15 P&P will be £1.95). I took advantage of this generous offer and treated myself to Body Oil with Ylang Ylang & Frankincense 100ml and Hand Oil with Rosemary 10ml.

The body oil is super luxe and smells gorgeous! Scented with Ylang Ylang, Frankincense and Lavender along with Peach Kernel Oil and Rosehip Oil. It absorbs quickly leaving the skin hydrated, soothed, pampered and delicately scented.  This is one of my favourite body oils this year.

Ingredients: Prunus persica (peach) kernel oil, Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) oil, Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) oil, Boswellia carterii (frankincense) oil, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, Limonene*, Benzyl alcohol*, Benzyl salicylate*, Benzyl cinnamate*, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Eugenol*, Farnesol*, Isoeugenol*.
*natural constituents of essential oils.

Hand Oil with Rosemary is a rich oil which is great for dry and chapped hands. Deeply aromatic is leaves the hands feeling soft, nourished and sweet smelling. This smaller bottle contains enough oil for 2 months use making it great value for money. The oil can also be used on your feet for extra pampering.

Ingredients: Prunus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil**, Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, Rosa rubginosa (rosehip) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil, Pelargonium graveolens (geranium) oil, Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa) oil, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citral*, Citronellol, Geraniol*, Farnesol*, Citronellol*, Linalool*, Eugenol*. *natural essential oil constituents. ** organic

With each purchase you can collect Labelle Rewards - create an account and for each £1 you spend you'll receive a point.  Each point is worth 5p so if you spend £30 you will receive 30 points meaning you'll have £1.50 off your next order.

What's your favourite Blue Labelle product?

*PR samples

Souk Souk October Beauty Box

My October Souk Souk Beauty box arrived yesterday and I'm pleased to say it is jam packed with brands mostly I've not tried before.

So what's inside:

Betty Hula Champagne & Spice Body Moisturising Cream 120ml (£12.99) - this is a full size product. I've heard of this brand but the two items included in the box are my first tries.  The cream has a super sweet scent and feels moisturising on the skin.  The second Betty Hula item is a sample of The Secret Wonder Oil which is packed full of good things for the skin. Use it overnight and wake up to rejuvenated and radiant skin.

Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm 30ml (£6.50) - this rather wonderful full size lip balm (it's in a huge pot!) is from a brand I've not heard of before! It is stuffed full of butters and oils and scented with grapefruit. It feels great on the lips. Love!  I've just treated myself to the whole range!

AFYNA Daily Purifying Cream Cleanser 30ml (£7.50)- I've heard of this brand but this is the first time I've tried anything. A gentle cleanser which is packed full of good things for the skin. Love the packaging too.

Ville De Fleurs Shea Butter 8ml (£4.99) - this butter comes in a cute little tin. It is perfect for dry areas of skin and hair. Love!

The box extra is Hifas da Terra Mico-Serum sachets - I tried this serum recently and although a nice product I didn't like the scent.  See my review here.

A great box I think. What are your thoughts?