A Surprise Birthday Present

I recently met my pal Julie (both our birthdays are in April and we do a birthday swap) - reviews will follow on the gorgeous goodies she gave me. Some which have already become "must haves" in my stash such as Urban Decay's Naked 2 Basics Palette (my first) and Lipstick Queen's Chinatown liner, gloss & lipstick in one in three really wearable shades - Watermelon, Nude-Pink and Dusky Pink. Love.

We arrived back from our Anniversary trip (amazing two days at Isle of Eriska Hotel review to follow) to a surprise birthday parcel from Nardine, (on twitter @Miss_Nardine) one of my London pals (who like Julie), I initially "met" on a beauty Facebook group and have met twice now in real life!)

Inside the pretty box is:

A cute card which made me smile

A box of lovely rose scented goodies

A beautiful hand crafted notebook

A Limited Edition Set of Jo Malone Colognes

Absolutely love everything and reviews will follow!

YOU Beauty Box: Organic & Natural: April 2016

I wasn't going to but as soon as I saw the You Beauty Boxes arriving I knew I didn't want to miss out this month so I re-subscribed. Boxes cost £6.95 including P&P. You chose two items and you get a couple of extras.

This month's choices were great. I chose:

AD Skin Synergy Organic Rose Geranium Nourishing Night Treatment Ltd. Edition (50ml - which is worth £38) I previously tried their original blend see my review here. I'm looking forward to testing this one out and a full review will follow.

My second pick is Dr Organic Organic Hemp Oil Intensive Eye Serum (15ml - worth £8.99) huge fan of the Dr Organic range and always on the lookout for the perfect eye product so happy to try this one out.

The extra treats this month are:

50g sachet of Hask Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment 

1 x Neom Daily Energy Boosting Bust Capsule

1 x Neom Daily De-Stress Burst Capsule

Did you get a box this month? What did you chose?

July Empties

That time again - empties! Don't think I've gone through as much as usual this month.

Lush Turkish Delight Rose Scented Body Polish 200g - I bought this with my Christmas gift voucher - smells gorgeous but probably wouldn't repurchase due to the price.  

Lush Lemon Flutter 50g - truly multi-purpose product for dry skin areas - love it. Will definitely re-purchase at some point.  I'm now only two pots away from getting my free Fresh Face Mask.

Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub 50ml - I got this in my Beauty Bible testing bundle - and loved it.  I usually prefer more scrubby scrubs but this smelt really nice and was very gentle - I'd consider purchasing it.

L'Occitane Pivoine Floral Hand Cream 30ml - lovely scent but gel like texture - it didn't feel moisturising enough for me.  I prefer the shea butter hand creams.

ila Body Wash with Apricot & Vetivert 50ml - received this in a travel pack.  Was effective but not really keen on the smell.  Love ila face oil for glowing radiance though.

AD Skin Synergy Nourishing Night Treatment 5ml - received this in an Amarya box - absolutely loved it.  Since bought a bigger size.

John Masters Honey & Hibiscus Reconstructing Shampoo & Hair Reconstructor both 10ml sachets - amazing products. Really want to buy the full sizes especially the Hair Reconstructor - it makes hair look so healthy and shiny.

Balance Me Cleanse & Smooth Face Balm 15ml - I adore this product!  Will definitely purchase full size at some point but got a few of these sizes to use up that I bought on ebay.

AD Skin Synergy Radiant Moisturiser 10ml - a rich cream, quite highly scented.  Would maybe purchase in winter time.

Bamford Geranium Bath Oil 30ml - a staple for me.  Will buy full-size at some point as I love this bath oil.

REN Vetivert v7 Hand & Body Lotion 15ml - this was free with Red Magazine.  Quite liked it but probably wouldn't buy.

Rahua Volumising Shampoo & Conditioner sachets - love these, got a few in supply.

Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel 75ml - I got this from Wendy - still owe her a swap!  Lovely scent and it made great bubbles in the bath.  Will purchase at some point though I've picked a few mini ones up on ebay.

Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask 15ml - love Elemis masks.  Will probably pick this up as a freebie or in a gift set at some point - smells heavenly and super moisturises the skin.  A real treat.

Melvita Fresh Micellar Water 35ml - love this! Got this in a Latest in Beauty Box.  Got one still to use.

L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel Sachet - gorgeous!  Got about 3 uses out the sachet.  Currently loving the Angelica range.

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque 30ml sachet - love this, have collected a few in swaps.  Got a couple of uses out of this.  Made hair really soft and smooth (and it has a lovely scent).

Simple Cleansing Wipes - handy when we were getting the bathroom done.  Would buy these again as they were gentle on the skin.  Handy for late nights too.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Tropical - 30ml - another lifesaver when we were getting the bathroom done.  Loved the scent and have since bought a full size can.

Prada Candy EDP 50ml - received this for Christmas.  Loved it.  Would definitely buy/hope for it to be gifted to me again.  Miss it.

Pure Thoughts Strawberry & Pink Clay Face Mask - single use sachet - reviewed here.  Pure Thoughts Whipped Shea Butter Tangerine & Jojoba sachet - received this as a free sample with order and have since bought the full size - lush!  The Pure Thoughts range is really fab - I'll get round to trying everything no doubt!

Tom Ford Private Blend White Suede EDP 4ml mini - loved this. Full size on my permanent wish list.  Gorgeous.

Bliss Lid+Lash Wash 30ml - got this from an Amitee box.  Loved it.  No sting/haze over eye area.  Have another 30ml size to use.

L'Occitane Angelica Cream 15ml - one of my favourite moisturisers at the moment.  I actually quite like the "green" scent now and love its light texture and feel on the skin.

Creme de la Mer The Moisturising Gel Cream - mini pot - really loved this.  (thinking of doing project 10 pan for moisturisers - though I reckon it would take me a year at least to use up my supply).  You can see my review here.  Absolutely loved this.  Went instore on Thursday to give Joanne an update on my thoughts and she gave me a sample of The Moisturising Soft Cream (launch date 1st September to try).  Its richer than the gel version but lighter than the cream - can't wait to try.  Review will follow.

Freyaluna Rose Lotion - mini sample pot - adore this rich, gorgeous rose scent cream.  Doing project pan to buy it.  You can see this here.

What have you been using up this month?

Current Cleansers

This is my current stash of cleansers.

Make up Removers

Bliss Lid + Lash Wash Makeup Remover 30ml - I received this in my April Amitee box.  You can read my review here.  I am about half way through this mini and its one I'd buy full size.

TAAJ Eau Micellaire De L'Himalaya 100ml - Purifying & Revitalising Make-up Remover - I got this in my February Joliebox.  Great for taking your whole face off before cleansing or for gently cleansing the skin on non-make up days.  One I'd definitely purchase.

Melvita Eau fraiche Micellaire Fresh Micellar Water for face and eyes 35ml - got this in my recent Latest in Beauty box.  Really like this brand and I am enjoying using this to remove make up and it smells nice.

Hot Cloth Cleansers

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml - an award winning product.  I always have one of these in my collection just because it works and I love the scent.  I've picked up a lot of this size in beauty boxes recently (all complete with muslin cloths).

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser 200ml - I picked this up at £2.99 - an absolute steal and it works really well leaving the skin fresh and clean.

Cleansing Oils

Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Cleansing Oil - I got this mini in my Advent Calendar - love this, removes all make up, even heavy eye make up in an instant.  

Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil - I picked this 10ml trial size up at Naturisimo for £2.95.  The scent is a bit over-powering and I found the oil didn't remove every trace of make up and left my skin feeling dry.  I'll finish it up but wouldn't purchase.

Rinse off Cleansers - Cream and Gel

Palmers Cocoa Butter Daily Cleansing Gel - Fragrance Free - 150ml - I first read about this cleanser on The Bristol Beauty Blog and its the one I tend to reach for most often in the shower.  I'd buy this again.

Eucerin Dermato CLEAN Refreshing Cleansing Gel normal/combination skin 200ml - read rave reviews about this one.  Nice cleanser at a good price.

L'Occitane D'Angelique Bio Cleansing Gel - 50ml - I picked this up with June's Glamour Magazine.  It seems really nice and a handy size for travelling.  L'Occitane is one of my favourite brands.

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed for Normal or Combination Skin 75ml - a generous GWP size.  Foamy with a lovely scent.

Santaverde Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel 100ml - I got this in my June Amarya Box - only used it a couple of times so far but it seems a good product.

Cleansing Balms

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm 15ml - I love this.  First received it in Joliebox - you can read my review here.

Just Be Cleansed Cleansing Balm 60ml (comes with muslin cloth) - I first tried this product a little while before I went for my Just Be Anti-Ageing Facial.  A rich balm which is scented with Geranium Bourbon and Petigrain.  It cleanses deeply and smells divine.  You can view the online shop here.

AD Skin Synergy Essential Cleansing Balm 10ml trial size - I picked this up recently from Amarya in a travel kit - you can read my full review here.

Lastly, a mini 5g Botanicals Chamomile Cleansing Melt which I received in my latest Amitee box.  It seems an okay product but not one I would purchase.

Do you use any of these cleansers?  What's your favourite cleanser?

AD Skin Synergy Travel Set

I received the Skin Nourishing Night Treatment in my May Amarya Box.  Amarya offer Beauty Box Subscribers a discount every month so I decided to buy the Travel Set.

Included in the set is:

5ml Perfect Eyes

15ml Nourishing Night Treatment

10ml Radiant Skin Moisturiser

10ml Essential Cleansing Balm

100% Cotton Muslin Face Cloth

Fairly Traded Natural Cotton Eco Bag

Here are my thoughts:

Essential Cleansing Balm - contains the same essential oils which are included in the night treatment as well as organic calendula, beeswax, soya bean, jojoba, sunflower, sesame and olive oil.

Apply the rich balm to dry skin and massage into the skin.  Remove with warm muslin cloth.  All make up is removed.  Leaves the skin feeling really clean and gently scented.  Full size of this product retails at £26 for 45ml.

Perfect Eyes - A rich cream which is very moisturising and easily absorbed.  It contains organic rosehip, shea butter, oats, rooibos red bush tea, apricot kernal, avocado, evening primrose, rose flower, orange flower, witch hazel and Vitamin E.  Full size retails at £28 for 15ml.

Nourishing Night Treatment - you can read my review here.  Full size of 50ml retails at £38.

Radiant Skin Moisturiser - rich cream infused with essential oils.  Absorbs quickly.  Suitable for all skin types.  Retails at £28 for 45ml.

A great way to try all the products in the range.  Ones I'd buy full size are the Nourishing Night Treatment and the Essential Cleansing Balm and I'd consider re-purchasing the travel set if I was going on holiday as this would be a pampering and luxury set to take.  

Have you used any of these products?  What are your thoughts?

AD Skin Synergy Nourishing Night Treatment 5ml

I received this night treatment oil in my May Amarya Box.  I'd seen it in one of the Latest in Beauty Boxes which I didn't purchase and it's available as a luxury sample.

It's fabulous! Put a couple of drops in the palm of your hand and inhale.  It smells amazing - its scented with oils of organic rose, lavender, Roman chamomile, palmarosa, ylang ylang, neroli, frankincense and jasmine - totally relaxing.  Then apply to your face and neck.

As to the results?  In the morning my skin is soft, smooth and radiant.  The range of products contain no petrochemicals, parabens, artificial perfumes and colourants.

If you buy direct from AD Skin Synergy your order will be packed and sent by a social enterprise, Mail Out which provides training and jobs for people with disabilities.

I used the 20% off offer on the Amarya website for beauty box subscribers.  I decided to buy the Travel Set so I could try the other products in the range which are suitable for all skin types.

The set contains:

5ml Perfect Eyes

15ml Nourishing Night Treatment

10ml Radiant Skin Moisturiser

10ml Essential Cleansing Balm

100% organic cotton muslin cloth

and a fairly traded natural cotton eco bag

A full review will follow of the other products.  Have you used the night treatment or any of the other products? What are your thoughts?

Spending Ban!

I've been seriously overspending on beauty products, magazines and posting swaps so I've decided on a spending ban on everything apart from necessities running from today to 14th June eek!  I'm giving myself £10 a week for necessities (and any extras like coffees/water at work).  It's packed lunches for the next month.


I am allowed to buy the Latest in Beauty box (if I fancy it), its available at the end of the month but only if I have enough funds in my paypal account and I will purchase a couple of Glamour magazines at the end of the month for the free Benefit trial sizes (from my £10 budget).  I'll get my beauty fix from pre-paid boxes - Joliebox, Amarya and Amitee.

I'll keep you updated weekly.  I'll just have to find another way to spend my lunchtimes - I normally hit the shops... 


p.s. I got a sneaky wee purchase in on Saturday night! I am loving the AD Skin Synergy Nourish Night Treatment from the Amarya box (a review of this product will follow tomorrow) and with 20% off all products featured this month I bought the Travel set. 

Amarya - May

I was excited to get home last night and find my Amarya Beauty Box waiting for me! It's fab - for once I hadn't peeked at any spoilers!

Here is what is included this month:

A full size Terre d'Oc Gloss Sublime Shine Lip Gloss in shade Grenade Benoa worth £14.95.  A really wearable shade which lightly colours the lips.  It's enriched with coconut butter to moisturise.  Love this, feels really nice on the lips.

Another full size, Lavera All-Round Cream worth £6.95 with organic shea butter and almond oil.  Suitable for all skin types.  Super moisturising.  Will look forward to trying it out as I love body products.

A 5ml sample of AD Skin Synergy Nourish Night Treatment Face Oil (I think this was in a recent Latest in Beauty box which I didn't get).  Always pleased to try skincare and I especially like treatment oils.

Finally, a sample vial of Tous H20 EDT a floral scent with lavender and lemon.  In association with Oxfam a percentage of the sales will help to provide 15 litres of drinking water for someone in a developing country.

Amarya are asking beauty box subscribers to review & win.  Every month they will give away 3 beauty boxes plus a goodie bag to random subscribers who write a review and post it on the website.

A great box, what are your thoughts?