Top Products 2021: July to September

If a product is marked * I've been kindly sent it to review. Here are my top 10 for the period July to September:

Every Raven Botanicals product I've tried I've absolutely loved. It's always the sign of a good brand when you go back time and again. This is my 2nd bottle of unsung hero Solstice Facial Oil. See my review HERE.

I'm a huge fan of lovely ila spa and had to try their CBD range. As expected its super luxe and effective. See my review of their CBD Body Calm HERE.

It was great to try Blue Tansy Skincare's gorgeous Oil to Milk Cleanser which my skin loves. See my review HERE.

Miel Botanicals Herbal Sleep Balm is magic in a pot! See my review HERE.

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway prize of a discovery set from Organic Youth Skincare and I loved trying this carefully formulated brand. See my review HERE.

I'm nearly ready to start my 2nd tube of the fantastic Great Day Magnesium Body Butter by Neom. See my review HERE.

Yet more Raven Botanicals! I loved trying their Glow Potion* in July. Multi-tasking and quite wonderful. It'll give you a illuminating glow and make your skin gleam. I especially love adding it to foundation or body lotion for a healthy glow. Just magic. See my review HERE.

I tried DEI SKINCARE in July and fell in love with their Nourishing Face Oil. See my review HERE.

In August I tried Deerieo's Aurora Face Oil Serum* which my skin adored. See my review HERE.

Rounding up my July to September top picks is Antipodes new Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum which gives the skin a natural glow. It's the perfect skin pick-me-up. See my review HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: October 2021

*Sent to me complimentary as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. This month's box is fantastic and it's worth £55! Sign up to the monthly Beauty Box HERE. 

What a gorgeous box! The first thing to jump out at me was the full size of Madara's SHAPE Caffeine-Mate Cellulite Cream 100ml (£17) which will hydrate, tone and firm the skin. It's got a nice citrussy grapefruit scent and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

I love new-to-me Shampoo Bars and this dinky one by Greenfrog Botanic smells strongly of roses and is a delight. It'll hydrate and soften normal hair types. I've got dry/coloured and my hair is loving it. Inside the box this month is their Argan & Rose one 23g (£4.95).

Also inside the box this month is the newest Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Oil 30ml (£19). It's great for maintaining healthy skin and is rich in Omegas 3, 6, and 9. I'm always happy to see a new Ooh! oil as I love them. I recently bought full size of Antipodes fantastic Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum review and inside this month is a try-me sachet.

Rounding up this great box is Balm Balm's Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm 30ml (£9.50) plus an Organic Cotton Muslin Cloth. I've used the cleanser before and found it great at removing all make up and impurities while leaving the skin feeling clean and nourished.

Are you a subscriber? What did you think of the contents this month?

New In: Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum

I can never resist a new Antipodes product! When I saw their new Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid 30ml (£35) arrive at Naturisimo I immediately snapped it up and how glorious it is!

It is golden in colour and skin illuminating with a light and easily absorbed texture. Formulated with Kakadu Plum, an ingredient which contains up to 100x the Vitamin C in oranges + it helps to boost collagen, illuminate and protecting from free radical damage. Antipodes say "it's your all-day golden hour glow in a bottle". Who doesn't want that?

Plant based Hyaluronic Acid retain moisture in the skin and Bakuchiol is a gentle natural retinol which will firm and smooth the skin. It's also got a gorgeous scent of vanilla pod + mandarin. 

To use: apply to cleansed skin followed by your fav Antipodes moisturiser

I've not been using it that long but my drier autumn skin is loving the touch of radiance + nourishment it gives. Have you tried this glow-in-a-bottle yet?

April Empties

If a product is marked * I was gifted it for review purposes. Here is my April empties. I've actually got through quite a lot this month!

I love Bamford Pebble Soaps, this one came in a recent Naturisimo Discovery Kit. Lovely to use with a rich and creamy lather and aromatic scent. Always on the wishlist.

I received Odacite's CaR Vital Glow Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate vial in my Naturisimo Glow Starter Kit. I shared my musings HERE. Nice to use but a small sample, might or might now splurge on full size.

Crushing Blooms EdP by Tom Daxon 4.5ml which was nice to use but not one of my favourites from the range. See my post on the 13 vial collection HERE.

Molton Brown Flora Luminare EdT 1.5ml I really enjoyed using this floral perfume. Full size's on the wishlist!

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream 3ml I got about a week's worth of use from this little sachet AM and PM which gives enough use to weigh up whether you like an eye cream or no. This one's on my wishlist!

So much love for Raven Botanicals I tried their Award Winning Spellbind CBD Bakuchiol Serum* as a beauty shortlist judge and fell head-over-heels. A review is upcoming for this and the rest of my Beauty Shortlist Top Picks. I've since bought another!

Huge love for Bodhi & Birch, their Award winning Lemon Water Hydrosol Tonic is just fantastic. See my review HERE. I've just cracked open a full size I've been hoarding. Absolutely gorgeous!

L:A Bruket's Hand & Body Wash mini came in the February Mint Green Starter Set - see HERE. I loved it's uplifting and awakening herbal aroma. It's one I'd buy full size. 

An old favourite is REN's Atlantic Kelp & Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash 50ml which I picked up in Feel Unique's My Beauty Kit. Would buy again.

I fell head-over-heels for Bee Good's almost edible Warm Vanilla & Fig Hand & Body Wash 250ml which was a delight to use. Will definitely repurchase at some point as its lovely.

I've since bought Organic Work's zesty and uplifting Bergamot Hand Wash*. See my review HERE.

ila spa's The Big Sleep Drops are absolutely fantastic. I'm sure to buy them again. See my review HERE.

I found a sachet of Sol de Janiero's Coco Cabana Cream in my samples drawer. It has a gel type texture and a very sweet coconut scent. I'd love to buy this for summer.

I have loved everything I've tried from Tam Mason. The Bergamot & Blood Orange Nourishing Sugar Hand Scrub mini came in the A Handpicked Selection Box which I reviewed HERE.

I've been enjoying a soak in the bath lately and I especially liked Epic Blend's Coconut Soaking Salts, Westlab's SLEEP Salts* (Review) and Mythyn's Melusine Silk Soak Skin Hydrating Bath Potion. I'd be happy to use all of these again.

What have you been using up this month?

Top Products 2021: January to March

Products which are marked * I was very kindly gifted for review. Last year I broke up my "top" stuff into manageable chunks rather than yearly and decided to do the same this year. This is a rather long post so grab that cuppa or glass of wine!

I dropped numerous hints to hubby that I'd love The Nue Co's Functional Fragrance which is available to buy at Naturisimo. See my review HERE (their newish Forest Lungs Fragrance is on the wishlist).

I fell head-over-heels and then some for ila spa's glorious The Big Sleep Bath Salts* which I reviewed as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in January. See my post HERE. These are the ones to get for r&r!

Beauty Cleanse Skincare Mean Green Superfood Drops & Carrot Algae Marine Drops* which are multi-use and fantastic. See my review HERE. Founder, Saman is currently crowdfunding - see more info HERE to launch a Superfood-Powered Multipurpose Face Mask which will brighten, refine pores, soften, detoxify, hydrate and offer an antioxidant boost - sounds like an absolute must have!

I love everything from Evolve Organic Beauty. Their newish Super Berry Body Oil* is just sublime. See my review HERE.

And then, I fell head-over-heels for Love Absolute's Mulberry Milk Jelly Cleanser, which quite honestly is one of the most joy giving products I've ever used (I love the easily re-usable packaging too). See my review HERE.

Silvan Skincare Balance Face Cream is just sublime. I'm a huge fan of the brand having tried a few of their balms in the past. See my review HERE.

I initially tried the Dr Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Cream* in their Advent Calendar which I partly received as my November pick as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger and fell head-over-heels - see HERE. I loved it so much I selected it and the matching Bath Essence* as my February picks. See HERE. 

I received Balm Balm's Lavender Face Balm in January's Love Lula Beauty Box* and fell hard. I've now got a couple in my stash thanks to lovely friends - you know who you are! See my review HERE.

Reacquainting myself with UpCircle Beauty (I've always been a fan of their peppermint coffee scrub from their early days). I'm now a huge, huge fan of the skincare line. Check out my review HERE.

Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil (which I first tried via the aforementioned Advent Calendar). I loved it so much I bought full size as it's instantly calming. See my review HERE.

Of course I had to have an Antipodes latest launch! As soon as I saw it land at Naturisimo it was in my basket! Check out my review HERE. It's truly gorgeous.

Tam Mason's Nourishing Sugar Hand Scrubs had been on my wishlist. I took the plunge recently and fell head-over-heels. Check out my review HERE. I've recently been sent one of their new sugar Body Scrubs* which I'm sure already will feature in my next favs!

Another product I can't imagine not being in my stash....always is Nudge Boutique's May Chang & Pink Grapefuit Whipped Body Butter. It has the perfect scent to uplift both the body and mind as well as being a luxe and affordable treat. Check out my review HERE.

I truly love all the products* I chose as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for March. Check out my review HERE. They uplifted me so much with their scents+textures and made me happy. One already has been a re-purchase!

Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Cleansing Melt had been on the wishlist. I was happy to receive this 30ml in a Naturismo Discovery Box. Check out my review HERE. One of the best cleansers I've used.

Rounding up my January to March top picks is Balance Me's fantastic BHA Exfoliating Concentrate* which I reviewed HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

New In: Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream

 

You know the drill.. I saw this latest launch from Antipodes on Instagram and had to have! Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream 60ml (£45) - I had collected £11.40 worth of points from buys and reviews, so it made my purchase a little more affordable (bought from Naturisimo).

The Vegan cream has a gloriously light texture and an aromatic rose scent. It absorbs instantly and feels nurturing and hydrating on the skin.

Kalibiome AGE Probiotic helps to seal the skin's epidermal layers, so reducing water loss and protecting against irritants such as pollution. Plant based hyaluronic acid supports skin hydration.

It helps to strengthen the skin's barrier, increase elasticity, hydration and boost water levels in the skin and suitable for all skin types including sensitive or stressed. 

To use: in the evening as part of your relaxing night time ritual. Massage a small amount on the face and neck

I'm totally wowed by this cream, my skin looked instantly better after a few uses. If you love this you'll love their Baptise H20 Ultra Hydrating Water Gel which I reviewed HERE. Pick yours up at Naturisimo.

Latest Buys: Antipodes, Lola's Apothecary, Bodhi & Birch, Olfactory Candles & Nudge Boutique

Here's my most recent buys (I'm going to start doing reviews very soon!)

I couldn't resist Antipodes latest launch - Culture Prebiotic Night Recovery Water Cream (£45) which I picked up at Naturisimo (I had £11.40 worth of points saved). It's truly gorgeous and a review to come.

Staying with Naturisimo I fell head-over-heels for Lola's Apothecary delicate romance balancing body polish, a mini of which came in their recent self love discovery box, you know the drill, they offered 10% off an item in the box so I made this sumptuous rosey delight mine! Such luxurious packaging too!

I love a little bodhi & birch as you'll know, so I was thrilled to see travel sizes back! I chose a selection of the deluxe bath & shower therapies - so nice to have Siam Ginger and Ylang Ylang Incensa back in my life (I plan to keep the little bottles so I can decant from larger bottles when we are allowed to travel again!) How carefree we were! These are a real treat (£5.50 - 50ml).

I'm not a mummy but I couldn't resist Olfactory Candles stunning set for Mother's Day (inside the pretty box are 8 shaped wax melts - £6.50) in Pink Petals (the scent is a blend of sweet orange, fresh rose, white musk and woods). It's the perfect feminine aroma as well as the ideal gift. Pick yours up HERE.

I've fallen head-over-heels for Nudge Boutique's almost good-enough-to-eat whipped body butters. They really are heavenly - a real treat for the skin and senses. Expect a review for these soon! Pure heaven in a jar! (£8 - 50g, £15 - 100g).

What have you been buying lately?

February Empties

If  a product is marked * I've kindly been gifted it for review. Here's my February empties:

*Seatree Cosmetics Sweet Orange Handcrafted Soap - which was fresh and fruity and lovely to use. See my review HERE. I've got a stash of soaps to use up but I'd buy from this brand in future.

Huge love for NorthburN I received the Mandarin & Bergamot Room Mist 30ml which came in their Gift of the Month in June last year. The set also included a reed diffuser which I fell in love with. And so, I bought their Mandarin & Bergamot Refill Diffuser Oil 100ml which I've just used up also. Will definitely buy both again.

I adore Noble Isle. Summer Rising is one of my favourite scents. I received this 75ml Bath & Shower Gel one as a Latest in Beauty pick some months ago. Already got a replacement! See my review HERE.

Desavery were one of my discoveries as a Beauty Shortlist Judge last year. I fell hard! I finished up LIT! Daily Serum 10ml* see my review HERE. Everything from this brand is on my wishlist (I'm going to treat myself to STELLAR Daily Serum after payday!). A stunning brand with scents and formulas which make your heart and skin sing!

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream 3ml is simply stunning. I got multiple uses out this sachet and full size is firmly on the wishlist (Love Lula have sachets available to buy with an order of £10+ if you're interested). 

Upcircle sachets which I received in my Mint Green February Starter Kit. See my initial musings HERE. I've used their Facial Serum 1.5ml before and that's firmly on the to-buy list. Also in the pack were their Face Toner 3ml (love), Face Moisturiser 3ml (love) and Cleansing Face Balm 3ml (not for me as the tea tree scent is too strong - such a shame as it's got a lovely texture and feel on the skin). It's a great wee try me set though. 

I adore ECooking's Cleansing Gel 50ml which I reviewed HERE. I've got another of these in my stash but it's one I'll buy again.

Micheline Arcier Aromatherapie's Richesse D'Or Body Oil 100ml* was an absolute delight. I'm gutted at having finished it up. See my review HERE. A truly sublime product which is good for the body and the soul. On my wishlist!

Jo Malone Lime, Basil & Mandarin Body Lotion 100ml which I received from my lovely friend Julie for my birthday one year. Who doesn't love Jo Malone scents! A classic and sublime layered with Grapefruit cologne. Heaven in a bottle - I was sad to use this up.

REN Citrus Limonum Hand Wash 300ml which is one of my favourite hand washes. It'll definitely be bought again and again. See my review HERE.

Noble Isle Tea Rose Bath & Shower Gel 75ml which is a sublimely rosey scented wash. See my review HERE. Likely will buy again at some point!

Rounding up my February empties is Zing Organics's Love you Forever Body Oil 25ml which came in my November Subscription Box. Lovely!

What have you been using up this month?

*Love Lula Beauty Box - October 2020

 *The Love Lula Beauty Box is sent free of charge to me as a member of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for review. This month the box is worth £55 and contains 4 full size items including a lipstick and a sachet sample.

It's always nice to see a make up item and inside this month is Emani Vegan Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Colour (in various shades). I received Ava, a nude shade, which isn't really one I'd pick but it feels nice on the lips and is long-lasting. This is full size and costs £19 (8g).

Brand new to Love Lula is Moi Vert, a brand I've never heard of before. Inside is a pot of their Unfragranced Natural Deodorant 60ml which is worth £9.95. If I'm honest I'd say I'd prefer a fragranced deo, but I'll give it a try! It has a lovely natural shea butter aroma. 

There's a full size of Balm Balm's Little Miracle Rosehip Serum 30ml which is worth £15.50. This is a best seller which I've had the pleasure of using before. It's perfect for Autumn skin! See my review HERE.

Also inside is a brand (and product) which has been in Love Lula Beauty Boxes often. Laidbare's Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow! Hair Minimising Moisturiser 125ml which is worth £10. 

Rounding up the box is a sachet sample (5ml) of Antipodes's Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel which I bought as soon as it launched - I love it. See my review HERE.

Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts on this month's contents?

Naturisimo: Starter Kits: Moisturisers Starter Kit

 Naturisimo have brought out a clever range of Starter Kits. Of course, I had to pick one, didn't I! The one which spoke to me the most was their Moisturisers Starter Kit (£20). They give you a QR code to get 10% off a full size from the collection which is a nice extra. I'm pretty impressed with it all round - the products come in a cute drawstring branded bag (perfect to use for other bits/reusable cotton pads/weekends away etc).

So what's inside:

For Thirsty Skin: Antipodes Baptiste H2O Ultra Hydrating Water Gel (5ml x 3 sachets). I'm a huge fan of this moisturiser. See my review HERE (I'll be popping the sachet samples in my travel bag, although I'm not sure when my next trip will be!)

For Tired, Sensitive Skin: Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream 5ml the cult classic which has stood the test of time. This beautiful rose scented cream protects and replenishes and is lovely to use.

For Unbalanced Skin: Neal's Yard Remedies Palmarosa Moisturiser 15g from a brand I know and love. This is a product I've not tried before. My skin is combo and it'll balance, minimising the appearance of pores and mattifying the skin. Oh yes, I'm looking forward to trying this 'un!

For Mature Skin: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturiser 15ml which comes in a pot where the cream is dispensed via a hole in the middle - no fingers in the pot! Again, looking forward to trying this one, it feels lovely on the skin.

It's a great set in my opinion, what are your thoughts?

Top Products 2020: May to August

Way back in April I posted my Top Products 2020 for the period January-April - see HERE. These are my top picks for May-August (marked * I've very generously been gifted for review):

I fell totally head-over-heels for Antipodes BAPTISE H20 Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel. See my review HERE.

nknaturals season specific skincare is just the best. I adored the couple of products I tried from their SPRING range and when founder and formulator, Nicola sent me the whole SUMMER collection* - I couldn't quite believe it. So, so generous and of course the range is stunning - see my review HERE. I'm looking forward to buying some of the AUTUMN range when it launches on the 22nd September for the autumn equinox. Check out the shop HERE.

I was invited to try a "my" skin specific range* of products from Typology in May which I absolutely adored. See my reviews HERE and HERE. 

I discovered DESAVERY as a Beauty Shortlist Judge and fell totally in love with the range, packaging, concept and scents (see my top picks for the 2020 Awards HERE). I was kindly sent two new-to-me products in May - see my review HERE. Absolutely love DESAVERY - they are first on my list (especially STELLAR Daily Serum) to replenish when my stash reduces a bit! 

I first tried Ecooking as a Latest in Beauty pick (REVIEW) and then as a Beauty Shortlist Judge - see HERE. In June I tried their Fragrance Free Cleansing Scrub* - REVIEW - in my post I said "this is one of the best scrubs I've ever used". I just love this brand! 

During lockdown I had scalp issues and this little bar of goodness totally cleared them up! I just love Earthkind's Shampoo Bar for Improved Scalp Health* see my review HERE (Latest in Beauty had this as a pick recently so I stocked up!)

I'm a huge, huge fan of the Micheline Arcier Aromatherapie range which really are the creme de la creme of aromatherapy products and are totally timeless. I've loved everything I've tried from them - the products are luxurious, aromatic, a pleasure to use as well as being therapeutic (and good for the soul). See my review of their Richesse D'Or Bath & Shower Crystals* and Body Oil* HERE.

I received Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Plum Conditioning Face Oil* in my June Love Lula Beauty Box*. I fell totally head-over-heels (and then some, for it). See my review HERE.

I received Absolution's Le Gommage Corps Body Scrub in Naturisimo's Summer Vibes Discovery Box - I can never resist their discovery boxes. This scrub is one of the nicest I've ever used. See my review HERE.

I've really enjoyed Terre Verdi's award winning NeroliPom Moisturiser*. See my review HERE. I'm a sucker for the luxe packaging as well as the beautifully scented, silky product within.

Of course, my Ffern Organic Small Batch Perfume just has to be there (I've just heard the notes within the Autumn batch - excitement much, it'll arrive in time for the autumn equinox) Summer20 was simply stunning - I totally fell in love with it. See my review HERE.

I love this de-stress duo from Sanctuary Spa - see my review HERE. I've found both the De-Stress Warming Body Balm and Calming CBD Oil very effective and I'd buy both again.

I was recently very generously sent EVOLVE Organic Beauty's 360 Smoothing Body Contour* which is absolutely dreamy. See my review HERE.

Magic Cocoa* from ZOJO Beauty Elixirs is absolutely fantastic. I very generously received it free of charge for review as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. See my review HERE.

CiTY SURViVOR was another brand I discovered as a Beauty Shortlist Judge (I loved Immune Support and gave it top marks). Founder, Daisy very kindly sent me the trio* to try together. See my review HERE (I've since replenished NIGHT SUPPORT).

Just this month I reviewed Awake Organics new Natural Vegan Shampoo* which comes in powder form (and eco-friendly packaging). See my review HERE. 

Do any of my picks make your top products for 2020?