Shopping My Stash #28

thisworks perfect heels rescue balm 50ml - I picked this up in Gemma's blogsale - simply lovely for heels in need of some TLC.

Live Native Essential Earth Exfoliating Cleanser 5ml - I picked up a few samples recently from this amazing Isle of Skye company.  Full review to follow.

bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - simply adore this rich floral scented bath and shower gel. See my mini review here.

deep steep grapefruit - bergamot hand scrub 59ml - a gorgeous scrub which leaves the hands super smooth and moisturised.  See my review here. 

Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Aromatic Mist 30ml - a light citrus scent. Ideal or summer.  See my review here.

Lemongrass House Frangipani Hydrating Body Cream 120ml* - sent for review. I'm loving this light exotic scented body cream.  Full review to follow.

Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water 50ml - love this for refreshing the skin. An instant pick me up.

butter London Handbag Holiday Cuticle Oil 17.5ml - love this pineapple-coconut scented cuticle oil.  Reminds me of holidays. Leaves the cuticles moisturised and smelling beautiful!

What have you been using this week?

*PR sample

Shopping my Stash #24

I've been feeling the heat this week! Here's what I've been reaching for -

Avene Eau Thermal Spring water Spray 50ml - this has been cooling me down in the heat! Really refreshing.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Mist 50ml - again I've been loving this cooling lightly scented mist.  Works well storing it in the fridge before misting on your body.  See my review here.

L'Occitane Gel Douche Universel Shower Gel 75ml - simply loving this refreshing citrus scented shower gel - ideal for refreshing the skin after sitting in the sun.  This was a freebie from Top Sante magazine this month.

Oh! Organics Rose Moisturiser 60ml* - I've been testing this out for review - you will see I've nearly finished the pot!  See my mini review here.

My star product this week has been Soleil Organique Sunblock Mist SPF45* - you can see my post on a beautiful world - here.  The sunblock is a light lotion which you mist over your skin and gently pat in - can also be used on the face. It has a slightly fennel scent which is pleasant.  I normally suffer from prickly heat and this sunblock has prevented this happening.  I love that it is a natural product too.  Fuller review to follow.

What have you been using this week?

*PR sample

I won! : Ramblings of a Beauty Bird's Giveaway

I was really pleased and excited to win a prize in Sasha's recent giveaway.  You can see her fab blog Ramblings of a Beauty Bird here.  She and Alessia both ran giveaways with products which were in the Bristol Beauty Bloggers Meet up goody bags.

Here's what I won:

Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Hand and Nail Cream 100ml - I am a huge fan of Dr Organic.  Not tried the coconut range yet (love coconut scents) so really looking forward to trying this.  It smells yummy.

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Day Cream 50ml - Again, I've not tried this particular scent or in fact any of the Dr Organic skincare range.

Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Night Cream 50ml - really happy to try this delicious smelling night cream.

Aromatherapy Gold Aroma Squeeze Me Stress Ball in Lavender and Bergamot - I'll be putting this in my desk drawer for times of stress! Love that it comes in its own wee tin.

Avene Cleanance Masque Sample 10ml - I've not used a lot of Avene products but love masks so keen to try it.

La Roche-Posay Lipid Replenishing Body Balm Sample 15ml - again not used a lot from this brand so looking forward to trying it out.

Blinc Mascara and Eyeliner Minis - these look fab. I'm really looking forward to trying them and handy size to slip into my bag on a night out.

Dr Hauschka Hand Cream Sachet 2.5ml - love hand cream.

Thanks so much Sasha I absolutely love my prize and I'm looking forward to trying everything out.

Follow Ramblings of a Beauty Bird here.

Follow on Twitter @beauty__bird

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?

My Collection of Exfoliators and Masks

These are the exfoliators/masks that I am currently using.

Exfoliators

Dr Nick Lowe Cooling Menthol Face Scrub - My all time favourite.  You can read my post about it here.  I normally stock up on this when Boots are doing a £5 off voucher promotion.

Avene Gommage Doux Purifiant - Gentle Purifying Scrub - A Beauty Bible Testing product.  You can read my post here.

Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage - Mild Enzymatic Exfoliator - All Skin Types.  I received this as a gift and have only used it a couple of times so far.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Thermafoliant - this was in Glossybox.  Nice product with heating action.

Decleor Phytopeel - from the last Feel Unique box.  A brilliant product, really effective.  You apply to the face and let it dry and then rub the product off in circular motions.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - apply like a face mask, leave on 10-15 minutes and then remove with lukewarm water and follow with a mask.

Masks

No7 Beautiful Skin Energising Mask - just bought this one in the No7 £5 off promotion at Boots - not tried it yet.

Vinies Luminous Skin Mask - this was from November's Boudoir Prive.  I really like this product although I know a lot of girls had really bad reactions to it.

Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask - smells gorgeous.  Really lovely moisturising mask.

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask - this is a fabulous mask.  I got this as a freebie at a Harvey Nics night.  I only use it occasionally as its so good!  Apply to the face and neck, leave 3 minutes and then blot to absorb any excess.  Only downside is full size of 60ml retails at £72.50.  My trial size is 15ml.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Power Recovery Mask - another Glossybox product and lovely to use.

Cetuem SCR Gold Illuminating Mask - this was from Boudoir Prive in October.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Off Mask - think I've only used this once so far.


I also have my masks and peel from my mystery box from Hong Kong.

Just thinking I really miss Boudoir Prive - it was my favourite box (closely followed by Feel Unique)

What exfoliators/masks do you recommend?

Beauty Bible Testing - My Buy Again Products - Part 1

Out of my first batch of products these are the ones I would buy again.  I still have testing to do for the rest (shampoo & conditioner, cleanser, anti-ageing serum and neck cream - a longer period was set for testing these). You can see all the products I got here.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks (pale pink) - Loved the colour and texture, how easy it was to apply and how well it lasted and the fact you could use it on lips too.  This pot will last for ages as I've barely made a dent in it - would purchase.  Retails at £18 for 11ml.

Clinique Chubby Stick - Mega Melon - absolutely love this lip product, super moisturising and leaves lips with a beautiful hint of colour.  Retails at £16 for 2g.

Avene Eau Thermal Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub - amazing and effective product, gentle gel scrub, could be used on wet/dry skin.  Soft floral scent.  Felt like it was being really kind to the skin but also removing dead skin cells.  I also love the Thermal Water Spray from this brand.  Retails at £9.50 for 50ml.

The ones I wouldn't purchase are -

W7 Flirty Eyes False Lash Effect Mascara Black (£1.99) and Nuture Protect Day Cream SPF15 (£9.95).

Beauty Bible Testing - The Products

I was so excited when hubby phoned me at work to tell me that my Beauty Bible Testing Panel package had arrived!  You can read more about this on my original post.

Here are the goodies! (All full size products!)

If you want more info about anything let me know - I was so excited to share the photo of the products! x