Avril Organic Cosmetics

I've been testing out a few products from Avril, an affordable organic range from France which was launched in April 2012.

Their mission is to make organic products available to all. Their four main values are - quality, ecology, price and service.

Make up products are highly pigmented and long lasting and fragrances fresh and delicate. There is minimal packaging and it's all recyclable. The range is certified by ECOCERT.

Here's what I was I sent:

Provence Rose Soap 100g (euro 2.80 approx £2.39)* -  a delicately scented rose soap which lathers well and leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed.

2 x Lipstick Pencils in shades Rouge Franc and Corail (each euro 4 approx £3.42)* - these are absolutely fantastic. The shades are gorgeous and very long lasting.

Hair Mask with Mango 150ml (euro 7 approx £6)* - with a mango/herbal scent the mask deeply nourishes and cares for damaged hair, softening and restoring.

My final pick was Avril's Cleansing Gel 100ml (euro 5 approx £4.27)* - which gently cleanses and removes impurities leaving the face feeling clean and fresh and with no tightness. 

I've been really impressed with the quality and effectiveness of all the products I tried. You can pick yours up HERE.

*PR samples

Shopping My Stash #78

Here's what I've been reaching for this week:

Nuxe Prodigieux le Parfum - I bought this recently from a friend who was having a clear out. I love Nuxe's dry oil so I was keen to try the scent. It's perfect for summer with notes of Orange Blossom, Magnolia and Vanilla.

Avril recently sent me a box of organic goodies* to review and I'm loving the Lipstick Pencils*. I chose 2 and this shade is Rouge Franc. With long lasting colour they are very easy to wear and apply. Love.

Some more Nuxe love! Their Rêve de Mel Lip Moisturising Stick nourishes and cares for the lips.

I've been enjoying using The Hand Made Soap Company's Sweet Orange, Basil & Frankincense Hand Cream* which deeply nourishes the hands. See my review HERE.

Rock Solid by Leighton Denny* which is a base coat and strengthening treatment. I'm a bit of a nail nibbler (but would love gorgeous nails) so I'm on a mission! Fuller review will follow.

What have you been using this week?

*PR samples

Souk Souk Pamper Boutique Box

As you'll know I gave up my Souk Souk subscription recently. I'm still on their mailing list and received an email listing some new Limited Edition Boxes (£20 plus P&P).

I spotted a few of my favourites and quickly bought...

WOW!

AS.AP mini Cleansing Oil #5, mini Crochet Cleansing Cloth and Lip Balm #7 - see my review here. I've not tried the wee cloth yet so looking forward to trying it with the cleansing oil.

Lucy's Lotions Vitamin E & Grapefruit Lip Balm full size - I just adore this! See my review here.

Inner Soul Organics Romance Me Skin Oil sample size - this is beautiful. I'm a huge fan. See my review here.

Bentley Organic Shampoo & Conditioner minis - I've only tried bar soaps before from this brand so looking forward to trying these out.

Mungo Murphy's Nourishing Seaweed Face Mask - this is a new brand to me. Expect a review soon.

Xenca Organic Lipstick in Spice full size - super moisturising colour - see my review here.

Avril Eyelash Curlers, Avril Organic Mascara in Black & 2 x Avril Nail Lacquers.

Inika Organic Eye Pencil in Black Caviar - full size

Ville De Fleurs Shea Butter - I love the cute little tin the nourishing butter comes in. I received this in a previous Souk Souk monthly beauty box.

Nourish Golden Glow Illuminating Face Shimmer - this is a staple for me so a trial size will be handy for holidays.  See my review here.

SpaRitual Handprint Hand Serum 7.4ml - I think I've tried this before and quite liked it.

FOM Hair Serum - I didn't really get on with this so I'll pass it on.

A great value box I think.  What are your thoughts?  Did you pick this one or one of the other Limited Edition boxes up?

Souk Souk January Beauty Box

My latest Souk Souk box arrived on Saturday.

It contains an urbanveda purifying trio - Exfoliating Face Polish (20ml), Purifying Facial Wash (20ml) and Purifying Day Cream (10ml).  I picked them up from Latest in Beauty for £3.50 recently. See my review here. As I've already used them I'll keep these to giveaway.

Xenca Certified Organic Lipstick 4g (£11.95) in Fudge. Nice to see make up in the box but this is a shade I won't use.

Avril Nail Lacquer in French Rose - again I won't use this as I don't wear polish so I'll gift it.

2 x Pukka Detox Tea bags

Not my favourite box but still good value.  Did you get this box?  What are your thoughts?

SoukSouk October Beauty Box

My Souk Souk beauty box arrived yesterday. I'm really pleased with contents and was thrilled to feature in the little green magazine which accompanies the box.

Onto the contents:

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo 60ml - this is worth £8 - I've wanted to try this brand for a while. Minty scented and free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. It's good for coloured hair and can help to tame frizz.  I've tried this and the conditioner out and I really like them.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner 60ml (£8) - a rich mint scented conditioner which nourishes and conditions. This also get a huge thumbs up from me.

Bareskin Beauty Radiance Face Serum 15ml (£5.40) - a brand I've heard of but I've not tried any of its products.  Packed full of vitamins, mineral and essential fatty acids. It feels super moisturising on the skin and has a slightly spicy floral scent. Looking forward to trying this out. A full review will follow.

Sweet Cecily's Almond &  Avocado Face Cream 10ml - this is a mini try me size tin. I'm a huge fan of Sweet Cecily's already - see my review of Rose Body Butter and Mojito Flavour lip balm here. This cream is rich in vitamins A, D and E which makes in nourishing. Suitable for most skin types.

Avril Nail Lacquer in Hot Chocolate 7ml (£3.99) - this is 7-free varnish. Free from parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene, xylene, camphor and rosin. A perfect shade for autumn.

I'm in the little green magazine "Welcome to our World" page absolutely made my day!

The products I picked to feature are well loved favourites:

Neom Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Cream review

SkinLikes Natural Deodorant review

Just Be Botanicals Tranquil Body & Massage Oil review

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter review

bodhi Mint Thé Bath & Shower Therapy review

PG Embrace EDP review

Did you get this month's box?  What are your thoughts?

SoukSouk August Beauty Box

My August SoukSouk beauty box was waiting for me when I got in from work last night.  I love it!  The magazine which comes with the box features Ana from Ana Goes Green which was a nice surprise when I opened up the page she is on!

So what's inside:

Bloom Remedies Daily Balance Cream 30ml (50ml retails at £10.99) - I'm a huge fan of Bloom Remedies so looking forward to trying this moisturiser which contains sweet orange, geranium and rose oils along with rosemary, sea buckthorn, sweet almond oil and Vitamin E.  I was really excited to see this product in the box. Review will follow.

Dr Alkaitis Organic Day & Night Cream 5ml samples - I've tried a couple of samples before from this brand and liked them so looking forward to giving these ones a try.  These are worth £6.95 each.

Avril Certified Organic Mascara in Black full size £7 - I haven't heard of this company before. From a French Cosmetic Brand which is new to the UK. Again, looking forward to trying it.  

Alva Stressed Hands Cream 18ml - £2.03 - I received this in an Amitee Box before.  As far as I remember it was nice to use and I can never have enough hand creams! (or lip balms). 

Finally, a box bonus - Avril Eyelash Curler 

Did you get this box?  What are your thoughts?