November Empties

Where has this year gone! I can't believe I'm writing the second last empties post of 2015! Here's what I've been using in November:

ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation 50ml* - huge fan of this lovely relaxing non-foaming soak. Full size is on the wishlist. This little one came in the recent Naturisimo De-Stress & Unwind Discovery Box.

Ravenscourt Apothecary Indian Jasmine Bathing Salts 250g - these were lovely to use, smelled gorgeous and contained little jasmine petals. I love the simple but chic packaging. Would buy again.

Humble Natural Beauty Bath Honey Rose & Frankincense 300ml* - this was really luxurious. Will definitely buy again. See my review HERE.

PLANT GET IT ON Body Wash 30ml - I simply loved this woody and spicy scented wash and would buy full size. See my review of their CALM DOWN wash here.

Kneipp Balancing Lavender Herbal Bath 20ml* - I really enjoyed this relaxing soak. Would buy full size. See my mini review here.

Balm Balm Relax All over Balm 30ml* - I loved this. See my mini review HERE. Will definitely buy this again. I also am keen to try out some of the other scents. Great value (would make a great stocking filler).

Neom Inspiration Hand Cream 50ml - this was a magazine freebie a long time ago. Neom don't do this scent anymore or mini hand creams.

LJs Natural Natural Solutions Organic Purity Rose Body Oil 50ml - this is a really lush body oil scented with roses which is gentle enough to use on the face. See my review HERE. Will buy again when I use up most of the oils in my stash.

Marble & Milkweed Nourishing Body Oil - I simply adore this rose/cardamon scented lush oil. Just cracked open a new bottle. See my review HERE. It is expensive but worth it and such a lovely treat.

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum Sample (£5.95) - this super luxe sample serum is lovely. I got two uses and it left my skin glowing. Full size is £150!

Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner Sample - this came from the recent ABW box. Nice to use and one I'd consider buying full size.

Balmology Exotic Rose Beauty Oil 4ml - I bought this generous size sample from Naturisimo. Loved everything about this oil and would buy full size once my stash reduces.

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo 265ml - Tracey from Face Up Beauty raved about this product on her blog. I found it very effective and I've just cracked open my second bottle!

Nourish Illuminating Golden Glow Face Shimmer 30ml* - this is one of my favourite products from Nourish. See my review HERE. I'm already using another one. Love it. 

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

Little Treats #11

My last Little Treats post was way back in July! Here's what I've been enjoying recently:

First up is the fabulous Bee Good Youth Enhancing Lift & Brighten Eye Cream 5ml (which I got in the LIB Get the Gloss Box). It's one of the nicest eye creams I've used lately - it's rich but absorbs quickly helping with fine lines and dark circles. I like that it's multi-purpose - you can also use it on fine lines around the lips.

I've wanted to try Balmology's Exotic Rose Beauty Oil for ages so was pleased to pick up this 4ml sample at Naturisimo. It has a lush rose scent and it absorbs easily into the skin nourishing as well as making the skin glow. I'll be adding full size to the ever expanding wishlist.

Glasgow based Beauty Kitchen has been on my radar like forever so it was great to see their Love Me Wonderbalm in Jane's The Dream Box IV. This cinnamon scented balm can be used on lips and other dry areas. I love the cute little tin too! 

Glamour mag are offering the choice of 4 Clinique goodies with the mag this month.  I picked Cherry Pop Lipstick which is a gorgeous glossy red shade and perfect for the forthcoming party season!

New to me brand (which also featured in the Get the Gloss Box with foot cream) is Prismologie and I've been enjoying the very lovely Pink O'Clock Hand & Cuticle Cream with Rose & Rose Quartz 10ml which soothes, moisturises and leaves the hands smelling delicious!

I've been testing out the new Optimal Skin ProMoisturiser (7ml)* by ESPA. It's a rich cream which absorbs easily. It "uses advanced responsive hydration to target the delivery of nutrient-rich, hydrating actives where the skin requires them most". The cream is suitable for all skin types, balances and nourishes. It also has a delicious orange scent and leaves my skin feeling great, really cared for and comfortable.

*PR sample

Naturisimo Wish List - July

I'm always seeing wants over at Naturisimo here's what I'm lusting over right now:

source

Estelle & Thild Sweet Vanilla Blossom Body Oil (£16.90 - 100ml) - this body oil sounds lush! A mix of botanical oils scented with Vanilla and Orange Blossom.

source

Estelle & Thild Spring Rose Blonde Body Scrub (£17.90 - 200g) - an organic polish scented with rose. What's not to love!

source

Oskia Skin Smoothing Massage Candle (£34.50 - 200g) - sheer luxury! A Rose de Mai scented candle which you light, wait until it melts and then pour the warm wax on your skin for massage. It absorbs instantly moisturising and lightly scenting the skin.

source

Balmology Travel Set (£17 - 3 x 12g) - I'v used the very lovely Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm before - see my review here. I'm keen to try the other two products in the kit - Calendula & Chamomile Comfort Balm and Neroli & Frankincense Beauty Balm.

source

Kjaer Weis Lip Tint in Sweetness (£33.00 - 2.4g) - I've lusted after any Kjaer Weis product for ages! This coral shade looks perfect for summer. It give the lips a light sheer wash of colour.

What's on your Naturisimo Wish List?

A Closer Look: Cleansers

I adore cleansers. They are my favourite skincare item I have to admit. Here's my current collection..

JULVAL Remove & Restore Cleansing Cream & Oil 150ml* - this is light cream which changes to an oil texture when you massage it into your skin. Wet your hands and the cleanser turns into a milk, continue massaging then rinse. It easily gets rid of make up and daily grime and leaves the skin clean and refreshed. It helps to regulate sebum and refine pores and has a light floral scent.

Therapi Honey Skincare Orange Blossom No.1 Honey Gel Cleanser 100ml* - this cleanser smells gorgeous! It is made with honey, calendula, neroli, jasmine and plant oils. A lightly foaming gel wash which cleans, refreshes and uplifts the senses and helps save the bees. Full review to follow.

Indie Lee Rosehip Cleanser 118.3ml* - I've been enjoying using this cleanser with my Foreo Luna.  See my review here.

Melvita Milky Cleansing Oil for Face & Eyes 145ml* - a rose scented oil which removes all make up and daily grime leaving the skin clean, soft and radiant. This is great with really stubborn to move mascara.

REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser 150ml* - you only need the tiniest pump of this rose scented rich cream to remove all make up.  A full review to follow.  It also comes with a cloth which is a welcome bonus.

Skinvelop The Cleanser 120ml - one of my favourite cleansers.  See my review here.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel 150ml - this rose scented gel cleanser is simply divine.  See my review here.

Green People Neutral Cleanser & Make up Remover 200ml* - this is one of the best cleansers I've ever used.  See my review here.

Spiezia Facial Cleanser 50ml - I've used this cleanser on and off for years. I love its herbal scent and how clean it leaves my skin. See my review here.

balance Me Cleanse & Smooth Face Balm 15ml - again yet another cleanser I love! See my review here.

ila spa Cleansing Milk 30ml* - a light milk scented with rose. See my review here.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser 120ml - I treated myself to this after #NoBuyJanuary. A super luxe cleanser.  It comes with a bamboo muslin cloth.  See my review here.

Balmology Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm 50g - a deliciously scented balm which removes all make up and daily grime leaving the skin clean and fresh.  See my review here.  It also featured in my My top Ten products of 2013.

Peppy Galore Diva Cleansing Oil 45g - a light oil scented with Vanilla. Feels really gentle on the skin but is great at getting rid of make up.  See my review here.

Have you used any of these cleansers?  What's your favourite ones?

*PR samples

My Top Ten

It has been really difficult to chose my top 10 products of 2013. I featured 31 products in 2012 - see here. I was initially going to do my top 5 but I just couldn't choose.  Here goes..

bodhi Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy 250ml - my favourite bodhi product (love the rest of them too though!).  Just love this refreshing and revitalising Shower Gel. It's a great wake up call in the morning and is also lovely to use to refresh after a hot day. It's a product which will always be in my stash. It featured in my 2012 favourites - see here. See my mini review here.  See the online store here.

A'kin Lavender & Anthyliss Leave in Conditioner 150ml - one of the best hair care products I've ever used. It featured in my top products of 2012 see here and it featured in my June favourites here. It leaves my hair soft and moisturised and looking great with split ends diminished! You can purchase from Naturisimo here.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts 400g - these bath salts are one of my favourite tries this year. I always have an restful and deep night's sleep after using them. You can see my mini review here.  Buy here.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Bath Oil 100ml - huge fan of Dr Organic products. The rose otto range is simply divine. This is a good dupe for REN's Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil and a third of the price. Dr Organic can be bought from Holland & Barratt instore or online. (Although REN's Moroccan Rose Otto will always be my favourite).

Shay & Blue Atropa Belladona perfume - this is a recent try for me and I've worn it every single day since I bought it! Need to stock up soon. See my review here. Check out the Shay & Blue website here.

001 Skincare Intensive Elixir 50ml* - this is quite simply the most ground breaking skincare product I've used this year. It makes my skin look simply fabulous. See my review here.  You can buy at a beautiful world.

Marble & Milkweed Nourishing Body Oil 118ml* - Love this body oil. It just smells so good and super moisturises the skin. Scented with Cardamon which gives it a spicy edge with Rose Otto and Sandalwood.  See my review here. Pick it up at a beautiful world.

Balmology Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm 50g - this heavenly scented balm simply removes all make up and daily grime. See my review here. I bought this at Samsara Skin.

Mary Elizabeth Spearmint & Tea Tree Nurture Balm 15ml* - love that you can pretty much use this balm wherever you feel you need it - lips, dry patches, flyaway hair, hand and heels. See my review here.  See the online shop here.

Naturally Nourished Exotic Body Balm 90g - this is one of my favourite finds of the year. It smells quite simply heavenly. A rich balm which melts easily into the skin and is scented with Monoi de Tahiti Oil, Ylang Ylang and Palmarosa oils.  See my review here. See all of the products available here.

What's in your top ten?

*PR samples

Balmology Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm

I've been wanting to try Balmology Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm for ages. 

I bought it recently from Samsara Skin, the gorgeous new natural and organic skin clinic run by Jess (Spoiltface Blog) and Andy (Pampered Prince Blog). They offer skincare consultations and treatments and are based at The Custard Factory in Birmingham. Next time I'm down that way I'm definitely visiting!

They sell a range of brands online and instore - bodhi, Balmology, Viridian, Pai, We are Tea and Collagen Shots - see here.

Balmology Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm (£21 for 50g)

This balm is one of the most luxurious and pampering products I've ever used. It smells simply gorgeous! Made with Certified Organic Cold Pressed Plant Oils, Essential Oils and Beeswax. The balm is 100% Organic, preservative free and contains no water. You need only the smallest amount as a little goes a long way.

Products are hand made in small batches and suppliers are used who share the same ethical and fair trade principles.  

To use: apply to dry skin and gently massage until all make up and daily grime has melted away. Remove with a damp cloth/muslin. Rinse and repeat until all traces of make up is removed.

I use this product nightly. It has a real feel good scent and is a pleasure to use. It leaves the skin clean and radiant and oh so soft.

See Balmology website here

See Samsara Skin website here

Follow on Twitter @balmology @SamsaraSkin 

Have you used this?  What's your favourite cleanser?

*the cushion in the back ground is handmade by Jayne at Fior NC