Latest Buys: Antipodes, Haoma, Bodhi & Birch, Ferdie & Flo, Birchbox for Sainsbury's

Here's my latest buys:

I'd wanted Antipodes latest launch Baptise H20 Ultra Hydrating Water Gel (£29.99 for 60ml) which can be used AM and PM at Naturisimo. They were offering 10% off for Easter at Naturisimo - so you know the drill...

What a glorious texture - it's simply exquisite. Expect a review soon.

Scottish Ferdie & Flo popped up on my feed and I picked up their Herb Garden Tealights at £5.50 plus P&P. They are hand crafted with soy wax and essential oils of Basil, Rosemary & Cedarwood. They've got a nice throw and each will burn a few hours.

Haoma recently won Best Hand Sanitiser at the Beauty Shortlist Awards. The sanitiser is formulated with 96% pure, certified organic fair-trade sugarcane ethanol (lab tested formula contains minimum of 60% alcohol along with anti-bac and anti-viral Tea Tree with Sweet Orange essential oils. All I can say is it's fabulous and a review is forthcoming (£16 - 50ml).

One thing I don't have a lot of in my stash is hand wash so I stocked up recently and picked up two Bodhi & Birch Botanic Dew Hand & Body Wash (spring sale is on - get 25% off until Monday 20th at midnight with code SPRING25 (normal price £16 - 200ml). See my review HERE. I also love that it's multi-use - use it on hands and body.

I recently spotted Birchbox at Sainsbury's and slipped in one of the four kits - The Everyday Essentials Kit (£20) into my basket. There's also day/night kits available.

It contains a nice selection of goodies which I'm currently enjoying trying out.

What have you been buying recently?

Birchbox Review - February 2013

This is my last Birchbox from my yearly subscription and I'm kind of pleased.  I loved last month's box but this one didn't WOW me.

It's London Fashion Week theme and includes:

Gerda Spillmann Bio Fond Cream Foundation 4.5g Shade 03 Bijou - in a shade which is way too dark for me - boo! Cute compact though.  Birchbox says "light, creamy base is easy to apply, offers great coverage and sets to a powder finish".  Full size retails at £20.

Korres Guava Shower Gel 50ml - received Korres in Boudoir Prive previously.  A brand I like and this has a nice scent.  Probably my favourite thing in the box.

Nick Chavez Beverley Hills Pump N'Thick Leave-in Thickening Mist 59ml - received a volume boosting mist in last month's box.  A brand I've not tried before so happy to give it a go.

Vichy Thermal Spa Water 50g - have used the Avene version of this which can be used as a toner, to set make-up or to refresh - always handy.

There are two extras included this month:

EBOOST Natural Energy Booster sachet (received this in a Latest in Beauty box)

Eyelash Curler - Birchbox branded and worth £10.

I am disappointed the foundation is too dark and that Korres (much as I love it) has been included in a beauty box...again.

What are your thoughts?

Birchbox Review - January 2013

As you will probably be aware Birchbox which are based in New York recently took over Joliebox.

I received my first box yesterday.  It arrived in a bright pink box.  Inside is a brown box with pink detailing.  Also included is a Birchbox magazine.  The bag inside is bright pink too - makes a change from the Joliebox black!

And what's inside?

Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF15 2.2g - already love this super moisturising lip treat.  You can see my review here.

KMS California Add Volume Volumizing Spray 30ml - I love the quick blow dry spray from this brand and my hair always needs volume so happy to try this out.  Although the product does seem a little thick in the bottle for a spray product.

Taaj Creme Mains Delhicates Hand Cream 30ml - I love the Taaj Micellar Water so happy to try another item from the brand. A shea-enriched hand cream - which I've tried it out a couple of times and it is deeply moisturising with a light floral scent. I like it!

WEI White Lotus Moisture Rich Eye Blend 2ml - from a brand I've heard of but not tried any products.  Contains moisture-binding white lotus flower extracts wtih skin-firming peptides.  Looking forward to trying this out.

Teapigs Tummy Tonic Peppermint Leaves single use tea bag - already love and buy this tea.

I was pleased with my first Birchbox.  Did you get this box or an alternative mix? What are your thoughts?