August Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up in August so here are my August empties. If it's marked * I've kindly been sent the product to review. 

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of Butterwhips. I used up their Traditionally Floral & Exotically Tranquil Body Butters 25g each which were gorgeous. See my review HERE. Would buy again. Escentric Molecules Molecule 03 (30ml) I absolutely love this vertiver scent & have just opened a new one. I used up 2 sample vials - Miller Harris Poirier du Soir which is deliciously fruity & Kenzo Flowers EDT which is sublime. Would buy both full size. Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer 10ml is perfect for summer. I had the pleasure of trying Scottish brand Deerieo & fell head over heels for their Aurora Face Oil Serum 10ml* review. It's on the wishlist! I simply adore Floral Street's Electric Rhubarb 10ml. I always have a back up! The Oribe duo were fab (Gold Lust Shampoo & Conditioner both 50ml). Really luxurious. I adore this brand!

Organic Youth Skincare Escape Organic Bath & Body Oil 15ml. I truly loved this stunning oil which is scented with Jasmine, Vanilla, Sweet Orange & Sandalwood - review. Buying next month!  It was good to revisit Temple Spa and I loved the La La Lagoon Bath & Shower Gel 30ml. I adore every Dr Hauschka product I try and their Rose Nurturing Bath Essence 100ml* is simply sublime. See my review HERE. It's on the wishlist! Siam Ginger is one of my favourite bath & shower therapy scents from Bodhi & Birch. Sure to buy again soon! I used their Botanic Dew Hand & Body Wash for hands and I love it's uplifting scent. Will buy again (both 200ml). Rounding up my empties this month is Organic Works Lavender Hand Wash 300ml* which is gorgeous. Will buy again at some point. What have you been using up this month?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: August 2021

I came back from my mini staycation to August's Love Lula Beauty Box, which I receive free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger - AD. This month the box is worth £71 and inside are 3 full size products and a travel size. It's a fantastic box!

The first thing to jump out at me was a brand new Ooh! Oils of Heaven Blackcurrant Face Oil 30ml which is so new it isn't on the website yet! It'll soothe, tone and hydrate the skin. So far my skin's loving it.

I adore beautiful Butterwhips, and inside is a huge 75g (£18) tin of their Warmly Relaxing Bergamot, Lavender and Vitamin E Body Butter - which is my favourite scent in the range. Check out my review HERE. I'm delighted to have a pot of this back in my stash!

From Terre Verde we have 30ml (£9) of their AcquaDiRosa Balancing Mist which is gorgeous. Deliciously rose scented it'll tone and balance the skin. 

Rounding up the box this month is a full size from Inika Organic their Lip & Cheek Cream 3.5g (£25) (in assorted shades). I received Morning, a gorgeous peachy shade. I've been using this for a pop of colour on my lips and cheeks.

Love Lula also offer subscribers a very generous 20% off brands in the box. Sign up to the Beauty Box HERE.

*Love Lula: PLASTIC FREE JULY: Herbfarmacy, Elsa's Organic Skinfoods, Butterwhips, Skin Alchemists + Lyonsleaf

As you'll know I've been theming my Love Lula Accredited Blogger Picks this year. See my previous reviews:

January - SLEEP,  February - LOVE, March - AWAKEN, April - BLOSSOM, May - FORAGE, June GROW. 

This month I chose under a theme of #PlasticFreeJuly:

I've been enjoying testing them all out! Definitely some buy-agains in there. 

Every Herbfarmacy product I try I love. Their Comfrey & Mint Foot Cream* (55ml - £15) comes in an aluminium tin (and is presented in a cardboard sleeve) which is easily reusable/recyclable and for the cardboard recyclable. The cream has a deliciously light but nourishing texture, a minty herbal scent and feels soothing and nourishing on the feet. It's lovely to use and will rescue tired aching feet and cracked heels. Comfrey helps to improve skin elasticity and heal. Hypericum relieves aches, pains and inflammation. Spearmint is antibacterial and anti-fungal. 

To use: slather on dry feet massaging until absorbed

This is a gorgeous product which makes for happy feet!

I'd only ever had a teeny sample sizes of the tins of Elsa's Organic Skinfoods deodorants before so when this arrived I thought it was massive! I chose Lemon Ice Creme Deodorant* (45g - £11) which has a delicious zesty scent. Fresh lemon and grapefruit are crushed together with ice for a refreshing treat for the underarms. 

To use: massage a pea size amount into the underarms or between the toes for fresh smelling skin!

I've been enjoying using this creamy deodorant which comes in a reusable aluminium tin. I've felt fresh all day long.

As you'll know I'm already a huge, huge fan of gorgeous Butterwhips having reviewed some products in the range recently - see HERE. Traditionally Floral Geranium, Lavender & Vitamin E Body Butter* (25g - £8) has a classic floral scent. It melts instantly onto warm skin leaving it feeling nourished and delicately scented.

To use: apply a small amount to your palms, rubbing together before applying the melted butter over your skin for luscious nourished skin.

This is a gorgeous product! Again, it's presented in an aluminium tin which is easily recyclable or reusable.

I'm a huge fan of Skin Alchemist's gorgeous artisan soaps which come simply boxed. I chose Fresh Mint* (128g - £10) which is perfect for summer. The soap has a creamy lather and a distinctive mint aroma. It's enriched with dead sea mud, aloe vera gel and sea moss.

To use: use with warm water to create a gentle lather, massage over the skin and rinse.

Absolute love for this beautiful soap! 

Rounding up my #PlasticFreeJuly picks is Lyonsleaf Try Oil Cleansing Pack* (8ml + 5 muslin cloths - £5.99). I've used Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm before (review) so it was lovely to revisit (it also makes a good moisturiser!) The muslin cloths are a good quality too. The beauty balm comes in a reusable tin and full instructions are included. 

To use: massage a small amount of balm into the face and neck, massaging over the skin before removing with one of the warm damp muslin cloths. You can also use the beauty balm as a moisturiser. 

Great to revisit - definitely need full size again! What have you been picking for #PlasticFreeJuly?

Top Products 2021: April to June

If a product is marked * I was very kindly gifted it for review. As you'll know I've been breaking my top products up. See my January-March 2021 ones HERE.

I discovered Ginette aka The Herbal Soapmaker on Instagram and had to have a little buy. The products are gorgeous. See my review HERE.

Tam Mason's newish Nourishing Sugar Scrub in Rosa Damascena*. As well as being a sensory delight it is a beautiful and effective scrub. See my review HERE.

Another new brand, aromatic and gorgeous Africology. I fell head-over-heels for their gorgeous body care products*. See my review HERE.

I absolutely adore Ecooking and think their newish 50+ series* is fantastic. See my review HERE.

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of eco friendly, zero waste and award winning Beauty Cleanse Skincare. This cleansing oil* is one of the best I've used. See my review HERE.

Oh Nudge Boutique, I adore every product of yours I try. Saffron Glow Facial Oil Serum* is an absolute delight. See my review HERE.

Beautiful Butterwhips. I adore their Body Butters particularly Warmly Relaxing with Bergamot, Lavender & Vitamin E. See my review HERE (foot care & face care excellent too and I love the eco-friendly packaging).

Ermana Natural Skincare's CLARIFY Clay Mask with Lavender & Chamomile* is one of the best I've ever used. See my review HERE.

I just adore Edinburgh based, Lucky Cloud Skincare. I picked two of their natural soaps* as part of my picks as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in June under the heading GROW. See my review HERE. They lather really well and have gorgeous scents as well as looking pretty with eco-friendly packaging!

Rounding up my Top Picks for the last 3 months is STEAMCREAM! I really enjoyed using two of their newest products* in the range. Check out my review HERE. I also love the reusable packaging.

What products have you been loving this year?

June: Lately I've been loving

I can't believe we're nearly at the end of June! Time sure is flying. Here's what I've been loving in June. If it's marked * I've very kindly been gifted for review.

I've been trying new to me Scottish Brand, Deerieo Skincare* and love the packaging and formulations. Expect a review on the blog really soon.

I went Cult Beauty crazy in June picking up 3 orders!! I can never resist an affordable goody bag. So their Cult Conscious Goody Bag, free with £65 spent went right in my basket. I'm really enjoying exploring the contents and especially love de Mamiel's First Fix Stress Response Serum. Thumbs up too for Cult's reusable black bamboo cotton pads.

We got the flat redecorated in June by local firm AW Decor who did an amazing job. It was nice to get all my bits back in the kitchen too!

First visit to Dunelm saw us pick up a few bits including these cute tie backs which theme in with our doorstop.

Beautiful Butterwhips. I've fallen head-over-heels for this gorgeous brand. See my review HERE.

My friend Celia gifted me a beautiful limited edition pink copy of M W Craven's latest book in the Tilly & Poe Series - Dead Ground. I'm a huge fan of the series. She also arranged a signed bookplate - it's the little things! Totally over-the-moon to add this to my collection.

Oops yet another Cult Beauty Buy! I couldn't resist their The Skindie Edit which cost an amazing £35! At time going to press these beauties are still available. So far I've fallen for the Laneige and Rose Petals Rosewater. Still lots to try.

An online Dunelm buy of their Lina Rope Table Lamp which matches my tiebacks!

Seriously overspent! Yes, another Cult Beauty Goody Bag which was free with £70 skincare buy. I chose 3 Pai Skincare products (reviews for them to come). This was their Skindie Goody Bag which was worth £105. Again, lots of goodies to try!

Olfactory Candles newest wax melt scent is the delicious The Jam Pot*, a intensely fruity scent with notes of raspberry and strawberry with a touch of vanilla. It's absolutely gorgeous and on my to buy again list. Super strong too.

As part of my picks as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger I chose two SOiL Essential Oils* in Sweet Basil & Rose Geranium. They blend beautifully together and I've been diffusing them in a burner with water. See my review HERE.

Hubby made Camembert, Jersey Royal & Asparagus Fritatta last week for tea. It was delicious. From a recipe card picked up in Waitrose.

A trip to the Hairdresser's and a scoot round the new St James Quarter Shopping Centre in Edinburgh yesterday. What joy going shopping!

Rounding up my June favourites was a lovely lot of samples* in the whole range of  Ezape Naturals body butters. Such a treat. I'm going to enjoy trying them all. I only "know" the original Rosemary and Chamomile. They celebrated their 4th Birthday on Thursday and are offering 40% off until Sunday. Go on, treat yourself!

What have you been loving this month?

June Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here are my June empties. If a product is marked * I very kindly received it complimentary for review.

I fell totally head-over-heels for Butterwhips when I tried them recently. Warmly Relaxing Body Butter with Bergamot, Lavender & Vitamin E is simply exquisite. See my review HERE. This is the brand which will be replenished again and again. I also love the eco-friendly reusable or easily recyclable tins.

Typology Orange Blossom Hydrolate 100ml* which I loved using. See my review HERE. It's on the wishlist for when my stash reduces a bit.

I love Beauty Kitchen and fell in love with their Seahorse Plankton Superglow Active Mist 100ml. Again, on the wishlist when I use up some of my stash.

Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil 75ml is an absolute delight. Creamy with a lush lavender aroma. I was sad to use this one up! Check out my review HERE. Will be bought again when I use up more stuff.

I do love a bit of Molton Brown and loved both of these bath and shower gels 100ml - Vetiver & Grapefruit and Geranium Nefertum were both great scents which I enjoyed with a rich foamy lather. I'll definitely buy both again.

I've loved trying Africology products this year. Their Rose Absolute Tonic 25ml* was a joy to use. See my review HERE.

From Heavenly Organics I enjoyed their Lavender Hand Balm 15g* which is presented in a recyclable/re-usable tin. See my review HERE.

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. I was pleased to try a mini 25ml of their new Bom Dia Bright Cream recently which brightens and smoothes the skin. It gently exfoliates and retexturises with fruit AHA's as well as smelling lush. Full size is firmly on the wishlist.

Rounding up my June empties is my hands-down-favourite bar shampoo - EarthKind's award winning Tea Tree & Eucalyptus Shampoo Bar for Improved Scalp Health 50g*. I use this once or twice a week and this bar has lasted over a year!! See my review HERE. I've just opened a new one and have a couple more in my stash! 

What have you been using up lately?

Butterwhips: Body Butter, Face Butter, Feet Scrub & Feet Balm

I've been using two of Butterwhips Body Butters which are light and fluffy and melt instantly onto warm skin, deeply nourishing and leaving the skin delicately scented. I picked Warmly Relaxing, with Bergamot, Lavender & Vitamin E and Exotically Tranquil, with Frankincense, Cedarwood & Vitamin E (25g aluminium tin - £8 each). I love the eco friendly re-usable packaging.

I've actually nearly finished Warmly Relaxing so I thought it was an ideal time to review. The butters are formulated with 100% natural ingredients including organic shea butter, skin loving oils, powders, essential oils and love. 

Both the body butters are highly scented with light and fluffy textures. Warmly Relaxing calms and soothes the body and mind, making it perfect to use in the evening before bed.

Exotically Tranquil is scented with Frankincense & Cedarwood which calms, regenerates and refreshes tired skin. 

To use: apply sparingly to warm skin, a little goes a long way.

I've also been trying out the Citrus Face Butter (25g - £9.50) which is formulated with Organic Shea Butter, skin loving oils and a light citrussy aroma of Bergamot. Seaweed extract helps to fight free radicals and pollutants. The butter deeply hydrates the skin (I find it best to use at night) and awaken with plumped and nourished skin. 

Rounding up my Butterwhips experience is their Planted Feet Whipped Exfoliating Scrub with Black Spruce, Peppermint & Vitamin E (40g - £10) which has an uplifting minty/herbal scent with generous scrubby particles of pumice and organic coconut sugar as well as light fluffy texture.

To use: apply to dry or damp feet massaging in circular motions before rinsing.

Planted Feet Balm with Black Spruce, Peppermint & Vitamin E (40g - £12) is a rich and luscious balm which melts easily onto warm tootsies. It's great for dry and cracked feet and has an intense mint/herbal scent. A soothing formulation which is perfect for tired feet.

To use: apply a small amount of balm to the fingertips, massaging onto the feet and toenails.

I've been really impressed with everything I've tried - lovely to use, with great scents and textures. I also love the easily reusable/recyclable tins. What are your favourites from the brand?