April Empties

Here's what I've been using up this month (I think this is the smallest amount of empties ever!) I'm not going to use up any more so here goes..

Evolve Organic Beauty Citrus Blend Aromatic Wash 60ml - I loved this uplifting wash in my morning shower. Would buy full size.

Make Skincare Hands Replenish Pink Grapefruit Cream 15ml* - a beautiful hand cream which I just loved. See my review HERE. Full size is firmly on the to-buy list.

Evolve Organic Beauty African Wash sample size - Again, this was gorgeous and I'd buy full size. I love when you order directly from Evolve you can chose 3 sample sizes with each order.

Daisy & Mallow Nourishing Winter Body Oil 50ml - lovely to use and I'd buy again next winter - it's currently still on sale though. It has a base of sesame, coconut and rosehip and is scented with Grandiflorium jasmine, cardamon, clove bud, vanilla and sandalwood. I've now got my eye on the oil for Spring.

Optiat The Hungover Coffee Scrub Potent Peppermint 90g - I loved this uplifting and awakening scrub which had an intense coffee/mint scent. Perfect scrubbiness and have since bought another. See my review HERE.

Carina Organics Pink Grapefruit Hand Soap 360ml* - this was a great hand soap which smells of zesty pink grapefruit. See my review HERE. Will definitely buy at some point.

Resultime Hydrating Cream 15ml - I've really enjoyed this cream, so much so that I picked up another one recently. It has a fresh scent, absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling deeply nourished. Huge fan.

Sachet samples (I'm trying to use these more often along with perfume vials):

pai Head to Toe Buriti Balm 2ml - this seemed nice but it was such a teeny sample so only got one use.

AA Skincare Ylang Ylang, Argan & Rosemary Conditioning Shampoo 8ml - nice to use. Got two uses out of these sachets. AA Skincare Amla & Clary Sage Rejuvenating Shampoo 8ml, again nice to use. This one was my favourite. I recently reviewed the matching conditioners (link).

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum 2ml - this seemed nice enough but again, quite small sachet.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream 2ml - a nice cream which absorbed quickly but I probably wouldn't buy.

Chantecaille BioLifting Neck Cream 2ml - I absolutely loved this. The gel textured cream absorbed instantly and it felt like an expensive product (on looking full size costs £152!) Nice to try but way out of my price range (I did however get 3 uses from the sachet).

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque 1.5ml - this was great on my shiny t-zone. Would buy full size.

What have you been using up this month?

*complimentary

Shopping My Stash #85

Here's what I've been reaching for lately:

Trevarno's Rose & Jojoba Soap* which is gorgeous! It has a beautiful rose scent (which I love) and scrubby bits of ground rosehip which gently exfoliates the skin while you wash. See my review HERE.

I'm a huge fan of Carina Organics which you can buy at Live in the Light in the UK. See my review of the deliciously scented Sweet Pea Leave-in Conditioner* HERE.

MuLondon recently sent me a pot of their luxurious White Chocolate Truffle Moisturiser* which I'd used in the past (and yes, it smells good enough to eat!) You can use it on your face, hands and body - I so LOVE a multi-purpose product and I'll enjoy using it once again.

Also, from Live in the Light is Pure Anada mascara* which is paraben, gluten and mercury free. It volumises and lengthens and is one of the best more natural mascaras I've used.

I received the little sample of Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Botanical Cream Deodorant when I bought Imelda's (Content Beauty & Wellbeing) book (they offered a sample set if you pre-ordered). It's one of the best natural deodorants I've ever used and full size is on the wishlist.

From new brand Herbal Forest I've been loving their Chai Spice Lip Balm* (it really smells like chai tea!). It deeply nourishes the lips leaving them feeling moisturised and sweetly scented.

What have you been reaching for lately?

*complimentary - my post contains two affiliate links

Live in the Light: Carina Organics

Sue at Live in the Light recently got in touch to ask if I'd like to try Carina Organics, a brand which is handmade on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Products are free from cortisone, steroids, DEA, sulfates, sodium chloride, propylene glycol, aluminium, synthetic fragrances and dyes. Instead, products are made using natural and organic extracts, essences and oils and are Certified Organic. Organic Palm Kernel extract and Coconut create rich and creamy foams which clean and nourish the hair.

Packaging is simple but pretty and recyclable.  Here's what I've been trying:

Citrus Extra-Gentle Shampoo 360ml (£13.50)* this shampoo is suitable for dry or chemically treated hair (making it ideal for my coloured, slightly dry hair). It smells glorious - fruity and citrus. The shampoo gently cleanses the hair without stripping the colour. It leaves the hair feeling clean and nourished. To use: wet hair before massaging a small amount of shampoo into the hair and scalp. Rinse.

Also from the Citrus family is the Moisturising Body Wash 360ml (£13.50)* which cleanses the skin leaving it feeling clean and comfortable. I like using the wash in my morning shower for a refreshing wake-up call! To use: apply a small amount onto your palm or sponge before lathering up and applying to your body. Rinse.  

Sweet Pea Leave-in Conditioner 250ml (£13.50)* comes in a pump action spray. It detangles and lightly conditions the hair and the scent just like sweet peas - sweet and floral. It's also great to use before blow drying or styling the hair. To use: spray onto damp hair before combing through and styling.

Sweet Pea Deep Treatment Conditioner 250ml (£13.50)* this treatment conditioner helps to repair dry and damaged hair types. Hair is softer, shinier and healthy looking. To use: massage evenly into damp hair, leave for 2 minutes before rinsing.

The final item I was sent was deliciously scented Pink Grapefruit Hand Soap 360ml (£13.50)* which is presented in a pump action bottle. This is a natural hand wash which gently cleans the hands. To use: Apply to wet hands lather and rinse.

I've been so impressed with how effective, beautifully scented and reasonably priced the products are. Pick yours up HERE.

Have you tried any products from Carina Organics?

*complimentary