Latest Buys: Silvan Skincare, Ben & Anna's, Marley's Amsterdam, Bee Good, Feel Unique's Beauty Kit, Lovely Melts, Nicki's Aromatics, Herbs for Healing

I know, I know, I said I was having a leaner February. Things which have kept me going is having a few online spends! The way I look at it I'm not going into town shopping or going to work so have a little more free cash! Plus it makes me happy.

I took advantage of Love Lula's recent 10% off a £40 spend (I also had a fiver's worth of points). I'd spotted Silvan Skincare's new line of face creams and their Balance Face Cream spoke to me! It's formulated for oily and combo skins (and smells of exotic Ylang Ylang. I can see it's going to be a firm favourite (review to come). I'd never tried one of Ben & Anna's cardboard tubes of natural deodorant before so picked up one in their Persian Lime scent (I'm having a few issues with the tube - which I think could be slightly modified) but the product is superb (again, a review to come). The third item I bought is new brand at Love Lula - Marley's Amsterdam Sustainable Shampoo Beer & Incense - these are shampoo flakes which you mix with water to create shampoo & packaged in easily recyclable packaging. Genius! 

A friend on instagram asked for a recommendation of a new exfoliator. I suggested Bee Good, as I'd always enjoyed their one, you know the drill, I spotted their Hand & Body Wash with Warm Fig & Vanilla and had to snap one up! It's absolutely beautiful and has a scent which lingers, the wash lathers well, feels silky and leaves the body and hands refreshed and clean. I like this a lot.

I hadn't had a Beauty Kit from Feel Unique for ages. They were offering it for £9.95 plus p&p (instead of £12.95 plus p&p) for a limited period and so I jumped right in there. Really pleased with my picks! You also get the postage back as a voucher code for your next purchase which makes the kit excellent value (the trial sizes are a good size). I chose a duo from Kerastase, a generous Medik8 mini, Clinique's cult Take the Day off and a new Caudalie cream.

I picked up a handful of melts from Lovely Melts and the Sanctuary Orange one is identical to the evocative aroma of The Sanctuary products - it's absolutely lovely.

A little return order for Nicki's Aromatics Soy Wax Melts which are gorgeous! See the shop which is Glasgow based HERE. The melts (and candles) are lovingly hand poured using essential oils and soy wax.

The power of socials! I spotted Herbs for Healing on Saskia's Flower Essences instagram and went to investigate. I spotted the lovely collab and had to have one! It smells instantly relaxing and I'm looking forward to trying the Herbs for Healing Bath Oil with Saskia's Breathe Deep Seek Peace Flower Essence. Look out for that review!  

What have you been buying lately?

Feel Unique: My Beauty Kit

I'm a huge fan of Feel Unique's My Beauty Kit (and Pick & Mix). My Beauty Kit costs £12.95 plus p&p (the p&p is redeemable) and you get to choose proper trial sizes, which give several uses. Here's what I picked this month:

WOW!

And for a closer look..

I'm a huge fan of lixirskin and was beyond thrilled to see their Electrogel Cleanser 30ml as a pick (worth £11). I reviewed it HERE.

This is my 2nd pick of Vichy's Mineral 89 Fortifying & Plumping Daily Booster 10ml which my skin has been loving in summertime. It's the perfect try-me size and great for travel.

A 15ml pot (like the size you get in GWP) of Clinique's superdefense SPF40 fatigue+1st signs of age multi-correcting gel. I was swayed by the SPF plus a new to me product. This little pot is worth £12.60 based on ml of the full size. It's a great try-me.

I adore Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil (my fav shade is Demolition). The one in the kit is Zero (black) in a mini size. I was just needing a new eye pencil!

My final pick is a mini of Moroccanoil's Body Souffle (20ml - worth £4.80). I used to love their haircare and didn't realise they did bodycare. This is lush and creamy and melts instantly onto warm skin. It's got a lovely creamy vanilla scent. Nice to try but unlikely to buy full size.

Have you picked up a My Beauty Kit recently?

February Empties

Here's my February empties. Products marked with * are product samples:

Beauty Pie's Super Healthy Skin Nourishing Body Wash 450ml - I loved this gently foaming wash which had an orangey type scent. Lasted ages too! Might or might not buy again.

I absolutely adore Klorane's Dy Shampoo with Oatmilk 150ml which was a Latest in Beauty pick. I've just opened my 2nd one and got a 3rd one on the way. It's fantastic, has a pleasant floral scent and leaves no white residue. I use it twice a week.

I've just opened my second System Professional Reconstructive Elixir Luxe Oil 30ml which I reviewed HERE. It'll always be in my stash as it just works.

*Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner 20ml which I reviewed HERE. Definitely one I'd buy full size when my stash reduces a bit.

*Madara Grow Volume Shampoo 10ml which came in January's fabulous Love Lula Beauty Box - see HERE. It's nice to use but I didn't really see any extra volume. Unlikely to buy full size.

System Professional Inessence Shampoo & Conditioner both 15ml sachets. These are the range's more "natural" products. I enjoyed using them (although the conditioner is clear like the shampoo!) Might or might not buy full size.

Madara Skin Equal Foundation samples (2ml) in shades Rose Ivory and Ivory. I loved Rose Ivory and would buy full size.

Rodial Vit C Eye Souffle 1ml which was nice to use but small sample - I didn't really notice much difference around the eye area. Would probably have to try it for longer/bigger size. Unlikely to buy.

Nourish Argan Anti-ageing Peptide Serum 2ml a nice product which I'd used before. Would buy again.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly 1ml which I think would be great to use in the summer months due to it's light gel consistency.

*Madara Grow Volume Conditioner 10ml - nice enough to use but I didn't really notice any difference to the volume of my hair. Unlikely to buy full size.

Ezape Naturals Ylang Ylang & Lavender Body Oil 50ml - a lush and rich blend of skin loving oils scented with essential oils. Lovely to use. I've got another two in my stash from beauty boxes!

Connock London Andiroba Oil Hand & Body Wash 75ml - this came in a set which I mentioned HERE. A gorgeous floral wash which was nice to use. Perfect for travel too.

Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Moisture Creme 250ml - I adore this luxurious body creme. See my review HERE. I've just opened a new pot. 

What have you been using up this month?

Latest in Beauty: The India Knight Style Beauty Box

You should know the drill by now, I can never resist a Latest in Beauty collection box. The India Knight Edit in association with The Sunday Times Style magazine just HAD to be mine! There are 10 items in the box, with six full sizes! Costing £40 and worth an incredible £210!

The things which first jumped out at me when the box landed was the trio of haircare (which alone is worth £97!)

Award winning Charlotte Mensah is a totally new to me brand (there's a whole host of products in stylist, artistic director and founder Charlotte's line). I'll definitely be checking them out later. Inside the box is her Manketti Hair Oil 100ml which is worth £48. A review will follow when I get the chance to try it.

I've got a few of legendary hair stylist, Sam McKight's products on my Cult Beauty wishlist so was delighted to see a full size of his Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist 250ml (£25) nestled in the box. It'll give you sexy tousled messy but cool locks!

The third haircare item is Color WOW's Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml (£24) which has been on my radar but I've never got round to trying until now! The results on the website look amazing - I've still to master drying my hair with a brush but it will also work with the heat from straighteners too. Watch this space!

There's a full size of The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10%+Zinc 1% 30ml (£5) which will help regulate sebum and reduce the appearance of blemishes. I've only tried a couple of products from the range before but I'll give this a whirl.

There's a 15ml trial size of Elemis's Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix which will revitalise and regenerate the skin while you sleep. 

Also inside is Kiehl's Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil 40ml "this classic body product is reimagined in the form of a cocooning dry oil". Looking forward to trying this out!

From Clinique there's a mini travel size pot of their Moisture Surge 72 hour auto-replenishing Hydrator 15ml which is like a glass of water for the skin.

From Laura Mercier there is their Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Dominate 0.42g which is a cherry-red shade. This is a trial size.

Also inside the box is Zoeva's Heritage Eye Crayon in Phonology 1.4g (£11) which is a metallic caramel bronze. It seems really nice and I'm looking forward to using it.

Rounding up the box is BBB London's Ultimate Brow Arch Definer in Saffron 0.3g (£22).

There are also a couple of discount codes from BBB London for 20% off a brow shape, 15% off at Elemis and 15% off at Zoeva as an added extra.  Did you pick up one of the Style boxes?

Latest in Beauty: Style Summer Essentials with The Sunday Times

I couldn't resist snapping up a The Sunday Times Style Summer Essentials Box with Latest in Beauty which cost £46 and is worth £229. Up until Sunday there they had been offering monthly subscribers £6 off and non-subscribers free postage making the box even more bargainous! (I'm not currently a member but was happy to receive free p&p).

It's absolutely jam packed! And now for a closer look..

I'm super chuffed with this gorgeous SUQQU Designing Color Eyes Palette (Hikaritouka) which is worth £46 alone! The shades are really beautiful and pigmented and I'm looking forward to trying them.

From MAC there is a full size lipstick (Sultry Move) worth £17.50 which is in a very wearable pink nude. Also full size is a Code 8 Precision Eyeliner in Carbon Black which is worth £28. Yet another full size! OPI Nail Lacquer Don't Cry over Spilled Milkshakes which is worth £13.50. There are two try-me make up items - Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Setting Powder 3.5g and Smashbox Super Fab Mascara 5ml (which are great try me sizes/for travel). So far, I'm loving it!

Yet another full size! From BareMinerals we have their BarePro Glow Highlighter Drops which are worth £23. There's also a mini Clinique Take the Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips (30ml) which is perfect for try me/holidays.

From Elemis is their Peptide4Plumping Pillow Facial 15ml, from Kiehl's their Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream 7ml and from Paula's Choice a luxury trial size (7ml) of their Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum.

bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Dark 110ml I won't use this as I don't use self-tan. It's worth £9.99 (I'll pass it along!) There's a mini from Bumble & Bumble of their Hairdresser's Invisible Oil/UV Heat Protective Primer 30ml (£10), Aveda Hand Relief Moisturising Creme 40ml (£12) and Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Body Builder 98ml (£10).

Rounding up the box is a 10ml Narciso Rodriquez Pur Musc for her EdP spray. It's nice to receive a good size bottle rather than a perfume vial. It has a heart of musc with white florals and orange blossom and it would be perfect for summer holidays.

It's all a bit overwhelming (in a good way!) and I'll follow up with reviews for most of the products. Did you pick a box up?

Clinique: The British Beauty Blogger Edit II

I couldn't resist Jane's latest collaboration with Latest in Beauty and Clinique. Costing a totally bargainous £20 including P&P these sold out very quickly. 

What sold the box to me was that inside was a Sweet Pot Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm (full size - worth £15) in shade Red Velvet. One side is a gentle scrub and the other a tinted lip balm. I've been wanting to try one of these for ages!

The second full size product is a Chubby Lash Fattening Mascara in Jumbo Jet (£17.50).  Also inside is:

15ml Superprimer Universal Face Primer

30ml Liquid Facial Soap (Mild)

30ml Take the Day Off Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips

15ml Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+

15ml For Men Face Scrub

4ml Aromatics in Black EdP

An empty pot to take to a Clinique counter to receive your 5 day foundation sample

£10 off a £30 spend at Clinique online.

Did you pick this box up?

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

I'm Back!

I took last week off the blog as I was on holiday. It was lovely and relaxing and we all had a wonderful time with a few days of glorious sunshine. I'll let you know what I got up to next week. We stayed at L'Horizon Hotel & Spa in St Brelade's Bay, Jersey (hubby and the folks). 

Of course there had to be a bit of shopping...

As the island is duty free it would be rude not to pick up my all time favourite Tom Ford Santal Blush EDP (50ml) which cost £127 instead of £145. See my review here. I picked this up at de Gruchys. (they also gave me some sample vials which we used on holiday).

My second buy (mum treated me) (ever since reading British Beauty Blogger's review I've wanted this) is Chanel's Le Blanc De Chanel - Multi-Use Illuminating Base (30ml) which costs £33 in the UK and £29 in Jersey. I picked it up at Feel Unique (which is a wonderful shop!)  I also got some foundation samples to try and have fallen for Perfection Lumiere Velvet.

Another couple of treats from mum (she also bought a couple and we shared the GWPs).

I'd wanted to get my hands on the Black Honey Clinique Chubby Lash Mascara but they were sold out! So I settled for shade Portly Plum.  The second item is an all time favourite - Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay in Place Eyeliner in Smoke.

Above is my selection of goodies from the GWPs.

Hope you have all had a great week!

Neal's Yard Hand Cream free with Marie Claire Magazine

I am a huge fan of magazine freebies! This month's (June issue) Marie Claire has a free hand cream from Neal's Yard worth £10 (50ml).  I picked up Wild Rose scent (there is also a choice of Geranium & Orange and Garden Mint & Bergamot). The Wild Rose one is so lush I may have to try and collect a few more! (the mag costs £3.99)

It deeply nourishes the hand and nails leaving them feeling comfortable and smelling of roses - what's not to love!

Instyle mag are giving away a Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum 10ml - so check that out too!

Magazine Freebies - August - Marie Claire, InStyle & Glamour

I do love a magazine freebie! On the way back from a few days away I picked up Marie Claire & InStyle magazines which have a couple of great freebies this month.  

Marie Claire is offering a balance Me Cleanse & Smooth Face Balm 40ml or their Face Moisturiser 15ml (worth £25 together) and Instyle the rather fabulous Neal's Yard Geranium & Orange Hand Cream 50ml which is worth £10!

Glamour magazine are offering a Clinique mini - moisturiser, mascara or a choice of two chubby sticks. As a subscriber I was delighted to receive a chubby stick mini in Super Strawberry.

Have you picked up any of these fab freebies?  Red magazine are offering a Rodial Glam Balm mini too!

Beauty Christmas Gifts (& Candles)

I received some gorgeous beauty gifts (and candles) for Christmas.  

Hubby gave me my favourite bath oil - REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil (110ml). I was also lucky enough to receive a bottle of this from REN as a Christmas gift.  He also gave me The White Company White Lavender Bath Milk 200ml - which comes in a beautiful glass decanter - it's going to look pretty sitting by the bath. He also gave me The White Company Festive Hand Poured Pillar Candle which is scented with Cinnamon, Clove and Orange.

My mum and dad gave me an Isle of Skye Candle in Winter Warmer - again with Orange, Cinnamon and Clove. Just as well I love these Christmassy scents! They also gave me Clinique True Bronzer Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunkissed (I recently dropped mine and it shattered into a thousand pieces) and a Love Lula Set which includes - MOX botanicals Peppermint Lip Butter, Dr Bronner's Organic Peppermint Body Balm, John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash 30ml and Body Lotion 30ml, John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor 10ml and two Kimberly Sayer's sachets - cleanser and anti-ageing cream - a great little tester kit!

My sister and family gave me Dr Organic Rose Otto products - Body Scrub 200ml, Skin Lotion 200ml, Bath Oil 100ml, Lip Serum 10ml, Body Wash 250ml and Soap 100g.  This is one of my favourite Dr Organic scents.

My friend Margie gave me a Radley Cosmetic Bag which is very cute. Inside was a Molton Brown mini Black Peppercorn Body Lotion.

Julie gave me a set of benefit lip glosses and a Rosslyn Candle Company Gardenia Candle. Can't wait to try the glosses.

Jen from Daisy Rose Beauty sent me a goody bag full of trial sizes, samples and teas which was kind of her.  She also included a bracelet and earrings.

What did you receive for Christmas? If you've done a similar post please send me your links as I love reading them.

Shopping my Stash #39

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

Dr Organic Manuka Honey Cuticle & Nail Solution 15ml (£6.19 - offer at Holland & Barratt buy one get one half price at the moment) - I simply love this super moisturising cuticle serum.  It leaves the cuticles and nails in great condition and it smells rather nice too.

The Argan Company Argan Oil 30ml* (£11.99) - I won this in the company's first Twitter competition.  This oil is cold pressed from the nut, is ethically produced and rich in nutrients and essential fatty acids. My skin, hair and nails have been loving this super moisturising oil. A fuller review will follow.

Mendill Organic Wet Towelettes** - I reviewed the Lavender ones here. I love how they each have some of the same uses (use on hands and body) but some different uses too. Organic Tangerine** an opened towelette can be used to refresh the air in the bathroom and you can use it to remove oil, grime, grease and to wipe counter tops.

Organic Lemon** can be used as a face astringent or aftershave.  You can also massage the towelette onto your forehead to help with concentration issues. Organic Orange** can be put in the fridge to refresh after exercise or on a hot day. It also brightens the skin and Organic Eucalyptus** freshens, deodorises, relieves sore muscles and can soothe sunburn.

eos Summer Fruits Lip Balm - love this natural and fruity lip balm. Lasts for ages too!

Naturally Nourished Frankincense Hand Cream sample - a rich hand cream stuffed full of nourishing shea butter, kukui nut oil and scented with ylang ylang, rose and frankincense essential oils. Gorgeous!

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Roomiest Rose - this is a really lovely deep rose shade.

What have you been reaching for this week?

*Twitter Competition Win

** PR samples