Seven Scents for Summer

These are the scents I'm enjoying at the moment -

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel - simply loving this light fruity floral.  See my review here. 

Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Aromatic Blend - a lovely fresh and light scent.  See my review here.

Kai Perfume Oil Roll on - simply adore this Gardenia, Jasmine, Tuberose, Lily and Cucumber scent.  It is said that this smells different on everyone.  Just wish is was a bit cheaper as it costs £40 for 3.6ml.

Diptyque Philosykos Perfume Oil Roll on - the scent that reminds me of hot summer days.  Love this fig scent.  You can read more about it here.

Clarins Eau de Jardins - a light and fruity scent - see my mini review here.

Acqua di Parma Acqua Nobile Gelsomino EDT Roll on - a simply gorgeous light Jasmine scent.  See my review here.

Balm Balm Mandarin EDP single note - a gorgeous fresh and fruity scent.

Do you wear any of these scents? What's your favourite Summer scent?

Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel - Crabtree & Evelyn

I bought Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel recently from Crabtree & Evelyn - see here.  I'm simply loving it!  This is the first time I have tried a perfume gel.  It is scented with wildflowers, ivy, water lily, blackberry and bergamot.  Simply a great scent for Spring - a light fruity floral - it's my favourite scent at the moment. 

Formulated with aloe vera and glycerine it contains no colour, mineral oil, parabens and propylene Glycol.  It retails at a very affordable £12 for 12ml. It is perfect for travelling or popping in your handbag.

Other products in the range include:

EDT 60ml Spray - £22

Bath & Shower Gel 200ml - £13

Body Lotion 200ml - £15

Hand Therapy 100g - £14

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @CrabtreeUK 

Spending Ban Update

Well I'm now fifteen days into my spending ban and on day 10 I caved! Oops. Pai Skincare had a special offer - buy a BioAffinity Toner and get a 50ml Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (worth £12.50) FREE!  I chose the Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Toner (£30 for 50ml). I've used both these products before and you can see my reviews here and here. I'm so looking forward to using this amazing toner again!  The offer runs until the 19th May.

On Monday, I was browsing in Crabtree & Evelyn and had a spray of their new Somerset Meadow scent - simply gorgeous with wild flowers, ivy, waterlily, blackberry and bergamot.  Yesterday I went back and picked up the perfume gel (£12 for 12ml). As a VIP card holder I got 15% off making it £10.20. Yvonne, one of the advisors in the Edinburgh branch gave me a sample pot of the hand cream - I love Crabtree & Evelyn hand creams.  A full review will follow.

For the rest of the month I'm not spending! Onto my wants - I've been using the gorgeous paperblanks* journal I was gifted during my last spending ban.

How is your spending ban coming along?


*complimentary - sent for use during my 100 day spending ban

March Empties

I know I'm a wee bit early with my empties but I know I won't finish anything else before the end of the month.

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom EDT - 15ml refillable atomizer - my favourite Abahna scent. I'll definitely pick up the super value refill.

Oh Organics Rose Moisturiser Sample - I was sent items in the Rose and Melissa range to review.  See the website here.  This is a lovely moisturiser and a full review will follow.

Aromatherapy Associates Destress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil 3ml - I don't think there is an Aromatherapy Associates bath oil I don't love. 

Elemis Tranquil Touch Body Polish 150ml - love this.  It's got just the right amount of gritty-ness.  Would buy again.  I reviewed it here.

Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange Bath & Shower Gel 50ml - absolutely loved the body lotion (and would buy again) but I didn't like the shower gel as much. So wouldn't re-purchase.

Neom Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Wash 250ml - absolutely loved this multi-tasking hand wash (can also be used as a body wash) but my pump action bottle started not working after a while which made this not fun to use but it wouldn't put me off buying it again as it is a lovely non-drying hand wash which smells amazing! And is my favourite Neom scent.  See my review here.

bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil 15g - loved this.  This came in a gift set. Would buy again.

Lush Dream Cream sample - this was a very generous sample and my skin loved it.  Will definitely buy at some point.

L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream 10ml - one of my favourite hand creams - I always have one of these on the go.  Especially love when magazines offer them as free gifts - I snap them up!

Korres Guava Little Shower Gel 50ml - this came in my final Birchbox recently. Simply loved it.  You can see my review here.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml - simply love this little mask.  Always seem to have one in my stash because it works!  See my review here.

Aromatherapy Associates Lavender & Peppermint Bath & Shower Oil 3ml - again, not found an Aromatherapy Associates Bath Oil I don't love.  

Neom Tranquility Bath & Shower Oil 30ml - a gorgeous bath oil and one I'd buy again.

Goldwell 60sec Treatment 50ml - this came in a Feel Unique box ages ago.  Quite a nice product but probably wouldn't buy.


Aromatherapy Associates Overnight Repair Mask 5ml - simply a fab product.   Awakens your skin leaving it looking radiant and renewed. Would buy full size.

111 Skin Facelift Repair Serum & Day Cream both 2ml - lovely but hard to tell from a 2ml sample whether it suits or not.

Clarins Eau Resourcante Bath & Shower Milk 50ml - lovely product received in a gift set at Christmas.  Really moisturising and the scent lasts even without using the matching body lotion. Would maybe purchase full size. 

Essential Care Creamy Coconut Cleanser 30ml - I received this in November's Amarya box. I expected it to be coconut scented. It wasn't but I still loved it.  You can see my review here.  There has not been an Essential Care product I've tried that I've not loved.

Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash 50ml - I picked up a few of these when they came free with a magazine a while back.  Really lovely face wash - one of my favourite foaming cleansers and it smells so good.  Will buy when I use up my stash of minis.

Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream 50ml - again this was a freebie hand cream.  Loved the scent of this one and received this and another one recently with my Easy Living magazine subscription.  I can never have enough hand creams (or lip balms!)

Gielly Green Repair Shampoo 50ml - a natural shampoo which smells really lovely and is safe for coloured hair.  You can see my review here.  I'm pretty sure I'll buy this again.

Neom Complete Bliss Organic Hand Cream 50ml - probably my most favourite hand cream in the world! Will definitely re-purchase at some point once I use up the stash I have.  You can see my review here. (I lost the lid of this so it became my bedside hand cream - I'm going to miss it...)

Undergreen White 1ml sample vial - this came in December's Amarya box.  Simply loved it.  Probably won't buy as it costs £120 for 100ml.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 100ml - so sad to have finished this! Absolutely loved this hydrating rose scented toning mist.  You can see my review here.  I'll definitely re-purchase this when the spending ban is over.  Love it.

Have you used any of these products?  What have you been using up this month?

Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange, Eucalyptus & Sage Mini Duo

My mum gave me a tenner to treat myself to a small beauty item as she knows I'm on the spending ban - thanks mum! I picked this mini gift from Crabtree & Evelyn.  The assistant gave me a mini pot filled with the matching hand cream (which is super moisturising).  The set normally retails at £8 but I've got a VIP 15% off card.

The set contains:

Skin Invigorating Bath & Shower Gel 50ml

Skin Refreshing Body Lotion 50ml

Scented with orange, bergamot and neroli it is a zesty and uplifting scent.

The bath & shower gel lathers up well leaving the skin clean and refreshed.  The Body lotion has a cream/gel texture, is lightweight and lightly scented.  This is a new scent from Crabtree & Evelyn.  

Have you used this?  What is your favourite product at Crabtree & Evelyn?

March Empties

I don't think I've got through so many empties this month!

Sheet Mask - Birds Nest Collagen Hydrating Mask - love this, I got this in the box Maria made me from Hong Kong.  Super moisturising. You can view the full contents here. I've still got the other three to use.

Avon Care Gentle Hand Wash 200ml - was okay product but wouldn't repurchase.

John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler 236ml - great for detangling and reducing static, would repurchase as this size lasts for ages.

Crabtree & Evelyn sample Avocado Body Lotion - nice enough, wasn't keen on the scent so wouldn't purchase.

Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash 55ml - love this, smells of turkish delight.  Only negative is its hard to get out the bottle - the tube version is much more runnier but same product?!  Would still repurchase.

KMS Free Shape Quick Blow Dry 30ml - from Carmine box.  Love this would purchase full size.  It really does what it says it will. (using another one from a swap).

Bamford Geranium Bath Oil - a real favourite, got a stock of these from swaps and blog sales.

Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner sachet - as above a favourite and got a supply.

Philosophy Peppermint Bark Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath 60ml - love the scent of this, good enough to eat! But found the scent disappeared quite quickly and was non existent in a bubble bath so wouldn't repurchase.

RMK Cleansing Oil 3ml sachet - love this and would consider buying full size.

L'Oreal Mythic Oil 3ml vial - nice product, would maybe consider purchasing.

Origins Ginger Burst Savory Body Wash 50ml - love this scent and would definitely re-purchase.

Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream 50ml - this and the wash were from my Christmas box.  Love.  Still got the larger sizes to use.

L'Occitane Shea butter soap - lovely light scented soap with great lather would repurchase.

Dove Soap - love the scent of this soap will repurchase at some point (I'd just about finished this last month and hubby sometimes uses!)

Inlight facial oil sachet - this was with Amarya box - lovely vanilla scented oil would consider purchasing.

Radox muscle soak bubble bath - a cheapie but it works.  Definitely repurchase.

Temple Spa Peace be Still Face & Body Balm - got this as a hotel room freebie - nice to use but probably wouldn't purchase.

Vaseline Active Fresh Deodorant - a staple!

Essential Care Organic Rose Moisturiser 15ml - got a sachet of this in an Amarya box and loved it so much I bought this size and purchased another.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream for Hands, Knees, Elbows and Feet 60g - both me and hubby love this! Addicted to the scent! Have already repurchased.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream 200ml - loved using this, total spa product but expensive.  Would maybe repurchase.

L'Occitane Hibiscus Flower Hand Cream 30ml - loved this and love L'Occitane hand creams - this one was a magazine freebie.

Phyto Phytobaume Express Conditioner 20ml - from Feel Unique.  Loved this and would purchase full size.

Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Hand & Body Wash 100ml - another from Feel Unique.  Would repurchase (once I use up my supply of body washes!)

What have you been using up this month?

Freebies

I took a half day from work today and trawled the shops picking up a few freebies on the way.

Grazia magazine are offering a VIP make up consultation at Armani counters.  You get sample pots of Luminous Silk Foundation, Fluid Sheer, Blushing Fabric and a 2ml Eyes to Kill Excess Mascara in black. 

Also on the back cover of Grazia you can pick up a 2ml sample size of NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser at SpaceNK.

In Crabtree & Evelyn I got a mini sample pot of Avocado, Olive Oil & Basil Body Lotion.

p.s. I went for my Carmine Benito Brow Threading - It was agony!  My eyebrows were red for hours - but I am pleased with the results.

Feel Unique Beauty Box - October

I'm loving my first Feel Unique Beauty Box it's fab!

It comes in a normal brown mailing box, inside is a mini black box, there is a small ribbon on the side of the box which you pull to open the box up!

Wow! I'm impressed with the contents!  This box costs £9.95 per month including postage!

This selection is "Pre-Winter Warmers" perfect to ease those pre-winter blues..

The enclosed card gives details on each of the five products and a code for 10% off valid until 31st October.

I am especially excited by Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Blow Out Balm which is a full size product and retails at £10.35!  It says it transforms hair into silky, glossy fluid perfection!  Can't wait to try!

I love Bliss products generally, so finding a 60ml Fabulous Foaming Face Wash was great. A two-in-one oil free exfoliating face wash for all skin types containing rosehip extract, milk thistle, passion flower and chamomile.

A 25g size of India Hicks Island Living Hand Cream is also included.  With shea butter, spider lily, jasmine, sea accords, macadamia nut oil and aloe smooths the hands.  Looking forward to trying this also.

There is also a 10ml Caudalie Radiance Day Fluid which ensures a glowing complexion all day long!  I am also looking forward to trying this.

Orly Nail Polish in Lola, a mini nail polish (5.3ml), lovely shade but bit too bright for me!  Will probably try and swap on "Beauty Box Swaps" on Facebook.

Finally, a 2ml carded vial of Burberry Body EDP which is gorgeous!  Fruity, floral and woody - love it!

Loving the Feel Unique box.

Latest in Beauty

Each month it costs £1 by mobile, for postage and packaging costs, plus usual network rates and you get to choose three sachet samples from Latest in Beauty.  There is not a huge selection to choose from but I thought I'd give it a try. 

You choose three samples from three categories:- skincare - make up & fragrance - hair & body.

You chose your selection online once you've set up an account.  A code is sent to your mobile phone which you then add to your order.  About a week later your samples arrive in a small pink branded box.  After you have tested them you can rate them on the website.

I chose:-

• 5 x 1ml sachets Dr Bragi Age Management Moisturiser.  The full size of 60ml retails for an eye watering £120.  It contains marine enzymes to help reduce the signs of ageing.  It is marketed as a serum, moisturiser and eye cream in one.  I found that I could use each sachet twice.  It had an interesting gel like texture which at night melted into the skin.  Using it in the morning I found it sticky and didn't enjoy the feel of it on my skin.  On the website it says to allow 15 minutes before applying make up - as if I would have time to do this running out the door to work!

• 1 x 1.5oz/44g sachet Burt's Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals. A 453g tin retails at round about £10.99.  Contains salt crystals and essential oils of rosemary and eucalyptus and has quite a medicinal smell.  On the packet it suggests using after a workout. I like Burt's Bees products especially the lip balms but I found this a bit boring. I prefer bath products that smell nice! 

• 0.5ml Crabtree & Evelyn Lily EDT carded vial sample and 5g sachet Lily body lotion.  Also included was a voucher for £5 off if you spend £25 instore or online.  Nice enough scent but a bit too flowery for my taste.  Body lotion was good quality and sank easily into the skin.  On website it says "a floral with musky undertones, greens, mosses, musk, hyacinth and Ylang Ylang.

Would I buy any of these items?  The answer is no.  It was nice to try them out though and I'll give next month's mini box a go.

Also on the website you can buy a themed box which is out several times a year and retails at £4.95 inc P&P but worth over £20 and currently contains sample sizes of Clarins, Dr Organic and Balance me to name a few. 

You can also buy luxury samples from brands like Abahna, BioEffect, Cowshed, Murad and Dr Lewinns.