May Empties

Here are the products I've been using up in May. If a product is marked * I've been generously gifted it for review.

Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance Balancing Body Polish 15ml which came in Naturisimo's Self Love Discovery Box. I loved this rose scented creamy polish so much I had to buy full size. Absolute perfection and a luxe treat.

Kerastase Nutritive Lait Vital 75ml which I received in a Feel Unique My Beauty Kit. I love it as it works. Nourishing the hair, leaving it silky soft and smooth. Just opened a new one.

Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid 50ml which is a staple in my stash. It gives the skin a light moisturising glow, evening out imperfections without the heavy feel of foundation. I've just opened a new one.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream 75ml I adore this vanilla, pistachio and salted carmel scented fluffy cream. I just bought the Biggie Biggie Bum Bum Cream - so that should last a while. Love this cream!

JOIK Apple & Elderflower Foaming Hand Wash 250ml* I loved this moisturising foaming wash which had a delectable fruity scent. See my review HERE. One I'll definitely buy in future although it's a little on the pricey side for a hand wash.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Ageing Infinite Colour Hold Shampoo & Conditioner sachets, 7ml each. I received these in Feel Unique's pick 'n' mix. Luxurious and great to try. I preferred the conditioner from the duo. Might or might not buy.

Doers of London "it starts at the top" Shampoo 50ml which came in Mint Green's February starter kit. It was nice enough but unlikely to buy.

*Nudge Boutique Saffron Glow Facial Oil Serum 10ml which is one of my favourite new tries this year. See my review HERE. I will definitely buy this when my oil/serum stash reduces a bit as it's absolutely fantastic.

Tam Mason Mint & Cedarwood Hand Scrub 25ml I adore these beautiful hand scrubs. See my review HERE. I wasn't so keen on this aroma but will definitely buy the scrub again in a different scent (Rose & Patchouli).

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser 10ml which was nice to try. It was pleasant to use and I've now tried it! Unlikely to buy.

Decleor Aromessence Neroli Bigarade Essential Oil Serum 0.7ml I used to use Decleor so it was nice to revisit. A teeny tiny free sample. Definitely one to add to my wishlist as I adore Neroli.

What have you been using up this month?

October Empties

Here are my October empties, products marked with * I've kindly been gifted for review.

HASK Rose Oil & Peach Color Protect Deep Conditioner 50g - this was a LIB pick and I got two uses from the sachet. Nice to use and does what it says on the tin (beautiful scent too). Will pick up again.

rahua Shower Gel 22ml - nice enough but hasn't got the wow factor of some of their other products. Wouldn't purchase.

*Desavery DREAM Oil Cleanser 10ml - I first tried the brand as a Beauty Shortlist Judge last year and fell head-over-heels. This cleansing oil was no different. See my review HERE. I'll definitely buy at some point. An absolutely stunning brand.

Zing Organics Ah There! Body Oil 25ml - I love Zing and their quirkiness as well as their hardworking and effective products. This body oil was lush! See my review HERE. My bodycare stash is huge but I'd buy this again.

Avon Cannabis Sativa Oil Restore & Calm Hand and Body Balm 150ml - nice to use with a fresh herbal scent. It has a cream-balm type texture which melted onto the skin quickly. I've already bought another!

Avon Zen Mandarin & Jasmine Handwash 280ml - cheap as chips with a glorious scent. This is my favourite Avon handwash which I buy again and again. I'd love if they'd consider doing a refill pack.

Sol de Janerio Coco Cabana Cream 25ml - nice-ish to use (it has a gel type texture rather than a cream) but not a patch on the original bum bum vanilla-y cream. Wouldn't buy.

rahua Leave-In Treatment 5ml sachet - this is one of the rahua goodies. Absolutely gorgeous product (you only need a tiny bit). I got four uses out of this sachet. Full size is on the wishlist!

My final item this month is a 0.7ml sachet from Decleor - their Aromessence Neroli Amara Oil Serum. I used to use Decleor so it was nice to revisit! 

What have you been using up this month?

October Empties

Here's what I've been using up in October (items marked with * I've received complimentary).

Sisley Neck Cream 10ml this was nice to try but unlikely I'd buy full size.

Odacite Rose+Neroli Treatment Mist 50ml which was gorgeous! My friend, Julie gave it to me for my birthday. See my review HERE. I'd have this back in my stash again in a heartbeat!

Clarins Tonic Moisture Balm 5ml I loved this aromatic body balm and would love full size but got huge amount of body products to use up (maybe someday!)

Beauty Pie Jeju Daily Rehydration Mist+ 100ml gorgeous product. See my review HERE. Sure to buy again at some point.

Shay & Blue White Peaches 10ml I adore this beautiful fresh, sweet and fruity scent. It featured in my 5 perfumes for Spring (link). Will buy this again...and soon!

*O.moi Respire Breathe Nourishing Yogi Oil 100ml this was a winner (and one of mine!) in last years Beauty Shortlist Awards. You can see my top picks HERE. I adored this body oil and it's one I'll buy again at some point. The whole range is lush!

*Earth Harbor Rose Ruby Hydrating Face Mist 60ml which was an exciting new to me brand. It featured in a Vertue Beauty Box entitled Vitamin Sea. It was a beautiful mist to use and I'd like to explore more by the brand.

I did have a shampoo sachet which matched with the conditioner from Giovanni Root66 but it seems to have gone walkabouts! The duo were ok but I didn't see much in the way of added volume so wouldn't buy (2 x 7.4ml).

I loved Living Sea Therapy's Calm Bath Salts 400g which I picked up in  the Anthropologie sale. See my review HERE. I'd definitely consider buying these again especially if they were on sale. 

The Lore Originals Legend Mask was new to me (you use it on dry hair before washing and conditioning). My hair was left feeling super soft and healthy. Would perhaps buy again.

Jurlique Rare Rose Cream 2ml smells glorious. It was quite a teeny sachet but my skin seemed to love it. Would maybe buy full size.

Dr Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution .45k (single use) I've used these salts before and loved them. Would happily buy again.

Verdant Alchemy Drift Off Bath Salts 100g which came in September's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. I loved them a lot and would buy.

*MOSSA Vitamin Moisture Conditioner 10ml which did nothing whatsoever for my hair! Wouldn't buy.

Avon Distillery Purify Facial Oil 2ml which is from a new range by Avon Cosmetics. Really nice. Might or might not buy in future. I do have their Sleep Potion Night Cream which I'll review soon.

Decleor Creme Ambree Sunkissed Cream 2ml which was brown in colour! This disappeared on massaging it onto your skin. I liked this, would definitely like to try more samples before I'd buy full size.

What products have you been using up in October?

Pampering #1

I so enjoyed doing my pamper night post for Jo - see here.  I've decided to start doing occasional posts about what products I'm pampering myself with.

This week I'm loving -

Here's what I've been enjoying this week:

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil (£56 - 30ml) - My favourite face oil ever! See my review here.

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask (£90 - 60ml - though I bought this a while back for £70 - shows how long it's been in my stash!) simply gorgeous and pampering. Scented with roses it lifts, brightens and plumps the skin.  A keeper!  All the Sisley masks are fab.

Decleor Relaxing Scented Candle (this is a mini - full size £18.70 for 185g). I won this as part of my John & Ginger Twitter win - see here.  A lovely candle with a nice floral scent.

Sweet Cecily's Rose Body Butter (£19.95 for 200ml) - simply love this light rose scented butter.  See my review here.  Packaging is cute too making it ideal for gifting.

Philip B katira Hair Masque (I received a smaller size (60ml) in the Selfridges Beauty Box last summer - £30 for 178ml) - simply love this masque it leaves my hair super soft, shiny and oh so healthy looking.

Have you used any of these products before?

Decleor Facial & Afternoon Tea at the Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh

In association with Essential Edinburgh - Spa in the City returns to Edinburgh on 4th and 5th May - I'm excited that's next weekend!  See my initial post here.

I was asked along yesterday to The Roxburghe Hotel for a complimentary Facial* and Afternoon Tea*.

What a gorgeous day I had!  Danielle, the Spa Manager was lovely, so friendly and made me feel at ease instantly.  I had a Decleor mini facial which was wonderful - so relaxing - I'd forgotten how lovely Decleor products are.

After filling out a new client form I was lead to this lovely treatment room for my facial.

I've used Decleor products in the past but not for ages so it was great to get a re-introduction to them.

My treatment started with talking about my skin issues which I'd listed on the form and then it was straight into some pampering.  

My skin was cleansed with Aroma Cleanse - Essential Cleansing Milk - a light lotion which contains neroli essential oil and sweet almond oil.  Smells amazing and removes all make up.  This was removed with hot cleansing cloths.

Next up was Phytopeel - Natural Exfoliating Cream - this is a cream exfoliator which is put on the skin like a face mask, left to dry and then massaged off, removing the excess with a cotton pad soaked in tonifying lotion.  I've used this before and love it.  It was in a Feel Unique box - see here.

My face, neck and shoulders were then massaged with Aromessence Iris - which helps tone and energise the skin.  As with all the Decleor products this smells gorgeous!

A mask was then applied and whilst it was working I was treated to a scalp massage.  After the mask was removed my skin was toned with tonifying lotion and then moisturised with Harmonie Calm Soothing Milky Cream. I must make a note to self to treat myself to facials! I felt relaxed afterwards and my skin looks radiant.

Hubby met me for Afternoon Tea* afterwards and what a treat it was! We had a glass of Champagne each as well as tea (Earl Grey and English Breakfast).  We sat at the window and watched the world go by - and escaped the hail shower!

Here's what we ate -

Sandwiches - egg mayonnaise, tuna and ham & tomato

Scones - with jam and clotted cream (butter available too)

Cakes - Mille Feuille, mini meringues and ginger cake

It was simply delicious and such a treat! Thanks so much to The Roxburghe Hotel for such a lovely afternoon.  If you are in Edinburgh next weekend make sure to drop into The Roxburghe Hotel Marquee at Spa in the City. (St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD).

Follow on Twitter @RoxburgheHotel  @EdinSpa 

*complimentary

John & Ginger - Twitter Competition Win

I won some amazing products via John & Ginger's recent Twitter competition.  Here's what I won.

Two Dermalogica Gift Sets

Decleor mini Candle

Lots of samples - great for travel/try me

Dermalogica Lip Shine

Decleor Supernatural Tote Bag

Decleor Cosmetic Bag

Dermalogica Tote Bag

John & Ginger stock a whole range of beauty products.  These include Dermalogica, Decleor, Aromatherapy Associates, Tisserand, St Tropez, Tigi, Karin Herzog, OPI, Rodial, Neom and Suki to name a few.  See the website here.

You can follow John & Ginger on Twitter @JohnandGinger 

Latest in Beauty - YOU Anti-Ageing Discovery Box

The Latest in Beauty YOU magazine Anti-Ageing Discovery box is just fabulous!  Costing just £8.95 plus P&P.

Included is:

L'Occitane Divine Cream 3ml - a Beauty Bible Award Winner.  I'm not keen on the scent of this one so have arranged a swap.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift & Sculpt Skin Plumping Serum 10ml - have used this before, a fab product in a great range.

This Works Enjoy Multi-Tasking Lotion 30ml - love the This Works range and this smells divine - with rose and geranium.  Can be used on body and face.

Eve Lom Rescue Mask 15ml - only tried the cleansing balm from this range so looking forward to using this one.

Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator 15ml - from a brand I've heard of but never tried any products from.  I've started using this in conjunction with the Face Finishing Moisturiser luxury sample I got from the Cult Beauty freebie.

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Hydra-radiance Smoothing & Cleansing Mousse 15ml - I am testing this full size product for Beauty Bible - its fantastic!  This will be a great size for holidays/weekends away.

Fushi Organic Anti-Wrinkle Lip Balm 10ml - really nice product, spa like and orange scented. Love it!  You can read more about it and other products in the range here.

CosmetoFruit Face Anti-Ageing Defence 30ml - tried this previously, will probably give this one a go too.

Did you get the box?  What are your thoughts?

My Collection of Exfoliators and Masks

These are the exfoliators/masks that I am currently using.

Exfoliators

Dr Nick Lowe Cooling Menthol Face Scrub - My all time favourite.  You can read my post about it here.  I normally stock up on this when Boots are doing a £5 off voucher promotion.

Avene Gommage Doux Purifiant - Gentle Purifying Scrub - A Beauty Bible Testing product.  You can read my post here.

Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage - Mild Enzymatic Exfoliator - All Skin Types.  I received this as a gift and have only used it a couple of times so far.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Thermafoliant - this was in Glossybox.  Nice product with heating action.

Decleor Phytopeel - from the last Feel Unique box.  A brilliant product, really effective.  You apply to the face and let it dry and then rub the product off in circular motions.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - apply like a face mask, leave on 10-15 minutes and then remove with lukewarm water and follow with a mask.

Masks

No7 Beautiful Skin Energising Mask - just bought this one in the No7 £5 off promotion at Boots - not tried it yet.

Vinies Luminous Skin Mask - this was from November's Boudoir Prive.  I really like this product although I know a lot of girls had really bad reactions to it.

Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask - smells gorgeous.  Really lovely moisturising mask.

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask - this is a fabulous mask.  I got this as a freebie at a Harvey Nics night.  I only use it occasionally as its so good!  Apply to the face and neck, leave 3 minutes and then blot to absorb any excess.  Only downside is full size of 60ml retails at £72.50.  My trial size is 15ml.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Power Recovery Mask - another Glossybox product and lovely to use.

Cetuem SCR Gold Illuminating Mask - this was from Boudoir Prive in October.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Off Mask - think I've only used this once so far.


I also have my masks and peel from my mystery box from Hong Kong.

Just thinking I really miss Boudoir Prive - it was my favourite box (closely followed by Feel Unique)

What exfoliators/masks do you recommend?

Feel Unique - February

I received my Feel Unique Beauty Box yesterday morning.  I am pleased with the contents this month.

Elemis Lime & Ginger Hand & Body Wash 100ml - Have used this before and love the scent and quality of the product.  A luxe treat.  Feel Unique say "this fresh & exotic wash has a beautiful rejuvenating fragrance with a deep cleansing formula that lathers into a super-rich, delicious formula for all over the body".

Decleor Phytopeel Natural Exfoliating Cream 15ml - another product I've used in the past but not for ages.  Apply to the skin, leave to dry and then rub off using circular movements, rinse face with water and then apply toner.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 40ml - I received this in Glossybox and still got loads left.  Great product but swapping for the Maximiser which was in the alternative box.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Useage Dry Oil 10ml - can be used all over the body - face, hair and over the body.  Feel Unique also suggest mixing a drop with your foundation for a dewy look.  They also say "pour a small amount in the palm of your hand and gently ruffle you hair for a natural sheen".  Really pleased to try this product.

Leighton Denny High Performance Nail Polish mini - Diamond Ivory - a pretty light shimmery shade.

Extra is a Jean Paul Gaultier mini EDT - Kokorico - a men's fragrance...it's not very nice  but as it was an extra I don't mind too much.


What are your thoughts?

Beauty Bible Testing - The Products

I was so excited when hubby phoned me at work to tell me that my Beauty Bible Testing Panel package had arrived!  You can read more about this on my original post.

Here are the goodies! (All full size products!)

If you want more info about anything let me know - I was so excited to share the photo of the products! x