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?

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?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: June 2021

*I receive the Love Lula Beauty Box complimentary as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. This month the box is worth £37 and contains 4 full sizes, including a Limited Edition and a sachet sample.

From Ayumi is their Fairness Daily Facial Day Cream, which is a full size item (100ml - £8.99) which I've used before. The cream adds radiance to dull complexions making it glow and add luminosity to the skin.

Also inside is Balm Balm's Fragrance Free Face Balm 30ml (£9.50) which is formulated with shea butter, sunflower, beeswax, jojoba and calendula. I must admit I prefer a scented product. On trying however, I'm suitably impressed. A review will follow for this one.

I've used a few products from Lamazuna, the eco-friendly and zero-waste brand. Inside the box is a Solid Shampoo Bar (assorted). I received their Oily Hair (Wild Grass) version which is worth £8.99 (55ml). This will last as long as two bottles of shampoo! My roots can be oily so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

From The Castilian Soap Company is their Limited Edition Peppermint Castilian Soap (250ml - £8). I'm always happy to see soap in a beauty box as lately I've been going through it fairly quickly. We received the Tea Tree version recently. Use for hands and body (or cleaning the bathroom!).

Rounding up the June box is a sachet from Dr Hauschka (1.5ml - worth 80p) of their Soothing Day Lotion.

What are your thoughts on the contents this month? I like that I'll easily use everything inside. 

Top Products 2021: January to March

Products which are marked * I was very kindly gifted for review. Last year I broke up my "top" stuff into manageable chunks rather than yearly and decided to do the same this year. This is a rather long post so grab that cuppa or glass of wine!

I dropped numerous hints to hubby that I'd love The Nue Co's Functional Fragrance which is available to buy at Naturisimo. See my review HERE (their newish Forest Lungs Fragrance is on the wishlist).

I fell head-over-heels and then some for ila spa's glorious The Big Sleep Bath Salts* which I reviewed as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in January. See my post HERE. These are the ones to get for r&r!

Beauty Cleanse Skincare Mean Green Superfood Drops & Carrot Algae Marine Drops* which are multi-use and fantastic. See my review HERE. Founder, Saman is currently crowdfunding - see more info HERE to launch a Superfood-Powered Multipurpose Face Mask which will brighten, refine pores, soften, detoxify, hydrate and offer an antioxidant boost - sounds like an absolute must have!

I love everything from Evolve Organic Beauty. Their newish Super Berry Body Oil* is just sublime. See my review HERE.

And then, I fell head-over-heels for Love Absolute's Mulberry Milk Jelly Cleanser, which quite honestly is one of the most joy giving products I've ever used (I love the easily re-usable packaging too). See my review HERE.

Silvan Skincare Balance Face Cream is just sublime. I'm a huge fan of the brand having tried a few of their balms in the past. See my review HERE.

I initially tried the Dr Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Cream* in their Advent Calendar which I partly received as my November pick as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger and fell head-over-heels - see HERE. I loved it so much I selected it and the matching Bath Essence* as my February picks. See HERE. 

I received Balm Balm's Lavender Face Balm in January's Love Lula Beauty Box* and fell hard. I've now got a couple in my stash thanks to lovely friends - you know who you are! See my review HERE.

Reacquainting myself with UpCircle Beauty (I've always been a fan of their peppermint coffee scrub from their early days). I'm now a huge, huge fan of the skincare line. Check out my review HERE.

Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil (which I first tried via the aforementioned Advent Calendar). I loved it so much I bought full size as it's instantly calming. See my review HERE.

Of course I had to have an Antipodes latest launch! As soon as I saw it land at Naturisimo it was in my basket! Check out my review HERE. It's truly gorgeous.

Tam Mason's Nourishing Sugar Hand Scrubs had been on my wishlist. I took the plunge recently and fell head-over-heels. Check out my review HERE. I've recently been sent one of their new sugar Body Scrubs* which I'm sure already will feature in my next favs!

Another product I can't imagine not being in my stash....always is Nudge Boutique's May Chang & Pink Grapefuit Whipped Body Butter. It has the perfect scent to uplift both the body and mind as well as being a luxe and affordable treat. Check out my review HERE.

I truly love all the products* I chose as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for March. Check out my review HERE. They uplifted me so much with their scents+textures and made me happy. One already has been a re-purchase!

Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Cleansing Melt had been on the wishlist. I was happy to receive this 30ml in a Naturismo Discovery Box. Check out my review HERE. One of the best cleansers I've used.

Rounding up my January to March top picks is Balance Me's fantastic BHA Exfoliating Concentrate* which I reviewed HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil

I first tried Dr Hauschka's Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil in their Advent Calendar (which I partly received as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in November). See my posts about it - HERE, HERE and HERE).

I fell head-over-heels for the Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil which I received on Day 6 (10ml) so rushed out to buy full size which retails at £21 for 75ml. The product is boxed and presented in a glass pump bottle. The oil has a milky texture which turns into an oil on contact with warm skin and is ever so nurturing and calming making it perfect to use just before bed for restful slumbers. 

Formulated with Moor extract, Horse Chestnut, firming Horsetail, Olive Oil and Lavender. The ingredients are carefully blended using a unique rhythmic blending process. During this phase the mixture is heated to 37C and carefully mixed in the morning and evening to allow the nurturing plant essences to be transferred to the oil. 

To use: shake before massaging onto the skin 

I'm loving using this beautiful oil which deeply nourishes, absorbs instantly and brings a feeling of calm to the body and senses. What are your favourites from Dr Hauschka?

*Love Lula: LOVE: Dr Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence & Body Cream

*Sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for an honest review. Last month I decided to pick items which loosely fitted around a "theme" and chose items which helped me SLEEP - see HERE. With Valentines Day in February, and today, my theme had to be LOVE and Roses.

This sumptuous duo smell deeply of roses and are a joy to use. I first tried the Body Cream when it appeared in the Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar* and fell in love! (I received the calendar partly though the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program - see my thoughts on the calendar HERE, HERE and HERE).

The Rose Nurturing Bath Essence (£18.50 - 100ml)* is presented in a glass bottle which is easily recyclable or reusable. The essence itself is rich and creamy and formulated with skin loving oils and has a delectable scent of roses. Inside each bottle is a blend of rose oil, rose petal extract and rose flower water.

To use: add up to three capfuls to a running bath, jump in and relax (you can also use it in water as a facial rinse after cleansing or to bring summer to any room by adding a few drops to a bowl of warm water). 

It's perfect to use before date night or as a pampering treat. Follow with the rich and delicious (it smells of rose Turkish delight) Rose Nurturing Body Cream (£27 - 145ml)* which is intensely hydrating. It's formulated with rose wax, rose essential oil, wild rosehip extract, rose petals, shea butter, jojoba and almond oils. Skin is left nourished and smelling deeply of roses.

To use: apply over the body and massage into your skin

I've loved trying this duo which are great mood enhancers and perfect to get you in the mood for love!

January Empties

Here's what I've been using this month. If a product is marked * it means I've been given it for review purposes. 

*Micheline Arcier Aromatherapie Richesse D'Or Bath & Shower Crystals - I absolutely loved this aromatic treat for the bath, body and mind. See my review HERE. I'm sorry to use them up as they're just perfect for lockdown times! Definitely on the wishlist.

ZOJO The Bikini Body Formula 35g - I find this supplement helps supports my digestive system the most, although it does a whole host of things. See my review HERE. I'm sure I'll stock up again soon as it's a must-have in my stash!

*I absolutely loved Evolve's Pomegranate & Goji Aromatic Wash 250ml - it's perfect for your morning shower - uplifting and super fruity. See my review HERE. It's on my wishlist for when my stash reduces. Loved it.

Molton Brown's Frankincense & Allspice Liquid Handwash 300ml - it's only available from October each year until it sells out in the sales. See my review HERE. Unfortunately, I was unable to stock up for the year as it sold out!

I simply love Bodhi & Birch's Mint Thé Bath & Shower Therapy 200ml - it's the one I keep buying again and again - such a staple. See my review HERE. It'll be bought again soon.

*The Dr Hauschka bits are from the advent calendar - Almond Soothing Body Cream 10ml - nice enough, wouldn't buy. The two toners - Clarifying & Facial Toner (both 10ml) were really nice and effective - I'd buy both these again.

I just love Lush's Sleepy Body Lotion - it's on the wishlist - I'm likely to stock up soon! Perfect to use before bed for a restful night's sleep.

I picked up the little sample size bottle of Hand & Nail Oil Serum at Blue Labelle when we visited the shop in the summer. It was soo good to meet Pascale despite having to mask up! A beautiful aromatic product - full size is on the wishlist.

My final item this month is Zing Organic's Ah There! Body Oil 25ml which was nice to use but I prefer their Elevate Body Oil with Frankincense & Clementine so wouldn't buy this.

What have you been using up this month?

*Love Lula: Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar 2020 - Days 10 - 24

*partly gifted via the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. How I enjoyed my Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar this year (£85, I put £35 towards it). You'll maybe have seen my daily updates on instagram. See my musings on days 1 - 9 HERE. The advent came in a large re-usable box (or easily recycled) which I think is a nice touch (smaller size products or wax melts me thinks!)

On Day 10 we received 10ml of the Hydrating Hand Cream which I've used before - it's fantastic. See my review HERE. I'm happy to re-visit this! 

Day 11's treat came in the form of their Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream 10ml which was nice to use.

Day 12 saw us get Regenerating Day Cream 5ml which is one of the more pricer products full size. It's perfect for more mature skins. 

Day 13 saw us receive their Hydrating Cream Mask 5ml which is perfect for dry, sensitive and mature skin types.

On Day 14 we got 2.5ml of their Translucent Bronzing Tint which can be mixed into moisturiser or foundation to give a healthy glow (I've not tried this yet, but will soon!)

I simply loved Day 15's Rose Nurturing Body Cream 10ml which is super rosey, smells of Turkish Delight and has a rich and creamy texture. I fell head-over-heels for this one and want it full size!

On Day 16 we got Soothing Cleansing Milk 10ml which is great to use as your first cleanse. It'll gently remove make up and daily grime.

I've tried the Clarifying Toner 10ml which we received on Day 17 before and my combo skin loves it. See my review HERE.

Everybody loves Rose Day Cream Light 5ml which was in the box on Day 18 as it's a lighter formula of cult classic Rose Day Cream. It's great for more sensitive skin types or to use in Spring and Summer.

Day 19 gave us Revitalising Mask 5ml which I've had the pleasure of trying before. See my review HERE.

On Day 20 we received Regenerating Day Cream Complexion 5ml which smoothes and evens the skin tone. It contains light reflecting subtly bronzing mineral pigments to balance and can be used prior to foundation. This is a new to me product.

On Day 21 we got another new-to-me product in the form of their MED Ice Plant Hand Cream 10ml (a review will come for this one, as well as some of the others I've not tried before).

Day 22 was another new to me product - their Almond Soothing Body Cream 10ml which has a delicate almond blossom scent. It's perfect for dry winter skin, soothing and nurturing.

On Day 23 we received 5ml of Revitalising Day Cream which restores all skin types, refreshing and enlivening.

Rounding up this fantastic Advent Calendar on Day 24 is cult classic Rose Day Cream 30ml (worth £30.50). I've used this before but I've never reviewed it - watch this space!

So far, I've made one full size purchase. I fell head over heels for Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil which I received on day 10 and had to have it full size. I know Rose Nurturing Body Cream from day 15 is likely to be bought full size too! Did you also have the enjoyment of this advent calendar too throughout December? If so, what were your favourites?

December Empties

I think as I'm currently trying lots of new things as a Beauty Shortlist Judge I'm not using much up! Another small amount of empties to round up the year! If a product is marked * I've kindly received it for review. 

From the Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar* (partly gifted) I've used up - Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream 10ml, Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Body Milk 10ml, Quince Hydrating Body Milk 10ml and Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil 10ml. I loved trying all of them and recently bought the last one full size. Expect a review soon!

From L'Occitane is samples of their Immortelle Precious Serum 1ml and Immortelle Reset Overnight Eye Serum 1ml. I simply adored the eye serum and full size is added to the wishlist. My third sachet this month is Vichy's Neovadiol Rose Platinum Nuit 1ml which my skin loved. One to add to the wishlist.

I love bodhi & birch's Botanic Dew Hand & Body Wash 200ml - see my review HERE. I've got another of these in my stash ready to open soon.

From last season's collection at nknaturals I finished up the luscious Autumn Copper Distilled Botanical Mist 50ml. See my review HERE. I just recently tried two products from the Winter Collection - see HERE. I love these seasonal products!

Rounding up my empties this month is a bar of Tuscan Wisteria & Lilac Nesti Dante Bar Soap. I simply love these highly perfumed bars which have a rich creamy lather.

What have you been using up this month?

*Love Lula: Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar 2020 - Days 1 - 9

*partly gifted I shared my initial musings when I received the 2020 Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar* as my November Love Lula Accredited Blogger Pick HERE (I added £35 to the cost of the advent). You can see my daily posts on Instagram.

Day One - Quince Hydrating Body Milk 10ml - See my thoughts on day 1 HERE. After using it up my thoughts are it's nice, but I'm unlikely to pick up full size as there are other body products I like better.

Day 2 - Quince Day Cream 5ml - a light and easily absorbed day cream which is suitable for normal skin types. It'll balance, moisturise and protect. Although not quite for my skin type (ageing combo) I've been enjoying this one!

Day 3 - Daily Hydrating Eye Cream 2.5ml - this is a totally new to me product from the brand and I'm really enjoying it! It's rich and hydrating. Containing ingredients which smooth out fine lines and wrinkles while deeply hydrating the delicate eye area. This one's for a full review soon!

Day 4 - Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Body Milk 10ml - I've got a love/hate relationship with Lemongrass so I sort of liked this. I think it would be great for summer months/to take on holiday as it doubles up as aftersun. 

Day 5 - Soothing Mask 5ml - this powerhouse calms and balances sensitive, irritated and stressed skins (I've not actually had the chance to try this yet, but I'll share my thoughts in an empties post).

Day 6 - Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil 10ml - for me this is the star of the advent so far. I loved it so much I bought full size! It has a milky texture which turns into an oil on contact with warm skin and a soothing lavender scent. I could honestly say, it's one of my favourite products this year - and I've only found it in December!

Day 7 - Cleansing Cream 10ml - the cult classic - when I think of Dr Hauschka products I think of this and Rose Day Cream! I reviewed it HERE.

Day 8 - Facial Toner 10ml - the multi-purpose facial toner (you can also use it as aftershave!) balances and tones.

Day 9 - Melissa Day Cream 5ml - I've had the pleasure of using this product before. See my review HERE. It's perfect for my combo skin!

And so, I've really enjoyed my first taste of the Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar. Are you a fan of the brand? If so, what are your favourites?

*Love Lula: Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar Day #1

*partly gifted Today's the day for opening the first door of the Advent Calendars! (I received some lovely edible ones from my friend, Nardin which I shared on instagram and a beauty one from my friend Magi). I also picked up a couple of wax ones and my husband got me a Fortnum & Mason's tea one - so I've been truly spoiled!

I shared my initial musing on the Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar* which I chose for my November pick as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger (I put £35 towards the calendar to enable me to get it). See my thoughts HERE. Today, I'm sharing what was in box no.1! (I'm planning a weekly round up of the items in the calendar and you can check out my socials for daily updates!)

In box no.1 there is a 10ml tube of their Quince Hydrating Body Milk which has a very light milky texture making it easy to absorb onto warm skin. Quince Seed extract helps to improve elasticity, regulate moisture content of the skin and maintaining pH balance. The lotion has a pleasant fruity/herbal scent. 

To use: apply to warm skin after a bath or shower, use after shaving or as a cooling aftersun

I do love a multi-use product so chances are this one will make the full size wishlist. Are you a Dr Hauschka fan?

*Love Lula: Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar 2020

*partly gifted I was over-the-moon and then some to see Dr Hauschka's 2020 Advent Calendar* (£85) available at Love Lula this year as I've always drooled over it. I used my monthly Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program allowance plus added £35 to enable me to pick the calendar as my November pick.

The calendar is presented in a huge re-usable or recyclable cardboard box. Each product is numbered with an extra special full size treat on the 24th! It has a total value of over £100. Dr Hauschka say "24 special moments with a special surprise on the very last day".  Look away now if you don't want to see!

I'm sharing what's in the calendar today and I'll come back during December with thoughts and reviews. Do check out my Instagram and Twitter for updates!

Quince Hydrating Body Milk 10ml, Quince Day Cream 5ml, Daily Hydrating Eye Cream 2.5ml, Lemon Lemongrass Vitalizing Body Milk 10ml, Soothing Mask 5ml, Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil 10ml, Cleansing Cream 10ml

Facial Toner 10ml, Melissa Day Cream 5ml, Hydrating Hand Cream 10ml, Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream 10ml, Regenerating Day Cream 5ml, Hydrating Cream Mask 5ml, Translucent Bronzing Tint 2.5ml

Rose Nurturing Body Cream 10ml, Soothing Cleansing Milk 10ml, Clarifying Toner 10ml, Rose Day Cream Light 5ml, Revitalising Mask 5ml, Regenerating Day Cream Complexion 5ml, Ice Plant Hand Cream 10ml

Almond Soothing Body Cream 10ml, Revitalising Day Cream 5ml and Rose Day Cream 30ml

I've used some of the items in the calendar before but there's also some newbies nestling inside! See my reviews* for Cleansing Cream, Clarifying Toner, Melissa Day Cream and Revitalising Mask HERE and Hydrating Hand Cream* HERE.

Are you a Dr Hauschka fan?