*The Beauty Shortlist: 2019 Awards: Editor's Choice & Commended

As you'll know I was over the moon to be a Beauty Shortlist Judge* again this year. You can see my Top Picks from the Winners & Finalists HERE. From Editor's Choice & Commended categories my top picks from the products which I judged were:

AYUNA won Best Natural Organic Brand International (Spain) and every product I tried I loved. That packaging too, simply stunning. Winners in Beauty - Editor's Choice was their Balm Volcanic Revitalising Mask plus their Essence High Protein Cream-in-Oil Peel. I loved trying both of these products.

In the Wellbeing Awards, Laviish Smile Teeth Whitening Polish won an Editor's Choice Awards. I loved the quirky packaging (think shoe polish!) and found the results good - my teeth felt deeply cleaned and my mouth refreshed.

I'm a huge fan already of Esse Probiotic Skincare and their Cocoa Exfoliator won in the Editor's Choice category. See my review HERE. Totally new to me is Love Absolute and I enjoyed all the products I tried from the brand. They picked up Editor's Choice awards for their Lavish Cold Cream & Cleanser and Facial Radiance Oil Serum.

Lovely o.Moi was initially discovered in my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box in September. Their Plump it Up Facial Cream and All-in-One Balm won Editor's Choice awards.

Picking up Editor's Choices awards were three simply stunning face oils - La Belle Lune - a rich organic oil which is perfect to use at night to awaken with beautifully soft, hydrated and plumped skin. I'd been dying to try So27 Skincare's Rewind Night Oil which is formulated with skin loving oils (and smells glorious). Awaken with plumped and nourished skin. The third winner is Temple Spa's luscious Neroli scented It's All Good Nutritious Boost Facial Oil which was a joy to use.

Also picking up Editor's Choice Awards were a brand I hadn't heard of before - Endor Technologies. Their Anti-Cellulite Cream was rich and luxurious and melted quickly onto dry skin while their Anti-Ageing Eye Cream smoothed out and plumped lines and wrinkles. 

Receiving a Commended Award was Pure Savvy's Come Hell or High Water 3-in-1 Micellar Water which I loved. I found it refreshing and loved the light rose scent. It was nice to use to cleanse and refresh the skin and it'd be perfect to pack for summer holidays (I also loved their Multi-Tasker Beauty Balm which is scented with neroli and sweet orange).

You can see the whole list of winners HERE.

Shopping My Stash #100

My last #ShoppingMyStash was way back in March! See HERE. I'm on a low-buy June so expect a Stash Shopping post every week. Here's what I've been reaching for lately:

From Geo Mitchell is a single use sachet of their Relax Naturally Natural Bath Salts** which were lovely to use. You can pick up a full size jar for a very reasonable £14.50 HERE.  These salts are perfect to use to relax and unwind before bed. Get 15% off your first order with SANDRA15.

I just adore anything by de Mamiel and Rosey Lip Balm was one of the first things I tried (along with the amazing seasonal oils). See my review HERE.

Esse Probiotic Skincare's Cocoa Exfoliator* is amazing and one of my favourite new tries this year. See my recent review HERE.

Organic House is a beautiful brand (I've a few of their products up for review soon). Clean & Calm Hot Cloth Cleanser** is very effective and makes cleansing into a ritual. See my review HERE.

From Love Lula I've had the pleasure of trying out Alchemy Oils Amla Hair Rescue* (30ml travel size - £9). I already love their Grapefruit Hair Remedy - see my review HERE.  This one is a combination of rich oils which treat and care for thicker coarser hair types (for me it works best as a treatment oil leaving on for 30 minutes or overnight before shampooing and conditioning).

My final pick is much loved BYBI Beauty Babe Balm which I just adore! See my review HERE.

What have you been reaching for this week?

*sent to me via the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program (my post contains one affiliate link)

**complimentary

Love Lula: Esse Probiotic Skincare: Cocoa Exfoliator

You'll know I'm a huge fan of Esse Probiotic Skincare having loved and reviewed their Gel Cleanser* HERE and their Probiotic Serum*, Rich Moisturiser* and Eye Contour Cream* (REVIEW). 

I've been trying their gorgeous (and mouthwateringly scented!) Cocoa Exfoliator (£30 - 50ml)*.

99% Natural, 29% Organic, 8% Fair Trade, 100% Vegan and Cruelty Free. Packaging is recyclable and community sourced ingredients are used. For example, Marula from Eudafano Women's Cooperative, Cocoa from Fair Trade Project in Madagascar and Virgin Coconut from Coconut Milk in Mozambique.

The Cocoa Exfoliator smells good enough to eat! And you get a lot of product for your money. Using once a week this product should last a good while.

To use: apply to the skin once a week with a small amount of water, massaging gently in circular motions until the tangible particles have dissolved. Rinse or remove with a warmed dampened cloth. For a deeper exfoliation (my favourite method) apply to the skin with no or very little water.

The skin is left looking glowy, radiant, soft and smooth. I'm a huge fan. What's your favourite Esse Probiotic Skincare product? Pick yours up at Love Lula.

*complimentary

Blog Highlights 2017

You can see my highlights posts for 2015 (HERE) and 2016 (HERE). Here are my 2017 highlights:

January:

In January, I tried Tropic Skincare again and have totally fallen for every product I've tried. I just love Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum* which I reviewed in January. See my review HERE.

February:

In February, I discovered the wonderful Aster & Bay (who are now Edinburgh based) and totally fell for the glorious Rosewater Mist. See my review HERE.

March:

In March, I collaborated with the fabulous Mary Paulson-Ellis to giveaway a copy of her amazing book - The Other Mrs Walker (link). My review featured in my September 2016 round-up.

April:

In April, I took part in the Best of Skincare Tag (link) which was fun to do.

May:

We had a night away in North Berwick (one of my favourite places to be). It featured in my May loves (link). It may only just be down the road but it feels like I'm on holiday when I'm there.

June: 

In June, I finally got round to trying the Votary Rose Maroc & Sandalwood Facial Oil which I received in the Liberty Advent Calendar. It lived up to all my expectations! See my review HERE.

July:

July saw me feature my top reads for the first part of the year (link) so hard to pick!  I also loved Esse Probiotic Skincare Gel Cleanser** which came to me as a member of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program (which I'm both thrilled and delighted to be a member of). See my review HERE.

August:

In August I discovered the exquisite Juno Skincare. See my review HERE.

September:

In September, I sampled a Zing Organics - Zing Lover's Subscription Box which I think is one of the best subscription boxes out there! See my review HERE (and my review of the Eco Marine Algae Facial Cleansing Masque HERE).

October:

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of the beautiful and gorgeous Skin Organic Clean Beauty Boxes. This light as air, fluffy and exquisitely scented Poppy's Natural Skincare Super Moisturising Organic Chia Seed Hand Butter (neroli) came in the  October - Autumn Glow Box. See my review HERE.

November:

In November, I'm delighted to say I've embarked on Formula Botanica - Diploma in Organic Skincare which I'm so excited about!  I've not really had time yet to throw myself into it due to my day job being manic and having the flu. I'm looking forward to starting it seriously soon (enrollment opens January 16-23 if you are interested!) Expect an initial post early in January.

December:

I'm totally honoured and incredibly proud to be a judge for The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2018. I've been testing out lots of amazing products - some already known to me and some which are totally new.

It's been a brilliant year! What are your highlights?

*complimentary

**sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program

ESSE Probiotic Skincare Review

I've recently been testing out some products* from the ESSE Probiotic Skincare range which you can buy directly HERE or from Love Lula.  As you'll know I've tried their Gel Cleanser* which I totally fell for - see my review HERE.

The packaging is luxurious, recyclable and products are certified organic, vegan, cruelty free and the company support fair trade and are carbon neutral. 

"Esse creates an environment on the skin that favours the growth of beneficial microbes. It uses prebiotics to selectively feed good microbes and includes live probiotic microbes in two of the serums to make functional changes to the skin's microbiome". Read more about the science behind the skincare HERE.

ESSE Probiotic Serum (30ml - £96)* contains more than one billion live probiotic microbes per millilitre which are activated by the moisture on your skin. The serum helps to slow the ageing process and it's the "world's first live priobiotic serum" thanks to it's BIOME+ technology. "Independent testing has proven that this product increases skin firmness by 16% in 28 days with positive results being shown in 100% of test subjects".

To use: apply a small amount to the skin before moisturising.

My thoughts? the serum is lightweight, absorbs instantly and is easy to apply to the skin. It's one of the most luxurious (and expensive) serums I've used. It plumps, hydrates and smoothes the skin (and is fabulous!) and is suitable for all skin types.

ESSE Rich Moisturiser (50ml - £49)* comes in a huge pot! It's targeted for dry skin or dry weather conditions. I've found that my dry winter skin is just lapping it up! It's rich and luxurious and contains probiotic extracts which optimise your skin's microbiome. Added marula oil and olive leaf extract nourish the skin and help elasticity and offer anti-oxidant protection.

To use: gently press onto the face and neck morning and evening after cleansing and toning.

My thoughts? Although rich my skin is really enjoying this easily absorbed cream which deeply nourishes and protects. I also like that ingredients within are sourced from cooperatives and community projects.

ESSE Eye Contour Cream (15ml - £99)* is suitable for all skin types and helps to address crow's feet, dark circles and puffiness. Bellis extract lightens dark circles by inhibiting tyrosinase production and reducing melanin. Albizia extract and Darutoside protect and strengthen the dermis helping to reduce puffiness and fine lines and wrinkles.

To use: apply a small amount around the eyes twice a day.

My thoughts? this is one of the best eye creams I've ever used. There is a definite difference to dark circles and the eye area feels more firm and nourished.

I've been really impressed with these products. Granted, they aren't cheap but they work - so are well worth the investment in my opinion. What's your favourite ESSE Probiotic Skincare product?

*complimentary

Love Lula Beauty Box: September 2017

I picked my September Love Lula Beauty Box* up at the Post Office yesterday morning. It's an absolutely fantastic one this month and worth £50! Sign up for your monthly box HERE.

WOW!

I just love everything! Inside is:

Walden Natural Perfume Gift Set (which is worth £30!) - inside you will find the whole Walden range in 5ml bottles. This is a great way to test all the scents out. See my reviews HERE, HERE and HERE. The gift set is such a good addition to this month's box!

From Esse Probiotic Skincare we have a 10ml travel/try-me size of their fabulous Gel Cleanser. See my review HERE. This is getting popped in my travel bag.

I simply adore Balm Balm's Beauty Balm (60ml - £16.50) and was delighted to see a full size pot this month. I recently reviewed it - see HERE. So pleased to now have a full size pot!

From JOIK there is a mouthwatering white chocolate bath truffle. I've used these before and they are a delight! See my review HERE. 

The final item is a sachet sample set from Kimberly Sayer which is the perfect try me set or for holidays (these will also be going in my travel bag) - Light Cleansing Lotion, Gentle Facial Cleanser, Restore Anti-Ageing Cream and Tangerine & Calendula Healing Light Night Cream.

Such an amazing box this month. What are your thoughts to the contents?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. My thoughts are genuine and my post contains affiliate links.

Love Lula: Esse Probiotic Skincare Gel Cleanser 100ml

As you'll know you can buy 5 samples from Love Lula with an order of £10 or more. I picked up a sachet of Esse Gel Cleanser recently (and got 4 uses from it - making it a great try me!). I loved it so much that last month I selected full size (100ml - £21.69)* as one of my picks as a Love Lula Affiliate.

The cleanser is packaged in a glass pump bottle (and box) both of which can be recycled after use and is suitable for all skin types including acne affected skin.

Esse Probiotic Skincare uses probiotics to help slow the ageing process and nourish and support the skin's good bacteria. You can read more about the skin science HERE.

The cleansing gel* has a gorgeous uplifting minty scent - peppermint and spearmint essential oils (along with caraway and rosemary) refresh and awaken as well as helping to improve micro-circulation helping to eliminate toxins on the skin. It foams up well and deeply cleanses the skin leaving it feeling comfortable never dry. African aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties while antioxidant rooibos and honeybush repair and protect.

To use: wet skin and massage onto the skin before rinsing. Can be used AM and PM and also as a shaving gel.

I absolutely love it and can't wait to try more from the lovely Esse Probiotic Skincare Range. If you've tried it what do you recommend I try next?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger program. My post contains a few affiliate links.