April: Lately I've Been Loving

Here are my April loves (getting back to the shops yesterday was such a thrill!)

Blossom season brings me so much joy! As well as sunny skies and sunshine. 

My first Cult Beauty order since December! I couldn't resist their The Sunshine Edit which is worth over £135 and can be snapped up for £40 (at time of writing it's still available). I'll review the items inside soon. 

I've been having a lot of random Naturisimo splurges which bring untold joy. I can never resist a new fushi product (their Bringer of Peace Herbal Body Wash) and Neom's rather wonderful Great Day Magnesium Body Butter. Both are brilliant and reviews to come!

David treated me to a rather amazing Afternoon tea from the Waldorf Astoria with fizz for my birthday which was quite wonderful. It was the Blooms and Flowers edition and totally delicious (the current one running is Edinburgh Zoo and is available until 30 June). A gorgeous treat.

Staying on the birthday theme David gave me a huge surprise pressie. I've always lusted after a Hotel Chocolat The Velvitiser since we gave it to my dad for his 80th and I can confirm it makes the very best Hot Chocolate at Home.

I'd not had a The Perfume Society Discovery Box for ages. I used birthday money to pick up their The Indulgence Discovery Box which contains 14 perfumes of various sizes from vials to mini bottles and a Ruth Mastenbrook mini candle. Such a treat. 

Popping to the local shops again - so good (although our great greengrocers, Root Down has been open throughout). In Scotland, the shops opened again on the 26th April. I picked up the Sun Salutation Yogi Tea with Cinnamon, Cardamom & Orange (which is delicious - I might need to go back for more!) and asparagus from Root Down Portobello, stationery items and the free Booktime mag from The Portobello Bookshop (I'm already a huge fan of these particular Rifle Paper Co notebooks) and a little Gisela Graham decorative item from Two Sisters Portobello which is the place to go for large and small gifts.

What have you been loving this month?

*The Evolution: Happy Planet Box: Spring 2021

*AD - Gifted items It was such a lovely surprise when Spring's Happy Planet Box* arrived! As ever, the box is carefully curated with a whole host of goodies which will "bring back the shine to your winter damaged hair". All product are Vegan and Cruelty Free. The box costs £25 (worth £37 - plus p&p). It comes with a very informative leaflet and a 20% off code to buy the tea if you enjoy the samples).

This box really makes my heart sing! With carefully chosen and useful products, all with easily recyclable packaging.

The first thing to jump out at me is Fushi's Really Good Hair Oil 100ml (£18) which had been on my wishlist! I'm so excited to try it out and a review will follow (I like how a little stopper has been added under the cap to make the flow of the oil easier to manage). The scent of the oil is gorgeous "we would recommend this product based on aroma alone" (Jasmin) It is multi-use - use it as a luxe overnight hair treatment, to smooth prior to blow-drying, to smooth flyaways or as a quick 1hr treatment. 

I've had the pleasure of using Beauty Kubes Natural Shampoo for Normal to Dry Hair 100g (£9.50) before, so I'm excited to revisit! See my review HERE.

I love this quirky sustainable bamboo pocked comb (£4) from Zero Waste Club. Its a handy size to pop in your bag so you can fix your hair on the go. 

From Suma, there is a Coconut & Argan Oil Conditioner Bar with Ylang Ylang 90g (£5.50) which smells floral and slightly coconutty. Use on the lengths or ends to nourish dry hair. Again, looking forward to trying this one!

Rounding up Spring's box are three teabags from Teasup - their White Tea & Mango which smell divine! These aromatic bags combine fruity mango with delicate white tea.

Pick up your Happy Planet Box HERE.

Latest Buys: Sofia Latif, Hauntingly Crafted, Verdekin, Raven Botanicals, Organic Works, Lucky Cloud Skincare, Fushi, NEOM + Papier

I can't believe that's us into April already! Where is this year going?! I had my first vaccination on Wednesday and felt quite poorly overnight. Luckily, like most people it just seems to be a 24hr thing. Today I'm sharing my latest buys..

I couldn't resist Sofia Latif's The Mini Edit (£35) having tried and loved her award winning face oil (review) and multi-award winning under-eye oil. New to me are the Nourishing Body Oil and Soothing Scalp Oil. Inside the kit is: Face Oil 5ml, Under-Eye Oil 5ml, Nourishing Body Oil 20ml and Soothing Scalp Oil 10ml. 

Discovering Hauntingly Crafted on Instagram. I immediately put an order in as Memento Mori was calling my name! (unfurled roses, petal dew, iriswood, rosewater, pink geraniums and wild violets). It's the best rose soy wax melt I've ever used! The packaging is so perfect and founder, Mandy pops in a free sample with your order as well as a hand-written note - it's the little things. Recommend highly.

I blame Hannah entirely for this purchase! As soon as I saw Verdekin's Hibiscus & Mallow Cleansing Melt I knew I had to try it. Check founder and formulator Polly whipping up a batch HERE. Review to come soon! (nice to receive a free sample as well with my purchase).

Raven Botanicals have a brand new website and you can collect rewards with purchase if you #jointheconspiracy. I hadn't tried Starlit Purifying Clay Mask or Solstice Facial Oil so their cute Discovery Set was for me, which you'll find under Gift Sets. A review will come for the whole set soon!

I fell totally head-over-heels for Organic Work's Bergamot Hand Wash which I received as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in March. See my review HERE. I loved it so much I needed more. While I was shopping I came across Lucky Cloud's soaps so picked up their Orange & Ylang Ylang one. 

While browsing Naturisimo I came across a new body wash from Fushi - Bringer of Peace and NEOM's Great Day Magnesium Body Butter had been on my wishlist. Reviews to come! I'm not sure how long it's lasting but they currently have 15% off a £50 spend with code AWAKEN.

I needed a new notebook and it was the perfect time to pick up a personalised one from Papier. I absolutely love it (I use Papier for my blog planners too). What have you been buying lately?

*The Evolution: Happy Planet Beauty Box: Winter 2021

*AD - gifted item As you'll know I'm a huge fan of The Evolution's Happy Planet Beauty Box* (£25 plus p&p). Winter's box is absolutely stuffed full of zero waste treats for the skin (as well as an edible treat!). I truly think the boxes are fantastic, carefully curated and great value for money. See my thoughts on previous boxes - (click to see) AUTUMN and SUMMER. 

Inside the box is a very informative personalised leaflet telling you about the items and brands in Winter's Happy Planet Beauty Box. So, will we take a closer look..

From new to me brand(s) Mad About Nature there is a Green Clay Face Mask (£4.50) which is packaged in a reusable/recyclable aluminium tin. I'm looking forward to trying this powdered mask (mix with water or hydrosol) and a review will come!

A second, new to me brand is Lamazuna and from them there is a boxed solid Facial Cleansing Bar 25g (£11) which is suitable for combo and oily skins. It's black (from charcoal powder) and shaped like a little cloud. I love the look of this zero-waste brand and again, a review will come.

Also included is a Muslin Face Cloth (£2.50) by Cosy Cottage which will be perfect for removing the clay mask - lets face it you can never have enough face cloths! This one feels really soft and is on the large side - which is always a plus!

I've had the pleasure of trying this cute little sample pack of face creams (£10) from White Rabbit Natural Skincare before. They're the perfect try-me set and I love the reusable packaging. See my review HERE.

It's always nice to see chocolate in a beauty box and this bar of Dark Chocolate with Ginger (£3.20) by CocoPzazz is delicious - it's also Vegan.

Rounding up this fantastic box are 4 samples from fushi - 2 x Argan Oil 3ml and 2 x Rosehip Oil 3ml which are perfect moisturisers for dry winter skin (great to pop in the travel bag too).

I think it's an absolutely fantastic box again this season - useful, pampering and zero waste. Pick yours up HERE.

fushi coconut & frangipani body wash

I picked up fushi's coconut & frangipani body wash (230ml - £10) from Naturisimo a little while ago. I love that it's housed in a glass bottle - so unusual with shower products.

The body wash has a gently exotic scent, lathers well and is nice to use. Key ingredients in the formulation include Gotu Kola, which heals and calms and Sweet Almond, Avocado and Sea Buckthorn oils which nourish and care for the skin.

To use: massage onto wet skin before rinsing. Follow with the matching body cream.

I've really enjoyed using this Vegan body wash which is certified organic by The Soil Association and it's one I'd buy again. What are your favourites from the brand?

Naturisimo: Vegan Life Discovery Box

As you know, I can never resist a Naturisimo Discovery Box! Their latest one is Vegan Life Discovery Box and inside are 9 hand picked items with a total value of £80! Pick up a box for £18.95 plus p&p (or free with a £25 spend).

It's absolutely stuffed full!

From Pai Skincare there's a 2ml tube of their Perfect Balance Blemish Serum which I've not tried before. I do get occasional spots (who doesn't?) so I'm looking forward to putting it to the test.

From Inika there's a full size (and worth £19.50) Lipstick Crayon in Pink Nude, a very wearable, suit everyone shade. I love this! (and it's always nice to see a couple of make up items in boxes!)

I received Boucleme's Exfoliating Scalp Shampoo 100ml (£12) in a previous discovery box and my scalp loves this effective detoxifying shampoo. Happy to have another in my stash!

Antipodes's Rejoice Day Cream 15ml had been on my wishlist so this is why (along with the JMO product) the box firmly landed in my basket! A review will come.

From Fushi there is 50ml of their Organic Jojoba Oil (£14) which is great to nourish the skin and hair (I also love the glass bottle packaging).

The second item to sway me into buying the box was John Masters Organics Green Tea & Calendula Leave-In Conditioning Mist 30ml (worth £10) as it had been on my wishlist for what seemed like forever!

Ever luxe, a dinky jewel from RMS Beauty. I adore mini make up products and this one's a beaut. Inside is their Luminizing Powder Madeira Bronze 2g which will leave the skin glowy and radiant. 

Rounding up the box are 3 x 5g sachets from The Nue Co of their Debloat Food & Prebiotic which are great if you suffer constipation and bloating. These are very much an acquired taste (vile) but do work. Rounding up the box is a 40g sachet of Form Nutrition's Superblend Protein Chocolate Caramel, a protein shake containing 20g plant based Vegan protein.

Did you pick up a Vegan Life Discovery Box?

Latest Buys: Naturisimo, Pink Lagoon Crystals, Olfactory, NorthburN, Anenome Aromas

I know, I know I'm still treating myself too much! Here's what I've been buying lately:

I'd spotted Fushi's new uplifting Coconut & Frangipani Body Wash (glass bottle) (230ml - £10) and couldn't resist it. The fragrance sounded perfect for summer as well as cooling and refreshing. The gentle exotic scent is delicious. A lovely product. I fancied rahua's new Enchanted Island Lotion Mist and spotted that a smaller, travel size (30ml) was available at £16. Again, it has a beautiful tropical scent and absorbs instantly - it'd be perfect to pack for your next beach hol. I was desperate to try Josh Rosebrook's new Enfleuria Botanical Fragrance Oil but full size 15ml costs a whopping £150! A little sample vial (1.5ml costs a fiver). This is stunning, one to save up for! Reviews to come!

I've got a total obsession with wax melts at the moment and these Vegan ones by Pink Lagoon Crystals are simply stunning as well as smelling divine. Check out my little instagram post listing all the scents HERE. Almost to pretty to melt!

I love Scottish Olfactory - their Red Delicious Apple Little Melts are truly mouthwatering - they smell just like a juicy red apple. Yum! Pick yours up HERE. These cost £4.50 for 8 little red heart melts. Check out the MiSi Melts too - they are excellent value at 75p per melt (or pick up a bundle).

NorthburN's Gift of the Month is always such great value. This month there are 10 Lime & Coconut Melts, 6 long lasting unscented tealights and a 50ml Reed Diffuser which costs £12 saving £6. It's the perfect scent for summer and a great value set.

I picked up Anenome Aroma's August Box which is entitled "Mad about Jo" (£15) and inside are lots of Jo Malone inspired scents - Wild Strawberry & Parsley, Blackberry & Bay, Pear & Freesia, Peony Suede Blush, Bluebell Woods and Lime Basil & Mandarin. I was really impressed - you get a lot for your money - and the brittle and mermaid slab are gorgeous! Owner and founder, Charley had been disappointed with the ranges available and decided to create her own, developing the ranges while on maternity leave. Check out the shop HERE.

What have you been buying lately?

Naturisimo: Extreme Purity Discovery Box

You'll know I can never resist a Naturisimo Discovery Box. Their new Extreme Purity Discovery Box is worth £70 and costs only £17.95 with free p&p.

The collection is specially curated to boost your health and beauty naturally and the box contains 13 items and of course reviews will follow.

INIKA Loose Mineral Bronzer Sunkissed 3.5g - this is full size and worth £23. It's suitable for very fair/fair skin.

Dr Jackson's 03 Everyday Oil 10ml - I'm excited to try this as I really rate the brand. This size is worth £14.

Alima Pure Concealer (Linen) 2g - a new to me brand and a decent sample size (and it looks the perfect shade for me).

Fushi Wild Marula Oil 10ml - I really rate this brand and their lovely oils. It'll deeply nourish and help with anti-ageing.

Weleda One-Step Cleanser & Toner 10ml - the perfect holiday travel size.

Henne Organic Lip Mask 3.5ml - huge fan of this brand and excited to try a new-to-me product (already love!)

Inlight Cleanser, Tonic and Face Oil (samples - 1.5ml, 2ml, 1ml) - perfect try-me size or for holidays.

Pukka Tea x 4 various single use tea bags.

It's a great box. Did you pick one up? Pick yours up HERE (while stocks last).

Fushi Really Good Cellulite Oil

I've been using Fushi Really Good Cellulite Oil (£19.95 for 100ml)* for a couple of weeks now.  It is one of the brand's best sellers.

The oil contains Gotu Kola, an Ayurvedic herb which has circulatory benefits and Green Coffee Bean which together tones, firms and is said to reduce cellulite. The oil is made of Vitamin rich Wheatgerm oil with detoxifying sweet birch and cleansing grapefruit and is 100% natural and 80% organic as well as being free from parabens, SLS, DEA, TEA, petrochemicals, phthalates, synthetic colours and fragrances.

Apply to the affected area AM and PM for two weeks following with ongoing application once a day massaging towards the heart.

I can't say I love the scent - it reminds me of germolene and I haven't noticed any difference to the cellulite on my thighs although my skin there feels firmer and more nourished.  I'll keep using the bottle and let you know my final thoughts in an empties post.

Remember you can get a free Fushi Hydrating Lip Balm with any Fushi order at Naturisimo with code FUSHI (while stocks last). See my review of the lip balm here.

*PR sample