August Empties

I wasn't going to do any August empties with being away 2 weeks out of four (and recycling when I was there) but it would feel odd not to, so here goes.

Schmidt's Jasmine Tea Natural Deodorant 75g which is one of my favourite scents. Keeps me dry all day and I love the formulation and scent. Will buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Avo Bao Cleansing Balm mini which is the perfect size for holidays (15g) and came in the Superfoods Series Mini Discovery Kit. See my review HERE.

KurlySue's sumptuous Organic Shea & Argan Oil Body Butter mini came in my June Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. See my review HERE. Would buy again.

This teeny pot of Glamglow's Waterburst Hydrated Glow Moisturizer was a Feel Unique pick'n'mix sample. I loved its light gel texture and fresh scent. Would maybe buy full size.

My final item this month is Elemis's Tan Accelerator 125ml which helps to prepares the skin for summer holidays by stimulating natural melanin production. I use it 2 weeks before I go away and find it helps to prevent prickly heat and help produce a light golden tan. Sure to buy again.

What have you been using up this month?

Shopping my Stash #60

My last shopping my stash post was way back in November. Here's what I've been reaching for lately.

Blue Labelle Rose & Jasmine Body Oil 50ml - this delicately scented body oil is now a limited edition - get it while you can! I've been enjoying using it but I think I slightly prefer the Ylang Ylang & Frankincense version which also featured in my Top Ten of 2014 - see my review here. 

Acqua di Parma Rosa Nobile EDP 50ml - I first tried this scent while shopping in London and loved it. I received it from my mum and dad for Christmas. It is light, fresh, rosey and super feminine. It contains Centifolia roses which are hand picked at dawn during 40 days in May-June.

GlamGlow Powermud Dual Cleanse Treatment 15g - I first read about this product on Jane's blog and knew I wanted to try it at some point.  It is a mud to oil deep cleansing treatment. Apply to skin, leave on for 10 minutes before massaging it into the skin when it will emulsify before removing with warm damp muslin cloth.  My skin is left super soft, radiant and feeling really clean. You can also apply it overnight or in-flight for deeply hydrated skin. Love!

By Terry Baume de Rose 3g - I received this from Nardine in my fab Rose Hamper. It's a product I've wanted to try for ages too! Great for dry lips, cuticles, flyaways and dry skin it has a light rose scent and it soothes and heals the skin.

John Masters Organics Rosemary & Peppermint Detangler 60ml - I'm a huge fan of the Citrus & Neroli version so was looking forward to trying this one. It has a really refreshing scent and it lightly conditions the hair.  Either leave in or rinse out. Another keeper which came in this special set.

What products have you been using lately?

Cult Beauty Goody Bag

Last week Cult Beauty offered an amazing goody bag featuring some of the best beauty products from 2014 which was worth an incredible £178 and absolutely free with a £100 spend.  As you'll probably be aware the system crashed as so many wanted to buy to get this amazing gift which is the best offered this year.  I did find it hard to get in touch initially with Customer Services but after a tweet or two they did get back to me.  I picked up my parcel (with some Christmas presents in it) yesterday morning.

WOW is all I can say!

When I delved into the package the first thing I dug out was the Jade Facial Roller worth £20 from Ying Yu Rollers. It helps to encourage Lymph drainage, ease blocked sinuses, reduce puffiness around the eyes and can help with headaches. Can't wait to try it.

Next out was Cult 51 Cream this is a 10ml sample pot (worth £25). I've read loads about this cream and I can't wait to try it out! It is said to do the work of at least 5 products and taking care of all skincare needs. It brightens, regenerates, renews, restores, reduces wrinkles, helps with uneven skin and age spots.  You can also use it as an eye cream.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts (100g - £10) - these just simply do what they say they will - use before bed and they will give you an amazing night's sleep. Upon waking you will feel calm, relaxed and ready to face the world. See my review here. Very happy to see these in the gift as I buy them again and again as they work!

NEOM Happiness Scented Travel Candle (75g - £16) - with an uplifting scent of White Neroli, Mimosa & Lemon. I first tried this scent out via an Amarya Beauty Box (now Love Lula). I love NEOM products so happy to see this included in the set.

A £10 Cult Beauty Gift Card for a tenner off your next purchase!

Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream 10ml - approx £21) - this brand is popular with A List Celebs including Cameron Diaz, Helen Mirren and Victoria Beckham.  The cream brightens and gives the benefits akin to 8 hours sleep. It helps to banish dark circles, lift and brighten the skin round the eyes. Another product I can't wait to try!

Studio 10 Longlast Velvet Lips (6.3ml - £22) - in Tearose. Really happy with this shade as it is a colour I'd wear. It gives a demi-matt long lasting finish and is paraben free.

Anastasia Beverley Hills Brow Primer (2.55g - £16) - which is a great eye-brow tamer. You can also use it as an invisible lip liner to stop lipstick bleeding, as a filler for lines & crows feet and as an eyeshadow base.

Kai Perfume Oil Sample Vial - one of my favourite scents (a teeny tiny 3.6ml rollerball retails at £40) it is a totally tropical scent with notes of gardenia, exotic florals with green notes. Paraben & Sulphate free.

REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask 15ml - I think I must be among the last to try this cult beauty product! Looking forward to trying it.

Jouer Lip Enhancer 4.5ml sample - offers intensive conditioning overnight. Packed full of super nourishing ingredients.  Leaves lips glossy and conditioned.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold (50ml - £16.75) - not a fan of this as I find it too harsh on my skin. Will pass onto a friend who loves it.

Resultime by Collin Regenerating Collagen Gel 5ml trial size - apply in the morning before your moisturiser. In the evening apply a thick layer to clean dry skin 10 minutes before bed and awaken to hydrated and plumped up skin.  Can also be used as a primer, as a night-time nourishing serum, to treat sunburn and dry patches.

Earthen Instant Peel (1 application) - apply to moist skin and apply to the skin in a massaging motion peeling dead skin cells. Rinse.

Silver Make Up Bag

My two free sachet samples (for orders over £40) were Glamglow Supermud Clearing Mask 2.1ml and Jouer Matt Moisture Tint beige rose 1ml

Did you manage to pick up the goody bag?

Cult Beauty: Purchases & Goody Bag

As I didn't buy anything when I was in London I decided to choose a few things online.  I noticed Cult Beauty were offering one of their amazing goody bags with a £75 spend.

Here's what I bought:

I've been wanting to buy Gorse EDT by Laboratory Perfumes like forever! Ever since I tried a sample via Roullier White's excellent sample service.  This is a huge 100ml bottle and it cost £55.  A review will follow!

I also picked up Lea Journo Hydra Riche Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner (both 90ml - £10 each) as I've been keen to try these for a while.

If your order is over £40 you can choose two sachets from a selection. I chose a couple by Sunday Riley.

Inside the goody bag (which includes 5 full size products):

Sachajuan Volume Shampoo 100ml

OCC Lip Tar in Anika (full size)

Miracle Skin Transformer Spotlight 3ml

3 Custom Color Eyeliner in Khaki Green (full size)

Mini Wet Brush

Mizon Cotton Shower Sheet Essence Mask (full size)

Julie Hewett Shimmy Face & Body Shimmer in Pinkie (full size)

Stila Lip Glaze in Pink Sugar (full size)

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment 10g

Did you pick up this offer?  If you did let me know what you bought.

A Birthday Swap

My friend Julie and I do a birthday swap - this is our second year exchanging gifts. We met recently for a look at the shops, lunch with some wine and to exchange pressies! I was blown away by her generosity. I love everything!

It was only after I'd put everything away I realised the benefit kit was upside down in my photo!  

I'd totally fallen in love with this beautiful teacup and saucer when it appeared in Aurelia's Christmas Gift sets.  Julie tracked it down to Bombay Duck.  It makes a very special girly cup of tea.

Onto the goodies oh where do I start! 

Lush Rose Bubble Bar - I love all things rose and Lush so looking forward to having a couple of soaks in the bath.  This is super cute.

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Souffle Body Creme 25g - this is beautiful! Sweet, super moisturising and a real treat!  It featured in my Little Treats #2 this week.

Stila Seeing Stars Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner Set - I'm a huge fan of the shade Moray so it was great to get some different shades to try. Once you put this eyeliner on it just stays put!

benefit She's so Jetset - a perfect set for travel. Looking forward to trying it out. It has everything you need.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - I think I actually squealed - I've wanted to try this primer for ages!

Simply Soap Rosepetal & Geranium Soap - huge fan of bars of soap and rose and geranium scents so know I'm going to love this!

Aromatherapy Associates Rose Hydrate Mist 50ml & Moisturising Lip Balm 7ml - this was a pressie from Ralphie (Julie's dog) as I sometimes send him dog treats.  

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment x 2 sachets - I wasn't a huge fan of one of the other Glamglow masks so looking forward to trying!

Glamglow Mud Eye Treatment - I've tried one of the eye masks and I love it.

Aromatherapy Associates Rose Body Wash 40ml - gorgeous! huge fan of rose scented products.

Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil 7.5ml - my favourite AA bath oil.

Manuka Doctor Introductory Kit - Repairing Skin Cream 25ml, Rejuvenating Face Mask 25ml (already a fan of this one) and Restoring Night Cream 25ml - looking forward to trying and reviewing.

A fab colouring book and felt pens!

Lush it started with a kiss tinted balm - handy for the handbag. Give a tint to the lips.

Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick SPF15 - huge Korres and lip balm fan.

Ojon Rare Blends Infusion Shampoo 30ml & Rare Blends Deep Conditioner 30ml - simply love these!  They featured in shopping my stash this week - see here.

Ojon Volume Shampoo 60ml - not tried much Ojon so sure to like this.

Ojon Rare Blend Oil 6ml, Restorative Hair Treatment Plus 8ml & Restorative Hair Treatment 8ml - looking forward to trying all of these.

Also some samples, lots of chocolate and a variety of tea.

Looking forward to trying everything out. Reviews will follow. Thanks again Julie. Love everything.

Love Lula Beauty Box - February

Yesterday my Love Lula Beauty Box arrived and I'm sad to say it didn't wow me. It is a great value box but I've decided to cancel my subscription.  Feeling a bit sad as this was my first ever beauty box subscription (when it used to be Amarya). I'm now only left with Souk Souk having also cancelled my YOU Beauty Discovery box too.

Onto the contents:

Mychelle Sensitive Facial Pack (the only brand I've not tried) - sachets of cleanser, mask, cream and serum.

eos Strawberry Sorbet Lip Balm - this is my favourite item in the box. 100% natural and packed with butters and oils with a strawberry scent. It keeps lips moisturised and soft. I'm a huge eos fan.

Glamglow Youthmud Facial Mask - I'm not a fan of this mask but have a friend who loves it - so I'll pass it to her.

Dr Bronner's Magic Rose Soap - I love the peppermint variety but not so keen on the rose one.

Did you get the box?  What are your thoughts?