MÅNGATA Baume de la Rose

I've had the real pleasure of trying MÅNGATA Baume de la Rose* (30ml - £83) which is one of the most luxurious products I've ever used. It's brought to us by Danny and Scott of Holistic Green Beauty (Danny used to write a blog of that name and he always wanted to create his own skincare, so it's been a pleasure watching it all unfold). The range is 100% organic, raw, handmade and cruelty free.

The anti-ageing beauty balm comes simply but beautifully packaged and the pot is reusable or recyclable.

The scent when you open the pot is simply incredible. The balm is infused with the essence of true rose which calms and soothes the mind. It's a beautiful blend of skin loving ingredients which will nourish, hydrate, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, repair and regenerate leaving the skin glowy and content.

To use: massage a pea sized amount onto damp skin after cleansing and toning. It can also be applied to the pulse points for a moment of calm.

My thoughts?

WOW I just love this exquisite balm which is handcrafted with love and attention to detail. It feels gorgeous on my skin, absorbs instantly and I just adore that true rose scent. In fact, it will be featuring in my favourite products of '18. Pick yours up HERE.

See the whole MÅNGATA range HERE.

I've also previously tried two products from the Holistic Green Beauty range - see my review HERE.

*complimentary

April: Lately I've Been Loving

So many April loves..

I've had the real pleasure of trying exquisite and decadent Mangata Baume de la Rose* (£83 - 30ml) an anti-ageing beauty balm by Holistic Green Beauty which truly is one of the most luxurious products I've ever tried. It's perfect in every way from the feel on your skin to the beautiful scent. Expect a full review very shortly (this product has WOW factor and is likely to feature in my top products of '18).

And two products with the WOW factor in the same month! Vanderohe's No.1 Nourishing Face Serum* (10ml - £33) is one of the best skincare products I've tried. Catch my review in early May.

It was my 50th birthday earlier in the month and we went back to the fab L'Horizon Hotel at St Brelades Bay, Jersey. The hotel is right on the beach and is just wonderfully relaxing. We were also lucky to have two very sunny afternoons.

Coffee was a must in the sunshine at Jersey Crab Shack on the bay (and their wonderful crab salad was also consumed!)

We got the open top bus into St Helier (and I nearly fell off my seat trying to take selfies..haha)

Hubby treated me to the gorgeous Tom Ford Neroli Portofino EdP at de Gruchy (cheaper than UK with no VAT!) The assistant also decanted two generous samples for me. Review will follow! I love it.

Of course there had to be fizz! And cocktails..

lanique (rose attar (like liquid turkish delight yum), crushed ice and lime

Old Fashioned and Negroni

amuse bouche

 potato - quails egg- paris brown

Morel Cream - Pea - Lemon - Spring Herbs (pretty as a picture, delicious & one of our favourites) 

scallop - celeriac - truffle - apple - smoked eel

Spiced Apple - Backberry

We dined again at amazing One Michelin Star Bohemia Jersey and the food was gorgeous. Would highly recommend it if you are on the Island.

Thank you Bohemia!

My friend Nardin treated me to a gorgeous bottle of perfume from Jo Loves - Smoked Plum & Leather. See my review HERE.

My friends Magi and Derek asked their very talented neighbour and friend to draw our old dog Bess. The likeness is uncanny! Such a beautiful and heartfelt gift.

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary

April Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here's my April empties and my thoughts:

Green People Ho Wood & Red Mandarin Hand Cream 50ml* I loved this beautiful hand cream. It had a delicious scent and was nice to use. See my review HERE. I'd buy this (when I reduce my stash).

Holistic Green Beauty Rose Radiance Toning Mist 100ml* simply divine. See my review HERE. When I use up what's in my stash I'll be replenishing this.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser 30ml huge fan of this lovely cleanser. I've just opened a new one. See my review HERE. Will buy again when needed.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml another toner I love. Just opened a new one.

Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil 3ml which is one of my favourites (along with Inner Strength). Definitely will pick up the full size of this soon. See my review of the mini set HERE.

Molton Brown Suma Gingseng Body Wash 50ml in a scent I hadn't tried before. It really is lovely with notes of cinnamon, geranium, gingseng extract, lemon and patchouli and one I'd buy full size.

Kneipp Herbal Bath Balancing Lavender 20ml I've used this scent a couple of times and it's lovely to use before bed. Sure to pick up again at some point.

Chuckling Goat Calm-Down Kefir Cleanser* this soap was lovely and gently scented with Lavender. See my review HERE. It's one I'd buy.

Chantecaille La Creme Riche Anti-Age+ Bio Lifting Cream 10ml a real luxury cream which was a joy to use. Unfortunately it costs around £300 for 50ml..so I won't be buying it anytime soon!

Neal's Yard Remedies Soothing Massage Oil & Bath Oil 9ml these are lovely when you need some TLC.

Neal's Yard Remedies Rose & Pomegranate Bath Oil 9ml is really lovely. Tempted by the full size.

Molton Brown Frankincense & Allspice Hand Wash 100ml which came in the YOU Beauty Advent Calendar. Absolutely LOVE this and can't believe I'll have to wait until October until I can buy another bottle as it is a Christmas edition (I'll be stocking up!)

DECIEM Hand Chemistry 30ml - one of my favourite hand creams. Have already cracked open another. It just works.

bodhi & birch Siam Ginger Bath & Shower Therapy 200ml - which is fast becoming my favourite from bodhi & birch. Will buy again for sure.

Yogandha detox body oil 125ml - I've used this just about every morning since I bought it. Loved and will buy again. I love its uplifting lemongrass scent.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

My top 15 products of 2015

I was trying to limit to 10 again this year but found I just couldn't. These aren't in any order they are just my top products. I have divided them up into product types.

Skincare:

Lulu & Boo Chocolate Orange Cleansing Oil* (100ml) - this cleansing oil is a recent favourite. I reviewed it in November and I can honestly say it is one of the nicest and most effective cleansers I've used this year.

Skin &Tonic STEAM CLEAN (50g) - I'm a huge fan of Skin & Tonic's STEAM CLEAN. The minty balm cleanser uplifts the senses while cleansing the skin of daily grime and make up. I've gone through several pots of it this year and will keep on buying it as it works (I love it too).

Holistic Green Beauty Rose Radiance Toning Mist* (100ml) - another new launch this year. See my review HERE. An amazing toner which hydrates, tones and plumps the skin. Love!

Living Nature Radiance Night Oil* (10ml) - this rose scented oil is one of the most luxurious I've ever used. See my review HERE. I don't currently have this in my stash but plan to buy it again soon.

de Mamiel Seasonal Facial Oils (20ml) - I've tried and reviewed Spring, Summer and Autumn. I know I'll keep on buying these exquisite oils as my skin loves them.

A.S Apothecary* - This is cheating a little bit as it's two products! The very fabulous Cleansing Oil #5* (review) and new product Mineral Powder #2* mix a small amount of the powder in a bowl with a few drops of Cleansing Oil to form a paste before applying to the skin as an exfoliator (full review to follow shortly). Amanda has created an amazing range of products. I also love her range for Harris Distillery.

Bee Good Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator (50ml)* - one of my favourite Bee Good products. See my review HERE. 

Bath & Body:

Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak (200ml) - this is my favourite new bath product this year. See my review HERE. I've already got back-ups of my back up!

Odylique Rose Velvet Body Lotion (100ml) - which is another new (Limited Edition) launch this year. A rich lotion which is scented with roses. See my review HERE.

Beatitude Joy Body Oil* - an uplifting and rich body serum which is a joy to use! See my review HERE.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts - I buy these again and again as they just work. See my review HERE. If I could only use one bath product it would be these.

Bodhi & Birch Mint Thé Bath & Shower Therapy - my favourite Bodhi & Birch scent. Invigorating and refreshing. See my review HERE.

Perfume:

Shay & Blue - I've got huge love for this beautiful brand. The perfumes are different and very wearable. I'm looking forward to their new launch next year too! See my reviews - Atropa Belladonna, Watermelons*, Framboise Noir* and Salt Caramel.

Bloom Perfumery Yearly Sample Pack Subscription - is one of the most exciting subscription launches this year. I've tried some amazing perfumes and added lots to the wishlist! See my reviews for each month here July, August, September, October and November.

Make up:

Lippy Girl Rosie Posie Lipstick - I read Hephzibah's blog post on this lipstick and it was a severe case of "the blogger made me buy it". Such a pretty and wearable shade I'm hardly without it!

What products have been top for you this year?

*PR samples

Holistic Green Beauty: Rose Radiance Toning Mist & Orchid Cellular Protection Oil

Danny at Holistic Green Beauty recently contacted me to ask if I'd like to try a couple of the products in the new range of 100% natural, raw, anti-ageing beauty products he is launching with his partner Scott.  Launch date is 30th October - that's next Friday!

The products are hand crafted in small batches and are as pure as can be. The preservatives used are natural so products have a short shelf life (there is a use by date on the bottom of the bottles).

The range comprises of:

Chocolate Cleansing Balm 100ml (£45)

Rose Radiance Toning Mist 100ml (£38)*

Orchid Cellular Protection Oil 20ml (£72)*

Pink Lotus Cellular Repair Oil 20ml (£80)

Rose Radiance Toning Mist* - this is a really beautiful toning elixir which tones and hydrates the skin. It contains organic flower waters of Rose, Elderflower and Ylang Ylang. The mix gives the toner a nice floral/fruity scent. 

With potent actives of Vitamin C, organic pomegranate extract, Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid. It also contains a special lifting complex which lifts and plumps the skin. The skin is exfoliated by Lactic and Salicylic acid leaving it radiant and renewed. I recently likened the toner to May Lindstrom's The Jasmine Garden as it is equally luxurious.

To use: shake the bottle before spritzing over face and neck.

Orchid Cellular Protection Oil* - the oil helps with dryness and dehydration smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Acts are a preventative against premature ageing. Stuffed full of good things for the skin the oil is really a joy to use.  It contains Orchid extract, organic Argan oil, Cranberry C02, Green Tea and Buriti Oil which regenerate, shield against free radicals and UV damage. Organic Calendula and Copaiba heal and repair while Organic Marula, Chia Seed and Baobab promote cellular healing and regeneration. 

To use: apply a small amount to damp skin after cleansing and toning. Use AM/PM.

The products are really luxurious and a pleasure to use. My skin feels cared for and nourished and the products smell delicious too. I'm adding the Chocolate Cleansing Balm to the wishlist!

Follow on Twitter @HGBskincare

See the Facebook page HERE

*complimentary