*Love Lula: AUTUMN Beauty

*sent to me complimentary as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. As you'll know I've been theming my Love Lula picks this year.

January - SLEEP,  February - LOVE, March - AWAKEN, April - BLOSSOM, May - FORAGE, 

June GROW, July - PLASTIC FREE JULY, August - CBD, September - Organic September

This month I chose Autumn as my theme thinking of pumpkins, blackberries and apples. It is great to discover a new facial oil which I've fallen hard for, enjoy a deliciously berry scented sugar scrub and autumnal lips need lip balm.

Hero Facial Oil* By Sarah London (30ml - £33) was originally formulated for Sarah's sister, Lauren to restore her fragile skin after treatment for leukaemia. It's "the original, the hero, the inspiration". Cold pressed organic plant oils of pumpkin seed, sweet almond, apricot, argan, evening primrose and vitamin e. The soothing oil is unfragranced and a nourishing powerhouse for happy healthy skin (I've since bought two others from the range which are equally fantastic - Balancer Oil-to-Milk Cleanser + Reviver Hydrating Mist - reviews soon!)

To use: massage a few drops over face and neck both AM and PM.

I can't believe its taken me so long to try this fantastic range. Hero Facial Oil is an absolute dream and makes for healthy and glowing skin. One of my fav products this year.

Lovely and affordable Bloomtown - I chose their deliciously scented The Hedgerow Blackberry & Honeysuckle Sugar Scrub* (60ml - £7). Who hasn't gone blackberry picking? There's nothing quite like getting a bundle of tasty sweet and juicy berries for free. Bloomtown have paired them with fruity, heady and warm honeysuckle along with nourishing oils of sweet almond, coconut oil and shea butter with British sugar.

To use: apply to damp skin in circular movements before rinsing

A gorgeous scrub (which comes in a 250ml size too!)

My final pick this month with a nod to apples is super moisturising Hurraw! Ahiflower Apple Lip Balm* (4.3g - £4.99). Ahiflower is grown in the UK. The seeds are pressed to produce a delicate oil with a higher quantity of omegas than any other seed on the planet. It's been paired with golden apple flavour (I don't get an apple scent, it seems unfragranced to me). I like to use it best at night and wake up with soft and nourished lips.

To use: apply as often as needed

Although I'm not so keen on the scent, or lack of it, it does deeply moisturise the lips (best to use at bedtime). What are your Autumn essentials?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: January 2021

*I receive the Love Lula Beauty Box free of charge as a member of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for an honest review. The Beauty Box is £14.95 a month recurring in the UK (see all subscriptions available HERE). This month the contents of the box are worth £35.

The box contains useful items this month - there are 4 full size items, 2 travel sizes and a sachet inside. I was excited to see Balm Balm's new Lavender Face Balm 30ml which is worth £9.50. It's a luscious balm with a hint of lavender. I'm looking forward to trying it - a review will follow!

Also new to me is Moi Vert's Lemongrass Liquid Soap 250ml (£8) I'm always needing soap in the current climate and this one can be used for cleaning too! Excellent, I love a multi-purpose product. 

From Natura Siberica is their Oblepikha Hand Cream 75ml (£4.50) which I've had the pleasure of trying before. It's rich and nourishing and perfect for winter.

The Hurraw! Lip Balms were various and I received their Baobab Banana 4.3g (£4.99) which is as super-nourishing treat for the lips. It actually has a nutty banana like flavour (this isn't a flavour I've have picked but it's lovely).

From Ayumi Naturals is a Shampoo & Conditioner Duo (travel size 50ml each) in Hibiscus & Turmeric. These are ideal for holidays - if we're ever allowed to again! 

Rounding up this stuffed full box is a sachet of Madara's fantastic Hydra Firm Hyaluron Concentrate Jelly. See my review of this HERE.

Another great box, are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts?

*Love Lula: Beauty Box: March 2019

*gifted/sample It's always an exciting day when my Love Lula Beauty Box* lands and this month it's worth an incredible £70 and again this month they are offering subscribers a very generous 25% off brands in the box. I've a feeling I might be picking a few things up!

There are two make up items nestling there! There's also another lip balm (we got one last month) but I don't mind as I love the Hurraw! brand and haven't tried their luscious Almond Lip Balm before (full size - £4.99).

From new to me brand Sarya Couture Makeup is a single eyeshadow in Mocha which is another full size item and worth £17.80. From Inika we have their Liquid Eyeliner in Black (£19).

Also inside is a full size Madara Deep Moisture Gel for Oily skin types (£28) which is suitable for Oily/Combo skins so will be ideal for me. I'm looking forward to trying it.

The final item is a trio of sachets from ZUII Organic. I know sachets in beauty boxes as an item is disliked by many but I'm a huge fan of sachet samples and have fallen head over heels for a product from a couple of goes.

Are you a subscriber? What do you think of the contents this month?

*gifted/sample - the beauty box is sent to me as a part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program

Shopping my Stash #87

Here's what I've been reaching for this week:

From Botanical Brands Living Nature's gorgeous latest launch Bliss Rose Tinted Lip Hydrator** which is a "my lips but better" kind of shade. It deeply nourishes and leaves the lips with a pop of natural colour. Love!

I received the new Hurraw! Papaya Pineapple Lip Balm* in March's Love Lula Beauty Box. It's a totally tropical treat which nourishes and treats the lips.  I love lip balms and this one's a welcome addition to my stash.

I can't live without Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion which keeps my eyeshadow on all day long. It'll be one I'll definitely be replenishing although this little tube has lasted ages.

Make Skincare has been one of my favourite recent tries. All their products are just totally exquisite. I reviewed Feet Revive** HERE. It's one of these must try brands as the scents and formulations are just dreamy.

I'm such a fan of the glorious Shay & Blue and I just love Blueberry Musk which I received from hubby at Christmas (after dropping a few unsubtle hints I must add haha). It's a beauty. It featured on Wishlist #2 in November. Just the other day their latest launch landed on my doorstep via Amazon birthday vouchers. And it's gorgeous!

On the wishlist (a long time) were Alexis Smart Healing Flower Remedies. When I spotted Naturisimo were stocking them I was absolutely over the moon! I'm currently trying Peaceful Worrier. It's early days so I've not really felt as if they are working for me yet - but I'll keep you posted!

What have you been reaching for lately?

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

**PR sample

Love Lula March 2017 Beauty Box

My March Love Lula Beauty Box* arrived yesterday and this month it's worth £40! (UK subscription is £12.50 a month) making it great value for money. Sign up HERE (you also get a code for 20% off the brands in March's box).

March's box contains 4 full size items and a sachet sample. So what's inside:

Seascape Island Apothecary Unwind Body Wash 300ml (£16) with Eucalyptus, Lime and Lavender (smells great!) I've used this brand before and this product and you can see my review HERE. I'm looking forward to trying it again as I remember especially loving it. 

PHB Ethical Beauty's Brightening Hand Cream with Neroli & Ylang Ylang 50ml (£10.95) smells incredible! It's rich, nourishing and absorbs quickly leaving the hands beautifully scented. I'm a HUGE fan of this lovely brand and I'm looking forward to testing this product out. Expect a full review shortly.

I absolutely adore Laidbare's Butter Me Up Body Butter (review) so I'm always keen to try more from the brand. This month we've got For Richer For Porer Pore Minimiser Facial Mask for Oily/Combo Skins 50ml (£7.99). I have combination skin so I'm looking forward to trying.

The final full size items is a Hurraw! Lip Balm (which is new in) in Papaya & Pineapple 4.3g (£4.99) and which smells totally tropical as well as being deeply nourishing. (I can never have enough hand creams or lip balms).

I'm a huge fan of Kimberley Sayer and love her Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF30 (1.5ml). I collect sachets for weekends away and holidays and they are also great try-me's.

A great box this month. What are your thoughts?

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

April: Lately I've Been Loving

So many loves in April (it's my birthday and our Anniversary month):

I've been testing out two shampoos* from the new range at AA Skincare and they are absolutely fantastic. Expect a review (and giveaway) shortly. Totally bargainous too at £5.94 for 250ml.

We had an amazing Anniversary Trip to Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Island which you can read about HERE.

I won a beautiful bottle of Miller Harris Citron Citron EdP following the #30plusblog (@WeAreThirtyPlus) chat with Miller Harris a couple of weeks ago. Ten people who took part were randomly picked to receive a bottle. A review is forthcoming. It's totally perfect for spring and summer.

I've been testing out these exquisite MAULI Rituals Oils* everything I try by this brand I just fall in love with. See my review of their Discovery Kit HERE. Expect a review shortly.

This night-time use Moon Lip Balm by HURRAW! is fantastic. It is really rich and deeply nourishes the lips, is scented with Vanilla and Peru Balsam (which helps you to sleep) while Blue Chamomile soothes. 

I received this cute little chest of drawers from my mum and dad at my birthday. It's great for popping in odds and ends and sits in my hall. You can pick one up at Lakeland.

I absolutely loved this little card from That Lame Company so much so I picked up their spring box. You can read my review HERE.

Julie gave me my first Urban Decay Naked Palette! Love it. What took me so long!

My pal Nardine gave me this beautiful notebook from Paperchase (I'm keeping it for good!). It is so pretty. See what other goodies she gave me here.

Discovering this lovely brand - PHB Ethical Beauty. Both products are amazing and reviews will follow.

source

I've just discovered Angela Marsons's series featuring DI Kim Stone. It's absolutely fantastic and I've just finished the second book in the series. If you like crime which makes you think and a fast paced story with lots of twists and turns you'll absolutely love the series.

What have you been loving this month?

*PR samples

Souk Souk September Beauty Box

I picked up my September Souk Souk Beauty Box up at the post office this morning.

I've just signed up to LJ's Natural Solutions Beauty Box so I actually have a full size bottle of OMG Serum which is included in the box this month (6g worth around £3).  It won't go to waste though as I'll pass it onto my friend Magi.  

There are two products I've used before from The Earth Works Cosmetics. These are trial sizes of the very gorgeous Coconut & Lime Body Butter (£2) and Grapefruit Facial Exfoliator (£2).  See my review here.

I love Pure Thought's Tangerine & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter (10g). It was the first product of theirs I tried.  It retails at £2.50.

There is a Hurraw! Lip Balm in Black Cherry Tinted Balm - I've recently collected a few of these via beauty boxes.  This is worth £3.99.

The box bonus is a sachet of Speick Hand Cream (3ml) which is a brand I've never heard of before.

Not the best value or most interesting box (for me at least) but everything will get used!  Did you get this box?  What are your thoughts?

Love Lula Beauty Box - August

My Love Lula beauty box arrived yesterday. It is a great value box this month - it contains 3 full size products!

Included is a full size bottle TanOrganic Certified Organic Self-Tanning Oil (100ml) which is worth £19.99! I'm not a self-tan fan but I may give this a go! It is aloe vera based and gives a natural shade.

The second full size item is a Hurraw! Lip Balm in Green Tea (4.3g) and worth £3.99. I'm a huge fan of these super moisturising balms and look forward to trying this one which has hints of jasmine as well as green tea flavours. 

The third full size item is EcoTools Eye-Shadow Brush worth £4.99 I love these brushes and I am happy to see something different in a beauty box.

Finally, there are a couple of sachets - John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner 10ml (love this!) and Sophyto Total Protection Serum 2ml.

Did you get this box? What are your thoughts?

S/S Green Beauty Swap

Ria at NatuRiaBeauty recently organised a S/S Green Beauty Swap. I was paired with Ailsa at Pretty Beauty Dreams. We chatted about likes and dislikes and decided on a budget. My parcel arrived yesterday and I'm super pleased with everything. Some of the products I've never tried before and some are old favourites.  I was oohing and aahing while opening!

I simply love the gorgeous Bloom Remedies Mood Relaxing Bath & Body Set. I'm a huge Bloom Remedies fan but I've not tried any of these products before. The set comes in a cute hessian bag and contains - Serenity Slumber Bath Oil 30ml (with Neroli, Jasmine & Vetivert) which smells gorgeous, Serenity Slumber Body Oil 30ml, Geranium, Sweet Orange & Cedarwood Shower Gel 50ml along with a shower mitt. I'm so looking forward to a pampering session!

Organic Surge Citrus Mint Intensive Hair Treatment 150ml - I love Organic Surge products and hair treatments. This smells great and looking forward to trying it.

A tube of Neom Complete Bliss Organic Hand Cream 50ml - I smiled when I unwrapped and saw this...my most favourite hand cream ever and in my favourite Moroccan Blush Rose scent.

Dr Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence 10ml - this smells deeply of roses - gorgeous! Can't wait to try it.

Hurraw! Grapefruit Lip Balm 4.3g - I've never tried this brand before. A deliciously fruity and super moisturising balm. I'm a fan already!

Pure Thoughts Eucalyptus & Rosehip Natural Soap 120g - huge Pure Thoughts fan and love bars of soap. I've not tried this scent before.

Pure Thoughts Tangerine & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter 10g - this is my all time favourite Pure Thoughts product. Great size for travel. I picked this one too for Ailsa!

Pure Thoughts Lime & Ginger Hand Repair Balm 10g - it smells really zingy and spicy. Looking forward to trying it out. The perfect size for popping in a handbag or pocket.

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash 10ml & Body Milk 10ml and Rose Foaming Face Wash 5ml - huge John Masters fan and love these for travel.

And a yummy nakd Cocoa Delight bar.

Thanks again Ailsa! Love everything and thanks to Ria for arranging the swap. You can see what I gave Ailsa here.

See Ailsa's Blog here and follow her on Twitter @a1sinclair87