Advent Calendars: Days 7 to 15

I've been enjoying most of the items from my Advent calendars.  You can see what I got Days 7 - 15 here:

7 December:  

YOU Beauty - Konjac Sponge - I've used these in the past. Passed this one onto a friend.

M&S - Rituals Zensation Shower Foam 50ml - My friend Magi loves these shower foams. So gave it to her.

4160Tuesdays - today gave us Who Knew? - which is a mix of perfumery materials blended together to see what happens. This is a lush dark rose scent with smokey vetivert, Benzoin, Vanilla and Green Tea Absolute. Pretty keen on this one.

8 December: 

YOU Beauty: Heaven Skincare Bee Venom Eyes 15ml - this is a great size sample. I'm not really into products with Bee Venom in them so passed to a friend.

M&S: pure Grape Day Cream 30ml - a decent size sample and I'll give it a whirl.

4160Tuesdays: Paris 1948 - a chypre inspired by Paris masters in the late 1940s. With top notes of peach, grapefruit and basil with heart notes of rose, cedarwood, orange blossom, rosewood and honey with base notes of oakmoss, hay, musk and labdanum.

9 December: 

YOU Beauty: ESPA £15 Gift Card plus Optimal Skin Pro Serum 8ml - I'm a huge fan of the serum and can always find something to buy online!

M&S: Filorga Time Filler 10ml - I've not heard of this brand so will need to read up on it. I've not got a huge amount of wrinkles (yet).

4160Tuesdays: Rome 1963 - a unisex scent which has top notes of bergamot and chocolate, heart notes of heady tuberose, ylang ylang and cedarwood with base notes of tobacco and patchouli.

10 December: 

YOU Beauty: Teeez Read my Lips Lipstick - this seems quite nice. Still to try it!

M&S: Neals Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream 25ml - I've a feeling I've tried this before and I didn't love the scent. I'll give it another try as I'm a huge fan of the brand.

4160Tuesdays: Midnight in the Palace Garden - with Atlas cedarwood, frangipani, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, blood orange, vanilla, coffee.

11 December:

YOU Beauty: Lipcote Lipstick Sealer - I used this in the 80s and found it totally dried my lips up. I won't be using this one.

M&S: Josh Wood Volume Shampoo 50ml - this seems nice enough but don't really notice any extra volume - maybe it would be best using with the matching conditioner.

4160 Tuesdays: Centrepiece - with honey, frangipani, green tea, cedarwood, vanilla, citrus sorbet and and a hint of chocolate. Inspired by the Ice Cream parlour at Fortnum & Masons.

12 December:

YOU Beauty: Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pencil - Noir - this seems quite nice and non-dragging. Will be used!

M&S: Diego Dalla Palma Lipstick No.46 - a really pretty shade from a brand I haven't tried before.

4160Tuesdays: Fruits of the Tree of Knowlege - a rich fruity sweet scent with notes of grapefruit, lemon, yuzu, cucumber, watermelon, cherry, rose violet, raspberry with a base of sandalwood.

13 December:

YOU Beauty: Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Replenishing Body Lotion 50ml - this has a delicious fig scent. I've use the perfume before and loved it. So looking forward to using this.

M&S: Mio Skincare Liquid Yoga 53ml - this relaxing bath soak smells amazing. Looking forward to trying it out after a stressful day.

4160Tuesdays: Tokyo Spring Blossoms - with Spring flowers, fresh fruit, petals of rose and violet over balsams.

14 December:

YOU Beauty - Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream 20g - always happy to try a new cleanser.

M&S: Percy & Reed No Oil Oil 30ml - I've always been happy with this brand  so this will be used!

4160Tuesdays: Sleep Knot - with jasmine, sandalwood, ylang ylang and black pepper...for nights when you don't plan to sleep...

15 December: 

YOU Beauty: Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum 10ml - I find this one a little bit rich for my skin so I've passed it on.

M&S: Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuer Hand Cream 30ml - this is lovely and matching the body lotion from a couple of days ago.

4160Tuesdays: Babylon Sunset with honey, rose, jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla. This smells lush.

I've been enjoying most items from my Advent calendars and I'm looking forward to having time to try everything out properly (especially the perfumes)

Are you enjoying your advent calendar(s) or did you not buy one this year?

December Empties

Here's what I've been using up in December:

de Mamiel Botaniques Salvation Body Oil 30ml - this came in the Net-a-Porter Holiday Kit Box and I loved it! See my mini review here. This is very firmly on the buy soon list (maybe after #NoBuyJanuary).

Josh Wood Silky Smooth Shampoo 50ml - this came in a trial size kit and was really nice to use. It also had a beautiful rose type scent.  Would buy again.

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel 250ml - simply love this. It is my favourite Organic Surge shower gel scent. I always have a back up.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant 50ml - a staple for me. I buy this effective deodorant again and again.

Bodhi Ylang Ylang Incensa Sensual Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - one of my favourite bodhi & birch scents. Sure to buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - again love this scent. Will buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Camomile Sky Calming Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - one of the new scents from Bodhi & Birch. I loved this. Sure to buy again.  See my review here.

Dr Bronner's Peppermint 18-in-1 Liquid Soap 237ml - my favourite Dr Bronner's scent. As soon as I'm getting low I re-purchase.

Susanne Kaufmann Shower/Shampoo 50ml - this came in the Net-a-Porter box. Was nice enough to use but wouldn't buy.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser 2ml sample - this is a best-seller and seemed quite nice. Would maybe purchase but quite a small sample to make a purchase decision.

Kypris Beauty Elixir I 1,000 Roses 3ml sample - I simply loved this.  See my mini review here. Would love full size but this is very expensive round about £144. A forever on the wishlist item I reckon!

Rosemira Organics Citrus Blossom i-restore eye cream sample* - this was a gorgeous eye cream and one I'd buy full size. A big enough sample to know it was right for me. See my review here.

Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 25ml - huge fan of this gorgeous cleanser.  See my review here. Got another in my stash and would buy again.

earthbody Dream Body Oil 1 fl oz - this was lovely to use just before bed as it contains lavender. Would buy.

Neom Complete Bliss Body Wash 240ml - love this rose scented wash. Unfortunately unless I see another in TKMaxx I won't be able to use it again as this particular scent in body products has been discontinued. Shame!

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial 5ml - loved this floral scented oil. Was pleased with how radiant and renewed it left my skin. Would buy full size.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR sample

A Closer Look: Leave in Conditioners, Treatments & Oils

I do love my hair products!  Here's what is currently in my stash of Leave-in Conditioners, Treatments and Oils.

Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Strong Roots 150ml - this is great for refreshing the hair and scalp, to soothe tightness and hair prone to dryness or to refresh the hair between shampoos. 

Argan Dew Miraculous Argan Oil Daily Hair Treatment 3.5ml sachet* - a fantastic treatment oil which you use prior to blow drying. It leaves the hair shiny, healthy and frizz free.

Hairy Jayne Pre-Shampoo Treatment Oil 30ml - I like to use this as an overnight treatment shampooing out in the morning.  See my initial thoughts here.

Philip B Katira Hair Masque 60ml - this masque makes my hair look amazing. Like I've just stepped out the hairdressers - frizz free and super bouncy and shiny. Love it! 

A'Kin Lavender & Anthyllis Leave-In Conditioner 150ml - one of my all time favourite products. Leaves the hair feeling conditioned and soft.  I've mentioned it numerous times on the blog.

Josh Wood Radiant Shine Hair Treatment Oil 28ml - this is a newish purchase. It smells gorgeous, is rich and super moisturising and leaves the hair looking silky soft and in great condition. I like to use this as an intensive treatment or tame frizzy bits of hair after blowdrying. 

John Masters Organics Rose & Apricot Hair Milk 118ml - I adore this! See my review here.

John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler 30ml - I've been using this on and off for years. It just does what it says and leaves the hair smooth and silky soft as well as smelling nice.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 40ml - a pre-shampoo treatment which although a bit of a faff to do leaves the hair smooth and looking gorgeous!

Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Replenishing Hair Milk 250ml - this smells of coconuts yum! See my initial thoughts here.

Yarok Feed Your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum 1oz* - love this pre-shampoo treatment and love that you can also add it to your conditioner for an added boost. See my full review here.

Yarok Feed Your Ends Leave In Conditioner 2oz - a lightweight mist which conditions your ends. This featured in my Summer Saviours - see here.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment 10ml* - this is one I've used for while and always seem to come back to. Love it's scent.  See my review here.

BiOrganics Salon Secrets Elixir Hair Perfecting Oil 12ml - a natural oil which softens, smooths, repairs and leaves the hair looking healthy.  Can be used before and after blowdrying.  Would like to try more from this brand.

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme 25ml - this came in the much loved Boudoir Privee Box. In fact I loved it so much I ended up with about 6 or 7 via swaps! See my review here.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime 50ml - I got this as a freebie and it's really nice to use. Leaves the hair soft, frizz free and shiny. Can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment or to tame flyaways.

Holy Lama Hair Oil 30ml - this came in a cute little set in July's Souk Souk box. I've not tried it yet! But plan to soon.

The Argan Company Argan Oil 30ml* - I won this in a twitter competition. Love how versatile it is - use it on your hair, face, hands, cuticles and body. I love a multi-purpose product.

Have you used any of these? What is your favourite Leave in Conditioner, Treatment or Oil?

*PR samples