November Empties

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

Yellow Gorse Chai Tea Scrub - just loved this. See my review HERE. Sure to pick this up again.

OM Original Detox Shampoo 15ml* - sachets are great to try. I picked this one up at Love Lula and got two uses from it. It left my hair looking shiny and revitalised. Would maybe buy full size.

Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk 40ml - this had been at the back of my cupboard so I thought I should use it up!  With an uplifting fruity scent it was really nice to use. I'd maybe buy it again.

Sunday Riley Tidal 8g - I really like this gel-cream. It's got a light texture and absorbs easily. I tend to pick it up when I see them up for sale on selling pages on facebook.

D’ALCHÉMY Age Cancellation Booster 15ml* - a really beautiful face cream which I loved. It absorbed easily, had a gorgeous scent and left my skin nourished and healthy. Full size is on the wishlist. See my review HERE.

Planted Circulation Boosting Orange Coffee Scrub 50ml* - probably the best coffee scrub I've used. Super moisturising and lovely. Will buy when my scrub stash reduces. See my review HERE.

Madara Volcano Scrub Soap - just brilliant. Really scrubby. See my review HERE. Yes, I'll buy this again.

Juno Skincare Elan Face Tonic Spritzer 100ml** - a beautiful product from a gorgeous range. Simply loved this and was sad when I used it up. See my review HERE.

Zojo Beauty Elixirs The Bikini Body 35g* - one of the best supplements I've used. See my review HERE. Will definitely buy.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter 29ml - loved this uplifting and fruity butter which absorbed quickly and left the skin feeling nourished and smelling of blood oranges. Gorgeous! Hope to pick up some more of these.

Stella Says Rosewood & Geranium Hand Rescue Balm 20g - picked up from Stella at Maltby Street Market last year. Absolutely gorgeous and I'll definitely be picking more up. See my review HERE.

What have you been using up this month?

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

**gifted

Juno Skincare

A couple of months ago I received a beautiful and unexpected parcel from Julie at Juno Skincare and inside was three skincare essentials. I'd tried a few samples in the past (REVIEW) so I knew the brand was gorgeous as well skin loving and effective (it's also award winning too!) You can pick up the Beauty Shortlist Winners Bundle HERE.

WOW!

Pure Purifying & Reviving Cleanser 200ml (£39) - which comes in a huge pump action bottle. The cleanser is a rich cream with a light aromatic scent which easily removes make up and daily grime. 

To use: pump out a small amount of cleanser, massage onto the eyes, face and neck and remove with the warmed damp muslin cloth.

Elan Face Tonic Spritzer (100ml) is my favourite of the trio (I'm now more than half way through it). 

The spritz will tone, hydrate and refresh the skin. Use it after cleansing or as a pick-me-up throughout the day.

To use: Spritz onto the skin as needed.

The final item in the trio Julie very kindly sent me is her Eternelle Moisturiser for Face (50ml - £43) which has a delicious rich texture and feel on the skin. This aromatic cream deeply nourishes plumping and firming.

To use: apply a small amount AM and PM alone or layered with Joie.

What's your favourite product from Juno Skincare?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: February: Love Yourself

So much excitement in my house when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box lands! February's theme is "Love Yourself" and is packed full of wonderful things. Isn't it gorgeous. Founder, Paula carefully curates each box with love and care (it's my favourite beauty box and such a treat each month).

There is one totally new to me brand this month and four brands I've tried before. There are three new to me products and one product I've tried a sample of. 

And now for a closer look...

From Inner Senses there is a bespoke Limited Edition Sensual Body Oil 50ml which has been created especially for Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box (how nice is that!) It has notes of Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage and Patchouli. I'm looking forward to trying this! I'm a huge fan of their gorgeous Rose Precious Face Oil* (see my review HERE).

From new to me brand, Seed of Life Holistic Health is their Eternal Rose Bathing Salts 100g (worth £3) which are a luxurious blend of Epsom and Himalayan Pink Salts and essential oils of rosa damascena, neroli, grapefruit, bergamot, palmarosa and frankincense. Can't wait to have a soak.

Exciting to see a Make Skincare product nestling inside! I'm a huge fan of the brand having reviewed their Face, Hands & Feet Skincare Set II* and Lip Revive* (HERE) and their Face Glow* (HERE).

I'm looking forward to trying their Face Refresh Floral Mist & Toner (100ml - £10) which can be used as a toner or to spritz and refresh the skin. It smells beautiful. A review will follow.

From Juno Skincare is their Illume Lip Glaze (full size - £16.50) which I've previously tried a sample of. You can see my mini review HERE.

The final item is from Guiltless Skin - Rosehip Cleansing Gel (50ml - £12). I recently tried a trio from the brand* (REVIEW) which I enjoyed so I'm looking forward to trying out this cleansing gel.

As ever, there are generous discount code from the brands. Be quick and sign up if you want March's BOX.

There are a couple of days left to enter my GIVEAWAY to win your very own now sold out box - UK only!

*complimentary

Blog Highlights 2017

You can see my highlights posts for 2015 (HERE) and 2016 (HERE). Here are my 2017 highlights:

January:

In January, I tried Tropic Skincare again and have totally fallen for every product I've tried. I just love Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum* which I reviewed in January. See my review HERE.

February:

In February, I discovered the wonderful Aster & Bay (who are now Edinburgh based) and totally fell for the glorious Rosewater Mist. See my review HERE.

March:

In March, I collaborated with the fabulous Mary Paulson-Ellis to giveaway a copy of her amazing book - The Other Mrs Walker (link). My review featured in my September 2016 round-up.

April:

In April, I took part in the Best of Skincare Tag (link) which was fun to do.

May:

We had a night away in North Berwick (one of my favourite places to be). It featured in my May loves (link). It may only just be down the road but it feels like I'm on holiday when I'm there.

June: 

In June, I finally got round to trying the Votary Rose Maroc & Sandalwood Facial Oil which I received in the Liberty Advent Calendar. It lived up to all my expectations! See my review HERE.

July:

July saw me feature my top reads for the first part of the year (link) so hard to pick!  I also loved Esse Probiotic Skincare Gel Cleanser** which came to me as a member of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program (which I'm both thrilled and delighted to be a member of). See my review HERE.

August:

In August I discovered the exquisite Juno Skincare. See my review HERE.

September:

In September, I sampled a Zing Organics - Zing Lover's Subscription Box which I think is one of the best subscription boxes out there! See my review HERE (and my review of the Eco Marine Algae Facial Cleansing Masque HERE).

October:

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of the beautiful and gorgeous Skin Organic Clean Beauty Boxes. This light as air, fluffy and exquisitely scented Poppy's Natural Skincare Super Moisturising Organic Chia Seed Hand Butter (neroli) came in the  October - Autumn Glow Box. See my review HERE.

November:

In November, I'm delighted to say I've embarked on Formula Botanica - Diploma in Organic Skincare which I'm so excited about!  I've not really had time yet to throw myself into it due to my day job being manic and having the flu. I'm looking forward to starting it seriously soon (enrollment opens January 16-23 if you are interested!) Expect an initial post early in January.

December:

I'm totally honoured and incredibly proud to be a judge for The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2018. I've been testing out lots of amazing products - some already known to me and some which are totally new.

It's been a brilliant year! What are your highlights?

*complimentary

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

August Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here are my August empties: 

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Botanical Cream Deodorant 5g - I absolutely adore this deodorant. Full size is very, very firmly on the wishlist. It featured in shopping my stash #85. It's fantastic!

ishga Hebridean Marine Toner 150ml* - which I loved. See my review HERE. I loved the range and it's one I'd buy when the toner stash reduces a bit.

Skin & Tonic Rose Mist 20ml - huge fan of this brand and product. See my review HERE. I've got another of these in the stash thankfully!

Molton Brown Frankincense & Allspice Hand Wash 300ml - I simply love this and stock up in the sales to last me all year. See my review HERE. 

Madara Time Miracle Cellular Nutrients Toning Mist 100ml* - loved this. See my review HERE. I'd buy this once my current stash reduces.

Connock Kukui Oil Nourishing Hand Cream 50ml - I enjoyed using this hand cream. It's got a nice scent and I'd maybe try and pick it up again.

bodhi & birch Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum 5ml - huge fan of this. See my review HERE. This is one of my favourite bodhi & birch products so highly likely I'll buy it again soon.

By Terry Baume de Rose Hand Cream 30ml - lovely to use with a rosey scent. It left the hands feeling soft and nourished.

Tropic Skincare Wild Mint, Lime & Pineapple Body Wash 250ml* - I loved this beautiful tropical scented wash. See my thoughts HERE. It's one I'd buy when my stash reduces a bit.

Juno Reviving Cleanser sample* - which was lovely to use. See my thoughts HERE. It's one I'd buy full size when my stash reduces a bit. Juno Skincare Mon Ami Rejuvenating Hand Cream sample* which was deeply nourishing and nice to use. Would buy full size.

Tom Ford White Suede EdP 4ml - I love these dinky perfumes which you receive when you buy a full size Private Blend perfume. This one's on the wishlist!

Thalgo Cold Cream Marine Deeply Nourishing Body Cream 5ml - this was a teeny sample (one use) but it was a lovely cream with a sea inspired scent. I'd maybe buy full size.

Palo Santo by Carner EdP 1ml sample - I adored this and full size is on the wishlist.

Matis Reponse Premium The Night Regenerating Caviar Face Cream 5ml - nice to use and I got a few uses out of the sample. Would maybe buy full size and Matis Response Premium The Eyes Precious Caviar Black Gel 5ml - this was lovely and I'd buy full size.

Sanoflore Rosa Angelica Morning Rehydrating Concentrate Serum sachet - the scent of this serum was amazing. Unfortunately, the sample was teeny tiny and I only got 2 uses from it.  It felt lovely on the skin however.

What have you been using up this month?

*complimentary

Juno Skincare: Made with Peace, Love & Simplicity

Despite following Juno Skincare on Twitter I hadn't truly looked at the gorgeous Brighton based brand until I spotted they were featured in this month's Psychologies mag and of course I couldn't resist a little purchase..

I picked 2 products and founder and formulator Julie very kindly added a few samples.  The range is absolutely exquisite and the small sizes perfect try-me's before buying full sizes or for holidays. I'm very tempted by the Revelation Kit with Pixie Bag (always good to have back ups..)

The two products I picked up are:

Joie Face Oil 4ml (£8.90) which refines, balances and nourishes all skin types. Absorbing instantly it leaves the skin moisturised, toned and glowing. Use AM and PM. It's such a beautiful oil and my skin is loving it.

Ingredients: Kiwi Seed oil, Rice Bran oil, Borage oil, Pumpkin seed oil, Pomegranate oil, Argan oil, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Linden Blossom, Geranium, Frankincense and Rose essential oils, Rosehip & Vitamin E oils.

Julie-Anne EdP 5ml (£7) which has been blended to capture long summer days and travel to far-away places. With citrus, jasmine, rose, linden blossom and neroli notes. It has a light powdery floral scent which is perfect for anytime of the year or day.

Samples:

Pure Reviving Cleanser - a rich cleanser which removes all make up and daily grime leaving the skin feeling clean and nourished, Mon Ami Hand Cream - which leaves the hands deliciously soft and nurtured and Illume Lip Glaze which is scented with Julie-Anne perfume and Hyaluronic acid nourishes and plumps. The lips are left looking glossy, with a light tint and in great condition.

I've really been enjoying all the products I've tried - it really is a beautiful brand. Have you tried any products from Juno Skincare?