Latest in Beauty: The India Knight Style Beauty Box

You should know the drill by now, I can never resist a Latest in Beauty collection box. The India Knight Edit in association with The Sunday Times Style magazine just HAD to be mine! There are 10 items in the box, with six full sizes! Costing £40 and worth an incredible £210!

The things which first jumped out at me when the box landed was the trio of haircare (which alone is worth £97!)

Award winning Charlotte Mensah is a totally new to me brand (there's a whole host of products in stylist, artistic director and founder Charlotte's line). I'll definitely be checking them out later. Inside the box is her Manketti Hair Oil 100ml which is worth £48. A review will follow when I get the chance to try it.

I've got a few of legendary hair stylist, Sam McKight's products on my Cult Beauty wishlist so was delighted to see a full size of his Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist 250ml (£25) nestled in the box. It'll give you sexy tousled messy but cool locks!

The third haircare item is Color WOW's Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml (£24) which has been on my radar but I've never got round to trying until now! The results on the website look amazing - I've still to master drying my hair with a brush but it will also work with the heat from straighteners too. Watch this space!

There's a full size of The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10%+Zinc 1% 30ml (£5) which will help regulate sebum and reduce the appearance of blemishes. I've only tried a couple of products from the range before but I'll give this a whirl.

There's a 15ml trial size of Elemis's Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix which will revitalise and regenerate the skin while you sleep. 

Also inside is Kiehl's Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil 40ml "this classic body product is reimagined in the form of a cocooning dry oil". Looking forward to trying this out!

From Clinique there's a mini travel size pot of their Moisture Surge 72 hour auto-replenishing Hydrator 15ml which is like a glass of water for the skin.

From Laura Mercier there is their Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Dominate 0.42g which is a cherry-red shade. This is a trial size.

Also inside the box is Zoeva's Heritage Eye Crayon in Phonology 1.4g (£11) which is a metallic caramel bronze. It seems really nice and I'm looking forward to using it.

Rounding up the box is BBB London's Ultimate Brow Arch Definer in Saffron 0.3g (£22).

There are also a couple of discount codes from BBB London for 20% off a brow shape, 15% off at Elemis and 15% off at Zoeva as an added extra.  Did you pick up one of the Style boxes?

Latest in Beauty: Style Summer Essentials with The Sunday Times

I couldn't resist snapping up a The Sunday Times Style Summer Essentials Box with Latest in Beauty which cost £46 and is worth £229. Up until Sunday there they had been offering monthly subscribers £6 off and non-subscribers free postage making the box even more bargainous! (I'm not currently a member but was happy to receive free p&p).

It's absolutely jam packed! And now for a closer look..

I'm super chuffed with this gorgeous SUQQU Designing Color Eyes Palette (Hikaritouka) which is worth £46 alone! The shades are really beautiful and pigmented and I'm looking forward to trying them.

From MAC there is a full size lipstick (Sultry Move) worth £17.50 which is in a very wearable pink nude. Also full size is a Code 8 Precision Eyeliner in Carbon Black which is worth £28. Yet another full size! OPI Nail Lacquer Don't Cry over Spilled Milkshakes which is worth £13.50. There are two try-me make up items - Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Setting Powder 3.5g and Smashbox Super Fab Mascara 5ml (which are great try me sizes/for travel). So far, I'm loving it!

Yet another full size! From BareMinerals we have their BarePro Glow Highlighter Drops which are worth £23. There's also a mini Clinique Take the Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips (30ml) which is perfect for try me/holidays.

From Elemis is their Peptide4Plumping Pillow Facial 15ml, from Kiehl's their Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream 7ml and from Paula's Choice a luxury trial size (7ml) of their Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum.

bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Dark 110ml I won't use this as I don't use self-tan. It's worth £9.99 (I'll pass it along!) There's a mini from Bumble & Bumble of their Hairdresser's Invisible Oil/UV Heat Protective Primer 30ml (£10), Aveda Hand Relief Moisturising Creme 40ml (£12) and Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Body Builder 98ml (£10).

Rounding up the box is a 10ml Narciso Rodriquez Pur Musc for her EdP spray. It's nice to receive a good size bottle rather than a perfume vial. It has a heart of musc with white florals and orange blossom and it would be perfect for summer holidays.

It's all a bit overwhelming (in a good way!) and I'll follow up with reviews for most of the products. Did you pick a box up?

Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar - the first 8 days

The Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar has been one of the most luxurious gifts I've ever had! It sold out the same day it went on sale! I couldn't decide whether I should get it or not (£165) as it wasn't cheap. I was over the moon when hubby said he'd buy it for me! I did have delivery issues and customer services were useless so because of this it'll be my one and only online purchase from Liberty....(oh and they also cancelled everyone's TopCashback)

The calendar itself is exquisite and well made. I'll be using it to store bits-n-bobs. Inside each drawer with the product is rose gold crunchy paper - it's the little things..

Day 1: Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme 40ml - this is a good size and a product I've used before and loved. It deeply nourishes the hands and has a minty-herbal aroma.

Day 2: Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Refine & Polish Miracle Balm 20ml - again a product I've tried before (and which I'll enjoy using again!) It has a very gentle exfoliating action.

Day 3: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks 3.7g in shade Powder Pink which is worth £20!  This is a really pretty shade which I'll enjoy using.

Day 4: Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo 30ml - again a shampoo I've used before & enjoyed.

Day 5: Jin Soon Nail Lacquer (full size) - I'm not really a polish fan so I'll gift this on. Pretty shade though.

Day 6: Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer 30ml - I'm always looking for the perfect primer. Again, I've used this before but not for a while. Happy to have it back in my stash.

Day 7: Co Bigelow Rose Salve 14g - I love anything rose scented so I'll give this a try.

Day 8: Malin+Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser 29ml - I've again tried this before. It's great size for travel so I'll pop it in my holidays bag.

What do you think of the Calendar so far?

Travel Treats Selection

You can see my birthday swap from my friend Julie HERE. She gave me a box of Travel Treats which I'm showing you now in this post. It's jam-packed!

There's a load of travel size sachets which will be great for my next holiday. Including hair goodies from Kerastase, Ojon and rahua. Dr Bronner's peppermint pure castile soap is my product and scent of choice for cleaning my make up brushes. There is also a cute mirror, some Quintessentially English bath salts, Murad Oil Control Mattifier sachets and a Kiehl's Line Reducer concentrate sachet.

I was really pleased to receive Aromatherapy Associates Instant Inner Strength Roll on which helps in times of stress and their Inner Strength Bath Oil (my fav AA bath oil scent!). There is also a Deep Relax Balm which helps to relax and calm. I already love Jurlique's Rose Love Balm and Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Grapefruit Body Cleanser (I've got the perfume of this scent - see my review of it HERE), Kiehl's Creme de Corps, Gardener's Hand Healer, Nuxe's Youth Radiance Revealing Cream and a Cowshed Lippy Cow Lip Balm.

balance me's latest Revitalising Hand & Body Wash, Hotel Chocolate's Ti Jardin Conditioning Body Butter (this smells lush), my favourite (and now discontinued) Neom Complete Bliss Hand Cream review HERE and my essential Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts review HERE.

Korres Citrus Shower Gel, Little Body Milk and a Calendula Softening Soap. 

Dior Addict Lip Colour in Rose Nuisette which is a pretty shimmery shade - ideal with a tan!

Thanks again Julie. Really love everything you picked for me!

A Closer Look: Perfumes

I first showed you my perfume collection in January 2012 some of which are still there today!

Tom Ford Santal Blush EDP 50ml - this is my second bottle and it's nearly done sob! One of my favourite scents. See my review here.

Chanel Sycomore EDT 75ml - love this vertivert scent. See my review here.

Diptyque Philosykos roll on - the best fig scent out there (in my opinion!) It has figgy and fresh green notes.

Aftelier Perfumes* - Cepes & Tuberose EDP, Wild Roses EDP, Cacoa EDP and Cuir de Gardenia Extrait - some of the most unusual perfumes I've ever tried. See my review here.

Diptyque eau Rose roll on 20ml - adore rose scents.  See my review here.

Illamasqua Freak EDP 30ml - first tried this via a beauty box sample and just loved it. 

Shay & Blue Atropa Belladona 30ml - one of my favourite new finds. See my review here. I've just found out that Shay & Blue are now stocked in M&S Beauty Hall - be heading there soon!

Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia EDP 30ml - this is my second bottle. Love this floral scent.  See my review here.

kai perfume oil - I'm nearly finished this one. It's one of my favourites. With white flowers and freshness. Only negative is it's price.

Annick Goutal Mandragore EDT 30ml - a fruity, minty and fresh scent.

Cowshed Gorgeous Cow Perfume Oil roll on - a really wearable scent.  See my thoughts here.

PG Embrace EDP 30ml* - one of the nicest natural perfumes I've ever tried. See my review here.

Jimmy Choo EDP 60ml - a fruity floral scent. Probably wouldn't re-purchase as I've grown a bit tired of it (third bottle).

Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit aromatic mist 30ml - really like this light fruity floral. See my review here. 

Jurlique Essence of Rose Roll-on Fragrance Oil 11ml - huge rose lover and this is gorgeous. 

Balm Balm Mandarin single note EDP - I got this in a souk souk box. Fresh and Fruity.

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom EDP - my favourite Abahna scent.  See my review here.

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow 12ml Perfume Gel - see my review here.

Have you used any of these scents? What perfumes do you have in your collection?

*PR samples

Shopping My Stash #28

thisworks perfect heels rescue balm 50ml - I picked this up in Gemma's blogsale - simply lovely for heels in need of some TLC.

Live Native Essential Earth Exfoliating Cleanser 5ml - I picked up a few samples recently from this amazing Isle of Skye company.  Full review to follow.

bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - simply adore this rich floral scented bath and shower gel. See my mini review here.

deep steep grapefruit - bergamot hand scrub 59ml - a gorgeous scrub which leaves the hands super smooth and moisturised.  See my review here. 

Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Aromatic Mist 30ml - a light citrus scent. Ideal or summer.  See my review here.

Lemongrass House Frangipani Hydrating Body Cream 120ml* - sent for review. I'm loving this light exotic scented body cream.  Full review to follow.

Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water 50ml - love this for refreshing the skin. An instant pick me up.

butter London Handbag Holiday Cuticle Oil 17.5ml - love this pineapple-coconut scented cuticle oil.  Reminds me of holidays. Leaves the cuticles moisturised and smelling beautiful!

What have you been using this week?

*PR sample

Seven Scents for Summer

These are the scents I'm enjoying at the moment -

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel - simply loving this light fruity floral.  See my review here. 

Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Aromatic Blend - a lovely fresh and light scent.  See my review here.

Kai Perfume Oil Roll on - simply adore this Gardenia, Jasmine, Tuberose, Lily and Cucumber scent.  It is said that this smells different on everyone.  Just wish is was a bit cheaper as it costs £40 for 3.6ml.

Diptyque Philosykos Perfume Oil Roll on - the scent that reminds me of hot summer days.  Love this fig scent.  You can read more about it here.

Clarins Eau de Jardins - a light and fruity scent - see my mini review here.

Acqua di Parma Acqua Nobile Gelsomino EDT Roll on - a simply gorgeous light Jasmine scent.  See my review here.

Balm Balm Mandarin EDP single note - a gorgeous fresh and fruity scent.

Do you wear any of these scents? What's your favourite Summer scent?

Kiehl's Aromatic Blend - Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit

I recently bought this Aromatic Blend from Kiehl's - it is light and fresh and perfect for summer!

This is part of a new range which includes fragrance, body cleanser and body lotion and is available in four scents - Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit, Orange Flower & Lychee, Vanilla & Cedarwood and Fig Leaf & Sage.  

The fragrance comes in two sizes - 100ml (£52) and 30ml (£26). I purchased the smaller size.

A really lovely light scent with Nashi Blossom, Pink Grapefruit, Ginger, Soy Milk and White Musk. I find it's a fruity floral on my skin.  Spray onto neck and pulse points throughout the day.

Have you used any of the Aromatic Blends?

Face Oils

I just love oils of any kind - body, bath and face.  Here are the face oils/serums in my current stash -

Myroo Starflower & Orange Blossom Skin Boost Facial Serum* (12g - £15) - a really lovely, light and deliciously scented light serum.  See my review here.

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil (30ml - £56) - my favourite face oil...ever!  It smells simply amazing and makes my skin radiant and glowy.  See my review here.

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil* (30ml - £30) - a rich face oil which smells gorgeous.  Suitable for all skin types.  A review to follow.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - I first tried this in the Selfridges Advent Calendar in 2011 - see here.  This is a second or third sample - really lovely - makes skin look radiant and renewed.

LaylaD Sweet Almond Facial Oil* (10ml - £8.99) - a light oil which is lightly scented love that you can use if on your cuticles too - link.

OV Naturals Firm Friend Uplifting Organic Face Oil* - with 100% natural ingredients to repair & protect. With neroli and frankincense essential oils.  Please see the website for details of the new range of oils - link.

Green People Anti-Ageing Facial Oil* (30ml - £16.89) I was sent this oil for review by Nature's Healthbox. A beautiful face oil - see my review here.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ 2.5ml - simply love this oil - got a few to use up. Light and absorbs quickly.

Do you use any of these facial oils/serums? What are your favourites?

*PR samples

February Empties

Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps Peppermint Pure Castille Soap 59ml - simply love this 18-in-1 uses soap.  I usually use it to clean my make up brushes.  You can see my post about it here.  I've also used the soap to clean the bath/floor!  I love a multi-purpose product! Smells great too.  Already have a back up of this.

Bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy and Palmarosa Verde Purifying Bath & Shower Therapy both 50ml - already a huge fan of Jasmine Falls, see here.  Would buy both of these again.

Lush Ponche Shower Gel 100g - this was a limited edition out at Christmas time.   A fruity punch spiked with tequila.  Really loved this fruity scented shower gel.  Would pick it up again next Christmas.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash 50ml - love REN Rose Otto.  I seem to always have one of these in my stash!

Noble Isle Willow Song Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - this is quite a nice scent but I prefer Summer Rising Cornish Hedgerows scent.  So probably wouldn't buy this again.

Aromatherapy Associates Relax Deep Bath & Shower Oil 3ml* - simply love these bath oils.  A full size one of this is definitely going on my wish list - you are guaranteed a great sleep if you use this at bedtime - gorgeous!  With essential oils of vetivert, camomile and sandalwood.

Dr Hauschka Rose Body Moisturiser 10ml and Rose Body Oil 10ml - these came in my Amarya box - loved both of them and would buy.

Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange Skin Refreshing Body Lotion 50ml - simply loved this light textured moisturising body lotion.  Loved the fresh orange scent.  Will definitely buy this when the spending ban is over.

Pure Fiji Nourishing Exotic Coconut Oil - trial size - simply love this coconut scented super moisturising oil.  I picked up this mini at Gemma's blog sale. I'm sure to buy the full size again as I love this product when I received it in Joliebox.

Natural Honey Body Lotion 75ml - this came in Joliebox. Nice to use and smelt good but it is a Spanish drugstore product so will be unable to purchase here.

Doctor Duve Lifting & Firming Hand & Decollete Cream sachet - absolutely loved this! Got a couple of sachets in Joliebox - but its super expensive at £79 for 200ml.  Probably wouldn't purchase.

L'Occitane Desert Rose Hand Cream 30ml - this was a freebie with Marie Claire magazine.  Love L'Occitane hand creams shame this was a limited edition as the scent is lovely.

Caudalie Vinexpert Eye & Lip Serum 1.5ml - this is really nice and I'd consider purchasing it.

OV Naturals Rosy Glow Luxury Organic Moisturiser 15ml - simply love this rose scented moisturiser.  You can seem my review here.  Full size is on my wish list for after my spending ban.

Mama Mio Mighty Moisture Day & Night Moisturiser 15ml - I got this via a YOU magazine offer.  Simply love this moisturiser - a lovely scent, nice texture and can use it AM and PM.  Definitely one I'd buy.

Mama Mio Eye Know All in One Eye Serum 5ml - this also came with the moisturiser (and face wash). Seemed an ok eye serum but didn't WOW me like the moisturiser did.  So wouldn't purchase.

Origins GinZing Eye Cream 6ml - this came in the Origins Christmas Bauble which Mez very kindly picked up for a few of us who live outside London.  I really liked this eye cream.  It brightened up the eye area and I'd maybe purchase it.

Wei Eye Cream 2ml - this came in January's Birchbox.  Simply loved this but full size retails at £60 so I won't be buying it but it was lovely to use.

Moroccanoil Treatment Oil 10ml - I found this a bit rich for my hair.  Prefer the light version but this is still nice to use.

Paul Mitchell Color Care Color Protect Daily Conditioner 100ml - I reviewed this here.  A product I'd buy.

REDKEN Nature's Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo 200ml - only use this occasionally.  A great product for getting rid of product build up.  You can see my review here. I've already stocked up on this.

Rahua Shampoo 60ml - this was nice to use but quite pricey.  Not sure if I'd buy it again.

Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo 65ml - this was really nice and gentle on the hair and smelt of coconut.  Lovely would perhaps purchase again.

Have you used any of these products?  If you've done an empties post please link it up.


*PR Sample

Harrods Haul

I mentioned here that Nardine from Live...Laugh...Love had got me a couple of things in the Harrods sale.  I sent her the money via paypal and she sent me off the goodies which arrived yesterday.

She also sent me some amazing and very generous extras - thank you so much huni!

First up is Illamasqua Freak EDP 30ml Coffret which cost £38 (reduced by £10).  Included is a 30ml bottle of Freak EDP, Baptiste Nail Polish (deep purple) and an eyeliner in S.O.P.H.I.E (black).  I first tried this scent in a glossybox and loved it.

Kiehl's Christmas Crackers which were reduced to half price (£17.50) - we got three each. 

In my crackers are - Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (30ml) I got this in the Selfridges Advent Calendar in 2011 see here.  Love it.

The other two crackers contained Creme de Corps (30ml) a cult product - which also featured in the 2011 Calendar.  Another love!  My final one contained Amino Acid Shampoo (65ml) which is suitable for all hair types.  Looking forward to trying this one!

Nardine also sent me some very generous and lovely extras - the cutest cupcake soap I have ever seen by Tom Kosmala which she picked up at the Winter Wonderland in London.  All natural and hand made and smelling of fresh roses.  Simply gorgeous!

She also sent me a 13g travel size of Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (one of my current favs), a lovely selection of samples and chocolate!

Feel totally and utterly spoilt! As I said earlier this is my final haul before the spending ban kicks in on 15th January.

Thanks again Nardine for the lovely extras and for getting me the sales items.  Have you used any of these items before?

Samples #1

I set myself a challenge to use up sachet samples and mini tubes every week as my basket in the bathroom was overflowing.  You can see my post here.

These are the ones I tried last week -

Here are my thoughts -

L'Occitane Verbena Sorbet Body Ice Gel 6ml - light, gel texture and cooling on the skin.  Loved this.  If I didn't have so many body lotions to use up I'd buy this Limited Edition.  Would be lovely kept in the fridge and used on hot days or on holiday.

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml - seems a nice eye cream but hard to tell if it's doing much for me as its such a small sachet.  My favourite eye product is Elemis Absolute Eye Serum - I find nothing can beat it.

Snowberry - Intensive Renewal Face Serum, Nourishing Rich Day Cream and Night Defence Night Cream - all 3ml sachets.  Got three uses out of each.  Nice products.  I found the day cream too rich for my skin and the serum was a bit thick.  Nice to use although I probably wouldn't purchase (and I wasn't keen on the scents).

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 5ml - rich body cream with light scent.  Got this in the Advent Calendar last year and had used previously.  A lovely body product and would purchase.

Aloe Vera+Vitamin E Sheet Mask - I love sheet masks so this was very lovely to use.  I've got a wee supply of various sheet masks.  Would definitely purchase again.

Aqua Boost Moisturising Eye Mask - there are three in the pack, only used one this week.  Really uplifting around the eye area.  A nice product.

Pure Thoughts Yoghurt & Green Clay Face Mask - a single use sachet.  It's a powder which you mix up with water and apply to the face.  Gorgeous.  Would buy again after I finish the Strawberry & Pink Clay version.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion 3ml sachet - I'm not sure if it was just a reaction I had but as soon as I put this on my skin I felt a burning sensation - eeek!  So not one I'd think about purchasing!  

Eve Lom Cleanser 5ml - the original Hot Cloth Cleanser.  Contains mineral oil making it a no-no of the natural skincare lovers.  I have used this in the past and I must admit quite like it.  Removes make up easily and makes skin feel clean and refreshed.  The sachet is actually not finished yet as a little goes a long way.  I have enjoyed using the cleanser and I would maybe buy in the future.

Here's my selection for week 2 -

L'Occitane Divine Cream 1ml sachet

L'Occitane Shine Mask 8ml sachet

L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel 5ml sachet

L'Occitane Milk Concentrate Body Lotion 8ml

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Sheet Mask

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner 10ml/8ml sachets

RMK Cleansing Oil 3ml sachet

Lavera Intensive Cream 1ml sachet

Samples

I seem to have accumulated loads of samples and trial sizes.  So, I'm picking a selection to try over the next week and I'll let you know which ones I loved and which ones I loathed and if I'd buy any full size.

Below is the selection I've chosen to try this week:

Aloe Vera+Vitamin E Sheet mask - I got this from my Asian box from Maria a while ago.  Ditto the Aqua Boost Moisturising Eye Mask (there are three in the pack so I may not use all up this week).

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml sachet.  I love the brand so keen to try this.

Pure Thoughts Yoghurt & Green Clay Face Mask - single use sachet.  I love the Strawberry & Pink Clay version.

L'Occitane Verbena Sorbet Body Ice Gel 6ml sachet

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 5ml sachet

Eve Lom Cleanser 5ml - have tried this in the past but not for a while.

Snowberry Nourishing Day Cream 3ml sachet, Intensive Renewal Face Serum 3ml sachet and Night Defence Night Cream 3ml sachet.

This is going to be a regular feature - at least until I use up my samples.