Shopping My Stash #72

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

Saach Organics Herbal Hair Oil with Indian Gooseberry, Cotton Seed Oil and Almond Oil 100ml* - this is an amazing and effective oil which you can leave on overnight or to tame flyaways. See my review HERE. 

Angela Langford Angel Eyes 10ml - this nourishing eye oil contains Cucumber, Rosehip and Argan oil and it repairs and soothes, reducing dark circles and hydrates.  A really lovely product.

kai Perfume Oil roller-ball 1/8 fl oz - love this exotic scent with Gardenia and green notes. I never tire of it.

M&S Autograph Ultra-Shine Twist Up Lip Colour in Nude - this came in the M&S Advent Calendar and is a really wearable nude.

JustBe Botanicals JustBe Happy Hand & Body Wash 250ml* - love this refreshing citrus multi-use wash. See my review HERE.

SkinOwl Neck+ 15ml - this neck gel smooths, nourishes and firms the delicate neck and decollete. A smallish sample but would buy full size.

What have you been reaching for this week?

*PR samples

Lately I've been Loving: December

I've been loving having 3 advent calendars to open each day! It's been a real luxury! My absolute favourite has been the sneaky wee extra one by 4160Tuesdays. It's been a real treat to have a new perfume for 25 days in December.  Some I already know I'll be buying full size with some I still need to test out fuller.

Day 1

(YOU Beauty, M&S, 4160Tuesdays)

Day 24

(YOU Beauty, M&S, 4160Tuesdays)

You can see what I received on the first day in more detail HERE, on days 1-6, 7-15 and 16-24. 

It was really fab to discover Lucky Cloud Skincare at a shop local to me. See my post about Cahoots HERE. The Sweet Orange & Vanilla scent is just gorgeous and the balm is my absolute favourite.

Discovering gorgeous Letterbox Gifts - see my posts HERE and HERE. Excited to hear there will be new boxes out next year. If this was a monthly subscription box I'd be at the top of the queue!

We had an absolutely delicious meal for David's birthday at the beginning of December at Ondine. As ever the food and service were amazing - we always treat ourselves to Oysters! Can't wait to go back to try the Grand Fruits of the Sea.

December saw me dine twice (Christmas menu) at Foresters Guild, a local pub with food. Both times I ate the same and both times it was delicious! Pic below is of the salmon starter.

I received some fab Christmas presents including this perfume by Miller Harris which I first tried in London in October. Review will follow.

What have you been loving this month?

Advent Calendars: The first 6 days

I showed you what I got in my Advent Calendars on 1st December - see HERE. I'm doing  round up of the first six days and my thoughts on the contents:

1st December

YOU Beauty:

NUXE Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask (50ml FS) - fairly sure I've tried this mask before. It moisturises and soothes the skin and is suitable for all skin types. Still to try but looking forward to a pampering session.

M&S:

Philip Kingsley Geranium & Neroli Elastizicer (40ml trial size) - I absolutely adore the original version so I know I'm going to love this!

4160Tuesdays:

The Sexiest Scent on the Planet Ever (IMHO) (2.25ml) which has a heady bergamot top note, with a heart of woods and base notes of vanilla and ambergris. This one I've not really tried yet.

2 December

YOU Beauty:

Molton Brown Festive Frankincense & Allspice Hand Wash (100ml) this has a spicy scent which is a little bit masculine. Huge fan of MB hand washes so it will get used!

M&S:

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (FS) I've used this before and loved it. Happy to see this included in the calendar.

4160Tuesdays:

Silk, Lace & Chocolate (2.25ml) which is a blend of cocoa absolute with a touch of strawberry and a hint of bergamot. I quite like this one although I find the strawberry note a touch artificial.

3 December

You Beauty:

Cowshed Cow Pat Handcream (50ml) with a extra for £5 off your next order voucher code. I've used the cowshed handcreams before and have enjoyed them.

M&S:

Had to laugh at two Cowshed products today! Inside is a 100ml bottle of Cowshed's Grumpy Cow Body Lotion which is my favourite scent from the brand. It has uplifting notes of red mandarin, grapefruit and petigrain.

4160Tuesdays:

Shazam! (2.25ml) which reminds me of Chai Latte Tea! With notes of amber, spices, orange, black pepper and incense.  I really like this one.

4 December

YOU Beauty:

Sally Hansen Complete Manicure (Blue Streak FS) I'm not a fan of polish so this one will be gifted on.

M&S:

Pur Volume Vixen Mascara (mini) always happy to try a mini mascara. Not heard of this brand before.

4160Tuesdays:

Doe in the Snow (2.25ml) this is one of my favourites a sweet scent which was inspired by fruity chypres of the 60s and 70s and has notes of citrus fruits, flowers and woods and is "stirred with an icicle". I'd buy this one.

5 December

YOU Beauty:

HD Brows Bronzer in Light/Medium I very happy with this as was needing to buy a new bronzer.

M&S:

Leighton Denny Renovate which comes with a nail buffer I've used this before and was impressed with how it left my nails feeling. My New Year resolution is to grow my nails and I'm sure this will certainly help.

4160Tuesdays:

London 1969 (2.25ml) this is my absolute favourite so far and I will be purchasing a bottle of this! It has top notes of orange, lemongrass, grapefruit, mandarin and cedrat with a heart of Moroccan cedarwood, sandalwood, incense, lavender and violet with base notes of Indian patchouli, labdanum and musk.

6 December

YOU Beauty:

ila Bath Salts for Cleansing (50g) this was one of the items I was most excited about in the calendar. Ila also offer £10 off any purchase online with a voucher code. These salts smell amazing - along with Himalayan Salt crystals there is wild-crafted Juniper Berry and Geranium. 

M&S:

Rosie for Autograph Nuit Parfum (15ml) with centifolia rose, jasmine and musk. Looking forward to trying this one.

4160Tuesdays:

Dirty Honey (2.25ml) with pure white mock orange blossom and honey notes. I like this one and I'll definitely consider picking it up.

What do you think of the selection for the first 6 days? If you got an advent calendar which one did you chose and what are your thoughts on the contents?

Advent Calendars: YOU Beauty, M&S & 4160 Tuesdays

I have ended up with 3 Advent Calendars! I wasn't going to have any this year but I received an email offering a tenner off the YOU Beauty one a few weeks ago (and I got free delivery as a monthly member) making it a bargainous £49.95. I just couldn't resist!

I got my second one quite by accident (shopping in M&S with hubby who very kindly paid for it) I spotted two left (there was a mad dash for them online) and armed with a 20% off voucher picked up REN's Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil (£30) and the said calendar for £44. Bargain!

My third one is a truly indulgent treat (and I blame my friend Julie for sending me the link haha!). 4160 Tuesdays made only 21 Perfume Advent Calendars (£75 plus P&P) and I got the last one (yes really) a mini bottle (2.25ml) is packaged into each rainbow envelopes for 25 days...also inside each envelope is a story..really looking forward to this one! It is exquisitely packaged too.

I will be gifting on a few bits (as both the YOU Beauty & M&S one have a few things I won't use). Which will help with the guilt factor!

Here's what I received in all 3 today:

In YOU Beauty there was a 50ml full size of NUXE Masque Creme Fraiche which is suitable for all skin types. It will soothe and hydrate the skin. I've got a feeling I've tried this before and really liked it.

Inside M&S is 40ml tube of Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer in Geranium & Neroli scent. Huge fan of the original so know I'm going to love this.

And in my 4160 Tuesdays one is a 2.25ml vial of best selling The Sexiest Scent on the Planet. Ever. (IMHO) which has an initial lemon hit before mellowing down with woods, amber and vanilla. I love that the vial is a decent size and I'll be able to get a good few uses from it.

I'm not going to do a post everyday but I will keep you updated on a weekly basis.  Also check out my Instagram for daily updates (@_beautybalm) or twitter @Beauty_Balm.