*Love Lula Beauty Box: October 2021

*Sent to me complimentary as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. This month's box is fantastic and it's worth £55! Sign up to the monthly Beauty Box HERE. 

What a gorgeous box! The first thing to jump out at me was the full size of Madara's SHAPE Caffeine-Mate Cellulite Cream 100ml (£17) which will hydrate, tone and firm the skin. It's got a nice citrussy grapefruit scent and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

I love new-to-me Shampoo Bars and this dinky one by Greenfrog Botanic smells strongly of roses and is a delight. It'll hydrate and soften normal hair types. I've got dry/coloured and my hair is loving it. Inside the box this month is their Argan & Rose one 23g (£4.95).

Also inside the box this month is the newest Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Oil 30ml (£19). It's great for maintaining healthy skin and is rich in Omegas 3, 6, and 9. I'm always happy to see a new Ooh! oil as I love them. I recently bought full size of Antipodes fantastic Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum review and inside this month is a try-me sachet.

Rounding up this great box is Balm Balm's Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm 30ml (£9.50) plus an Organic Cotton Muslin Cloth. I've used the cleanser before and found it great at removing all make up and impurities while leaving the skin feeling clean and nourished.

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

May Empties

Here are the products I've been using up in May. If a product is marked * I've been generously gifted it for review.

Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance Balancing Body Polish 15ml which came in Naturisimo's Self Love Discovery Box. I loved this rose scented creamy polish so much I had to buy full size. Absolute perfection and a luxe treat.

Kerastase Nutritive Lait Vital 75ml which I received in a Feel Unique My Beauty Kit. I love it as it works. Nourishing the hair, leaving it silky soft and smooth. Just opened a new one.

Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid 50ml which is a staple in my stash. It gives the skin a light moisturising glow, evening out imperfections without the heavy feel of foundation. I've just opened a new one.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream 75ml I adore this vanilla, pistachio and salted carmel scented fluffy cream. I just bought the Biggie Biggie Bum Bum Cream - so that should last a while. Love this cream!

JOIK Apple & Elderflower Foaming Hand Wash 250ml* I loved this moisturising foaming wash which had a delectable fruity scent. See my review HERE. One I'll definitely buy in future although it's a little on the pricey side for a hand wash.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Ageing Infinite Colour Hold Shampoo & Conditioner sachets, 7ml each. I received these in Feel Unique's pick 'n' mix. Luxurious and great to try. I preferred the conditioner from the duo. Might or might not buy.

Doers of London "it starts at the top" Shampoo 50ml which came in Mint Green's February starter kit. It was nice enough but unlikely to buy.

*Nudge Boutique Saffron Glow Facial Oil Serum 10ml which is one of my favourite new tries this year. See my review HERE. I will definitely buy this when my oil/serum stash reduces a bit as it's absolutely fantastic.

Tam Mason Mint & Cedarwood Hand Scrub 25ml I adore these beautiful hand scrubs. See my review HERE. I wasn't so keen on this aroma but will definitely buy the scrub again in a different scent (Rose & Patchouli).

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser 10ml which was nice to try. It was pleasant to use and I've now tried it! Unlikely to buy.

Decleor Aromessence Neroli Bigarade Essential Oil Serum 0.7ml I used to use Decleor so it was nice to revisit. A teeny tiny free sample. Definitely one to add to my wishlist as I adore Neroli.

What have you been using up this month?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: March 2021

*I receive the Love Lula Beauty Box complimentary as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. My March Love Lula Beauty Box landed yesterday and I think, for once, I was one of the first to receive it! It's absolutely fantastic and contains 4 full sizes and a sachet sample and is worth £43 this month (a rolling UK subscription costs £14.95 making this box great value).

The first thing to jump out at me was Sukin's Reydration Gel Cream 60ml which costs £17.95! This range is suited to dehydrated and dry skins and my dry winter skin is loving it. The gel has a lovely feel on the skin and a fresh scent, I know I'm going to enjoy this one!

I also like the look of Giovanni's Frizz Be Gone 81ml which is worth £7.99. I'm always looking for products to control the frizz so I'm looking forward to trying this out! It'll leave the hair looking smooth and silky - bring it on!

From Balmonds we have their Skin Salvation Balm 30ml worth £7.99 which I've used before. It's perfect to nourish any dry spots over the body and great for soothing eczema, dermatitis and psoriosis. 

From Ayumi there is their Neem & Tea Tree Face Mask 100ml which is worth £6.99. The rich cream (which smells very pungent although fresh) will deep cleanse normal to oily skins. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Rounding up this month's box is a 2ml sachet from Madara - their City CC SPF15 in shade light (50p). I've used this before and it's great!

As ever, there is a generous 20% off the brands in the box this month. What do you think of the contents this month's box?

*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: November 2020

*sent to me free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. WOW what a box this month! It's absolutely fantastic. Inside are 3 full size products, a luxury travel size and a sachet. Check out the subscription HERE. This month the contents are worth £67! As ever there is a generous 20% off code, as an added extra to enjoy this month (on the brands in the box).

WOW!

Such an amazing box! Inside are two latest launches, a product which has been on my wishlist and two new to me ones. A stellar box! And so, for a closer look..

I'm a huge fan of Ooh! Oils of Heaven and adore their Organic Plum Conditioning Face Oil* (REVIEW) so I'm excited to try their brand new Natural Cucumber Soothing Face Oil 30ml (worth £19) which is highly moisturising and nurturing. Expect a review for this one when I've had the chance to try it.

I was over-the-moon and then some to see one of Skin Alchemist's gorgeous soaps nestling in the box. They've been on my wishlist! I'm excited to see a bar of their Dirty Chai nestling there! This and another (Eggnog) were created especially for the beauty box. These soaps come in at £10 for 128g.

Again, another new launch at Love Lula, Green People's Hydrating Calming Serum 50ml (£21) which is a welcome addition. The scent-free serum is soothing, hydrating and regenerating and perfect for autumn and winter skins! A great addition to the box.

Rounding up the box are two products from Madara - a luxury travel size (12.5ml) of their Re:Gene Lifting Mask which will lift and plump the skin and a 3ml sachet of their Infinity Drops (a product I've always been keen to try, but been put off by the price of a full size!)

Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts to the contents of November's box?

*Love Lula: Madara Organic Skincare: Time Miracle Hydra Firm Hyaluron Concentrate Jelly

*generously sent to me free of charge as a member of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for review. 

Madara's Time Miracle Hydra Firm Hyaluron Concentrate Jelly 75ml (£30)* has been on my wishlist a while (I currently have a slight obsession with jelly textured skincare products!)

The fragrance free jelly absorbs instantly and feels slightly cooling on the skin. Formulated with a superdose of multi-molecular Hyaluronic Acid, the oil free jelly quenches and hydrates the skin almost instantly as well as firming, plumping and replenishing. Birch Water delivers amino acids and antioxidants to the skin. 

Great for mature, dry and problem prone skins and is unisex (if you can bare to share, that is!) I've been really impressed with the product - I've found it's perfect for summer time use as it injects an extra shot of hydration to the skin.

To use: apply to cleansed face, neck and decolletage AM and PM before following with moisturiser or night cream.

*Love Lula Beauty Box: August 2020

I received the Love Lula Beauty Box* free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. This month the box is worth £70! (subscriptions start UK wide at a very affordable £14.95 on a recurring basis). As ever there's a very generous 20% off for subscribers on brands in the box this month.

And for a closer look..

The first thing to jump out at me is the full size (30ml - £35) Pure Perfection Primer by Inika. This Vegan primer makes the skin feel silky smooth. Use it before foundation or on it's own for hydrated and smooth skin. A full review is to come!

From Madara is a try-me size of their Plant Stem Cell Age Defying Sunscreen SPF30 (10ml) which has a slight tint. I'm looking forward to trying it out! 

From FOM London is their Anti-Pollution Face Cleansing Cream 30ml which will hydrate as it cleanses. I love cleansers so looking forward to trying it. A review will come later.

The final items is a full size product from Laidbare and is their Glow Laidbare! Facial Self Tanner (50ml - £12) which will give you a natural sun kissed glow. Another great value box this month! 

My favourite item is Inika's Pure Perfection Primer. Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts?

Love Lula: August Accredited Blogger Picks

*sent to me very generously free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. Last month I started a new series showing my picks, followed by reviews where necessary. See my July picks HERE. This month I selected: a brand new product, one which had been on my wishlist and three sample sizes (which are available to buy with a £10+ spend (up to five). And so, for a closer look:

My first pick was Awake Organics brand new Natural Vegan Shampoo 55g (£12.99)* which comes in powder form. Mix to a paste before massaging onto your roots, lathering then rinse. It smells great (lemongrass+rosemary). Expect a full review when I get the chance to try it out properly (I love the aluminium packaging too!) It's good for weak, thinning and colour treated hair (tried it once so far, it's fantastic!)

Madara's Time Miracle Hydra Firm Hyaluron Concentrate Jelly (£30 - 75ml)* has been on the wishlist a while. It feels amazing on the skin, deeply hydrating yet very lightweight. I'm so looking forward to testing it out. Expect a review very shortly.

I love trying products before buying full size so samples are a great idea (5 can be bought with a £10+ spend). See the selection currently available HERE. I selected:

The Organic Pharmacy Peppermint Facial Wash Trial Size (£6.50 - 20ml)* is a great try-me size or for holidays. The minty wash is unisex and ideal for teens too. Again, expect a review for this one.

Rounding up my picks this month are two sachet samples from JOIK Organic, their Quick Absorbing Hand Lotion* (I got three uses from the sachet) and Softening & Deodorising Foot Lotion* (one small use). I loved both of these - they smell great and feel quite effective (yes, you've guessed it, I want them full size!) These samples cost 25p each.

From time to time Love Lula offer bloggers extras if they can commit to reviewing that month. I was lucky enough to be selected to try ZOJO Beauty Elixirs new Magic Cocoa 150g (£29)*.

As soon as I opened the lid I was drooling! It smells of rich and dark decadent chocolate. The blend can be enjoyed in hot water or warm milk and will revive your energy and senses throughout the day. Expect a full review shortly.

Have you tried any of these products? If so, what are your thoughts?

Shopping My Stash #115

Products marked * I've been kindly gifted for review. Odylique's unscented Ultra Rich Balm* provides deep hydration to very dry skin (dry hands, knees and elbows, here's looking at you) and it also soothes skin prone to eczema. The balm protects the skin from heat, cold and wind making it the ideal holiday companion.

I bought Trilogy's Vitamin C Polishing Powder in early JUNE. I've got a slight obsession with Vit C at the moment. See my review of their Vit C Brightening Duo* HERE. This fine grain powder exfoliant (reminds me of Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant, although it's finer) is activated on contact with water turning it into a gentle foaming milk which will help to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin. I've been enjoying using this and feel that my skin is definitely smoother and brighter.

I adore Klorane's Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (which was initially a Latest in Beauty Pick+in a LIB collection box). I just find it works and I've always got it in my stash.

My hair is the bane of my life at the moment (needs a cut and colour badly). I do have an appointment booked in for the 24th July - can't wait! I was looking for something to give my hair a bit of oompf and discovered a travel size of ORIBE's Supershine Moisturising Cream in my stash - oh my goodness, it's wonderful - it give the hair much needed moisture and huge glossy shine. Luckily you only need a teeny bit (full size 150ml is a whopping £54.50). 

I adore Love Lula's Ooh! Oils of Heaven and their latest launch Organic Plum Conditioning Face Oil is amazing! See my review HERE. It's one of my favourite skincare products this year. So lovely.

I picked up Madara's Acne Acute Spot Roll on in the 40% off sale at Naturisimo recently. It's great for zapping occasional spots (of course as soon as I got it I was spot free!) It's a handy size to pop in a bag or pocket for instant relief on the go.

My final pick is Walden Natural Perfume's A Gentle Rain Perfume Oil* which I received in a Love Lula Beauty Box. This 10ml size is great to travel with, whether on holiday or to the office (if we ever get back there!) It's a beautiful scent with notes of oak moss, labdanum and patchouli - it's woody and spicy and is really easy to wear.

What have you been using this week?

Naturisimo: Summer Vibes Discovery Box

I thought I'd managed to resist Naturisimo's latest Discovery Box - Summer Vibes (£19.95 worth £86) but you know the drill... There were a few items inside that I was hankering after like Absolution's Le Gommage Corps Body Scrub (208g) which is worth £36! It has the texture of soft scented sand and I'm totally in love. Currently there are still a few boxes remaining..

And for a closer look..

There is a 30ml Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF30 (worth £7) which I'll be applying before my 2.5 walk this morning. I've used this before and it's lovely.

From Madara is a full size Hemp Lip Balm 15ml (worth £10) and is another product I've used before.

I was desperate to try Captain Blankenship's Mermaid Hair Oil and inside is a 5ml sample. I tried it yesterday and loved how soft and hydrated my hair felt. Full size now firmly on the wishlist.

I've tried a few Scentered Therapy Balms before but not Escape scent. Inside is a full size tube (5g) which is worth £14.50. It smells of summer holiday and exotic shores. I'm looking forward to testing it out.

From Caudalie is 10ml of their Vinoperfect Serum which ml by ml is worth £15. Again, one I've tried before and loved.

Ahhh this is perfection (the scoop came with another scrub). Read more about the body scrub HERE. A review will follow.

Did you pick up a Summer Vibes Discovery Box?

Latest Buys: Balneaves, Sulom Hair Care, Madara, Claremont Studio, Odacite, Catherine Aitken

I know, I know, I should stop buying but it's something which keeps me sane and brings me joy in lockdown times. I promise to be better in June and use and enjoy the products I have. These are my latest purchases:

I blame my friend and colleague Sam for this buy. She bought two sample boxes and said the melt were gorgeous.... you know the drill... Scottish Borders based company, Balneaves are offering sampler sets at £6.99 with free p&p. Their soy wax melts are highly fragranced and rather lovely.. (I also signed up to their monthly subscription box whoops).

This is May's monthly box, which just arrived on Friday:

I connected with Sulom Hair Care on Instagram and purchased a bottle of their Hibiscus & Rose Infused Hair Oil £7.99 (30ml). I think the packaging is superb - very appealing to me. The hair oil seems really nice (I've used it once so far and it left my hair feeling silky soft) and a review will follow (although if I buy it again I'll request for it to be scented (extra charge).

40% off Madara at Naturisimo, no brainer really when their Moonflower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid is a staple. I also picked up one of their latest launches - Melting Cleansing Oil (my order was £27, the cost of the Tinting Fluid on it's own).

Having loved my recent order from Claremont Studio (Relax Gift Set - REVIEW) I couldn't resist the new Discovery Kit (£20) a review will follow for this 'un!

As soon as I saw Odacite's new Mood Cleansing Salts I had to have them! I picked them up Content Beauty and received a couple of free samples with my order (happiness). A review will follow.

Not technically a buy-by-me, hubby bought me a couple of Catherine Aitken's gorgeous Cotton Face Masks which I'll be using when visiting the supermarket (I've found people just don't know how to keep their distance!) I've now got my eye on their Cotton Pouches and Traveller Messenger Bags!

What have you been buying lately?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: April 2020

The Love Lula Beauty Box is sent to me free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. April's box is worth £57 and contains 4 full sizes and one sachet sample (as ever there is a 20% off code for future purchases for the brands in the box this month).

From John Masters Organics there is a full size Lip Calm 4g (£7) which has a delicious tangerine-lime scent (I've used this before but not for years) so I'm happy to have it back in my stash again - it'll deeply nourish, soothe and care for the lips. 

Also inside are Madara's BOOST Hyaluronic Collagen Booster Ampoules (10 x 3ml, £29.90). I've used their other ampoules which I enjoyed so I'm looking forward to trying their new hyaluronic collagen boosting ones!

From Ayumi is their NEEM & Tea Tree Body Wash 250ml (£6.99) which has a herbal minty aroma (not too tea-tree-ish thankfully!) I'm looking forward to trying it out for an uplifting morning shower. 

The final full size item is Nature's Kitchen Berry Beautiful Skin Polish 100ml (£12.99) which has a berry scent and light exfoliating action. I'm looking forward to trying this one out!

The final item is a sachet (these vary box, per box) from INIKA's new Phytofuse Renew skincare range - I was pleased to receive a sample of something I'd not tried yet (I've tried mini tubes of the hand cream and caviar lime exfoliator). My sachet was their Camellia Oil Cleanser 1.5ml.

Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts on the contents this month?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: March 2020

*I receive the Beauty Box free of charge for an honest review as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. 

I didn't receive the info card in my box this month but the contents are worth £75! 

Inside this month is a duo from newish brand at Love Lula - Biovène Barcelona and inside is a Citrus Dream shampoo and conditioner duo (£5.99 each) which hydrate and balance the hair. Looking forward to putting them to the test!

From FoM London there is 10ml of their Anti-Pollution GLOW Serum which feels lovely on the skin. It'll hydrate, plump and even skin tone and has a beautiful floral scent. Expect a review shortly.

We have Purifying Foam from Madara (150ml which is currently on special offer of £15.72). I'm looking forward to trying this foaming cleanser out! Again, expect a review for this one.

The final item this month is Kathleen Natural's Sensual Rose Body & Massage Oil (100ml - £34) which smells deliciously rosey with a touch of citrus. I love it's multi-use element in that you can use it in for massage or as a body oil. 

For me, it's a great box and reviews will follow. Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts?

Naturisimo: The Home Spa Discovery Box

I always love a Naturisimo Discovery box but hummed and hawed before I jumped in and bought one of their semi-recent ones (there's now a new Spring Glow one available, while stocks last). The Home Spa Discovery Box (currently still available) costs £19.95 and is worth £82). Nestled inside are 9 items:

And for a closer look..

WOW! Great value.

From Madara is their Infusion Vert Intense Antioxidant Body Cream (200ml - £17) which I've had the pleasure of using before. It's a rich cream which is intensely nourishing with a pleasant herbal scent (this is nearly the price of the whole box!)

I've had Bamford Pebble Soaps before and this mini one (40g) is perfect. It's scented with geranium essential oils and shaped like a heart. It has a beautiful scent and creamy lather. So nice to have one of these joyful soaps back in my stash.

From Weleda there is a 50ml tube of their Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash which I've used several times before. This orangey citrus scented creamy wash is lovely to use. See my review HERE.

Always love a bit of Dr Hauschka and inside is 10ml of their Rose Nurturing Body Oil which will soothe and calm the skin. Its the perfect size for try me/travel.

From Estelle & Thild is a full size of their BioCleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask (75ml which is worth a whopping £34.90). This was the product which mainly swayed me to buy the discovery box (but I'm well pleased with everything else within!). The mask will unclog pores and rid the skin of toxins. A review will come!

Inside is a 2.8ml of A'kin's Certified Organic Rosehip Oil which I've had the pleasure of using before. See my review HERE.

Whamisa, while I've heard of, I've never used any of the items in the range before. I'm looking forward to trying their Organic Flowers Foaming Gel (20ml) which is a gentle SLS free hydrating cleanser.

From Green People there is a 30ml trial size of their Quinoa & Artichoke High Shine Shampoo 30ml which I've tried before. Always a handy size to have in my stash.

BOUCLEME was a new to me brand last box (I've fallen head over heels for their Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo). Although the brand is mainly for curly hair types some of the products are universal. Inside this box is 100ml of their Intensive Moisture Treatment which I'm looking forward to trying out.

It's a great and well thought out box in my opinion. Did you pick one up?