Shopping My Stash #70

Antipodes Delight Hand & Body Cream - I've got a lot of love for this gorgeous brand and definitely want to try more from it this year. See my review HERE. It's a beautiful cream scented with Vintage Gardenia petals with green notes.

Studio 78 Liquid Lipstick in Let's Get Married - Rose Wedding - it's an intense deep rose and is highly pigmented and also stays on all day/night.

Grown Alchemist Watermelon and Vanilla Lip Balm - which is the lushest and most delicious balm I own. Glossy too.

Mitchell & Peach Flora No.1 Fine Radiance Oil - this is a really fab nourishing oil which I received in a YOU Beauty Box which is packed with anti-oxidants and vitamins. It blurs fine lines, plumping and adding radiance to the skin.

Avalon Organics Volumising Rosemary Shampoo - having loved Avalon's Clarifying version (review) I picked up a couple more. This volumising shampoo is fantastic and leaves the hair looking fuller, shiny and clean. Love this brand.

What have you been reaching for lately?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack - January 2016

My Bloom Perfumery January sample pack arrived at the beginning of the week. The pack is about "crisp and fresh fragrances".

My favourite this month is New In: Foudre by Parfumerie Generale Cruise Collection EdP (50ml - £80, 1.6ml - £2) which has notes of Black Tea, Champaca, Pepper, Cashmeran, Musk and Vetivert. It's crisp, slightly fruity, woody and floral. Lush!

Exclusive: L'Eau de Phaedon EdT (100ml - £69, 1.6ml - £2) which has notes of agave leaves, aloe vera, jasmin, mandarin, musk, neroli and white woods. Which smells fresh with greens and citrus.

Bestseller: Exclusive: Carrousel by Paul Emilien EdP (50ml - £60, 2ml - £2) with top notes of Bergamot, chili, Grapefruit, Carrot Seeds, Eucalyptus and Sicilian Lemon. With a heart of Egyptian Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Texas Cedar, Violet, Gaiac Wood, Sandalwood and Turkish Rose with a base of Amber, Vanilla and White Musk. 

Just Landed: Mitchell & Peach English Leaf EdT (50ml - £50, 1.6ml - £2) - this is a fresh and herby scent. It has notes of Basil, Coriander, Cedar and Mint.

PG12 Hyperessence Matale EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml - £2) - with top notes of Bergamot, Jasmine and Mint, a heart of Black Tea and a base of Cedar and Leather. This is quite smokey with a touch of citrus and leather. I'm looking forward to wearing this one. It's my second favourite this month

PG Corps et Ames EdT Apaisante (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml - £2) - with top notes of Geranium and Verbana, a heart of Jasmine Sambac and Patchouli with a base of Musk and Sandalwood. This is quite a powerful scent and reminds me a little bit of Clinique's Aromatics Elixir. 

YOU Beauty Discovery Box - November 2015

I picked up November's YOU Beauty Discovery Box (£6.95 inc P&P) as I thought the products on offer this month were fab.

The first one which jumped out at me was Mitchell & Peach Flora No.1 Fine Radiance Face Oil 10ml (20ml - £30) making this worth £15 and a great value treat. The oil has a delicious scent (rose, lavender, ylang ylang) and helps to plump up the skin, firm and make it glowy. So looking forward to trying this. Expect a full review soon.

As I'm a huge fan of Dr Organic I knew my second item had to be their Royal Jelly Eye Serum (15ml - £9.49). This serum absorbs quickly and has a delicate honey scent. It helps with fine lines, reducing puffiness and dark circles as well as firming and nourishing. Again, looking forward to testing this out.

The extras are a DHC Alpha-Arbutin White Mask a single use sheet mask which help fight dullness and discolouration.  It also helps with ageing and any sun exposure. Fold over flaps allow you to treat the eye area too.

The second extra is I love...Perfectly Peachy Bath & Shower Creme sachet (10ml)

What did you pick this month?

Spending Ban: Update #7: It's Over!

I lasted for 71 days on my spending ban - pretty good going for me! I knew I'd end up getting the a beautiful world A/W '15 Sampler - see my initial thoughts here.

Since then I've gone downhill...I stocked up on my favourite Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak (twice!), signed up again to You Beauty Discovery (picking the Mitchell & Peach Fine Radiance Face Oil 10ml and Dr Organic Royal Jelly Eye Serum 15ml.

And...while browsing Naturisimo's Xmas gifts spotted this little number...Estelle & Thild Mini Body Butters Set 4 x 50ml (which I got using a 15% off code).

source

I am however not going to start buying everything I want again as I've been enjoying using what I've got, watching my stash reduce and saving money. I'm hoping to be able to make considered purchases and try to not buy anything I don't really need!

Love Lula Haul

I came back from hols and spotted Love Lula's Clean Sweep Selection Box (£19.95 for seven items) and worth £39.50! I just had to snap it up!

KONJAC French Red Clay Vegetable Fibre Sponge (Full Size - £6.99) this sponge is suitable for dry and sensitive skin.  Leaves the skin clean and radiant.

Mitchell & Peach Luxury Shower Wash 50ml - huge fan of this luxe lavender scented shower gel.

La Claree Gentle Cleansing Milk trial size - not tried anything from this brand yet. It smells lovely.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser (30ml - £10.95) - excited to use this product again. I used it long before I was a blogger. Deliciously scented with lemongrass, it is a natural exfoliant which is suitable for most skin types. Looking forward to reacquainting myself with this one!

MOX Botanicals Bath Milk in Coconut & Vanilla Bean (£8) - I recently tried these giant teabags for the bath and loved them.  Looking forward to trying a different scent.  See my review here.

UrbanVeda Purifying Facial Polish 20ml - I've received this in various beauty boxes.  See my review here.

Gielly Green Hand & Body Wash (50ml  - £5) - a deliciously scented product. See my review here.

Love Lula also let you choose up to 3 samples per order of £10 or more.  See more details here.  As these were two separate orders I was able to pick up two lots of samples.

I also picked up John Masters Organics latest UK launch - Rose & Apricot Hair Milk (118ml - on special currently at £20) - this leave in conditioner smells gorgeous and I can't wait to try it out - full review to follow.

Have you had any splurges recently?

Overnight Essentials

I was away on holiday for a few nights and these are the skincare bits I took with me.  I actually managed to travel light!

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant - my favourite deodorant. Thanks for the recommendation Evelyn! It is always in my stash as it just works and smells nice!

EVOLVh Ultrashine Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner* - these came in the June Petit Vour box*. A perfect size for travel and they leave my hair clean, shiny and deeply moisturised. Love!

suti Rosewater Organic Facial Spritz - I simply adore this rosewater toner. See my review here. It refreshes, tones and calms the skin as well as smelling gorgeous. 

Dahliana Wildflower Youth Serum* - I've found my holy grail product. My skin simply loves this. See my review here. I'm onto my second bottle already. I also packed Dahliana's Overnight Fruit Lift Creme* which is simply amazing too. Full size of this is on my wishlist!

Therapi Honey Skincare Rose Otto Honey Moisturiser - I received this sample size in the fabulous Content Summer Wellbeing Collection. This moisturiser is one of the nicest I've ever used. I'm also loving the Rose Otto Honey Gel Cleanser.

Mitchell & Peach Luxury Shower Wash - huge fan of this Lavender scented rich body wash.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream - I've been enjoying using this eye and lip cream I got this in a special Latest in Beauty Collection.  I've found it has plumped up the eye and lip area, reducing dark circles, tightening and smoothing. It's a keeper!

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil - love this multi-use dry oil with it's delicious scent. Deeply moisturises the body, hair, dry patches, hands and feet. 

What are you packing for your holidays?

*PR samples

February Empties

It's that time again! This month has flown by. Here's what I've been using up and my thoughts.

Melvita Fresh Moisturising Body Milk 30ml - this was lovely to use and lightly scented with roses. One I'd buy once I reduce my huge stash!

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 480g - loved this! Beautiful scent and effective scrub. Would definitely buy again in the future.  See my review here.

Lancome Effect Miracle Bare Skin Perfector 15ml - this was a nice primer and could be worn on it's own on non make up days to even out the skin tone. Lasted ages too. Would perhaps buy again.

Mitchell & Peach Shower Wash 50ml - this was nice to use and lightly scented with lavender. I'd happily use this again.

Creme de la Mer The Hand Treatment 30ml** - a pure luxe hand cream which I thoroughly enjoyed using...but I'm unlikely to buy full size as it retails at £70!

Noble Isle Willow Song Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - a huge Noble Isle fan. I especially like their Summer Rising scent. 

BiOrganics Perfect Balance Shampoo 30ml - this was lovely and left the hair clean and shiny. Would consider buying full size although I'd like to try more from the range.

Ancienne Ambiance Goddess Rose Water 30ml* - a beautiful lightly rose scented spritzer which I used as a toner. Definitely one I'd buy.

Jo Loves Pomelo 2ml sample vial - simply love this! Definitely one I want full size.

Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Skin Tonic 200ml* - this was lovely. Really soothing and hydrating.  See my review here.

Sweet Cecily's Coconut Body Butter sample* - a lovely rich butter. Full size is going on my wishlist!

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil 110ml - my favourite bath oil...ever! I got this one from hubby at Christmas but just opened a new one - personalised with my name on it from REN at Christmas.  

balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream 30ml - this is really lovely. A rich body cream scented with rose.  Another I'd buy again.

Skinvelop The Cleanser 120ml - one of my favourite hot cloth cleansers. See my review here. I've just cracked open a new one.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Make Up SPF15 30ml in shade 4 - my favourite foundation. I'm sure to buy this again although for now I'm just using up small tubes and pots.

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream 8g* - another product I love (and I've got another in my stash).  See my review here.

REN Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish 5ml - I really liked the gentleness of this scrub. It's one I'd consider purchasing.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml - love this! See my review here.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR sample
**Complimentary