*Love Lula: FORAGE: Herbfarmacy, Odylique, Balmonds & Ying Yang Skincare

*partly gifted - AD via the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. As you'll know this year I am theming my blogger picks. This month it's FORAGE - the products I've chosen contain ingredients which can be foraged from the hedgerows and roadsides. 

See my previous months: January - SLEEP,  February - LOVE, March - AWAKEN, April - BLOSSOM.

I recently bought the Herbfarmacy Nail Therapy Oil (35ml - £17.50) which is made with, among other ingredients, HORSETAIL which contains silica, a natural nail strengthener which helps to prevent splitting and cracking. The Nail Therapy oil is also formulated with Calendula to soften and antiseptic Lemon Thyme. The oil itself has a pleasant citrus aroma. I've been using a small amount on my cuticles and nails before bed. A fuller review to follow.

Also from Herbfarmacy is their Mallow Beauty Balm (30ml - £20)* which is formulated with hydrating MALLOW and Mullein with a Damask Rose scent. You can use it as a deep cleansing balm, treatment mask or moisturiser. This is a luscious rich balm which I've also used on my hands and for flyaways. A must-have. I also love the easily recyclable or re-usable tin.

From Ying Yang Skincare we have their Nettle & Zinc Scalp Cream (60ml - £14.99)*. I discovered it's best to use before bed as it leaves your hair looking quite greasy. NETTLE is ideal for scalp conditions, soothing and calming. I've got an itchy scalp so I was looking forward to putting this zesty lime scented cream to the test! Massage with fingertips onto dry areas of the scalp, trying to avoid the hair (difficult!) continuing until the scalp feels smooth. I've only had the chance to use this a couple of times so far but it definitely helps!

Balmond's Intensive Hand Cream 50ml - £10.99 is formulated with NETTLE & CHICKWEED which soothes and intensely nourishes dry and cracked hands. It's perfect for constant handwashing. It does have a very herbal aroma and I find I like to use it best at night time just before bed and love to awaken with super-soft and nourished hands.

Rounding up my FORAGE picks is Odylique's eco friendly and 100% natural Citrus Natural Deodorant (70ml - £10.99)* which contains strengthening HORSETAIL. I've found the deodorant lovely to use with a fresh citrus scent and the all important all day freshness. 

Have you used any of these products?

*Odylique Offer of the Month: Silk Touch Cleanser

*product sample - AD for the month of April get 10% off Odylique's Silk Touch Cleanser 95g* (£18, instead of £20). 

The award-winning cleanser is presented in a pump action recyclable bottle and is boxed. It has a oil-gel texture and a pleasant light floral aroma. It's the perfect double-action treat for dry or mature skin types - it easily cleanses away make up and daily grime as well as hydrating and nourishing the skin.

To use: splash your face with warm water before massaging a pumps worth of product onto the skin being careful around the eye and lip area. On contact with water the gel will turn into a soothing milk. Rinse away with water or a warm damp cloth. The skin is left feeling clean, silky soft and nourished. 

Pick yours up HERE.

*Odylique: Calming Rose Super Tonic

*AD-Gifted (as part of Odylique's blogger programme). I was so delighted to have Odylique's gorgeous award winning Calming Rose Super Tonic (50ml - £15)* back in my life! It really is one of the best rosy tonic/toners I've ever tried!

Odylique say "there is nothing quite like the refreshing feeling of organic rose petals misting onto your face" and that is exactly what it feels like when you try this tonic!  The Calming Rose Super Tonic can be used daily to tone or to refresh and cool down the skin in hot weather. 

Vegan, cruelty free and certified organic by The Soil Association the tonic cleanses, tones and balances the skin. It can also be used to moisturise the skin during hot spells of weather. It's extra-strength (not diluted with water) to enable the skin to really benefit from the special concentrated distillation of rose petal hydrolat which has been fortified with rose otto essential oil. It's also packed with antioxidant polyphenols and phytonutrients. 

It'll rejuvenate and revive both the skin and senses, stimulating cell regeneration, calming redness, hydrating and soothing the skin. 

To use: close your eyes and spritz over the skin after cleansing. The tonic can also be used to refresh on hot days or during a plane journey

It's been a real joy to revisit. What are your favourites from the range?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: Summer Vibes: July 2020

It's always an exciting day when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box arrives. All the products are new to me! There are three new to me brands, although I was aware of two of them. It's such a good box I'm so excited to delve in! As ever, I'll do reviews when I've had the chance to try everything properly. 

WOW!

From known-to-me Sanatio Naturalis (their essential oils are fantastic) is a very luxuriously boxed Miracle Radiance Essence (30ml - £24) which can be used as a make up remover, deep conditioner, after-sun, after shaving and for massage. I love a multi-use product and this one has the wow factor.

From well known and loved Odylique there is their Ylang Ylang & Orange Body Wash (200ml - £11). This is a new-to-me wash which I'm looking forward to using.

Brand new to me (although we follow each other on Instagram!) is Raven Botanicals and inside is a special box size of 10ml of their Skin Saviour Face Oil which is worth £15. I'm always happy to support a new Scottish brand! It smells glorious and feels lovely on the skin.

Another totally new to me brand is Roze Mountain and inside is their Cleanse My Skin - Anti-Pollution Cleanser 50ml (£20) which will melt away dirt, pollution and make up. It'll transform to a milk when in contact with water. Again, looking forward to this! I love cleansers.

The final item in this amazing box is from a brand known to me but I've never tried any of their products, until now that is! Inside is Walking on Sunshine Moisturising Soap from Blanka Soap which smells and looks gorgeous (90g - £7.95).

So there we have it, a brilliant July box for me. Makes my heart sing so much newness! Are you a subscriber? 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?

Top Products 2020: January to April

Products marked * I was kindly gifted for review. I normally do a top products twice a year. Seeing as things are different right now I'm doing quarterly instead (catch my first book quarter in May!) I've tried a lot of amazing products during this period and these are my top 15:

I've fallen head over heels for BYBI Beauty Boosters, I'm slowly working my way through the whole range. I highly rate Strawberry, CBD and Bakuchiol. See my reviews HERE and HERE.

I first tried Odylique's Award Winning Gentle Herb Shampoo* years ago and couldn't get on with the low foam. They very kindly sent me it again recently and I fell in love! See my review HERE.

Savon Stories Lotion Melt in Neroli, Mandarin & Lavender. A true bar of goodness. See my review HERE.

I fell head-over-heels for Zara's Perfume Collab with Jo Malone. The range is simply stunning and I can't wait to try more (there is now a sample set of the whole range and candles). See my review HERE.

I stumbled across Plenaire and Rose Jelly Gentle Make Up Remover was calling my name. See my review HERE.

I fell in love with this aromatic pot of goodness from Old Faithful. Their Makers' Balm Hand Balm is a true delight. See my review HERE.

I absolutely adore these beauties from Pure Anada at Live in the Light. They really do work - think glossy, shiny and cared for hair. See my review of Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner Bars* HERE.

REN's Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil* which you can pick up at Love Lula. My skin loves this Beauty Editor's favourite for glowy, plumped and smooth skin. See my review HERE.

Although quite pricey, this is a natural deodorant I'd buy again. I was kindly gifted JOIK's Lemon & Geranium Natural Mineral Deodorant* via the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for review. It's now one of my favourite natural deos. See my review HERE.

REN's Citrus Limonum Hand Wash* has a beautiful lemon scent and gently cleanses the hands. See my review HERE. It's one I'll definitely replenish.

I fell head over heels for Croatian inspired Saint Iris Adriatica when I tried the range recently. I was very kindly gifted mini saints of Vitality Spritz* and Wake-up Droplets* which were my favourites in the range. See my review HERE.

I love Evolve's range - hard working with simple but stylish recyclable packaging. My skin has been loving their Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner*. See my review HERE.

I love this smokey and woody perfume by ALLSAINTS - Incense City EdP which I picked up recently at Feel Unique. See my review HERE.

Bare & Bond Fragrance Subscription* is the perfect and innovative way to try a new perfume every month for a very affordable £14.95 for 8.5ml. 

See my reviews HERE* and HERE.

Rounding up my Top Products 2020 for the January to April period is my gorgeous Ffern Organic Small Batch Perfume for Spring 20. See my review HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

Odylique: Tea Tree & Green Clay Cleansing Bar

I've never been a huge Tea Tree fan but this soap is a beaut! Odylique's Tea Tree & Green Clay Cleansing Bar (£6.50 - 100g) purifies and deeply cleanses the skin, although it's very gentle. It has a pungent earthy green citrus type of scent and is multi-tasking - use it on the face and body and for shaving!

Mineral Green Clay draws out impurities with antimicrobial Tea Tree and Lemongrass. Coconut and Olive oils hydrate and give a gentle foam. It's perfect to use on oilier skins in the shower in the morning for a refreshing wake up call! 

To use: apply to wet skin, lather then rinse. It can also be used as a shaving soap.

I've really enjoyed using this Vegan soap and would definitely pick it up again or one of the others in the range.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Pure Anada, Coast73, Kiss the Moon, Saint Iris Adriatica, Odylique, Shay & Blue

Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday and here are some gift ideas (* marked have been gifted for review).

This duo* from Pure Anada which you can purchase at Live in the Light is almost good enough to eat and the perfect non-calorific treat! The scent is minty with a a slight vanilla sweetness and the products are lovely to use (And who knew? There is a whole Peppermint Cream range available at Live in the Light!) I'll definitely be checking it out.

The Effervescent Bath Soak (£11.50 for 450ml) is formulated with Israeli Dead Sea and pink Himalayan salts and will infuse your bathwater with essential minerals to detoxify and ease muscle tension. African Shea Butter and Cold Pressed Olive Oil softens and hydrates the skin. To use: add a handful to a hot bath, jump in and relax.

Cocoa Body Butter (£8 for 125ml) this rich and decadent body butter is an absolute delight. It melts easily onto warm skin and leaves it with a slight peppermint/vanilla scent (lush). To use: apply to clean dry skin daily to hydrate and soothe.

I've been really impressed with this lovely duo which make bath time into a real treat. Pick yours up HERE.

Coast73 Candles are based in Gullane in East Lothian in Scotland. The Essential Oil Natural Wax Candles are a latest launch and are gorgeous! I was very kindly gifted one* for review. You can buy via the Facebook page or at Cherish Vintage Tearooms in Gullane in their Emporium.

The candles are formulated using natural waxes and essential oils. Sea Buckthorn, with Bergamot, Orange & Camomile has a gentle fruity and slightly herbal aroma and a very even burn! 

The perfect little gift is a bar of soap* from Kiss the Moon, as well as being exquisitely packaged these soaps are beautiful to use. They brighten up your day and are a lovely treat. See my review of their GLOW soap HERE.

The whole lot of mini saints in their On-The-Glow Bliss Pack (£65) (which comes with a beautiful branded bag or receive this free with the purchase of 3 mini saints) from Saint Iris Adriatica. The Award Winning Croatian inspired brand is formulated and founded by Sanela Lazic, to reflect the country's heritage and wellbeing. The scent is uplifting, fresh and citrus.

Sanela very kindly gifted me two of the mini saints - Vitality Spritz* and Wake-up Droplets* and I purchased the other three to enable me to try the whole range + get the gorgeous bag!  The three I purchased - Energy Cleanse, Purity Paste and Serenity Salve - expect a review of all five very soon.

Odylique's product of the month is their Award Winning Creamy Coconut Cleanser* with 10% off. See my review HERE. It'd be the perfect skincare treat for your mum.

You can't go wrong with a perfume from Shay & Blue. Of course I had to pick up the latest launch Blackberry Woods (£30 - 30ml) which is an exquisite blend of deliciously juicy blackberries, with neroli and lemon at the heart and a base of cypress woods. It really is a delight (my only negative is I'm not so keen on the new packaging - I miss that big "signature" bow on the front of my box!)

I gave my mum (saw her this weekend) a bouquet of flowers from my local shop - The Wild Flower Shop, a lipstick from Beauty Pie, a John Lewis voucher and some beauty samples I'd gathered for her.  What are you giving your mum for Mother's Day?

*Odylique: Creamy Coconut Cleanser

*free product gifted as part of their blogger programme I've been testing out *Odylique's Award Winning Creamy Coconut Cleanser which is currently on special offer with 10% off for the month of March - see HERE (£18 instead of £20) which would make a great March treat, either for yourself or for your mum for Mother's Day!

The cleanser is creamy, gentle and very effective at removing make up and daily grime. Skin is left feeling clean and comfortable. It's formulated with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Coconut Oil which easily lifts away make up (including waterproof mascara). Organic Rosewater calms while lemon soothes. It has a very light fragrance making it suitable for all skin types. 

I like that the bottle is recyclable and made with 100% post-consumer recycled material and the box is easily recycled. 

To use: apply a couple of pumps to face and neck (including eyes) and massage. Remove with warm damp muslin cloth.

I've been really enjoying re-visiting this cleanser which does exactly what it says it will! Pick yours up HERE.

Odylique Lemongrass Body Wash

I've been trying Odylique's zesty and zingy Lemongrass Hand & Body Wash (200ml - £11) which makes my morning showers so much better! The gentle wash which is free from sulphates and SLS is formulated with nourishing biodynamic calandula and conditioning organic extra virgin olive oil along with a mild cleansing agent from corn sugar.

To use: apply to damp skin in the shower or use as a hand wash. The skin is left feeling comfortable and nourished.

The product is Vegan and the bottle has been made from a milk bottle and is recyclable. I'm also a huge fan of their Gentle Herb Shampoo (REVIEW). What are your favourites from the brand?

Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo

As you'll probably know I tried this award winning shampoo years ago and hated it - I just didn't get the low foam idea. I tried it again recently and can quite honestly say I love it!

Gentle Herb Shampoo (500ml - £22, 200ml - £12, 20ml - £2.50) is a gentle shampoo which is 100% natural, certified organic and vegan. It's formulated with ingredients such as conditioning coconut oil, strengthening horsetail, soothing chamomile, shine promoting rosemary, nettle for scalp health and moisture locking aloe vera.

It's excellent for those with a sensitive scalp but can be used by all. It balances and conditions your hair (I've found I don't need an extra conditioner when using it).

To use: apply to wet hair massaging in (there is next to zero lather), leave on for a few minutes before rinsing. The hair and scalp is left feeling comfortable and nourished.

All in all, I'm happy to have been brave enough to revisit and it's likely a product I'll always have in my stash now. Are you a fan?

July: Latest Buys

I've had a mad few weeks buying more than I should...

This is my second Les Fleurs EdP 7.5ml by Maya Njie Perfumes one day I'll buy full size. It's a beaut!

I had a little extra PIE in the form of one of the new shampoos & conditioners at Beauty Pie. I'm currently trying these out (so far, so good) and a review will be coming!

My gorgeous Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box landed at the weekend. This month (last monthly box before it goes bi-monthly) is entitled Bon Voyage and is stuffed full of beautiful things with holiday time flavour. See my initial thoughts HERE.

Madara's new Booster Ampoules in Antioxidant Energiser which I picked up via Love Lula's very generous beauty box discount. A review will be forthcoming!

I can never resist a Naturisimo Discovery Box and Extreme Purity is stuffed full. See my initial thoughts HERE.

The Organic Pharmacy Tan Accelerator which gives an instant glow and helps to develop a rich deep tan stimulating melanin production naturally. I'm packing this one in my suitcase! 

A couple of minis from Bodhi & Birch it'd been a while since I'd tried beautiful Neroli Lucé Revitalising Face Oil (it's still love). Founder, Elijah Choo recently gifted me one of their beautiful Alchemy Bowls* and so I bought Renshen Root Exfoliant & Mask (12ml) in order to have a little play.. (review to come).

I also picked up Ezape Naturals latest launch their Ylang Ylang & Lavender Body Oil (review forthcoming).

And of course, I couldn't resist Latest in Beauty's collaboration with Grazia mag. See my initial thoughts HERE.

I tried a sachet sample of Rodial's Pink Diamond Magic Gel Day and fell head-over-heels in love. I wanted to try more so picked up a mini 9ml size from Look Fantastic. A review will follow.

Feel Unique were offering 20% off Caudalie so I snapped up this SPF duo (I also had a fiver off voucher) making me glad I'd waited!

And yet more PIE! I had to have another of the latest launches at Beauty Pie. I'm seriously in love with this pot of goodness. Expect a review soon! (as a member this cost £11.59 instead of £50). Sign up using my link to get your first month of membership free HERE.

I spotted an offer on Facebook for this little try me Dry Skin Kit (£2.50 - with a code for free p&p). I thought it would be ideal to pack in my holiday bag. Pick yours up HERE.

What have you been buying this month? Do you think I should have a spending ban?