Cult Beauty: The Cult Conscious Edit

I can never resist a Cult Beauty box and their recent one - The Cult Conscious Edit is fantastic! At time going to press there was still some left! Costing £40 with 10 items both full and travel size and with 8 of them being new to me items with 4 new-to-me brands - excitement much!

It's absolutely stuffed full! Reviews to come.

15ml @versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel
50ml @disciplelondon Juicy Mist
30ml @omorovicza Cleansing Foam
30g @sandandskyresults Superbounce Mask
15ml @aurelialondon Revitalise + Glow Serum
5.5g @hourglasscosmetics Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
3g @danessa_myricks Beauty Dew Wet Balm
15ml @officialmedik8 Illuminating Eye Balm
180ml @larrykinghaircare Liquid Hairbrush Conditioner
50ml @renskincare Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream

Did you pick one up?

September Empties

Marked* I've kindly been gifted a product for review. I'm not going to use anything else up so here are my September empties (a little bit early!)

I absolutely adore Noble Isle and their Summer Rising Bath & Shower gel 75ml which I first discovered in a Beauty Box (I've since bought their new Rhubarb Rhubarb! hand sanitiser which is fantastic - review on it's way). See my review HERE.

I received the NUXE 30ml reve de miel Melting Honey Body Balm as a Latest in Beauty pick. Lovely to use, buttery soft and deeply nourishing. Something I might pick up full size if my body product stash ever reduces.

I simply adore Avon Senses Zen Mandarin & Jasmine Hand Wash 250ml it's cheap as chips coming in at only a quid. I buy it again and again as I love its beautiful scent.

Evolve's Daily Apple Hair & Body Wash 250ml was gorgeous. Equally good for hair and body. See my review HERE. I'll definitely pick this one up again.

My mum had given me Method's Sunshine Bloom Hand Wash 354ml after me admiring hers in her bathroom. It was lovely to use with a nice sunshiney citrus scent! I've got my eye on their Rose Water and Tropical Cloud ones next!

*The Organic Pharmacy Peppermint Facial Wash 20ml which I received as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. Lovely to use. See my mini review HERE. Definitely one I'll pick up when my gel cleanser stash reduces a bit.

balanceme's Flash Cleanse Micellar Water 30ml was fantastic. Very effective and gentle. It's on my to-buy list. Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying & Plumping Daily Serum 10ml was a Feel Unique My Beauty Kit pick. My skin loved this in summer. 

Award winning Omorovicza's Queen of Hungary Mist* which I tried again as a Beauty Shortlist Judge 2020 is the creme de la creme of face mists! See my thoughts HERE. I've just opened a mini from a Latest in Beauty Box.

My skin adored nknaturals Summer Copper Distilled Botanical Mist 50ml* and I was sad to finish this! I'm looking forward to buying Autumn's version on the equinox on 22 September! See my review of the whole Summer collection, which founder and formulator, Nicola kindly gifted me HERE.

My final empty is ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Plum Conditioning Face Oil 30ml* which I received in the June Love Lula Beauty Box*, see HERE. I simply fell head-over-heels for this face oil - see HERE. I repurchased it during the spend £20 get one free offer. It'll always be in my stash.

What have you been using up in September?

Shopping my Stash #114

It's been a long while since I shopped my stash! 

I first discovered gorgeous Flaya Organic Perfumes quite randomly in my local Jan de Vries shop in Edinburgh's West End. I picked the one which spoke to me most - Rose of course! It's a beautiful scent which I've recently been revisiting. See my review HERE.

I discovered beautifully packaged Sulom Hair Care on Instagram and picked up a bottle of their Rose & Hibiscus infused Organic Hair Oil (£7.99 - 30ml). I'd initially thought it was rose scented rather than infused! You can ask however for an essential oil to be added to fragrance. I've found the hair oil leaves my hair silky soft and nourished.

An old fav from Weleda - their Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash 50ml which has a beautiful uplifting citrus scent which is perfect for summer (and holidays, if we're ever allowed these again!) See my review HERE.

I adore Omorovicza's Award Winning Queen of Hungary Mist (30ml) it's honestly perfection and has a super-fine mist. It's my to-go-to right now. It featured in my post HERE.

It was lovely to revisit Blue Labelle's Argan & Sea Buckthorn Facial Oil (10ml) which I received in March's #Meditate Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. See my review HERE.

Keeping loosely on the rosey theme I adore Dr Hauschka's Rose Nurturing Body Oil (10ml) which nourishes the skin leaving it scented of roses!

What have you been reaching for lately?

The Latest in Beauty Edit: The CEW 2020 Beauty Awards

Of course I dived right in when I heard Latest in Beauty were doing CEW Industry Awards Boxes (6 items for £24). They offered members a fiver off making the box a bargainous £19) of course, you know the drill I had to pick up two boxes...(I'm still awaiting my 2nd box however!)

Here's my picks:

Face Halo Original x 3 pack (worth £18.99) these won BEST BEAUTY ICON - MASS. They are absolutely amazing - I honestly don't know how I lived without these re-usable double-sided make up removers. Just dampen and rub over your face - foundation, mascara and lipstick be gone! Truly wonderful.

Scientia Beauty is a totally new-to-me brand and their Dawn Elixir 50ml (£32) won BEST TARGETED SKINCARE - PRESTIGE. It's a 100% natural oil blend which has been formulated using 23 oils. Supercharged with glow-enhancing Vitamins A, C & E and packed with antioxidants. So far, so good! (love the packaging too).

I'm already a huge fan of Omorovicza and already adore their Queen of Hungary Mist (30ml) which won BEST BEAUTY ICON - PRESTIGE (the mist-er bottle gives a very fine spray). I also adore their Daily Vitamin C (5ml) so very happy to have this travel size. It won BEST SKINTELLECTUAL - PRESTIGE.

I'd always wanted to try Prai Beauty's neck care products. Their Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme (15ml) won THE BEAUTY ICON - PRESTIGE. My neck is loving this rich cream. One I'd buy full size for sure.

My final item is REN's Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic (50ml) which won BEST SKIN PREP - PRESTIGE. Again, another product which had been on the wishlist. Looking forward to trying it.

I was also lucky enough to be one of the 1st 500 to place their order and received a free mini eye serum sample.

Did you pick up a box? What did you choose?

Latest in Beauty: Grazia Beauty Advent Calendar: The first eight days

I hummed and hawed about picking up a Grazia Advent Calendar in association with Latest in Beauty. During their Halloween sale it was marked down 20% (was £85) and I thought I was getting a real bargain until Black Friday week tipped up and it went down to £42! (next year I'll be waiting!) Here's what I received during the first 8 days:

Day 1 - Anastasia Liquid Lipstick in Ashton, which I'd received before. It looks like a nice pink shade in the tube but in reality it's a matte brown. Not for me, I passed this one along.

Day 2 - Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil 15ml which I've used before and my skin loved. It's a decent size too.

Day 3 - System Professional Reconstructive Elixir 30ml which I use all the time. My hair loves it. A very welcome addition to the calendar. This is worth £17 and was one of the reasons I had to have the advent calendar.

Day 4 - bareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion - again, I've used this serum before and it's lovely. 

Day 5 - St Tropez Self Tan Purity - Face Mist - I don't use self tan so I'll pass this one along also.

Day 6 - Omorovicza Illuminating Moisturiser - another product I was really excited about. Expect a review on the blog soon!

Day 7 - NARS Satin Lip Pencil - ooh I love this one! Gorgeous wearable shade.

Day 8 - Darphin Vetiver Aromatic Stress Relief Detox Oil Mask mini - I love the scent of vetiver. I'm looking forward to trying this out.

In the first 8 days there are 5 products I'm really excited about - which is not bad going! What advent calendar are you opening? (I've also got a lovely tea one I got from my friend Magi).

October Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month - I think this must be my smallest amount of empties...ever!

Omorovicza Refining Facial Polish 30ml - I'm a huge fan of this exfoliator. I think I've got another in my stash. Would buy full size. 

Butter Bar Soapery Soothe Bath Salts 40g - which I received in my October Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box (link) which was beautiful. It made for a relaxing soak and had little lavender flowers combined within the salts. Full size is on the wishlist!

Organic House Clean & Bright Morning Cleanser 30ml* - which I liked to use for my morning shower. See my review HERE. I was sad to finish this and will add to my buy-again list.

Sisley Hair Rituel Revitalising Straightening Shampoo 8ml - which came in my October Beauty Subscription. I really liked this (it worked) and is one to save up for!

This duo from Rahua Voluminous shampoo 22ml and Voluminous conditioner 22ml are my favourites from the brand (I first received them as samples in various beauty boxes). It was nice to revisit and I may buy full sizes at some point.

Odacite Black Mint Cleanser 30ml - I absolutely adore this charcoal based cleanser (I've got a activated charcoal obsession just now). See my review HERE. I've got another of this size to use up but will buy full size soon.

Beatitude Joy Bath Oil 10ml* - I adore the scent Joy by Beatitude. It's just such a happy and uplifting scent. See my mini review HERE. 

What have you been using up this month?

*complimentary

December Empties

This must be the smallest amount of empties ever! Here goes:

Amphora Aromatics Orange & Clove Reed Diffuser Kit* which I loved. With a long lasting Christmassy scent the kit was just all round excellent and brilliant value. Will pick up some in different scents soon! See my review HERE.

Lucky Cloud Botanical Skincare Nourishing Cleansing Balm 60ml** is simply divine. I'm so sorry to have finished this up! See my review HERE. I'm sure to pick this up when my cleanser stash reduces a bit.

Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist 100ml* which was lovely to use. Would buy as I like the way it left my skin looking refreshed and dewy. See my review HERE.

Herbfarmacy Refining Cleanser trial size which gave me a couple of uses. It gently but thoroughly cleanses the skin leaving it feeling clean and comfortable. I'd buy once my stash reduces a bit.

Omorovicza Refining Facial Polish 30ml which is a staple for me (I've just cracked open another!) 

JOIK Juicy Apple Shower Foam** which came in the JOIK Advent Calendar. It was nice to use and had a herbal apple scent. Unsure if I'd buy full size or not.

Aveda Color Conserve Daily Color Protection 10ml which my hair loved. I'll maybe pick up full size at some point.

IHANA Hydrating Day Cream 5ml* which was lovely and nourishing (my skin loved it when I had the flu recently as it didn't have too strong a scent!) Would maybe pick up full size. See my review HERE. 

Oskia Perfect Cleanse 3.5ml which was nice to use but I feel their Renaissance Cleansing Gel suits my skin better so I wouldn't buy.

What have you been using up this month?

*complimentary
**sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program

Latest in Beauty: Beauty Guru

It's been a while since I've had a Latest in Beauty Box - I unsubscribed for a couple of months over summer - they'll always draw me back however! I picked up some for me and some for the present drawer (as the sizes are great stocking fillers).

I'm very impressed with the Puressentiel Rest & Relax Air Spray 75ml which helps you to relax and have a good night's sleep. It's made with a blend of 12 essential oil which soothe and comfort.

I can never resist Omorovicza and I can't wait to try their new Midnight Radiance Mask 15ml (50ml costs £90 so this is a great try-me).

I used to be a huge Elemis fan and I'm looking forward to trying their Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g again.

I love Aurelia Probiotic Skincare's Aromatic Brighten & Repair Hand Cream and this 7ml size is great for the handbag! See my review HERE.

I'm also a fan of Resultime Hydrating Cream 15ml which deeply nourishes the skin. It's a great size for travel too!

I'm always looking for the perfect product to smooth out lip lines so picked up Monu Skin Lip & Eye Active Lift 7ml which improves fine lines and wrinkles while brightening and rejuvenating.

My final picks are: from Ultrasun there is Glimmer Sun Lotion SPF20 25ml, from Origins their Plantscription Anti-Ageing Power Serum 15ml and from The White Company their Seychelles Hand & Nail Cream 30ml.

Latest in Beauty also threw in a couple of Philosophy samples as an extra - Amazing Grace EdT 1.5ml and their Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser 6ml.

Pick up your box HERE (chose from 3 - £9/month, 6 - £15/month or 9 - £18/month).

June Empties

Here's what I've been using up in June:

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm 15ml - one of my favourite cleansing balms. See my review HERE. I've got a few of these in my stash to use up.

Chantecaille BioLifting Cream+ 10ml - this is a beautiful moisturiser and is a real treat. Full size is unfortunately out of my price range! I love occasionally getting this size in beauty boxes.

Jo Loves Pomelo 50ml - I was super sad to finish this perfume as it's one of my favourites. Will buy again soon! See my review HERE.

Isla Apothecary Jasmine Sunset Radiance Body Oil 10ml - this was a gorgeous oil which contains copper mica particles which give the skin a glow. The scent is beautiful and it's a body oil I'd love full size.

OKKO Natural Body Balm Stick 4.5g - a great try-me size of a lovely product. See my review HERE. I'm unlikely to pick this one up full size but I'll definitely be buying their natural face balm stick.

Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender & Peppermint bath & Shower Oil 9ml - love these bath oils. Sure to pick up this scent again.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Evening bath & Shower Oil 9ml - again, huge fan of these oils. Would be happy to use this one again.

The Body Deli Almond Milk Cleanser sample - nice to use with a delicious almond scent. Maybe once my cleanser stash reduces that I'd pick this up.

Skin & Tonic Calm Clean Cleansing Balm 5ml - I got a few uses from this teeny sample. Absolutely loved it and a full size pot is on the wishlist!

By Terry CellulaRose Brightening CC Serum samples - my favourite from the four was No.2 Rose Elixir which adds a youthful glow to the skin. It's one I'd buy full size.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts 500g - these are a staple and are always in my stash. Next Cult Goody Bag time I'll replenish my stash! See my review HERE. If I could only use one bath product it would be these salts!

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue sample - huge fan of this lovely eye cream. My pal Julie bought me a full size pot for my birthday. It's really lush (expect a full review soon).

Apples & Bears Bergamot & Green Tea Body Silk 50ml* - I received this in a Love Lula Box. I really enjoyed the silky texture of the lotion and the scent. Will buy when my stash reduces a bit.

Ogario Hydrate & Shine Shampoo 250ml** - I really enjoyed this shampoo. See my review HERE. It's one I'd definitely pick up when I'm needing a new shampoo.

Apple & Bears Honey & Hemp Body Wash 50ml** - lovely to use with a sweet herbal scent. See my review HERE. Again, it's one I'd buy.

*received as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program
**complimentary

May Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up so here's what I've been using up in May:

Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream 5ml which was beautiful. This is a pricey cream so I'll probably not buy it. I'll definitely try and pick it up in one of the mini pots again.

Ermana Cleanse Balm 15ml* a lovely balm cleanser. See my review HERE. I'll definitely buy when my stash reduces a bit.

Botanicals Nourish Moisturiser 5ml* I adore any form of travel/try me size so I loved using this gorgeous moisturiser. See my mini review HERE. Would buy this moisturiser full size.

Madara Micellar Water 100ml which is a staple product for me. I've just cracked open a new bottle. See my review HERE.

Gallinee La Culture Foaming Facial Cleanser 120ml* which I simply adored. See my review HERE. It's one I'd buy when my stash of cleansers reduces a bit.

Aster & Bay Rosewater Mist 100ml I simply loved this beautiful mist which also contains Himalayan Pink Salt and Honeysuckle as well as Bulgarian Rose. See my review HERE. I'll definitely buy this again as I loved it. 

Guerlain Midnight Secret Late Night Recovery Cream 15ml I used to use this years ago. Was nice to revisit and I'm sure to pick this up again. Great to use if you have a late night as it helps to revive the skin overnight.

Omorovicza Refining Facial Polish 30ml which is one of my favourite facial exfoliators. I've just opened another tube.

Molton Brown Frankincense & Allspice Hand Wash 100ml I adore this Christmassy hand wash and buy it up in the sales (it's only available at Christmastime). See my review HERE. I've got plenty remaining in my stash currently but I'll be stocking up again in December.

Philip B Oud Royal Forever Shine Shampoo 15ml which is a good size sample. This was nice to use and made my hair look and feel good. Might buy full size at some point.

TOSe Apothecary French Clay & Lemongrass Detoxifying Body Scrub 200ml* which was beautiful. It had a really uplifting scent and make exfoliating into a luxurious ritual. See my review HERE.

Humble Sweet Pea & Verbena Hand Cream 75ml* a beautiful hand cream from a gorgeous range. See my review HERE. Sure to buy when my stash reduces a bit as this was very effective and had a beautiful scent.

JOIK Rejuvenating Beauty Elixir sachet this seems like a lovely product but it is a small sample. I also loved JOIK's Silky Facial Serum with Cranberry & Wheatgerm oils.

bliss fatgirl slim arm perfecting cream 7ml this gel-cream absorbed quickly and seemed like it would be a nice product to use. Not sure if I'd buy full size or not.

Jo Loves Smoked Plum & Leather sample vial which I simply adored! Full size is on my to buy list. 

Esse Gel Cleanser 5ml sachet I wasn't expecting this gel cleanser to be minty scented. I got four uses from this sachet (making it a great try me) and yes, I want the cleanser full size! 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue 1ml huge fan of this eye cream. My pal Julie got me a full size pot at my birthday so expect a review soon!

Starling Aromatics Jasmine & Ylang Ylang goddess essence* this little gem of a product was a beautiful luxe treat. It smells simply heavenly and is studded with Himalayan salt crystals. It can be used for moisturising the skin, for massage or just pop it in your bath for a relaxing soak. They are £6 each so it really is an indulgent treat (it would be perfect for that romantic weekend away) I got two uses from it. I'd prefer less packaging (although it is sweet) and more product for the money.  I was give this one complimentary from the owner at Pretty Pink.

What have you been using up this month?

*complimentary

Cult Beauty Spring 2017 Goody Bag

As ever Cult Beauty's Spring 2017 Goody Bag, which was worth over £210 and free with a £110 spend sold out in record time. I picked up pressies and two things for me. The goody bag is so good and I'm looking forward to testing everything out.

The two things that I bought:

I needed new tweezers and I'd heard lots of good things about these ones by Swiss Brand, Rubis. At goody bag time I always stock up on my favourite Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts - I've been using these since 2013 and if I could only use one bath product - it would be these! See my review HERE.

And now for a closer look at the goody bag:

The BrowGal Eyebrow Gel (Full size) £17

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey (sample size)

Sigma Mini Blending Brush E25 (as you'll see I've already used it!)

Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip in Versailles (Full size) £16 - Cult Beauty say this is "mauve pink" but it's brown on my lips. Not in love with the colour but love the staying power - will look at other colours for sure.

Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask (Cucumber Deep Moisture) x 1 £8

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm 15ml (already a fan)

Hannes Dottir Seamasque 10ml (looking forward to trying)

Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser 15ml

Odacite Pimple Serum Concentrate 5ml (full size) £27.50

Verso Super Facial Serum 10ml 

SkynIceland Plumping Lip Gel x 1 use

Alpha H Liquid Gold 24 hr Moisture Repair Cream 15ml

BECCA First Light Priming Filter 6ml

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser 20ml

OUAI Haircare Wave Spray 30ml

Sachajuan Hair Repair 100ml (worth £12)

Did you pick up the Spring Goody Bag? 

Feel Unique: Pick 'n' Mix: August 2016

My August selection arrived from Feel Unique yesterday. See what I chose last month here. You can choose yours here paying £3.95 to cover P&P - you get this back via a code sent by email to spend on your next purchase.

Kadalys Musalis First Wrinkles Day Cream with Green Banana 5ml - which is suitable for all skin types and addresses first signs of wrinkles. It will plump up the skin and hydrate. 

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm 5g - I've used this cleansing balm before and loved it. I'll be taking this one on my travels.

Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream 5ml - huge fan of the brand and this is a luxe trial size. (I just checked the Feel Unique website and a full size cream costs £110!) The cream nourishes and strengthens the skin while you sleep.

CULT51 Immediate Effects Serum 3ml - a super serum "which works in conjunction with your own skin cells; stimulating collagen, elastin and cellular regeneration". It targets fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and skin imperfections. Use it around the eyes and on expression lines.

By Terry Liftessence Eye Contour 2g - I've not tried much by the brand and am always looking for the perfect eye product. It will help reduce puffiness and dark circles, firming and tightening the eye area.

What samples did you pick?

June Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here's my June empties early:

Therapie Restore Aura Spray 100ml - amazing product. Have a little trial size tucked away but will buy again. Calms, refreshes and relaxes both the body and mind. Love!

Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water 100ml - handy for a light cleanse on no-make up days. Would re-purchase.

The Handmade Soap Company Grapefruit & May Chang Shower Gel 300ml* - absolutely loved this as well as the brand and the range of products. See my review HERE. I've since bought another one in a different scent.

Freyaluna Stop and Smell the Roses Bath & Body Oil 100ml - this was simply divine. See my review HERE. Only negative as the oil has no stopper the label/outside of the bottle gets a bit messy. Would buy again though.

Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil 7.5ml - this was great after exercise/gardening and I'd happily use it again.

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist 30ml - this was lovely and would buy again. A refreshing and deliciously scented spritz which was nice to use.

ila Bath Salts for Cleansing sample - lovely. Would buy full size.

Beatitude Joy Body Oil sample - one of the lushest and most luxe body products I've used. Love the uplifting scent too. See my review HERE.

YTTP Age Prevention Moisture Cream 5ml - simply fell for this light gel like cream which absorbed instantly. Full size is on wishlist! This came in my ABW Spring/Summer '16 box.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

Shopping my Stash #75

I've been enjoying revisiting Mendill. Their organic wipes* are really effective and smell great. There are also some new editions to the range including the gorgeous Jasmine and Grapefruit scents. Really handy for summer and holidays. See my review HERE.

I've been spraying the delicious Jo Loves Pomelo which is the perfect summer scent. See my review HERE. 

Omorovicza's Queen of Hungary Mist refreshes and hydrates the skin (perfect for summertime) and is scented with Neroli & Rose. Gorgeous!

Schmidt's Bergamot+Lime stick is my favourite natural deodorant. It keeps me protected all day and smells great. I love this scent. It features in my Top Three over at a beautiful world.

I'm slightly obsessed with new to me brand Supernatural Beauty. A 10ml size of their Redemption Face Oil came in the recent Content Beauty GWP. This oil is simply divine - it's scented with Rose Otto Damask (swoon) and packed full of good things for the skin incuding Rosehip, Grapeseed, Evening Primrose, Wheatgerm and Carrot Seed oils. It leaves my skin looking radiant and healthy. Love.

What have you been reaching for lately?

*PR samples