November Empties

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

Yellow Gorse Chai Tea Scrub - just loved this. See my review HERE. Sure to pick this up again.

OM Original Detox Shampoo 15ml* - sachets are great to try. I picked this one up at Love Lula and got two uses from it. It left my hair looking shiny and revitalised. Would maybe buy full size.

Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk 40ml - this had been at the back of my cupboard so I thought I should use it up!  With an uplifting fruity scent it was really nice to use. I'd maybe buy it again.

Sunday Riley Tidal 8g - I really like this gel-cream. It's got a light texture and absorbs easily. I tend to pick it up when I see them up for sale on selling pages on facebook.

D’ALCHÉMY Age Cancellation Booster 15ml* - a really beautiful face cream which I loved. It absorbed easily, had a gorgeous scent and left my skin nourished and healthy. Full size is on the wishlist. See my review HERE.

Planted Circulation Boosting Orange Coffee Scrub 50ml* - probably the best coffee scrub I've used. Super moisturising and lovely. Will buy when my scrub stash reduces. See my review HERE.

Madara Volcano Scrub Soap - just brilliant. Really scrubby. See my review HERE. Yes, I'll buy this again.

Juno Skincare Elan Face Tonic Spritzer 100ml** - a beautiful product from a gorgeous range. Simply loved this and was sad when I used it up. See my review HERE.

Zojo Beauty Elixirs The Bikini Body 35g* - one of the best supplements I've used. See my review HERE. Will definitely buy.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter 29ml - loved this uplifting and fruity butter which absorbed quickly and left the skin feeling nourished and smelling of blood oranges. Gorgeous! Hope to pick up some more of these.

Stella Says Rosewood & Geranium Hand Rescue Balm 20g - picked up from Stella at Maltby Street Market last year. Absolutely gorgeous and I'll definitely be picking more up. See my review HERE.

What have you been using up this month?

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

**gifted

Naturisimo: Vegan Discovery Box

You'll know how I love Naturisimo's Discovery boxes so couldn't resist their latest one - Vegan Discovery Box (worth £50) and costing £17.95 including p&p.

It's absolutely jam packed!

And for a closer look..

Inside is 11 travel and sample sizes:

From Pacifica, a brand I've been liking quite a lot recently is 29ml of their Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter which smells glorious, almost mouthwatering. I'm looking forward to trying this.

From old favourite Bamford (used to get this a lot in Latest in Beauty boxes) is 100ml of their Geranium, Lavender & Peppermint Body Lotion.

New to me from A'kin is Hydrating Mist Toner 30ml which is a great travel size, I'll be packing this for my next trip.

I'm a huge fan of Briogeo Hair Care and am looking forward to trying Don't Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask 29ml.

From Juice Beauty we have a trial size (5ml) of their Stem Cellular CC Cream in Desert Glow. It's a broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen which melts onto the skin and has a delicious citrus scent. Desert Glow is for fair-medium skin tones.

I've loved all the meow meow tweet products I've tried so far and this Coconut Cacao Vegan Lip Balm 7g has an almost edible scent and feels really nourishing on the lips (you can also use it on hands and body).

From Green People we have a 10ml size of their Vita Min Fix 24hr Cream which I'm sure I've used before and my skin loved.

From COOLA there is a SPF30 unscented Matte Tinted Moisturiser in Natural Beige 5ml which I'll pack in my holiday bag also.

There's a 5g pot of natural deo balm from the Natural Deodorant Co in Lemon Geranium which smells lush. Looking forward to testing this out.

From Nourish there's a 5ml sachet of their Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask with Damask Rose & Lavender which is a perfect pamper treat.

The final item is a sachet (0.17oz) of GLOW Inner Beauty Powder from The Beauty Chef which can be blended into water or a smoothie.

It's a great box. Did you pick one up?

Naturisimo: Healing Makeup Discovery Box

You'll know I can never resist one of Naturisimo's Discovery Boxes. Their latest one is entitled "Healing Makeup" and contains 9 items - samples, trial sizes and full sizes. Costing only £17.95 (with free p&p) and worth £70. 

It's absolutely stuffed full! 

Inside is:

Odacite Black Mint Cleanser 7ml (exciting) - an ultra fresh minty gel which cleanses, eliminates excess oil and impurities. I'm looking forward to testing this out as I've not tried much by Odacite.

Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strengthen Mineral Mascara 7.5ml - a full size product which I'm excited to try.

RMS Beauty 'Un' Powder 0.44g - a translucent loose powder which minimises pores and absorbs oil. Huge fan of this already and this is a handy size to carry about.

Bellapierre Mineral Blush Powder (Autumn Glow) 4g - another full size product which gives the skin a healthy glow.

REN Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist 9ml - a mist which shields and protects the skin from ageing effects of harmful free radicals and pollution.

Dr Hauschka Lip Gloss (Raspberry) 3ml - a rich glossy gloss with a slightly metallic raspberry sheen.

Estelle & Thild Healthy Glow Foundation (121) 2ml - lightweight wash of colour which evens out skintone and BioHydrate All-in-One Tinted Moisturiser (01) 2ml - blends onto the skin tone for an even and healthy glow. I'm always keen to try new bases.

Inika Organic Lip Tint (Candy) 3.2g (full size) - superhydrating Vegan lip tint which conditions and leaves the lips with a light colour tint (not sure this is exactly my shade).

I'm pretty pleased with this selection - what are your thoughts?

Vertue Beauty Box: April: Vitamin Sea

April's Vertue Beauty Box is absolutely fantastic! The theme is "Vitamin Sea". The box is bi-monthly so the next one will be in June. Find out more information HERE. I was very kindly sent a box* to review this month and was delighted with the contents. So what's inside...

WOW! Amazing and there are 2 new to me brands (happy face) and all new to me products.

There are two products from new to me brand Seatox. The products inside are their Selkie Smooth Seaweed Bath Soak (£6.95) and Kelp Help Wild Kelp Powder (£8.95). I'm looking forward to testing these out and reviews will follow.

From American brand, Earth Harbor we have their Rose Ruby Gemstone Face Mist 60ml (approx £14.50) which is very exciting as the brand looks just like something I'd go for. Again, a review will follow.

From Pacifica there is a really lovely eyeshadow palette (Mystical) (£15.49) (I don't think I've ever had a palette in a beauty box). The shades are really wearable and I'm looking forward to testing it out.

The final two items are a Hydrea Fina Silk Sea Sponge which is great for facial cleansing and gentle exfoliation or for applying foundation. I used to buy these sponges on holiday in Greece so looking forward to re-visiting!

From The Salt Parlour is a tin of their DETOX Salt & Sulphur Scrub (try me size). I've used this brand before and love their products. The final treat is 20% off code to use in the Vertue Beauty shop.

What do you think of April's box? Are you already a subscriber?

*complimentary

Naturisimo: Heaven Scent Box

I love Naturisimo's Discovery boxes and the latest one went straight in my basket last night!

It's available while stocks last and costs £22.95 and is worth £60. Inside is:

Bamford Splash One Morning 10ml: a light water blended to splash over the entire body. With violet, jasmine, iris, musk, amber and vanilla notes.

Acorelle Vanilla Blossom Rollerball 10ml: with vanilla notes this is warm and comforting.

Caudalie The des Vignes Body Lotion 30ml: with ginger liqueur, orange blossom and jasmine notes.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 30ml: I'm a huge fan of this rose scented hydrating mist which I've been using for years. See my review HERE. This one's a decent size too.

Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance Balancing Body Souffle 30ml: a light as air whipped souffle with a delicious rosy scent topped with rose petals. I received this recently in a box and rushed out and bought full size.

Pacifica Waikki Pikake Roll-on 30ml: formulated with sweet pikake, an exquisite flower native to Hawaii and sandalwood.

Edit: And here's my box!

March Empties

Another month I've hardly used up much. I'm not going to finish anything else before the end of the month so here goes..

bodhi & birch Siam Ginger Vitalising Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - love this. See my review here. Will buy again.

The Naked Skincare Company Evening Relax Body Oil 30ml - this was really lovely to use and I'll definitely buy. See my review here.

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Hand Wash 250ml - this is my favourite Organic Surge scent and I love this hand wash. Will buy again.  See my review here.

Thea Organic Skincare Skin Brightening Fruit Enzyme Creme Moisturiser 15ml* - this moisturiser had such an uplifting scent. See my review here. Will buy once I reduce my stash a bit.

Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes x 30 wipes - I don't use wipes a lot but tend to have a pack on the go for late nights and after exercise. I'd buy these again.  See my review here.

Therapi Orange Blossom Honey Gel Cleanser 100ml* - I simply loved this refreshing and exquisitely scented non-foaming cleanser. Sure to buy at some point. Was super-sad it's finished!  See my mini review here.

John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair 60ml - I really enjoyed this and would buy full size.

lj's Organic Purity Rose Body Oil 50ml - I simply loved this rosey scented oil. See my review here. I'm signing up to the Beauty Box again at the end of the month (2 of my 3 items (every 2 months) is going to be this luxe body oil. 

Bloom Remedies Peppermint & Lemongrass Foot Balm - this is gorgeous! Rich and luxurious and kind to your feet. I'll definitely buy again.

This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray 5ml - I loved this. Full size is on the wishlist. See my review here.

SAMPLE:

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Gentle Shower Cream sachet - this was lovely to use, smells gorgeous and lasted 2 uses. Would maybe buy.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes

I try not to use facial cleansing wipes too often but sometimes after a night out or on holiday I do.  I tend to favour the Yes to Carrots variety. Recently I tried Pacifica's Purify Coconut Cleansing Wipes which I picked up at Naturisimo (£4.99 for 30 wipes).

The wipes are super soft and gentle on the skin and are coconut scented. They contain coconut water which tones, balances and cleanses, papaya which exfoliates and aloe and calendula to soothe and calm.  Also great for non make up days to refresh the skin.

They aren't suitable for removing waterproof eye make up as they don't contain chemical solvents.  I'd buy them again as I was pleased with their performance. Have you tried these cleansing wipes before?

World Vegan Month at Big Green Smile & Pacifica Perfume Review

Big Green Smile is celebrating World Vegan Month this month and has lots of tempting offers available.  You can see these here and here.  I'm liking the look of Faith in Nature Natural Soaps, Lavera's Fine Loose Mineral Powder, Green People's Aloe Vera Roll-on Deodorant and Dr Hauschka Blackthorn Toning Body Oil.

Big Green Smile offer a wide range of products - make up, beauty products, natural cleaners and baby food. It is one of the biggest natural and organic online retailers in the UK.  There are over 4,5000 products available.  When your order is over £10 you can choose 2 free samples from a wide range see here.

There is also a fabulous range of gifts available (link) from top natural brands.  You can also enter to win a £50 gift voucher to spend at Big Green Smile. The entry form is on the link. The competition in association with World Vegan Month 2014 ends on 30 November.

I've heard a lot about Pacifica brand but this is only my second try (I received one of their Devocean Lipsticks in October's Petit Vour beauty box).  The range is 100% Vegan and cruelty free and the products are very affordable.  The products are free from phthalates, nitro-musks, benzene, mineral oils, GMO and propylene glycol.

Founder Brook Harvey Taylor started blending her own perfumes as a teen. When she went to college in the early 90s she studied aromatherapy. She met photographer & film maker Billy Taylor and together they created Pacifica. The brand includes perfumes, cosmetics and skincare.  They try to work with local suppliers, support local charities and Brook personally develops the scents.

Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia Roll on (10ml - £12)* is made using natural pure grain alcohol with perfume blends made from pure essential oils.

This is a heady scent which mellows to a white floral scent with Gardenia, Jasmine, Sweet Orange and Tea leaves.  It is quite sweet and floral.  I'm really impressed with the quality, scent and price and I'll definitely be treating myself to a few more!

See Big Green Smile's website here.

*PR sample

Petit Vour: October Beauty Box: Beauty Thrillers

This month's Petit Vour* beauty box is stuffed full of products which are natural, vegan and kind to animals.

Pacifica Devocean Natural Lipstick in Tenderness (a nude pink) ($14 - just under £9) - this is super moisturising and feels great on the lips. Long lasting colour with anti-ageing benefits and highly pigmented. Love this!

Flo+Theo Lavender Flowers Body Butter sample pot (full size $28 - approx £17) - a brand I've not heard of before! A rich and nourishing butter scented with Lavender. Looking forward to try this!

Forager Botanicals Woodland Natural EDP sample vial (full size $98 - £61) - I love trying new perfumes so am happy to see a sample included in the box. This scent seems lovely with notes of cedarwood, lavender and herbs.

SW Basics Cleanser mini ($12 - just over £7) full sizes range from $14-28 - just under £9-£17) - I'm a huge fan of the range having tried other products. This one smells gorgeous and love that it is only made with 3 ingredients.

Another great box! What are your thoughts?

*PR sample