November Empties

Here's what I've been using up in November. If a product is marked * I kindly received it complimentary for review.

I love Indie Lee's Energize Deodorant 50g. See my review HERE. Will buy again. Huge fan of Ezape Naturals, their body butters are divine. I didn't think the Tea Tree & Peppermint* blend would be something I'd like as I'm not a huge-huge Tea Tree fan but this blend was really nice and minty-fresh. I would buy full size. Monpure's Clarifying Salt Scrub 50g was nice to use but unlikely to buy it again as there are other scalp care products I prefer. I love CITY SURViVOR supplement range and found both Immune Support and Night Support very effective. See my earlier review HERE. Will definitely buy both again at some point. Naturopathica's CBD+Unwind 30 Caps* see my review HERE. Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub 28g which is a nice scrubby scrub with the delectable sweet original aroma. On the wishlist full size. The Nue Co MOOD 30 caps, I love these onto my second pot. They really do ease anxiety and brighten your mood. A keeper. Raven Botanicals Drift Bathing Oils sample, a rich and aromatic bath delight with a gentle lavender aroma. I simply adore Miller Harris's Lumiere Dore EdP 9ml, it's one of my favourite MH scents. Distinctly summery with orange blossom notes.

Friendly Soap with Peppermint & Poppyseed, a zero waste minty soap which was nice and refreshing. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 150ml, one of my favourites. I've just opened the last in my stash. I want to try the newish Living Proof one next. Love a bit of aromatic bodhi & birch. Their Ylang Ylang Inscensa Bath & Shower therapy 50ml is one of my fav b&b scents. See my review HERE. Just bought full size. Kiss the Moon Love Bedtime Bath Salts 50g* were gorgeous. See my review HERE. Will definitely buy again.  I quite enjoyed Agent Nateur & Shiva Rose Holi (Rose) No.4 Deodorant but not enough to buy it again. Noble Isle's Rhubarb Rhubarb! Hand Wash 250ml was gorgeous. Hugely fruity and lathered up well. Would buy again (wish they did refills though). JOIK's Organic Cornflower Facial Mist 50ml* was very refreshing. See my review HERE.

What have you been using up in November?

Top Products 2021: July to September

If a product is marked * I've been kindly sent it to review. Here are my top 10 for the period July to September:

Every Raven Botanicals product I've tried I've absolutely loved. It's always the sign of a good brand when you go back time and again. This is my 2nd bottle of unsung hero Solstice Facial Oil. See my review HERE.

I'm a huge fan of lovely ila spa and had to try their CBD range. As expected its super luxe and effective. See my review of their CBD Body Calm HERE.

It was great to try Blue Tansy Skincare's gorgeous Oil to Milk Cleanser which my skin loves. See my review HERE.

Miel Botanicals Herbal Sleep Balm is magic in a pot! See my review HERE.

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway prize of a discovery set from Organic Youth Skincare and I loved trying this carefully formulated brand. See my review HERE.

I'm nearly ready to start my 2nd tube of the fantastic Great Day Magnesium Body Butter by Neom. See my review HERE.

Yet more Raven Botanicals! I loved trying their Glow Potion* in July. Multi-tasking and quite wonderful. It'll give you a illuminating glow and make your skin gleam. I especially love adding it to foundation or body lotion for a healthy glow. Just magic. See my review HERE.

I tried DEI SKINCARE in July and fell in love with their Nourishing Face Oil. See my review HERE.

In August I tried Deerieo's Aurora Face Oil Serum* which my skin adored. See my review HERE.

Rounding up my July to September top picks is Antipodes new Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum which gives the skin a natural glow. It's the perfect skin pick-me-up. See my review HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

Latest Buys: Origins by The Melt Pool, Skin & Tonic, Olfactory Candles, Upcircle, Raven Botanicals, Aromatherapy Associates, nknaturals, Maya Njie

Here's my latest buys (September + into October). As ever, if a product is marked * I received it complimentary.

I bought these gorgeous candles at House for an Art Lover shop in September. They're latest launches at The Melt Pool. I love the amber glass jars which are filled with plant based wax and essential oils.

I couldn't resist Skin & Tonic's new launch Slow Down Bath Soak (get 15% off with your 1st order). The mineral rich Epsom Salts are joined by natural CBD, from upcycled hemp which balances and calms. Scented with invigorating Cedarwood, Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oils. They come in a huge 500g jar and cost £17. It's love.

I've fallen hard for Olfactory Candles Vanilla & Salted Caramel Melt Pots (£3 - 50g). So while stocking up I had to try Stargazing, a subtle dreamy scent. I was kindly gifted Spiced Embers* (a warm and woody scent) which is the perfect autumnal scent. Remember you can get 15% off your first wax order with SANDRA15. 

Having loved the Glossworks Cuticle Balm* which came in September's Love Lula Beauty Box* link I decided to use the generous 20% off code which subscribers receive in their box for the brands that month and picked up the Foot Balm which is an absolute delight - rich and creamy with a touch of Lavender & Peppermint. It's one of my fav new tries this year.

New + exclusive to Naturisimo is Upcircle's Night Cream with repurposed Blueberry extract. Love this brand and couldn't resist (£18.99 - 55ml). Review to come!

I couldn't resist the new Bathing Oils from Raven Botanicals I selected a 30ml size (£20) in Bliss (Jasmine, Geranium, Neroli) which helps to promote feelings of optimism, is grounding and emotionally balancing (smells lush). The girls very kindly sent me minis* of the other two which smell equally as good - Drift (Lavender, Bergamot & Neroli), a tranquil spa like blend which eases stress, anxiety and helps the body and mind relax. The third in the range is Rise (citrus & patchouli) which relieves tension, lifts the spirits and energises. Looking forward to trying them all and reviews will come.

A stocking filler! Naturisimo have started to get Christmas gifts in. I couldn't resist Aromatherapy Associates Mini Moment Forest Therapy Bath & Shower Oil 9ml (£12) which is presented in a "tree hanging" box. Lush!

I was patiently awaiting nknaturals Autumn collection arriving and picked their Autumn Nutrient Rich Facial Oil 15ml (£15). Nicola kindly added the corresponding Autumn Copper Distilled Botanical Mist* to my order (50ml - £15). Isn't the colour fabulous. Gorgeous products too - review soon (I think this is one of my most fav seasons!)

As you'll know I'm already a Maya Njie fan. See my review of the Discovery Set HERE (it's gone up in price since I reviewed it in 2019). I couldn't resist latest launch Voyeur Verde 7.5ml EdP which has notes of: 

Bergamot, Mandarin, Cypress, Rosewood, Fennel, Iris, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Leather, Cedarwood and Frankincense

What have you been buying lately?

September Empties

Here's what I've been using up in September. If a product is marked * I was kindly given it for review:

*Florena Fermented Skincare 24H Hydrating Face Mask 8ml - this creamy mask was lovely to use. See my review HERE. I've got quite a few masks to use up but I'd likely buy it in future.

Fair Squared Olive Hand Cream 50ml - a really lovely hand cream which absorbs instantly. I was sorry to use it up. Will buy again.

Lucky Cloud Orange & Ylang Ylang Soap - a gorgeous natural soap with easily recyclable packaging. Sure to pick it up again.

Noble Isle Bath & Shower Gel minis (30ml each) - huge fan of this brand and loved all of the scents - Rhubarb Rhubarb!, Scots Pine & Tea Rose). Likely to pick these again in bigger sizes.

Nudge Boutique's sublime Saffron Glow Neroli & Vanilla Dry Body Oil 30ml - simply stunning. I've since stocked up. 

I used up two Raven Botanicals products at the same time! Both have been repurchased! I adore their Spellbind CBD, Bakuchiol & Yarrow serum 10ml (review to come) and the wonderful Solstice Facial Oil 30ml Review.

It was nice to revisit LJ Natural's divine Organic Purity Rose Body Oil mini. Adds to wishlist to buy when I use up more stuff! 

Sad to use up Dafna's Active Mist 100ml - gorgeous stuff. See my review HERE.

I used up the last of my Schmidt's deos. Geranium Flower was nice and effective. I love nknaturals seasonal skincare and enjoyed their Summer Copper Distilled Botanical Mist 50ml all summer long. See my review HERE.

Huge love for Bodhi & Birch's Sicilian Rose Body Oil 100ml which I picked up for a song in a recent online shop closing down sale. See my review HERE. Will definitely splash out on this again! 

I loved Africology's sublime Skin Conditioning Body Oil 50ml* which is scented with neroli. See my review HERE.

Madara's Moonflower Tinting Fluid Rose Beige 50ml is a staple in my stash. I've given up wearing foundation since the pandemic. I find this evens my skin and gives it a soft glow.

My final use-up this month is Kerastase's fantastic Nutritive Lait Vital conditioner 75ml which my hair loves. Sure to pick it up again at some point.

What have you been using up in September?

August: Lately I've Been Loving

So many August loves! We had a 4 night break this month which was lovely (though it rained most of the time!) Here's what I've been loving in August:

In my opinion, Tonic in Edinburgh make the best Porn Star Martini!

A two night stay at Northcote was simply amazing. The perfect start to our mini break. Our Junior Suite was lovely, very luxurious! Amazing food too!

We paid a visit to Holmes Mill in Clitheroe and enjoyed browsing the Food Hall. 

We also stayed two nights in the Scottish Borders and it was great to visit Main St Trading Co in St Boswells again! 

Hubby surprised me with a personalised Delicious Mag cookbook! It's stuffed full of wonderful recipes.

I was delighted to win Herbfarmacy's giveaway of their new Citrus Hand & Body Lotion. A review will come! It's lovey.

I couldn't resist Nudge Boutique's new product Saffron Glow Dry Body Oil. I picked the small size. You know the drill. Loved it and needed full size! It's a beautiful blend scented with Neroli, Orange & Vanilla. Simply sublime!

A new hairdo at Bau Hair - I absolutely love it!

Going to the 2nd Faldonside Farmers Market on Saturday - it was absolutely fantastic! The sun shone and squeals, I met Arabella & Charlotte from Raven Botanicals. It was So fab to meet them.

I picked up some gorgeous bits and pieces! I'm looking forward to lighting the tealights from Storm Coast, an East Lothian based candle maker who uses soy wax and essential oils - uhoh they all smell sensational on cold sniff!

What have you been loving in August?

July: Lately I've Been Loving

(if it's marked * I've received it free of charge for review). So many July loves but especially the beautiful sunshine and long hot days, having a nice lunch out with a friend, visiting family and feeding my online shopping addiction! I've now cancelled all my subscriptions and plan to enjoy what I have (queue unsubscribe from all tempting shopping emails!)

I was very kindly sent Ras Kutani's The Sleep Oil (£16 - 10ml)* which I've been diffusing in a burner with water before bed (pour water into the bowl of your burner and add a few drops of oil). It's a blend of 10 different essential oils including Jasmine + sleep inducing Lavender. The founder asked a well known nose to create the blend. I feel instantly calm and my worries slip away as soon as the scented oil diffuses though the atmosphere. 

Gorgeous Glow Potion* (30ml - £24) from Raven Botanicals. See my review HERE. It gives the skin a nice gleam and glow.

Fresh flowers is now my Friday treat. I've recently been enjoying bunches of peonies.

Warm summer sunny days - good for the soul!

I dipped my toes in again to The Boozy Book Club - a book club with a difference! Along with the book (this month, My Name is Monster by Katie Hale), you receive a themed cocktails and other treats. A real joy which makes my heart sing!

A Naturisimo Discovery Box never fails to disappoint! July's Edit is packed full and worth £22. The Kiki Magnesium Oil/Spay is a staple which made this box a must have.

I'd read in a mag about Estee Lauder's Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Creme de Soleil Decadent Smoothing Body Creme (200ml - £38) which I managed to pick up at Harvey Nics with 10% off. It's super luxe with the perfect beachy/summer aroma.

Lunch on the terrace at Contini, George Street for my friend Celia's early birthday lunch. The sun shone and the food and drinks delicious with impeccable and friendly service.

A little visit to see my mum and dad (and sister, briefly) at the weekend. It was roasting with not a bit of air. Lovely hot summer weather and so nice to have a garden to relax in and enjoy a catch up. We also went for lunch to House for an Art Lover - check out that sky!

What have you been loving this month?