Latest Buys

As you'll know I didn't buy much when on holiday in the States in December so when I came back I had a few splurges:

Exquisite gift set Lush & Rosy from A.S Apothecary which I reviewed on Friday - see HERE.

Living Sea Therapy Calm Bath Salts which I picked up in the Anthropologie sale for £8.95. They smell glorious and I'm looking forward to trying them.

I picked up this SW Basics Juniper Cream (2oz - £9.99) in the a beautiful world sale. A review will follow - it smells woody/herbal/uplifting.

I signed up to a three month subscription with Beauty Pie. An offer of the first month free FIRSTMONTHFREE swayed me and I'm always looking for the perfect foundation (saving a tenner, on a three month contract). I picked foundation and powder as my first picks (£6.95+£6.48+£5.32 plus p&p = £22.11). Next month I'll be charged the standard monthly membership on top of what I order (£10). So far so good. I'll review these items when I get the chance to try them. See more info about the way it works HERE.

Cult Beauty always offer a wee money off incentive just after Christmas and I couldn't resist stocking up on my favourite Escentric Molecules perfume (Molecule 03). It focuses on the synthetic note of Vetiver and is stunning - earthy, grassy, spicy and so wearable (this is my second bottle and I believe it'll always be in my perfume collection as it's so beautiful).

I've also bought a shed load of kindle books (12 and counting) and a couple of hardbacks.

What have you been buying lately?

SW Basics Geranium Salve

SW Basics Geranium Salve is made with 4 ingredients - Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Carnauba Wax, Organic Cocoa Butter and Organic Rose Geranium Essential Oil.  In the UK you can buy it at a beautiful world (28g - £12.50).

You can slather it all over the body, use as a lip balm, for cuticles, dry hands and feet and for flyaways. it's a rich and protective balm which smells heavenly and the tin can be easily popped in a pocket or handbag for moisturisation on the go.

Have you tried any of the salves? What's your favourite SW Basics product?

ABW: A/W '16 Sampler

My a beautiful world A/W '16 sampler box arrived yesterday. As ever it sold out almost immediately.  It costs £20 (plus p&p). I love that paypal is now a payment method (thanks for listening to me Liz!) making it more likely I'll shop more often!

Inside my box:

There is a full size Birch & Brook travel candle in "Festival" which is worth £18! I've tried these lovely candles before - see my reviews of Library* (my fav - here), Festival* (here) and Evergreen* (mini mention). I think this is a nice addition to the box and a new brand to a beautiful world.

There are also various samples some big and some small. I've already tried a sample of GM Reverie's MILK Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment which I loved. Included is a small sample.  Staying on hair there are two sachets from Yarok - Feed your Moisture Shampoo and Feed your Curls Defining Creme (I'll pass this one on).

The other items are skincare (my favourite kind of beauty) and include:

SW Basics Hibiscus Mask 

Josh Rosebrook Complete Moisture Cleanse

Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner

Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil (review)

The Body Deli Almond Milk Cleanser

BRAD Ultra Elastin Sculpting Firming Cream Complex

I'm pleased with my samples - apart from the Indie Lee the rest are new to me and from brands I've previously enjoyed so I'll look forward to trying them out.

Did you pick up a box? What do you think of the contents?

See previous boxes: 

S/S '16, A/W '15, S/S '15, A/W '14, S/S '14, A/W '13 

Spring/Summer '16 Green Beauty Swap

Ria at Naturia Beauty organises a #GreenBeautySwap twice a year. This time I was paired up with Lynda at Wonderlusting. We had an email conversation to discuss likes and dislikes, set a budget and went shopping. Here's what Lynda picked for me:

I'm absolutely thrilled with everything (I especially like seeing new to me brands) and I've been wanting a Savon Stories soap for ages too!

And now for a closer look..

These are two new to me brands!

First up is the Oblepikha Hand Cream (in stunning packaging) from Natura Siberica which is really deeply moisturising and smells lovely. Expect a fuller review shortly.

Turbliss Bioactive Peat Toner is 100% Pure Peat Water which tones, refreshes and revitalises the skin. Looking forward to trying this one.

I'm excited to try Dermovia's Lace your Face Smoothing Peptides Facial Mask. Again something that's been on the radar but not got round to trying.

I've wanted to try a Savon Stories soap for ages. Lynda chose me No.10 Spinach with Lime and Ginger. It smells gorgeous. 

The innisfree Eco Flower Lip Tint in rose tint is great. It give the lips a light pop of rose/red toned colour. A great shade for me and another new brand (thanks Lynda).

Abel Organic Eau de Parfum (sample vial) is another new to me brand and being a perfume lover this was a great addition. It has salty notes with lime, peppermint and bergamot, vetiver and woods and was inspired by a mojito cocktail. Of course I now want a full size bottle!

Oh my, this Coconut & Chai Spice Bathtub Tea smells mouthwatering and good enough to eat as it smells just like a chai latte. It's from Living Naturally a fab brand I've recently tried. I'll be using this next time I have a soak in the bath.

There are three sachets from L'Erbolario (a brand I've tried before but not these products) - Iris Deodorant Cream and Shower Gel and 3 Rosa Body Cream, a SW Basics jar of Body Scrub and two interesting looking tea bags from Yswara.

I'm absolutely delighted with everything - thanks so much once again Lynda and thanks to Ria for organising the swap.  Looking forward to seeing what everyone who was taking part receives.

A Beautiful World A/W '15 Sampler Box

I broke my spending ban after 71 days (yes, really) and picked up the a beautiful world A/W '15 Sampler Box (£20 plus £3.95 P&P with next day delivery). 

I just couldn't resist! See my thoughts on previous boxes - S/S '15, A/W '14, S/S '14 and A/W '13.

The first thing which jumped out at me was new brand to a beautiful world - Youth to the People Kale+Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Cleanser (1oz) straight from California which I'm really looking forward to testing out. Watch this space for a review!

Next up, two Indie Lee minis - I'm already a fan of Squalane Facial Oil - see my review here*. So I'm really looking forward to trying the CoQ-10 Toner sample.

The body deli Living Hair Shampoo & Conditioner are fantastic. See my review HERE* - I'm happy to see these lovely minis in the box.

Intensae Nail Lacquer (Muse) this is full size and worth £14.45. It's a lovely sparkly shade perfect for Christmas time.

PLANT GET IT ON Bodywash 30ml - I've already tried a couple of the full size washes from PLANT. This has a gorgeous scent with sandalwood, cedar and ginger. See my review of CALM DOWN here*. 

SW Basics Make Up Remover 30ml - I've not tried this product before. Love that this range uses as few ingredients as possible.

SW Basics Cocoa Lip Balm 4.5g Full size (£4) - I'm a huge fan of these lush lip balms and first reviewed them when the company was called Sprout - see my review here.

The item I'm not going to use is Helen Dowsley Ethically Sourced Handmade Lashes - I'm just not really a false lash fan. These ones are already lined up for someone though!

Did you get the box? What are your thoughts?

*previous items reviewed have been PR samples

SW Basics: Exfoliant

I'm a huge fan of SW Basics especially because their products are no frills, super effective and made with 5 ingredients or less. They are certified organic and use fair trade ingredients which are sourced from local family farms. Buy in the UK at a beautiful world.

The exfoliant (118ml - £18) is made with organic oats, organic Maine sea salt and ground almonds.  Blend a small amount with water or apply to wet hands before massaging over the skin. Leave on 1-2 minutes before rinsing.

The scrub gets deep into the pores ridding the skin of impurities and leaving it looking radiant and fresh.

Have you tried it?  What's your favourite SW Basics product?

Spending Ban: Update 2

I failed on my ban last week and bought the SW Basics Discovery kit in the a beautiful world #PinkFriday sale. I bought one for me and one for my giveaway - see here.  The kits were reduced to £18 in the sale and I had a tenner worth of points making my purchase a bargainous £26 - so I don't feel too guilty!

Onto my wants this week...

I love the Content Curates kits having picked up the last few. Their New Year Collection is packed full of treats for the mind, body & skin as well as supplements and snacks.  Do you spot my favourite Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts in the kit? (these alone are worth £10). Making this a great value set.

My next want this week is the gorgeous sounding The Jasmine Garden Botanical Mist by May Lindstrom. A 100% natural botanical mist with a "heavenly scent". It calms, heals and restores elasticity leaving the skin dewy and radiant. Want!

I just spotted my next want last night! Shay & Blue Watermelons fragrance spray. It sounds delicious! With notes of Watermelon, Green Mandarin, Honeysuckle, Green Tea and Vetivert. It sounds heavenly and really refreshing and I can't wait to try! I'm going to pick up a sample soon!

My last want this week is Jo Loves A Fragrance Shot Box which contains 10 x 2ml samples of all of Jo's fragrances which is rather an indulgent treat. I'm already a huge fan of Pomelo - maybe after 31st January I'll splurge!

My January Love Lula box arrived last night (the only box I was keeping during my spending ban). It's a great value box and I will use everything but... there are only three items within I've not tried before (the Madara Dextox Mud Mask and the two Vinali products - body lotion & day cream sachet) so I'm cancelling my subscription for now.

If you are on a spending ban how's it going?  What are your thoughts on the contents of the Love Lula box this month?

SW Basics Discovery Kit Giveaway

I mentioned on Twitter I'd broken my spending ban last Friday when a beautiful world had their one day #PinkFriday sale. I picked up two of these little kits - one for me & one for one of my readers.

So what can you win? There is one prize of an SW Basics Discovery Kit which is packed full of trial sizes.

SW Basics is a beautiful no frills skincare range. Products are made with 5 or less ingredients and only natural and organic ingredients are used.

Included in the kit is:

Body Scrub 20g - made with Organic Sugar, Organic Coconut Oil and Organic Coconut - it smells just like cake!

Cream 30ml - a rich cream which you can use on your body or face. Made with Fair Trade Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil and Organic Olive Oil.

Exfoliant 20g - made with ground Organic Oats and Almonds mixed with Maine Sea Salt.

Cleanser 30ml - I use this to remove make up before using a cleansing balm. It contains Organic Glycerine, Organic Rosewater and Organic Tea Tree Oil.

Toner - 30ml - this toner removes last traces of cleanser and tightens pores. It is made with Water, Organic Cider Vinegar, Witch Hazel, Organic Clary Sage and Organic Sandalwood Essential Oils.

The photos are of my set - the winner will get a sealed kit.

All you need to do to enter is fill in the Rafflecopter - Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

white & elm: Organic Small Batch Beauty

I had a big US splurge just after Christmas as I knew I was starting my spending ban (failed yesterday as I picked up two SW Basics Discovery Sets in a beautiful world's #PinkFriday sale - one for me, one for forthcoming giveaway - I did have a tenners worth of points saved up though which made my purchase a bargainous £26).

I came across white & elm on Twitter and quickly browsed the website - two things which jumped out at me were Chamomile Balancing Facial Toner mini (it smells gorgeous!)($12) and Pomegranate Renewing Eye Serum ($18).

My order cost $20 to ship which with the two products worked out at £33.24. Unfortunately, I had to pay Customs of £3.85 with a hefty £8.00 admin charge to Royal Mail.

Despite this, I'm looking forward to trying both items.  I'll let you know my thoughts once I've had the chance to try!

Follow white & elm on Twitter @whiteandelm

Little Treats #5

Skinlix Ylang Ylang & Bergamot Organic Body Scrub sample* - this is a gorgeous sugar scrub for the body which smells simply beautiful. It leave the skin soft, smooth and nourished. Full size will be mine and soon!

Skinlix Ylang Ylang & Bergamot 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil sample* - a teeny tiny sample but this oil is wonderful. Super moisturising and nurturing. Again the scent is amazing and full size is on the wishlist. I've been using it to nourish my hands after gardening.

Skinlix have offered my readers a fab 10% off with code BLOG - I know I'll be making use of this to buy full size of the above!

SW Basics Cleanser mini* - this came in October's Petit Vour Beauty Box. I'm a huge fan of the brand and this cleanser is just brilliant. Containing just 3 ingredients it cleanses and removes make up. I like to use this on non-make up days or as a pre-cleanse.

KYPRIS Antioxidant Dew 3ml and Beauty Elixir I - 1,000 Roses 3ml - these came in the F/W 14 Petit Vour box and I love them especially the elixir.  The Antioxidant Dew is deeply hydrating. It helps to restore vitality and make the skin look radiant.  It can be used morning and night and before applying an Elixir.  The Beauty Elixir 1 - 1,000 Roses is the star of the duo.  Smelling deeply of roses it repairs and pampers the skin.  Use alone or with the Antioxidant Dew.

Ann Gerard Parfum Rose Cut sample - this sample came from Bloom Perfumery (I chose a selection of samples). This is a beautiful rose floral with aldehydes, rum and pepper, patchouli, peony, benzoin, oak and vanilla and is quite unlike any other perfume in my collection. Pick your samples here.

What products have been delighting you lately?

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

a beautiful world - A/W Sampler Box 14

My a beautiful world A/W Sampler box arrived yesterday. It is stuffed full of lots of fab products and it came with a branded pink bag.

MuLondon Organic Fragrance Free Foaming Face Wash - I've tried a couple of the other products from this brand and loved them.  I'll use this in my morning shower.

A 28g trial size of Valia's Purifying Wash which is suitable for all skin types. I'm super pleased to see this in the box as this product was on my "to try" list.

BRAD Biophotonic Ultra Peel 7.5ml sample - I've been wanting to try something from this brand since it's launch!  

Josh Rosebrook Deep Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner - these minis are ideal for travel/try me size. Looking forward to using them. A review will follow!

SW Basics Exfoliant - this is a full size item 118ml and worth £18! I'm a fan of the brand but have not tried this particular product before.

The Body Deli Creme de la Rose 10ml pot - I've wanted to try this super luxe cream like forever! Really pleased to see this sample in my box. 

Konjac French Pink Clay Sponge - I've tried these sponges before but not this variety.  The final item is a polish by Intensae a five-free lacquer in Marnie which is a bright red shade.

Did you get the box? What items did you receive?

Fuller reviews will follow.

November Empties

The months are whizzing by - can't believe it's empties time again!

Sranrom Calm Down Hand Cream 30g - this came in a Souk Souk box. Loved the Lemongrass scent and moisturising properties. Would buy.

Korres Guava Shower Gel 250ml - my favourite Korres scent - sure to re-purchase.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 30ml - again another favourite hand cream. Sure to buy it again or pick up in an offer.

Kai Body Wash 59ml - love the scent of Kai perfume oil. The body wash smells exactly like it. Full size definitely on my wishlist.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Hand & Nail Cream 30ml - love this super moisturising hand cream. Will pick this up again sometime.

Peppy Galore Rebel Face Moisturiser sample* - three samples came free if you signed up to the Peppy Galore newsletter. This cream had a nice texture but I hated the scent (Tea Tree) in fact I couldn't finish the pot.

Peppy Galore Vanilla Ice Cream Body Mousse sample* - I found this had a strange texture but it smoothed onto the body fine and the scent was nice. 

SW Basics Cream mini pot - love how moisturising this is. Sure to buy a pot when I use up some of my stash.

balance Me Skinbright Hydrating Face Mist 60ml - I simply adore this! One of my top products of the year. Sure to pick it up again...and soon.

ila Hydrolat Toner Damascena Rose Water 30ml* - simply loved this. It came in a mini set which I reviewed here*.  Definitely one I'd consider purchasing.

raw gaia organic shea body butter 15ml - this was lovely to use but I think I slightly prefer the coconut body butter.

raw gaia organic floral face toner 10ml - simply loved this light floral toner. Will definitely purchase full size at some point.

Hairy Jayne Nourishing Shampoo 30ml - a gorgeous rich and nourishing shampoo which smells divine.  See my review here.

bare innocence Essence of Vali Uplift Massage & Bath Oil* - see my review here. A really lovely oil and one I'd consider purchasing.

Melvita Apicosma Body Balm 15ml - a gorgeous rich balm which I've already bought full size.

Freyaluna Skin Support Cleansing Cream sample pot - this came in November's Souk Souk beauty box. Was nice enough to use but I felt it a bit heavy on my skin. 

balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash 100ml* - a firm favourite. Sure to buy at some point.

ila Day Cream for Glowing Radiance sample pot* - love this rich moisturising cream. It's on my wishlist!

Have you used any of these?

*PR samples

a beautiful world Christmas '13 Beauty Boxes

a beautiful world has a gorgeous selection of Limited Edition Christmas Beauty Boxes available for sale from tomorrow - 1st November 2013.

These are exclusive to a beautiful world and if you purchase between 1st November and 25th December you can get 10% off and Free Shipping using code Xmas10.

What a fabulous selection! I'm definitely picking up one or two boxes!  All are full sizes apart from the Yarok Christmas set which contains 4 x 2oz sizes.

Dahliana Overnight Duo £65 - Overnight Fruit Lift Creme and Eye Renew Creme.

Indie Lee Christmas Collection £49 - Brightening Cleanser, Alcohol Free Toner, Calendula Eye Balm and Squalene Facial Oil.

SW Basics Christmas Collection £38 - Cleanser, Toner and Shea Butter Cream.

Yarok Christmas Set £20 - this includes 4 x 2oz sizes - Feed your Volume Shampoo, Feed your Volume Conditioner, Feed your Roots and Feed your Hold.

Luxe Sparkle Kit £29 - Lumiere d'Opale and butter London West End Wonderland Nail Lacquer.

Christmas Bee Box £45 - Bee Venom Eye Serum and Face Mask.

Marble & Milkweed Relax & Unwind £29 - Nourishing Body Oil and Rose & Cardamon Bathing Salts.

a beautiful world very kindly sent me a Relax & Unwind box* which came today - what a lovely surprise. It is packaged in a beautiful box with white festive looking crinkly paper. Gorgeous isn't it!

Marble & Milkweed Trio of Balms £19 - Repair Balm, Simple Cardamon Lip Balm and Simple Ginger Lip Balm.

MuLondon Rose Set £24 - Foaming Face Wash and Moisturiser.

Best of abeautifulworld - Christmas '13 £55 - a box jam packed with full size hero products - Yarok Feed your Youth Hair Serum, Naisture Collagen Face Masks, MuLondon Elbow, Knee & Heel Cream, Konjac Sponge, Marble & Milkweed Nourishing Body Oil and Indie Lee Facial Oil.

See a beautiful world website here - happy shopping!

*PR sample

a beautiful world - A/W '13 Sampler Box

I was super excited to receive my a beautiful world A/W '13 Sampler Box yesterday.  The box went "live" at 6am on Wednesday and I was one of the first to buy.  Simply amazing customer service - the box arrived the very next day! And what a box!

Costing an amazing £20 including P&P the sampler box is stuffed full of gorgeous full sizes and samples - I kept finding them hidden inside the crinkly paper packaging.

Here's the contents:

001 GLA & Anti-Oxidant Balancing Cream - this is a totally new UK boutique skincare brand that hasn't even launched at a beautiful world yet! It gives your skin an instant burst of moisture, it feels light on the skin and contains natural actives, replenishing oils, Omegas 3, 6 and 9 and Vitamin E. It smells lovely too. It contains essential oils along with Rosa Damascena extract and Vanilla Planifolia fruit extract. One of my favourite items in the box.  

Yarok Feed your Ends Leave in Conditioner (2oz) - I'm a huge fan of Yarok's Feed your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum - see my review here so I can't wait to try this leave in conditioner and heat protection spray.  Perfect for me as I use hair straightners every day!

Marble & Milkweed Nourishing Body Oil (3.7ml) - this comes in a tiny little bottle which has a piece of ribbon at the top. I've been tempted to buy this for a while. Scented with Rose, Cardamon and Sandalwood oils. I tried it last night and it is quite simply one of the nicest body oils I've ever used. It moisturises the skin and the scent is just lovely - rosy and spicy notes with a distinct smell of Cardamon - I'm buying this full size.

Marble & Milkweed Modern Chai Tea No.2 - a single use sachet. I simply love this chai tea.  See my review here.

SW Basics Cocoa Lip Balm (4.5g - full size) - one of my favourite lip balms. I reviewed it when the company was called Sprout - see here. Super moisturising it smells nice and leaves lips glossy and smooth.  Contains Organic Cocoa Butter, Beeswax and Organic Coconut Oil.

SW Basics Shea Butter Cream - this comes in a cute little screw top jar and is made of only 3 ingredients - Fair Trade Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Olive Oil. It instantly melts on contact with warm skin and is ideal for dry areas. You can even use it on your face as a night cream.

Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil - one of the best facial oils I've ever used.  See my review here.

VMV Hypoallergenics Know-it-Oil 50ml - 100% Organic Virgin Coconut Oil use all over the body and great for taming flyaway hair or as a deep conditioning treatment. You can eat it too!

butter London Tea & Toast Nail Varnish - (full size) - the perfect nude shade.

Konjac Sponge Puff with added French Pink Clay (full size) - I received a natural version in my September Souk Souk box which I haven't tried yet. Pleased to have a different variety to try.

Naisture Collagen Mask Pack (single use) - super moisturising mask. Have tried before and loved it.

Tili Bag - reusable, resealable bag which is perfect for storing make up, skincare, bits and bobs - anything really.

WOW what an amazing box. Also included was a 20% discount on any purchases. Reviews will follow.  Did you pick up the box? What are your thoughts?

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @abw_uk