Top Products 2021: January to March

Products which are marked * I was very kindly gifted for review. Last year I broke up my "top" stuff into manageable chunks rather than yearly and decided to do the same this year. This is a rather long post so grab that cuppa or glass of wine!

I dropped numerous hints to hubby that I'd love The Nue Co's Functional Fragrance which is available to buy at Naturisimo. See my review HERE (their newish Forest Lungs Fragrance is on the wishlist).

I fell head-over-heels and then some for ila spa's glorious The Big Sleep Bath Salts* which I reviewed as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in January. See my post HERE. These are the ones to get for r&r!

Beauty Cleanse Skincare Mean Green Superfood Drops & Carrot Algae Marine Drops* which are multi-use and fantastic. See my review HERE. Founder, Saman is currently crowdfunding - see more info HERE to launch a Superfood-Powered Multipurpose Face Mask which will brighten, refine pores, soften, detoxify, hydrate and offer an antioxidant boost - sounds like an absolute must have!

I love everything from Evolve Organic Beauty. Their newish Super Berry Body Oil* is just sublime. See my review HERE.

And then, I fell head-over-heels for Love Absolute's Mulberry Milk Jelly Cleanser, which quite honestly is one of the most joy giving products I've ever used (I love the easily re-usable packaging too). See my review HERE.

Silvan Skincare Balance Face Cream is just sublime. I'm a huge fan of the brand having tried a few of their balms in the past. See my review HERE.

I initially tried the Dr Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Cream* in their Advent Calendar which I partly received as my November pick as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger and fell head-over-heels - see HERE. I loved it so much I selected it and the matching Bath Essence* as my February picks. See HERE. 

I received Balm Balm's Lavender Face Balm in January's Love Lula Beauty Box* and fell hard. I've now got a couple in my stash thanks to lovely friends - you know who you are! See my review HERE.

Reacquainting myself with UpCircle Beauty (I've always been a fan of their peppermint coffee scrub from their early days). I'm now a huge, huge fan of the skincare line. Check out my review HERE.

Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil (which I first tried via the aforementioned Advent Calendar). I loved it so much I bought full size as it's instantly calming. See my review HERE.

Of course I had to have an Antipodes latest launch! As soon as I saw it land at Naturisimo it was in my basket! Check out my review HERE. It's truly gorgeous.

Tam Mason's Nourishing Sugar Hand Scrubs had been on my wishlist. I took the plunge recently and fell head-over-heels. Check out my review HERE. I've recently been sent one of their new sugar Body Scrubs* which I'm sure already will feature in my next favs!

Another product I can't imagine not being in my stash....always is Nudge Boutique's May Chang & Pink Grapefuit Whipped Body Butter. It has the perfect scent to uplift both the body and mind as well as being a luxe and affordable treat. Check out my review HERE.

I truly love all the products* I chose as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for March. Check out my review HERE. They uplifted me so much with their scents+textures and made me happy. One already has been a re-purchase!

Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Cleansing Melt had been on the wishlist. I was happy to receive this 30ml in a Naturismo Discovery Box. Check out my review HERE. One of the best cleansers I've used.

Rounding up my January to March top picks is Balance Me's fantastic BHA Exfoliating Concentrate* which I reviewed HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

Silvan Skincare: Balance Face Cream

I was very excited to see Silvan Skincare's newest launches arrive at Love Lula - a beautiful range of Face Creams. I had to pick one up and chose the one which I thought would be most suited to my skin type (combo) - Balance Face Cream 50ml (£23) which is presented in an easily recyclable/reusable pot (I bought this product myself).

The cream inside has a lovely fluffy texture and a delicious scent. I normally find products for combo/oily skins use essential oils I'm not keen on so top marks already! 

The cream is formulated with Rosehip Oil which is a great source of Vitamin A and perfect for many skin concerns including plumping fine lines and wrinkles. Safflower Oil is a rich source of Essential Fatty Acids and is perfect for oily skin and reducing large pores. Ylang Ylang, as well as smelling exotic, balances and helps skins prone to breakouts. Patchouli is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, can tighten open pores and calm and Vitamin E is a great antioxidant.

To use: apply a small amount to the face and neck after cleansing

I've only been using the cream a short while but find it helps with t-zone shine and spots, balancing as well as nourishing. I like this a lot. Have you tried any of the new face creams yet?

Latest Buys: Silvan Skincare, Ben & Anna's, Marley's Amsterdam, Bee Good, Feel Unique's Beauty Kit, Lovely Melts, Nicki's Aromatics, Herbs for Healing

I know, I know, I said I was having a leaner February. Things which have kept me going is having a few online spends! The way I look at it I'm not going into town shopping or going to work so have a little more free cash! Plus it makes me happy.

I took advantage of Love Lula's recent 10% off a £40 spend (I also had a fiver's worth of points). I'd spotted Silvan Skincare's new line of face creams and their Balance Face Cream spoke to me! It's formulated for oily and combo skins (and smells of exotic Ylang Ylang. I can see it's going to be a firm favourite (review to come). I'd never tried one of Ben & Anna's cardboard tubes of natural deodorant before so picked up one in their Persian Lime scent (I'm having a few issues with the tube - which I think could be slightly modified) but the product is superb (again, a review to come). The third item I bought is new brand at Love Lula - Marley's Amsterdam Sustainable Shampoo Beer & Incense - these are shampoo flakes which you mix with water to create shampoo & packaged in easily recyclable packaging. Genius! 

A friend on instagram asked for a recommendation of a new exfoliator. I suggested Bee Good, as I'd always enjoyed their one, you know the drill, I spotted their Hand & Body Wash with Warm Fig & Vanilla and had to snap one up! It's absolutely beautiful and has a scent which lingers, the wash lathers well, feels silky and leaves the body and hands refreshed and clean. I like this a lot.

I hadn't had a Beauty Kit from Feel Unique for ages. They were offering it for £9.95 plus p&p (instead of £12.95 plus p&p) for a limited period and so I jumped right in there. Really pleased with my picks! You also get the postage back as a voucher code for your next purchase which makes the kit excellent value (the trial sizes are a good size). I chose a duo from Kerastase, a generous Medik8 mini, Clinique's cult Take the Day off and a new Caudalie cream.

I picked up a handful of melts from Lovely Melts and the Sanctuary Orange one is identical to the evocative aroma of The Sanctuary products - it's absolutely lovely.

A little return order for Nicki's Aromatics Soy Wax Melts which are gorgeous! See the shop which is Glasgow based HERE. The melts (and candles) are lovingly hand poured using essential oils and soy wax.

The power of socials! I spotted Herbs for Healing on Saskia's Flower Essences instagram and went to investigate. I spotted the lovely collab and had to have one! It smells instantly relaxing and I'm looking forward to trying the Herbs for Healing Bath Oil with Saskia's Breathe Deep Seek Peace Flower Essence. Look out for that review!  

What have you been buying lately?

*Blomma Beauty: Curating Natural Beauty

*productsamples Karen MacDonald, Founder of Blomma Beauty (which means to Bloom in Swedish) reached out to ask if I'd like to review a couple of products* from the range in her carefully curated online shop. Karen, an ex-beauty buyer has created a beauty centric concept which gives small batch artisan makers a platform for selling their wares as well as providing meet-the-maker events, pop-ups (next one coming to you 1st December in Shoreditch), workshops and pamper sessions. See details of all up-coming events HERE.

I spotted lots of well-known to me brands in the shop (ones I've reviewed and tried previously - Casa Mencarelli, Evering Botanique and Organic House Skincare to name a few) as well as some new to me brands such as soapNskin, Hemsley Organic and Ginger Green Co. I selected a totally new to me brand soapNskin and a well-loved brand Silvan Skincare. Products are sent direct from the producers where possible to ensure freshness and quality control.

SoapNSkin was founded by two friends and the products are made to order in London using the finest natural ingredients. The range is inspired by the mystical silk roads of the east, friendship and the multi-cultural Britain we live in. Recipes have been handed down from the generations using traditional methods and the products are handcrafted with love and attention to detail. Packaging is recyclable and the pots re-usable.

I picked their luxurious Skin Deep Body Butter with Rose & Sandalwood (£25 - 120ml)* which is a delicious and nutritious treat for the skin. Formulated with skin loving butters and enriched with neem and beeswax, the butter has a delicate rose and slightly spicy scent. 

To use: warm a small amount in your palm and feel it turn to a nourishing oil before massaging it over your body.

My second pick was from known-to-me, Silvan Skincare in the form of their lush Anise Lip Balm (£5 - 15ml)*. This deeply nourishes the lips and has a gorgeous spicy scent. It's a blend of orange and star anise oil and perfect for wintertime. Formulated with organic shea, jojoba and apricot oils this Vegan lip balm is a delight.  I like the little re-usable tin and minimal packaging. See my previous Silvan Skincare reviews HERE and HERE.

*Get 15% off your first order with beautybalm15*

Have you been to a Blomma Beauty event or bought something from the shop? Do let me know in the comments.

Love Lula: Silvan Skincare Bliss Balm & Breathe Balm

I've been trying two balms from Silvan Skincare - Bliss Balm (60ml - £14.50)* and Breathe Balm (60ml - £14.50)*. I previously tried their Skin Therapy Face Oil* which I loved - see my review HERE (it also made my best of 2017 see HERE) so I knew these balms would be good - and they are!

Breathe Balm* is perfect for this time of year if you end up getting the flu or a cough and cold. Rub some on your chest to soothe, clear and de-congest or temples to calm and soothe. Inhale the balm before massaging onto the skin to help clear a blocked nose and chest. It's a very comforting balm and contains peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary camphor. The balms are made with highest quality plant based organic ingredients and contain no nasties.

Bliss Balm* is deeply nourishing and contains relaxing oils of vetiver and exotic ylang ylang. It will soothe and relax both the body and mind. Scoop a small amount onto the palms inhaling the delicious scent before massaging onto the body concentrating on tight shoulders and dry skin areas (you can see my skin is loving this one!)

Have you tried any of the Silvan Skincare Balms? If so, which ones are your favourites?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. My post contains a few affiliate links and as ever my thoughts are genuine - these are beautiful products!

Silvan Skincare: Skin Therapy Face Oil

Silvan Skincare is based on the Welsh Borders and hand make their gorgeous products which include face and body oils, bath salts, face creams and balms in small batches using the highest quality ingredients. All products are free from parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals, artificial fragrances, SLS, colourings and silicones.

Skin Therapy* (50ml - £19) is a new product to the range and is beautiful. It's a blend of organic oils including apricot kernal oil, hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, kiwi seed oil and rosehip seed oil which are rich in skin loving ingredients.  

The essential oils in the blend include chamomile which calms and balances, bergamot helps with problem skin conditions, neroli is good for mature skins and stress. Everlasting flower helps with irritated skin conditions and lavender calms.

To use: massage a small amount onto the skin after cleansing

This is a beautiful oil (and very reasonably priced) which leaves the skin feeling nurtured and cared for. There is also an unscented version available. I've been really impressed with it and I'm now off to check out the rest of the range.

Have you used any Silvan Skincare products?

*complimentary

February: Lately I've been Loving

Here's what I've been loving this month:

I got a beautiful box of goodies* from Tropic Natural Skincare which as well as being very generous made me smile! Expect a review of their GOOD SKIN DAY Resurfacing Serum* early in March - it's fantastic! You can see my review of SUPER GREENS Nutrient Boost Serum* HERE and their Limited Edition SO SLEEPY Pillow Collection* HERE.

I've also loved a few books this month including Susi Holliday's The Damsel Fly which you can pick up from Amazon where it's currently 99p for the kindle copy.

Sealskin* by Su Bristow is one of the most magical books I've ever read - see my review of this next week. 

I've also been testing out a beautiful Face Oil* from Silvan Skincare again a review is forthcoming!

I love trying new brands and when Herbal Forest approached me and asked if I'd like to try some of their products* - of course I jumped at the chance. Again expect reviews soon! Chai flavour Lip Balm is amazing!

I'm going to embark on a healthier March so I'll be kick starting my regime with Pukka's Clean Me Green Organic Wellbeing Kit*.

So it's just as well I got a lovely lunch in yesterday at our local Tapas Restaurant Malvarosa before the diet kicks in!

What have you been loving in February?

*complimentary