A Closer Look: Cleansers

I adore cleansers. They are my favourite skincare item I have to admit. Here's my current collection..

JULVAL Remove & Restore Cleansing Cream & Oil 150ml* - this is light cream which changes to an oil texture when you massage it into your skin. Wet your hands and the cleanser turns into a milk, continue massaging then rinse. It easily gets rid of make up and daily grime and leaves the skin clean and refreshed. It helps to regulate sebum and refine pores and has a light floral scent.

Therapi Honey Skincare Orange Blossom No.1 Honey Gel Cleanser 100ml* - this cleanser smells gorgeous! It is made with honey, calendula, neroli, jasmine and plant oils. A lightly foaming gel wash which cleans, refreshes and uplifts the senses and helps save the bees. Full review to follow.

Indie Lee Rosehip Cleanser 118.3ml* - I've been enjoying using this cleanser with my Foreo Luna.  See my review here.

Melvita Milky Cleansing Oil for Face & Eyes 145ml* - a rose scented oil which removes all make up and daily grime leaving the skin clean, soft and radiant. This is great with really stubborn to move mascara.

REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser 150ml* - you only need the tiniest pump of this rose scented rich cream to remove all make up.  A full review to follow.  It also comes with a cloth which is a welcome bonus.

Skinvelop The Cleanser 120ml - one of my favourite cleansers.  See my review here.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel 150ml - this rose scented gel cleanser is simply divine.  See my review here.

Green People Neutral Cleanser & Make up Remover 200ml* - this is one of the best cleansers I've ever used.  See my review here.

Spiezia Facial Cleanser 50ml - I've used this cleanser on and off for years. I love its herbal scent and how clean it leaves my skin. See my review here.

balance Me Cleanse & Smooth Face Balm 15ml - again yet another cleanser I love! See my review here.

ila spa Cleansing Milk 30ml* - a light milk scented with rose. See my review here.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser 120ml - I treated myself to this after #NoBuyJanuary. A super luxe cleanser.  It comes with a bamboo muslin cloth.  See my review here.

Balmology Neroli & Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm 50g - a deliciously scented balm which removes all make up and daily grime leaving the skin clean and fresh.  See my review here.  It also featured in my My top Ten products of 2013.

Peppy Galore Diva Cleansing Oil 45g - a light oil scented with Vanilla. Feels really gentle on the skin but is great at getting rid of make up.  See my review here.

Have you used any of these cleansers?  What's your favourite ones?

*PR samples

February Empties

It's that time again! This month has flown by. Here's what I've been using up and my thoughts.

Melvita Fresh Moisturising Body Milk 30ml - this was lovely to use and lightly scented with roses. One I'd buy once I reduce my huge stash!

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 480g - loved this! Beautiful scent and effective scrub. Would definitely buy again in the future.  See my review here.

Lancome Effect Miracle Bare Skin Perfector 15ml - this was a nice primer and could be worn on it's own on non make up days to even out the skin tone. Lasted ages too. Would perhaps buy again.

Mitchell & Peach Shower Wash 50ml - this was nice to use and lightly scented with lavender. I'd happily use this again.

Creme de la Mer The Hand Treatment 30ml** - a pure luxe hand cream which I thoroughly enjoyed using...but I'm unlikely to buy full size as it retails at £70!

Noble Isle Willow Song Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - a huge Noble Isle fan. I especially like their Summer Rising scent. 

BiOrganics Perfect Balance Shampoo 30ml - this was lovely and left the hair clean and shiny. Would consider buying full size although I'd like to try more from the range.

Ancienne Ambiance Goddess Rose Water 30ml* - a beautiful lightly rose scented spritzer which I used as a toner. Definitely one I'd buy.

Jo Loves Pomelo 2ml sample vial - simply love this! Definitely one I want full size.

Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Skin Tonic 200ml* - this was lovely. Really soothing and hydrating.  See my review here.

Sweet Cecily's Coconut Body Butter sample* - a lovely rich butter. Full size is going on my wishlist!

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil 110ml - my favourite bath oil...ever! I got this one from hubby at Christmas but just opened a new one - personalised with my name on it from REN at Christmas.  

balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream 30ml - this is really lovely. A rich body cream scented with rose.  Another I'd buy again.

Skinvelop The Cleanser 120ml - one of my favourite hot cloth cleansers. See my review here. I've just cracked open a new one.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Make Up SPF15 30ml in shade 4 - my favourite foundation. I'm sure to buy this again although for now I'm just using up small tubes and pots.

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream 8g* - another product I love (and I've got another in my stash).  See my review here.

REN Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish 5ml - I really liked the gentleness of this scrub. It's one I'd consider purchasing.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml - love this! See my review here.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR sample
**Complimentary

A Post-Holiday Haul

When I came back my holidays recently I had a bit of a splurge shopping online.  Here's what I picked up.

Balance Me Skin Bright Hydrating Mist £20 for 60ml - I simply adore this light and refreshing mist.  It featured in Shopping My Stash and my Balance Me Favourites posts.  I bought it from Naturisimo who at the time were offering a free One Love Organics sample set with orders over £15.

I picked up these lovely Merionwen goodies - Turkish Delight Lip Balm (£3.50 for 52g) and Vintage Rose Bath Treat (£2 for 5g).  See my post here.

Look how gorgeous the bath treats are - made me smile when I opened up the package - these would make a fab small gift.

A lovely Caudalie hand cream - in Feuille de Cassis (£6 - 30ml) - a rich hand cream scented with blackcurrant leaf, wild blackberry and Bergamot.  See my review here.

I'm nearly finished my first bottle of Skinvelop Cleanser (£10.50 - 120ml).  See my review here. This is one of my favourite cleansers and I'll always have it in my stash!  Jean also very kindly popped me in a couple of samples - Bamboo Glow - a facial exfoliator and Daily Rose Balm which smells gorgeous!  You can get further details about the products here.

I forgot to show you earlier two products I picked up on holiday - we stopped on the way home at Tarbert and I popped into the Loch Fyne Gallery a lovely shop with artwork, books, cards, jewellery, beauty products, candles etc.  I simply love Isle of Skye Soaps and I picked my favourite - Lemongrass Scrubby Soap.

I also bought Gigha's Natural Skincare Organic Coconut Body Butter 30ml - which I thought looked quite interesting. 

I simply loved the Lucy Annabella Organics Argan & Bergamot Organic Treatment Oil I got in my August Amarya box that I took advantage of the very generous 20% off any of the product featured in this month's box and bought a full size bottle (125ml).  This also came with a Trial Size Treatment Oil (10ml) which came free with any Lucy Annabella order (while stocks last) and if your order is over £5 you can choose three samples - I chose A'kin Macadamia & Wheat Conditioner (8ml), Estelle & Thild Facial Serum Rose Otto (2ml) and Lavera Beauty Balm 6-in-1 Tinted Moisturiser (1ml).

Have you used any of these products before?

July: Lately I've been Loving

Here's what I've been loving in July.

Home grown lettuce - simply delicious!

Staying on the gardening theme - this gorgeous gardening caddy hubby bought me for Christmas from The Handpicked Collection - I simply love it - so useful for storing all my gardening bits.

My morning skinny latte in my favourite mug - a great start to the day.

The most delicious jam ever! 

My beautiful Rosslyn Candle Company tea cup candle - I did a mini review on the previous version here although I much prefer the design of this one.

SKINVELOP The Cleanser - simply love this very effective cleanser. Need to stock up on more soon.  See my mini review here.

My beautiful SewLomax make up pouch*. Simply gorgeous.  See my review here.

We had a trip down to North Berwick this month and visited The Lobster Shack which is down by the harbour for some lobster and coley and chips. Delicious!

What have you been loving this month?

*PR sample

Shopping My Stash - Spending Ban Week 3

These are my products I've been shopping my stash for this week:

KMS California Free Shape Quick Blow Dry 200ml - first received this product in a Carmine box and then in another beauty box.  Loved it so much bought the full size (this is my second one).  It really works for quickening up blow drying time - a lifesaver in the morning before work!

Skinvelop The Cleanser 120ml - an absolutely amazing cleanser which removes every trace of make up, leaves skin feeling fresh and clean with no tightness.  Great value at £10.50 and it smells fab!  You can read my mini review here.  I love trying different cleansers but I'll always have this one in my stash!

Revlon Just Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick.  Honey is my ultimate favourite shade but enjoying this bright pop of colour this week.

Fresh Sugar Passion Lip Treatment SPF15 - I received a set of these when my friend at work went to Vegas - you can see my post here.  This is a sheer rouge tint.

Neil George Intense Repair Mask with Indian Gooseberry 215ml - this smells amazing and is a great hair mask - you can read my review here.

Pure Thoughts Tangerine & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter 45g - simply love this gorgeous pot of super moisturising butter scented with tangerine. Deeply moisturises my skin and a pot of this will always be in my stash.

Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion 100ml - one of my favourite Clarins products. Super moisturising with a light scent.

What have you been using most this week?

My Top Products of 2012

I'm trying to keep each category to my top 3 products but some it will be my top 4 as I can't decide on 3!

Skincare:

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil as reviewed here.

Natural Wisdom Rose & Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydrating Toner review here.

Palm & Soul Three Rose Deep Balm for Face & Neck review here.

Skinvelop The Cleanser review here.

Shower Gel:

Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash mini review here.

Bodhi Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy review here.

Noble Isle Summer Rising Cornish Hedgerows Bath & Shower Gel review here.

source

Bath Oil:

Bamford Geranium Bath Oil mini review here.

NEOM Mini Bath Oil Set review here.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil review here.

source

Body Lotion:

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Body Lotion mini review here.

Bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Body Moisturiser review here.

Pure Thoughts Tangerine & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter mini review here.

Hands & Feet:

Clear Zal Silk Foot Food Nutrition Cream - review to follow.

Lancome Nutrix Royal Mains Hand Cream link.

NEOM Complete Bliss Organic Hand Cream review here.
Suti Fabulous Organic Food Balm review here.

Lip Balm:

BRIXI Bee Balm review here.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Balm review here.

Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm review here.

Perfume:

Chanel Sycomore EDT review here.

PG Organics Embrace EDP review here.

Tom Ford Santal Blush EDP review here.

Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia review here.

Hair:

A'Kin 24 hour Intensive Moisture Leave in Conditioner mini review here.

Neil George Intense Illuminating Conditioner review here.

Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Shampoo & Conditioner for fine hair review here.

Makeup:

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Make Up SPF 15 link

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara link

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey link

Stila One Step Brightening Serum link

What have been your favourite products this year?

The A - Z of Beauty Tag

I spotted this beauty tag on Beauty Fiend's Blog and was inspired to do it myself.  What you need to do is pick a beauty brand for each letter of the alphabet (difficult when you love a few which start with the same letter!) and recommend a product you love.

A - Abahna - Frangipani & Orange Blossom Bath & Shower Gel and Body Lotion (link)

B - Bodhi - Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil - see my review here.

C - Chanel - Chanel Sycomore EDT - a perfume I'll always have in my collection (link)

D - Diptyque - I adore Philosykos and Eau Rose

E - Essential Care - A lover of Rose Moisturiser and Creamy Coconut Cleanser

F - Freyaluna - the mini Selection Box is a great introduction to the range

G - Gielly Green - Repair Travel Kit - 4 minis - shampoo, repair mask, body wash and body lotion.  You can read my review here.

H - Herbfarmacy - Herbfarmacy Hard Working Hands Cream (link)

I - Illamasqua - Freak EDP

J - Jo Malone - can't choose one thing - all gorgeous!

K - Kerastase - Bain Satin 1 Shampoo and Conditioner (link)

L - La Prairie - Extrait of Skin Caviar Firming Complex - not bought this for a good few years but an amazing product!

M - Myroo - Starflower and Orange Blossom Cleanser (review)

N - NEOM - Complete Bliss Organic Hand Cream (link)

O - Origins - everything from the Ginger range

P - Pure Thoughts - Tangerine & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter (link)

Q - QVC - great for picking up lots of beauty products

R - REN - Rose Otto Bath Oil (link)

S - Skinvelop - The Cleanser (link)

T - Temple Spa - Skin Truffle (link)

U - Unique Naturals - Skin Serum Collection (link)

V - Vichy - Idealia Smoothing & Illuminating Cream (link)

W - Weleda - Lavender Body Oil (link)

X - Xen Tan - not a fan but only brand I could think of starting with X!

Y - YSL - Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil (link)

Z - Zoya

October Favourites

These are my October favourites - 

Skinvelop - The Cleanser - an absolutely amazing cleanser - you can read my review here.  A brilliant product at a great price and really lovely to use.

Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Shampoo & Conditioner for fine hair - I received these in my Latest in Beauty Boxes (I loved the first box so much I bought another!).  These are really nice to use, have a great scent and are free from parabens, SLS etc.  They also seem to brighten up my highlights - which is nice!  A full review to follow on these.

Milla Maddern Body Cream - I have been sent a few items from this new brand to review (this will follow) but I am particularly loving this rich, beautifully scented cream.  Vitality is packed full of manuka honey, Vitamin E, Rosehip Oil, Juniper, Bergamot and Jasmine - making it a fruity floral.  It's uplifting and a joy to use! 

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Body Lotion - I am in love with the intoxicating scent of this body lotion.  You can read my post about my Abahna haul here.

Sprout Vegan Lip Balm in Cocoa - this is absolutely gorgeous, melts on contact with the skin, love the smell and feel on my lips.  An absolute winner.  You can see my post here.

Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream with grapefruit and coriander - a Easy Living Magazine freebie.  Super-gorgeous!

What are you favourites this month?

Skinvelop Body Balm (and cleanser, toner, moisturiser, eye therapy and soap samples)

I noticed on Bespoke Therapies & Skincare's Facebook page that Jean was developing a new body balm and was selling 30g try me sizes for £8 including P&P.  Jean said she also pop in some samples* for me to try.

The body balm is gorgeous!  It has a gel-balm like texture which melts into the skin leaving it super-moisturised (I'm so sad I've finished it!).  It's also good for healing scars and burns.  Scented with Rose Geranium and Patchouli Essential Oils along with Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Coconut, Argan, Rosehip, Avocado and Pumpkin Seed Oils with Shea and Cocoa Butters.  Full size will cost £16.00 for 200g (£3 P&P).

Of the samples* sent I absolutely adore The Cleanser (full size 120ml - £8.50).  I think it is the best cleanser I've ever used. It is great for removing waterproof eyeliner and mascara, and leaves no film over the eyes.  Simply massage onto dry skin and remove with a warm cloth.  This one is on my ever expanding wish list!

The Toner (full size 100ml - £7.00) made with a minimum of 25% Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Rosehip Oil, with Lavender and Roman Chamomile Essential Oils.  An effective toner but I was put off by the scent.  So probably wouldn't buy this full size.

The Moisturiser (full size 50ml - £10.50) a ph balanced moisturiser made with Certified Organic Argan Oil and Aloe Vera.  With essential oils of Damask Rose and Frankincense.  A light cream which evens out skin tone and fine lines, smells great and feels really nice on the skin.  Apply morning and night after toning.

The Eye Therapy (full size 10ml - £8.50) an eye serum which smooths out fine lines and brightens dark circles.  Simply pat on as often as required.  I love the tightening and cooling feeling around the eye area when applied.

Finally, I was sent a sample of Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Soap - which is really gentle on the skin and lightly scented.

Really lovely products and such reasonable prices too.

You can see my post on the Skinvelop Intensive Rose Night Balm here.


*free samples

Skinvelop Intensive Rose Night Balm

Skinvelop is a skincare range developed by Jean at Bespoke Therapies & Skincare. I got in touch with her on Twitter to ask if I could buy a "try me" size of the Intensive Rose Night Balm.  I paid £6 including P&P for approximately 10g and Jean sent me a free soya wax Grapefruit & Patchouli tealight.

The Intensive Rose Night Balm is gorgeous! I love rose scented products - this is a rich cream made with Shea Butter, Argan and Avocado Oils.  It deeply nourishes your skin while you sleep and smells amazing.  It melts into the skin leaving it feeling deeply nourished.

Jean, a Clinical Aromatherapist began experimenting with products to use on her own skin which lead to her starting her own business.

Hand made, ph balanced, made using ethically sourced ingredients and essential oils.  The whole range contain three core ingredients - aloe vera for cell renewal and for skin softening, Coconut Oil for essential fatty acids and Argan Oil for Vitamin E and for anti-ageing properties.


The soya wax candle is lovely - lightly scented with grapefruit and patchouli.  I'm definitely keen to try the Geranium & Patchouli ones next.

All products are hand-made in small batches and contain no parabens or preservatives.  You can view the whole range of products here.  I'll definitely be re-purchasing this gorgeous cream which makes my skin glow and look healthy and radiant.  Have you tried any of Jean's products?


Your can follow Jean on Twitter - @bespokethe or on Facebook here.