Top Products 2021: April to June

If a product is marked * I was very kindly gifted it for review. As you'll know I've been breaking my top products up. See my January-March 2021 ones HERE.

I discovered Ginette aka The Herbal Soapmaker on Instagram and had to have a little buy. The products are gorgeous. See my review HERE.

Tam Mason's newish Nourishing Sugar Scrub in Rosa Damascena*. As well as being a sensory delight it is a beautiful and effective scrub. See my review HERE.

Another new brand, aromatic and gorgeous Africology. I fell head-over-heels for their gorgeous body care products*. See my review HERE.

I absolutely adore Ecooking and think their newish 50+ series* is fantastic. See my review HERE.

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of eco friendly, zero waste and award winning Beauty Cleanse Skincare. This cleansing oil* is one of the best I've used. See my review HERE.

Oh Nudge Boutique, I adore every product of yours I try. Saffron Glow Facial Oil Serum* is an absolute delight. See my review HERE.

Beautiful Butterwhips. I adore their Body Butters particularly Warmly Relaxing with Bergamot, Lavender & Vitamin E. See my review HERE (foot care & face care excellent too and I love the eco-friendly packaging).

Ermana Natural Skincare's CLARIFY Clay Mask with Lavender & Chamomile* is one of the best I've ever used. See my review HERE.

I just adore Edinburgh based, Lucky Cloud Skincare. I picked two of their natural soaps* as part of my picks as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger in June under the heading GROW. See my review HERE. They lather really well and have gorgeous scents as well as looking pretty with eco-friendly packaging!

Rounding up my Top Picks for the last 3 months is STEAMCREAM! I really enjoyed using two of their newest products* in the range. Check out my review HERE. I also love the reusable packaging.

What products have you been loving this year?

May Empties

Here are the products I've been using up in May. If a product is marked * I've been generously gifted it for review.

Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance Balancing Body Polish 15ml which came in Naturisimo's Self Love Discovery Box. I loved this rose scented creamy polish so much I had to buy full size. Absolute perfection and a luxe treat.

Kerastase Nutritive Lait Vital 75ml which I received in a Feel Unique My Beauty Kit. I love it as it works. Nourishing the hair, leaving it silky soft and smooth. Just opened a new one.

Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid 50ml which is a staple in my stash. It gives the skin a light moisturising glow, evening out imperfections without the heavy feel of foundation. I've just opened a new one.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream 75ml I adore this vanilla, pistachio and salted carmel scented fluffy cream. I just bought the Biggie Biggie Bum Bum Cream - so that should last a while. Love this cream!

JOIK Apple & Elderflower Foaming Hand Wash 250ml* I loved this moisturising foaming wash which had a delectable fruity scent. See my review HERE. One I'll definitely buy in future although it's a little on the pricey side for a hand wash.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Ageing Infinite Colour Hold Shampoo & Conditioner sachets, 7ml each. I received these in Feel Unique's pick 'n' mix. Luxurious and great to try. I preferred the conditioner from the duo. Might or might not buy.

Doers of London "it starts at the top" Shampoo 50ml which came in Mint Green's February starter kit. It was nice enough but unlikely to buy.

*Nudge Boutique Saffron Glow Facial Oil Serum 10ml which is one of my favourite new tries this year. See my review HERE. I will definitely buy this when my oil/serum stash reduces a bit as it's absolutely fantastic.

Tam Mason Mint & Cedarwood Hand Scrub 25ml I adore these beautiful hand scrubs. See my review HERE. I wasn't so keen on this aroma but will definitely buy the scrub again in a different scent (Rose & Patchouli).

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser 10ml which was nice to try. It was pleasant to use and I've now tried it! Unlikely to buy.

Decleor Aromessence Neroli Bigarade Essential Oil Serum 0.7ml I used to use Decleor so it was nice to revisit. A teeny tiny free sample. Definitely one to add to my wishlist as I adore Neroli.

What have you been using up this month?

*Tam Mason: Rosa Damascena Sugar Body Scrub

*PR Sample - AD Having loved Tam Mason's Nourishing Sugar Hand Scrubs (REVIEW) I was delighted to try the new Rosa Damascena Sugar Body Scrub (400g - £28)*. The product comes in a large kilner type jar with it's own little wooden spoon. 

The scrub is formulated with Green Coffee Oil, a powerful antioxidant, natural Vitamin E, Organic Sugar, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Rose Absolute and essential oils. It truly is a luxurious treat and the scent is perfect for rose lovers like myself!

As you can see there is plenty of oil in the formulation which helps to make it one of the best body scrubs I've ever used. It truly is happiness in a jar! 

To use: apply to damp or dry skin (if you prefer a scrubbier scrub). Skin is left glowy, renewed, soft, smelling of roses and feeling deeply nourished. I absolutely love it. Pick yours up HERE (there's also a Mandarin & Lime version, if you prefer).

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?

March Empties

If a product is marked * I've very kindly received it complimentary for review purposes. Here are my March empties:

I fell head-over-heels for Love Absolute's sublime Mulberry Milk Jelly Cleanser 30g and I was soo sad to scoop out the very last of it. On my to-buy list when my cleanser stash reduces a bit. See my review HERE. (I'll be reusing the tin too!)

Being able to try Susanne Kaufmann's divine Restorative Toning Body Cream 15ml was an absolute joy. That's why I love the Naturisimo Discovery Boxes so much - you sometimes get to try more pricier items. It'll be staying on the wishlist however as full size costs an ouchy £130! Great to try and I absolutely loved it. See my musings on the Self Love Discovery Box HERE.

I'm a huge fan of Five Dot Botanics and loved their award winning Brighten Up Balancing Mist 50ml* which is made with five ingredients. It brightens, balances and refreshes the skin and smells of roses. A buy-again for sure (it received a finalist award for Best Facial Mist in the 2020 Beauty Shortlist Awards).

I think you'll know I fell hard for Nudge Boutique's joy giving May Chang & Pink Grapefruit Whipped Body Butter 50g - see my review HERE. This is the product you need if you are feeling down as it's zesty scent can do nothing but uplift the body and mind! I loved it so much that I rushed out and bought a full size pot. This is the bodycare product you MUST buy! I know it'll always be in my stash.

Tam Mason's Sugar Hand Scrubs have always been on my wishlist. I recently tried her A Hand Picked Selection Box, which contains 4 mini 25g pots which make the perfect try-me set. See my thoughts HERE. I recently used up the Rose & Patchouli pot which was divine. Will definitely repurchase at some point.

I love Lola's Apothecary the products are truly decadent. This mini Monsoon Paradise Illuminating Body & Massage Oil was gorgeous! It was nice to have the opportunity to try it but if I was buying again I'd pick up their sublime Delicate Romance Balancing Body Souffle which I reviewed HERE.

Avon's Zen Mandarin & Jasmine Handwash is cheap and cheerful and nice to use. Since trying Organic Work's Bergamot Hand Wash I'm likely not to buy the Avon one again.

I used up Aveda's Botanical Repair minis - Strengthening Shampoo 50ml, Strengthening Conditioner 50ml and Intensive Strengthening Masque 10ml which were nice to use. I might or might not repurchase.

I love Boucleme's Intensive Moisture Treatment 100ml as it just works. Will definitely repurchase when my stash reduces a bit. This one came via a Naturisimo Discovery Box!

What have you been using up this month?

Tam Mason Nourishing Sugar Hand Scrubs: A Hand Picked Selection Box

 

Tam Mason's sublime Sugar Hand Scrubs have always been on my must-buy list but I'd just never got round to it... until recently that is. Tam Mason has a degree in textile design as well as a successful career in marketing behind her. The attention to detail with the packaging is testament to this - isn't it gorgeous!

The selection box is perfect for gifting too, if you can bear to part with it, that is. I chose their A Hand Picked Selection Box which comes in at £16 for 4 x 25g mini pots in their signature blue box with wooden spoon - my picks were the rosey and aromatic Rose & Patchouli, zesty Bergamot & Blood Orange, woodsy + uplifting Sandalwood & Green Mandarin and invigorating Mint & Cedarwood. 

The hand scrubs are formulated with hydrating organic sugar which gently exfoliates as well as encouraging new skin cell stimulation. Organic Sweet Almond oil deeply hydrates while natural Vitamin E softens, nourishes and rehydrates. 

Rose & Patchouli: a blend of Rose Damascena Absolute which gives the scrub a sweet and floral aroma and musky sweet Patchouli (this is one of my favs!) Bergamot & Blood Orange: a zesty and uplifting blend which is also calming + relaxing. Sandalwood & Green Mandarin: rich and woodsy with with a sweet citrus note. My final pick (this time) is Mint & Cedarwood: herbal + woodsy with a cooling and balancing feel.

To use: using the mini spoon mix the scrub to ensure you have an even mix of scrub and oils and then massage a small amount over dry hands and nails before rinsing and patting dry. You are left with delectably soft scented skin. Absolutely gorgeous!

I'm loving using these exquisite hand scrubs which come in a beautiful range of scents. You can now pick up the brand new sugar body scrubs which come in Rosa Damascena and Mandarin + Lime. Check out the shop HERE.