A Closer Look: Body Butters

Here is my collection of body butters:

Bare Innocence Jasmine & Orange Cocoa & Shea Butter 100ml* - a rich and supermoisturising butter which smells gorgeous. Great for dry skin.  See my review here.

raw gaia Coconut Body Butter 90g - simply love this rich coconut scented body butter.  See my review here.

Melvita APICOSMA Body Ultra Nourishing Body Balm 150ml - a rich balm which is scented with honey and packed full of nourishing butters and oils. First tried it in the British Beauty Blogger Edit Box and loved it!

Just Be Nourished Body Butter 200ml - a delicious rich butter scented with Rose and Frankincense.  See my review here.

Blipster Magic Peppermint Bark Whipped Body Butter* - a minty butter handmade by Amy. See my review here.

Kris D'Amour Rejuvenating Body Treatment Butter 100ml* - a lovely butter which melts into the skin leaving it soft and lightly scented.  See my review here.

Laidbare Butter Me Up 250ml - a rich cream rather than a butter heavenly scented with Jasmine.  See my review here.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter 70g - one of the most decadent body butters I've ever used.  See my review here.

Lyonsleaf Natural Body Butter 120ml* - a rich and 100% natural body butter which super moisturises the skin.  See my review here.

Carishea Shea Scot Whipped Body Balm 100ml* - a gorgeous rich butter scented with Lavender and Honey. See my review here.

Have you used any of these?  What's your favourite body butter?

*PR samples

A love of roses

I adore rose scents and roses are one of my favourite flowers (along with thistles)  Here are a few rose scented products I'm loving right now.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil* - my all time favourite bath oil. See my review here.

Jo Malone Red Roses Candle - I received this as a present from hubby. I do try to ration burning it as I'd never treat myself to one!  It smells so deeply of red roses and scents the whole room (you can even smell it into the next day). See my mini review here.

MIMI & ME Tea Rose Candle* - a beautiful eco friendly soy wax candle which is woody, floral and smells so rosey.  I reviewed the Christmas Bliss Candle* here.  The tea rose candle is scented with Palmarosa, Geranium, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Patchouli and Amyris essential oils. Smells of roses with a hint of spice and citrus.  Gorgeous!

Melvita Milky Cleansing Oil for Face & Eyes* - huge fan of this rose scented oil. Massage it into the skin and then add a touch of water which turns it milky. Remove with a warm damp muslin cloth. Great for removing the most stubborn make up and leaving the skin clean, refreshed and comfortable. Naturisimo have a fab new Melvita kit which includes 35ml of this cleansing oil - see here (£9.99).

Dr Organic Rose Otto Body Wash - this smells deeply of rose. Lathers well and cleans the skin. It has an uplifting scent.  Good price too! Huge fan of the Dr Organic Rose Otto range.

Marble & Milkweed Nourishing Body Oil* - I simply love this cardamon and rose scented oil. One of my favourite body oils.  See my review here.

Quintessentially English Rose Bath Oil - this lush oil is lightly scented with roses.  Great for a luxe and indulgent soak.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter - I adore this decadent, buttery and rich rose scented body butter.  See my review here.  

Are you a fan of rose scented products? If so, what are your favourites?

*PR samples

SoukSouk October Beauty Box

My Souk Souk beauty box arrived yesterday. I'm really pleased with contents and was thrilled to feature in the little green magazine which accompanies the box.

Onto the contents:

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo 60ml - this is worth £8 - I've wanted to try this brand for a while. Minty scented and free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. It's good for coloured hair and can help to tame frizz.  I've tried this and the conditioner out and I really like them.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner 60ml (£8) - a rich mint scented conditioner which nourishes and conditions. This also get a huge thumbs up from me.

Bareskin Beauty Radiance Face Serum 15ml (£5.40) - a brand I've heard of but I've not tried any of its products.  Packed full of vitamins, mineral and essential fatty acids. It feels super moisturising on the skin and has a slightly spicy floral scent. Looking forward to trying this out. A full review will follow.

Sweet Cecily's Almond &  Avocado Face Cream 10ml - this is a mini try me size tin. I'm a huge fan of Sweet Cecily's already - see my review of Rose Body Butter and Mojito Flavour lip balm here. This cream is rich in vitamins A, D and E which makes in nourishing. Suitable for most skin types.

Avril Nail Lacquer in Hot Chocolate 7ml (£3.99) - this is 7-free varnish. Free from parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene, xylene, camphor and rosin. A perfect shade for autumn.

I'm in the little green magazine "Welcome to our World" page absolutely made my day!

The products I picked to feature are well loved favourites:

Neom Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Cream review

SkinLikes Natural Deodorant review

Just Be Botanicals Tranquil Body & Massage Oil review

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter review

bodhi Mint Thé Bath & Shower Therapy review

PG Embrace EDP review

Did you get this month's box?  What are your thoughts?

September Empties

I think this is the smallest amount of products I've ever used up this month. 

Live Native Samples - Essential Earth Exfoliating Lemongrass Cleanser (5ml), Essential Beauty Serum (2ml) and Essential Woman Frangipani Fresh Moisturiser (5ml) - these were simply lovely to use and I definitely want to try some more items from the range.  You can see my review here. I'll buy the Essential Beauty Serum again.

Kerastase Lait Vital 200ml - one of my favourite conditioners.  See my review here. I'll buy this again at some point.

Nuxe 24-hr Moisturising Body Lotion 15ml x 2- this is lovely, got a couple more samples to use. Sure to pick up full size at some point.

Aurelia Priobiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser sample* - I was sent this to review - see here. Loved this. Will definitely buy when my stash goes down a bit.

Burt's Bees Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash 29.5ml - wasn't a fan of this. Didn't like the scent and found the wash too runny.

Korres Guava Shower Gel 50ml - one of my favourite Korres scents.  Sure to buy it again.  See my review here.

Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer 7.5ml - this was a Glamour mag freebie. Enjoyed using it and would maybe buy full size.

Lavera Organic Wild Rose Bath Salts sachet - these are a favourite of mine and I received these ones from Alice in the all things nice swap.  Sure to pick these up again and soon.

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel 15ml - loved this gentle gel cleanser which smells of rose and would consider purchasing.

Melvita Orange Blossom Floral Water 28ml - this came in the BBB Edit box. Nice enough to use but wouldn't re-purchase.

Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water 35ml - this was nice to use and easily removed make up. Got a couple more to use up but would consider purchasing.

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Body Lotion 50ml - my favourite Abahna scent. Sure to pick this up again. See my review here.

Pure Fiji Coconut Nourishing Exotic Oil sample size - simply adore this body oil and will buy it again and again!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil 10ml - love this multi-purpose oil. Will pick this up again in the future.

Lush Ocean Salt 120g - love this face scrub and sometimes use it on my body too due to the large scrubby flakes. Smells gorgeous too. Will pick this up again at some point.

Therapie Equilibrium Bath & Shower Essence 100ml - simply amazing bath oil. Great for de-stressing and soothing it helps to bring calm and balance back into your life.  One I'll definitely be picking up again and soon!  A small size of this is included in my giveaway.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter 80g - one of my favourite body products. A rich butter lightly scented with rose which Amanda makes freshly when you order!  See my review here. Yesterday I purchased another pot.  Simply gorgeous.

Wellgreen Lewes Orange Blossom Body Butter - sample pot - this is lovely too with a light orange scent.  See my review here. Sure to pick this up again.

Have you used any of these products?

*PR sample

Wellgreen Lewes Sample Selection

I contacted Amanda a while ago to ask if I could try some sample sizes of a few of her products. I already adore the rose scented range - see my review HERE. We agreed a price and this is what she sent me - much nicer getting fresh home made beauty samples through the post than a box of choccies!

Here's what I received - Jasmine Body Butter, Orange Blossom Body Butter, Rose Face Cream, Orange & Calendula Salty Soap Scrub and Prickly Heat/Sunburn/Aftersun Balm (the latter is a special potion Amanda made for her daughter for taking on her travels - I used it over the hot summer months and it really does soothe places where you get prickly heat and sunburn).

Orange Blossom Body Butter

I'm already a huge fan of the Rose Body Butter having reviewed it here and here. This butter contains pure orange and neroli. It is heady and floral and evocative of the mediterranean. Amanda goes to Cyprus every May to distill the blossoms. The butter also contains shea butter, coconut and avocado oil and pure Vitamin E.  A lovely butter with a light orange blossom scent.

Jasmine Body Butter

A very lightly scented butter (my personal preference would be for a stronger scent).  Packed full of nourishing shea butter, coconut and avocado oils with Vitamin E and Jasmine Essential Oil.

The butters are best used after a bath or shower when the skin is still slightly warm.  Alternatively you can add half a teaspoon to a warm bath.  The butters are whipped for over 30 minutes to make them light and fluffy.

Salty-Soap Scrub

A body polish made with salt, to scrub, soap to clean and a few flowers which makes for a great bath time pamper.  I chose Orange & Calendula scent which is invigorating and fruity.  Contains sea salt, olive oil, orange & calendula soap, calendula petals and orange essential oil.  Great to use to awaken in my morning shower.

Rose Face Cream 

Face creams are freshly made and only keep for up to 6 weeks (longer if stored in the fridge).  The creams are made with Amanda's flower waters and as few other ingredients as possible.  Nourishing, calming and soothing with a light rose scent.

Aftersun/Prickly Heat/Sunburn

A balm Amanda made for her daughter to take on her travels. I always get prickly heat on my decolletage and this balm has worked wonders this summer. I'll definitely be placing an order for this wonder balm next time I'm going abroad on holiday.

Have you used any of these or any other Wellgreen Lewes products?

See the website here

Follow Amanda of Twitter @WellgreenLewes

Shopping My Stash #33

Here's what I'm using this week -

Bloom Remedies Daily Balance Cream with Sweet Orange, Geranium and Rose 30ml - this came in my recent Souk Souk box. I'm a huge Bloom Remedies fan. This moisturiser smells amazing! Light and aromatic it sinks easily into the skin leaving it hydrated and lightly scented. It also contains shea butter, sweet almond oil, Vitamin E and meadowfoam oils.  You can see my post on other Bloom Remedies products here and here.

Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour SPF 15 12.5g Rose* - I'm a huge Lanolips fan and this gives a light wash of pale pink colour - it's really pretty.  You can see my review of the original ointment here.

Ginvera Green Tea Exfoliating Marvel Gel 10g* - I sometimes get blackheads on my chin and this works wonders at getting rid of them.  See my review here.

Madara Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid 50ml - I received a sample of this in May's Amarya Box. Simply love it! I either wear it alone of mix it into a bit of foundation.  It adds moisture and illuminates the skin.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Mist 50ml - a refreshing and lightly scented rose mist which is gorgeous for refreshing the skin.  See my review on the rose basket I bought from Amanda here.

Aveda Smoothing Body Polish 40ml - this came in the Aveda Editor's Picks box from Latest in Beauty. A really lovely, not too scrubby body polish which smell gorgeous!  What a great box that was!

Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Treatment Mask for Fine Hair 100ml - this also came in a Latest in Beauty Box. Huge fan of the range and this is fab. Just perfect for my hair type. It leaves it moisturised, glossy and smooth.

Have you used any of these products?

*PR samples

Shopping My Stash #29

Can't believe how many weeks I've now been shopping my stash! 

Here are my picks for this week -

Tom Ford Santal Blush EDP 50ml - this is my second bottle (and I will buy a third when this bottle runs out as I simply love it! Although I'll probably try and wait until the Harvey Nichols 15% off Christmas Party in November - makes it less painful price wise!) Simply love this scent.  See my review here.

Willow Organic Beauty Super Firming Serum 30ml* - WOW! This serum is amazing! It tightens and uplifts and has a fruity scent.  Made with Barbary Fig Oil, one of the world's most exclusive oils, antioxidants and Vitamin E.  I've only been using it for a week and already my skin feels radiant, moisturised and uplifted.  Love the super luxe packaging too.  Full review to follow.

Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturiser SPF30 120ml - I've used this moisturiser before and loved it. I had Amarya beauty box points to use and took advantage of the £5 off opening offer on Love Lula.  Again, review will follow.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Lip Balm - this is a firm favourite now. Love how it deeply moisturises the lips leaving them delicately scented with rose.  See my review of this and some of the other lovely rose products Amanda makes here.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Moray - a glittery green shade. This came in a Glossybox - see here.  Love it!  Ah Glossybox used to be great!

OSMO Berber Oil Hair Treatment with Argan Oil 10ml - I bought this from Gemma's blogsale a while back. Really nice to use.

What have you been using this week?

*PR sample

Shopping My Stash #27

Here's what I've been reaching for this week -

Tulecos Tonifying Oil 50ml* - this peppermint foot oil is keeping my feet fresh, minty and moisturised at the moment! Gorgeous. This came in the Betrousse Glitz & Glamour box*. 

Wellgreen Lewes Orange Blossom Body Butter - this is a sample pot.  I reviewed the Rose Body Butter here.  I'll definitely be picking up the full size of this wonderfully scented butter soon.

Avon Mega Effects Mascara 9ml* - a great mascara to add volume and definition. See my review here.

Yarok Feed your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum 1oz* - 100% natural and organic hair care line from a beautiful world - it nourishes and hydrates, removes build up of other products and smells delicious.  A full review to follow.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry - love this for a moisturising wash of colour.  This was the first chubby stick I bought.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel® Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm 15g - a cult beauty product I picked this up in my recent Nuxe order. Loving this deeply moisturising balm. Again a full review to follow.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel® Hand and Nail Cream 15ml - repairs dry hands and nails and smells divine.  I'm popping this one in my handbag for now and a full review will follow.  Loving all my Nuxe goodies - you can see what I bought here.

Have you used any of these products?

*PR samples

Beside my Bed

I have this gorgeous little basket of goodies on the table beside my bed -

The basket came with the variation of my Sussex Rose Basket from Wellgreen Lewes- Amanda's friends make these lovely baskets with wild reed from Cyprus - isn't it gorgeous!

What's inside:

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Lip Balm 10ml - this is made for Quince, a flower & gift shop in Brighton - its packed full of nourishing oils, beeswax, runny honey and rose.  Gorgeous!

BRIXI Bee Balm - this gorgeous balm is made by Emy's mum and sold in her shop BRIXI, which is located at Brixton Village Arcade.  See my review here.

Spotner* - I suffer from age spots on the back of one of my hands (eugh). This can be caused by spending too much time in the sun over a period of time. A review (with photos!) will follow.

Badger Yoga & Meditation Balm - soothing and calming. Apply to temples or forehead. It has a nice lemony scent.

Sprout Cocoa Lip Balm - this is gorgeous! Sprout has been renamed to S W BASICS - you can buy at a beautiful world.  I reviewed it here.

Soap & Glory - A Great Kisser Lip Balm - in juicy peach - it's yummy.  See my review here.

Bee Fruitful Mandarin Lip Balm* - this is lovely with a hint of mandarin. This featured in Shopping my Stash #15.

Bathing Beauty GLOVE & SOCK* - see my review here. Gorgeous products for hands and feet.  (The super luxe rose & shea butter soap is pretty special too!)

L'Occitane Cuticle & Nail Cream 15ml - this is super-rich and I only use it at bedtime.

Mavala Cuticle Cream 15ml - received this in a nail set recently - again, a really rich product.  Great for softening and moisturising cuticles.

Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF15 - simply love the Fresh minis.  My friend at work picked a set up for me in Vegas last year - see my post  here.

Bodhi Cacao Cocoon Lip Treatment Balm 15g - supermoisturising and smells gorgeous.  See my review here.

Do you use any of these products? 

*PR sample

Shopping my Stash #24

I've been feeling the heat this week! Here's what I've been reaching for -

Avene Eau Thermal Spring water Spray 50ml - this has been cooling me down in the heat! Really refreshing.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Mist 50ml - again I've been loving this cooling lightly scented mist.  Works well storing it in the fridge before misting on your body.  See my review here.

L'Occitane Gel Douche Universel Shower Gel 75ml - simply loving this refreshing citrus scented shower gel - ideal for refreshing the skin after sitting in the sun.  This was a freebie from Top Sante magazine this month.

Oh! Organics Rose Moisturiser 60ml* - I've been testing this out for review - you will see I've nearly finished the pot!  See my mini review here.

My star product this week has been Soleil Organique Sunblock Mist SPF45* - you can see my post on a beautiful world - here.  The sunblock is a light lotion which you mist over your skin and gently pat in - can also be used on the face. It has a slightly fennel scent which is pleasant.  I normally suffer from prickly heat and this sunblock has prevented this happening.  I love that it is a natural product too.  Fuller review to follow.

What have you been using this week?

*PR sample

Wellgreen Lewes

Wellgreen Lewes is a small natural beauty company which is based in Lewes in East Sussex.  The products are made in Amanda's home, a historic house which dates from 1542 and it nestles under Lewes Castle.

I first came across Amanda and her beautiful products via someone I follow on Twitter.  I noticed a tweet mentioning Wellgreen Lewes and went to investigate...so glad I did!

Amanda distills flowers, herbs, leaves and roots in her Alembic Still.  She is also a Homeopath, a mother of six and a birth doula.  She uses the flower waters and essential oils she makes in as many of her home made products as possible.

The products are simply gorgeous - skincare and body products which have no additives, preservatives, artificial scents or colours.

Amanda makes handmade soaps, creams, body butters, salt scrubs, flower waters and lip balms. See the shop here.

I bought a variation on the Sussex Rose Basket - £28 (normally includes Rose Body Mist, Rose Lip Balm, Rose Parfum & Rose Soap).

The basket is gorgeous, unique and will be really useful.  It is made from wild reed in Cyprus and woven by friends of Amanda's to exact specifications with a low rim. It came beautifully wrapped in tissue and tied with a ribbon (P&P is £8)

Rose Body Butter 70g (£12)

This featured in my June: Lately I've been Loving - see here. This is simply the most luxurious and indulgent body butter I've ever used!  Rub a small amount in the palms of your hands - the heat of your hand will turn into an oil making it easy to gently rub onto the body. It super moisturises the skin, leaving it with a light rosy scent. Suitable for sensitive skins too. Contains pure rose oil, shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil and Vitamin E.

Rose Lip Balm (£3.75)

Packed full of nourishing oils, shea butter, beeswax, runny honey and rose. It nourishes and softens the skin.  This is made for Quince Flower Shop in Brighton. Presented in an oval container in a little organza bag - perfect for a thoughtful little gift.

Rose Soap 90g (£5)

Home distilled rose water is the basis for this soap (it smells glorious) along with pure rose oil and Olive and Coconut Oils.  The soap takes 5 weeks to cure. It is wrapped and tied with ribbon. Leaves the skin clean, moisturised and smelling of roses.

Rose Body Mist (£8)

This is made with home distilled rose water, mineral water and rose essential oil. Perfect for misting the body on a hot day or to lightly scent the skin. Would be perfect kept in the fridge.

You can see the shop here

Follow on Twitter @WellgreenLewes 

Amanda's sister Judith live in Stratford-upon-Avon and sells and makes soaps at Shakespeare's Sister.

June: Lately I've been Loving

Here are the things that are making me happy right now -

I'm a huge Crème de la Mer fan although the only thing I've ever bought is the The Lip Balm which was gorgeous! I've managed to pick up a few samples before and these ones came from the new counter at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. Suzanne, the manager was really friendly as well as being very enthusiastic about the brand.  She gave me 3ml samples of - The Moisturizing Lotion and The Eye Balm Intense.  Super pleased!

I can't get enough of the beautiful juicy and sweet home grown strawberries which are in the shops right now - yum!

I came across this delicious Belvoir Elderflower & Rose Presse at my local Earthy Store.  See my mini review about the store here.  This is simply delicious served chilled.

I adore nice notebooks and when I saw this teNeues Hanna Werning design I just had to have it! I've been using it for blog notes and drafting posts.

This is the book I've just finished. It was a great read. A review will follow in my monthly book review.

I'm a huge tea fan and these are a few of my favourites.

I'm addicted to hearts!  This quirky one was picked up at a local shop - I'm a huge Tunnocks Teacake fan too.

I came across Wellgreen Lewes on Twitter and recently bought a lovely basked of rose scented products.  This body butter is simply divine! Lightly scented with rose and really rich. It's packed full of shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, Vitamin E and rose essential oil. It's the most luxurious butter I've ever used. A full review will follow.

And finally, our dog Bess who I love all of the time!  I thought this was such a cute wee picture - isn't she a beauty.

What have you been loving lately?