Latest Buys: Origins by The Melt Pool, Skin & Tonic, Olfactory Candles, Upcircle, Raven Botanicals, Aromatherapy Associates, nknaturals, Maya Njie

Here's my latest buys (September + into October). As ever, if a product is marked * I received it complimentary.

I bought these gorgeous candles at House for an Art Lover shop in September. They're latest launches at The Melt Pool. I love the amber glass jars which are filled with plant based wax and essential oils.

I couldn't resist Skin & Tonic's new launch Slow Down Bath Soak (get 15% off with your 1st order). The mineral rich Epsom Salts are joined by natural CBD, from upcycled hemp which balances and calms. Scented with invigorating Cedarwood, Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oils. They come in a huge 500g jar and cost £17. It's love.

I've fallen hard for Olfactory Candles Vanilla & Salted Caramel Melt Pots (£3 - 50g). So while stocking up I had to try Stargazing, a subtle dreamy scent. I was kindly gifted Spiced Embers* (a warm and woody scent) which is the perfect autumnal scent. Remember you can get 15% off your first wax order with SANDRA15. 

Having loved the Glossworks Cuticle Balm* which came in September's Love Lula Beauty Box* link I decided to use the generous 20% off code which subscribers receive in their box for the brands that month and picked up the Foot Balm which is an absolute delight - rich and creamy with a touch of Lavender & Peppermint. It's one of my fav new tries this year.

New + exclusive to Naturisimo is Upcircle's Night Cream with repurposed Blueberry extract. Love this brand and couldn't resist (£18.99 - 55ml). Review to come!

I couldn't resist the new Bathing Oils from Raven Botanicals I selected a 30ml size (£20) in Bliss (Jasmine, Geranium, Neroli) which helps to promote feelings of optimism, is grounding and emotionally balancing (smells lush). The girls very kindly sent me minis* of the other two which smell equally as good - Drift (Lavender, Bergamot & Neroli), a tranquil spa like blend which eases stress, anxiety and helps the body and mind relax. The third in the range is Rise (citrus & patchouli) which relieves tension, lifts the spirits and energises. Looking forward to trying them all and reviews will come.

A stocking filler! Naturisimo have started to get Christmas gifts in. I couldn't resist Aromatherapy Associates Mini Moment Forest Therapy Bath & Shower Oil 9ml (£12) which is presented in a "tree hanging" box. Lush!

I was patiently awaiting nknaturals Autumn collection arriving and picked their Autumn Nutrient Rich Facial Oil 15ml (£15). Nicola kindly added the corresponding Autumn Copper Distilled Botanical Mist* to my order (50ml - £15). Isn't the colour fabulous. Gorgeous products too - review soon (I think this is one of my most fav seasons!)

As you'll know I'm already a Maya Njie fan. See my review of the Discovery Set HERE (it's gone up in price since I reviewed it in 2019). I couldn't resist latest launch Voyeur Verde 7.5ml EdP which has notes of: 

Bergamot, Mandarin, Cypress, Rosewood, Fennel, Iris, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Leather, Cedarwood and Frankincense

What have you been buying lately?

Top Products 2020: September to December

This year I broke up top beauty and books into little chunks. See my top beauty products January - April HERE and May - August HERE. If an item is marked * I was kindly gifted it for review. 

Here's what I loved and rated in September:

Discovering Scottish brand, Raven Botanicals. The girls very kindly sent me a few samples* to try and review. See HERE. It's a simply stunning range, carefully formulated and hard working as well as gorgeous.

A perfume which has been on the wishlist a while before I snapped it up is Rahua's gorgeous Palo Santo Oil Perfume. See my review HERE. Simply stunning.

So much love for beautiful Ffern Organic Small Batch Perfume. Autumn 20 is simply exquisite. See my review HERE. So much love for this co!

Rounding up September's top picks is John Master's Organics Maximum Moisturizer with Mandarin & Glycoproteins* which I received free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for review. It's a fantastic hydrator and perfect for autumn and winter skin. See my review HERE.

In October, Naturisimo brought out a fantastic range of starter kits. I reviewed their Moisturisers one HERE they're great for beauty lovers and beginners alike!

I also had the pleasure of trying Charlie Miller award-winning Haircare & Styling products* which are absolutely fantastic. See my review HERE. 

I treated myself to Inika's Phytofuse Renew Resveratrol Serum after trying a sample. It makes my skin glow! Check out my review HERE.

As soon as it launched I had to have Kiss the Moon's Relaxing Eye Pillow with DREAM Aromatherapy Drops. The set's simply stunning. See my review HERE.

Coming into November there was more Raven Botanicals love when I tried their 24 Carat Oil to Milk Cleanser which takes cleansing to another level. Check out my review HERE.

I also loved ila spa's The Big Sleep Drops which really do what they say on the bottle! See my review HERE.

My skin loves NeuroSkinFeeds The MicroOil* which intensely rejuvenates the skin and senses. See my review HERE.

In December, I reviewed nknaturals full Autumn mini Seasonal Collection - see HERE and two items from the current Winter collection - see HERE. I just love these carefully formulated seasonal collections.

Rounding up my top picks for December is Skin Elixir's Magnificent Night Oil* which I reviewed HERE. 

Do we share any top picks for 2020?

November Empties

I think this is the smallest amount of empties I've ever had. I did think of saving them for next month but, here goes! If a product is marked * I very kindly received it free of charge for review.

Schmidt's Jasmine Tea Sensitive Skin Formula Deodorant - this is my all time fav deodorant. Unfortunately, they sold out to Unilever. I've got a couple of the other scents to use up before I try to find something I love as much! 

Palm of Feronia Moonstone Sleep Spray sample size - I picked this up a while ago before they rebranded (the prices have gone up slightly too since my blog POST). I felt it really helped to have a restful night's sleep and I'll pick up the smaller 30ml spray at some point.

nknaturals Summer Daily Protection Moisturiser 60ml* - I thoroughly enjoyed this pot of goodness. See my review HERE. I'm currently loving my mini Complete Autumn Collection - expect a review soon! I adore this seasonal skincare range.

Rounding up my empties is Absolution's fabulous Le Gommage Corps Body Scrub 208g which I received in Naturisimo's Summer Vibes Discovery Box. I simply adored this scrub which had a texture of soft wet sand encased in a skin loving oily formulation. Amazing! See my review HERE.

What have you been using up this month?

September Empties

Marked* I've kindly been gifted a product for review. I'm not going to use anything else up so here are my September empties (a little bit early!)

I absolutely adore Noble Isle and their Summer Rising Bath & Shower gel 75ml which I first discovered in a Beauty Box (I've since bought their new Rhubarb Rhubarb! hand sanitiser which is fantastic - review on it's way). See my review HERE.

I received the NUXE 30ml reve de miel Melting Honey Body Balm as a Latest in Beauty pick. Lovely to use, buttery soft and deeply nourishing. Something I might pick up full size if my body product stash ever reduces.

I simply adore Avon Senses Zen Mandarin & Jasmine Hand Wash 250ml it's cheap as chips coming in at only a quid. I buy it again and again as I love its beautiful scent.

Evolve's Daily Apple Hair & Body Wash 250ml was gorgeous. Equally good for hair and body. See my review HERE. I'll definitely pick this one up again.

My mum had given me Method's Sunshine Bloom Hand Wash 354ml after me admiring hers in her bathroom. It was lovely to use with a nice sunshiney citrus scent! I've got my eye on their Rose Water and Tropical Cloud ones next!

*The Organic Pharmacy Peppermint Facial Wash 20ml which I received as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. Lovely to use. See my mini review HERE. Definitely one I'll pick up when my gel cleanser stash reduces a bit.

balanceme's Flash Cleanse Micellar Water 30ml was fantastic. Very effective and gentle. It's on my to-buy list. Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying & Plumping Daily Serum 10ml was a Feel Unique My Beauty Kit pick. My skin loved this in summer. 

Award winning Omorovicza's Queen of Hungary Mist* which I tried again as a Beauty Shortlist Judge 2020 is the creme de la creme of face mists! See my thoughts HERE. I've just opened a mini from a Latest in Beauty Box.

My skin adored nknaturals Summer Copper Distilled Botanical Mist 50ml* and I was sad to finish this! I'm looking forward to buying Autumn's version on the equinox on 22 September! See my review of the whole Summer collection, which founder and formulator, Nicola kindly gifted me HERE.

My final empty is ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Plum Conditioning Face Oil 30ml* which I received in the June Love Lula Beauty Box*, see HERE. I simply fell head-over-heels for this face oil - see HERE. I repurchased it during the spend £20 get one free offer. It'll always be in my stash.

What have you been using up in September?

Top Products 2020: May to August

Way back in April I posted my Top Products 2020 for the period January-April - see HERE. These are my top picks for May-August (marked * I've very generously been gifted for review):

I fell totally head-over-heels for Antipodes BAPTISE H20 Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel. See my review HERE.

nknaturals season specific skincare is just the best. I adored the couple of products I tried from their SPRING range and when founder and formulator, Nicola sent me the whole SUMMER collection* - I couldn't quite believe it. So, so generous and of course the range is stunning - see my review HERE. I'm looking forward to buying some of the AUTUMN range when it launches on the 22nd September for the autumn equinox. Check out the shop HERE.

I was invited to try a "my" skin specific range* of products from Typology in May which I absolutely adored. See my reviews HERE and HERE. 

I discovered DESAVERY as a Beauty Shortlist Judge and fell totally in love with the range, packaging, concept and scents (see my top picks for the 2020 Awards HERE). I was kindly sent two new-to-me products in May - see my review HERE. Absolutely love DESAVERY - they are first on my list (especially STELLAR Daily Serum) to replenish when my stash reduces a bit! 

I first tried Ecooking as a Latest in Beauty pick (REVIEW) and then as a Beauty Shortlist Judge - see HERE. In June I tried their Fragrance Free Cleansing Scrub* - REVIEW - in my post I said "this is one of the best scrubs I've ever used". I just love this brand! 

During lockdown I had scalp issues and this little bar of goodness totally cleared them up! I just love Earthkind's Shampoo Bar for Improved Scalp Health* see my review HERE (Latest in Beauty had this as a pick recently so I stocked up!)

I'm a huge, huge fan of the Micheline Arcier Aromatherapie range which really are the creme de la creme of aromatherapy products and are totally timeless. I've loved everything I've tried from them - the products are luxurious, aromatic, a pleasure to use as well as being therapeutic (and good for the soul). See my review of their Richesse D'Or Bath & Shower Crystals* and Body Oil* HERE.

I received Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Plum Conditioning Face Oil* in my June Love Lula Beauty Box*. I fell totally head-over-heels (and then some, for it). See my review HERE.

I received Absolution's Le Gommage Corps Body Scrub in Naturisimo's Summer Vibes Discovery Box - I can never resist their discovery boxes. This scrub is one of the nicest I've ever used. See my review HERE.

I've really enjoyed Terre Verdi's award winning NeroliPom Moisturiser*. See my review HERE. I'm a sucker for the luxe packaging as well as the beautifully scented, silky product within.

Of course, my Ffern Organic Small Batch Perfume just has to be there (I've just heard the notes within the Autumn batch - excitement much, it'll arrive in time for the autumn equinox) Summer20 was simply stunning - I totally fell in love with it. See my review HERE.

I love this de-stress duo from Sanctuary Spa - see my review HERE. I've found both the De-Stress Warming Body Balm and Calming CBD Oil very effective and I'd buy both again.

I was recently very generously sent EVOLVE Organic Beauty's 360 Smoothing Body Contour* which is absolutely dreamy. See my review HERE.

Magic Cocoa* from ZOJO Beauty Elixirs is absolutely fantastic. I very generously received it free of charge for review as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. See my review HERE.

CiTY SURViVOR was another brand I discovered as a Beauty Shortlist Judge (I loved Immune Support and gave it top marks). Founder, Daisy very kindly sent me the trio* to try together. See my review HERE (I've since replenished NIGHT SUPPORT).

Just this month I reviewed Awake Organics new Natural Vegan Shampoo* which comes in powder form (and eco-friendly packaging). See my review HERE. 

Do any of my picks make your top products for 2020?

*nknaturals: Season Specific Skincare: Summer

*gifted 

Founder, Nicola very kindly gifted me the whole Summer collection - I was so touched by her kindness (and I definitely squealed with joy when I opened the carefully wrapped package!) I've been testing and trying since I received the collection and these are my initial thoughts (I'll be back with fuller reviews soon). As you'll know I adore nknaturals having first dabbled with the range in it's earlier form way back 2018 - review, and then the whole range of season oils* review. I had a little purchase from the Spring Collection see HERE and I received the Spring Nutrient Rich Oil in my May Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box.

Summer is a beautiful uplifting blend which is handcrafted in small batches and formulated with season specific ingredients to make sure your skin is always looking its very best. These are just initial musings I'll return to the blog with fuller reviews shortly.

Summer Concentrated Cleansing Balm 60ml (£25) repairs and hydrates the skin during the summer months. It'll regenerate sun damaged skin leaving it feeling clean and nourished. To use: massage a small amount over the skin, inhaling the aroma before removing with a warm damp muslin cloth. My skin's been loving this and has turned cleansing into a real ritual.

I absolutely adored Spring collection's Daily Moisturiser* - see my review HERE. So I couldn't wait to try Summer Enriched Protection Daily Moisturiser 60ml (£30) which truly is a delight. Meltingly rich it absorbs instantly on warm skin and can be used on the face, neck and decolletage. Again, it has the delicious aroma of "summer" - neroli, frangipani and cedarwood. To use: apply a small amount to the skin massaging until absorbed.

Having tried and loved Spring Deep Steam Salt Infusion review I was more than happy to try Summer's version which is a mix of home air dried rose petals, vanilla pod and seabuckthorn berries along with Atlantic sea and Himalayan salts. To use: ensure your skin is clean. Add a spoonful of the salts to a glass or ceramic bowl before carefully adding boiled water which will dissolve the salts and hydrate the buds. Lower your face over the steam and cover your head with a towel making a "tent" to keep in the steam. Sit over the steam for five minutes or so, building up to fifteen minutes as you feel comfortable with the heat.

Summer Distilled Copper Botanical Mist 50ml (£15) is one of my favourites from the range. It's been especially formulated for the summer months and can also be used on the body! To use: spritz onto the skin after the salt infusion or cleansing balm. It can also be used on the body, to cool down sun warmed skin or sprayed onto cotton pads to cool and relax tired eyes.

Rounding up the collection is the fantastic Summer Nutrient Rich Facial Oil 15ml (£15) which comes in a handy rollerball, making it great for travel. This skin loving rich and aromatic oil regenerates and repairs summer skin. To use: apply to the face at night after cleansing and awaken with nourished and glowy skin.

I've been so impressed with the whole Summer Collection - it's absolutely stunning! What are your favourites from the collection?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: Spring: May 2020

It's always an exciting day when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box lands! It arrived on Friday and inside is a brand I adore, a brand which was on my wishlist, a new to me brand, a known to me brand - but I've not tried any of their products and an old faithful!

And so, for a peek:

"Spring - A lovely reminder of how truly beautiful Change can Be"

Now for a closer look..

London Balms has been on my wishlist for a while so I was delighted to see a pot of their Hawaii Kukui Balm (30ml - £9.50) which is suitable for Hands, Body and Feet. You'll know how I love a multi-use product! It also smells sublime - Rosemary, Sweet Orange and Neroli, here's looking at you! I'm really looking forward to this one and a review will follow (Temptingly there's also a code for 10% off!)

From new-to-me Fit Pit is a cute little jar of their Award Winning Woman Natural Deodorant (25ml - £4.99) which looks almost good enough to eat. It smells gorgeous (scented with Rosemary & Bergamot). Looking forward to testing it out.

I'm already a huge fan of nknaturals and inside is their Spring Nutrient Rich Facial Oil 15ml which is worth £15. See my initial thoughts on it HERE (I also reviewed a couple of the other products in the Spring range which you can see HERE). I'm very happy to have a back up of this beautiful oil (great addition to the box, Paula!)

There's a full size of PHB Ethical Beauty's New Balance Face Wash with Lavender & Salicylic Acid 100ml (£17) which is house in a eco friendly glass bottle. I'm always happy to have a new cleanser in my stash and I'm looking forward to trying it out. Again, a review will follow.

The final item is a pot (50g) worth £5 of Akamuti's Amazonian Murumura Butter which is a known to me brand but I've not tried anything from it before. It has a strong nutty/earthy type scent and is good for deeply moisturising dry hair. Use it as a deep conditioning pre-wash. Another one I'm excited to try.

Another great box with lots of newness! Are you a subscriber? Sign up HERE (as the subscription is bi-monthly the next box will be in July).