Nature Perfect Vitamin Boost DIY Kit

Natania at Nature Perfect recently got in touch with me to see if I'd like to try one of her Clay Kits.  She sent me the Vitamin Boost DIY Kit* (£21) and a Face Mask Blending Kit (£5.99) - (which includes a mixing bowl and spatula).

Natania Jones the founder is a Beauty Therapist and Nutritionist. Products are free from SLS, Parabens, Mineral Oils, phthalates, synthetics and there is no animal testing.  Ingredients are Soil Association approved and Organic and Fair Trade where possible. 10% of sales go to charity.

Included is:

100g Bentonite Clay - powdered sedimentary clay which comes from ancient deposits of volcanic ash.  It is rich in magnesium. As well as using it for your mask to deep cleanse the skin it can be used as a tooth whitener - press toothbrush into clay and brush gently onto the teeth or in the bath for a deep cleansing soak.

50g Cranberry Powder - stuffed full of Vitamin C, Vitamin B5 and B3. It protects against environmental damage, helps with cell regeneration and fights free radicals.  This can be used with the clay or as a mini mask mixed with the Orange Flower Water.

100ml Orange Flower Water - this smells simply gorgeous! It awakens the skin, brightens and tones.  This can also be used as a toner or face spritzer.

100g Camellia Seed Oil - a light and easily absorbed oil which is rich in Vitamin A which regenerates the skin.  If you add it to your mask it will make it non-drying. This can also be used on its own to moisturise the skin.

Combine: 1tsp Clay, 1tsp Cranberry Powder, 1tbs Orange Flower Water - or enough to make a paste.  Add 1tsp of Camellia Oil to make the mask non-drying. Then apply to face and neck (I use the spatula to apply it) avoiding eyes/lips. Leave on 10-20 minutes while soaking in the bath.  Rinse, tone with the Orange Flower Water and moisturise with the Camellia Seed Oil.

I like that you can mix your own mask as to your requirements. I've really been enjoying experimenting.  You can also buy the products individually see here.

See more details here.  Follow on Twitter @BeautyDIYkits.

*PR sample

merionwen gardener's flowers salt scrub

I'm a huge fan of merionwen products - having used Eastern Spice Bedouin Nights Body Butter - (review) as well as Turkish Delight Lip Balm and Vintage Rose Bath Treat - see here. Helen very kindly sent me gardener's flowers salt scrub* (200g - £5.50).

The scrub uses dead sea salt, ground lavender buds and ground rosemary leaves along with Sweet Almond Oil, Shea butter, Castile soap with Rosemary, Lavender and Geranium Essential Oils and the scrub is topped with rosebuds.

I'd not been down to the veggie plot for a while until Sunday afternoon (mine is the one with the herbs at the top). I'm just in the process of ordering seeds for the forthcoming growing season.

I used the gardener's flowers Salt scrub after my time working at the veggie plot. 

To use: rub approximately a teaspoon over dry hands and rinse under warm water. Afterwards apply the gardener's flowers hand balm.  I found this scrub really effective at scrubbing away grime from the garden as well as softening the hands and leaving them lightly scented.

Have you used any merionwen products before?

*complimentary

MIMI & ME Signature Collection Body Creme

At the beginning of December MIMI & ME sent me a gorgeous Christmas Bliss Candle* and a pot of their Signature Collection Body Creme 120g* (normally £12.99 in the sale at the moment for £10.40).

The body creme is presented in a cute silky branded drawstring bag which I think is a nice touch.

The body creme has a light texture and is easily absorbed. It leaves the skin smelling simply gorgeous! The scent is quite spicy but fruity and uplifting. Containing Petigrain, Cinnamon Leaf, Ylang Ylang, Coriander and Ginger. It leaves the skin feels deeply moisturised and silky smooth.

You could apply Signature Solid Perfume afterwards to enhance your pampering experience (30g - £15).

Have you used this or any other MIMI & ME products?

*PR sample

YOU Beauty Discovery Box: January

My January YOU Beauty Discovery box came last week.  It costs £6.95 including P&P and you chose two items from a selection and YOU add two extras - this time a mini bag of BBQ Popchips (yum) and a sachet of Green People Age Defy+ 24 Hour Brightening along with a code for £5 off the full size.

I chose:

The Organic Pharmacy (there was a selection of 3 masks sent randomly) I was sent Enzyme Peel Mask with Vitamin C & Papaya (5ml) which is suitable for all skin types. I'm looking forward to trying this. A full review will follow. It smells gorgeous.

My second item is Melvita Fresh Moisturising Body Milk (30ml) This is a easily absorbed lotion scented with roses. It is made with rose floral water, rose seed milk and wild rose petals.  A definite pampering treat. Full size 200ml is currently retailing on Melvita's website for £11.20).

You can see more details about the YOU Beauty Discovery box here.

Did you get this box? What are your thoughts?

Shopping My Stash #41 - #NoBuyJanuary Edition 1

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

balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream 30ml - I received this in January's Love Lula box. A rich body cream which leaves the skin moisturised and smelling of roses. It's gorgeous. 

Yarok Feed your Ends 2oz - this came in the a beautiful world A/W'13 Sampler box.  A leave in conditioner which de-tangles and protects from over use of hairdryers and straightners. Spray onto damp hair mid-lengths to ends before blow drying and it will leave your hair nourished, shiny and smooth.

inner-soul organics Scandinavian Deep Moisture Organic Hand & Body Salve** - a rich balm scented with Juniper berries, Pine and Arctic Oat. It melts easily into the skin leaving it moisturised and soft. I can't get enough of it right now. Gorgeous! This product has still to launch at inner-soul.  You can read more about inner-soul here.

Jurlique Essence of Rose roll-on Fragrance Oil 11ml - I first read about this on Eveylyn's blog and decided it would one day be in my collection! Made with a variety of rose oils with a base of shea butter it's light and easy to wear.

Simply Bee Propolis Serum 30ml* - this serum contains propolis and neroli essential oil which help calm, nourish and heal the skin. A full review to follow.

VMV Hypoallergenics know-it-oil 50ml - I also received this in the a beautiful world A/W'13 Sampler box. I love that it is a multi-purpose product - you can use it all over the body, as a hair treatment and even cook with it! I've been enjoying using it on rough patches of skin and as a hair deep treatment.

Dr Bronner's Magic Peppermint Organic Body Balm 14g - I got this in the Love Lula set at Christmas time. A rich balm (housed in a cute tin) which can be used all over the body. It's great for hands, cuticles and dry patches of skin.

What have you been using this week?

**won in Twitter competition run by inner-soul organics and The Beauty Shortlist
*PR sample

Peppy Galore Diva Cleansing Oil

I received a 45g Peppy Galore Diva Cleansing Oil for Sensitive Skins in my December Souk Souk box (45g - £7.45, 95g - £14.95). 

Jessi Frey, the founder of Peppy Galore wanted to create a skincare range which is "natural, affordable and fun".  Quality ingredients are used and the packaging is quirky.

Diva Cleansing Oil is suitable for sensitive skins and all products are free from parabens, SLS, SLES, silicones, petrochemicals and there is no animal testing.

This is a really gentle cleanser and easily removes all make up and daily grime. It also has a lovely vanilla scent.  I don't have particularly sensitive skin but I have found it really gentle on my skin.

To use: massage onto the skin 3-4 pumps over face, eyes and neck remove with a warmed damp muslin cloth. 

Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E, Calendula extract and Vanilla extract

Have you used this cleansing oil before?

#NoBuyJanuary - Update 1

I've been tempted by but resisted the Aromatherapy Associates sale and today's one day pop up sale over at a beautiful world - so far so good I reckon!

As you can see by the bathroom cupboard I showed you last week - see here I have loads to use up! This is only one storage space in my home too..

I've also decided I'm going to limit lunches I buy at work and bring my own in the days I'm at work. I've pre-ordered (with Christmas Amazon vouchers) The Little Book of Lunch - which I'm hoping will give me some exciting lunchtime options to brighten up my day!

I do have a huge list of wants this week. I'm planning on going back to these lists once my ban is over and seeing if I still want to buy..

If you are doing a spending ban how's it going?

Love Lula Beauty Box - January

Even though I'm on #NoBuyJanuary I'm allowing myself my beauty boxes. It was a real treat to receive my January Love Lula box yesterday.

So what's inside:

balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream 30ml - this is a lovely rose scented rich cream which melts into the skin leaving the skin smelling of roses. Simply gorgeous and a balance Me product I've not tried. Super happy to see this in the box!

BiOrganics Perfect Balance Shampoo 50ml - I was excited to see this and another BiOrganics product in the box as I am always looking for organic haircare to try. This is natural shampoo which is affordable - looking forward to testing this out.

BiOrganics Salon Secret Elixir Hair Perfecting Oil - mini sample - this oil strengthens and repairs the hair and also adds shine. Helps eliminate frizz and strengthen the hair.  Also protects from heat styling and reduces drying time. Again, looking forward to trying this.

Konjac Sponge - huge fan of Konjac sponges so happy to see this in the box. It is made from pure vegetable fibre with natural vitamins and minerals which help to exfoliate, soften and clean the skin.

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk 10ml sachet - love John Masters products. Will pack this away for my next weekend away.

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

urbanveda: Purifying Trial Sizes

I recently picked up some urbanveda trial sizes at Latest in Beauty. Great value at (£3.50 for 2 x 20ml tubes and 1 x 10ml) plus P&P. I recently bought the Radiance Trio as I've been impressed with these ones - they are fab too!

urbanveda is a skincare range which is based on the principles of Ayurveda and are naturally formulated using herbs, flowers, fruits, multi-vitamins and clinically proven actives.

There are three main body types which are known as doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha - you can take a little test here to find out your dosha.

The Purifying range contains Neem which is infused with bioactive botanicals of Wild Mint, Eucalyptus and Witch Hazel to detoxify congested skin as well as helping to mattify and refine oil prone skin.  The range has a great scent.

The products are free from SLS, parabens and GM ingredients. 

Purifying Daily Facial Wash 20ml (full size 150ml - £7.99) - I've been using this facial wash in the shower in the morning. It cleanses and purifies the skin. I've been having a few outbreaks in my T-zone and I've found this wash has helped clear up blackheads and excess oil.

Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish 20ml (full size 125ml - £8.99) - this scrub contains natural pumice to deeply cleanse and polish the skin.  I've been using this once or twice a week on my T-zone.  The polish particles are fairly gentle on the skin.

Purifying Day Cream 10ml (full size 50ml - £14.99) - a light and easily absorbed cream. It helps to reduce oil and mattify the T-zone.

I've been enjoying using the range and would recommend it.  Have you used any urbanveda products?

See the website here
Follow on Twitter @urbanveda 

Charlotte Hilton Rose Otto Sweet & Seductive Rosebud Milk Bath

I'd been following Charlotte Hilton for a while on Twitter and just after Christmas (and before my spending ban kicked in) I treated myself to Rose Otto, Sweet & Seductive Rosebud Milk Bath.  Currently this retails at £17 normally £22 for 225g (UK P&P is £2.95).

All the products are lovingly hand made with the finest Soil Association Certified Organic and natural ingredients along with active botanicals.

The company was named after June's mum and late gran - both called Charlotte Hilton (June decided on the name when the company was just a daydream).

June says "I've always had an obsession with beauty from a teenager and have been obsessive about keeping the signs of ageing at bay, even as a fresh faced 17 year old I was obsessed with wrinkles!  I have also always loved pampering and lying soaking in a hot bath day dreaming and planning my life!  I can never understand people who say to me that they don't have time for a bath just a quick shower! I find pampering very therapeutic".

June lives with her other half in Norfolk and works part-time as a Property Consultant in Central London. The rest of her time is spent in Norfolk creating her luxurious range of pampering organic products.  Currently the range is only available online.

I can quite easily say this is one of the nicest and most luxurious bath time products I've ever used. 

It is truly indulgent and makes for a pampering bath time treat. Scented with Rose Otto, Organic Rose Geranium, Organic Bergamot and Lemon Peel Essential oils along with Milk Powder, Himalyan Salt and Organic Jojoba Oil.

It uplifts, soothes the soul and moisturises the skin leaving it smelling lightly of roses.

Sprinkle a couple of spoonfuls into your bathtub, climb in and relax. 

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @CharlottHilton 

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Care Starter Kit

I bought this mini Weleda kit from Naturisimo (£6.95) just before Christmas. I am a huge fan of the Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion so was keen to try the body wash and body oil.

The Creamy Body Wash and Replenishing Body Lotion are both 20ml sizes. The Body Oil is 10ml.  Also included is a muslin cloth. A great little set for giving as a gift, for holidays or just to try this scent and the products.

I love the fresh and fruity scent of the Sea Buckthorn range. Made with antioxidant rich Sea Buckthorn Oil blended with orange, mandarin & grapefruit essential oils.

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash nourishes the skin and is great to use to waken up in the mornings.  The wash is made with eco-friendly cleansers made from sugar and coconut. Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Moisturiser - a light lotion which absorbs easily into the skin leaving it deeply moisturised and lightly scented. Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil - a rich oil which contains Sea Buckthorn Oil, Vitamins A & E to soften, moisturise and protect. I'm a huge fan of body oils so love this! All three full size are being added to the ever-expanding wishlist!

Other products I'm keen to try are - Citrus Refreshing Bath Milk, Birch Cellulite Oil and some Travel Sizes.  What's your favourite Weleda products?

Time Bomb COMPLEXION COCKTAIL with a Shot of B12 100ml

I was recently sent this amazing product to review - Time Bomb COMPLEXION COCKTAIL with a Shot of B12* (100ml - £24)

The range is created by the Federici Brand - the team behind John Frieda's Hair Care range.  The products are suitable for women of all ages who have concerns about skin ageing.

"unique skin-optimizing and beauty enhancing products...fully-loaded high potency formulas". 

The product is formulated with high levels of Vitamin B12 and B3, brown algae, centella, gingseng, 12 amino acids and 2 types of Hyaluronic Acid.

Apply to dry skin, avoiding the eyes/lips either by pouring some of the pale pink liquid into your palms and massaging it onto your skin or by using a cotton wool pad like you would do with a toner. You can use it both morning and night before moisturising.

I can't begin to tell you how much clearer, brighter and healthier looking this has made my skin look and feel.  It also evens the skin tone, refreshes, revitalises and reboots the skin banishing every day stresses.

See the website here. There are great value sets available on QVC - see here.

*PR sample

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina anti-ageing hand & nail cream 50ml

I received this as a free gift with a Naturisimo order not long before Christmas. I've used some of the Barefoot Botanicals products before in the past.  The products have recently be re-branded and the range is now called Barefoot SOS.

The Rosa Fina range contains rosa mosqueta oil which is obtained by pressing the seeds of a wild Chilean rose.  It is great for wrinkles, stretch marks and scar tissue.  

The hand cream also includes jojoba and argan oils together with nail strengthening cysteine, nourishing macadamia and mallow. It contains essential oils of Damask Rose, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood and Lavender.

Free from paraffin, parabens, SLS, artificial colours, fragrances and animal ingredients.

I've found the hand cream absorbs easily and deeply nourishes both my hands and nails.  It has an uplifting and slightly foral/woody scent and leaves my hands satin smooth.

You can purchase it from Amazon (£16.75) or Feel Unique (£17.10)

#NoBuyJanuary

Paula from Naturally Paula has linked up a few bloggers who are on a Spending Ban in January #NoBuyJanuary. I tried and failed to do a 100 day spending ban last year - see some of my posts here and here.

The rules are simple - no new beauty products apart from essentials like deodorant or cotton pads - I know for a fact I won't run out of anything else!  I am allowing myself my beauty boxes - Souk Souk and Love Lula.  If anyone is kind enough to give me a PR sample during the month I'll not say no!  I already do a Shopping my Stash type post which I'll continue to do. I'll also do a weekly wants (my list for week one is huge already).

You can see Paula's full post here including the list of bloggers taking part.

I'll do weekly updates as to how I get on and if it's possible I'll keep going through February. Wish me luck!

Inner-Soul Organics Christmas Luxury Beauty Hamper

I was absolutely over-the-moon to find out I'd won Fiona's giveaway (The Beauty Shortlist) winning an Inner-Soul Organics Luxury Beauty Hamper worth £120! 

I picked it up from the Post Office on Monday and was eager to delve in!

Included in the hamper is two brand new products which haven't launched yet! How excited am I?

These are:

Scandinavian Angelica Refresh Bath & Shower Oil - this has a smokey scent - I've used it in the shower so far.

Scandinavian Deep Moisture Hand & Body Salve - I'm already totally in love with this rich and deeply moisturising balm which melts easily onto the skin.

Also included is:

Circulation Boost Skin Oil 100ml - I received 30ml of this in my latest Souk Souk box and loved it.

Romance Me Skin Oil 100ml (this has Jasmine & Rose Essential Oils in it).  It smells divine and I know I'm going to love, love, love it!

Barefaced Beauty Serum 30ml

Facial Oil 30ml

Full reviews will follow shortly on all the products.  You can find more information here and see Fiona's website here (a really informative read - I'm always seeing products I want!)

Follow Inner-Soul on Twitter @InnerSoulOrg 

Follow The Beauty Shortlist @BeautyShortlist

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Hope you all have a great 2014 and that all your dreams come true.

source

Check out more of Lee's amazing photos here & here

December: Lately I've Been Loving

Seems like I've had to rush posts to get all of them done before the New Year! 

I was recently sent not.a.sponge Bamboo Charcoal Face* to review and so far my skin is loving it! It has helped to clear up blackheads round about my chin, nose and forehead. A full review will follow soon!

I love visiting our local German Market in December - nothing beats their Mulled Wine with a shot of Brandy or Amaretto. Nom, nom, nom. I also love the salted pretzels you can buy there.

My boss gave me some lovely gifts this year and one of them was a box of Prestat Chocolates - simply delicious and very luxurious.

More sweeties! Have been enjoying "helping" hubby eat these delicious Hotel Chocolat Rum Soak Sultanas. 

One of my favourite products this month has been Conscious Skincare - Soothing Hand Cream for Hardworking Hands 50ml* - see my review here.

I've also been enjoying a skinny latte in my new favourite cup - thanks Laura!

And last but not least...have been enjoying a real Christmas tree this year.

What have you been loving this month?

*PR sample

December Books & a yearly round-up

Having read no books in November!! I managed to read 3 in December.

Blog Inc. by Joy Deengdeelert Cho - I found this book really quite interesting although a bit Americanised in bits. I found the chapters on SEO and growing your blog the most interesting.  A useful read.

the first phone call from heaven by Mitch Albom - I'm a huge fan of Mitch Albom's books especially Tuesdays with Morrie.  The story follows some residents from a small town start who to receive phone calls from the afterlife. I quite enjoyed it but it didn't leave me thinking like his other stories have done.

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain - simply could not put this book down! Jo from Beauty and the Books sent it to me to read - thanks Jo! 

Newlywed Jane Forrester straight out of University starts work as a Social Worker (much to her husband's dismay). She is sent to the rural Tobacco fields of Grace County. She discovers the families there live in extreme poverty. One of the families she works with is the Hart family.  She discovers a secret which involves Ivy Hart who is fifteen and she decides to help her risking her career and marriage.

I had set myself a challenge to read at least four books a month in 2013. Here's how I got on:

January - 3 (link)

February - 2 (link)

March - 1 (link)

April - 1 (link)

May - 4 (link)

June - 3 (link)

July - 3 (link)

August - 2 (link)

September - 3 (link)

October - 5 (link)

November - 0

December - 3 - see above.

My favourite books this year:

Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse 

The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood 

Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain

One Step too Far by Tina Seskis

The Shadow Year by Hannah Richell 

Alice Bliss by Laura Harrington

The Villa by Rosanna Ley

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

A Serpentine Affair by Tina Seskis 

The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

You can buy all these at Amazon.

Have you been doing a book challenge this year?

Christmas Hamper

Nardine at live..laugh...love sent me a gorgeous hamper just before Christmas stuffed full of nice things to eat along with some beauty items and a lovely candle - she's naughty!

I do however love everything she sent me..

Look at all the lovely goodies!

She knows I am a huge Harrods fan and she sent me Mince Pies, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Biscuits, a chocolate tree bauble, fudge and Brandy butter all of which are yummy. Along with a really cute tea towel with a robin on it.

You already know she sent me a beautiful rose scented Quintessentially English gift set - which you can see here. Also in my hamper was a L'Occitane soap and dish, a Caudalie Pamplemousse Rose Hand Cream 30ml and a Parks Myrrh scented candle which came packaged in a silver box in a silver coloured glass jar and from a brand I've not heard of before!

Foodie Swap

A few of us on a Facebook group arranged to do a foodie swap just before Christmas. The budget was £20. I went a bit over but not as much as my swap partner Laura....

She made delicious homemade goodies for me putting my swap parcel to shame! (I'm going to do what I know best and make her a beauty hamper in January).

I was totally blown away by her kindness. Everything is amazing!

Onto the contents:

Individually wrapped teapigs teabags - chocolate flake, camomile, peppermint, lemon & ginger, lemongrass, superfruit, Roobis creme caramel and winter spice

Homemade:

Cantuccini, White chocolate spoons which you melt into hot milk!, marshmallows on sticks with toppings, Oreo Truffles (to die for), Gingerbread star cookies (which were delicious), Christmas Pretzels, Citrus Rosemary Salt, Bacon Jam, Savory Herb Salt Rub, Chipotle Cilantro Butter, Vanilla Sugar, Chilli & Lime Salt, Vin D'Orange Aperitif, Clementine Brown Sugar Mixer (for Old Fashioned), Cranberry Clove Mixer (for having with a glass of fizz), Vanilla Essence, Mulled Wine sachets and wine, Hazelnut Rocky Road Brownies in a jar, Chocolate Chip Fudge Cookies in a jar, Red Grapefruit marmalade x 2 jars

My Favourite Recipes book, Guess the gins #1, #2, #3 (with a prize for the correct answers!), Edinburgh Gin Spiced Orange, pretty mug with nespresso capsules, Deans Oat Biscuits with Stem Ginger, Deans Cheese Oat Nibbles extra Mature Cheddar and Chilli, Willies Cacao Ginger and Lime and candy canes.

Laura also brought me some of her delicious homemade cupcakes.