May: Lately I've been Loving

The Rose cocktail - a simply delicious rose cocktail which contained Rosewater, Tequila, Rhubarb, Lime, Rhubarb bitters and topped with a fresh rose petal. So good I drank two! See my review of dinner at Aizle here.

I picked up this selection of Palmer's Coconut Hair products at Superdrug which are scented with coconut.  They leave the hair feel shiny and healthy (and smelling gorgeous!). Full review to follow.

I really enjoyed a weekend away with mum, dad and hubby.  You can read more about it here.

I've been loving delicious popchips* - the lighter alternative to crisps. They have less than half the fat of normal crisps and come in at around 95 calories and taste delicious - my favourites are salt & vinegar and barbeque flavour.

My mum gave me some new gardening gloves. You can read a gardening update at BodhiLuxe a new online magazine which savours life's luxuries - see here.

Neom's Refresh Organic Bath Oil is my absolute favourite at the moment. Uplifting and refreshing. The scent cheers up my day.

Lastly, I'm just loving Marble & Milkweed's Nourishing Body Oil*. You can see my review here.

What have you been loving this month?

*PR samples

LJ's Natural Solutions: Organic Deep Cleansing Balm

I'm a huge fan of LJ's Natural Solutions products and I've featured them on the blog a couple of times. See my review of the Soothing Organic Handbag Handlotion and Very Indulgent Organic Face Oil here and you can read more about the Monthly Beauty Box here.

Lisa very kindly sent me the Organic Deep Cleansing Balm* (50g - £8.95) to try and review.

The balm is super rich and is stuffed full of good things for the skin - Shea Butter, Vitamins and Avocado Oil.  You only need the smallest amount. As you massage the balm onto your face and neck it melts to an oil cleanser. It has a really gorgeous scent. The balm contains Rosewood & Geranium Essential Oils.  It draws out impurities, daily grime and gets rid of make up easily.  Remove with a warmed damp muslin cloth. It's one of my favourite cleansing balms and great value.

There is no animal testing, no parabens, petrochemicals and artificial colours and fragrances.

LJ's Scratchy Balm is in the shortlist for the Free From SkinCare Awards 2014 - see more details here.

*complimentary

Cult Beauty Wishlist #2

I did my first Cult Beauty Wishlist back in November last year - here's my latest wants!

source

Erno Laszlo Introductory Cleansing Duo (£24.50) - I recently tried the pre-cleansing oil and simply adored it. I've heard great things about the cleansing bar. This is a perfect little try me set.

source

Laboratory Perfumes Gorse EDT (£55) - I recently tried a sample of this via Roullier White and I adore this coconut, citrus green scent.  A bottle will be mine - and soon!

source

Therapie Awaken Skin Rehab Scrub (£28) - a new Therapie product! It sounds amazing! A powder which you massage into dampened skin which melts away dead skin cells, refreshes and regenerates the skin. It also comes in a 30g size which is £8.

source

Lea Journo Hair Care range (£10 upwards) - an exciting new hair care range which contains French Plum Oil. The range of products sound gorgeous. I'm tempted by Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner and the Revive French Plum Oil.

source

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask (£32) - this popped up via an email recently and I thought it sounded right up my street!

source

Costes Bath Flakes (£21 - 10 x 10g) - I've wanted to try these for like..ages! Hotel Costes is where the world's top fashionistas stay during Paris Fashion week. A spicy woody scent with a touch of rose.

What's on your Cult Beauty Wishlist?

Shopping my Stash #52

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

Argan Dew Replenishing Hair Mask 10ml* - a super rich mask made with pure Moroccan Argan Oil. It moisturises and replenishes dry and damaged hair types and Argan Dew Miraculous Argan Oil 3.5ml* - a rich oil which nourishes and strengthens the hair leaving it shiny and healthy looking. Both products don't contain any SLS or SLES and there is no animal testing. You can pick up both these samples for the price of P&P see here.

Suti Rose Water Organic Facial Spritz 100ml - since I got this recently I can't stop using it. It refreshes and tones the skin as well as being uplifting. See my review here.

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser 5ml - this came free with Marie Claire Magazine this month. Of the three products this one's my favourite. A light cream which is deeply moisturising and is scented with rose.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Body Scrub 200ml - I'm a huge fan of Dr Organic products especially the Rose Otto range.  A gentle scrub which leaves the skin radiant and smelling of roses.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Skinscent 100ml - I've not treated myself to a bottle of this since Tom Ford's version many moons ago.  Estee Lauder bring this scent out every summer and it's always a sell out.  It reminds me of summer holidays and suntan lotion. It has notes of mandarin, bergamot, lemon, orange, tiare flower, jasmine, magnolia petals, orange flower buds, amber, coconut milk, sandalwood and vanilla.

What are your favourites this week?

*pr samples

The Dream Box by The British Beauty Blogger & Latest in Beauty

I first saw that Jane, The British Beauty Blogger was launching her third beauty box in association with Latest in Beauty on a Facebook group. I was lucky enough to pick up her first box - see my thoughts here.

The Dream box cost £19.95 including P&P. The item which caught my eye the most was Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water (100ml) worth £10 - half the box!  I reviewed Bee Good's Intensive Hand Repair this week - see here*.

So what's inside:

It's absolutely packed full of goodies and worth over £100!

My second favourite item is the Kneipp Herbal Bath in Mandarin - Orange 100ml - this is a full size bottle and it is said to relieve stress and make you happy. Smells gorgeous and looking forward to trying it.

I love the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick Kisses - I got Marilyn a bright red shade. Inside the envelope is a little card with lipstick lips which you apply directly as if you are kissing it. Cute.

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara 8ml (this is worth £19!) - I've heard great things about this collagen infused deep black mascara which is paraben free. Looking forward to try it out.

Janjira Hand Wash in Argan Oil 50ml - this is paraben and sulphate free and smells refreshing. Not heard of this brand before.

REN Satin Perfecting BB Cream 3ml - huge REN fan. This is silicone free and non-oily. I've used this before and the shade doesn't quite suit my skin tone. I'll maybe get to use it in the summer.

L'Occitane Immortalle Divine Lotion 50ml - this is a new product and you use it after cleansing to soften the skin before moisturiser.  Looking forward to trying it out.

Roger & Gallet Gingembre Rouge Fresh Fragrant Water 1.5ml vial - this is really nice with ginger, mandarin and pomegranate notes. Perfect for spring and summer.

Lola Kabuki Brush - this is a lovely soft little brush and I'm looking forward to trying it out with my bronzer.

Bourjois Cream Blush in shade 01 2.5g - received this in the first box. Perfect shade for summer.

Benefit it's potent eye cream 3g - I've used this before and liked it.

Make up Revolution Awesome Eyeshadow & Eyebrow Palette in Disappear till Tomorrow - this has nice neutral brown shades with a few sparkly shades. Looking forward to trying it out. 

Elemis Treat Your Feet Foot Cream 20ml - huge Elemis fan and have used this foot cream before. Highly moisturising and smells nice. Perfect to get feet sandal ready.

Essie Polish in hide and go chic - this is a full size bottle in a pretty blue shade.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Spray 50g - the perfect size for popping in your handbag to cool down and refresh the skin on hot summer days.

So there you have it - 15 great items. Did you pick up the box? What are your thoughts?

*PR sample

Helenere Perfect Neck Lifting 30ml

I was recently sent Helenere's Perfect Neck Lifting (30ml - £62)* a lightweight serum which deeply moisturises and reduces the signs of ageing on the neck and decolletage. It is essential to moisturise your neck as it is one of the first places to show signs of ageing.

Helenere is a luxury Swiss brand which was founded in 1987 by Helen Rosato-Rossi, a passionate beauty entrepreneur. The range is high performance with active ingredients and state of the art technologies.

Perfect Neck Lifting is a moisturising serum which helps to reduce signs of ageing while firming and toning the delicate neck area.  Warm in the palms and apply to the skin before day or night cream.

I was also sent best seller Maitrise du temps serum (10ml)* an extra rich serum which nourishes, restores firmness and brightness as well as reducing lines and wrinkles.  Apply a few drops AM and PM massaging into the skin. It's also good to use around the eye and lip area.

I also tried samples - Seroxome Serum 5ml* - a regenerating and restructuring serum which brightens and fights ageing, Hydralia Day Cream 5ml* - a day moisturiser which hydrates and protects the skin. This was one of my favourite samples.  Eye Contour Cream 5ml* which fights against ageing and nourishes the delicate eye area reducing dark circles and wrinkles and Perfect Eye Lifting 5ml* a serum which lifts the eye area, brightens and reduces fine lines.

Keep a look out for my June Helenere Giveaway!

Follow on Twitter @Helenere_Intl

*PR samples

TEWC Mini Haul

After having tried TEWC Face Moisturiser for Normal or Combination Skin* - see my review here I was tempted into trying some more products. I picked up a full size (40g) and some trial sizes. The trial sizes are 6g and 10g making them an ideal size to try or take on holidays.

Here's what I chose:

Virgin Coconut & Lime Body Butter 40g (40g - £8 or 80g - £12.50) - which smells delicious (reminds me of chocolate lime sweets!). Super sweet and deeply moisturising this butter melts upon contact with warm skin leaving the skin with a zingy lime scent - just perfect for summer.  A blend of Shea and Cocoa Butter, Virgin Coconut Oil and Vitamin E.  One I know I'll be purchasing again and again!

My trio of trial sizes were all £2 each which I think are great value.  I chose:

Lavender & Sweet Orange Body Melt and Lemon & Geranium Body Melt - I took these with me for my weekend away. Packed full of good things for the skin and scented with essential oils. I simply loved the Lavender & Sweet Orange one.

Grapefruit Facial Exfoliator an uplifting grapefruit scented exfoliator which featured as top facial scrub in Natural Health magazine. Fine cornstarch removes dead skin cells leaving the skin radiant and renewed.  It also contains Castor Oil which draws out dirt, Sweet Almond Oil to soften and smooth and Grapefruit Essential Oil which helps to ease stress and anxiety. Massage over the face before removing with a warmed damp muslin cloth.

Remember you can get a very generous 25% off with code BB25.

Have you used any TEWC products before?

See the website here
Follow on Twitter @TEWC1

*PR sample

Bee Good Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair 50ml

I was recently sent Bee Good Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair* (50ml - £12) to try and review.  Bee Good was founded by husband and wife team in 2008, with Simon being an experienced beekeeper and Caroline keen to make natural skincare.

Finest ingredients are used - bee ingredients (some sourced from fellow British beekeepers), plant oils and natural active botanicals sourced in Britain. There are no synthetic colours, mineral oil, silicones, SLS, SLES and parabens used and no animal testing.  The products are BUAV certified.

Bee Good donate a share of profits to beekeeping causes and apprenticeship and education of young beekeepers.  Each purchase helps to protect British bees.  A nice touch I think is the label which contains wildflower seeds to plant in your garden which will grow and be a source of nectar for the honeybees in your garden.

The hand cream is really rich, intensive and nurturing so it is great for dry hands (feet, elbows, knees too!).  It contains moisturising British Wild flower honey, Echium oil to replenish the skin, Cocoa & Shea Butter to deeply moisturise, antioxidant Vitamin E, strengthening Borage and Antibacterial British Propolis.  It has a light slightly herbal floral scent which I love! To use: massage into the skin as often as needed for beautifully soft and moisturised hands.

I am super excited to be able to try Honey & Wild Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water 100ml (worth £10) when my BBB Beauty Box III (£19.95 for 15 items with free P&P) arrives!

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @BeeGood_UK

*PR sample

Souk Souk May Beauty Box

My Souk Souk Beauty Box arrived yesterday afternoon.  It includes some brands I've never heard of before.

Mistral Verbena Petit French Soap (50g - £3.50) - a shea butter soap which smells gorgeous! It contains mint, lime, marjoram and jasmine and is a perfect size for travel. 

Mistral Verbena Extra Rich Body Lotion (60ml - £4.75) - this body lotion is deeply moisutrising and has the same scent as the soap. Looking forward to trying this out.

SpaRitual Handprint Hand Serum (7.4ml - £2) - I'm a fan of hand care products so looking forward to trying this out. It has a nice fresh and fruity scent.

Essential Care Organic Avocado Replenishing Cream (15ml - £7.50) - a day and night cream made with cold pressed avocado, olive oil, shea butter and nettle to moisturise and restore.  This is suitable for dry skin.

SpaRitual Nail Lacquer (15ml - £9.75) (Eye of the Beholder) - certified Vegan and free-from.  This is a vibrant green shade. I'm not a polish fan so I'll pass this on. 

A great value box considering a subscription is £10 plus P&P each month.  Did you get this box? What are your thoughts on the contents?

Weekend Away: North Berwick

I'm just back from two night's away at the Macdonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick with hubby and my mum and dad. We had a really nice stay - had lovely beach walks, hit the boutique shops in North Berwick and ate great food.

North Berwick is a seaside town approximately 25 miles from Edinburgh. We regularly come here for day trips and normally stop for lunch at The Lobster Shack.

Our rooms were way up on the top floor with wonderful sea views (my dad loved watching the golfers on the course between the hotel and the sea).

And in the bathroom nice Arran Aromatics toiletries.

We ate some lovely meals including goats cheese with ratatouille, market fish which that day was plaice and vanilla pannacotta with pineapple and mango. The food was really delicious and the staff friendly and welcoming with the service being excellent.

We also ventured to Gullane and visited Falko for coffee and cake - raspberry gateau for me with a mocha.  Yummy. There is also a Falko in Bruntsfield. See more details here.

I bought some Root candles which smell amazing and have a wooden wick (Westgate Galleries) and outerhebrides soap (Old Smiddy in Gullane).

Here's the beauty products I took with me..

and the make up..

Had a really nice trip and can't wait to go back!  Have you been on a short break recently?

Balm Balm Rose Geranium Face Balm

I received this Balm Balm Rose Geranium Face Balm (£6.99 - 30ml) in my last Souk Souk box.  I've used this on and off over the years and love that it is multi-purpose.

The balm which is 100% Certified Organic contains Shea Butter, Beeswax, Calendula, Sunflower and Jojoba oils along with Rose Geranium essential oil.

It leaves the skin nourished, radiant and lightly scented with uplifting Rose Geranium.

The face balm has won best Organic Beauty & Body Care Award by The Soil Association and The Natural & Organic Awards by Josephine Fairly and Sarah Stacey.

You can use this on your face and neck, dry skin patches, elbows, knees, feet, lips, cuticles and use as a hot cloth cleanser - how's that for a multi-purpose product!

Balm Balm's Mandarin Single note scent featured in my Seven Scents for Summer last year.  I reviewed relax bath & shower oil here and the Rose Geranium Single note scent here.

Follow on Twitter @BalmBalm

See the website here.

SBC Jasmine & Evening Primrose Oil Body Butter

I was recently sent SBC Jasmine & Evening Primrose Oil Body Butter* (450ml - £25). SBC is a British company which has been around since 1988. They are famous for their soothing gels which you can buy direct from the website or QVC.  The company also make bath products, body butters, exfoliators, cleansers, serums and masks.

The Jasmine & Evening Primrose Oil Butter is a rich and creamy butter which deeply moisturises the skin leaving it lightly and exotically scented.  

It contains Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter, Starflower, Evening Primrose and Jasmine extracts. The scent is quite strong when you first rub it onto the skin but the scent mellow on the skin - it's gorgeous!  The butter hydrates and soothes dry skin.  To use: massage onto the body until absorbed after your bath or shower.

There is no animal testing and no parabens are used. Packaging is minimal and recyclable.  Other items in the Jasmine & Evening Primrose Oil range are skincare gel and Bath & Shower Creme.

Have you used any SBC products before?

*PR sample

Shopping my Stash #51

These products are making me smile this week!

de Mamiel Rosey Lip Balm 10ml - I receive this lip balm from hubby in this little set which made me really happy. A simply gorgeous lip balm which smells of roses.  It's stuffed full of nourishing things for the lips - Camellia, Monoi and Evening Primrose oils, mango butter, rosewax, calendula, beeswax, honey along with Rose Otto and Rose Geranium essential oils. It's truly one of the nicest lip balms I have used...ever!  I'm happy to also use on flyaway hair and cuticles. Love a of a multi-purpose product!

bodhi has just recently been rebranded to bodhi & birch. I was very kindly sent Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum 30ml* to try and review. It smells of exotic limes and moisturises and revitalises the hands and nails as well as protecting skin with antibacterial properties. The serum contains Olive Squalane, Rose Hip Oil, Plum Kernal, Safflower Seed Oils and Vitamin E. Apply one or two pumps to your hands and rub into the hands and nails leaving them deeply moisturised and lightly scented. A full review to follow. I love this product already!

TEWC Grapefruit Facial Exfoliator - this is a 6g sample size (£2) which is great for trial size/travel. There are a number of their products you can buy in sample size.  This zingy exfoliator removes dead skin cells leaving the skin soft and renewed.  Full size is very firmly planted on my wishlist. Also gorgeous is Virgin Coconut & Lime Body Butter (the scent of which reminds me of chocolate lime sweets!).

Lotus Wei Infinite Love Mist sample - again this came in Content's Love Collection. A brand I'd wanted to try for a while now. Infinite Love is one of a selection of mists which founder Katie Hess has created to help people depending on how they are feeling and their mood. This helps to awaken your nurturing affectionate nature, be kind to yourself, attract love and affection and make you feel love. Mist it around your neck and shoulders, your office space, bedroom and during stressful times. I've been enjoying using it and want to try more from the range.

I picked up a decant of Laboratory Perfumes No.002 Gorse EDT from Roullier White recently and I simply love it. It reminds me slightly of Creed's Virgin Island Water. Gorse has notes of green, citrus and coconut from the gorse flowers. Full size is on my ever-expanding wishlist!

The Body Deli Firming Flax Eye Cream 5ml - this came in my a beautiful world S/S Sampler box. A rich cream which firms, brightens and hydrates the eye area. It is packed full of good things for the delicate eye area and helps to banish early signs of ageing. So far I love this. 

What have you been loving this week?

*PR sample

OLEHENRIKSEN Grease Relief Cleansing Cloths

I was recently sent these OLEHENRIKSEN Grease Relief Cleansing Cloths* to try (£12 - 30 cloths). Suitable for oily and blemish prone skin (I have combination skin and suffer from spots on my t-zone).

The cleansing cloths refresh and cleanse skin at home or on the go (great for popping in the gym bag). The cloths are quite thick and textured and deeply cleanse, refining pores and exfoliating the skin (I've been using the textured side on my t-zone and the smooth side on the rest of my face).  The wipes don't contain any parabens, sulphates or phthalates. Glycolic, Lactic and Citric acids dissolve dead skin cells leaving the skin clean and clarified.

To use: work in an upward circular motion taking care around sensitive eyes.

I don't tend to use facial wipes very often (but I do pack them when I go on holiday). These ones are fabulous and smell great.  They contain Eucalyptus to purify, Witch Hazel to absorb oil and Aloe Leaf which calms, heals and moisturises.

There are two other varieties available - The Clean Truth and Nuture Me.  

Have you tried these? Do you ever use face wipes?

You can buy at: Look Fantastic, John Lewis, Bath & Unwind, Beauty Expert and instore in Debenhams in Glasgow & Dundee.

*PR sample