December Favourites

These are the products I've been reaching for during December.

BRIXI Bee Balm - love this - you can see my review here.  

MOSSGROVE Deodorant - a friend recommended this deodorant to me. Scented with Jasmine and other essential oils it contains little or no parabens or petrochemicals.  It is quite expensive at £4.25 for 70ml - but I won't be without it now! Love the scent and it keeps me fresh all day. I've found it lasts for 3 months so I find it cost effective.

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Radiance Day Cream SPF15 - my dry winter skin is lapping up this moisturising rose scented cream.  Can't wait to try other items in the range. Costs £12.99 for 75ml at Boots.  Also features in the 3 for 2 deals.

Frezyderm Revitalizing Skin Serum - I am testing this anti-ageing serum out at the moment and I am finding it is giving my skin the hydration it needs as well as adding a much needed radiance boost during this winter weather. A Greek brand which is free from parabens.  Full review to follow.

Abahna Aromatherapy Pillow Mist - you will already know my love of this gorgeous British brand. The mist is scented with lavender, neroli and clary sage.  I've been finding it easy to drop off to sleep after misting it lightly over my pillow. 

What are your favourites this month?

Advent Calendar - Days 17, 18 & 19

On day 17 I received Nicky Clarke Instant Calmer Balm 30ml - which give hair a sleek and smooth look.  Can't wait to give it a shot - I also got this in the recent Pampering Stocking Filler box.

Day 18 was STEAMCREAM day! I got the cute heart tin I was hoping for.  Not a huge fan of the cream but it will get used.  Full size tin.

Today I got Yardley Royal English Daisy Body Spray - not a fan of Yardley - this will be getting passed on.

What are your thoughts?

Jo Hansford Intensive Masque 40ml

On Day 11 of my Latest in Beauty Advent Calendar I received a 40ml tube of Jo Hansford Intensive Masque.

Jo is an icon in the field of hair colouring.  I'd not tried any of her products before.  I love this hair masque and I'll definitely be checking other products in her range now.

The masque protects and enhances colour treated hair.  It smells of grapefruit and is gorgeous!  A rich cream which you can use daily or weekly after shampooing.

To use - after shampooing towel dry your hair and apply over the hair concentrating on the ends.  Leave for 5 minutes and then rinse.  I've only used this twice since I got it but I've found it leaves my hair healthy looking, nourished, silky, soft and glossy.

Clients of Jo say this product is "a little pot of magic".

Retails at £27 for 150ml

Have you used this or any other Jo Hansford products?

Joliebox Review - December 2012

My Joliebox has just arrived and I have some different items than I was expecting.  The box is different from normal white/gold and has a gift envelope you can use to give the gift of Joliebox.

"All that Glitters...

Pull out your party frocks and highest heels..we bring you beauty tidings fit for any festive occasion!"

Included is:

BellaPierre Shimmer Powder in Storm - a silvery grey colour. Full size product.

Dr Duve Hand & Decollete Cream - 2 x sachet.  A brand I've not heard of before but I tend to find sachets don't always give you a good indication whether you'll like a product or not.

Natural Honey Body Milk 75ml - always happy to try a body lotion.

Color Club "Put a pin in it" Nail Polish - a rose gold shade

Aqua de Colonia Concentrada perfume vial - reminds me a bit of 4711 - not really keen.

Olay Regenerist Skin Cream 7ml - have received this as a freebie a few times. Not a luxury brand.

I Love...Cosmetics Shimmer and Shine Lip Gloss - 11ml in Raspberry & Blackberry.  A cheap brand you can pick up in Superdrug. Full size product.

Two 38g bars of Lindor Chocolate

It's not the worst box I've had but not too exciting either - what are your thoughts?

NEOM Scent with Love Gift Set

Each month Amarya offer Beauty Box subscribers 20% off any of the products featured in the box.  In December we received a mini NEOM Bath Oil.  I decided to treat myself to the NEOM Scent with Love set which arrived on Saturday afternoon.  I had also accumulated a few points so the set cost £24.96 instead of £35.

Included is:

Tranquility Organic Bath Oil 30ml - Lavender, Sweet Basil & Jasmine

Sensuous Body Wash & Lotion both 50ml - with Ylang Ylang, Frankincense & Patchouli. I've used these a couple of times and they are purely pampering and smell gorgeous. 

Complete Bliss Organic Hand Cream 50ml - scented with Moroccan Blush Rose, Lime & Black Pepper.  I've just finished a tube of this amazing hand cream which I reviewed here.

Do you use any NEOM products?

Di Palomo Hand & Nail Cream Tester Pack

I recently picked up this Di Palomo hand cream tester pack - an absolute bargain of four trial size hand creams (25ml) for £5 with free P&P and a voucher for £5 off if you spend £15.  You can see the offer here.

I've not tried them yet but included are White Grape, Wild Fig & Grape, Orange Blossom and Tuscan Rose.

Have you tried any of these hand creams?  What are your thoughts?

Advent Calendar - Days 14, 15 & 16

On day 14 I received BellaPierre Eyeshadow in shade Celebration - a gold colour.  Great for the party season!

On day 15 I got Mirenesse Lift Lip Moisture Shine - not tried this brand before but looking forward to testing it out.

Today, day 16 I got Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil 3ml - have used these bath oils before and they are fabby!  A detoxifying and balancing blend with pink grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry.

What are your thoughts?

Latest in Beauty - Pampering Stocking Filler Box

I got the Pampering Stocking Filler box from Latest in Beauty earlier in the week.  It cost £19.95 plus £2.95 P&P.  It does contain some of the items included in the Advent Calendar but it did contain enough new products to tempt me into buying...

Included is:

Belleza Formula Botox Effect Gel 25ml - anti-ageing for eyes and lip area (full size product).  This product is from a new brand and normally retails at £55!

Ginevera Green Tea Exfoliating Marvel Gel 10g - heard a lot of good reviews about this product so looking forward to testing it out.

Balm Balm Relax Bath & Shower Oil 5ml - with essential oils of rose geranium, ylang ylang, mandarin and lavender - love bath oils and the Balm Balm brand so looking forward to using it.

Melvita Rose Extraordinary Water 28ml - a fan of Melvita (and rose scents) so happy to try this.

Lola Rose Calming Amethyst Hand Cream 100ml - I can never have enough hand creams so happy to try this one. I'm going through loads this winter!

Alterna Caviar Anti-Ageing Seasilk Colour Hold Moisture Conditioner 40ml - A brand I've heard of but I've never tried any of their products.  Looking forward to trying it out - sounds luxury!

111 Skin Space Anti-Age Facelift Repair Serum 2ml & 2 x 2ml sachets Day Cream - inspired by Space Science. Created by a renowned Harley Street Plastic Surgeon. Available exclusively at Harrods.  Happy to try these.

Eve Lom Rescue Mask 15ml - I've tried this a few times before - not my favourite mask. This and the rest of the products below are included in the Advent Calendar.

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil 10ml - another full size product.  Have used this before and loved it.

Balm Balm Organic Lip Balm 7ml - another product I've used before and loved.  You can also use it on your cuticles and as hair de-frizzer.  You know I adore a multi-purpose product!

Nicky Clarke Instant Calmer 30ml - not tried this before.

Mavala Rouge Rubis Nail Varnish 5ml with angel wings - this was included in the calendar but I've got it ear-marked for a gift.

Reviews to follow.

A great box I thought.  Did you pick it up or any of the other Stocking Filler boxes?

Friday's Makes, Bakes & Learns #10

I don't make many puddings as I tend to have disasters!  The one pudding I seem to be able to make is Pavlova.  I use a recipe from "Sweet Things by Claire MacDonald".  You can read more about her here.

4 egg whites

8oz/225g caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp wine vinegar

1 rounded tsp cornflour

pinch cream of tartar

double cream

fruit

Line a baking sheet with a piece of siliconised paper (I tend to use baking paper and grease it a little bit).  Put the egg whites in a mixer bowl and beat until stiff. Continue whisking, gradually adding the sugar until it is incorporated.  Measure onto the meringue the vanilla essence, wine vinegar, cornflour and cream of tartar.  Fold quickly together and spread the mixture onto the baking sheet.  Bake 350F 180C G4 for 5 minutes then lower the heat to 250F 130C G1 for a further 1 1/4 hrs or thereabouts.

Remove from the oven, cool and then turn upside down onto a tray/plate and cover the surface with whipped cream and fruit (I tend to use strawberries).

I made two small ones instead of a bigger one as I visited a friend this afternoon and this is her favourite dessert - she was delighted!

Elemis TSV

QVC had their usual amazing pre-Christmas Elemis TSV at the beginning of December.  A friend at work was ordering along with some of her friends so I joined in. QVC were offering money off and half price postage if you bought more than one set.  It worked out at £46.44 each including P&P instead of £46.48 plus £5.95 P&P.  A bargain!

Included in the set is:

Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser (150ml - RRP £29)

Quiet Mind Bath Elixir (300ml - RRP £21)

Skin Nourishing Shower Cream (300ml - RRP £22)

Gentle Rose Exfoliator (50ml - RRP £27)

Pro-Radiance Marine Cream (30ml - £47 - this size is only available in gift sets)

Evening Blooms Soothing Body Oil - a new product - A QVC exclusive!

A make up bag

Did you pick up this set?  What are your thoughts?  Reviews will follow.

p.s. Friday's Makes, Bakes & Learns to follow.

Advent Calendar - Days 11, 12 & 13

On Day 11 I got Jo Hansford Intensive Masque (40ml).  Smells great and is a rich cream which promise to leave hair healthy.  Looking forward to trying this out.

On day 12 I got Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (10ml).  This retails at £15.  A 100% natural oil rich in Buriti Nut Oil, Roman chamomile, yarrow and benzoin.  I've tried this before and I really liked it.

Today, Day 13 I received - St Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion 50ml - a lightweight cream which gives an instant even golden tan which just washes off.  Looking forward to trying this.

What are your thoughts?

Origins Christmas Bauble

Mez at All Made Up very kindly offered to pick me up an Origins Christmas Bauble which is only available at Selfridges.  She got several of us ladies at Balmy But Beautiful one which was so kind of her - Thanks Mez! (They cost £5 plus £2.20 P&P). Thanks for the cute wrapping too and the sweeties!

Included is:

GinZing Eye Cream 5ml - super excited to try this - read so many great reviews

Plantscription Anti-Ageing Serum 7ml

Plantscription Anti-Ageing Eye Treatment 5ml

Modern Friction 5ml

Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask 7ml

The only product I've tried is Modern Friction so reviews will follow.  Have you bought any Origins Christmas gifts?

Love and Leaf Tea

Emma who creates Love and Leaf Tea is a lover of tea and vintage style.  Look how pretty the packaging is - ideal for gifts (and the tea is pretty special too!).

She designed the tea blends herself with the help of a Master Tea Blender and taster.  They are based around classic treats.

You can buy the tea as a four pack - one of each flavour for £22 including P&P or two teas of your choice for £12 including P&P.  Each pack contains 12 gauze pryamid tea bags.

I chose Pink Petal Lemonade which is a lemon infusion with rose petals and hibiscus.  It's best drunk black.  A refreshing fruity blend.

My second choice (and my favourite) is This is it, Banana Split a blend of banana black tea with cocoa, vanilla and coconut.  Can be drunk black or with a splash of milk which gives it a creamy flavour.

The other two flavours are - Toffee Apple Ahoy! with black tea, apple and toffee and it can be drunk with or without milk.  Tick Tock Minty Choc is made with black tea, chocolate, cocoa and peppermint and can be drunk with or without milk.

Emma is planning some new flavours in the New Year.  You can see the website here and follow on Twitter @LoveandLeaf 

BRIXI Bee Balm

I first came across this gorgeous balm on the Joliebox Blog.  I contacted Emy who owns BRIXI, a shop selling a mixture of old and new which is situated at Brixton Village arcade.

Emy outside the shop

I contacted Emy via Twitter @Brixi7 to ask if I could purchase a pot as I thought it sounded amazing - it is!

I chose to buy the small pot £4.50 plus £2 P&P.

Emy's mum (who is allergic to bees!) makes this gorgeous balm.  She keeps bees in four hives in Suffolk.  The balm is made with beeswax, liquid paraffin, rose & geranium essential oils and almond oil.

I've been using it mainly on my dry lips but it is also great for dry skin areas - hands, elbows, knees, feet and people have found it great for soothing burns and rashes.

My little pot will last for ages - but I'll definitely be back for more!

Have you used this balm before?

Amarya Review - December

The December Amarya box contains NEOM bath oil (5ml) in Complete Bliss (my favourite NEOM scent with Moroccan Rose, lime and black pepper.

There are also three Sophyto skincare trial sizes included.  I've only tried the toner from this range so looking forward to testing them out - although there are two moisturisers included (both 15ml) and an Exfoliator (10ml).  This is quite an expensive range and the products do sound nice.

Included is Dual Action Exfoliating Treatment with Barbados Cherry Fruit and Amethyst Powder, Balancing Daily Moisturizer with Magnolia Fruit and Yellow Pea Flower Root and Omega Daily Moisturizer with Evening Primrose Oil, Karite Fruit and White Peony Flower.

There is a sample vial of Undergreen White - a fresh scent with mint, orange blossom and jasmine.

I'm happy to try all these products out (already love the NEOM) but I did think it wasn't as Christmassy/luxurious as last year's box and I'm missing the uniqueness of this box when it offered one full size item and a couple of samples.  What are your thoughts?

Advent Calendar - Days 8, 9 & 10

On day 8 I received Philosophy Purity Made Simple one step facial cleanser 30ml - excited to try this - as not really tried much Philosophy skincare.

On day 9, BIOEFFECT EGF Serum 3ml - an anti-ageing serum.  Tried this before and it seems a good product so happy to use it again.  I am loving the calendar - so many nice products.

Today, day 10 I received a little Dermalogica pack containing trial sizes of Special Cleansing Gel (7ml), a sachet of Daily Microfoliant, Skin Smoothing Cream (7ml) and Multi-Vitamin Power Firm (5ml).  Love Dermalogica so happy to use these.

What are your thoughts so far?

Bodhi Essential Body Care Gift Set & Jasmine Falls Relaxing Duet Gift Pouch

These Bodhi gifts are ideal for Christmas presents (if you can bear to part with them that is!)  I adore Bodhi products and you can see my previous reviews here and here.

The Essential Body Care Gift Set* retails at £20 and contains:

Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy (50ml) - this featured in my November Favourites.  It is an invigorating and intensely scented product.  I simply love using it in my morning shower - it's gorgeous!  It contains peppermint & spearmint to help dispel mental tiredness, boost circulation and nourish dry skin.  Frankincense relieves muscle ache and rejuvenates, Marjoram helps to relieve stress, Lavender & Rosemary have antiseptic properties, Lactic Acid rejuvenates and helps with anti-ageing.  Other essential oils used include Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, May Chang, Thyme and Clove.  I add to my palm and breathe in the scent before massaging it over my body.  A real wake up call in the morning! 

Rosemary Chi Reviving Bath & Shower Therapy (50ml) - scented with Rosemary, Geranium, Petigrain, Cedarwood, Mandarin, Clary Sage, Tea Tree, Galangal and Vetyver Essential Oils.  It restores calm and harmony.  It can also be used as a hair wash.  Rosemary lifts your spirit and helps boost concentration.  Geranium is healing and soothing.  Petigrain is uplifting and Cedarwood balances and soothes.  This is a really lovely product too.

Rosemary Chi Reviving Body Moisturiser (40ml) - Revives the skin with Rosemary, Geranium and Cedarwood essential oils, Organic Shea Butter, Kukui Nut and Coconut Oils to hydrate and nourish.  I place some in my hands and rub together deeply inhaling the scent before applying to the body.

All the products are really concentrated so a little goes a long way.  Truly pampering and good for the soul!  Also included in this gift is a luxury Bamboo Cotton Flannel which can be used for the face or body.  The textured side exfoliates and the smooth side cleanses.  These can be bought individually on the website for £5 and you can see them here.

Jasmine Falls Relaxing Duet Gift Pouch* retails at £12 and contains:

Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy (50ml) - this contains Jasmine Absolute, Lavender and Vetyver.  It's heady and potent and smells absolutely fabulous!  It helps to de-stress and soothe and perfect for using in your bath before bed as it is calming and relaxing. Jasmine soothes, relaxes, calms and is good for well-being.

Jasmine Falls Relaxing Body Moisturiser (40ml) - this again contains Jasmine Absolute, Lavender and Vetyver as well as Organic Shea Butter, Kukui Nut and Coconut Oils to deeply moisturise.  I place some in my hands and rub together inhaling the scent before applying to the body. Simply gorgeous and super relaxing.  If I use this duo before bed I find I always have a good night's sleep.

I've just purchased this set.  It's just recently arrived. I'm going to pop some in a stocking filler gift and keep some myself!  I purchased it from Amarya who are offering Advent Calendar specials - so I got a free Herbfarmacy Lip Conditioner with my order.

Do you use Bodhi products?  What are your favourites?

*PR samples