Rodial Skin Care on the Go Glamtox Kit

I picked up this travel set a while back when it was on sale (£18 instead of £35). A bargain! I'd used samples of the Snake Serum before and loved it!

Here's what's inside:

GLAMTOX Cleansing Balm 30ml - a rich balm which melts away make up, even waterproof mascara (smells a bit like Emma Hardie's Moringa Cleansing Balm). Really lovely to use.  Massage onto a dry face and neck, add a bit of water and it turns milky. I've been removing it with a damp muslin cloth.  

GLAMTOX Snake Serum 2.5ml - helps to reduce the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles and plumps up the skin.  Apply onto cleansed face and neck before applying moisturiser.

GLAMTOX Day SPF15 15ml - a really fab moisturiser which hydrates and plumps the skin.  Use after Snake Serum.  Has SPF15 added.

GLAMTOX Night 15ml - a night gel which works while you sleep - smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, improves the appearance of uneven skin tone and pores leaving you with a clearer complexion and brighter skin.

GLAM BALM lip 2.5ml - a hydrating lip balm (which smells like Turkish Delight nom!) Plumps and firms the lip area as well as healing chapped and dry lips.  Gorgeous! I'll definitely be re-purchasing.

I recently bought the Glam Balm Hand - and a review will follow shortly.

Have you used any Rodial products?  What are your favourites?

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @rodialskincare 

This is a fab set and a great introduction to the range.

Latest in Beauty - Little Beauty Box

Seems like ages since I've posted about a Latest in Beauty Little Beauty Box (costs £1.50 by text message).

Here's what I chose:

amie Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask (10ml sachet) - simply love this mask.  See my review here.

Yes! Nurse Protect your Lovely Hands Hand Cream 3ml sachet - not tried this before but read loads of great reviews.

TRESemme Split Remedy Shampoo, Conditioner & Leave in Treatment sachets - I've used these a few times and liked them.

Have you bought a Latest in Beauty Little Beauty Box recently?

Marlenha Organic Face Creams

I was recently sent this trial size pack from Marlenha to try and review.  It retails at £11.79 and contains 3 x 5ml organic face creams*.

Products are hand made in a small laboratory in Italy.  Jars are hand labelled and filled and are free from synthetic preservatives - products are 98% natural and are approved by Ecocert & The Soil Association.

Included in the set is:

1 - Edelweiss Stem Cells Anti-Ageing Face Cream
This is a cream for anti-ageing which supermoisturises the skin. Ideal for use on the face and neck. Natural stem cells are combined with Borage Oil, Musk Rose Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Elastin, Liposomes, Vitamin E and Vitamin A.  This is my least favourite of the trio as I didn't like the scent although it did have a nice texture and feel on the skin. Read more about this cream here.

2 - Rose Milk & Argan Oil - simply loved this light rose scented cream. It contains Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lipomoist - a hydrating factor.  Can be used morning and night and it moisturises and tones the skin. See more info here.

3 - Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen Beads - a light cream gel which smells light and fresh.  It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen Liposomes, Lipomoist, Jojoba Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Leaves the skin moisturised and radiant.  Get more info here.

A great try me set - would be ideal for a small present or to take on holiday - I'll definitely consider buying face creams 2 and 3 in the future.

Have you used these creams before?  What is your favourite?

Follow on Twitter @MarlenhaBeauty 
See the website here.

*PR sample

Shopping My Stash #20

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

Dr Organic Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Monoi Moisture Melt Body Oil 90g - I got this in the Latest in Beauty CEW Beauty Awards box - its gorgeous reminds me a little bit of Elemis Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt - see my review here.  You can use this on your body, hair, hands and cuticles.  As with the Elemis product it is solid at room temperature - you need to stand it in a bowl of hot water for it to melt before applying the oil to your skin.  Gorgeous product and I love the coconut scent.

Balance Me Skin Bright Hydrating Face Mist 60ml (£20)* - I'm in love with this face mist - it's simply lovely to use.  Use it as a toner, to set make up or to spritz your face with throughout the day.  Contains Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, Pineapple and Rose waters to replenish and balance and Neroli and Spikenard essential oils to revitalise.  Definitely a product I'll be purchasing once this one's finished.

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion 30ml - this also came in the Latest in Beauty CEW box.  One of my favourite Weleda lotions.  I love this fruity scented lotion. Leaves the skin moisturised and delicately scented.

Bodhi Mint Thé Temple Balm 15g (£15)* - this has been soothing my headaches this week.  Read my review here.

Bodhi Neroli Lucé Revitalising Face Oil 5ml - I treated myself to this face oil last week.  It costs £12 but is redeemable on a full size bottle for a limited time - which is a really generous offer from Bodhi.  I'm really enjoying using this light orange blossom scented oil.  It nourishes and hydrates the skin leaving it radiant and moisturised.

Layla D Romantic Peach Eyeshadow 1g (£6.99)* - a lovely pink/peach shimmery shade which is just perfect for the summer.  See my mini review here.

Have you used any of these products?

*PR Samples

What's in My Handbag: Mama Mio Body Trio & Bathtime Best

I recently received a 15% off code from What's in my Handbag and I bought the Mama Mio Body Trio (I first wanted to try this when I'd just started my 100 day spending ban).  It costs £10 but is worth over £22 and contains:

Mama Mio O Mega Super Rich Body Cream (50ml), Mama Mio O Mega Body Buff (50ml) and Mama Mio Skin Tight Toning Serum (30ml).  They all smell gorgeous so I'm looking forward to trying them out.  I simply adore Mama Mio Mighty Moisture - so I'm hoping these match up.

My second purchase was Bathtime Best (also £10):

This mini set contains the wonderful Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts 100g (worth £8.50 alone).  These salts are great for unwinding after a long and stressful day and after using them I've had the best night's sleep ever! This little pack is enough for 2-3 baths - they'll be going in my holiday bag!

Green & Spring Relaxing Shower & Bath Foam 50ml - this smells gorgeous! I've not used anything from this brand before.  Also in the set are two Korres minis - Guava Shower Gel 50ml (one of my favourite scents) and Basil Lemon Shower Gel 50ml.

Reviews to follow.  Have you bought anything from What's in my Handbag recently?

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @WIMH_HQ 

Louisa Brown Handmade Soap: Bathtime Luxuries Gift Box

I first came across Louisa Brown Handmade Soap on Twitter. I decided to treat myself to this gorgous Bathtime Luxuries Gift Box (£15.99 plus P&P) - isn't it cute! The lid is decorated with a red polka dot ribbon - it would make an ideal gift.

Here is what is inside:

When I opened the box everything smelt wonderful! I especially love the Neroli Bath Bombs (x2).  There are also 2 Lavender Bath Bombs and three gorgeous soaps - Heavenly Lemon, English Rose and Skin Saviour - the latter being exclusive to this gift box.

Heavenly Lemon Soap - made with Avocado Oil and scented with Lemon, Gardenia, Jasmine and Freesia. A great soap to use in the morning to wake you up!  Suitable for sensitive, normal and dry skin types.

English Rose Soap - a large soap slice which looks like a slice of cake! Made with Sweet Almond Oil, Pink Clay and it is scented with Rose Otto, Freesia, Chamomile and Marigold.  Topped with two rose petals it smells divine.

Skin Saviour Soap -  this is packed full of Argan Oil which leaves the skin soft and moisturised - it smells good too!

Have you used any Louisa Brown products before?  

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @LouisaBrownSoap 

Seven Scents for Summer

These are the scents I'm enjoying at the moment -

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel - simply loving this light fruity floral.  See my review here. 

Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Aromatic Blend - a lovely fresh and light scent.  See my review here.

Kai Perfume Oil Roll on - simply adore this Gardenia, Jasmine, Tuberose, Lily and Cucumber scent.  It is said that this smells different on everyone.  Just wish is was a bit cheaper as it costs £40 for 3.6ml.

Diptyque Philosykos Perfume Oil Roll on - the scent that reminds me of hot summer days.  Love this fig scent.  You can read more about it here.

Clarins Eau de Jardins - a light and fruity scent - see my mini review here.

Acqua di Parma Acqua Nobile Gelsomino EDT Roll on - a simply gorgeous light Jasmine scent.  See my review here.

Balm Balm Mandarin EDP single note - a gorgeous fresh and fruity scent.

Do you wear any of these scents? What's your favourite Summer scent?

Just Be Radiant Botanical Blend

I recently tried Just Be Radiant Botanical Blend and thought it was yummy!  I ordered myself some from Just Be Botanicals and picked it up locally at Beauty by Lime.

It costs £4.80 for 40g and is a mix of raspberry leaves, rosehips and hibiscus flowers.  

I brewed mine in a normal teapot (and then strained it) but you can buy a special Just Be teapot with its own mini filter.  See here.

To brew: add 2-3 teaspoons per pot making sure you get a good mix of everything. Brew for 8 minutes.  I made a large teapot and had two cups hot and a couple of iced teas - delicious!  A fruity and tangy taste.

See Just Be Botanicals website here  

Amarya Beauty Box Review - June 2013

My Amarya Beauty Box arrived yesterday! Here is what is inside:

REN BB Cream SPF15 15ml - excited to try this as I've read so many good reviews recently.  This size retails at £7.80 and you can read more about it here.

Gielly Green Repair Shampoo 50ml (£5) - I've used this shampoo previously and love it.  You can see my review here.

Oxygen Hand & Body Cream (trial size sample) - I loved the Oxygen Purifying Honey Masque which came in January's box.  The cream smells like vanilla ice cream and feels really moisturising on the skin.

Green People Scent-Free Sun Lotion SPF 25 20ml (£5) - I'm a huge fan of Green People and have used this lotion before.  Just perfect timing for the beautiful weather we are having just now.

I'm really pleased with my box this month.  What are your thoughts?

InStyle Magazine - July Edition - Free Neal's Yard Power Berry Moisturiser 50ml

July's issue of Instyle magazine (in the shops now) is giving away a free Neal's Yard Power Berry Moisturiser worth £12.  This is a fab freebie and I'm a huge fan of the brand.  Also included is a voucher for 20% off any purchase.

Next month expect a free Rituals black mascara worth £8.

Do you think you'll pick up the Neal's Yard freebie?

Shopping My Stash #19

These are the products I've been reaching for this week:

Bodhi Rosemary Chi Himalayan Detox Salt Scrub 250g* - a newly launched product from Bodhi.  It smells absolutely amazing and scents the whole room when you open the pot.  With Himalayan Salt Crystals, Rosemary & Geranium Essential Oils, Grape Seed Oil, Olive Squalane, Organic Shea Butter and Apricot Kernal Oil.  I've found my favourite way to use the scrub is to rub it over my body before climbing into the tub which transforms the water into a detox bath.  It can also be massaged into the body before being rinsed off.  Leaves the skin silky soft and smelling delicious.

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Bath & Shower Gel 100ml & Body Lotion 100ml - simply adore this beautiful scent from Abahna.  See my mini review here.  The mini sizes are simply great for travel or for gifting.

Rodial Glam Balm Lip 2.5ml - I picked this up in a little set online a while back - it was at the bargain price of around £18 for the travel size set instead of £35.  This is a really glossy balm which smells just like Turkish Delight.

Fresh Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment SPF15 2.2g - This is a lovely berry shade - you can see the colour better here. 

Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer 9.6g - I got this last week in the Harvey Nichols Clinique GWP offer.  Really enjoying using it.

Have you used any of these products before?

*PR Sample

Bubb & DIMPLES Nourishing Body Oil Candle

I was recently sent a body oil candle by bubb & DIMPLES to review.  All bubb & DIMPLES products are lovingly hand made in England and are natural and chemical free.  You can see the range of products available here.

The products are designed to inspire and uplift, pamper and make you feel loved.

I was sent a Breathe candle* which is scented with essential oils of Citrus Lemon, Geranium, Patchouli and Orange. 

The candle is presented in a glass jar with a silver coloured lid.

To use: light the candle and burn for 15-20 minutes (take time out and have a soak in the bath), blow out the flame and dip your fingers into the warmed soy wax.  Apply the warmed oil to the skin.  This is simply gorgeous! Lightly scented the warm wax melts into the skin.  Great for using on cuticles and hands too.  The travel size would be great for taking on a weekend away.

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @BubbAndDimples 

*complimentary sent for review

5 Oils

A while back I did a post on five favourite bath oils see here.  

I love bath, body and face oils and here are five current favourites:

The London Oil Company Morning Glory Body Oil 50ml - simply love this lemongrass scented oil after my morning shower.  See my review here.  One I'll always have in my stash!

Bodhi Flora Paradiso De-Stress Massage & Body Oil 100ml* - this body oil is inspired by traditional massage from South East Asia and helps to de-stress and calm.  Scented with Ylang Ylang, High Altitude Lavender, Atlas Cedarwood, Geranium, Chamomile, Patchouli, Petigrain, Bergamot, Frankincense and Rose Essential Oils - it is simply gorgeous.  Warm the oil in your palms and apply to the body using gentle strokes or smooth over body after a bath or shower.  

Bloom Remedies Organic Eye Make Up Remover 50ml* - this is a best seller - I can see why! It is very effective at removing waterproof mascara.  Lightly scented with rose.  Apply a small amount to a cotton wool pad and apply gently to the eye area rubbing lightly.  Contains Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Calendula Oil, Rose Essential Oil.

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil 30ml - my favourite face oil of all time! It has featured a lot on my blog in favourites and shopping my stash.  You can see my review here.

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Bath Oil 100ml* - this is my favourite Abahna scent - I adore this beautiful bath oil - makes bath time very special. See my mini review here.

Have you used any of these products?  What's your favourite oil?

*PR Samples

Clinique GWP - Harvey Nichols

On Thursday I went and picked up the Clinique GWP at Harvey Nichols!  See my initial post here - knew I wouldn't be able to resist!

The skincare item I bought for a friend's birthday (I haven't taken a photo in case she sees it!) and for the second item (to be eligible for the free gift you must buy two items - one to be skincare) I chose True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunkissed - a pink bronze (9.6g - £21) - it comes with a little brush which will be handy for out an about.  It actually looks quite dark in the photo but is a gentle bronze shade.

The Gift with Purchase is super-fab!

Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer (15ml)

Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Iced Lotus (3.1g)

Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer (15ml)

Almost Lipstick in Shy Honey (1.2g)

High Impact Mascara in Black (3.5ml)

Take the Day Of Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips (50ml)

Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream (40ml)

Liquid Facial Soap Mild (50ml)

Patterned cosmetic bag

Available 30th May - 15th June 2013

Will you be picking this up? Have you used any of these?  What's your favourite Clinique product?

Spending Ban Update & a Haul

I did rubbish on my Spending ban! I think I just need to have a beauty budget - a ban seems to make me want to spend, spend, spend!

I bought these items before my ban ended oops....

Latest in Beauty CEW Beauty Awards Finalists' Discovery Box (£9.95) - I hummed and hawed over getting this box and when LIB were offering free postage I thought it would be rude not to!

My second splurge was Therapie Spring Offer (250ml bottle Boost Hair & Body Wash and Himalayan Detox Salts 400g) for £36 saving £15.  I first read about the salts at The Beauty Shortlist - I have since read so many amazing reviews - looking forward to trying both the products out (the packaging is simple but really luxe so this would make a great gift too) The set also comes with an exfoliating cloth, a sachet of Spring Detox Tea and a Step into Spring 28 Day Action Plan for a Mind & Body Detox.  

Full reviews will follow.  I used the detox salts on Friday night and I've got to say I had the best night's sleep I've had in a long time!

Just Be Nourished Body Butter, Beauty by Lime & Earthy Portobello

Just Be Nourished Body Butter (£19.95 for 200ml) is a rich and super moisturising body butter scented with geranium, frankincense and rose absolute. Gail used to make this exclusively for a beauty salon in town.  I keep telling her she should add it to her online shop as it is simply gorgeous and it smells divine!

Made with soya wax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, geranium, frankincense and rose absolute essential oils.

Rub a small amount between the palms until it melts and apply generously to the skin twice a day.

You can see the range of body butters currently available here

Follow Gail on Twitter @JustBeBotanical 

Facebook see here

I popped along to the launch of Beauty by Lime at Earthy in Portobello a few weeks ago and caught up with Gail - her products are available at the salon (which is at the front of the shop).  Barbara is the Beauty Therapist (when I go for a treatment I'll take more pics!)

Earthy is a lovely shop with food, beauty, plants, gardening, cards etc.  There are three of these fab shops throughout Edinburgh - see their locations here. 

In the shop some of the beauty products stocked are Lavera, Faith in Nature, Burt's Bees, Miss Ballantyne soaps and creams among others - I reviewed Miss Ballantyne's Organic Rose & Geranium Soap here.

Follow Beauty by Lime on Twitter @LimePortobello 

Follow Earthy on Twitter @Earthy_Porty 

May Books

These are the books I've been reading in May -

The Shadow Year by Hannah Richell*

I was sent a proof copy of The Shadow Year from Good Reads (this book will be published on 20 June).  I simply loved it and read it in two days.

This book jumps between the present and the early 1980s. Lila is struggling to come to terms with an accident which happened to her and her marriage is in crisis.  She is anonymously gifted a cottage in a remote location in the Peak District beside a lake and sets about renovating it.  

In 1980, five University friends stumble upon an old cottage and decide to live there and be self-sufficient for a year before returning to the real world.  Kat's sister Freya turns up unannounced and this changes the dynamics of the friendships and the relationships of the five friends.

Both stories are intertwined and I didn't expect the book to end how it did.  An absolutely fabulous second novel from Hannah Richell.  Highly Recommend it.

My second book this month is Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell

The story follows the Riordan family when their father goes missing after just popping out to buy a newspaper.  The story is set in the heatwave of 1976. The search for Robert brings together his and Gretta's three children - two estranged sisters with their brother on the brink of divorce.  It follows their relationships with each other and where they think their father is.  An enjoyable read although I found it a bit slow in the middle but it picked up towards the last quarter or so.

My third book is One Step too Far by Tina Seskis

Emily Coleman walks out on her marriage, her beautiful son and her lovely home taking her passport and some money with her.  She changes her name to Cat, finds a small room in a grotty shared house and finds herself a job.  Is she escaping her family, her twin Caroline, who seems to hate her and what is the significance of the looming anniversary?  A really fabulous read filled with twists and turns and one I couldn't put down. I found myself reading it until the wee small hours.. The story is told by Cat, by Ben her husband and by Caroline her twin - jumping between the past and present.  The reader is kept guessing throughout.  Simply loved it.  Highly recommend - simply cannot wait for Tina Seskis's second novel which is out in the autumn (link).

My fourth book this month (yes really!) is Damage by Josephine Hart - I received this from a fellow World Book Night giver.

A simple yet powerful story - A doctor & MP meets his son's girlfriend and he is passionately and obsessively drawn to her. You just know this story is not going to end well.  A short but beautifully written novel and one that stays with you after you have finished reading it.

What have you been reading this month?

*complimentary proof copy

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream

I was recently sent REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream*  (£27 for 50ml) to review.

REN was launched in 2000 and is an independently owned British brand.  Products are available in over 50 countries worldwide.  Products are 100% plant and mineral derived actives and are free from synthetic fragrances and colours, parabens, mineral oil, petroleum, sulfate detergents etc.  

REN's Sensitive Skin range is ideal for those with reactive, red, blotchy skin, tight and dry skin, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.  Suitable for women and men, all ages and skin types.

A hard working beauty staple which corrects pigmentation, fights ageing, re-addresses redness, moisturises, replenishes, calms the skin and smoothes fine lines.

With REN it's all about Performance - Purity - Pleasure - REN clean skincare gives you healthier more beautiful skin that looks younger for longer.  This moisturiser is a REN best seller.

Contains Omega 3 & 7 - you can see full ingredient list below:

Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Cetearyl Ethyhexanoate, Myristyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triheptanoin, Oryzanol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu) Symbiozome Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalloliferum (Ho Wood) Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Tocopherol.

Apply to clean face and neck.  The moisturiser comes in a pump action bottle making it easy to dispense the correct amount.  A light cream which is easily absorbed into the skin.  Really lovely to use. I sometimes have problems with redness and I feel that the cream has soothed and replenished my skin.

Have you used this cream before?  What's your favourite REN product?

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @RENSkincare

*PR sample