*Love Lula Beauty Box: August 2021

I came back from my mini staycation to August's Love Lula Beauty Box, which I receive free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger - AD. This month the box is worth £71 and inside are 3 full size products and a travel size. It's a fantastic box!

The first thing to jump out at me was a brand new Ooh! Oils of Heaven Blackcurrant Face Oil 30ml which is so new it isn't on the website yet! It'll soothe, tone and hydrate the skin. So far my skin's loving it.

I adore beautiful Butterwhips, and inside is a huge 75g (£18) tin of their Warmly Relaxing Bergamot, Lavender and Vitamin E Body Butter - which is my favourite scent in the range. Check out my review HERE. I'm delighted to have a pot of this back in my stash!

From Terre Verde we have 30ml (£9) of their AcquaDiRosa Balancing Mist which is gorgeous. Deliciously rose scented it'll tone and balance the skin. 

Rounding up the box this month is a full size from Inika Organic their Lip & Cheek Cream 3.5g (£25) (in assorted shades). I received Morning, a gorgeous peachy shade. I've been using this for a pop of colour on my lips and cheeks.

Love Lula also offer subscribers a very generous 20% off brands in the box. Sign up to the Beauty Box HERE.

Summer Scents: Kingdom Scotland, Jones & Modha, Miller Harris + Kenzo

These are the summertime perfume samples I've been reaching for. I was very kindly gifted the latest Kingdom Scotland Kingdom Botanica EdP 2ml vial*. Having loved the others in the range REVIEW. So I was thrilled to try the new one! It's a collaboration with the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh to celebrate their 350th Anniversary and is "a scent in tribute to the work and passion, enlightened spirit and dedication of all the botanists, scientists and adventurous Scottish plant hunters of the past, present and future". 

With top notes of: Spiced Plum Blossoms, Fresh Pink Pepper, Blackcurrant Stem and Bud, Green Botanicals and Pine Needle. Heart notes: Exotic White Florals, Lily, Ginger Lily, Jasmin, Wild Herbaceous Vegetation, Sweet Myrrh and Frankincense with Base Notes of: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Vetiver, White Musk and Amber.

The perfume is Vegan and Cruelty Free (50ml - £120). I think it's absolutely gorgeous - deeply floral with herbal and woody notes. Full size is firmly on the buy soon list.

I picked up a sample vial at Jones & Modha of their No.1 EdP (1.8ml - £4.95 redeemable on full size bottle, 50ml - £69). It's a gorgeous crisp woody citrus which is unisex. The small batch perfume is created by two friends - Catrin MacDonnell and Hemali Modha (Jones is Catrin's mother's maiden name). Blended in Somerset using the finest ingredients and essential oils. With Top Notes of: Bergamot, Lemon Myrtle, Grapefruit & Red Mandarin, a Heart of: Rose Geranium, Linden, Ginger, Rose Otto, Coriander & Spearmint and a Base of: Guaiac Wood, Cedarwood and Labdanum. It smells different on everyone. I love its citussy-mint fresh notes. Again, full size is on the wishlist!

I've dabbled a few times with Miller Harris's excellent sampling service (4 x 2ml EdP samples for £14), you also receive a voucher for £15 off a full size bottle, if the wish takes you to upgrade to a full size). Poirier d'un Soir is a delicious fruity floral "a pear orchard in early autumn, warm scents swirling in the golden light of the setting sun". With Head Notes of: Bergamot & Pear, Heart notes: Rum & Peony and Lasting Impressions: Birch & Cedarwood. I love this sweet and fruity nostalgic scent.

Rounding up my summer picks is KENZO Parfums Flower 1ml EdT, having been an original Kenzo Flower fan I was pleased to try the new lighter and fresher version. Rosewater adds a freshness to the original Bulgarian Rose note. With Top Notes of: Parma Violet, Wild Hawthorn, Cassia, Rose Blossom, Mandarin & Jasmine. Heart Notes: Vanilla & White Musk and Base Notes of: Hedione & Cyclosal.  

Do we share any summer fragrance favourites?

LJ Natural: Super-Fruit Face Oil

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of LJ Natural. Lisa's products are made in small batches using high quality natural ingredients and finest essential oils. The products are Vegan, Cruelty Free, Palm Oil free, Paraben and Sulfate free and Carbon Neutral. 

I've been trying the lush Super-Fruit Face Oil (which comes in a duo see HERE or you can buy on it on it's OWN). It's 100% plant based, containing 6 pure fruit seed oils which have been carefully selected and hand blended. KIWI SEED OIL - contains high levels of Omega 3 as well as Vitamins C & E. It keeps skin nourished and helps to boost collagen production. STRAWBERRY SEED OIL - is rich in compounds like Biotin, Folic acid, Ellagic acid, Vitamins B5, B6 and C and minerals like Maganese, Copper and Magnesium. It'll help to minimise dark patches, ages spots, freckles and wrinkles. It's also rich in Salicylic acid which eliminates dead skin cells while tightening and controlling excess oil. BLACKCURRANT SEED OIL - is a powerful antioxidant packed with Vitamins. It protects and heals. APRICOT KERNAL OIL - rich in gamma linoleic acid and helps to maintain moisture levels on the skin. WATERMELON SEED OIL - is perfect for both oily and dry skins. It's rich in antioxidants, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, balancing and moisturising. POMEGRANATE SEED OIL - contains extremely high levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin K. It helps to slow ageing, hydrate and strengthen the skin.

As you can see it's an absolute skin powerhouse!  My skin has been loving this natural herbal/nutty scented oil which smoothes out lines and wrinkles and deeply nourishes the skin.

Latest Buys: The Nue Co, Bloomtown, Naturisimo, Darly Lama, Tessa Williams Perfumes, Estee Lauder + Olfactory Candles

I'm actually going to try and break the habit of a lifetime and reduce my spending haha! These are the last lot of July buys:

I adore The Nue Co's Functional Fragrance (review) so was mega pleased to see the latest "supplement" fragrance Forest Lungs arrive in the 10ml size. A review to come - it's lush!

Using the generous Love Lula beauty box discount (20% for subscribers of the brands in the box that month) I picked up one of Bloomtown's Essential Oil trios. Again, a review to come.

I can never resist a Naturisimo Discovery Box and July's Edit didn't fail to disappoint (the Kiki is a staple in my stash).

I waited all year to get to the top of the Darly Lama waitlist on Facebook. The wax melts don't disappoint!

I picked up a sample set of the whole range of natural perfumes by Tessa Williams Perfumes and I'm slowly savouring and enjoying them. So far LOVE and WATER have my heart. Again, a review to come.

Having read about Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Creme de Soleil Decadent Smoothing Body Creme in a magazine I went to source it. Found in Harvey Nichols with 10% off. It's truly sumptuous and smells of summer holidays. Pick yours up HERE.

I can never resist new scents at Olfactory Candles and these new ones don't fail to disappoint! Remember you can get 15% off your first wax order with SANDRA15.

What have you been buying lately?

*NEW IN: Ezápé Naturals Mango & Cocoa Butter

*complimentary product - AD 

Brand new to Ezápé Naturals is the luscious Mango & Cocoa Butter (75g - £18, 150g - £28)* which can be used on the Hair, Face & Body (I love a multi-use product!) 

It's presented in a reusable/recyclable glass jar and comes as it is with no excess outer packaging. Rich and luxurious with a chocolatey aroma the butter is a joy to use. It melts instantly onto warm skin. 

Formulated with just 5 ingredients - Mango Seed Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter, Safflower Seed Oil, Calendula Flower Extract and Sunflower Seed Oil. 

It's got a fluffy mousse like texture and a chocolatey aroma - delicious!

To use: HAIR: intensive mask pre-shampoo to help soften and lock in moisture. FACE + BODY: apply to damp skin to lock in moisture

Use code buy2 for 10% off when you buy two full or travel sizes

*Deerieo Natural Skincare

*complimentary - AD 

I've been testing out products from Scottish based Deerieo Natual Skincare. Founder and Formulator, Karolina sent me a few items to try from the range which she creates with her mother using ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn, Oats, Chamomile, Lavender, Comfrey & Thistle.

I love the pretty packaging! Return five serum pipettes for 10% off a future purchase or reuse with your next bottle. The star product from the products sent to me was their Aurora Facial Oil Serum.

The Veil Cleansing Balm 50ml (£17)* is best selling and award winning. It has a luscious, rich and silky texture with a gorgeous aromatic aroma. Formulated with with skin loving plant oils and botanicals and scented with Lavender, Sweet Orange and Jasmine.

To use: warm a small amount in the hands before massaging onto the face and neck. It'll easily remove make up and daily pollution. It can also be used as a treatment mask. Remove with a warmed damp cloth. It turns cleansing into a ritual to be savoured.

I fell absolutely head-over-heels for Aurora Face Oil Serum 10ml (£27) which my skin seriously loves (I was sad when I used this one up!) It's formulated with organic and scientifically proven ingredients ingredients Bakuchoil, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C and E and Milk Thistle Seed Oil and has a sweet herbal type aroma. It'll stimulate collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation, improve suppleness and elasticity, provide retinol like restorative benefits and regenerate the skin. Best thing is it's suitable for all skin types! 

To use: massage 4-6 drops AM onto the skin. Can be used with Daily Glow Face Cream or alone.

This makes my skin absolutely glow! It's one of my favourite products this year.

The final product Karolina sent me is a 40g pouch of their Secret Garden Facial Mask* (check out the Discovery Collection - the perfect try me/for holidays). The pouch retails at £10.50 and contains multiple uses. It's formulated with White Kaolin Clay, Chamomile, Comfrey, Oats, Green Tea, Aloe Vera and Rice Powder for gentle exfoliation. It deeply cleanses the skin and pores and is suitable for combo and inflammation prone skins. 

To use: add a tbs of mask to a bowl and add sufficient water to make a paste. Apply with a masking brush and leave on 10 minutes before rinsing.

I found my skin to be glowing after 1st use! Have you tried Deerieo Skincare? What are your favourites from the range?

*Review: DEI SKINCARE

*complimentary - AD Founder, Mari from DEI Skincare recent send me some skincare items from the range for review. The range is carefully formulated and hand crafted in small batches using organic certified ingredients and clay powders. The range is unisex, and contain no parabens, silicones, synthetic colours, fragrances and preservatives. They aim for minimum packaging, using glass jars and bottles which are easily recyclable or reusable and the labels are minimalist but stylish.

Nourishing Face Oil with Organic Jojoba, Raspberry Seed & Argan Oils mini (10g - £12)* is the perfect size to try the product/for holidays. The silky oil has a nutty and herbal aroma. It'll deeply nourish and care for the skin. Formulated with 98% organic certified ingredients including those mentioned and also Apricot, Evening Primrose, Sea Buckthorn and Vitamin E. 

To use: apply 2-5 drops on cleansed skin AM and PM

This is a gorgeous oil which my skin is loving. It absorbs instantly onto the skin, plumping and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and deeply hydrating the skin. Love!

Skin Balm with Organic Coconut & Sweet Almond Oils (25g - £24)* is formulated with just three ingredients - Organic Coconut, Sweet Almond Oils and Beeswax. It's got a nutty and sweet aroma. It nourishes and recharges, soothes and regenerates dry skin (I've also used it for flyaways!)

To use: massage onto the skin including dry patches, hands, nails and lips.

I adore a multi-use product especially one which is lovely to use and effective.

The third item I was kindly sent was their Purifying Face Mask French & Kaolin Clays enriched with Organic Moringa and Baobab Powders in a discovery size (£4) which will purify, tone and soothe the skin. Balancing, tighten pores and deeply clean them. 

To use: mix 1tbs of mask with water, apply to clean dry skin with a masking brush. Wait up to 10 minutes before removing with warm water. Use 1-2 times a week.

I've been enjoying clay masks and this one is lovely and effective. I've loved trying some products from the range. Have you used DEI Skincare? What are your favourites?

July Book Round-Up

If a book is marked * I kindly received it from the publisher via Netgalley or directly for a blog tour. Here's what I've been reading in July:

Critical Incidents by Lucie Whitehouse - having adored Risk of Harm (review) I had to go back and read the first one in the series. DI Robin Lyons has been dismissed for misconduct from the Met. She and her teenage daughter, Lennie are going back home to Birmingham, something Robin is dreading. Back to her parents house and her taunting brother Luke.

Her best friend of 20 years, Corrine is happy to see her back and is looking forward to catching up then something tragic and unexplained happens and Robin needs to know why. She sets up her own investigation alongside that of the police. Her ex Samir is the Officer in Charge.  She's also working with her mother's friend Maggie, a Private Investigator on the case of a missing young woman.

I absolutely devoured the book and loved hearing the backstory of Robin's and her friends lives. Can't wait for book #3!

Truth or Dare - DI Helen Grace #10 by M J Arlidge - having been left on a sort of cliffhanger in book #9 I couldn't wait to buy and read the next instalment. It didn't disappoint!

DI Helen Grace seems to be unable to slow the crime rate in the city much to the enjoyment of DS Joseph Hudson and reporter Emilia Garanita. Hudson is hell bent on destroying Helen and taking over the Team.  He and Emilia are doing all they can to make this happen.

Helen is missing her friend and colleague, DS Charlie Brooks who is on maternity leave. It seems her authority is being thrown out at every turn. The story is fast paced and twisty and it's good to see those get their just desserts near to the end! Roll on book #11 is all I say! Absolutely love this series.

*Missing Words by Loree Westron - this enjoyable short read isn't published until early next year, so catch my review then.

*Dolly Considine's Hotel by Eamon Somers - I took part in the blog tour with an extract - see HERE. I found the story richly drawn and multi-layered. It's set in Dublin in two timelines – the 1950s and the 1980s and in the latter against a background of the Pro Life Constitutional Amendment of September '83.

Paddy Butler is meant to be having a summer of freedom with his best pal but it's not to be. He therefore reinvents himself and becomes Julian Ryder, a would be writer and young man about town. A chance meeting sends him to Dolly McClean's (nee Considine's) hotel, the bar which is a den of iniquity and therefore a perfect setting for Julian experiencing all life has to offer while writing up about it of course. After he helps one of the bar staff fight off an IRA thug, Dolly hires him as a lounge boy on a temporary contract.

I found the story and characters within it believable as well as interesting and the story totally engrossing, if something I'd not have normally have picked up.

*Little Bones - DI Lottie Parker #10 by Patricia Gibney - this latest instalment in the Lottie Parker series doesn't fail to disappoint! It's not published until September so I'll share my review then - it's great!

Time for the Dead - Rhona MacLeod #14 by Lin Anderson - it was so nice being back in the world of Rhona, Chrissy and McNab! I'm taking part in the blog tour for book #16 so thought I'd better catch up! Currently reading book #15. 

Forensic Scientist, Rhona MacLeod returns to Skye to recover from her previous case. By chance she discovers a crime scene and is soon back in the thick of things. With Chrissy in Glasgow she recruits tracker dog Blaze to be her assistant.

When they discover a body at the foot of Kilt Rock they are keen to speak to a group of Army Medics who seem to have disappeared. McNab has been keeping in close touch with Rhona and they believe there's links to the bodies in Skye with a Glasgow investigation.

As ever, a brilliant read which I couldn't put down. Highly recommend it!

Rounding up my July reads is the fantastic My Name is Monster by Katie Hale which was July's The Boozy Book Club pick. There's been global war and the sickness which killed off everyone. Monster had been safe in the vault and emerges off the coast of Scotland alone in a post apocalyptic landscape.

She takes the long walk south, scavenging what she can along the way. It's a lonely existence, the only sign of life is the packs of wild dogs. She settles down in a farmhouse near the city. One day she discovers a feral child and renames herself Mother. She teaches Monster all that she knows. 

Monster is happy to learn but she's also got a mind of her own and does something quite unexpected. I found the story beautifully and sensitively written and would highly recommend it.

What have you been reading this month? 

Castaway Mini-Soap Gift Box

I've been meaning to do this review for ages! I love shopping local and trying beautiful artisan products from small businesses. I came across North Berwick based Castaway Soaps on EGG on Facebook I think! The soaps are lovingly handcrafted and packaged by husband and wife team, John and Sara. Sara, creates natural soaps inspired by the sea and outdoors. Packaging is stylish and minimal and always recyclable (I've reused the little cardboard boxes in this set + the ribbon!)

You can pick up this cute Mini Soap Gift Box for £12.50 plus p&p. See more details HERE.

The handcut soaps (approx 50g each) inside the gift set are: Wake-Up, Cranachan and Insomniac. Wake-Up is a delicious citrus with Lime and Grapefruit. There's also some spicy Ginger to "add a little spice to your morning"! It's the perfect soap for your morning shower. Cranachan, a delicious Raspberry + Oats concoction (and my fav from the trio) which also contains local Honey, will protect, nourish and clean. The oats also give it a nice scrubby feel. Rounding up the collection is Insomniac, a Lavender soap to calm and soothe. 

You can pick the bars up singly, as a set of 3 or 5 and your order can be gift wrapped too. See more info HERE.

*NEW IN: The Skin Elixir Super Natural Oil

*complimentary Latest launch (today!) from Skin Elixir is their 2% Bakuchiol (natural alternative to Retinol) The Skin Elixir Super Natural Oil (20ml - £32)* which will plump, firm, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pigmentation and sun damage, improve elasticity, redness and dryness. It sounds like a wonder oil!

It's been carefully formulated with skin loving oils including, as well as, the 2% Bakuchiol - Organic Rosehip, Black Seed Oil, Organic Moringa with Immortelle, Orange, Petitgrain, Yang Ylang, Geranium & Cypress which gives it a spicy, floral and herbal aroma.

I've not been trying it long so expect a full review soon! Pick yours up HERE.

July: Lately I've Been Loving

(if it's marked * I've received it free of charge for review). So many July loves but especially the beautiful sunshine and long hot days, having a nice lunch out with a friend, visiting family and feeding my online shopping addiction! I've now cancelled all my subscriptions and plan to enjoy what I have (queue unsubscribe from all tempting shopping emails!)

I was very kindly sent Ras Kutani's The Sleep Oil (£16 - 10ml)* which I've been diffusing in a burner with water before bed (pour water into the bowl of your burner and add a few drops of oil). It's a blend of 10 different essential oils including Jasmine + sleep inducing Lavender. The founder asked a well known nose to create the blend. I feel instantly calm and my worries slip away as soon as the scented oil diffuses though the atmosphere. 

Gorgeous Glow Potion* (30ml - £24) from Raven Botanicals. See my review HERE. It gives the skin a nice gleam and glow.

Fresh flowers is now my Friday treat. I've recently been enjoying bunches of peonies.

Warm summer sunny days - good for the soul!

I dipped my toes in again to The Boozy Book Club - a book club with a difference! Along with the book (this month, My Name is Monster by Katie Hale), you receive a themed cocktails and other treats. A real joy which makes my heart sing!

A Naturisimo Discovery Box never fails to disappoint! July's Edit is packed full and worth £22. The Kiki Magnesium Oil/Spay is a staple which made this box a must have.

I'd read in a mag about Estee Lauder's Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Creme de Soleil Decadent Smoothing Body Creme (200ml - £38) which I managed to pick up at Harvey Nics with 10% off. It's super luxe with the perfect beachy/summer aroma.

Lunch on the terrace at Contini, George Street for my friend Celia's early birthday lunch. The sun shone and the food and drinks delicious with impeccable and friendly service.

A little visit to see my mum and dad (and sister, briefly) at the weekend. It was roasting with not a bit of air. Lovely hot summer weather and so nice to have a garden to relax in and enjoy a catch up. We also went for lunch to House for an Art Lover - check out that sky!

What have you been loving this month?

UpCircle Beauty: Soothing Body Cream with Date Seeds

(*I received a blogger discount) As you'll know I'm a huge fan of Upcircle Beauty, having been a fan since their early days as Optait. I adore their Coffee Body Scrub with Peppermint. The range is 99% plastic free with plastic free refill options for the 1%. See my previous reviews HERE and HERE.

I recently picked up their Vegan (and plastic free - boxed with a glass jar and aluminium lid, which is easy to recycle/reuse and with a nod to #plasticfreejuly) Award Winning Soothing Body Cream with Date Seeds (125ml - £24.99) which has a light fluffy texture, a bit like just whipped cream. It absorbs instantly leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, hydrated and smelling fresh.

The body cream is formulated with Shea Butter, Linseed and Olive Oil as well as left over date seeds, a by product of date farming and has a citrus/herbal aroma (lemon peel oil + rosemary leaf oil).

To use: apply AM and/or PM to clean skin. Massage until absorbed.

I've loved using this fluffy and uplifting luxe cream which deeply nourishes dry skin. What are your favs from the brand?

*Raven Botanicals: Glow Potion - Equilux

Raven Botanicals have launched a glorious Vegan, Cruelty and Preservative Free Glow Potion (£24 - 30ml)* which is available in three skin tones. The girls very kindly sent me the mid tone - EQUILUX, which gives the skin a sun kissed glow. ÆTHER gives the skin and ethereal highlight and SORCERESS a deeper radiance. It smells amazing and makes the skin gleam and glow. As ever pick up the reusable pump first and then the refill with aluminium cap and reuse the pump.

Glow Potion is hand made in small batches using skin loving plant oils (argan, camellia, sweet almond and safflower) with a shot of ethically sourced mica.

To use: shake before use and apply liberally to the face and body. Use layered with make up or alone to give the skin a natural glow.

It's the perfect addition to your summer routine or to perk up autumnal and winter skin.