Love Me Beauty Box December 2015

It has been quite some time since I subscribed to a Love me Beauty Box and they have changed hugely in that time. When this month's options popped up on my bloglovin feed, I knew I wouldn't be able to resist. Each month you are allocated 60 points to choose from their boutique, but you can top up these points if there is something that really takes your fancy.

 

What caught my eye are the products from Therapie Roques ONeal. I topped up my points, and with a half price box offer I managed to snag all of these products for an amazing price of less than £20.

I have had my eye on the Therapie Roques ONeil range for quite so time. I must admit that aromatherapy based products are a huge weakness of mine. The products are Boost Hair & Body Wash, Equilibrium Bath & Shower Essence, Cherish Body Repair Serum, and Restore Aura Spray. Each mini bottle contains a generous 30-50mls of product, so will allow me to get a good feel for them.

 I absolutely love the Himalayan Detox Salts and always have one of the mini bags in my stash. My box only came yesterday, so I haven't had chance to try them properly yet. Everything is package beautifully and smells wonderful. I am very much looking forward to having a very luxurious pampering session with these.

Focus on Serums

Like many of you, I have quite the stash of products. I thought I would write another post focusing on a type of product. This time I have chosen some of the serums that I am currently enjoying. 

This is my second little pot of Herbfarmacy's Mallow Beauty Balm, so it is safe to say this is a firm favourite. Although this is a balm, it performs very much like a serum. It can be used as a cleanser, but I much prefer to use this as a serum. I absolutely love the fragrance of this.

 

This is another product that has a very rich formula. It really does only need to be used sparingly. I used this all through last Winter and be skin thanked me for it. This is something I will turn to, when the temperature drops. I also like to use a thin layer of this as a barrier, when I run in the cold weather. It also works particularly well after swimming when the chlorine has sucked all the life out of my skin. Although it comes in a glass jar, it is robust enough to cope with being thrown in my gym bag.

 

 Ingredients: *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, *Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, *Cera flava (Beeswax), *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, *Calendula officinalis flower extract, *Verbascum thapsus (Mullein) extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, *Pelargonium graveolens (Rose Geranium) leaf oil, *Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) peel oil, *Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil, *linalool, *limonene, *geraniol, *eugenol (Essential oil ingredients)* = Organic

I have tried one or two products from FOM and have been especially impressed with their skincare. Their Overnight Rose Repair Serum is something that I use couple of nights a week as an intensive treatment.

 

FOM are a brand which focus on Anti-aging. The Overnight Serum is full of nutrients, fatty acids and vitamins and works wonders on my skin overnight. It really does brighten my skin and makes it so much softer. For me in my late thirties, this works well a couple of nights a week. If your skin is much mature would be a great product to use more regularly.

 

Simmondsia Chinesis, Rosa Rubiginosa, Persea Gratissima, Passiflora edulis, Sclerocarya birrea, Hippophae rhamnoides, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ricinodendron rautanenii, Plukentia volubilis, Tocopherol, *parfum (natural) *geraniol, limonene, linalool, citral, eugenol, farnesol, citronellol (naturally occurring in essential oils).

I have almost finished my sample of Pinks Boutique Anti-Aging Serum. I have been enjoying using this in the daytime. This feels such a luxurious product to use

 

The Anti-Aging Serum has a rich and nourishing formula.The star ingredients being Rosehip, Avocado, Jojoba and Apricot oils. I am definitely drawn to products with these ingredients, as I find they work well for my skin. I love how this plumps my skin. I have found that in the milder weather we have currently had, that I haven't needed to use a moisturiser on top of this.

I am also impressed with how quickly it absorbs, given it's rich formula

 

 Ingredients: Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil*, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, rosa canina fruit oil*, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, persea gratissima (avocado) oil*, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil*, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, parfum*; lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil,* pelargonium graveolens flower oil*, pogostemon cablin oil*, cananga odorata flower oil*, tocopherol, citronellol**, geraniol**, linalool**, (*CERTIFIED ORGANIC.) (**NATURAL CONSTITUENTS OF ESSENTIAL OILS.)

Therapi Orange Blossom Honey Gel Cleanser.

I got this sample of Therapi Orange Blossom Honey Gel Cleanser a while back as part of a gift with purchase from Being Content. Therapi are a brand I was aware of, but hadn't tried any of their products.

 

Therapi say that their cleansing gels are made with honey to naturally cleanse and purify the skin, without drying it. The Orange Blossom is designed with normal skin in mind. If I had bought this myself I would have chosen the Rose Otto as my skin is on the dry side. Having said that I have been pleasantly surprised at just how gentle this is. I have found this to be a pretty effective cleanser, although it doesn't quite remove all my eye make up. I tend to use this either first thing in the morning or as a second cleanse, and find it works really well like this. I particularly like using a konjac sponge with it.

 

As a huge fan of citrus, it is not surprising that I love the fragrance. It reminds me of sherbet orange. It is a soft and sweet scent, that doesn't linger around. The Orange Blossom cleanser lathers slightly, so there is no risk of stripping the skin of moisture.

 

I have to say I also really like the packaging, it is sleek and functional. The pump allows you to remain in control of how much is dispensed, and it hasn't clogged or dripped everywhere.

 

I would happily recommend this to others and would buy this again. I do want to try the Rose Otto at some point too.

 

Aqua, Mel (Honey)*, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Yucca Schidigera (Y. Vera) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Peel Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Flower Oil*, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Parfum*, Limonene+, Linalool+, Citral+  * Organic   + Naturally occurs in essential oils

Empties November 2015

I have finally got around to November's Empties. I don't seem to have had a spare minute lately. I am sure everybody feels like this at this time of year.

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox is a lovely gentle mask. I enjoyed using this but much prefer their Facial Glow Radiance Peel so would buy that instead.

 

Indie Lee COQ-10 Toner. I got a couple of uses from the vial. I though it was nice but wasn't blown away by it, so probably wouldn't buy the full size.

 

Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil on the other hand I loved, and the full size is on my wishlist.

 

Can you tell I am steadily working my way through my Beautiful World box yet? I was also very impressed with my sample of Get It On body wash by Plant. I loved the fragrance and definitely want to try more from the brand.

 

One Love Organics Skin Saviour. This is one of my all time favourite cleansing balms. It also makes a very good facial mask. I have a couple of the sample pots of this.

 

Neals Yard Remedies White Tea Facial Mist. This is another product that I loved and would happily buy a replacement for.

Oskia Bedtime Beauty Boost. I really wanted to like this as everyone seems to rave over it. It didn't love me. I don't know quite what, but something irritates my skin. I haven't finished this, but have given it up as a bad job.

 

Ila pure Relaxation Bath Soak. I loved this. It is so calming. I have already bought a replacement.

 

Caudalie Divine Oil. I really liked how soft this left my skin, but found the fragrance overpowering. I won't be repurchasing this.

 

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash. These crop up pretty regularly in my Empties posts. I really like these and will continue to repurchase.

Botanicals Foot Balm

I have featured Botanicals a few times on my blog, and it's no secret that I have quite a soft spot for them. Today I am going to share my thoughts on their Foot Balm.

 

I find Botanicals so appealing as they use simple, good quality ingredients and their products are always such good value for money. Products are made by hand and are certified by The Soil Associtation.

 

 The Foot Balm is no exception to this. The formula is as you would expect, rich and nourishing. It needs only be used sparingly, yet leaves my feet beautifully soft. It has a lovely soft texture, which melts easily with contact with the skin. In terms of consistency it reminds me very much of their cleansing balms.

 

I like the combination of Spearmint and Peppermint, as it is sweeter and softer than peppermint alone. Although the Tea Tree is in the background, it doesn't dominate the fragrance. Much as I appreciate it's naturally antibacterial benefits, it will never be my favourite aroma.

 

It is easy to see why this won silver in the FreeFrom Awards, this really is a fantastic product which I would happily buy again.

 

Ingredients:-

 Helianthus annus (sunflower) seed oil*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil*, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, glycerine***, tocopherol, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil*, mentha spicata (spearmint) leaf oil*, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), leaf oil*, zea mays seed flour*, limonene**, **linalool. (*Certified organic. **Natural constituents of essential oils. ***Organic origin.)