February 2014 Empties

                                           Here are all the things I have used up in February.

Peppy Galore Nurse Peppy Hand cream (10g). This is such a lovely hand cream. Has a refreshing citrusy scent and I really enjoyed using it.

Noble Isle Fireside shower gel (30ml). This is my favourite fragrance from the Noble Isle products I have tried. It has a warm and spicy scent, which is almost masculine.

Bareskin Beauty Deep Sleep Bath Soak. I reviewed these bath salts earlier in the month. Another product I would really recommend.

Inner Soul Organics Circulation Boost Skin Oil (30ml). This is a super luxurious body oil with geranium and rosemary. Very moisturising and leaves the skin ever so soft.

Mitchel and Peach English Growers shower gel (50ml). I have had a sample of this before and it is pleasant enough, I just didn't think it was anything special.

Oxygen Purifying Honey Masque (size unknown). This is a lovely little mask, made my skin look brighter.

Faith in Nature Raspberry & Cranberry shower gel & bath foam (100mls). Lovely fruity fragrance which is quite sweet. This is a really gentle shower gel. When used in the bath it gives lots of bubbles. Didn't dry my skin and is also reasonably priced.

Essential Care Gentle Herb Shampoo (30mls) is another product I have used before and really like. It was a very close call between buying a full size of this or of the BiOrganics shampoo.

Cowshed Restoring Hand Cream (50mls). This smells lovely. It is a very light hand cream that I would use on good hand days. It absorbs very quickly.

Gwdihw Smoochy Lips (25g). I really feel like I have had my moneys worth with this, it has lasted ages. Although this is a lip balm, it's great for dry skin anywhere. I have been using it as a foot balm. This really smoothes dry skin.

BiOrganics Perfect Balance shampoo (30mls). I really like this shampoo. It makes my hair nice and shiny. It is the first shampoo I have used in a long time where I can manage to skip a day. I have already bought the full size of this.

Glamglow Youth Mud Tinglexfoliate (15g). I really didn't get on with this and definitely will not be buying the full size.

Gauntlet Hand Salve (30ml). This is absolutely fantastic stuff. Well and truly sorted my sore and chapped hands out.

Konjac Sponge. This is another item that I have had a lot of use from. After nearly 4 months it is time to admit it is past it's best and open a new one. I already have a replacement from a recent Love Lula box.

Shed Your Skin Facial Moisturiser (size unknown). This is a very good moisturiser for dry skin. I liked this a lot.

Weleda Wild Rose Pampering Body Lotion (20mls). This is a nice light body lotion, for dry skin it is probably better in Summer but I did like using it.

This month I seem to have used quite a few things up, and I was feeling a little smug. That was until I had a little tot up of all the things that had come in my beauty boxes and the things I had bought. I have only used up a few more things than I have acquired. For this reason I have only stated which I have replaced rather than ones for the wish list. I really do need to focus on using up my products. I may even have to take drastic action and drop a beauty box. Time for another crackdown, otherwise this stash of mine will never be under control.

Glam Glow Youth Mud Tinglexfoliate.

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  One of the products we received in this month's Love Lula beauty box was Glam Glow Youth Mud Tinglexfoliate There is an awful lot of hype around this product. It has won several awards, is marketed as being 100% paraben free, cruelty free and suitable for vegans and all skin types. I thought it was time to share how I found this product.

 There is probably enough product in this tube for a couple of applications. The formula is much softer than I was expecting, so most of it came out in one go. The formula is a soft clay mask with large pieces of leaf to exfoliate. You leave for 10 minutes and then rinse off in circular motions to complete the exfoliating process.

  Before I go too much further, let me remind you of my skin type. My biggest beef with my skin is that it tends to be dry and lack lustre. I am very fortunate that I rarely experience sensitivity. For those with sensitive skin and who do suffer with allergies in particular I think do need to look closely at the ingredients before buying.

Aqua (Water), Montmorillonite (VolcanicMinerals), Kaolin (French Sea Clay), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (PurifiedClay), Polyethylene, Pumice (Micro Volcanic Rock), Camellia Sinensis Leaf(Green Tea Leaf), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (Green Tea), ChamomillaRecutita Flower Extract (Chamomile), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract(Marigold), Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract (Cucumber), Hedara Helix Extract(Ivy), Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (Comfrey Herb), Lavandula Hybrida Oil(Lavender), Glycerin (Vegetable), Parfum, [Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal,Limonene, Linalool], Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol,Hexylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

 With the words tinglexfoliate in the name I expected there would be some tingling, but didn't think it would be too uncomfortable. I found this painful, and couldn't keep it on my skin for the recommended time. I lasted only a few minutes. I fully expected to look like a lobster after washing my face. Fortunately I just looked like I was having a hot flush and it did settle fairly quickly. Next morning I had quite a few spots. I am very lucky with my skin and I haven't had spots in a long time, so am not a happy camper at all.

 This is obviously not the wonder product for me. If you have sensitive skin or suffer with allergies this probably isn't for you either, and would suggest you try something else. Although I obviously won't be buying the full size of this, I can at least cross it off my list of curiosities. I can also take consolation in the fact that I have not stumped up £50 for something that didn't work for me.

#Frugal February This or That (Battle of The Sonic Cleansing Devices).

                                                                 

                                                                        


                                        
                         

                                 This is my wish list with a twist. The Foreo Luna Mini vs the Clarisonic Mia


 
                                             

 I have heard so many good things about both the Luna and the Clarisonic sonic cleansing devices and am really curious to try them out for myself. I have always been a bit hesitant to take the plunge because of the initial outlay. Priced at just under £100 for the Luna Mini and £155 for the Clarisonic Mia they are what I would consider to be an investment product. I have always worried that I wouldn't use them regularly enough to justify spending that much in one go, that I would use it religiously for a month and then never bother with it again.

 It's my birthday at the end of March, and I was thinking of asking for contributions towards one of the devices. I just can't quite decide which. I have made a quick list of the pros and cons of each device.

   Pros (Luna Mini)
* Rechargeable for up to 300 uses per charge.
* Claims to be more hygienic and feel like getting a facial.
* No need to replace brush heads.

  Cons (Luna Mini)
*Initial Outlay.

 Pros (Clarisonic Aria)
* Patented sonic frequency.
* Most well known device.

Cons (Clarisonic Mia)
* Need to buy replacement heads.
* Only has one setting.

 As you can probably tell, on paper I am leaning more towards the Luna Mini. However much you read up about a product, it can't give you a true feel for it. I was wondering if any of you reading this own one of or even both devices, and what your experience has been. Perhaps most importantly do you use it often enough for it to be worth the splurge.

                                                Any feedback would be gratefully received.

    

Bare Skin Beauty Soothing Body Butter.

 Last month Juliette from Bare Skin Beauty was kind enough to send me some of her products to try. Today I thought I would share my thoughts on the Soothing Body Butter.

 Firstly it comes in a really solid jar, that when it is finished would be the perfect size to keep cotton pads in. I am terrible at describing fragrances, so please accept my apologies as I can't do it justice. It has a nice subtle fragrance. The texture is wonderful. It is feather light. You can hear it fizz slightly on your fingers before it melts into the skin. It is an absolute treat to use and makes my skin look super smooth. Even the bumpy bits I would dearly love to pretend I don't have look better, and my skin always feels so soft afterwards. A little goes a long way, I have only had to use this very sparingly. I expect this size jar to last me a couple of months.

                                                 

 

As I have told you previously Juliette's products are all made with only natural ingredients and free from nasties. You can see for yourself from the ingredient list.

Sachets #No 2

                                                                          

The most recent samples to have been used up from my stash are as follows.

Bodhi Rosemary Chi  is a blend of rosemary, geranium, petitgrain and cedarwood.I have loved all the Bodhi products I have tried so far. They are a real treat for the senses, and are perfect for when you want to indulge in a spot of pampering, This has a fresh fragrance that is somehow rich and comforting at the same time. I received a couple of the other shower gels for Christmas that I will use first, but I would happily buy the full size of this. Hubby liked the smell of this too, so definitely a unisex product.

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk. This has a really sweet fragrance, that is more vanilla than orange. I think this is a fragrance you will either love or hate. I absolutely love it. As this is a milk it is a touch light for my dry winter skin, but would be lovely in summer. O have a couple of bigger samples of this that I am looking forward to using.

Apivita Express Gold with Prickly Pear (Face mask). This is simply divine. Rich, creamy and ever so moisturising. It is a great mask for times when the skin is dry and lack lustre. My skin was noticeably brighter and super soft after using this. I have another sachet of this to use. The mask are either sold as a pack of 2 or in a bigger tube. I will definitely be buying the full size of this.

Kimberley Sayer Restore Anti - Aging Cream. This was a lovely light weight cream, that was deceptively moisturising. This was lovely to use. I have a couple more sachets. I don't know that I would buy the full size just yet, simply because I have so many others to use up first.

  Have you tried any of these?

SoukSouk Beauty Box February 2014.

                                                                       

 Today my little SoukSouk box came. As usual everything is tucked behind the little green magazine, which is always a good read and this month features Natural Diddy
                                                                          

                                                    Here is actually what came in the box.
                                                                              

The first two items are by Conscious Skincare and are 50ml samples of Grapefruit and Cedarwood Body Wash and Body Lotion. I have heard of Conscious Skincare but have yet to try their products. These have a light citrusy fragrance which is absolutely gorgeous. I am really looking forward to trying these.    

                                                                           

 Next are two samples by Living Nature. There is a 5ml sachet of the Deep Cleansing Mask and a 10ml sample of their Vitalising Cleanser. I haven't come across this brand before and am looking forward to trying these.  
                                                                   

A 22g bar of Raw Chocolate with Mint & xylitol by The Raw Chocolate Company. Unfortunately for me, my children were around when I was taking my photos. All 3 of them (who allege not to like dark chocolate) loved it and it disappeared faster than the speed of light. Rude, it would have nice to a least got a sniff of it.

                                                                                

 The final item is the one I am most intrigued by is Bodytox Lavender Sleep Patches. Enclosed are two patches that you put on the soles of your feet (there is a diagram to show you where). These patches supposedly remove waste, promote relaxation and help get a good nights sleep. Very interesting product indeed, and they smell gorgeous too.


 I am really impressed with this month's box. A good selection of products by smaller less well known brands. If you are looking to try more artisan companies SoukSouk could well be the box for you.

#FrugalFebruary Buys.

                                                                        

 

As part of my cutting back on spending I decided I would allow myself a monthly budget to play with. These are the things I have bought this month.

 

A huge bottle of BiOrganics Perfect Balance Rebalancing Shampoo. I had a sample of this in January's Love Lula beauty box and it is safe to say I really liked this shampoo. In my defence I am down to my last 30ml samples of Essential Care Gentle Herb Shampoo and would have run out by the end of the month.

 

I can't claim that about the other two purchases I made, and have to admit that temptation got the better of me. 

 

 I bought a lovely sample of Bloom Remedies Daily Revive Cream because I couldn't resist a bargain.

 

I ordered some samples because curiosity got the better of me. I ordered samples of  Kris D'Amour Rejuvenating Facial Treatment Oil, Rejuvenating Body Oil with Stress Relief Effect, and Rejuventaing Body Treatment Butter. Technically the samples were free, but I paid for the postage.

 

I am looking forward to using all my new goodies and will review them shortly.