Tuesday 29 July 2014

Neroli Luce Revitalising Face Oil

 
The face oils from Bodhi & Birch are regularly featured on many a blog, and had been on my own wish list for quite some time. I was always a little unsure which would be most suitable for my skin as I was drawn to the ingredients in both of the face oils. Much earlier in the year Elijah very generously sent me a sample of both of the oils to try.
 
 At the time I tried a little of each of the oils, and found that in Winter my skin gained the most benefit from the Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil. You can read my review here. The Neroli Luce was safely tucked away for when my skin wasn't quite as dry. Now that Summer has well and truly arrived I have been using the Neroli Luce. Bodhi & Birch suggest that the 5ml try me sizes should be enough for 2 weeks use, but I found my bottle has lasted me nearly 2 months when used as a night treatment.
 
I have taken the ingredient list from the website ;-
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca, (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil, Lavendula Augustifolia (High-Altitude Lavender) Flower Oil, Pelargoneum Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang-Ylang) Flower Oil, Benzyl Alcohol*, Benzyl Benzoate*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Citral*, Citronellol*, Eugenol*, Farnesol*, Geraniol*, Isoeugenol*, Limonene*, Linalool* *natural constituents of essential oils
 
   The oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. Neroli Luce is good for helping maintain skin elasticity and suppleness. It helps with blocked pores and regulates sebum, and softens fine lines. This makes Neroli Luce a good choice for anyone with either combination skin or those with more mature skin.
 
   Neroli Luce is a rich, luxurious oil, that is very easily absorbed by the skin. It has a slight orange tint and a lovely fragrance that is citrusy and spicy at the same time. Like everything I have tried from Bodhi & Birch it is such a good quality product. I always find that a little goes a long way, and that the price reflects the quality of the ingredients used.
 
 For me, the ingredients I was most drawn to were the Frankincense and the Seabuckthorn oil, as I know that my skin responds well to them. I would describe my skin type as being dry, but as I am in my 30's I am aware of a few finer lines that are creeping in. Whilst I have always tried to take care of my skin, I have not paid such careful attention to my declotege. This area is definitely my Achilles heel and the area I am most conscious about. I am delighted to say that the Neroli Luce has made a big improvement to this area of my skin. It has softened the lines I have, as well as smoothing and brightening my overall skin tone.
 
 I have bought my replacement Neroli Luce, as I don't want to be without it. I plan to continue using this during Summer months, and return to the Desert Rose when the weather cools.
 
  

Thursday 24 July 2014

The Vegan Kind Beauty Box

 A little while ago on twitter I saw that The Vegan Kind were planning to release a beauty box. I have been patiently waiting, and this week it was finally despatched. Everything in this box is cruelty free. Here are my initial thoughts on the box.

The Vegan Kind Beauty Box

This is not a monthly subscription box, but I think there are plans to produce more boxes in the future. This cost £15 + £2.95 delivery. The boxes were limited availability, so I am not sure whether any are left to buy.


The first item is White Rabbit Lime and Coconut Cleansing Water which smells absolutely beautiful. It is nice to see something from a smaller seller on Etsy included in a beauty box. I look forward to trying this. 


There are two eye shadows (1g samples) by Beautiful Movements Cosmetics. the shades I have been sent are Adobe Brick (a coppery colour) and Mississippi Mud (a rich chocolate brown). Beautiful Movements was co founded by Kimberly Wyatt and Laura McComiski. Their products are free from parabens and synthetic dyes and fragrances. I couldn't have picked better colours myself and think I will get a lot of use from these.


An Orange Cocoa Butter bath melt by Simply Soaps. This contains just 4 ingredients. It smells lovely and again I am looking forward to trying it.


A stippling brush by Furless Cosmetics. Being Vegan this brush is synthetic. I haven't had chance to use it yet, but it feels incredibly soft.


Inika Black Caviar Eyeliner I really like Inika, although they are not cheap to buy, their products are always really good quality. This is a certified Organic product. I have used their eyeliners before and like them, so this will definitely be used. Black eyeliner for me is a staple product so I am always grateful for another.

I think this is a fantastic first beauty box from The Vegan Kind. It is a nice mixture of skin care and makeup. I like that there are a few familiar brands aswell as some new brands to try. I am pleased to see smaller artisan companies amongst the box too. I hope it won't be too long before another box is released.

Friday 18 July 2014

SoukSouk July 2014.

My SoukSouk was waiting for me when I got home from work today.
 
SoukSouk July 2014.
 
It contains a gift set by Holy Lama and a roller ball by Tisserand.
 
 
The Tisserand Roller Ball is the Sweet Dreams one. It is a lovely blend of lavender, bergamot and ylang-ylang. It is the perfect size to pop in a bag and can be used to create a sense of calm, or as the name suggests to  help relax and get a better night's sleep. I find aromatherapy fascinating, and have used Tisserand's essential oils many times. I have always been pleased with the quality of their products and will get plenty of use from this.
 
 
The gift set by Holy Lama is actually their Hair Boon. The little travel case is made from coconut palm leaves and contains a mini shampoo, conditioner, hair oil and yogi soap. Holy Lama aim to produce natural products which are kind to the body and the environment. It also supports the women of the local economy, helping them to earn a fair wage. Whilst some of the products do contain synthetic preservatives, I am more than happy to use these products. For me choosing cleaner products isn't just about ingredients, it's about fair trade and sustainability. The products also contain essential oils and Arurvedic botanicals, which is something else which interests me greatly. All of the items smell wonderful and I can't wait to try them.
 
This is another really good box from SoukSouk. It's nice to see something from a brand I already love and something which is completely new to me.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Sachets #5

 
It's been a little while since I have written one of these posts, so I thought it was time to have a little look at my sample hoard.
 
I, like many others, received this Collagen Mask Pack in my Spring/Summer box by abeautifulworld
This is not the first time I have tried this product, but was one that I was pleased to see in my box.
The mask pack contains a cotton mask that is saturated with vegetable and marine collagen, hyaluronic acid and shea butter, Simply unfold the mask, apply and leave for 15 minutes or so. Any leftover residue can be massaged into the skin.
 
I absolutely love this mask. I think it really comes into its own over Summer, when it's hot and sticky. This is so cooling and refreshing, especially if left in the fridge before hand. It is great for perking up the skin. It definitely makes my skin look more radiant. I have another couple of these left, but will buy them again when they have been used up.
 
The next sample was Age Defy 24 Hour Brightening by the Green People. This promises to deliver intense moisturising properties and reduce age spots, fine lines and  wrinkles. I managed to get a week's worth of use from this sachet, and although I can't say whether it meets those claims I was very impressed with this moisturiser, and it is going on my wish list for when I have used a few other things up. This is very good for dry skin whilst remaining very light in texture.
 
I like to use these sachets of shampoo and conditioner after swimming. They are a perfect size to stick in my bag. Much as I love swimming I don't like the drying effect of the chlorine, and I certainly don't like the way it tangles my hair. I found the combination of Zinc & sage shampoo with conditioner and Citrus & Neroli Detangler worked very well for me. It completely alleviated that horrible tight scalp feeling, and the detangler made by hair so much easier to brush out. They both smell fantastic, left my hair nice and soft, and didn't weigh it down either. I have quite a few of these little sachets for now, but am very tempted to buy the full sizes.
 

Thursday 10 July 2014

Nourish Mini Kit - Protect Starter Collection.

About 3 weeks ago, Liv were kind enough to send me the Protect Starter Collection by Nourish Skin Range. Nourish Skin Range is the brain child of Dr Pauline Hili and uses plant extracts biodegradeable ingredients across the brand. It carries the leaping bunny and the soil association accreditations. My first taste of Nourish Skin Range came in the form of a Protect hand lotion from a SoukSouk box, and I have also tried their Radiance shower gel and toner and enjoyed them. I was more than happy to be given the opportunity to try more from the brand.
 
Nourish Mini Kit - Protect Starter Collection.
 
The Protect Starter Collection itself contains a 50ml sample of their Refreshing Cleanser and Cooling Toner and a 15ml sample of their Replenishing Peptide Serum and Hydrating Moisturiser. The Protect Range is marketed for dry skin. It has been designed to quench thirsty skin and firm and smooth the appearance . I think it is a nice size to get a good feel for the range and would be the perfect size for travelling. The cleanser has just been finished and I have about half the serum and moisturiser left.
 
 
The Refreshing Cleanser is a light cleansing milk. It has a lovely citrusy fragrance. I like to massage a little of this onto my skin and then take it off with a warm flannel. I found it tackled my mascara well, and felt very gentle on my skin. This is a perfect cleanser for Summer and has been a pleasure to use. For me this is the star product of the range, and one which I would happily buy myself.
 
 
The Cooling Toner comes with a spray nozzle and I have found this to be a very refreshing mist. It has the same citrus fragrance which I absolutely love. The cleanser and the toner are my favourite products from the range and to buy the full size products I think they are very reasonably priced.
 
 
The Replenishing Peptide Serum has a less noticeable fragrance. It is a nice light serum, which absorbs well, and for me works well as a serum in Summer. I don't feel that this would give me quite enough moisture in Winter.
 
 
The Hydrating Moisturiser is the one product of the set that doesn't work for me. I found that it took a while to massage into my skin, and didn't feel like it gave it quite enough moisture. Using the products all together did make my skin look fresh and healthy, but the moisturiser left my skin feeling a little tight. I am going to have a play and see whether they work better for me with using a different moisturiser, as I liked the overall look of my skin whilst using this. I think this set would also suit those lucky enough to have normal skin types, and don't need quite as much hydration as I do.

Saturday 5 July 2014

The Vegan Kind Box July 2014

 I have been lusting after The Vegan Kind's monthly subscription boxes for quite a while now. After month's of drooling over Annie and Hephzibah 's posts I have finally taken the plunge and signed up. Whilst I am not vegan myself, they always seem to have a good variety of products. I like the idea of trying new products that I might not have otherwise discovered.
 
The Vegan Kind Box July 2014
 
Yesterday #TVK9 arrived on my doorstep and I am very pleased with the items I have been sent. I think it's a nice mixture of tasty treats, health items and a beauty product too.
 
 
The first item is a packet of CocoBacon which are dried coconut pieces with a bacon type flavouring. This is obviously a vegan product and is free from artificial flavourings or colourings. These can either be nibbled on, or added to salads, soups, pizza etc to liven your dish up a little. I have tried a few and they really are good.
 
 
A sachet of Squeeze Juice CafĂ© Wheatgrass Sachet. Packed full of minerals and vitamins. I am pleased to see wheatgrass juice in such a handy package. No need for mixing or defrosting. I am more than happy to give this a go.
 
 
A carton of Vita Coco Coconut Water. I have tried this before and really like it. Fantastic after a run as it is so hydrating, packed full of nutrients and is fat free. This won't be staying around for long.
 
 
 Heavenly Organics Just Add Water Shampoo I am familiar with Heavenly Organics but have yet to try anything by them. I have never tried a shampoo in this format either, so I am looking forward to trying this.
 
 
Undoubtedly the item I am most looking forward to trying is this huge bar of Vego chocolate. This chocolate bar is packed full of hazelnuts. Every girl needs a treat once in a while.
 
 
The final item is a Frank Bar Strawberry and Chocolate Bar. I have to confess that I have already eaten this and enjoyed it very much. This snack bar is made with dried fruit and oatmeal. They are designed to provide longer lasting energy and contain 4g of protein per bar. I definitely prefer this to other bars with protein I have tried. It has a much more natural tastes and isn't overly sweet.
 
 

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Empties June 2014

These are always my favourite posts to write, and the ones I look forward most to reading. The monthly round up of products I have finished. Here is my June empties post. 
 
Empties June 2014
 
The first two items are by VitaBella. The first is their Anti-Aging Serum (30mls) which was sent to me for review here and the second is a 15ml sample of their Anti-Aging Face Cream. I have really enjoyed using both the serum and the moisturiser. The serum lasted almost 4 months of daily use. I think it helps with the appearance of finer lines and loved how healthy it made my skin look. I have another couple of serums I want to use next, but would happily buy this myself. The moisturiser is better for dry skin and suits me perfectly. I have another sample and a full size of this in reserve.
 
Facial Glow Radiance Peel (15ml) by Elemental Herbology is a fantastic face mask. I absolutely love this mask. It makes my skin glow. I actually prefer this to Ren's Glycolactic Renewal Mask and I never thought I would find something to beat that. I have several other sample sizes stashed.
 
Nourish Cleanser (200mls) by S5 Skincare. I reviewed this last week and enjoyed using it a lot. I desperately need to reduce my stash of cleansers before I buy anymore.
 
 
 
Working Hands Cream (50g) by Herbfarmacy is just wonderful. Made with Comfrey, Calendula and Marshmallow it is perfect for giving dry, sore hands some tender loving care. I love that the label says fresh from the fields of Paul Richards, talk about knowing exactly where your products are from. I can only find a link for 100g in a tube, so not sure if mine was a special edition. I would happily buy this again.
 
Apicosma Hand Cream (30mls) by Melvita is another hand cream I enjoyed a lot. Very good for dry skin, I have another sample of this.
 
Rose Garden Body Oil (50ml) by Lavera is a very fragrant and deeply moisturising body oil. Good value for money, I would buy this again.
 
Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Lotion (30mls) by John Masters. I love this sweet and citrusy scent. I have another couple of samples of this and will buy the full size ay some point.
 
Jasmine Falls Bath & Shower Therapy (50mls) by Bodhi & Birch. I loved this. Oh so feminine, smells divine. I have a couple of others from Bodhi and Birch to use, but this is one of my favourite scents.
 
 
 
Radiance Revitalising Shower Gel (250mls) by Nourish. Another product that was lovely to use. Very gentle on my skin and had a rich rose fragrance. I think next time I will buy the Protect fragrance as it has a gorgeous cheerful citrus fragrance.
 
Support Lavender and Peppermint Bath & Shower Oil (3mls) by Aromatherapy Associates. This was nice to use, but not my favourite fragrance. I will buy other oils from the range.
 
Soothing Body Oil and Body Butter samples by Kris D'Amour. I really liked these samples, I think that the body oil has the edge over the body butter.
 
Rejuvenating Body Oil and Body Butter samples by Kris D'Amour. This is the range I liked the best (although both were lovely). The Body Oil is going on my wish list.
 
Power Berry Daily Moisture (50mls) by Neals' Yard. I didn't get on with this. I found it took a long time to absorb into my skin and have been using it as a body lotion. I won't be buying the full size.
 
Indulge Bath & Shower Oil (5mls) by BalmBalm. I love these little bath oils and will certainly buy again in the future.
 
What is on your Empties list this month?