September Empties

Here's what I've been using up in September:

Sisley Energising Foaming Exfoliant 15ml - I really enjoyed this refreshing and slightly exfoliating cleanser. I'd probably not buy full size but it was nice to try.

Estelle & Thild BioMineral Healthy Glow Foundation 121 2ml sachet - I really liked this foundation which gave light everyday coverage. I'd buy full size.

Miller Harris Lumiere Doree 10ml - I never finish perfume! I loved this light neroli scent which I'd buy again in a heartbeat.

Luxe Botanicals CAMU Brightening Serum 2ml - I love trying new brands but I just wasn't keen on the scent of this serum so wouldn't buy.

BAO Skincare - Face Recovery - loved, would buy full size, Stretch Away - wouldn't buy, Coconut Body Scrub - wouldn't buy, Shea Mandarin Body Cream - loved, would buy and Cocoa Body Butter - wouldn't buy. See my review HERE.

Sisley Floral Toning Lotion 30ml - nice to use but probably wouldn't buy.

REN Flash Hydro Boost Instant Plumping Emulsion 10ml - a light and easily absorbed moisturiser which I'd maybe buy when my stash reduces a bit.

Weleda Wild Rose Body Oil 10ml - loved this. Would buy full size. See my review HERE.

Kat Burki Complete Eye Creme Complex 5ml - which came as a magazine freebie. It was ok but dried out before I had a chance to use it all. Wouldn't buy.

bodhi & birch Super25 Botanical Serum 5ml* - from a stunning range launched this year. I've got a new one ready to crack open. See my review HERE.

Tropic Hair Feast 50ml* - oh how I loved this so! So much so I cut open the tube to get every last bit out! See my review HERE. Will buy this again. My hair just loved it.

Antonia Burrell Bright+Light Eye Cream 15ml* - which was amazing. See my review HERE. It's one I'll buy when my stash reduces a bit.

ORIBE Gold Lust Dry Shampoo 43ml - I'm a huge fan of these mini dry shampoo cans. I've just opened another.

REN Atlantic Kelp & Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Bath Oil 110ml - I received this from my pal Julie as a pressie and I loved it. Would buy again as I loved the seashore scent and it was nice for a relaxing dip.

P&G "Marzipan" Body Souffle 100ml - I just loved this. See my review HERE. I'll buy this again when the stash reduces in size.

BAO Skincare Orange Face Wash 5ml - loved. Would buy full size.

Weleda Sea Buckthorn and Evening Primrose Body Oils 10ml each - again, beautiful to use and I'd buy both of these full size.

ISUN Celestial Body Silk Sample - this is a really runny milk which absorbed quickly and had an exotic scent.

ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation 150ml - I just adore this soak. It's featured a lot on the blog. See mini review HERE. Bound to buy it again. And soon.

Jo Browne Natural Facial Cleansing Balm 50g* - which I judged in last year's Beauty Shortlist Awards. It was one of my top picks (see HERE) and I'm very sad that's my pot now done! 

What have you been using up this month?

*complimentary

BAO Skincare: Body & Face Sample Boxes

I discovered BAO Skincare after spotting it on Hannah Rose's Instagram and went to investigate! I decided to pick up the two sample packs - Body Sample Box (7 x 5ml samples - £10) and Face Sample Box (5 x 5ml samples - £8).

Founder, Beth grew up in Poole in Dorset and traveled the world living in Australia and South Africa in her 20s. She studied a Diploma in Natural Beauty and Nutrition and worked in the industry for over a decade before developing and formulating her own brand.

The products are made with plant based ingredients including organic butters, plant and flower oils and essential oils. The range is nourishing, healing, repairing and cleansing and handmade in small batches with love and care in England.

I found the skincare samples to be my favourites from the selections and would buy full sizes of Face Recovery, Avocado Orange Face Polish, Orange & Bergamot Face Wash and Apricot Rose Face Polish (I received a full size pot of this in my August Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box).

Orange & Bergamot Face Wash (full size £14 - 150ml) has an uplifting scent and easily removes make up and daily grime. I like to use it in my morning shower to refresh and clean.  Avocado Orange Face Polish (full size £14 - 50ml) which smells incredible. Bamboo exfoliant creates a gentle scrub which is suitable for all skins. I'm also loving Apricot Rose Face Polish (full size £14 - 50ml) which gently removes dead skin cells leaving the skin looking bright and radiant. Face Recovery (full size £20 - 50ml) which is a rich cream suitable for all skin types. It'll moisturise, plump out fine lines and wrinkles and leave the skin feeling hydrated and comfortable (this cream featured in Natural Health Magazine). Best-selling Nourish Urself (full size £25 - 60ml) is a multi-purpose product - use it as a cleanser, moisturiser or treatment balm. It will cleanse, nourish, smoothe, hydrate and repair (it featured recently in Brides Magazine).

From the bodycare selection I would buy Shea Mandarin Body Moisturiser and Foot Rescue.

Detox Bath Salts (full size £10 - 200g) and R&R Bath Salts (full size £10 - 200g) a mix of Himalayan Salts, Epsom Salts and essential oils designed detox or calm.  Coconut Grapefruit Body Scrub (full size £15 - 200ml) this scrub smelled gloriously exotic but I found it slightly too sticky and the particles a little large for my liking (it featured recently in Natural Health Magazine). Cocoa Butter Body Butter (full size £20 - 200ml) blended with rose water to hydrate. Great for sensitive skin types. Stretch Away (full size £20 - 60ml) which is great to use on stretch marks both new and recent.  Shea Mandarin Body Moisturiser (full size £20 - 200ml) I loved this zesty moisturiser which absorbed instantly, hydrating and comforting the skin and leaving it with a delicate citrus scent. Foot Rescue (full size £12 - 50ml) again, this was one of my favourites from the set. A minty treat for the feet! Soothing and nourishing it'll help transform tired and hot feet.

I've loved trying the samples and have some firm favourites which will be added to the groaning wishlist! Have you used any products by BAO Skincare? What are your favourites?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: August: Refresh

August's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box's theme is Refresh and inside are five gorgeous products (and four new to me brands - amazing!) Full reviews will follow.

OMG I'm so excited to delve in..

And for a closer look..

From new to me brand Eden Days is a 60ml pot of their Hawaiian Haven Whipped Body Butter (£6.50) which smells gorgeous. It's a blend of organic green tea, ylang ylang, neroli, lavender and geranium essential oils along with quality natural oils. I'm looking forward to trying this! I love too that it's housed in a reusable/recyclable tin. 

And another new to me brand (such joy) is Butter Bar Soapery and inside this month is an exclusive product from the brand (it's not yet available to buy online). This mouthwatering Revive Body Polish (200g - £15) is almost good enough to eat. 

From Delune is their Coconut+Rose Facial Mist (100ml - £18) which smells glorious. I'm looking forward to trying this hydrating, delicately scented treat! 

I love how Paula finds these artisan small brands. From new-to-me Casa Mencarelli is a 12g pot (£8) of their Lemon & Clay Face Mask & Scrub which is made with pure Sicilian Green Clay and Lemon Peel Powder. Simply mix with water, honey or hydrosol to activate the mask. 

From BAO Skincare, a brand I very recently discovered (I'm currently trying their sample sets) is their Apricot Rose Face Polish (50ml - £14) which gently polishes the skin.

As ever some of the brands have offered generous discount codes. I'm absolutely thrilled with my box - 4 new to me brands - this is what a beauty box should be about. Absolutely love it.