Top 4 Bath Salts To Help You Relax & Sleep | featuring This Works, M&S Apothecary, Westlab & Bloomtown

Once only used by women of a 'certain age', bath salts are enjoying a long-awaited revival thanks to the self-care movement and I'm totally here for it! There are so many different blends and compositions to choose from these days that it can be a little overwhelming knowing what to buy. To point you in the right direction, I've put together my top four favourite bath salts post to help you to relax after a long day, and get a good night's sleep.

If You Love Floral Scents Try: Bloomtown Pink Himalayan Salt Soak in The Rose Garden* (285g, £10, link)

Most bath salt products on the market are generally made up of Epsom salts, Magnesium flakes, or Dead Sea salts (or even a mix of these), so I wanted to feature a Pink Himalayan Salt product as they are also becoming much more popular. Not only does it look pretty, but Pink Himalayan Salt is famed for containing over 80 trace minerals including magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium. This gives the salt a unique composition which is great for drawing out toxins and rejuvenating the skin. Just make sure to really stir these salts around the bath as they are harder to fully dissolve if you don't.

I'm a big fan of the Bloomtown Pink Himalayan Salt Soak in The Rose Garden scent which smells incredible; if you love heady floral fragrances mixed with musk, this is the one for you. It's also a good alternative for those who aren't keen on lavender scents, but still want something that's relaxing.

If You Want A Good Night's Sleep Try: This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak* (200g, £24, link)

For my fellow insomniacs, you must try This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak. In fact, the entire Deep Sleep range is incredible for those of us who really struggle to get to sleep, however, the Bath Soak is something special. Infused with the brand's signature Deep Sleep natural fragrance, these sea salts are saturated with an expert and clinically proven mix of Lavender, Vetivert, Patchouli, Ho Wood, and Wild Chamomile essential oils. 

A truly relaxing and luxurious bath is sure to follow when these magical salts are added to the water and This Works recommend that you use them about two hours before you want to go to bed for the very best results. They are expensive, but it's worth pointing out that you only need to use a spoonful for each bath as they are so potent.

If You're On A Budget Try: Westlab Mindful Bath Salts with Frankincense, Bergamot & CBD* (1kg, £3.79, link)

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, you absolutely can't go wrong with anything from Westlab. I have used their products regularly for years, and the quality is always wonderfully consistent, with excellent results. It was difficult to choose just one product from them as they have such a good range, but their Mindful Bath Salts are brilliant and they're something that I've recommended countless times to family and friends.

Here we have a mix of both Epsom and Himalayan mineral salts, along with the addition of CBD oil to promote a feeling of tranquility and essential oils of Cedarwood, Orange, Geranium, Frankincense, and Bergamot. You can pick up Westlab Bath Salts from a wide variety of stockists including many budget-friendly stores such as B&M and Saver's where you'll usually find a big 1kg bag for around £3.50 - £3.79, which is such a bargain!

If You Want Your Bathroom To Feel Like A Spa Try: M&S Apothecary Sleep Bath Salts* (300g, £7.50, link)

OK, so all of the bath salts in this post will make your bathroom smell amazing, but if you're looking for one that's going to go the extra mile and make it feel like a proper spa experience, M&S Apothecary is the range to look into. They have a couple of different blends available, and the Sleep Bath Salts are a clear winner in my humble opinion.

Housed in a beautiful smoked grey glass bottle with a classic apothecary style vibe, these sea salts instantly hit you with a really strong and heady fragrance of Lavender, Eucalyptus, Vetiver, and Jasmine. This fragrance will quickly fill your whole bathroom, evoking a sense of calm and relaxation. Best of all, you can purchase refills which not only help to cut down on your packaging waste, but also make these bath salts more affordable in the long run.

Are you a fan of bath salts?

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Beauty Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's time for a Beauty Empties post don't you think? Come and rummage through the recycling bin with me and discover which products I'll be repurchasing again, and which, if any, will be staying in the bin!

Skin & Me Purify + Prep Hydrating Cleanser* (featured here)

I'm all about using creamy hydrating cleansers during the winter months and this little gem from Skin & Me has served me well. It's brilliant as a quick morning cleanser to prep my skin for my makeup and I love the recyclable aluminum squeezy tube. Repurchase? I've switched back to the REN Evercalm Cleansing Milk at the moment, but I'll definitely pick this up again.

Nourish Balance Refining Toning Mist* (travel size)

I love a refreshing spritz and Nourish Balance Refining Toning Mist is perfect for balancing excess sebum and keeping pores clear. If you have oily/combination skin, you should try it! Repurchase? Yes.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser (travel size)

If you're a fan of thick cream cleansers that also double up as makeup removers, this bestseller Miracle Cleanser from Aurelia is amazing stuff. Removes all traces of makeup and leaves my skin so wonderfully fresh and clean. Repurchase? Yes.

Jacqueline Organic Honey Hydrating Lip Balm* 

Despite the name 'honey', this lip balm is suitable for vegans and has a 'honey-ish' natural scent to it which is really lovely. Keeps chapped lips at bay and is another product that I've enjoyed using this winter. Repurchase? I have a lot of lip balms in my stash to use up, but yes, I would repurchase!

Mádara Hyaluronic Acid Micellar Water (travel size)  

You can definitely spot a hydrating theme in this Empties round-up can't you?! I sometimes find that my eyes get very dry and scratchy when the central heating is on, so for days when I've been wearing mascara, I've been using Mádara Hyaluronic Acid Micellar Water to remove it. It's certainly one of the more hydrating/moisturising micellar waters that I've tried, no doubt due to the Hyaluronic Acid in the formula. Repurchase? Yes.

Westlab Reviving Epsom Bath Salts

Epsom Bath Salts are just amazing and I always, always have a bag or two in my bathroom. I've gotten into the habit of using them more often this winter, and my everyday aches and pains have been reduced as a result. Magical stuff! These ones are straight-up 100% natural mineral salts so I'll usually add a little bath/essential oil for some fragrance. Repurchase? Already have!

Wildheart Organics Revive Shower Oil*

Wildheart Organics is a beautiful natural luxury brand and I loved every single drop of their Revive Shower Oil. Incidentally, I used this purely as a bath oil and adored the blend of eucalyptus, lemongrass, and rosemary essential oils. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak* (featured here)

Very similar to the bath oil above, this Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak has a similar blend of essential oils which are infused into the bath salts, along with some CBD. This results in a very relaxing bath which is perfect to use after a long, stressful week. Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Stress Check Kind Hands

No winter empties post would be complete without at least one tube of hand cream and my go-to has been the bestselling Stress Check Kind Hands from This Works which I picked up for a bargain in TK Maxx. If you haven't smelt the Stress Check fragrance, you must! It's so calming and the hand cream itself is ultra-moisturising without being sticky or greasy. Repurchase? Already have.

Laidbare Butter Me Up Body Butter* (reviewed here)

Oh wow, this product has been a long-time favourite of mine, having first reviewed it back in 2012! Sadly, this amazing body butter has been discontinued and this was my very last tube of it so you better believe that I'll be cutting open the tube to get every last bit out! Repurchase? Discontinued :(

This Works Love Sleep Pillow Spray (travel size)

Lastly, I finished up a travel mini of the This Works Love Sleep Pillow Spray. This is the first that I've tried from the Love Sleep range and it's such a beautiful and highly addictive blend of Ylang Ylang and Patchouli. Repurchase? Very tempted to pick up the full size.

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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Naturisimo Go Love Yourself Discovery Box 2023 review

Naturisimo always curates the best beauty boxes in my opinion, and I was very excited to get my hands on their latest edit themed 'Go Love Yourself'. This Discovery Box is a little gift from me to me as it's Valentine's Day! Well, any excuse really...

Here's a rundown of everything that's inside the box which includes eight bestselling green beauty products to help you feel loved and pampered. The contents are worth £90 and you can pick one up whilst stocks last for just £22. This is a one-off purchase, so no subscription is necessary.

Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil Support Equilibrium (9ml)

Bring the spa to your bathroom with Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil in the bestselling blend called Support Equilibrium. I've been a huge fan of these Bath & Shower Oils for many years and they are a potent mix of essential oils for some serious luxury pampering. This one's great for bringing balance and harmony to wayward hormones with a beautifully sweet and floral scent.

Innersense Create Lift Volumising Foam (70ml)

I first discovered Innersense during the 2020 lockdown (check out my original review here) and I particularly enjoyed using their Dry Shampoo so I was quite curious to try this Volumising Foam when I saw it in the box. A lightweight styler that adds texture, volume, and lift, it sounds absolutely perfect for my tricky fine hair.

Evolve Nightly Renew Cream (30ml)

This brand needs no introduction to my regular readers as I've been using Evolve's skincare for years now! Funnily enough, I don't think I've tried the Nightly Renew Cream before which has been developed as a calming vegan-friendly nighttime treatment for healthy plump skin come the morning. It sounds like a dream and I can't wait to slap it onto my face!

Anatome Relax & Sleep Bath Salts (169g)

I've been obsessed with bath salts lately, and so these Antamome Relax and Sleep Bath Salts are the star of the box for me. Not only do they smell incredible thanks to a blend of Lavender and Rosemary, but I love the luxe glass packaging and the apothecary style design that looks elegant in any bathroom. I'm already eyeing up the full-size jar as we speak..

Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Cream (30ml)

As much as I enjoy discovering new-to-me products in these beauty boxes, I equally enjoy being reacquainted with some old much loved favourites and Dr. Hauschka's Rose Nurturing Body Cream is certainly one of those products. The texture is wonderfully rich and luxurious, and the subtle rose fragrance is divine. 

Pai Ressurection Girl Hydrating Mask (20ml)

I'm still using the full-size version of this face mask from one of last year's Naturisimo Discovery Boxes, and this is a fantastic hydrating treatment that would suit most skin types. If your complexion has been feeling dry or tight from the recent cold weather or perhaps your central heating, I highly recommend giving your skin some TLC with this.

Rahua Hydration Hair Mask (22ml)

For hair that's also feeling dry and in need of a little pampering treatment, Rahua's Hydration Hair Mask ticks all the right boxes. This hidden gem helps to tame frizz, smooth your hair and restore it to its former glory after just one use.

ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara (3g)

Last, but not least, we have a travel-size tube of ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara. Another luxury green beauty brand favourite of mine, this is a bestselling mascara for a reason! The brush is flexible to allow you to generously coat each and every lash without clumping and it adds lots of lovely length for the most gorgeous fluttery lashes.

Buy yours now exclusively at naturisimo.com

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2023 featuring Avīela, Skin & Tonic, Nourish London & Charlarts Crafts

Valentine's Day is fast approaching so now's the time to make those last-minute online orders, and perhaps send a subtle hint to someone special *wink wink*. For this gift edit, I've focused on just British brands and small businesses to make your V-Day purchases more ethical and supportive this year. 

For Those Who Love A Massage: Avīela Pure Shea Butter* (180ml, £30, link)

Treat your loved one to a massage this Valentine's Day with Avīela Pure Shea Butter. As the name suggests, this thick and luxurious body butter is made simply with 100% pure unrefined shea butter of the highest grade, with no additional ingredients. Made in the UK, this Shea Butter is cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny approved) and certified by the Vegan Society, with a beautiful light and airy texture that sinks straight in once warmed in the palms of your hands.

Shea Butter is something of a hero ingredient for the skin as it's incredibly rich in natural fatty acids and has high levels of Vitamins A and E so it offers some serious hydration for dry skin. In addition to being used all over the body, you can also add a tiny amount as a leave-in conditioner to dry and damaged hair to restore moisture and shine. For those on a budget, or if you're putting together a beauty box/hamper package, a smaller 15ml jar is available for £14.    

For Those Who Love A Relaxing Bath: Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak* (100g, £18, link)

Whether your partner enjoys a bath solo or with you, give the gift of relaxation with one of my favourite products from British brand, Skin & Tonic. Their Slow Down Bath Soak is a bestseller thanks to a sublime infusion of Epsom Salts, CBD Oil, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary essential oils.

This powerful, all-natural concoction of minerals and oils helps to restore the body and mind, so that you can properly unwind and destress after a long week; it's a brilliant self-care treat. Just two handfuls is all that's needed to be added to a hot bath.

For Those Who Love A Luxury Pampering Treat: Nourish London Bergamot & Cardamom Smoothing Body Cream* (100ml, £19, link)

You can't go wrong with a luxury body cream if your recipient loves their pampering products, and it can often be a safer bet than opting for skincare (which can be tricky to buy for someone else, especially if you don't know them that well). Instead, one of the new Body Creams from Nourish London is sure to please and I've been smitten with their Bergamot & Cardamon Smoothing Body Cream ever since it landed on my desk.

Suitable for all skin types, this cruelty-free, organic, and vegan-friendly Body Cream is ultra-rich so it's perfect for dry winter skin. It features nourishing Cocoa Butter, regenerating Aloe Vera and antioxidant-rich Brown Algae extract to leave the skin feeling velvety soft. I also absolutely adore the scent which is wonderfully fresh and very spa-like.

For Those Who Love A Good Smelling Home: Charlarts Crafts Valentines Wax Melt Gift Set* (£33.99, link)

Know someone who are house-proud and loves a good-smelling home? Soy wax melts are a fantastic gift that keeps on giving for months to come, especially with a large box like the one above from Charlarts Crafts! Specialising in a wide range of handmade wax melts, jewellery, and accessories, Charlarts Crafts' Valentines Wax Melt Gift Set consists of four packs of soy wax melts in a tempting range of scents. There are the Budding Roses melts which smell beautiful, and the Chocolate Milk scented heart melts which look so realistic, I did think they were chocolate at first!

My faves though are the Sex Bomb heart melts (I love this fragrance) and the Hot Night love token shaped melts. Also included are some yummy sweets and chocs, and the whole box is beautifully presented and wrapped up ready to gift.

Have you started your Valentine's Day gift shopping yet?

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In My Bathroom: Absolute Aromas Soothe & Detox Epsom Salts + Lemon Myrtle Natural Room Spray review

 

Enjoying a long soak in the bath at the end of a busy week is one of life's small pleasures. The ritual of locking the door, turning on the tap, lighting a candle, and choosing to use one of your favourite bath products is something that I find so wonderfully relaxing.

As a beauty blogger, I'm utterly privileged and spoilt to be able to pick and choose from an array of bath oils, salts, bubble bars and all sorts of magical potions to help me unwind, but I often come back time and time again to bath salts, and in particular, Epsom Salts.

I've written about Epsom Salts many times in the past as I love they're naturally rich in Magnesium which is an essential mineral that many of us are deficient in. Luckily, you can boost your magnesium intake easily by adding a handful or two of Epsom Salts to your bath as your body readily absorbs them through your skin. The health benefits are well worth it too as Magnesium can help to relieve all manner of aches and pains, as well as anxiety and fatigue.

Needless to say, I have generally have a lot of Epsom Salts in my beauty stash and I love these two from Absolute Aromas. As one of the UK's leading aromatherapy brands, they certainly know a thing or two when it comes to creating some blissful bath salts and all of their products are 100% natural, cruelty-free and free from parabens and sulphates.

Absolute Aromas Soothe Epsom Salts* (1kg, £9)

Epsom Salts are often sold in big bags which makes them more affordable and Absolute Aromas have 1kg bags for a bargain £9! You can choose from a range of different blends and I personally love this one called Soothe which features essential oils of Tangerine, Petitgrain and Neroli. As the name suggests, it really does help to soothe not only your mind, but also your skin, drawing out toxins and relaxing the nervous system. 

To get the best results, I'd recommend using around a quarter of the bag per bath and pouring it under running water so that it dissolves easily. Deeply breathe in that lovely essential oil blend and let all your worries disappear for at least an hour. Heaven!

Absolute Aromas Detox Epsom Salts* (300g, £4.50)

If you haven't tried Epsom Salts before or simply don't know which blend to opt for, I would suggest trying out some of the smaller tubs from Absolute Aromas so you can try the different ones that they make. These come in 300g tubs for £4.50 and are available across their range. 

I was curious to see what the Detox Epsom Salts were like as the essential oil blend that's used for these is quite an interesting mix as it features Grapefruit, Juniper, Geranium, Palmarosa, Cedarwood, and Vitamin E. It's a gorgeous uplifting natural fragrance that invigorates the senses and would be suited for those who enjoy a morning bath at the weekend. I really enjoyed this blend and would certainly be adding the full-size bag to my next order.

Absolute Aromas Lemon Myrtle Natural Room Spray* (30ml, £5)

There's a lot more to Absolute Aromas than just bath salts and a quick browse on their website will reveal a huge range of spa and massage products, skincare, aromatherapy oils, and much more! For some reason their Natural Room Sprays were calling to me so I tried out a mini bottle of their Lemon Myrtle blend which is incredibly zesty and uplifting - it instantly puts me in a good mood whenever I use it for a quick spritz around the bathroom!

Shop the full range at absolute-aromas.com

Have you tried anything from Absolute Aromas?

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Introducing: Simply Soaps - Hedgerow Herbals Queen Of Sheeba Organic Spa Salt & Milk Bath, Orange Lip Salve & Handmade Geranium Rose Balancing Soap review

This week, I'd like to introduce you all to Simply Soaps, a British 100% natural and organic skincare company with a strong passion for supporting organic and local agriculture.

Established back in 1997, Simply Soaps have been in the organic beauty business for nearly 20 years - which is very impressive, especially when you think of how many independent companies have gone bust during that time. Based in Norfolk, they have gone from strength to strength and are now one of the UK's leading suppliers of 100% organic and natural handmade soaps. 

With formulas that are gentle enough for those who have dry skin, psoriasis and eczema, you won't find any 'nasties' such as Phthalates, Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, DEA, TEA, MEA or Formaldehyde in their products, and they carefully source their ingredients to help support local farmers and fair trade suppliers. 

Simply Soaps offer far than just handcrafted soaps though as you'll soon see below! Here are a couple of products that I've been trying out from them.

Simply Soaps Hedgerow Herbals Queen Of Sheeba Organic Spa Salt & Milk Bath* (100g, £3.95, link)

Like Cleopatra, the legendary stories about the Queen Of Sheeba indulging in milk baths to keep her skin rejuvenated and looking younger for longer, have always appealed to me (I mean, who doesn't love a luxury bath every now and again?!). Simply Soaps have tapped into this cult history and created a decadent addition to every woman's bathroom with the Queen Of Sheeba Organic Spa Salt & Milk Bath. Made from just six natural ingredients, this product gives you the skin-softening benefits of  Organic Goat's Milk, with the relaxing experience of mineral-rich Dead Sea Salts, all infused with a delicate fragrance of Geranium Rose and Ylang Ylang essential oils. A generous tablespoon's worth is all you need for a pampering bathtime treat that's fit for a Queen, and I love how soft and nourished my skin feels after a long soak in this.

Simply Soaps Orange Lip Salve* (15ml, £2.95, link)

'Tis the season for chapped, dry and cracked lips, so make sure that you have a high-quality, natural lip balm on hand this Winter to save them! You needn't spend a fortune either, as this Orange Lip Salve proves with its rich and hydrating blend of Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil and Beeswax. Added to the mix is a little Orange Oil which gives this lip balm a delightfully festive feel with a fresh and subtle, fruity sweet flavour. A little goes a long way and it's a great product to use before going to bed for kissably soft lips come the morning.

Simply Soaps Handmade Geranium Rose Balancing Soap* (100g, £3.25, link)

Rose and Geranium are two of my favourite scents when it comes to body care and this Balancing Soap is a such a delight to use, especially if you're a fellow floral fan. Handmade and cold-pressed, this soothing soap is not only 100% natural, but also 100% biodegradable and all of the packaging is compostable - yay for zero waste! Free from Palm Oil, it's instead made from a moisturising trio of Rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil and Shea Nut Butter, and of course, features Geranium Essential Oil alongside a good measure of dried Rose Petals for that beautiful fragrance. I've been using this in the shower for a few weeks now and it's still going strong - it produces a light and creamy lather that's kind to sensitive, dry and eczema prone skin like mine, and it just smells amazing! A real treat for the senses and a lovely luxury soap that won't break the bank.

Discover the full range of products from Simply Soaps at simplysoaps.com

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November Empties: Products I've Used Up

Well, this may be my smallest Empties post of the year so far, but there are some fab products in this lot, so it's not to be missed! Find out which ones I'll be repurchasing in the near future below.

Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Body Wash* & Body Lotion* (travel sizes, featured here)

As many of you know, I'm a big fan of Weleda and particularly love their Almond range which has been made especially for sensitive skin. I find that my eczema tends to flare up at this time of the year in line with the colder weather, so it's no surprise that I reached for these two this month. The Body Wash is SLS-free and lovely and creamy, and the matching Body Lotion is nice and nourishing, without being heavy or sticky. They have a fresh, subtle almond scent that always smells very 'clean' to me which I love. Repurchase? Yes, I'll definitely pick up the full sizes of both of these. 

Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil* (full size, reviewed here)

If you're after a cleansing oil that's light in texture, yet gets the job done, this one from Caudalie is fantastic. It's made from 100% natural ingredients and I generally find that 2-3 pumps is all I need to get rid of everything on my face. It melts into the skin and quickly dissolves all types of makeup, including stubborn waterproof formulas, in no time at all. Love it! Repurchase? Yes. 

Faith In Nature Coconut Shower Gel & Foam Bath (travel size)

I used to really like this, but since trying out some similar products, I've realised that the coconut scent just isn't strong enough for me as you can hardly smell it at all when it's used in the bath (the fragrance very rapidly dissipates when added to water). For this reason, I used it up as a shower gel, but it's very 'meh', despite the nice SLS-free formula. Repurchase? No.

Kiss The Moon Dream Bedtime Bath Salts (travel size) 

Oh my, these were amazing! Made from a blend of Epsom and Dead Sea Salts which are infused with a range of essential oils such as Lavender, Bergamot, Chamomile and Cedarwood, these were so relaxing to use and perfect for when I needed to de-stress and unwind after a long day. Absolute bliss. Repurchase? Definitely, I need a full-size tub ASAP.

Naked Lips Organic Lip Balm in Superfruits* (full size, reviewed here)

Lip balms take me forever to use up as I have lots of half-used ones in every drawer, bag and coat that I own, so I've made it my mission to try and stick to using just one until the situation becomes more manageable, ahem! The first one to bite the dust is from Naked Lips which I enjoyed using - it's natural, organic and moisturising, with a delicious fruity flavour. Repurchase? Not until the lip balm stash is under control, but yes I would buy it again in the future.

Tints Of Nature Hydrate Conditioner* (full size, reviewed here)

I've used up a few bottles of this conditioner now and keep going back to it because it works so well for my very dry and fine hair. Sometimes conditioners for dry hair can be too thick and more like a mask or treatment, but this one gets the formula just right and doesn't weigh my hair down. It's gentle enough to be used every day if you're a frequent washer and smells good too. Repurchase? Already have!

What have you used up recently?

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