February Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's that time again, Empties time! Here's what I've used up beauty-wise recently, my overall thoughts and which ones I'll be repurchasing again.

Mádara Cloudberry Oat Milk Hand & Body Soap*

My hands get horribly dry during the winter months so this rich and creamy Cloudberry Oat Milk Soap from Mádara has been a little saviour! It's gentle enough to use in the bath or shower all over your body, or as a simple hand soap which is how I used this one up. Repurchase? Yes.

Saint Iris Adriatica Every Body Energy Cleanse* (reviewed here)

A gorgeous luxury body wash with a creamy, hydrating texture and a beautifully uplifting and regenerating natural scent. Perfect for cold and miserable mornings when you need a boost. Repurchase? On my wishlist.  

Dr Bronners 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure Castille Soap

I've used Dr Bronners consistently for years now and always have a bottle in my stash especially for cleaning my makeup brushes (you can read one of my very old blog posts on this here!). Repurchase? Already have.

Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Plumping Serum* (reviewed here)

Hydrating serums really do work well during winter to keep your moisture levels topped up and this one from Antipodes is a long-time favourite of mine. It's oil-free, suitable for all skin types and does an amazing job of protecting your skin against the harsh weather. Repurchase? Yes.

Pure Potions Skin Salvation Intense Moisturising Ointment* (reviewed here)

Another long-time skincare fave that I always like to have in winter is this little pot of magic from Pure Potions. I first featured it in my recommended cold weather products for eczema and dry skin post here a few years ago, and it's still one of the best that I've tried. Apply it anywhere and everywhere! Repurchase? Yes.

Organii Intensive Organic Soothing Cream* (reviewed here)

Similar to the product above, I've also used this several times in the past but I'm not sure if they've changed the formula as I found this pot to be much stickier and greasier in texture than I previously remembered? It still worked well but I definitely prefer the Pure Potions cream a lot more. Repurchase? Unlikely.

Bodhi & Birch Jasmin de Luna & Rosa Verde Bath & Shower Oils* (minis)

No surprise here that I've used up a few bath products as it's been so cold recently! These two bath oils from Bodhi & Birch are just so luxurious and incredible, I can't recommend them enough. Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Citrus Body Wash & Wild Rose Body Oil* (minis)

My last two empties are both minis from Weleda and again, they are gorgeous products that you can't go wrong with. These travel sizes are perfect for weekends away and holidays. Repurchase? Yes.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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December Empties: Products I've Used Up

Happy New Year! It made sense to me that the first blog post of 2020 should be an Empties one as I know a lot of people are currently embarking on No Buy and decluttering challenges (myself included), so I hope this helps to provide some additional motivation! Here's everything beauty-wise that I've used up recently and my overall thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them again.

Eco By Sonya Coconut & Mint Body Wash*

This massive bottle of body wash lingered in my bathroom for much of 2019 and I loved the unusual coconut and mint scent which was nice and refreshing for an early morning shower. Great SLS-free formula. Repurchase? I have a million other body washes to get through, but it's something that I would happily pick up again in the future.

Bali Balm Sandalwood & Ginger Lip Balm* (featured here)

A gorgeous luxury lip balm with a thick texture and surprisingly delicious flavour - it lasted ages and was perfect to apply before bedtime. Repurchase? I'm currently using up another Bali Balm in a different flavour so keep an eye out for that in a future Empties post.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil*

I'm a huge fan of REN's Moroccan Rose Otto range and this body oil was such a pleasure to use. Heavenly scented and with such a rich and nourishing formula, it's hard not to fall in love with this luxury pampering treat! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Deep Hydration Soothing Cooling Mask* (reviewed here)

If your skin is in need of some deep hydration, I can't recommend this Tropic face mask enough. I enjoyed using this after a clay mask to put moisture back into my skin, or whenever I felt like it was feeling tight or dry. Lovely cooling effect that just sinks right in. Repurchase? Will do in the future.

Alteya Organics Bulgarian Rosewater*

A simple 100% natural and organic rosewater spritz - I always have a bottle or two on the go as I regularly use it in my daily skincare routine to instantly calm any redness or irritation, as well as being a gentle toner for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? I have others to use first but would buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Nordic White Body Oil* (travel sizes)

Everything from Bodhi & Birch is ultra-luxurious and smells amazing, and this is no exception! I adore this Nordic White fragrance which is a mix of Spruce and Fennel - to my nose, it's very clean, piney, refreshing and spa-like. The Body Oil formula is also simply glorious to use on dry skin. Repurchase? Yes!

Nathalie Bond Himalayan Pink Salts Rose & Patchouli* (travel size)

Although I loved the relaxing scent of these bath salts, they sadly left a sticky residue all around my tub which was very disappointing. Repurchase? No.

a.po.the:ca Rosewater Face Mist* (reviewed here)

Surprise, surprise, another rosewater spritz - told you I liked them! Similar to the Alteya Organics one above, this one is also 100% natural and 96% organic, but it has the addition of Glycerin and Radish Root Ferment which makes it feel more hydrating. Repurchase? Will do once I've used some others up.

Tropic Passion Fruit & Ginger Lily Luxury Bath Foam* (travel size)

Last month, I finished off the Monoi & Orange Flower travel size bath foam from Tropic (post here) and now it's the turn of Passion Fruit & Ginger Lily, an equally beautiful fragrance with a fantastic SLS-free formula that generates lots of bubbles. Repurchase? Definitely.

Mitchell And Peach Flora No.1 Eau De Parfum* (travel size)

I finally emptied a perfume - hooray! OK, it's a travel size but considering how rare it is for me to actually get through a full-size bottle, I'm still counting it as a victory. Flora No.1 is a very sophisticated floral fragrance that really grew on me the more I wore it. Repurchase? I'm on a perfume buying ban at the moment until my stash is decreased, though it's certainly on my future wishlist.

Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair (reviewed here)

An old favourite that I've been using for well over five years now, this easy to use treatment has seriously saved my hair many, many times from too much blow-drying and straightening. I've gone through countless tubes and rest assured that I'll be taking the scissors to this one soon to get out every last drop! Repurchase? Of course.

P.S - Recycle your beauty empties with Terracycle! 

Most of these plastic and glass containers can be recycled through my local council service (blue bin in my area), however, things like the pumps have metal springs in them which are not accepted as they require a different method in order to be recycled. Luckily, Garnier have teamed up with Terracycle to recycle beauty and personal care waste which is deemed difficult to recycle. It's free, all brands are accepted and there are drop off locations all over the UK. Read more here.

What have you used up recently?

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November Empties: Products I've Used Up

Ready for a bumper Empties post?! As per my usual pre-Christmas tradition of having a declutter, I made it my mission to use up as many of the half-full and nearly used up bottles and jars in my bathroom as possible and here are the results! You might want to grab a snack and make a cuppa first...

Tropic Skin Feast Nourishing Cream Concentrate*

A gorgeous face moisturiser with Hyaluronic Acid for the winter months - nice thickish texture but absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy at all so perfect for most skin types I would imagine! Repurchase? I'm currently testing out the new fragrance-free version which I actually prefer :)

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish (travel size)

I love the scent of REN'S Moroccan Rose Otto range because it's so fresh and uplifting. This is a proper luxurious body scrub that works a treat. Repurchase? On my wishlist.

Bodhi & Birch Super 25 Botanical Serum* (reviewed here)

If you're in the market for a luxury all-natural serum, I would add this to your shopping basket right now. It's a sublime blend of 25 superfood botanicals and it's free from essential oils which makes it ideal for sensitive skin. Repurchase? It's out of my budget at the moment sadly.

Lola's Apothecary Sweet Lullaby Soothing Bath & Shower Oil (travel size)

Everything from Lola's Apothecary is beautiful and this bath oil is no exception - it smells gorgeous and so calming. Repurchase? On my xmas list.

Bodhi & Birch Sicilian Rose Body Oil (reviewed here)

A good friend gifted this to me for my birthday and I was so happy because I've used it in the past and absolutely adored it. The scent is heavenly and the texture of the oil just leaves your skin silky soft. Repurchase? Another that's on my xmas list ;)

Lavera All Round Cream (reviewed here)

Long-time readers will recognise this - I've gone through many tins of this amazing multi-purpose moisturiser over the years. Super thick and buttery, it's a must-have for dry skin during winter and it smells like lemon cheesecake! Repurchase? Already have.

Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Rapid Flash Serum (travel size)

I'm a big fan of Sunday Riley's C.E.O Vitamin C range and this serum was such a pleasure to use that I was gutted when it ran out. Brilliant for brightening up dull skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Saint Iris Adriatica Every Body Vitality Spritz* (reviewed here)

Uplifting and invigorating is how I would describe this luxury body spritz which is lovely to use after hot yoga or pilates. Repurchase? Sadly not, it's one of those products that I used a lot at first, but then forgot that I had which is why it's taken me such a long time to use it up.

Handmade Naturals Cocoa & Mandarin Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

A fantastic budget-friendly natural lip balm that tastes a bit like a Terry's Chocolate Orange - what's not to like?! Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Amande Shower Oil (travel size)

I will always have a soft spot for this as I've been using it for years and the scent is quite nostalgic for me now. It's also still one of the best products to use to shave your legs with - silky smoothness guaranteed every time. Repurchase? Yes.

A'kin Rosehip Oil* (reviewed here)

My skin loves Rosehip Oil so I always have a bottle of it in my stash and this one from A'kin is another longtime favourite of mine because it's so pure and has a lovely texture. Repurchase? Definitely.

Noughty To The Rescue Moisture Boost Shampoo* (reviewed here)

I can't remember how many tubes I've used up in the past but I often have one in my bathroom and alternate it with other shampoos. Brilliant for dry hair without weighing it down. Repurchase? Will do once I've used some other shampoos first.

Lavera Basis Sensitiv Toothpaste* (reviewed here)

One of the best organic toothpastes that I've tried for sensitive teeth. Contains sodium fluoride but is SLS free. Repurchase? I've trying out Lavera's Whitening Toothpaste at the moment.

B. Gentle Eye Makeup Remover* (reviewed here)

If your eyes are quite delicate and sensitive, as most people's are, this affordable, vegan eye makeup remover is fantastic because it removes everything (including waterproof makeup) without stinging or requiring scrubbing. I've used lots of these! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Monoi And Orange Flower Luxury Bath Foam* 

Perfect for a luxurious bubble bath, this SLS-free Tropic Bath Foam smells incredible - I'm a sucker for anything with Monoi in it - and it's really relaxing to use before bedtime. Repurchase? Yes.

Elsa's Organic Skin Foods Natural Deodorant Stick in Ocean* (reviewed here)

I've been lucky enough to try out all of the different natural deodorants from Elsa's and my two favourites are Love and Ocean. The latter is super fresh and a great unisex scent too. Repurchase? Already have.

P.S - Recycle your beauty empties with Terracycle! 

Most of these plastic and glass containers can be recycled through my local council service (blue bin in my area), however, things like the pumps have metal springs in them which are not accepted as they require a different method in order to be recycled. Luckily, Garnier have teamed up with Terracycle to recycle beauty and personal care waste which is deemed difficult to recycle. It's free, all brands are accepted and there are drop off locations all over the UK. Read more here.

What have you used up recently?

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October Empties: Products I've Used Up

My little wicker basket is full once again just in time for this month's Empties post, so here's another rundown of the products that I've finished up recently. Which ones will I be repurchasing in the future? Keep on reading to find out!

Gallineé Body Milk* (reviewed here)

This is a lovely body moisturiser with a light and easily absorbed texture so it's been great to use throughout Summer. I love the fresh and clean scent that it has and I think this is the third bottle that I've gone through so you know it's good! Repurchase? I'll buy it again next Summer as I need something much more heavy-duty for my dry skin in Winter.

Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil* (reviewed here)

From Bodhi & Birch's excellent Superfood skincare range, I enjoyed using this luxury cleansing oil as a first cleanse to remove makeup and daily grime and it smells absolutely delicious like a Bakewell tart! However, I prefer the overall texture and performance of the Avo Bao Cleansing Balm from this range more, so I wouldn't personally buy this one again. Repurchase? No.

Tropic Good Skin Day Resurfacing Serum* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a natural AHA based exfoliating treatment, you must try this and I believe it's my second or even third bottle that I've used up. I have the old packaging as it's since been renamed the Fruit Peel Serum but I believe the formula is still the same. Brilliant for brightening dull complexions and smoothing uneven skin texture. Repurchase? If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen that I've recently been sent two brand new serums to try out from Tropic, so I'm going to see what they're like first!

Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin-Brightening Eye Cream* (reviewed here)

Another skincare product that I've used many, many times in the past is this gorgeous Eye Cream from Antipodes. Perfect for dry under eyes like mine, it hydrates and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles, so it sits well underneath concealer. Plus, the pot lasts for ages too. Repurchase? I've gone back to the Dafna's Eye Care for the time being, but I would pick this up again.

Pai Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (reviewed here)

Whenever my skin throws a wobbly, I often come back to this ultra-gentle cream cleanser from Pai to help calm everything down. It always works a treat and usually restores my skin to its normal self within a week or so. This is another product that I've used countless tubes of and it's something that I'll always have in my skincare stash - I highly recommend it for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? Already have!

Yves Rocher Coconut Eau de Toilette

This travel-size bottle was an impulse purchase on holiday as I'd forgotten to pack a perfume with me. As the name suggests, it's a straight-up coconut scent which isn't too cloying like some others can be, but I found that it didn't last long before I needed to re-apply sadly. Repurchase? No.

Grace & Stella Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder Teeth Whitening Formula*

I was sent this from Amazon to try out and I have a real love/hate relationship with it! I love the fact that it's a natural teeth whitening alternative and it does help to remove stains and brighten up your teeth with regular use (it won't give you crazy white teeth as you can only achieve that through bleaching or by getting veneers, but I did notice a difference whilst I was using it). But I hated the mess as it's a loose powder and it gets everywhere. Repurchase? No, I'm using a different one from Laviish at the moment which I prefer as it's a solid formula.

P.S - Recycle your beauty empties with Terracycle! 

Most of these plastic and glass containers can be recycled through my local council service (blue bin in my area), however, things like the pumps have metal springs in them which are not accepted as they require a different method in order to be recycled. Luckily, Garnier have teamed up with Terracycle to recycle beauty and personal care waste which is deemed difficult to recycle. It's free, all brands are accepted and there are drop off locations all over the UK. Read more here.

What have you used up recently?

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March Empties: Products I've Used Up

March has been a busy month, but here are my latest round of Empties! Most of these are much-loved favourites that many of you will have seen before, with one or two newbies.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser* 

I've lost count of how many of these iconic tubes I've gone through over the years, but here's another one! I always have this product in my skincare stash and mainly use it to remove my makeup / as a first cleanse in the evenings. It's thick, creamy and gets rid of every single trace of grime and makeup, including stubborn waterproof formulas. Repurchase? Already have.

Trevarno Organic Rose & Jojoba Soap* (link)

A few years ago, I changed over all of my hand soaps to proper solid soaps to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste, and Trevarno is one of my favourite organic soap brands. They do a range of different scents, and this Rose & Jojoba one smells so beautiful! Best of all, these soaps retain their shape and don't go mushy which is a testament to their overall higher quality, yet they're very affordable and last ages. Repurchase? Will do once I've used some other soaps up.

Odylique Coconut Candy Body Scrub* (link)

I'm a sucker for anything coconut scented and Odylique's Coconut Candy Scrub is a much-loved luxury fave of mine. Not only does it smell heavenly, but it works a treat at removing dull dead skin all over the body without being too harsh or abrasive, and it's a brilliant exfoliator to reach for before you use self-tanning products. Repurchase? On the treat list!

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

I've used these mini sets of Glycolic Pads a few times in the past as I seem to have accumulated a bunch of them via various GWPs and beauty subscription boxes. I like them, but I don't love them as I prefer to use the PIXI Glow Tonic, though these minis do come in handy for travelling with. Repurchase? Not sure.

Polaar Hand Cream

Another product that came into my life via a beauty box is this Polaar Hand Cream. It's great for dry hands so came in useful during the Winter months, but I wasn't a fan of the scent sadly so I wouldn't pick it up again. Repurchase? No.

Tropic Lip Fudge Plumping Lip Conditioner* (reviewed here)

This was an amazing lip balm! Very nourishing, it was ideal to use before going to bed to seriously hydrate dry lips overnight, whilst also doubling up as a subtle lip plumper for daytime use too. This one was the original untinted version, and I have two other tinted balms from the same range that I'm currently working my way through. Repurchase? Yes.

Bodhi & Birch Flora Paradiso De-Stress Body & Massage Oil* (featured here)

If you're looking for a highly indulgent and luxurious body oil, you can't go wrong with anything from Bodhi & Birch who I've been a long time fan of for many years now. Their Flora Paradiso De-Stress Body & Massage Oil is such a pleasure to use (this is my third or fourth bottle) and it smells incredible with essential oils of Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Cedarwood. Repurchase? Another one that's on the treat list!

Madara Micellar Water* (link)

I don't use many micellar waters these days, but when I do, it's usually this one from Madara because it contains Hyaluronic Acid and doesn't dry out my skin like a lot of other micellar waters do. It's very gentle and best used to remove lighter makeup formulas rather than stubborn ones, so if you wear a lot of mineral makeup, you'll love it. Repurchase? Probably will.

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New In Luxury Skincare: Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil & Super 25 Botanical Serum review #SuperfoodsSeries

One of my favourite luxury British skincare brands, Bodhi & Birch, has launched an exciting new range of skincare called the Superfoods Series.

Described as a "capsule collection of five mixable, multi-use, natural and organic products", each one features skin-friendly, superfood ingredients to deeply nourish the skin, feeding it with a range of essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. I really like this concept as it makes you stop and think about what's in the skincare that you use on a daily basis, and if you eat a healthy diet that's rich in superfoods, why wouldn't you want to harness that same goodness in your skincare products?

As always with Bodhi & Birch, the packaging of this new range is absolutely stunning and they use biophotonic glass recyclable bottles to protect the purity of the ingredients inside. The products are all made by hand in micro-batches, and the 100% natural ingredients are ethically sourced, cruelty-free and suitable for vegans. To boost their green credentials even further, each product contains certified organic content which range from 60% to 90%. Perhaps most interesting though is that the Superfoods Series is entirely essential oil free, making it ideal for those who are pregnant or have skin sensitivities.

I was incredibly honoured to be asked to be part of the testing panel for the Superfoods Series, so I've been testing some of these products since before May. Below are two of my favourites from this new range, which I'm continuing to use the full-sizes of, as part of my current skincare routine.

Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil* (100ml, £55, link)

The first ingredient in this Cleansing Oil comes from its namesake as Tomato Seed Oil is incredibly high in Vitamin E, antioxidants and phytosterols, which are all important for helping to smooth out fine lines and reduce the appearance of age spots. I particularly love this superfood ingredient for its healing abilities though, because it's brilliant for anyone who has acne or blemish scars. 

In addition to the Organic Tomato Seed Oil, there's also Organic Plum Kernel Oil which is rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid and Vitamins E, B, and B5 - it's a wonderful moisturising and super nourishing oil; Organic Rosehip Oil which my skin loves anyway as it's loaded with essential fatty acids and vitamins; Organic Pomegranate Oil that contains punicic acid, a unique omega 5 fatty acid, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties and does a brilliant job of fighting off free radicals; Organic Cranberry Seed Oil which is high in Vitamins A, C, E, and K - this is a great anti-ageing oil and helps to keep the skin healthy overall, and Organic Camellia Oil, a moisturing and nutrient packed oil full of Omega 3, 6 and 9 EFAs, Vitamin E and polyphenols.

Despite the range being essential oil free, this Cleansing Oil is still quite aromatic due to the natural ingredients inside, and it has a really interesting scent that a bit like a sweet, berryish marzipan with subtle spicy notes. The oil is a beautiful bright orange, but be warned - this can stain lighter fabrics, so it's best used with dark coloured flannels.  Applying it feels so luxurious, and after I've massaged 4-6 pumps into my dry skin, all of my makeup has dissolved, leaving my skin perfectly clean and feeling silky soft afterwards. Beautiful! 

Bodhi & Birch Super 25 Botanical Serum* (30ml, £75, link)

I've had the pleasure of trying many luxury face serums since I started blogging, and I can honestly say that this Super 25 Botanical Serum is up there with the best (Tata Harper, The Organic Pharmacy and Sunday Riley immediately spring to mind). It's even on a par with Vintner's Daughter and is something that I would recommend to those who found VD too essential-oil heavy for their skin type. So what makes Super 25 Botanical Serum so special?

The nutrient-dense formula boasts an impressive 100% natural, 75.5% organic, blend of 25 superfood botanicals which are all naturally derived from seeds, fruits, nuts and berry oils. Some of the key actives include Organic Plum Kernel Oil, Organic Baobab Oil (rich in Vitamins A, D, E and K and including all three Omegas), cold-pressed Blueberry Seed Oil (packed full of tocopherols, carotenoids and powerful antioxidants that act synergistically together), Organic Cranberry Seed Oil, Green Coffee Oil (high in chlorogenic acid which helps to tone and tighten the skin temporarily), Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil (contains over 88% Vitamin E to deeply nourish and plump up the skin), Organic Maracuja Seed Oil (has impressive anti-inflammatory properties), Organic Macadamia Oil (super regenerating and replenishing), Organic Marula Oil (naturally rich in Omegas 6 and 9), Olive Squalane (derived from olives, it contains a unique antioxidant that protects skin from free-radical damage), and Co-Enzyme Q10 (helps restore the lipid barrier of the skin alongside Vitamin E). The full list of ingredients can be found here. 

Getting the right balance of all of these superfoods and putting them into a formula that works for the skin so exceptionally well is what's most impressive about this product, and whilst I was expecting it to feel really heavy in texture, it's actually a lot lighter than I expected. There's a lot of richness to this serum though and I'd suggest allowing your skin to have a couple of minutes of absorption before applying your moisturiser to fully reap all of the rewards that it has to give. 

Since using this serum, I've noticed that my skin feels much more balanced (for reference I have an oily/combination skin type), nourished, plumped up and it just looks 'fresher' and brighter overall. I'd recommend Super 25 for most skin types, but feel that it would particularly benefit mature skin and skin that's starting to show those first signs of ageing. 

Explore the full range of Bodhi & Birch's Superfoods Skincare Series via bodhiandbirch.com

Does this range appeal to you?

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December Empties: Products I've Used Up

There's nothing more satisfying than collecting together a bunch of empty beauty products, and it's even more satisfying when it's for the last blogpost of the year! Let's round off 2017 with my December Empties, which includes a lot of travel sizes that I've used up over the Christmas break.

BetterYou Magnesium Flakes Original Foot & Body Soak 

If you suffer from any soreness after exercise or get a bad case of the monthly cramps, magnesium products are an absolute godsend (check out my original feature on them here for more info about their benefits). I've tried a couple of different brands, but my favourite are these Magnesium Flakes from BetterYou which I always stock up on during Holland & Barrett's penny sales. Repurchase? Already have!  

Kneipp Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts 

Another bath product that I enjoy using are Kneipp's Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts, which are super relaxing and ideal to use before going to bed if you have any sleep or stress problems. They're enriched with Poppy and Hemp Oils and they smell SO good. Repurchase? Yes.  

STARSKIN Hydrating Mask*

I love STARSKIN's Bio-Cellulose masks because they feel like a 'second skin' and do an excellent job of locking in all the goodness from the serum, plus they're a good fit! This Hydrating Mask is one of my favourites from them and is perfect for this time of the year. Repurchase? Yes.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum* 

You know when you finish a really expensive skincare product and feel incredibly sad because you know you can't afford to buy another one? That's how I feel right now!  I absolutely loved this serum and it's one of the few that I've tried where I really saw a difference in my skin. The downside? It's £80 *sobs*. Repurchase? Way out of my budget at the moment sadly!

Bodhi & Birch Ylang Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy*

If you're a fan of Ylang Ylang and you haven't smelt this yet, you need to get a bottle pronto. It's seriously heavenly and feels like such a pampering treat whenever I use it. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other bath products first.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer

Lost count of how many of these I've gone through over the years, and I love these 30ml sizes for travelling with. A really great toner spritz that you can also use over makeup to refresh it during the day. Repurchase? Already have another one in my stash.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Bath Oil*

Last month, I used up a big size bottle of this and I just had to finish off this travel size afterwards! One of my favourite relaxing bath oils, especially for those evenings when I feel like I'm not going to get any sleep, this really does help. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Satin Leg Gloss*

If you're into shimmery body oils, Evolve's Satin Leg Gloss is a must-try and is 99% natural. Despite the name, you can use this all over your body, but it looks especially good on arms and legs to give them a sexy and healthy looking sheen. Perfect for the party season and it smells incredible! Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Another relaxing/stress relieving favourite of mine and something that I always travel with. Used up a lot of these over the years! Repurchase? Currently using a full-size bottle that's on my bedside table.

Wabi-Sabi Botanicals SAGGA Rose Cleansing Grains

This is one of those dry blends of exfoliator that you mix with water or a base oil/cream to create your own cleanser/scrub/mask. I liked it and it was fun to mix up, but there are other exfoliators out there that do a better job for my skin type. Repurchase? No.  

Herbfarmacy Calming Face Cream*

One of the best moisturisers for combination skin on the green beauty market, I was sad to see this end. It's wonderfully calming and balancing, plus I found that I needed to use less of it compared to a mainstream moisturiser, so it lasted ages. Repurchase? Definitely will after I've finished up some other moisturisers.

Caudalie Divine Oil

Oh, how happy I was when I found this in my stash as I thought I'd used up my last one last month! I've raved about this multi-purpose oil so many times and can't recommend it enough. It smells divine and is brilliant on hair and body. Repurchase? Yes.

Ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation

There's a definite 'relaxing bath' theme going on in this post isn't there?! Here's yet another favourite of mine from a lovely Cotswolds based company. This bath soak is pure bliss and always makes me feel relaxed afterwards. Repurchase? Yes.

Balm Balm Petitgrain Single Note Eau de Parfum*

It takes me forever to use up a bottle of perfume so it always feels like such an achievement when I get to include one in an Empties post. I love the Balm Balm Single Note fragrances and Petitgrain was a delightfully fresh and woody scent. Repurchase? I think it's been discontinued sadly.

Kneipp Herbal Bath Back Comfort Devil's Claw

This is the last bath product I swear! Another Kneipp favourite of mine is their Back Comfort Herbal Bath. Very relaxing and a great way to temporarily reduce back pains and tension. It does turn the bath water red though which is a little strange, but it doesn't stain anything. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Steam Clean

I've used a couple of these travel size pots from Skin & Tonic and I'm still not sure whether I like this balm cleanser or not. It does a fantastic job of removing makeup and gives a really deep clean, but it stings a little if I get it anywhere near my eyes which puts me off buying the full size. Repurchase? No.

Weleda Skin Food*

Skin Food needs no introduction on my blog as my regular readers will have seen this iconic green tube featured on here many, many times! I always get through a tube during the Winter months and I highly recommend it for anyone who has very dry skin as it can be used anywhere and everywhere. Repurchase? Already have!

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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Christmas Gift Guide 2017: The Luxury Green Beauty Edit

For this year''s Luxury Christmas Gift Guide, I wanted to focus on some of my favourite natural and green beauty brands, so needless to say I had a lot of fun putting together this extra special edit!

 REN All Is Calm, All Is Bright Gift Set* (£29, link)

Every year, REN really pull it out of the bag when it comes to having some of the most beautifully designed gift sets, and this year they have collaborated with Silken Favours for an array of gifts that are all adorned with the London brand's hand-drawn prints - no need for any extra wrapping! 

One of their bestsellers is the All Is Calm, All Is Bright Gift Set which contains three much-loved REN skincare favourites; Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (15ml travel size), Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream (50ml full size) and Keep Young And Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot (10ml travel size). A stunning set for anyone who loves their skincare and a cost-effective way to try out these popular products.

 Green People Forest & Fruit Cypress & Tangerine Body Collection* (£22.95, link)

Bodycare sets always make popular gifts and if you want to shop organic this year, Green People are one of the best British brands to stock up on. They have a whole range of festive giftsets, including this Forest & Fruit Collection that features their wonderfully uplifting Cypress & Tangerine scent. The set comprises of a botanical-based Shower Gel (83% organic) and a matching hydrating Body Lotion (91% organic), both of which are 100ml sizes. 

This is a lovely feel-good set that can appeal to both men and women, plus a donation from the sale of each Green People Modern Botanicals gift goes to Plantlife, a British conservation charity that works to save threatened wildflowers, plants and fungi, to help keep the good vibes flowing.

 Bodhi & Birch Limited Edition Bath & Shower Oils Collection* (£30, link) & Body Oils Mini Collection* (£20, link)

For the ultimate in luxury pampering, you can't go wrong with anything from Bodhi & Birch, but their new Limited Edition Collections are one of the best ways to introduce this high-end brand to a friend or loved one this Christmas. 

The Bath & Shower Oils Collection is a decadent trio of three beautiful oils; Rosa Verde (Rose, Lime, Geranium and Frankincense), Jasmin de Lune (Jasmine, High-Altitude Lavender and Vetiver) and La Botanica (Lemon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Juniper Berry), which each bottle providing enough for five bath or shower experiences. All of the scents are gorgeous, but I think Jasmin de Lune might be my favourite!

For those who love their pampering body products, the Body Oils Mini Collection is a truly luxurious gift with three 15ml bottles of Bodhi & Birch's delectable body oils in Sicilian Rose, Nordic White and Chinois Blue. Each one is so different from the other, so it's a great way to experience a range of exquisite scents that you won't find anywhere else.

 Aveda Renewal For Your Journey Gift Set* (£22, link)

You can never have enough hand cream, so treat someone to the softest hands imaginable with Aveda's Renewal For Your Journey Gift Set. Beautifully wrapped in handmade paper sourced from the brand's empowering partnership with local women's communities in Nepal, this set contains a trio of their bestselling Hand Relief Hand Cream in three different scents; Shampure, Beautifying and Candrima. Each hand cream is 40ml, making them the perfect size to tuck into handbags, carry on cases, and desk drawers, so your recipient can always keep them nearby.

 Kiss The Moon LOVE Rose Ritual Bedside Set* (£30, link)

I love Kiss The Moon's emphasis on getting a beautiful night's sleep and their sleek black packaging really makes them stand out from the crowd. I was truly spoilt for choice when it came to picking a gift for this edit from their incredible range, but in the end, I opted for the LOVE Rose Ritual Bedside Set because it's something that I would be thrilled to receive myself.

The set contains two perfect accompaniments to anyone's bedside table; a luxury anti-ageing Night Cream For Hands (40g) and an After Dark Pillow Mist (30ml) which comes with a lovely vintage-esque squeezy puff. Both of these products have Kiss The Moon's popular LOVE fragrance that contains Rose, Frankincense and Ylang Ylang essential oils to promote a restful night's sleep. Pure bliss in a box! 

 INIKA Limited Edition Beauty On The Go Giftset* (£44, link)

Makeup fans will love this Limited Edition set from INIKA which is cruelty-free and suitable for vegans. Inside the box, they'll find a complete set of products for all their base needs; a Vegan Kabuki Brush (full size), Certified Organic Pure Primer (4ml), Certified Organic Liquid Foundation (4ml) and Loose Mineral Foundation with SPF 25 (3g). These Beauty On The Go sets are available for a range of different skin tones and they are a fantastic way to try out some of INIKA's most popular products in convenient travel-sizes. 

Tropic So Sleepy Pillow Mist* (£20, link) & Whipped Body Velvet* (£28, link)

The last two for this edit are new from Tropic and although they're not in gift sets, I think they would make lovely luxury gifts if you're looking for a single product (and if your budget allows, they would be incredible stocking fillers!). The new So Sleepy Pillow Mist is formulated without alcohol and is packed full of relaxing essential oils such as Lavender, Eucalyptus and Frankincense, whilst the Whipped Body Velvet is a heavenly blend of plant-based oils and butters, all whipped together to deeply hydrate dry Winter skin. Divine!

What's on your Christmas wishlist this year?

Fancy winning a luxury gift set from Apple & Bears? Enter my giveaway here!

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June Empties: Products I've Used Up

I usually post my Empties right at the end of the month, but there's no way I'm going to finish anything else in the next couple of days, so here's a slightly earlier than usual Empties post. Here's everything that I've used up recently and my thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them or not. Enjoy!

Living Nature Sensitive Cleanser

Whenever my skin feels like it's going to break out or throw a tantrum, I'll switch whatever cleanser I'm using to something like this Sensitive one from Living Nature to help calm it down, so I've been using this on/off for a couple of months now. I've gone through tubes of it in the past and it's lovely and gentle on the skin. Great for a morning cleanse, or as a second cleanse in the evening. Repurchase? I have a lot of cleansers to use up at the moment, but I would definitely repurchase this in the future.

Swell Advanced Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

If you have fine hair like I do, these are a must-try! I love the Swell range, and these are SLS and silicones-free. As they are quite pricey, I like to alternate them with some more affordable brands, but they are absolutely fantastic and work a treat! Managed to get these on offer in the Christmas sale. Repurchase? Yes, I'll be sure to snap them up next time they're on offer somewhere!

Swell Ultimate Volume Masque*

Used a full-size tube of this masque before and loved it, so it was handy having a travel size in my toiletries bag. It's a really great hair mask for anyone who has fine hair that needs extra hydration and volume, as it doesn't leave your hair feeling weighed down. Lovely stuff. Repurchase? Yes.

Aveda Outer Peace Blemish Relief Pads

These pads were an impulse buy because I saw them on a half-price offer a few months ago, but I sadly didn't see any difference by using them. They didn't make my skin or blemishes any worse, but they didn't clear up anything either. Repurchase? No.

Bodhi & Birch Camomile Sky Bath & Shower Therapy*

I was so lucky to win this in a giveaway at Christmas time and I've thoroughly enjoyed using it as a luxury shower gel. I love Bodhi & Birch's Bath & Shower Therapies and this Camomile Sky scent is so fresh and unusual. Lovely for Summer. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other ones!

Ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation

This is a really calming bath soak to use for those busy days when you get home feeling stressed and just need to unwind. Perfect for a relaxing pamper with some candles and a glass (or two) of wine! Repurchase? Yes, the full size is very reasonably priced so it's on my shopping list.

L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream

Just a mini that I had in my handbag - this is still one of my all time favourite hand creams. Ideal for very dry hands and doesn't feel sticky or greasy at all. Repurchase? Already have some more minis in my stash.

Conscious Skincare Pure Body Butter*

A very simple but effective body butter made with just pure natural and organic ingredients like Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter. It's got an amazing lightly whipped texture to it and works so well for eczema and general dry skin. A little goes a long way so it's taken me months to get through this huge tub! Repurchase? Yes.

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask

I've mentioned this face mask on numerous occasions and I still love it a lot. A great one to reach for if your skin is feeling congested or looking dull - it really helps to brighten everything up and gives your face a gentle manual exfoliation at the same time. Repurchase? I may have a few more travel sizes in my stash somewhere that I need to dig out.

Roques Oneil Therapie Restore Aura Spray

One of my favourite Christmas presents that I received last year was a Roques Oneil Therapie Gift Set which included this full-size bottle of their incredible Restore Aura Spray. It's made with a calming blend of essential oils and it smells absolutely heavenly! Lovely to use as a relaxing facial spritz when you're feeling stressed, or as a luxury room/pillow spray to help you to sleep. Repurchase? It's expensive so it's on my wishlist for the time being!

Which beauty products have you used up recently?

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