Keeping It Cosy with Illumine Candle Co | Vanilla Hazelnut, Bakewell Tart & Enchanting Candles review

With temperatures plummeting once again this week, it's time to get all Hygge and cosy up with your favourite candles. If you're looking for some Shop Small inspo, why not treat yourself and bring some of the Illumine Candle Co into your home?

Instagram seems to be the place where I'm finding all of my new favourite small businesses right now and I couldn't resist having a look at the Illumine Candle Co when one of their ads popped up in my feed. From the get-go, this indie business immediately impressed me with a large range of beautiful luxury 3-wick, signature, and mini candles, as well as having their scents available as wax melts.

Hand poured in small batches in Devon, all of the candles are made from 100% natural soy wax, and are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, palm oil free, and paraben free. 

With such an interesting variety of fragrances to choose from, you are truly spoilt for choice! After much umming and ahhing, I added these three to my basket.

Illumine Candle Co Signature Candle in Vanilla Hazelnut (£16.50, 300ml, 50+ hours burn time)

If you know, you'll know that I'm a sucker for sweet scents and a bargain, so of course I was drawn to the 'Candle Of The Month' which for February is Vanilla Hazelnut. Oh my goodness, this fragrance is decadently sweet, warm and cosy! As the name suggests, it's a delicious blend of creamy Chestnuts and Hazelnuts and there are some lovely soft and spicy notes of Cinnamon, White Ginger, Clove and a tiny hint of Coffee, to prevent it from being too sickly sweet. These are layered over a whipped Vanilla base which is really sublime. Grab one now whilst it's 20% off for just £12.38!

Illumine Candle Co Mini Candles in Bakewell Tart & Enchanting (£6 each, 75ml, 15+ hours burn time)

One of the few advantages of having an extremely tiny bathroom is that mini candles are perfect to use in there when you're having a long hot soak in the bath. With this in mind, I picked up two of Illumine's minis to try out and just like the larger signature candle above, these have an impressive scent throw and are great to use in small spaces. 

Bakewell Tart smells exactly how you expect; you get all of those yummy sweet and fruity notes coming through with that classic Vanilla, Almonds and Cherries fragrance that I can never get enough of. 

Enchanting on the other hand is completely different and is more like a luxury perfume with top notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Cassis, middle floral notes of Orris, Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Lily, and layered base notes of Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Praline, Patchouli, Cedarwood and Musk. Wonderfully complex and unashamedly feminine, this one would make a great choice for Mother's Day!

Discover the full range at illuminecandleco.co.uk

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Christmas Gift Guide 2022: FOSS Candles - Icelandic Christmas & Icelandic Café Gift Sets review #ShopSmall

 

What's that you say, a second candle feature in this year's gift guide?! Well, who can blame me - candles just scream Christmas and I wanted to throw a special spotlight on this small company called FOSS Candles.

FOSS is an interesting indie brand as it's been created by a half-British, half-Icelandic couple from Lancaster. Their natural, vegan-friendly, soy wax candles are handmade in their studio and inspired by the nature and beauty of Iceland. In fact, 'foss' means waterfall in Icelandic, and these beautifully scented candles will transport you to the wild wonders of the land of ice and fire. 

I have truly fallen in love with FOSS as I adore Iceland - it really doesn't get any more Christmassy does it?! They have lots of scents to choose from, however, these two gift sets below are just perfect for the festive season.

FOSS Icelandic Christmas Gift Set (£18.95)

Comprising of three 60ml mini candles, FOSS' Icelandic Christmas Gift showcases their most popular seasonal scents so that you can fill your home with the most Christmassy vibes possible. Each candle has a burn time of around 10 hours so it's a good value-for-money option too.

Jólagõgg is the name for Icelandic mulled wine and this candle is bursting full of juicy Berries, uplifting Orange, and warming Festive Spices. It's a proper hug-in-a-mug type of fragrance to keep you cozy on a cold winter's night. 

Jólataré means Christmas Tree in Icelandic so you can expect notes of the freshest Pine and Nordic Spruce. If you love revitalizing outdoorsy scents, this is the one for you.

Jól is the name for Christmas in Icelandic and this candle is basically that! It's the most traditional festive scent of Christmas Spices with an exquisite blend of Orange, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove & Nutmeg.

FOSS Icelandic Café Gift Set (£22.95)

Coffee culture is a big part of the Icelandic lifestyle and Reykjavik is home to some of the cosiest cafés and bakeries that you'll ever find. Naturally, I was drawn to the Icelandic Café Gift Set as I love sweet & coffee scents, and of course, it didn't disappoint!

This duo has larger 120ml candles which boast a burn time of 24 hours each. Bakarí is a delicious fragrance of sweet Honey blended with Cinnamon and spiced Vanilla - it smells just like cinnamon rolls which you'll find freshly baked in abundance in Icelandic bakeries. Kaffi is a classic Coffee & Vanilla scent that's instantly comforting - it's hard to pick a favourite here!

FOSS Lava Melt Samples (£1 each)

I was pleased to see that FOSS offer some of their bestselling candle scents as soy wax melts as well and they have a handy try-before-you-buy sample range. For just £1, you can pick up one 5g soy wax melt which has a burn time of around 6-8 hours. It was difficult to not want to fill my basket with one of every scent, however, I opted for just five in the end, including one Jól melt for a friend.

The other four are Valhalla (smoky Whiskey, Orange and spicy Black Pepper), Norðurljós (the Icelandic word for Northern Lights - Lavender, Eucalyptus and Pomelo), Blóm (Wild Fig, Cassis & Tomato Leaf), and Víðsýni (Icelandic for panoramic vista - an interesting blend of Coconut Leaf, Orange, Ginger, and White Tea).

Shop the full range at fosscandles.com

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Christmas Gift Guide 2022: NEOM The Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio review

 

Candles are an instant way to bring new festive scents, light, and joy into someone's home, so it's no surprise to see them at the top of many people's Christmas wishlists! Treat a loved one to this gorgeous Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio from NEOM Organics for a luxury gift option this year.

NEOM always outdo themselves when it comes to their festive ranges, and its 2022 Christmas candles collection boasts a brand new fragrance, plus two returning fan favourites that are guaranteed to delight old and new customers!

You can purchase their Christmas candles in three different sizes so you'll find one to suit your gifting budget with prices starting from £18. For those who are looking for an extra special luxury treat, you can't go wrong with The Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio. Not only is this gift beautifully presented, but inside you'll find three travel-size 75g candles so that your recipient can experience the full range of exclusive NEOM Christmas scents.

Made from 100% natural ingredients, these hand-poured candles feature a clean-burning vegetable-based wax blend and 100% natural fragrance for the utmost purity in home fragrance.

Let's unbox this beauty, shall we?

Christmas Wish (75g)

Bursting with the fragrance of 13 pure essential oils, Christmas Wish is a wonderfully comforting scent with strong notes of fruity Mandarin, sweet Tonka Bean, and spicy Cinnamon. Designed to help you relax and unwind, it brings a moment of calm and peace to the often stressful festive season - which I'm guessing is everyone's Christmas wish!

Perfect Peace (75g)

Perfect Peace is what I would describe as a very classic and traditional Christmas-scented candle. With a sparkling and uplifting blend of 25 pure essential oils, it's a complex fragrance that includes refreshing Pine, aromatic Myrrh, and zesty Lime Peel. Breathe in this gorgeous scent and let all your troubles melt away.

Cosy Nights (75g)

My personal favourite from this trio is Cosy Nights and this truly is the ultimate 'snuggly' feeling candle to light when it's cold and dark outside and you want to create that ideal hygge-esque atmosphere at home. With a range of sophisticated pure essential oils which include Sandalwood, Frankincense and Nutmeg, it's sure to be a real crowd-pleaser when you have guests over.

NEOM The Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio (£45) is available from neomorganics.com

Have you bought any candle gifts this year?

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Currently Loving: Yogi Candle Studio Wild Heart Wild Berries Candle & Soy Wax Melts review #ShopSmall

 

The weather has turned surprisingly autumnal here in the UK this week, so I thought I'd throw the spotlight on a lovely independent business I discovered at a local vegan market a little while ago called Yogi Candle Studio.

Launched in the summer of 2020, Yogi Candle Studio was founded in a small kitchen by Katie who wanted to make some candles to use during her yoga practice. However, her hobby quickly grew into a full-time small business as the popularity of her products grew and her premises are now located in a bigger space within the Amerton Farm and Craft Centre in Stafford. 

All of Katie's products are handmade and hand poured at the farm and everything is made from 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. The brand prides itself on only sourcing ethical and sustainable plant-based waxes and oils, and all of their packaging is plastic-free and fully recyclable.

I was browsing a local vegan market in the area when I came across a stall for Yogi Candle Studio and the fragrance coming from it was incredible! Lined up was a good selection of candles and wax melts in lots of different scents, so naturally, I had to treat myself ;)

Yogi Candle Studio Wild Heart Candle (£12)

With so many gorgeous scented candles to choose from, I had a difficult time only choosing one and could easily have come home with all of them! After much deliberation, it was the Wild Heart Wild Berries scent that captured my own heart! Topped with dried flower petals, this candle is made from ethically sourced soy wax for a clean, non-toxic burn that has no palm oil or parabens. 

The sweet and fruity natural fragrance comes from a delicious blend of rich figs, dewberry, sweet raspberries, blueberries juicy black plums, layered on a base of patchouli, vetiver and musk. The standard 180g size has a burn time of 35+ hours and looks pretty wherever you choose to place it in your home.

Yogi Candle Studio Soy Wax Melts (3 bars for £10)

Next to the candles were all of Yogi Candle Studio's Soy Wax Melts and I picked up three bars in their £10 mix and match deal. Again, I was spoilt for choice when it came to choosing the scents and in the end, I opted for Sunrise (Coconut & Lime), New Beginnings (Cherry Blossom & Peony), and Refresh (Peppermint & Eucalyptus). 

Like the candles, these are also made from sustainably and ethically sourced soy wax which is palm-oil free, vegan, and cruelty-free. These bars are what I like to call the 'snap-apart-chocolate-style bars' and have a combined burn time of around 35 hours. I absolutely adore all of these scents and will definitely be purchasing more in the future!

Not local to Stafford? Shop online at yogicandlestudio.com

Have you discovered any local small brands in your area recently?

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Green Beauty Christmas Gift Guide 2021 - All Under £35

 

Need some last-minute Christmas gift inspiration? Here's my short but sweet Green Beauty Christmas Gift Guide for 2021!

Under £10: Sukin Botanical Body Wash in Signature Scent* (250ml, £7.95, link)

Sukin's Signature Scent Botanical Body Wash is a blissful pampering treat and it both smells and feels much more expensive than it actually is which makes it ideal for those who are looking for a green beauty gift on a budget. I love the blend of aromatic botanicals and skin-loving ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Jojoba and Avocado Oils will ensure that dry winter skin is kept healthy and nourished. Free from a long list of nasties such as mineral oil, parabens, sulphates, silicones and more.

For £15: Kure Bazaar Limited Edition Nail Polish in Pigalle* (10ml, £15, link)

Makeup fans will love this festive red glitter called Pigalle from Kure Bazaar's Limited Edition Nail Polish range this year. This ultra-glam multi-tonal red glitter can be worn as a sparkly topcoat over a base shade or layer it up for a chunky block of eye-catching shimmer. It's spectacular! Kure Bazaar nail colours contain no toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and no synthetic camphor.

For £25: Nourish London Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash & Hand Lotion Duo* (£25, link)

It's never been more important to wash your hands these days, but it doesn't have to be a boring chore! Inject some natural luxury into this daily act with the new Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash and Hand Lotion Duo from Nourish London. This practical gift set not only smells amazing, but it'll keep hands soft and smooth so you can say goodbye to dry and irritated skin from frequent washing.

Under £35: JOIK Winter Favourites Candle Collection* (£33, link)

Candles are one of my favourite items to gift as they're often not bought by people, but always appreciated when received. This beautiful set from JOIK features three of their most festive scents, combined together in their Winter Favourites Collection. I have to say that it's hard to pick my personal favourite as they all smell so good! Take your pick from Gingerbread, Spiced Cranberry and Oh, Christmas Tree.

Under £35: Antipodes Healthier Skin Heroes Gift Set* (£32, link) 

With so many skincare gift sets to choose from, it's difficult to know what to opt for, however, I feel that Antipodes are onto a winner with their Healthier Skin Heroes Gift Set which is my top pick this year. Comprising of a full-size Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream, and two travel sizes of their bestselling Divine Face Oil and Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask, this trio is great for all skin types to try out. Cruelty-free, organic and natural.

What's left on your Christmas shopping list this year?

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Introducing: Chameleon Candles - Soy Wax Melts & Candles from Brighton, UK #ShopSmall

With an Artic blast currently sweeping across the country, there's no better time to wrap up warm on the sofa with a cuppa and Netflix, so why not enjoy some gorgeous home fragrance scents at the same time?

I was recently introduced to Chameleon Candles via Instagram (which coincidentally is where I seem to be discovering so many amazing small businesses at the moment!) by the founder Hani who got in touch with me to ask if I'd like to try out some of his products. Hani started to learn how to make candles, wax melts and stop motion animation when the pandemic began last year, as a way to find some positivity, creativity and inner peace in a world that was quickly being engulfed by panic, negativity and uncertanity. 

He named his small business Chameleon Candles as chameleons are well known for their ability to change their colour to adapt to whatever environment they're in, which suited Hani perfectly as he takes inspiration from nature and the changing seasons, as well as being able to adapt his products to produce candles and wax melts of all sizes, shapes and scents.

Hani very kindly sent me a selection of his amazing products to try and I'm thrilled to share them with you all below! Everything is handmade and poured in small batches in Brighton from natural plant-based wax for a clean burn.

Chameleon Candles Teddy Bear 3D Wax Melts* (box of 4, £11.95, link)

These adorable 3D Teddy Bear Wax Melts are some of the cutest products that I've ever been sent - they are almost too cute to actually use! Crafted from a blend of high quality, vegan-friendly plant-based wax and fragrance oils, each teddy bear weighs 50g so these will last a good while in your oil burner. 

In the box of four, you can select the fragrances that you'd like from an enticing list which includes Velvet Rose & Oud, Honey, Avocado Mint, Ruby Jasmine, Kir Royale and more. I was sent two beautiful teddies in Grapefruit & Lemon (very uplifting and citrusy) and Blackberry Jam (fruity and sweet). These really do pack a punch in the fragrance department and would make a beautiful gift for someone special.

Chameleon Candles Roses 3D Wax Melts (box of 10, £10.95, link) and Teddy Bear Wax Melts (box of 6, £4.45, link)

If you are as in love with rose scents as I am, you will of course love these 3D Rose Wax Melts which have a classic and timeless rose fragrance, and for those who are a budget or just want to try something out from Chameleon Candles, the Teddy Bear Wax Melts are a great affordable option where you try four different scents of your choice. The Honey and Oud scents are highly recommended!

Chameleon Candles Velvet Rose & Oud Medium Candle* (230g, £17.95, link)

Chameleon Candles truly excel at creating luxurious, clean-burning candles and they have a wide range of scents available, many of which are similar to popular women's fragrances. This Velvet Rose & Oud Candle is comparable to the much-loved fragrance of the same name by Jo Malone and features rich and textured notes of smoky Oud wood with sweet and creamy Praline, and spikes of spicy Clove. It's warm and inviting so perfect for lounge areas when you have guests over in the future, or for creating a sophisticated and cosy ambience for the evening. 

Beautifully presented with a dark wooden lid that doubles up as a coaster/stand and bearing the bronze wax seal logo of Chameleon Candles.

Discover the full range at chamcandles.com

Have you discovered any new small business that you love?

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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Ethical & Sustainable Stocking Fillers & Gifts under £20 #ShopSmall

Show independent businesses some love this Christmas by choosing to #ShopSmall, and discover a vast range of ethical and sustainable products that you may not have come across before.

The Spiritual/Hippy Lifestyle Gift: Sacred Elephant Pure Luxury Incense Sticks in Frankie & Myrrh* (£3.95 each, link)

For a stocking filler gift with a difference that's perfect for a spiritual/hippy friend, why not consider a box of Pure Luxury Incense Sticks from Sacred Elephant? Ethically produced and handcrafted in India using only natural ingredients and the highest quality pure essential oils, these vegan-friendly incense sticks have an impressive scent throw and feature plastic-free packaging. There's a specially curated range of scents to choose from including these two traditional ones, Myrrh and Frankie.

The Eco-Friendly Beauty Gift: Kind2 Fragrance-Free Sensitive Shampoo Bar* (80g, £12.50, link)

Give the gift of plastic-free beauty with one of the easiest products that they can change their routine with, a shampoo bar! Kind2 have won a New Business Award this year with their range of natural Shampoo Bars. Made from plant-based ingredients with no sulphates, these vegan-friendly Shampoo Bars replace 2 x 250ml plastic shampoo bottles, and the clever formulas are pH balanced and colour safe. I really like 'The Sensitive One' which is fragrance-free and ideal for dry and flaky scalps.

The Inclusive Beauty Gift: Nylah Moisture Retention Leave-In Cream* (200ml, £16, link)

Specially formulated for afro and curly hair, Nylah Moisture Retention Leave-In Cream is an award-winning, vegan, cruelty-free and hydrating leave-in curl cream. Packed full of carefully chosen botanical ingredients such as Davina Flower, Jojoba Oil and Ginger Oil, and with no synthetic fragrance, parabens, mineral oil, petrochemicals or formaldehydes, this ultra-nourishing hair treatment gives afro and curly hair all the essential moisture that it needs and deserves to look it's best and most beautiful. 

The Sustainable Beauty Gift: Tweezerfile The Original Tweezer Sharpener* (£19.99, link)

For the makeup lover that has everything and the eco-conscious friend who wants to reduce their carbon footprint, this genius unique gift is sure to please! Tweezerfile is described as The Original Tweezer Sharpener which has saved countless dull and blunt tweezers from ending up in landfill sites around the world. Diamond plated with a stainless steel blade and an easy to hold contoured handle, Tweezerfile is one of those brilliant practical products that will make you wonder how you lived without one! Available in blue or coral shades.

The Natural Vegan Candle Gift: Heaven Scent Natural Plant Wax Candle Tin in Winter Scent* (£8.99, link)

It wouldn't be a Christmas Gift Guide without a candle of course and for this edit, I was truly spoilt for choice as there are so many amazing independent small businesses and individuals who make candles from their home these days. In the end, I decided to throw a spotlight on Heaven Scent, an independent company whose candles are all handmade in Wiltshire without any paraffin or animal-derived ingredients. Instead, they use a blend of high-quality plant-based waxes and essential oils and I was completely won over by how beautiful this Winter Scent Candle Tin smells with its mix of festive Spices and warm Orange notes.

The Organic Beauty Pamper Gift: Bumi Naturals Organic Lavender Bath Melts* (£15, link)

To round off this gift guide, I have the pleasure of featuring these most beautiful Organic Lavender Bath Melts from Bumi Naturals. Inside the plastic-free box, your recipient will discover 10 small heart-shaped bath melts which are made from unrefined Organic Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil, and then blended with Lavender essential oil and dried Lavender pieces for a truly relaxing and pampering bathtime experience. A pinch of Himalayan Salt is also added to the melts to help draw out toxins from the body and only one melt is needed per bath. Skin is left feeling soft and nourished afterwards - pure bliss! Available from Blommabeauty. 

What gifts are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

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Introducing: Green Beetle Natural Skincare - Mood Booster Sugar Body Scrub & Pumpkin Spice Soy Wax Candle review

 

This week, I'd like to introduce Green Beetle, a small and independent natural skincare company based in Essex, UK. With a strong commitment to using as many natural and organic ingredients as possible in their products, they're an indie brand that I know you're all going to love!

Instagram is a great way to discover independent beauty and lifestyle brands, and as a blogger, I'm lucky enough to be introduced to new and exciting start-ups across that platform almost every week. My latest find is named Green Beetle who are starting out with a range of natural Body Scrubs, Body Souffles and Candles. 

All of Green Beetle's products are cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and handmade in small batches for optimum freshness. They are a proud member of the Guild of Craft & Toiletry Makers and in addition to their commitments to using natural and organic ingredients, they also look after the environment by choosing to package their products in glass and aluminium, both of which can be easily reused or recycled. Plus, their postage packaging is plastic-free too - yay!

I was kindly sent one of their Body Scrubs and a Soy Wax Candle to try out.

Green Beetle Sugar Body Scrub in Mood Booster* (260g, £12, link)

With five very tempting fragrances to choose from, Green Beetle's Sugar Body Scrubs are housed in large aluminium tins and feature an ultra-pampering creamy formula which emulsifies into an exfoliating lotion once water is added. A blend of Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Raw Cane Sugar form the base of this scrub, to which an uplifting selection of essential oils is added to help boost your mood. I love the mix of Sweet Orange, Palmarosa and Geranium which smells incredible.

These Body Scrubs are the perfect combination of removing dull dead skin with a rich and hydrated finish so that your skin doesn't feel dry or stripped afterwards. Instead, it feels silky soft without being greasy and the natural fragrance adds to the whole holistic pampering experience - it's safe to say that I'm a fan!

Green Beetle Soy Wax Candle in Pumpkin Spice* (small 90ml, £9, link)

Green Beetle's Soy Wax Candles are available in two sizes; small (packaged in aluminium) and large (packaged in glass) and are crafted from hand-poured, all-natural soy wax which is an eco-friendly and safer alternative to traditional paraffin candles. Each candle is blended with only 100% essential oils that have been carefully chosen for their aromatherapy benefits. Currently, there are four fragrances to choose from and with Autumn on the way, I just had to choose the Pumpkin Spice!

This exquisite fragrance marries together all the best Autumn scents with lots of spices such as Cinnamon and Clove, and an underlying sweetness from Orange coming through once lit. The small candles burn for up to 20 hours and would make fantastic stocking fillers this Christmas - definitely one to add to the shopping list.

Discover the full range at greenbeetleltd.com

Are you thinking about Christmas yet?

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Payday Treats: Petits Rituels By The Fire & Orange Gourmande Luxury Candles review

Fed up with this awful weather? Need something to lift your mood? Get your Hygge on and cosy up to these beautiful luxury candles from Petits Rituels. 

Handmade in England using only 100% natural plant-based wax and pure essential oils, Petits Rituels luxury candles are part of their home fragrance range which has been created with therapeutic benefits in mind. I'm a huge fan of aromatherapy so this brand immediately appealed to me when I saw it - naturally, I just had to pick up some of their candles to try out!

Presented in white frosted glass, these paraffin-free, French-inspired candles look incredibly chic in any room and have an excellent scent throw. I've been smitten with two scents in particular; By The Fire and Orange Gourmande.

Petits Rituels By The Fire Candle* (200g, £36, link)

Described by Petits Rituels as the brand's signature Winter candle, By The Fire embodies all of those warm and cosy vibes that you want to come home to after a long day.  This wonderfully festive blend features seasonal favourites such as spicy notes of Cinnamon and Clove, infused with zesty and uplifting hints of Orange and Lemongrass. These key essential oils help to create such a happy and inviting atmosphere and with up to 40 hours of burn time, this large 200g candle is perfect for living rooms.

Petits Rituels Orange Gourmande Travel Candle* (70g, £16, link)

During stressful or difficult times, I find the small ritual of lighting an aromatherapy candle as comforting as making a cup of tea and Petits Rituels' Orange Gourmande fragrance is definitely worth a try when you're feeling a bit blue or anxious. This scent is gloriously happy and uplifting with fresh citrusy notes of Sweet Orange married together with the relaxing and floral notes of Rose Geranium. It's the ideal candle for when you need some 'me time' so it's a good one to keep on standby in bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Do you enjoy using aromatherapy candles in your home?

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Introducing: Rebecca Tracey - Handmade Aromatherapy - The Perfumed Workshop

Just before Christmas, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Rebecca Tracey's Perfumed Workshop at Bonds in Stratford-upon-Avon by a friend who adores aromatherapy as much as I do. Ever since, I have been simply smitten with her exquisite range of beautifully scented lifestyle products, and I was over-the-moon when my friend sent me a surprise package as an early 'Galentine's' gift.

Rebecca Tracey is perhaps one of the most underrated entrepreneurs who specialises in creating artisan aromatherapy products, and she has turned her passion for pure and natural scents into a successful business. Based at Bonds Lifestyle Centre just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, Rebecca's Perfumed Workshop is a must-visit for anyone who is interested in high quality, 100% natural fragrances, candles, diffusers, aromatherapy blends, skincare, body care and more. Everything is handmade, cruelty-free and sustainably packaged.

To give you a small insight into this brand, I thought I'd share the package that my friend sent me as a mini introduction to what Rebecca Tracey has to offer.

 Rebecca Tracey Lemon, Patchouli & Lemongrass Botanical Candle 01* (300g, £28, link)

I adore luxury naturally scented candles and they really don't come much more luxurious than Rebecca Tracey's sublime collection of Botanical Candles which currently has fifteen enticing fragrances to choose from. This 01 Botanical Candle is based on a blend of Lemon, Patchouli and Lemongrass, three of my favourite mood-boosting essential oils, and this is such an uplifting, summery, zesty and 'happy' fragrance to experience - it's the perfect antidote to this miserable weather!

All of these Botanical Candles are handmade using non-GMO Soy Wax and 100% pure essential oils. They have an impressive scent throw and this 300g size will deliver a clean, non-toxic burn for around 60 hours. Larger 3 wick candles are also available which are definitely next on my wishlist.

Rebecca Tracey Frankincense, Lavender & Geranium 04 Aromatherapy Room Fragrance* (100ml, £15, link) and Fresh Head 21 Aromatherapy Pulse Point Rollerball* (10ml, £9, link)

Being a migraine sufferer, I can't use mainstream room sprays as they're a painful trigger for me (the aerosol ones are the worst) and often leave me feeling nauseous and irritated as well, so I prefer to scent my home with simple, natural blends of essential oils instead. 

Rebecca Tracey has created ten different Aromatherapy Room Fragrances, all housed in dark glass bottles, and 04 Frankincense, Lavender & Geranium is a divine cocktail of floral and woody notes. This one's great for spritzing around the bedroom to help you unwind as it's very relaxing and doubles up as a calming pillow spray too. Like the candles, the Room Fragrances are 100% natural and use only the finest and purest essential oils.

Aromatherapy fans should also check out the range of 100% natural Pulse Point Rollerballs, of which there are six blends, each one with a different purpose. Fresh Head 21 is a soothing and refreshing way to clear a foggy head so that you can concentrate on tasks better and be more productive. It's perfect for anxiety and fatigue, as well as being a useful study aid if you find that you're a bit of a procrastinator like me!

Discover the full range of Rebecca Tracey's Aromatherapy ranges and products at rebeccatracey.co.uk

Are you a fan of Aromatherapy?

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Christmas Gift Guide 2019: The Last Minute Green Beauty Gifts

It's the final week to get your online shopping orders in to meet those Christmas posting deadlines, so here's my last-minute Green Beauty Gift Guide!

Luxury Organic Pampering: By Sarah London Season's Greetings Organic Body & Hair Gift Set* (£55, link)

For the person who adores their luxury organic and ethical products, the By Sarah London Season's Greetings Gift Box will be such a delight for them to find underneath the tree this year. The packaging is completely plastic-free and sustainable (made from 77% recycled paper content and the sleeve is made from crushed grapes which have been saved from landfill, plus the whole process is made from 100% green energy!) and can be further reused or recycled.

Inside the box, your recipient will discover the Organic Body Oil (100ml) which boasts an award-winning blend of cold-pressed, certified organic, plant-based ingredients to hydrate and nourish dry skin. It's suitable for all skin types as it's free from fragrance and essential oils and really is a lush pampering treat to use after a bath or shower. A travel-size Organic Hair Oil (20ml) is also included and this is recommended to use instead of your regular hair conditioner thanks to its high levels of Omega 7 which help to soften, hydrate and add shine to even the driest and damaged hair. A gorgeous unisex gift idea.

Budget-Friendly Pampering: Lavera Sweet Moments Gift Set* (£15.95, link)

If you're on a budget or have a lot of people to buy for this Christmas, Lavera has some brilliant value-for-money gift sets available. My top pick is the limited edition Sweet Moments Gift Set which comprises of two full-size products, a Body Wash and a Body Lotion (200ml each), in Lavera's signature Sweet Moments natural fragrance. As the name suggests, this is definitely one for those who love their sweet scents with warm and cosy Organic Plum and Organic Vanilla extracts. The formulas of both the Body Wash and Body Lotion are very luxurious and at this price point, you may want to treat yourself to a set as well!

The Travel Skincare Set: Trilogy Get-Away Skincare Kit* (£15.50, link)

Speaking of affordable green beauty gifts, you can't go wrong with this fantastic little set from Trilogy. Their Get-Away Skincare Set will be well received by frequent travellers and natural skincare fans alike as it contains three travel-sizes of the brand's most popular products. The star is the Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ (5ml) which is made from certified organic ingredients and is a great product to deeply hydrate the skin with, whilst the Hydrating Mist Toner (20ml) will add even further moisture to keep the complexion healthy and glowing throughout Winter. To complete the set, Trilogy's brand new limited edition Everything's Dreamy Balm (18ml) has been added to help tired travellers to get a good night's sleep.

 Good Wellbeing: REN Silent Nights Pillow Spray Stocking Filler* (£12, link)

With stress and busy lifestyles on the rise, we can all use a helping hand when it comes to perhaps the most important aspect of good wellbeing - a restful night's sleep, and so this adorable Silent Nights Pillow Spray Stocking Filler makes a thoughtful small gift. Inside the box are two travel sizes of REN's much loved & Now To Sleep Pillow Spray (10ml) that contains a clever formula of Lavender, Hops and Franckinese to bring instant calm before bedtime.

Candle Lovers: SUN.DAY Of London Natural Botanical Mini Candle in Céleste (£12, link)

SUN.DAY Of London is a new brand that I was recently introduced to who specialises in handcrafted botanical home fragrances, so naturally, I had to include one of their gorgeous Natural Botanical Candles in this gift guide. Available in a range of enticing scents and in three sizes (midi, extra large and mini), these candles are made from just a blend of pure and natural Coconut Wax and aromatherapy Essential Oils, packaged in glass and finished with a cotton wick. I was kindly sent Céleste which is a stunning fragrance featuring Jasmine, Rose, Patchouli, Wild Bergamot, Amber and Cedarwood for an ultra-relaxing and tranquil experience.

Organic Makeup: Inika Limited Edition Flawless Everyday Gift Set* (£27, link)

For the natural and organic makeup fan in your life, Inika's Limited Edition Flawless Everyday Gift set is a great introduction to the brand and offers brilliant value-for-money too as the contents are worth £55, so you save £28! Neatly packaged in a small sparkly makeup bag, your recipient will be treated to Inika's bestselling Bold Lash Vegan Mascara (full size), a travel-size Loose Mineral Foundation (different shades available) and a travel-size Vegan Foundation Buffing Brush to use with it. I've personally used Inika's Loose Mineral Foundation for well over five years now and I can't recommend it enough!

Stocking Fillers: Lavera Organic Sheet Masks* (£6.95 each, link)

Lastly, I wanted to include these brand new Organic Sheet Masks that Lavera have recently brought out. Perfect for teen and adult pampering at home, these would make perfect stocking fillers for friends and family, or why not include them in a DIY self-care box for someone special? There are four different masks to choose from; Firming, Hydrating, Glow/Illuminating and Purifying, to cover all the main skin types and concerns and don't forget that you can recycle the packaging at your nearest Terracycle collection point :)

Are you last-minute shopping this week?

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