Health & Lifestyle: 3 Supplements To Try This Autumn/Winter

 

Give your health a boost this Autumn and Winter with a range of new supplements that you may not have come across before. This edit includes a natural sleeping beauty blend, a herbal tincture for clear skin, and a CBD Oil to help with creativity.

Try For Better Sleep: Complete Me Sleeping Beauty Relaxing Blend* (60 capsules, £14.99, link)

A good night's sleep is not only essential for your physical health so you are well rested to get the most out of your new day, but it's also vital for your mental health as well. Complete Me's Sleeping Beauty Relaxing Blend combines carefully selected vitamins and minerals such as Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamins B3 and B6, with 5HTP, Lemon Balm and Chamomile, to promote a healthy, good night's sleep. It achieves this by helping the body to naturally relax and unwind, and balances your hormones so you're in the right frame of mind to catch up on those all-important ZZZs. 

How To Use: take two capsules with a glass of water before going to bed. Suitable for vegans, gluten-free, non-GMO and contains no artificial colours or preservatives. 

Try For Clearer Skin: Herbfarmacy Botanicals Dandelion & Burdock Extract* (100ml, £13.50, link)

As many of my regular readers will know, I've been a big fan of Herbfarmacy's skincare for many years now, yet it's only been recently that I discovered that they also sell a range of herbal botanical tinctures so I thought I would check out their organic Dandelion & Burdock Extract. Used for centuries as an internal skin purifier to support the healthy function of the liver and kidneys, extracts of Dandelion and Burdock root have been widely researched as a tonic to help with digestion, and there's been growing evidence that they're beneficial as a way to internally treat common skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. 

How to use: add half a teaspoon to a glass of water or fruit juice and drink two-three times a day. This tincture has a strong earthy and herbal flavour and is suitable for vegans.

Try For Increased Creativity: Amphora Inspire CBD Oil Drops* (30ml, £99.99, link)

New from Amphora is a premium range of high-strength CBD Oil Drops which have been specially formulated to support different aspects of daily life. Each product boasts an impressive high strength of 6000mg CBD Oil; the equivalent of a full dropper's worth of 200mg pure CBD extract, plant-based terpenes, and MCT oil for quick absorption. Unlike cheaper brands, Amphora's CBD is sourced from 100% organically grown hemp and contains no harmful additives. I've been testing out the Inspire CBD Oil Drops that help to promote increased concentration and creativity. It's early days yet, but I'm hopeful it can aid my mind out of its procrastinating ways - we shall see!

How to use: squeeze a dropper full under the tongue, hold for 30 seconds and swallow. Inspire has a slightly citrusy, earthy flavour.

Have you tried any supplements this season?

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April Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's that time again! An Empties round-up of everything that I've used up recently and my thoughts on which ones I'll be repurchasing in the near future.

Lavera Self-Tanning Lotion* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a more natural and affordable Self-Tanning Lotion to try out, Lavera's is a good one to pick up as it's easy to use and gives a gorgeous sunkissed glow to the skin with not a hint of orange in sight! This is my second or third tube. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant (reviewed here)

Long time readers may be familiar with this one as I've been using it on and off for years now. I love the scent of it and it's free from lots of common nasties. Repurchase? I'm using up one from Evolve at the moment but will happily buy this again at some point.

Tropic Blue Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum* (reviewed here)

Anyone else suffering from spotty skin since lockdown began? Luckily, this little gem from Tropic has been stopping my complexion from having a full-blown breakout! I tend to use it as a preventative measure twice a week as part of my evening routine. Repurchase? Yes.

Herbfarmacy Easy Breathe Balm* (reviewed here)

First featured in one of my Winter Wellness posts at the start of the year (link above), I've now finished off Herbfarmacy's fantastic chesty balm which came in so handy whenever I was suffering from a stuffy nose and blocked sinuses. Repurchase? Yes.

S5 Neutralise Cleanser* (reviewed here)

One of my favourite high-end cleansers, I can't recommend this enough if you have oily or sensitive skin. It's a super lightweight oil-free cleanser that just works so well for my troublesome skin. Particularly lovely for soothing any irritation or redness. Repurchase? Definitely!

Badger Balm Sleep Balm* (reviewed here)

Like many, I haven't been sleeping well at all recently so I've been using Badger's Sleep Balm every single night to try and help calm my stressed mind. It's lasted a long time as you only need to apply a tiny amount to wrists/pulse points and then breathe in the relaxing scent. Repurchase? I'm testing out a few other similar products at the moment so we'll see.

Human+Kind Watermelon 3-in-1 Cream

No surprises to see a hand cream in this round-up! I finished off this multi-purpose moisturiser from Human+Kind which has a fresh and fruity watermelon fragrance. Perfect for dry hands, rough elbows and cracked feet. Repurchase? Might do in the future.

Trilogy Blemish Control Gel* (reviewed here)

I like to use a targeted blemish treatment on those pesky 'under the skin' spots and Trilogy's Blemish Control Gel has been my go-to for quite some time. It works but doesn't sting or dry out the skin like similar products do. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist* (reviewed here)

If someone asked me to only choose to use one toner product for the rest of my life, you guys all know it would be this beauty! Packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides, it never fails to give my skin a hydrating boost! Repurchase? I'm currently using the new formula here.

Dafna's Eye Care* (reviewed here)

It sure was a sad day when I reached the bottle of this one recently :( It's such a gorgeous formula with a silky texture that smooths out fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. If you can afford it, it's definitely worth the investment. Repurchase? On my wishlist.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil* (reviewed here)

Anyone know how many of Antipodes Divine Face Oil bottles I've gone through over the past couple of years? I have no idea, I've simply lost count! Here's another empty to add to that growing list - it's amazing for fussy combination skin types. Repurchase? Yes.

Badger Balm Cuticle Care* (reviewed here)

All that handwashing has left my cuticles feeling cracked and sore so I've been giving them some much needed TLC with this Cuticle Balm from Badger. I try to remember to use a small amount each night before going to bed to help soothe and rehydrate. Repurchase? Yes.

Soapology Secret Garden Soap

Speaking of washing your hands, I finished off this lovely bar of soap from Soapology which I kept next to the kitchen sink. This one's specially formulated for gardeners so it's extra gentle and caring, plus it's palm-oil free.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass, aluminium tins 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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Health & Lifestyle: 3 Natural Balms To Help You Through Cold & Flu Season #WinterWellness

Nobody likes having a cold, or worse still, catching the flu, and having spent the last week feeling like death warmed up in, I can certainly sympathise! One thing that always gets me through the rough times is having a pot of natural balm on my bedside table to help alleviate some of the worst symptoms such as blocked sinuses, so here are three of the best that you can try this Winter. 

 Best For Colds: Herbfarmacy Easy Breathe Balm* (30ml, £10.50, link)

This completely plastic-free balm from Herbfarmacy is one of the brand's hidden secrets and something that I feel they should promote more often! Made in small batches on their farm in Herefordshire, the Easy Breathe Balm boasts an-all natural, cruelty-free formula which is also 100% organic (certified by the Soil Association) so it already ticked a lot of boxes for me when I initially picked it up. 

Unscrewing the metal tin, you'll be greeted with a firm and solid balm that has a soothing and moisturising base of Sunflower Oil, Beeswax and Marshmallow Root extract, which is combined with refreshing Eucalyptus, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemon Tea Tree and Rosemary essential oils and extracts. The balm is easy to warm up between your fingertips and spreads well onto the skin without any stickiness. Apply to the chest and lower throat areas to help clear the airways - this is brilliant for stuffy colds so that you can get on with your day.

Best For Flu: EQ EVOA Siberian Balm* (15ml, £9.95, link)

When flu hits, you need something heavy-duty, and EQ EVOA's Siberian Balm really does pack a punch! It's the smallest of the three balms that I've tried here coming in at just 15ml, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in its powerful natural abilities. Created from a unique formula that features 99.5% natural ingredients (42.4% of which are organic), it uses Edwelweiss extract (also known as the Star Of Glaciers) with Tahitian Monoi, Clove, Camphor, Cajeput and Menthol essential oils to quickly decongest and bring instant relief when you're truly suffering from the very worst flu symptoms. 

Although it's technically called a balm, it has a more of a thick and buttery texture which is white in colour, and yet it still retains all of the qualities of a traditional balm as it's easy to use and doesn't feel tacky or sticky. Needless to say, a little goes a long way and be extra careful to make sure this doesn't get anywhere near your eyes! As with all of the balms featured here, please wash your hands thoroughly after use, but especially with this one as it's so potent!

 Best For Families: Silvan Skincare Breathe Balm* (60ml, £14.50, link)

It's quite often the case that when one member of the family comes down with a cold or flu bug, everyone else in the household gets it within a matter of days, so this larger jar is definitely one to keep on standby during the Winter months. Handmade in Wales, Silvan Skincare's Breathe Balm is suitable for the whole family to use and is made with the highest quality natural, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. It's certified by both the Vegan Society and the Leaping Bunny programme, plus it's packaged in a glass jar so ideal for families and consumers who are cutting down on their plastic waste.

With a rich and soft, non-sticky balm texture, Breathe Balm has a gentle but effective blend of ingredients which include fairtrade Organic Shea Butter, Organic Olive and Jojoba Oils, Oat extract, Vitamin E, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Peppermint and Rosemary essential oils. These work hard to soothe and clear blocked sinuses quickly, helping you to breathe easier faster. Rub a small amount onto the temples, chest, thorax and back as often as needed.

All balms featured are available from LoveLula.com

Have you tried any natural balms this Winter?

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July Empties: Products I've Used Up

Can you believe how quickly this year is flying by?! It's already time for another Empties post! Here's everything that I've used up recently and whether I'll be repurchasing them again or not.

This Works Deep Sleep Night Oil

With so many restless nights due to the recent heatwave, I've been using my arsenal of sleep-inducing aromatherapy products to help and I'm a big fan of the This Works Deep Sleep range. This 100% natural body oil smells heavenly, makes my skin silky soft and is perfect to slather on after a bath. Repurchase? Yes.

Conscious Skincare Cypress and Sage Organic Shampoo & Conditioner*

This SLS-free duo has been keeping my hair happy over the past couple of months (I only properly wash my hair once or twice a week), but I've started to feel like it's time for a change as I'm no longer getting the super shiny finish that I originally did when I started using them. Repurchase? Might do in the future. 

Antipodes Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser*

I've mainly been using this as my daily facial SPF and have had no problems with breakouts or anything like that. It does take a while to sink into the skin, but I appreciate its moisturising properties as some sunscreens can feel a bit drying. Repurchase? I've gone back to using one from Aveda as it has a higher SPF, but I may return to this for Winter/Spring when the UV levels drop.

Herbfarmacy Rose & Echinacea Toner

Pretty sure that this is my second or third bottle and I still love it! It's such a refreshing toner and great for sensitive skin as it's so soothing. My top tip for using it in Summer is to pop it into the fridge and liberally spritz all over when it's hot outside - pure bliss! Repurchase? Yes.

Ayurvana Shatavari & Aloe Vera Body Gel*

This is an amazing after-sun gel that feels super cooling and helps to heal irritated/sore skin. A little certainly goes a long way as I was pleasantly surprised by how long it's lasted. Repurchase? I'm testing out a bunch of after-sun products for a feature at the moment, but I'd definitely pick this up again.

LUSH Bubbly Shower Gel

Anyone else still using up their Christmas stash of Lush goodies?! I love the uplifting fruitness of Bubbly, it really does smell amazing and is perfect for those early morning showers. Repurchase? Sadly it's LE -let's hope it comes back this Christmas!

Antipodes Divine Face Oil*

Another firm favourite of mine and one that I've recommended many times on here. It's great for a lot of skin types including dry and sensitive, however, I've been recently finding it a little too rich for my oilier skin now that it's Summertime. Repurchase? Will do later in the year.  

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream

You can tell how much I love this because I just had to cut it into two to get out every last bit! This is such a gorgeous hand cream in both texture and fragrance (the scent is incredible), and it's a real pampering treat for dry hands. Repurchase? Definitely.

BON Liquid Gold Pure Tissue Oil*

BON's Liquid Gold is brilliant for so many different things as it's a basic blend of mostly Avocado, Grapeseed and Rosehip Oils. I've enjoyed using it for facial and body massages, as well as rubbing it into stretch marks and old acne scars to help lighten them up and improve the overall texture of the skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Westlab Reviving Salt Body Scrub & Bath Soak*

It's been way too hot for baths lately so I've been using this up as a body scrub in the shower. It's perfect to use before applying fake tan, plus it smells amazing! Repurchase? Will do once I've finished off some other body scrubs that I've got on the go.

Sister & Co Coconut Oil*

You know those memes about putting coconut oil on everything to make it better? Well, I'd say they're 99% true! I always have a jar of coconut oil in my bathroom as I use it to shave my legs, moisturise my body, remove makeup, as an intensive hair conditioning treatment etc, in fact, if I wasn't a beauty blogger, I would probably just use coconut oil for most things! This one's 100% pure, cold-pressed, raw and organic. Repurchase? I've picked up the KIKI Health one as it was cheaper, but I'd get this again if I saw it on offer.

Have you tried any of these? What have you used up recently?

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April Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's that time of the month again where I share my recent Empties with you all, so here's everything that I've used up recently and whether I'll be repurchasing them again or not.

Rossi Intense Rejuvenation Rose & Pink Clay Face Mask*

This is the second jar that I've managed to use up and I absolutely love it! It's got a fantastic 100% natural formula that uses a clay base to draw out impurities and unclog pores, but it also has other ingredients which make it feel hydrating and nourishing afterwards. So if you're looking for a clay mask that won't strip or dry out your skin, this one is a must try. Repurchase? Yes.

Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo

I picked this up during Aveda's Christmas sale and whilst it did a good job of cleaning my hair, I much prefer the other conditioning products and treatments in this same range for their repairing abilities. I didn't notice much of a difference by using this shampoo on its own. Repurchase? No.

Alucia Organics Calm Balm*

I feel like I've had this in my skincare stash forever - they really weren't kidding when they said a little goes a long way! This multi-purpose balm is packed full of soothing ingredients to calm any irritation, whilst keeping dry skin moisturised at the same time. Great for eczema flare-ups and excellent value for money considering how long it lasts! Repurchase? Yes.

Herbfarmacy Rose & Mallow Facial Oil*

One of my favourite face oils, I think this is my second bottle now. Perfect to try if you have sensitive skin that needs something which is hydrating, nourishing and softening, plus it helps to boost radiance too, so it's also ideal if your skin is looking a little grey or dull. Repurchase? I have too many other face oils open at the moment that I'm working my way through, but I'll definitely buy it again at some point in the future. 

CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray

Another good product that I recommend for eczema flare-ups is this multi-purpose spray that you can use all over the face and body. It has lots of natural anti-inflammatory ingredients and absorbs quickly into the skin, providing instant soothing relief. You don't need to use much per application, so I'd suggest picking up their travel size bottle if you fancy trying it. Repurchase? Yes. 

Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF 30*

I love this SPF from Green People, and although I have used it on my face with good results, I tend to stick with it as more of an all-over body sunscreen. Feels moisturising, doesn't irritate my skin or leave it feeling sticky, and basically does the job with really good organic ingredients. Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Deep Sleep Stress Less* 

I'm a terrible sleeper but I find that this does help me to relax and get off to sleep sooner than I usually would, especially if I've been feeling stressed out or anxious during the day. Very easy to use as it's a rollerball, so you can just dab a bit onto pulse points like the wrists, breathe in and relax.  Repurchase? Yes.

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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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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September Empties: Products I've Used Up

I'm a little late posting my Empties (I blame the flu!), but I hope this massive post makes up for it as I've used up a hell of a lot of products recently. It's been one of those month's where everything just seemed to run out at once! So here's what I've used up and whether I would repurchase it again or not.

REN Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial*

This is my third tube and it's one of my favourite overnight skincare treatments that's packed full of Glycolic and Lactic Acids to exfoliate, hydrate and moisturise. Really does give you glowing skin in the morning and makes my complexion look much brighter. Repurchase? I have a few similar products to use up first, but I'll definitely buy this again.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Purifying Creme Cleanser

Another product that I've gone through a couple of bottles of is this lovely cream cleanser from Aveda's Botanical Kinetics range, which I'm a big fan of. I love using this in the evenings as it removes all of my makeup easily, and works just as well as a second cleanse or as a light morning cleanser. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other cleansers.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular 2-in-1 Cleanser*

If you prefer gel based cleansers, this one is brilliant and like the Aveda one above, can also be used to remove makeup as well as being a wonderfully refreshing morning cleanser. It's got a great organic formula that includes fruit based AHAs and Vitamin C, so it's a great one to try if you have dull skin that you want to brighten up. Repurchase? Definitely will once my cleanser stash is more under control!

NB Labs Bio-Extracts Hydra Boost*

These nifty syringe style boosters from NB Labs are a fantastic way to literally 'boost' your skincare routine as you just add a shot of the serum-like formula to your daily moisturiser and away you go. They do a bunch of different ones and Hydra Boost has been perfect for those times when my skin has been feeling dehydrated or dry. So easy to use and makes a big difference. Repurchase? Yes.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

Eyebright is something that I always use in the Summer months as it's a godsend for puffy eyes when hayfever season hits. This toner style formula instantly soothes and cleans the eye area, getting rid of pollen and other irritants, without the need for using eye drops. Genius stuff. Repurchase? Will do next Spring! 

Herbfarmacy Lip Conditioner*

Finally - I've used up a lip balm! I have so many on the go all over the place but this one from Herbfarmacy was a definite favourite. 100% organic, smells like vanilla and is really nice and moisturising. Repurchase? I have far too many to justify buying any more at the moment, but if I ever run out, I would happily pick this up again.

Evolve Organic Beauty Skin Saviour Body Oil*

This is a great oil for using on any kind of scars and marks including stretch marks and old blemish/acne scars, as it helps to reduce the appearance of them over time. Also lovely to use as an all-over body oil and perfect for dry skin. Repurchase? Yes.

NUXE Rose Petals Micellar Cleansing Water

Picked this up in a recent GWP and was excited to try it after reading some positive reviews, but I was pretty underwhelmed with it to be honest. It's nice and gentle on the skin, but doesn't remove all of my eye makeup and struggled to shift high coverage foundation. Repurchase? No.

Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo

I thoroughly enjoyed using this travel size bottle up; it's very refreshing and zingy on the scalp and gives a deep cleanse without using SLS. Lovely stuff! Repurchase? Tempted to splurge on the full-size at some point!

Vita Liberata Self Tanning Anti-Age Serum*

Although I've finished this up, I found this self-tanning serum to be very 'meh'. The colour is great and looks natural, but I didn't see any of the skincare benefits so I'll be sticking with my James Reed and Tropic products when it comes to facial self-tanners in the future. Repurchase? No.

Vichy Ideal Body Serum Milk*

This is a lovely body moisturiser for anyone who hates thick lotions and wants something thinner and more milk like in texture, but still with all the hydrating properties of a thicker lotion. I really liked the fresh and clean scent that this one has. Repurchase? Yes.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Pillow Mist*

Regular readers will now that I have a lot of problems with anxiety and sleeping, so I regularly use pillow sprays like this to help me relax and send me off to sleep. It's not as potent as the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray which is my holy grail, but it's still a very good option if you want to try something more affordable. Repurchase? Yes.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir*

I only seem to reach for this in the Summer months as it's a little drying for me to use any other time of the year, but I do love how revitalising and refreshing it is. A cult classic in the beauty world, I love the awakening citrusy-meets-minty scent, and it instantly perks up tired skin with just one spritz. Repurchase? Will do next Summer.

Weleda Evening Primrose Revitalising Body Wash

I love Weleda's creamy body washes because they're so moisturising for my dry skin and this Evening Primrose scent was gorgeous. Clean, fresh and floral, without being too sweet - perfect! Repurchase? Yes.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Elixir

This is my second bottle and I was just as sad to see it used up as I was when I finished the first one. It's one of those serum-meets-face oil-hybrid types of products, so I often used it when I didn't have time to do a full skincare routine in the evening. Makes my skin wonderfully soft, smooth, hydrated and glowy, what more could you want?! Repurchase? I need to use up some similar products first but I'll definitely be saving up for another bottle!

Caudalie Purifying Mask

Another Caudalie product that I've used up and loved to bits in the past is this Purifying Mask which is brilliant for anyone who has congested and spot-prone skin. It draws out impurities a treat but doesn't dry out the skin, and also helps to rebalance excess sebum, so it comes in really useful over the Summer when my skin is naturally oilier. Repurchase? Will do once I've finished up a couple of other masks.

What beauty products have you used up this month?

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January Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's time for the first Empties post of the year and I seem to have used up a bit of everything! There are some amazing holy grail favourites in this little lot too, so let's get stuck in!

Yves Rocher Delicate Cleansing Cream Low Shampoo

There's a tiny amount still left in the tube, but it's just stopped working for my hair so I'm giving it an early retirement. I purchased this last year in a sale when I was trying out some 'no poo' products, and it started off well, but it gradually started to make my hair look greasy the more I used it, which is never a good thing! Not for me. Repurchase? No.

Aveda Stress-Fix Soaking Salts*

Loved, loved, loved these! If you're a massive stress head like me, you seriously need to try these. They are in my top three favourite bath products of all time, and they do what they say on the tin. Whenever I've had a crappy day, I can always count on these to help me to relax and unwind. They're expensive, however, you do get a big tub that lasts for months. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

I've spoken about this face mask on numerous occasions, and it's one of a small handful that I always have to have in my skincare stash. Really gentle, but wonderfully effective for healing blemishes and breakouts without any harsh ingredients. I had to get the trusty old tube wringer out to make sure I got every last bit! Repurchase? Already have. 

Dr Organic Snail Gel Facial Serum

A really great affordable serum that I imagine would suit most skin types. Lightweight and sinks right in, whilst smoothing out the skin, keeping it soft and nicely hydrated. I think this is my second bottle, and I'm a big fan of this Snail Gel range. Repurchase? Yes. 

Burt's Bees Lip Balm

Another firm favourite. I've been through loads of these over the years and despite having a mountain of lip balms to get through, I always seem to return to this one. This is the classic peppermint scented formula and it gets the job done! Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion

This travel size mini was from a gift set that my sister bought me for Christmas and it's no surprise that I've used it up already. I absolutely adore the natural Sea Buckthorn fragrance of this range - so fresh and uplifting, and the body lotion is light in texture, but still very hydrating. Repurchase? Yes.

Herbfarmacy Skin Rescue Balm*

My skin has been horribly dry all throughout Winter, but rest assured, this amazing balm has been like a knight in shining armour! I've been slathering it on everywhere; on my feet, elbows, cuticles, hands, eczema areas, everywhere. If you have any dry skin problems, this is the multi-purpose balm for you! Repurchase? Yes.

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Serum*

I've had a lot of redness on my cheeks and around my nose recently, and whilst this has been helping to some degree (it's a specialised anti-redness serum, mainly for people who have rosacea), I feel like there are other similar products that I prefer more, so I was happy to use this up. Repurchase? Probably not.

Suki Transformative Purifying Masque

I had high hopes for this after seeing some online raves for it, but I'm glad that I tried out some samples first because I didn't see any difference in my skin after using it. It felt nice on, but that was about it. It didn't do anything to treat blemishes for me. Repurchase? No.

What beauty products have you used up recently?

Have you tried any of these?

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December Empties / Products I've Used Up

Happy New Year! I'm having a major clear out / declutter this week, so it's time that I posted my December Empties don't you think? I'm very pleased with what I managed to use up last month, but I'm still sad to see a few of these go!

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Organic Beauty Week: Herbfarmacy Skincare Review

I'm back from my holiday and ready to celebrate the rest of Organic Beauty Week with a special edit of features showcasing some of my favourite organic beauty products. Today's focus is on Herbfarmacy.

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March Empties / Products I've Used Up

My March Empties showcase another mixed bunch of products that I've managed to use up recently - some of these I've had on the go for a long time! Here were have some haircare, skincare, one or two pampering treats, plus my overall thoughts on them. One product in particular needs to be avoided!

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February Empties / Products I've Used Up

My Empties game is still going strong, as I continue to de-clutter and make some better sense of my beauty stash. Here's what I've managed to finish up recently - mainly skincare and pampering goodies.

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January Empties / Products I've Used Up

At the start of the year, I pulled forward a bunch of products that I wanted to use up as they only had small amounts left in them and I'm pretty happy with how many I managed to finish off! Here are my January Empties.

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February Empties / Products I've Use Up

It's Empties time once again!  Here are all of the products that I managed to finish off in February, my final thoughts on them and whether I'll be repurchasing any or not.

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3 Cold Weather Pampering & Pre-Party Essentials

Baby, its cold outside!  Whether you want to go outside and slurp Gluhwein at a Christmas Market or are simply getting ready for the party season ahead, these three pampering essentials will protect your hair, face and body from the worst of the freezing cold weather.

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Organic Beauty Week: Herbfarmacy Skincare Review - Exfoliating Cleanser, Skin Rescue Balm, Mallow Beauty Balm, Whole Body Lotion and Nail & Cuticle Oil

To celebrate the Soil Association's Organic Beauty Week, I'm going to be bringing you an array of reviews and features all week long, showcasing some of the best organic based beauty brands currently on the market. To kick things off today, I have a special spotlight on a wonderful British company called Herbfarmacy.

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Amarya Organic / Natural Beauty Box - September (+ Giveaway!)

Amarya box (£10 + P&P per month, link)

This month's Amarya box came in a much bigger box than usual and I couldn't wait to open it.  To see what's inside and to enter a little giveaway just click below.

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