November Empties

I've got a bumper lot of empties this month with some truly wonderful products.

JOIK LEMON AND VANILLA SHOWER OIL

I reviewed this here. It's a lovely shower treat that lasts ages because you only need a bit. Highly recommended.

YOURS TRULY ORGANICS TONER (sample)

A small sachet but seemed nice enough.

YOURS TRULY ORGANICS FIX ME REPAIRING SERUM (sample)

This serum was one of those products that when you apply something else on top i.e. oil or moisturiser, it goes all 'bitty' and leaves your face looking like it's peeling off. One to avoid.

NATIVE UNEARTHED COCONUT AND VANILLA DEODORANT

A little glass jar of effective goodness. It wasn't too solid and melted easily enough between fingers. It smells nice too. The issue I had was that it was very gritty and I had to apply it very gently or it hurt my underarms. No problems with smelling though. I am currently trying the Activated Charcoal from this brand; expect a review soon.

BALM BALM FRAGRANCE FREE BALM

A staple for my son's skincare and one I have bought several times now. See a review here


HURRAW CINNAMON LIP BALM

I love this balm because not only does it smell festive, but it is tinted red, which is fabulous under lipstick or on its own. I've got other flavours from the range but this is my firm favourite and this brand is the best I've ever used. Highly recommended.


LYONSLEAF BODY BUTTER

This was one of my Love Lula pics for October and I adored it. Smells gorgeous and is highly moisturising. My only complaint is the small jar didn't last long enough. Read my review here

THE KONJAC SPONGE COMPANY RICH PINK CLAY SPONGE

This came in the October Cruelty Free Beauty Box and I hailed it as a skincare hero when I started using it. I loved its gentle exfoliation and how it made my skin feel glowy afterwards. However, it only lasted a month before it grew mould on it, so I wasn't exactly happy at the longevity of this product.

GREEN PEOPLE AGE DEFY TINTED MOISTURISER SPF 15

I'm a bit whatever about Green People, having been underwhelmed with samples I've tried before but this little gem, which came in the Cruelty Free Beauty Box for September, was surprisingly effective. The light colour was a perfect match and it had amazing, foundation-like coverage, so I could wear it on its own. I'd definitely use the full size.

ESSE GEL CLEANSER

This came in a Love Lula beauty box. It didn't smell nice and left my skin feeling a bit tight, so I wouldn't try the full size.

FRIENDLY SOAP TRAVEL HAIR AND BODY BAR

I bought this for my other half for our holiday but the order went missing so it didn't arrive until afterwards. (N.B. My Pure sent me out a replacement; their customer service is very good). I used it once on my hair but I wasn't sure so I stuck to shampoo after that. However, I did use the soap on my body and for shaving. It had a fresh citrusy scent and was very moisturising. I do love this brand.

MILLCREEK BOTANICALS ALOE VERA SHAMPOO

This was a TK Maxx find and I wish it was for sale online in this country. It's a lovely shampoo that I bought for my itchy scalp and I have to say over the weeks I used it, it really helped. If I can get hold of it, I would definitely buy it again.

ORGANIC SHOP SHEA AND LILY SHAMPOO

This was a sample that I enjoyed using. Organic Shop are new to Tesco and are a brand I'll be looking at. I'm really impressed with Tesco's introduction of cruelty-free and natural brands recently.

YES TO CUCUMBERS AND YES TO COCONUTS MICELLAR WATER

 Any review of these has unfortunately been lost in the utter ridiculousness and wastefulness of the so-called pump action applicator. I mean, WTF? The cucumber one didn't even work for the whole life of the bottle and I had to unscrew the top to use it. As for the coconut one, you have to press very gently or precisely with your cotton wool over the top or it squirts over everything and everyone and you end up with wet clothes, a wet child, a wet bed etc. Is there a point to it? Not that I can see. Should the person who designed it be sacked? Without question. Would I buy again? Resoundingly NO. How was the product inside? Yes, it was okay.

PAI GERANIUM AND THISTLE REBALANCING DAY CREAM

I really enjoyed this sample. The cream was very nice to apply under make-up. I haven't used Pai before but I would definitely try more.

PHB ETHICAL BEAUTY NEROLI AND YLANG YLANG BRIGHTENING BODY WASH

This was a nice, moisturising body wash, but I didn't like the smell of it. PHB can't usually go wrong for me so I would definitely try their body washes again in a different range.


A fantastic month for samples and products and only a few I wouldn't try again. Most of the products featured can be bought at Love Lula. Organic Shop can be bought at Tesco. Friendly Soap and Yes To can be bought at My Pure. Pai can be bought here.