Review: Acorelle Essential Oil Blends

My pick for this months My Pure post are two essential oil blends from French brand Acorelle.

Recent Make-Up Haul

I don't know what's gotten into me lately but I made three orders for make up within a week and I'm not really a make-up kinda gal.

I think I've turned to make up because I'm trying not to buy anything new skincare-wise before going on a field trip to London in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you what I've been ordering!

Shiro Cosmetics - The Seven Kingdom Collection

Back in the beginning of April, I read a post that changed my feelings towards eyeshadow. Bold statement, I know!

I'd loved my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette but since starting my green journey, I just haven't really been impressed with anything that I've used *cough Neal's Yard Remedies cough* so actually just avoided using them all together.

Disappointing Products - A'Kin

 These three products were in my stocking from Father Christmas this year and I was so happy to see them as I had been keen to try more from A'Kin.

Orange Blossom Body Wash, Lavender & Geranium Body Moisturiser and an Unscented Intensive Hand, Nail & Cuticle Treatment. The first two are the focus of my post today.

Review: Therapi Gel Cleanser & Moisturiser

At the beginning of April, I received an unexpected (but totally welcome) parcel from Therapi Honey Skincare. 

I have read a few reviews on their products so the brand had been on my radar for a while. Therapi's star ingredient in everything they make is honey. Honey honey honey!

On the website, the company aims are simple: "to create the best natural and organic honey skincare products, which benefit not only the user but also the natural world in all its diversity and splendour."

The three ranges from Therapi are Rose Otto for Normal/Dry skin, Orange Blossom for Normal Skin and Lemon Myrtle for Oily/Combination skin. Each range has a cleanser, toner and moisturiser but the Rose Otto range also has a Propolis+ Ultra Radiance Cream.
The packaging is beautifully elegant; from the thick textured outer packaging to the heavy, white glass containers with minimalistic labelling, these products look very good on the vanity table. Not that this should matter but lets be honest, sometimes first impressions really do count.

I was kindly sent two products from the Lemon Myrtle range, for oily/combination skin. The Lemon Myrtle Honey Gel Cleanser* and the Lemon Myrtle Honey Moisturiser*
This range contains honey, purifying extracts of citrus, witchhazel and antibacterial lemon myrtle to regulate oiliness and condition the skin. 

I've been using both of these every day for a few months now, as I really wanted to be able to fully review how I've found the products.
And this is how I got on...

The Honey Gel Cleanser* RRP £25 for 50ml is made from 90% Organic ingredients and jam packed with organic honey, yucca extract, lemon myrtle and grapefruit essential oils.
I haven't used a gel cleanser before as I tend to stick to washes in the mornings and balms in the evenings. I know some of you love gel cleansers but I'm afraid it just isn't for me. The gel was fairly runny and I had to use 3-4 pumps just to feel like it wash actually washing my face. My skin feels clean afterwards, yes, but since using this I've found I've had to exfoliate more frequently. It doesn't feel like its working on the deeper layers of my skin and that it is only just about managing to work on the top layer. I certainly wouldn't use this as part of my evening routine as it is just too wishy-washy for me.
I'm sorry Therapi, but I'm not a fan of your gel cleanser.

Now as for the Honey Moisturiser* RRP £30 for 50ml, I can honestly say that it it feels like a dream to use. It can be used both morning and night so it cuts down on needing two different creams. I find I use just a small amount in the morning, applied to the face and neck but use more in the evening to really condition the skin.
The texture is light so it absorbs quickly without feeling heavy or like it is just sat on the top of the skin.
For about 4 months before starting to use this, I'd been furiously using up the many, many samples and trial sized moisturisers that I'd somehow managed to accumulate and hadn't really found a winner. I was tired of trying so many without being able to see any lasting results.
I've been using this morning and night since I received it back in April and I really like it. My skin is looking really healthy at the moment, with less afternoon shiny t-zone (historically the bane of my existence!) and more glow and radiance.
I can't say that it has been down to this cream alone, I think that regularly using the same products has given my skin a chance to settle and I'm back using my beloved Bodhi & Birch Neroli Luce but I do think that it has made a difference.
Also, after 8 weeks of twice-daily use, I've hardly made a dent in the pot so it'll last me a good few months which I'm really happy about.

You can buy both these products and more over at the Therapi Honey Skincare website here.

Have you used anything from Therapi before? What did you think?

*PR samples provided for review. Opinions are all my own based on my experience using them.

May Empties

I could almost title this months empties as Bodhi & Birch Empties! 

These are pretty much the last of my smaller sized products which means hopefully, my empties posts wont be so epic going forward!

Bodhi & Birch Pep Noir Body Moisturiser and Shower & Bath Therapy travel size- I was unsure if I would like this particular scent as I was worried it might be too manly. I was pleasantly surprised though and really liked them both. 

Bodhi & Birch Galangal Spice Shower & Bath Therapy travel size- I really, really like this and have added the full size to my wishlist. It comes in at a very close second to my love of Mint Thé!

Bodhi & Birch Desert Rose Facial Oil* full size - I won this is a competition at the end of February and starting using it straight away. I have still to do a full review of this so I won't say too much at the moment other than Neroli Lucé is still my number 1.

Bloom Remedies Daily Balance Moisturiser full size - This came in my first SoukSouk box last summer and it just wasn't suited to my skin. I ended up using it as a body lotion. The cream was a bit to heavy for me, even in the winter.

Marble & Milkweed Spring Tonic Facial Serum sample - This was just too small to be able to see any difference to my skin. Texture was nice but I don't think I'll be looking to buy a full size.

Urban Veda Purifying Day Cream sample - This lasted a surprising amount of time. I took it away with me for my holiday in April and I was still using it a good two weeks later. I do want to try more from Urban Veda but I don't think I'll be starting with this day cream.

Apivita Moisturising Hand Cream with Aloe & Honey full size - Wouldn't buy this again. It was runny and could leave my hands feeling sticky.

REN BB Cream* sample - REN kindly sent this sample to me to try and I have since bought a larger version. Easy to use, blends well and offers me SPF. I thought it might have provided a bit more coverage but I prefer the minimal look.

There we have it. 

What have you been using this month?