Craft Gin Club: April 2016: Tarquin's Handcrafted Cornish Gin: Rosemary & Thyme

We got a gorgeous Limited Edition gin from Tarquin's (Rosemary & Thyme) in our Craft Gin Club subscription box this month. I'm already a huge fan of the original having first tried it via The Ginvent Advent Calendar in 2014 and several bottles later I'd say it's one of my favourite gins.  This limited edition has the addition of Rosemary & Thyme.

 Inside the box this month:

A Limited Edition Bottle of Tarquin's Rosemary & Thyme Gin (made especially for club members!)

A bottle of Cornish Orchard Elderflower Presse

Buttermilk Cornish Fudge

Cornish Sea Salt

Tarquin's Gin Coaster

A copy of super informative Ginned! magazine

Remember you can get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM at checkout. Find out more HERE.  

Cotswold Candle Company: Rose Candle

The Cotswold Candle Company make gorgeous hand poured candles which are lovingly crafted by founder, Polly who lives in the heart of the Cotswolds with her husband and family. She has always loved candles and decided to have a go at making her own and through trial and error found that making them with wooden wicks (makes a lovely fireside crackle when burning) worked best.

The first candle scent made was Cinnamon, Orange & Clove - I love burning this kind of candle around Christmas time.  The range is inspired by the English countryside, have a great throw and are very affordable.

Packaging is in simple white boxes tied with ribbon and the candles are a soy blend with a fine fragrance mix - pick from - Sweet Pea, White Mulberry, Cinnamon, Orange & Clove or Rose.

Polly very kindly sent me a Rose Candle* which costs £18 and burns for 35 hours. The scent is truly beautiful. Freshly cut roses with green notes. It really is a lovely rosey scent. I've got mine in the living room but it would be perfect to use in the bedroom or bathroom.

Pick yours up HERE.

Follow on Twitter @CotswoldCandle

*complimentary - sent for review

Naturisimo: Travel Size Picks

I recently picked up a few small bits from Naturisimo. I just love their huge choice of gorgeous natural and organic beauty bits.

Perfect for a two night break or as a try me kit is the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare "The Jet Set Weekender" (£10) which contains:

Miracle Cleanser 5ml, Revitalise & Glow Serum 2ml (review)

Cell Repair Night Oil 2ml (mini review)

Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser 2ml

Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser 2ml

1 x Bamboo Muslin Cloth

I also picked up two samples which I'm looking forward to using:

Aromatherapy Associates Revitalising Face Oil 3ml (£3.50) - this sample is the same size as the mini bath & shower oils making it a great try me size. I've used it a couple of times so far and it's really wowed me (I can see full size going on the wishlist!)

Jurlique Rose Hand Cream 2ml (free sample) - I've used this before and loved it. 

Have you bought anything recently from Naturisimo?

Living Naturally: The Soapnut Apothecary

I first spotted this brand when I read Kate's Valentine's Post. 

Founder, Shashi got in touch to see if I'd like to try some of the products which are made using organic herbs and organic wild crafted soapnuts. Everything is made in the UK in small batches, are 100% Vegan, Certified Organic and Biodegradable. Packaging is recyclable too. Ingredients are ethically sourced and there is no SLS, Parabens, Mineral Oils, Artificial fragrances or any chemicals in the products.

Soapnuts are dried fruit shells which contain real natural soap and are free from synthetic and toxic ingredients making them perfect for sensitive skin types. Local farmers harvest fruit, the shells are dried and cleaned and the seeds removed. The shells are then shipped to the UK to be used in Living Naturally's products.

I was sent three products to try and review:

Organic Hibiscus & Lavender Bathtub Tea 50g (£6)* - this heavenly blend of moisturising hibiscus, antiseptic lavender, antioxidant rose, healing chamomile and calendula is blended with dead sea salts and anti-bacterial organic wild crafted soapnuts. The blend relieves tension, detoxifies, balances and is great for dry, inflamed, itchy and sensitive skins.

To use: put 1 tbsp of the blend into the muslin bag and place in the bath. Hop in and enjoy a relaxing soak. You can also use as a facial steam or foot soak. I absolutely love this and would buy.

Coconut Milk & Rose Bathtub Tea 250g (£6)* - a beautiful blend of organic rose petals which are great for mature, dry and sensitive skins with Vegan coconut powder and soapnut powder which cleanses and moisturises the skin.

To use: add 2 tbsp to a warm bath. There is enough for 5 luxurious baths. It's also great to soothe sunburn or rashes.

Fragrance Free Soapnut Salve 60ml (£8.50)* - a nurturing and multi-purpose salve which is 100% natural and 90% organic and made with 7 organic anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory soothing herbs along with organic wild crafted soapnut extract. 

To use: use on lips, hands, elbows, knees, feet, sunburn, stings. Use sparingly, a little goes a long way.

I've been really impressed with these beautiful and very affordable products. Have you tried anything from the range?

*complimentary - sent for review

Update: ALDI Lacura Caviar Illumination Day & Night Creams

I was recently sent some products from ALDI's Lacura Argan Oil* & Caviar Illumination* ranges. See my thoughts HERE. I've now been using the Caviar day and night creams for a few weeks and I can honestly say they are great value for money as well as being very effective.

The packaging (especially of the night cream in it's heavy glass pot is very similar to that of La Prairie).

Both creams are quite rich although absorb quickly leaving the skin feeling nourished and uplifted. They have a pleasant slightly floral scent.

The day cream has the added benefit of SPF15 while the addition of snow algae (in all products) helps to promote collagen production in the skin. The addition of Caviar, a powerful anti-ageing ingredient nourishes, plumps, gives the skin a glowy look and helps with restructuring.  The night cream works it's wonders overnight leaving your skin supple and smooth when you awaken.

I've been so impressed with these creams both performance wise and price (a bargainous £6.99 for a 50ml pot). I know I'll definitely be picking these up again.

Buy yours at ALDI.

*PR samples

Latest in Beauty: Build your own Box

I absolutely love (am obsessed with) the "Build your own Box" section at Latest in Beauty. I'm always seeing things I want! The boxes are brilliant value - you can pick 3, 6 or 9 items. This time I went for 6 which costs £12.99 plus P&P.

Last box I loved Kneipp's Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts (60g - single use) so I chose them again. They make for a relaxing soak.

I've tried the MAULI Himalayan Healing Salts (60g) before and loved them. See my thoughts HERE. 

Urbanveda Reviving Hydrating Toner (150ml - worth £13.99) which is scented with rose. It regenerates and tones the skin. Looking forward to trying this out. Expect a full review shortly.

Jane Iredale Smooth Affair 7ml a lovely primer which brightens and illuminates the skin.

Another full size I chose is the Benecos Hand & Nail Cream (75ml - £2.95) which is scented with orange and sea buckthorn. A light and easily absorbed cream with a delicious scent.

My final pick was Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk 40ml which will be handy for holidays (if it lasts that long - it's gorgeous) and has a beautiful fruity scent.

Have you built your own box recently?

Holistic Kitchen: Snooze Balm

More often than not I find it hard to get to sleep. I've been trying out the gorgeous and highly effective Snooze Balm (£12.50)* by Holistic Kitchen. Sallyanne created this wonder balm to help children (and adults) who struggle to get to sleep at bedtime - it really does work!

Made with Organic Shea Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil and Beeswax.  It is scented with essential oils of Lavender, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram and Sandalwood.

It helps to settle the mind and relax the body at the end of the day. Use before bed to help to aid restful sleep.

To use: Apply a small amount to the soles of your feet and temples before getting into bed and let the oils work their magic. It is quite a small pot but you only need a tiny amount.

I know for sure that this little pot of "magic" will be bought again and again as it really does help to ensure a deep and relaxing sleep (the scent instantly calms and relaxes both the body and mind).

Sallyanne also makes bespoke essential oil blends and other natural products. See the website HERE, Facebook HERE and Instagram HERE.

*complimentary - sent for review