Ailsa Jane

One thing I love about skincare products is a good face mask...who doesn't am I right?! I was very excited this month to be given a chance to test out the Aura Manuka Honey Mask from Antipodes. It is suitable for most skin types, but especially great for blemish prone skin, so perfect for my skin type...in theory. The Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask * is £26.99 and comes in a 75ml foil tube inside a cardboard box (which can both be recycled!) As a little goes a long way, I can see this mask lasting a good amount of time. Containing a blend of Manuka Honey, Avocado oil, Carrot oil, Grape Seed extract, Pohutukawa flower extract and vitamin E alongside essential oils of vanilla and mandarin, this face mask is sure to leave skin soothed and deeply hydrated. Pohutukawa (known as the New Zealand Christmas tree because it flowers gloriously in December) contains antioxidants which help neutralize free radicals, while Manuka Honey contains anti bacterial properties to hel...

Walden Natural Perfumes was inspired by the work of an American essayist, poet & philosopher Hendry David Thoreau. Each perfume gets its name from snippets from his book Walden, which I think is a fab way to name them.  All the perfumes are handmade in small batches using the best quality natural absolutes, resins and essential oils. I was first introduced to Walden Perfumes back in the February Love Lula Beauty Box. I enjoyed the 10ml sample of 'A Gentle Rain' and really wanted to try some of the other perfumes from the brand. Finding it difficult to decide on which one to try... I got them all! Walden Natural Perfumes Rollerball Set * (£20) contains all 7 perfumes in 2ml rollerball bottles, which come in a lovely black drawstring pouch. A Gentle Rain - is a luxurious fragrance that grows with a blend of oak moss, labdanum and patchouli. A Little Star-Dust - is a sumptuous bouquet of Ylang Ylang, Iris and Jasmine enriched with hints of creamy Amyris and exo...

I have been getting more and more into using balms for cleaning my face rather than using washes or lotions. This month as part of  my Love Lula Blogger Picks, I decided to try out Ermana Natural Skincare as I have had my eye on the brand for some time now. Ermana Cleanse Balm * which is available in either 15ml (£8) or 60ml (£24) has a lovely texture that melts onto skin when applied.  The cleanse balm contains a blend of Cocoa, Shea and Coconut butters, alongside essential oils of grapefruit and galbanum, as well as sweet almond oil and beeswax. The balm is suitable for all skin types but it is advised not to use on broken or irritated skin. To use warm and small amount on fingertips to melt the balm, apply to face and massage into the skin. Wipe off with a hot muslin cloth or Ermana Bamboo Cleansing Pads. Skin is left soft and thoroughly cleansed. I did not get left with any greasy feeling on the skin, but a nice moisturized finish.  ...

My box was personally delivered by one of my work colleagues this month - normally I go searching through the packets for it, but he beat me to it! I'm a postie incase you don't know and get my box sent to work every month...makes life easier, and means I can open it super early in the day :) This month we have 3 full sizes, 1 deluxe sample and 1 sachet sample. Lets take a look! Last month I was introduced to a new brand Ayumi (see post here ) The body scrub smells so nice and was looking forward to trying more from the brand. This month Love Lula has treated us all to Ayumi's Intensive Hair Conditioning Treatment (150ml £8.99) This conditioner smells of coconuts which I love, and it left my hair super soft as promised. Fab product! New to me brand is NATorigin. It has been on my radar but I haven't yet tried anything from the brand. This month we have Lengthening Mascara (£15.95) and Pencil Eye Liner (£7.95) both in black. I have loads of eyeliner...

I do love a good multi use product...don't you? This Nourishing Dry Oil * from Bloomtown is no exception. The oil can be used as a relaxing bath oil, all over body moisturiser, massage oil or use a few drops on ends of hair overnight for a luxurious hair treatment....a dry oil the does it all! A little about the brand 'We founded Bloomtown in 2016 after spending two years in Indonesia and witnessing first-hand the loss of virgin forest that is home to endangered orangutans, tigers and so much of the world's biodiversity. We decided it would be our mission to create a "ticks all the boxes" body & skincare company to offer concerned consumers truly ethical & cruelty-free alternatives. Our multi-award-winning products are beautifully scented, expertly formulated and lovingly hand-crafted in our workshop in gorgeous Cornwall.' Bloomtown is the UK's 1st Independently Certified Palm Oil-Free Company. And all of their products are Cer...

My Fiancé Andrew and I get married in 121 days! I can't believe how much the time is flying in...we've been engaged for 2 years....but only started planning 1 year ago. We have chosen Meldrum House Hotel for our Wedding and Reception, and as part of the package we get a free taster session to try some of the meals on offer before we chose our final menu. So on Wednesday we spent a lovely evening, along with some other couples, being wined and dined...well I wined haha...Andrew was driving! You can see my many wine 'samples' further below. We started the evening with a glass of Champagne (fruit juice for Andy) and a selection of canapes: Kale and Parmesan Risotto Arancini Scallop, black pudding, pea pancake Whiskey glazed beef slider Chicken liver pate, onion marmalade Menu for the evening - was a lovely touch having a menu to remind us what we had chosen to try... my name was spelt wrong but our wedding coordinating did apologise for this! As long as its correct on the...