Organic Surge | Super Rich Body Butter in 'Lavender Meadow'

Body butters are an absolute must-have for me.  I kid you not, it's like the body butter version of Jenga on the sides of my bath right now - I'm obsessed.  I often have a few on the go at the same time and new to the towering stack is Organic Surge's 'Lavender Meadow' Super Rich Body Butter (£15.75*).  As winter takes its toll on my skin, I often find myself searching for something slightly richer than your average and Organic Surge's offering sounded sure to be just the ticket.  Enriched with natural oils and with a super-thick, buttery consistency - it's the perfect treat for dry, thirsty skin.  

The butter itself seems to have a pearlised effect when you take off the lid - it really is quite inviting and looks luxurious.  I have to say, the lavender scent really is quite strong.  Now, I love a dose of lavender as I find it helps me to sleep, but even for me - this is quite overpowering and floral.  It's not one that I'd apply before a night out as it could have a tendency to completely take over your perfume - but it's lovely for use in the evenings after a bath before you go sleep.  It's very soothing to the senses.  The butter itself is very thick in consistency and feels very rich - almost like a moisturising paste.  Personally, I found it took quite a while to get it to massage in but it doesn't leave a greasy residue whatsoever - in fact, it doesn't leave any sort of tacky feeling on the skin at all.  It's not what I expected and usually I do prefer for my skin to feel a little more 'quenched', but if you're the type who likes to moisturise and go then this would be perfect.  

Although it is without a doubt very moisturising, I'm not sure the consistency is for me.  I've been enjoying using it before bed - particularly on my arms and chest as I do find it helps to relax me if I'm feeling a bit stressed but I'm not sure if it would be an instant re-purchase for me.  It takes a little more working in than what I'm used to.  It's nice little treat to use in the evenings and seems to work best when your skin is a little warmer and you've just got out of the bath, but I prefer something a little more creamy. Overall though - I've enjoyed using it and I'd recommend it if you're really suffering with dry skin and want something a little more sumptuous.  You can find the Super Rich Body Butter on the Organic Surge website here, priced at £15.75*.

Festive Bath Soaks | Organic Surge & Conscious Skincare

I'm partial to a bath treat or two.  Especially near Christmas.  When the weather gets colder and the nights grow darker, there's nothing that de-stresses me more than a nice, hot bath and a lovely bath soak to sink in to.  I prefer oils and soaks compared to bubble baths - I find them much more fragrant and relaxing and I like the fact that they tend to be softer and more gentle on the skin.  I usually pop into Lush and treat myself to a festive bath bomb or two, but having sensitive skin, I find that something with a little more moisture works much better for me.  Enter these 2 new additions to my 'run up to Christmas' bathtime regime... I defy you not to crave a bath after reading this!

Organic Surge | Spiced Lily Foaming Bath | £5.99* | Link

I have to say, after trying a variety of their products the past couple of months, I really do love Organic Surge.  If you haven't tried them but fancy a little beauty/skin care treat then I really do recommend them. As soon as I saw the name of this bath soak - I knew it would be just my cup of tea.  The 'Spiced Lily' foaming bath soak has a lovely, festive aroma.  It's warming, relaxing and wintery without being too spicy or strong, and it fills the bathroom with a sweet smelling fragrance as soon as you pop it under the running water.  It creates a lovely layer of foam on the top of the water and feels gentle and soft on the skin - just what I look for in a bath soak.  It contains essential oils to de-stress and 'revive the body and mind' and contains aloe vera to help soothe the skin. The fact that it contains no synthetic colouring, fragrances or parabens and is free from chemical nasties means it is so gentle on even the most sensitive of skin. I really love this little soak - for £5.99 it really is worth the money and I'd definitely purchase another.  It's worth keeping your eyes peeled on Organic Surge's website - they often have little offers on and they have a gorgeous selection of products. Definitely worth a look if you haven't already!

Conscious Skincare | Grapefruit, Lemon and Cedarwood Bathsoak | £15.99* | Link

Ok. So the fragrance of this little soak isn't entirely 'festive' - but lets just take a moment to admire the reindeer packaging, shall we? Conscious Skincare really do know how to package a product and make it special, don't they?! I previously reviewed one of their fabulous body butters (link), and was really excited to try out their other signature scent - 'grapefruit, lemon and cedarwood'.  This bath soak is most definitely very relaxing - but with a little citrus kick! It's definitely one to use when you need a bit of uplifting - something to use when you've lost your mojo and need it back! It fills the room with a lovely, sweet scent which lingers on the skin long after you've stepped from the tub. At £15.99, it isn't the cheapest bath soak, but it's a really nice one to opt for if, like me, you're a fan of bathtime treats and fancy trying something completely different. It would also make a lovely Christmas gift. I explained in my previous post about the company and what they have to offer, so if you're a fan of natural products, hop on over and have a read here.

What bath products are you loving on the run-up to Christmas? Let me know your faves fellow bath fans!

Exclusive Beauty Blogger Bundle | Organic Surge

Organic Surge 'Exlusive Beauty Blogger Bundle' | £20.95* | Link

Organic Surge really has taken the blogger world by storm just recently - and for good reason too!  Not only are their products amazing but also competitively priced and free from any chemical nasties.  I was so excited to hear about the 'Beauty Blogger Bundle' - a package containing 4 of their most highly rated products which is exclusively available to beauty bloggers and their readers for a special discounted price of £20.95. If you've never tried Organic Surge but fancy giving them a whirl, the bundle is a fabulous opportunity to do so - as well as making a fabulous Christmas gift for a fellow beauty or skincare lover! So what's in the bundle and what did I make of the products?

Lavender Meadow Hand & Nail Cream | £4.95 | Link

This has to be my favourite product of the bunch and one that's going to become a winter favourite for me.  This hand cream is said to intensely nourish, comfort and moisturise and is enriched with organic lavender and geranium essential oils.  It's suitable for sensitive skin and also those prone to eczema - so it's really gentle without skimping on moisturising properties!  I love the consistency of this - it's really rich and creamy yet sinks in amazingly well - my hands aren't left feeling greasy for ages afterwards and yet still feel moisturised and soft.  The scent is also really uplifting and comforting - the hint of lavender isn't overpowering and it's become such a nice product to apply through the day. I also love that it contains cocoa butter and vitamin E - and the fact it's good for the nails too! Mine have been awful of late so it's great to have a little 2 in 1 cream! 

Blissful Daily Moisturiser | £8.49 | Link

This moisturiser is a dream to apply! It isn't fragranced but has that slight 'natural' smell that a lot of organic products seem to have - it's really nice and fresh.   It's the perfect balance between a thick gel and a rich cream - not too light, but then not overly rich or heavy. It's just a lovely in-between which is what makes it a perfect daily moisturiser for me.  It's a good one to apply in the morning before your makeup as it smooths the skin, sinks in relatively quick and leaves the skin feeling fresh, revitalised and moisturised for the day ahead.  It's also said to help rebalance dry and oily areas - which is a bonus if you're in the 'combination skin' camp like me.

Citrus Mint Shower Gel | £4.35 | Link

I'll be honest - I'm usually quite set in my ways when it comes to shower gel and I do find it hard to get excited about. However I must say that I like the fact that this one contains aloe vera to help soothe and calm the skin and help heal any irritation or blemishes.  I often find my skin gets a little dull and more blemish prone in the winter due to the weather change so I've found this little gel really nice to use. It's very creamy and foamy and you don't need much at all - it also doesn't strip the skin or contain any harsh chemicals.  The scent is really invigorating and it really does awaken the senses - definitely one for those early mornings when you've had a battle with the snooze button... We've all been there.

2 Minute Moisture Mask | £6.99 | Link 

Never one to turn my nose up at a hair mask, me!  I always like to use hair masks and treatments throughout the winter months - I find it helps combat dullness and dryness and generally just helps to keep my hair looking tip-top even when the weather isn't! This one contains coconut oil and plant extracts and targets weak or damaged hair shafts, protecting the hair and providing essential added moisture to help control frizz or fly-aways.  I really enjoy using this - the fact that you only need to leave it on for 2 minutes is great if you just want to hop in and out of the shower if you're having a hectic time of things.  It's not the most intensive mask I've ever used but it does help smooth away any split ends or frizzy areas and my hair always looks super shiny and soft afterwards.  Perfect for a quick fix pamper treatment - and the slight coconut scent doesn't go amiss either!

Overall, this is a really nice little bundle if you want to try a little bit of what Organic Surge has to offer.  At little over £5 for each product, it's not a bad deal and they would make perfect stocking fillers if you didn't want to keep everything for yourself! I have to say that the hand cream and the moisturiser sliiightly top the mark for me, but I've enjoyed using everything in this bundle and there's nothing I've tried from the brand so far that I haven't liked. You can purchase the blogger bundle at the discounted price through this special link, or take a look at what other fabulous products they have to offer here - even if you don't fancy everything in the bundle, it's worth having a look through their stuff! Everything is really reasonably priced and they also do a selection of other bundles if you're looking for Christmas presents. I've also recently reviewed their 'First Class Face Mask' here.

Have you tried any Organic Surge products? What have you got your eye on?

Organic Surge | First Class Mask

Organic Surge | First Class Mask | £8.49* | Link

It's fair to say that my skin has been in need of some TLC the past few weeks.  The colder weather really does take its toll on my skin and it's been feeling dryer, more 'clogged' and generally a little worse for wear.  I've been trying to detox a little bit in the hope of brightening my complexion as it does tend to get a little dull throughout the colder months - I've been putting extra effort and time into my skincare regime in order to get my skin looking tip-top once again.  I've been using this Organic Surge face mask now for a good number of weeks and it's fast become one of my go-to products for when I feel my skin needs an extra bit of rejuvenating! Their 'First Class Face Mask' deep-cleanses the skin and provides added moisture if it's feeling dehydrated - perfect for my combination skin! It contains calming chamomile and 'soothing marshmallow', as well as natural oils and plant extract.   The rosemary and lemon oils really come through in the scent of the product - it's very fresh,calming and gentle - with a little citrus kick!

I find the consistency very creamy - it works a treat on my combination skin and it adds moisture to any drier areas without being overly heavy.  It smooths out really easily and I find it very easy to get a smooth, even coverage across my face.  I simply cleanse my skin as normal, massage some of this on afterwards (I find 2-3 pumps works best for me) and leave it to sink in for 5 minutes or so.  It really is that simple.  Sometimes, I get put off using face masks because I can't be bothered with the mess of removing it or the whole twiddling my thumbs and waiting for it to dry thing - but the First Class Mask is so quick and fuss-free that I can even apply this in the morning before uni.  It doesn't harden like other face masks, and the cream sinks in to the skin without leaving any white residue - in fact, I walked downstairs with a full face of this and nobody batted an eyelid! After the 5 minutes is up, I simply wash off with warm water and pat dry with a towel and my skin is left feeling fresh, smooth and ready to face the day.  I find it leaves my skin feeling moisturised, looking brighter and in better condition - any blemishes or red areas feel calmer and I always feel that my skin feels much healthier afterwards.  The bottle says that you can actually apply this and leave it overnight for an intense treatment if your skin really is crying out for some love -  I can imagine this would be a fabulous way to use the product if you were suffering with dry skin.  It really is so gentle that you can leave it on as long as you like.

The Organic Surge First Class Mask retails for £8.49* - in my opinion, a really good price for such a versatile, gentle face mask. I use this once or twice weekly and I feel that my skin instantly feels and looks much better once I've used it.  The fuss free, easy to use pump action bottle only adds to its appeal for me and it's worked a treat on my sensitive skin. If you fancy having a read up on ingredients (there's some good stuff in there!) or further details, you can find the Organic Surge Website here. You can also find their products on the John Lewis website.

Have you tried any Organic Surge products? What's your favourite face mask currently?! I'd love to know some more good'uns!

Handmade Body Butter | Conscious Skincare

Conscious Skincare - Body Butter | £18.99* | Link 

I actually think I have an addiction to body butters.  There's a stack of them that live on my bathroom shelf and to be honest, it's starting to get a little bit out of hand - a rather impressive tower of tubs!  One more won't hurt, right? Of course not - a girl can never have too many body butters!  When I first heard about Conscious Skincare - I was sold instantly on the brand and its ethos.  Handmade in Wales by a lady named 'Rebecca Martin', these body care products really are the definition of organic and honest.  Every single ingredient used serves a purpose; nothing is added for the sake of filling a tub or adding a bit of colour and all products are free from preservatives, synthetics and chemicals. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to ensure high ethical standards and fair trade, and everything is packaged using recycled materials.  As well as this, each product is lovingly handmade at the company's rural retreat in Wales.  How lovely is that?!  There's a lot of organic brands out there these days, but this one really does have such a personal, homely feel about it.

What sets this body butter aside is the texture.  It really is unlike any body butter I've ever tried and it's very satisfying to the touch! It has a gorgeous whipped, moussey texture that feels very light and airy - it simply melts into the skin.  It is very much a 'butter' rather than a cream or gel - even down to the fact it melts with the warmth of your skin.  The consistency sinks in fairly easily, but it does seem to leave a little bit of 'sheen' - almost like a residue - but I'm guessing this is down to the pure organic ingredients and it's easy to overlook.   I wasn't so sure about this at first as it felt a little strange, but the moisturising properties are undoubtedly really really good and the skin is left feeling really smooth and soft afterwards (it contains shea butter and rich cocoa butter, as well as coconut oil - so it really does moisturise the skin).  It's unlike any other body butter I've tried.  The only thing I wasn't blown away by is the scent.  It's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I lean more towards girly, softer scents.  It's definitely got a citrus kick to it, and combined with the texture it somewhat reminds me of orange cheesecake or lemon meringue! Although it's not my favourite scent ever, I still enjoy using it - and the citrus hint is actually quite uplifting -  it's just probably not one I'd apply before going out of an evening.  The body butter also comes in 'Grapefruit, Lemon and Cedarwood' - which might be more up my street.  I have a bath soak on it's way in this scent - so I'm looking forward to giving it a whirl.

Overall,  I've been impressed with Conscious Skincare.  Not only with the amazing, unique texture of the body butter but also with the ethos of the company.  This would make a lovely gift for someone who's very into their organic, natural products - and it really is unlike any other butter I've tried! The texure really is what makes this body butter for me - I find it lovely to apply and the mousse consistency is lovely and creamy. I have to say I really love the simplicity of the packaging too - the little aluminium tin is really lightweight and makes a lovely addition to your bathroom shelf.  For the skin care addicts amongst you, it's worth having a little nosey at their facial products too - they have some lovely bits and bobs!

You can find out more about Conscious Skincare over on their website.

Have you tried Conscious Skincare? Are you addicted to body butters like me!?