Bath and Body Works Mad About You

Valentine's Day is in the air and nearly every beauty product line is releasing something special to celebrate this time of the year and I can't even be too much of a Grumpy Cat this year.  My personal mission is to find a great new fragrance to match the dress that I have picked out for the big day and I am starting right now with testing and searching out new blends.  I still have more than a week to find a new perfume but it has been snowing almost every week since the beginning of December and more than shopping trip has been cancelled due to weather over the past two months.  Let's see if this trend continues for the rest of the month...at the rate that the snow is coming down, we might be able to celebrate Valentine's Day by the beginning of March.

Last month, Bath and Body Works releases three new fragrances for the beginning of spring and I am eagerly looking forward to pulling out my Sky body products once the snow begins to melt.  This isn't what I had in mind for Valentine's Day though so I will be keeping it in the bag for the next few weeks.  I want a pretty, girly floral scent for Valentine's Day and maybe something with roses or peonies as a heart note.  I do see that Bath and Body Works released a new scent at the beginning of this week and this is one that I considered for my Valentine's Day fragrance.  Mad About You even sounds like the perfect date night perfume...

I was first attracted to this fragrance because of the beautiful bottle of the Eau de Toilette but the fragrance inside just wasn't for me.  "A love-struck pairing of soft peonies & black currant kissed with creamy vanilla musk.", states the Bath and Body Works website.  The top notes of the perfume are:  Black Currant, Luscious Strawberry, Sparkling Cassis.  The middle notes are: Ginger Lily, Bright Peony, Pink Jasmine.  The base notes are: Amber Wood, White Patchouli, Vanilla Musk.

This fragrance starts out all berry on me, its too sweet and berry notes often do not work well with my skin chemistry.  I tried to get through this phase of the fragrance and hope that it works better once the floral notes start to come out.  The peony note is too faint for me, the Black Currant and Cassis overpower all of the floral notes and keep this fragrance more berry than floral.  Berry notes sour on me and this one quickly follows that same path, the sweet notes quickly go sour and the whole fragrance is then just bad.  It reminds me of exactly the way that the Juicy fragrances react on me and why I tend to stay away from them. 

The EDT was very strong and lasted through a shower on me so I would give this fragrance full marks for staying power.  I tried the Lotion on my hand but this form was no better on me.  It had too much berry for me and soured within a few minutes of application.  This fragrance was a dud in all forms for me.  Such a shame since the bottle of just so pretty...

Mad About You is available in all the traditional Signature Collection forms along with the new Diamond Shimmer and a Whipped Shimmer Mousse that debuted sometime in the last holiday season.  The following forms can be found in this fragrance: Fine Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, Body Scrub, Luxury Bubble Bath, and EDT.  The two shimmer forms are relatively newer and would be great choices for going out.

The Diamond Shimmer Mist is the newest version of a shimmer mist from this company.  I do not believe that any of the old ones are available so I assume that this is the new shimmer line.  "Dazzle with Diamonds! Infused with real diamond dust, our luxurious Diamond Shimmer Mist kisses skin with irresistible fragrance and gorgeous sparkle.", is the product description available on the company's website.  I wonder how much diamond dust is actually found in this product...

This is a nice fragrance for those for those who can wear berry notes, I can't and this ruins the whole fragrance for me.  I was hoping for something more floral and I know that I am going to have to keep searching for a new fragrance for the holiday or wear a current favorite in my collection (if the snow keeps me home the way that it has been).

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

LUSH Honey I Washed The Kids Bar Soap

Late winter is the time of the years when my skin is the driest and I have found that I benefit from swapping out my Bath and Body Works Shower Gels for more gentle bar soap formulas.  This always means that I need to have a decent-sized LUSH order made well before the end of December.  This usually presents no problems as I order from them in late fall once their Christmas collection releases and then I often order again right after Christmas so that I can grab up some last items from their big sale.  This time around, I decided to order a combination of holiday products and a few of the best sellers that I haven't tried yet.  One of the best sellers that I ordered is the best-selling Honey I Washed The Kids Bar Soap and I am regretting that I only ordered one bar of it...

Honey I Washed The Kids has been a cult LUSH product that I remember ever since I started shopping the brand in 2008.  This caramel-scented product is perfect the fall and winter and I can easily see why this is one of the best sellers of the brand.

"This is one of our best-selling soaps and it's no wonder why: it's simply irresistible!  One sniff and you'll need this sweet caramel fragrance in your life.  But get ready to share, because it's so gentle, buttery, and scrumptious that you'll have a hard time keeping it to yourself.  We use real honey and beeswax in every batch to soothe skin, while honey water and aloe help soften and moisturize, leaving the whole family clean and smelling bee-autiful.", states the LUSH website.

The star ingredient in this product is Honey, a natural humectant and hydrator.  I have used honey in my winter skincare for years now and this ingredient (plus the smell!) are what made my try this Bar Soap over some of the other ones that they offer.  Honey will attract moisture from the atmosphere and pull it into the skin and the thicker texture of this ingredient will also help keep moisture locked into the skin.  This is exactly what I need at this time of the year and I will be using this product until it runs out.

I have tried using this product applied directly to wet skin and applied to a washcloth.  I tend to prefer my bar soaps applied directly to wet skin, they will usually lather less and help my skin stay hydrated for longer periods.  I still liked it when applied with a washcloth but I would prefer to use it right on wet skin in the shower.  I have also found that applying the product directly to my skin makes the soap lasts longer and I should be able to use the same bar until the beginning of March.

The caramel fragrance is light and wonderful, this is pretty fragrance for fall and winter but will be too heavy in the warm weather months.  The scent remains lightly on my skin but fills the whole bathroom with fragrance, this is typical of most LUSH bar soaps and is one of the major reasons that I keep purchasing them over and over.

I can't say that Honey I Washed The Kids is any more or less hydrating than any of the other LUSH Bar Soaps that I have used in the past.  All of their Bar Soaps hydrate my skin nicely and I will continue to order these every year.  I will order another bar of this product once the cooler weather starts to roll around again!

photo courtesy of LUSH

Bath and Body Works Sky, Air, Sun

Bath and Body Works has just began to bring out the beginning of their spring line and I can say that everyone that lives in this area is ready for something bright and pretty, the snow has been piling up for the past month and there seems to be no end in sight to the cold and ice.  The Polar Vortex has been the big trend for this winter and I want to smell something that will remind me that spring does really exist even though I will not be able to wear any type of fragrance like these for at least two or three more months. 

Bath and Body Works has brought out their spring candles, hand soaps, and a line of limited edition fragrances called Sky, Air, Sun.  These are three new fragrances that are bright florals and will be perfect for the very beginning of spring and I first smelled these scents at the very beginning of January when the company previewed the small lotions during their Semi Annual Sale.  Now all three fragrances are out in the store and I am deciding what scents I will be adding to my collection.  Sky, Air, Sun consists of three fragrances: Sky (Violet Lily), Air (Pear Blossom), and Sun (Golden Magnolia).  Pear Blossom was a fragrance that I loved from this company when I was in college and I have nothing left of it, I got so excited when I first saw these names because I hoped that this Pear Blossom was the same as that one.  Sadly it isn't but it is a pretty fragrance all the same.

We will start with the Pear Blossom Air since I have already began talking about the old version of this perfume.  "Pear Blossom Air is an invigorating blend of crisp green pear, fresh gardenia and narcissus leaf, with whispers of crisp mandarin vapor and white musk."  The top notes of this fragrance are: Crisp Mandarin Vapor, Grapefruit, Red Apple, Crisp Greens.  The heart notes are: Crisp Green Pear, Narcissus, Gardenia.  The base notes are: Heliotrope, Cedar wood, Driftwood, White Musk.  This fragrance is more of a light white floral and less of the great pear and floral mix that the first fragrance was, this one is pretty but it is a bit too light for me to wear.  I prefer the Annick Goutal Petite Cherie when I want to wear a pear fragrance in the early spring.  I would consider the body products in this fragrance but I would not wear the Fine Fragrance Mist.

The next fragrance is the Violet Lily Sky, my favorite of the three and one of the most unique fragrances that I have ever smelled from this company.  "A heavenly blend of fresh violet blooms, sparkling bergamot and pink pepper, floating on a cloud of whipped lily petals and sheer sandalwood."  I do not remember ever smelling a combination of violet and lily flowers and I love this combination.  The top notes are:  Pomelo, Pink Pepper, Sparkling Bergamot Juice.  The middle notes are: Honeysuckle, Fresh Violet Blooms, Gardenia Water, Whipped Lily Petals.  The bottom notes of the fragrance are: Sheer Sandalwood, White Amber, Sensual Musks.  I know that I will want the body products in this fragrance but am currently deciding on purchasing the fragrance itself.

The last fragrance is the warmest of the three and would be better later spring or summer, it reminds me very much of the old fragrance Forever Sunshine.  "Golden Magnolia Sun is a luminous blend of pink magnolia, golden apricot and sun kissed peony, blooming with a touch of sensual vanilla and cassis nectar."  This is a mix of magnolia and apricot and I like it but I don't know that I love it, there is just something in it that turns me off when I tried the lotion on for the first time.  The top notes are:  Cassis Nectar, Mandarin, Apricot, Lotus flower, Leaves.  The middle notes are:  Jasmine, Peony, Water Orchid, Sheer Freesia, Pink Magnolia.  The bottom notes are: Caramel, Vanilla, Amber.  I just don't know what I don't like in this fragrance when I put it on, it smells pretty in the bottle but this isn't the fragrance for me.

I love the Violet Lily Sky, this one will be mine in the body products but I don't know that I would use the Fine Fragrance Mist in this scent.  The Golden Magnolia Sun is pretty in the bottle but I will need to skip over it since one or more of these notes just doesn't work when I try to wear it, this one will not be a choice for me.  The Pear Blossom Air is one that I am on the fence about, I don't know that I will be picking it up.  I like the pear note but I don't like how the florals were mixed into it, I doubt that I would buy anything in this fragrance since I certainly don't need any new body products.

The fragrances come in the typical Signature Collection products; Fine Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, Foaming Scrub, and a newer product called the Diamond Shimmer Mist.  The Diamond Shimmer Mist is a product that was just introduced and replaces all the old shimmer products.  I saw the old shimmer products on a Sale table so I would guess that this is the only shimmer product that will be carried by this company.  "Dazzle with Diamonds! Infused with real diamond dust, our luxurious Diamond Shimmer Mist kisses skin with irresistible fragrance and gorgeous sparkle."  I am not shimmer lady so this will not be a product that will be added to my collection...

Spring is a still a very long way away and the prediction for next month is even more snow so I will be picking up some of the Violet Lily Sky products to put away for a few months.  At least spring fragrances get closer each day...

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Fresh Seaberry Exfoliating Soap

I have been spending much more time than usual at the Fresh counter in my local Sephora and I have been picking more and more items up from this company than I ever have before.  I have quickly become addicted to their face masks and I now want to pick up their face oil once I finish up my current bottle of Josie Maran Argan Oil.  One of my last purchases from Fresh was a highly rated bar soap and one that I have been loving for my dry winter skin.  I have always had dry skin on my body every winter but this has been a rather harsh winter so far and my skin has had far more dry patches than normal.  I normally used shower gels (or a rare bar soap) from Bath and Body Works or LUSH and I tend to look to very few other companies for body products.  I decided to branch out a bit and try a body product from a company that has been producing some of my favorite face products so far.

Fresh has a pretty large line of body products and I will need to order more of these in the coming months.  I started with a bar soap that multiple sales associates at Sephora recommended to me for helping to treat and soothe very dry winter skin.  The Fresh Seaberry Exfoliating Soap is just one product in their range of bar soaps and I am ready to pick up another bar of this product as soon as I run out of it.  I don't know that I will be using this product all throughout the year and I am sure that I will go back to my favorite Bath and Body Works shower gels once spring comes.  I have been using this bar soap every morning for the past few days and I have been very impressed so far.

"A triple-milled soap that gently buffs away dry, dull skin while cleansing the body to reveal a smooth complexion.  Seaberry Exfoliating Soap gently buffs away dry, dull skin while cleansing the body to even skin tone and reveal a radiant glow. The nourishing formula is fortified with seaberry oil, a powerful antioxidant rich in omegas that restores and softens the skin. Natural exfoliants of cranberry, bamboo, and bitter orange help diminish dehydrated skin, while shea butter nourishes and hydrates. Triple-milled to last longer, it produces a rich, non-drying lather for a luxurious cleansing experience.", states the Sephora website.

The website also provides a quick story about the history of this ingredient (as it does for nearly every Fresh product), "The story of seaberry: “When I was two, living in a small town in East Siberia, I tipped over a pot of boiling water and burned my arm. The doctor treated me with a pasty orange salve that I later learned was seaberry oil. Native to Siberia, this restorative oil has been used for generations as a natural cure.”—Lev Glazman, Fresh Co-founder".  High quality ingredients are very important to Fresh as a brand and they are known for providing all kinds of background about their products and the active ingredients contained in them.

I have been using this bar soap only in the morning and keeping with my traditional routine of Bath and Body Works shower gels and body moisturizers at night.  I like this product in the morning because it smells very fresh and helps me to wake up in the shower.  It also gently scrubs off the dead skin and leaves hydrating ingredients in its place.  I love that this bar soap rinses clean and leaves no residue on the skin, a great feeling for before I get dressed and go to work.  I really don't have any cons about this product and I will be purchasing another bar of it once my current bar runs out.  It seems like Fresh has more shower gels than bar soaps so I will check many of those out once the weather starts to warm up and my skin is a bit less dry overall.

photo courtesy of Fresh

Bath and Body Works Velvet Sugar

The holidays are less than three weeks away and I am done with my Christmas shopping and am trying my hardest to stay away from the mall.  I did have to run over the other day and was able to try out the new fragrance that Bath and Body Works has just brought out to finish the holiday season up and I know that I will not need it for either myself or anyone on my shopping list.  Bath and Body Works fragrances aren't really doing much for me lately, the only one that has worked for me since the beginning of last fall was Forever Midnight and I haven't even been using this one on a regular basis.  I have been loving all the candles and other Home Fragrance items that have come out this holiday season but the fragrances just aren't winners for me.  Maybe next spring will bring some new ones for me...

Velvet Sugar is the Bath and Body Works version of Pink Sugar, a fragrance that I wore in college and got over as soon as I finished up my bottles of the perfume and the matching body products.  I wanted to like this fragrance for the same reason that I love the Vanilla Bean Noel fragrance, I love sweet cupcake fragrances around the holidays and then will use them all the way through Valentine's Day.  It's a good thing that I buy Vanilla Bean Noel body products every single year and have a good stock pile of them to use once the stores are sold out of the fragrance.  I wanted to like this fragrance and add the body products to my line up but this one just isn't for me.

Velvet Sugar is said to be modeled after a Red Velvet Cupcake, one of my favorite desserts and one of the best holiday candles that Bath and Body Works has come out with this season.  "Savor every moment of this sweetly sumptuous blend of red velvet créme and golden plum laced with a swirl of sugared musk, pink jasmine and wild strawberries. Too much is never enough."  The top notes are: Wild Strawberries, White Nectarine, Pear Blossom, Apple Nectar.  The middle notes of the fragrance are:  Pink Jasmine, Golden Plum, Red Velvet Créme, Dewy Honeysuckle, Freesia.  The base notes are: Golden Amber, Vanilla , Tolu Balsam, Caramel, Baileys Créme, Sugared Musk. 

What is Tolu Balsam and what is it doing in this fragrance?!  I tried this fragrance in the EDP and the matching Body Lotion and didn't fall in love with either.  I loved the perfume bottle and actually wanted to love this fragrance just to have it sitting on my bureau but I couldn't bring myself to buy the perfume just to set the bottle out.  This fragrance is all strawberries, sugar, sweet musk, and more sugar.  I think I got a tooth ache from just trying this fragrance on...

The perfume is a mixture of the berry and sugar on me and then it settles down into the musk note, I got several compliments on the fragrance when I was wearing it but I still didn't like the way that it smelled.  The lotion was more sugar and the shower gel was more strawberry, I considered buying the body products but I didn't love the fragrance enough to add more products to my already overloaded bureau and shower caddy.  Maybe I will revisit this fragrance around Valentine's Day and see if my views on it change.

I put up a picture of the EDP in this fragrance because I love the packaging so much.  The rest of the packaging and products are more in line with the traditional Signature Collection products.  You can purchase the following products in this fragrance: Fine Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, Luxury Bubble Bath, and Shimmer Mist.  I am only considering the body products to be worthy of retrying next Valentine's Day, I cannot wear any of the fragrances in Velvet Sugar and doubt that my mind will change any time soon.

This hasn't been the best fall season for fragrances for me from this company but the candles and matching Wallflower Bulbs have been spot on and are one of the best holiday collections that I have seen in several years from this company.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Caudalie Divine Oil

I have decided that the China Glaze collection that we looked at the other day will be my last holiday collection of the year.  Many of the special gifts that were put out by Tarte and Stila are already sold out and I cannot see the point in showcasing products and collections that are sold out and have little to no chance of being restocked.  I am guessing that I started my holiday collection coverage a bit too late this year, other blogs had pictures of products from these two brands up in the end of September...a time when I was in no mood to even think about the holidays.  I am also starting to get excited for spring after reading the Spring Trend Report in the last issue of Allure.  I think that I will have coverage of the upcoming spring trends coming within the next three weeks.

Today I wanted to focus on a great skincare product from Caudalie, I have been loving the Divine Oil as my skin is changing with the end of the fall and the beginning of the winter season.  I bought this product at the end of October and saved it until my skin got a bit drier as the temperatures dropped.  I bought this oil to use as a body moisturizer but I didn't realize that it could be used on the hair and face also.  I have only tried it on my body and sprayed into my hair so I can't comment on facial use but I can review how it worked in the other two scenarios. 

"A luxurious dry oil that provides nourishing moisture and lasting comfort to body, face, and hair.  Divine Oil contains a blend of grape seed, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils combined with patented grape seed antioxidant polyphenols to leave skin soft, visibly firm, and radiant. Perfect as a post-sun product, its glamorous texture is instantly absorbed, imparting a subtle, floral, and sunkissed fragrance.", states the Sephora website. 

Caudalie is a brand that it well known for using grapes as a main ingredient, the anti-oxidant benefits of grapes and wine are becoming more popular in both the United States and Europe.  This brand has harnessed the power of grapes ever since its first few products and I have used this brand for many years.  I always get excited when new products come out and I have wanted to try this oil for the past few months.  I had wanted to order the oil since late last winter and forgot until the weather warmed up too much to reap all the benefits of oil.  I tend to use oils more in the fall and winter but this oil is light enough that I could it in all but the warmest months of the summer.

The key ingredients contained in this multi-purpose oil are...

- Grape Oil: Rejuvenates and nourishes.
- Extra Virgin Argan Oil: Restores hydrolipidic film.
- Sesame Oil: Softens and moisturizes.
- Patented Anti-oxidant Grape Seed Polyphenols    

Divine Oil provides a light spray of oil all over the body or hair.  I spray it right onto the skin and then rub it in with my hands, it hydrates quickly and leaves little to no residue on the skin.  I also liked to use it as a pre-shampoo oil treatment on the ends of my hair.  I shied away from using this oil on my face as it has a bit more fragrance contained in it than I normally like to use on my face. 

The fragrance is a light floral with a hint of green notes.  It is a slightly more floral version of their best selling perfume and I would also love a perfume in this fragrance for the spring.  The fragrance will let me use this oil into the warmer weather and I will see how long I can use it into the spring and summer months.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Bath and Body Works Forever Midnight

My major thoughts of the beginning of this month are surrounding all the work that I will have to do to get ready for the holidays.  I hate thinking about Christmas before I even have my Halloween costume picked out but now that holiday has come and gone last week and everything is beginning to get decorated for the holidays that are rapidly arriving.  It seems like every store in the mall is decked out and getting ready and Bath and Body Works is leading the pack with brand new holiday items.  Holiday was one of my favorite times of the year there and I have always had a soft spot for Vanilla Bean Noel and buy lots of holiday candles.  Last year, Bath and Body Works broke from its trend of cozy holiday scents (Vanilla Bean Noel, Winter Candy Apple) and introduced a beautiful fragrance named Forever Red that I still consider one of my favorites in my collection.  Thanks to the tremendous success of that fragrance, Bath and Body Works has released another fragrance in the Forever line this holiday season, Forever Midnight. 

Forever Red had distinctive notes of Pomegranate, Osmanthus, and Vanilla Rum and wears differently on every lady that I have ever smelled it on.  This fragrance could be worn day and night and I have worn it from work to class to getting dressed up, this is one of the few fragrances that works in every scenario that I have ever worn it in.  Forever Midnight is a very different style of fragrance, this fragrance is more much about getting dressed up for dates and holiday parties, hence the name "Midnight", this is perfect time of the year to release a fragrance this like!

I love that the Forever fragrances are offered in an Eau de Parfum, I put the Forever Red EDP on in the morning and I can still smell it by the end of my night class.  I am hoping that I can use this fragrance when getting dressed up in the evening and then not need to touch it up at all.  "An irresistible blend of night-blooming vanilla orchid & luscious plum nectar warmed by rich caramel liqueur.", states the Bath and Body Works website. 

The top notes of Forever Midnight are: Plum Nectar, Apple Blossom, Caramelized Pear.  The heart notes are: Night Blooming Vanilla Orchid, Midnight Jasmine, Gardenia.  The base notes are: Caramel Liqueur, Whipped Meringue, Sandalwood.  I tried this fragrance earlier today in the store and decided that the perfume would be my first purchase from this new fragrance line.  The perfume smells very deep on my skin and the Vanilla Orchid and Jasmine come out the strongest on me and this is a very feminine floral fragrance for me.  I have already purchased the large bottle of the EDP and want to go back for more of the body products in the coming weeks.  This scent might be my new favorite for the holiday parties!

This fragrance comes out in many of the same forms as Forever Red: EDP, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, Fine Fragrance Mist, and all forms of small products.  I wished that this fragrance came in the Rollerball form that I bought the Forever Red fragrance but since that product was discontinued, I wasn't surprised that Midnight wasn't released in it.  So far, I have bought the EDP, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, and Triple Moisture Body Cream.  The Triple Moisture Body Cream holds a special place in my heart because the package features the skyline of Park Avenue on front.  This makes me think of Sex and the City and the scene in Season Four where Samantha meets Richard on the rooftop pool in the middle of the night.  I might have bought the product for just the packaging but I am glad that I like the product inside the pretty package too!

This fragrance will be harder to wear than Forever Red, it is much stronger and more musky.  It will appeal to a special type of customer and at a special time.  I hesitate to call this a hit for this company, I cannot see how many of their holiday customers will try this fragrance out with their Holiday candles and hand soaps.  It will make a lovely gift and I can see it being giving to many women by the men in their lives.  This scent will appeal to their customers who prefer to buy fragrances from Macy*s and Sephora and tend to use Bath and Body Works for other types of items.   I fall into this category and know that I will wear this fragrance when getting dressed up for the holidays and then throughout the winter months.

Happy Holidays!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

L'Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil

The whole time that I worked at Bath and Body Works in college, we were always getting customers requesting body products with almond in them.  We never carried anything like this so I have always been curious as to what the obsession with almond is.  I have only ever found one brand that carried almond body products and I recently purchased a shower gel to try and understand what the magic of almond is.  The brand that I purchased the almond cleanser from is the French brand L'Occitane and this is the first body product that I have used from them. 

L'Occitane has an entire line of almond products and I decided to start with the cleansing body wash, multiple associates from Sephora suggested this as a great winter body wash for dry skin.  It is not technically a "body wash" as a "cleansing oil".  The Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil is going to be my morning body wash for the middle of the winter, this is a hydrating product that will help my skin to retain moisture in the worst of the cold weather months.

"A decadent body cleanser that is rich in almond oil and features a foaming oil-to-milk texture that leaves skin satiny-smooth.  Start moisturizing in the shower with this indulgent cleanser. The shower oil contains almond oil, naturally rich in omega 6 fatty acids to help soften the skin. The unique formula transforms into a milky foam upon contact with water, leaving a mouthwatering scent of fresh almonds for a true moment of delight. This oil also makes a great base for shaving.  Almonds are an incredibly delicate fruit to grow: the best almonds require cool air without ever freezing. L'Occitane almonds are sourced from a very special region in Haute Provence, where some of the most delicious and nutritious almonds grow. L'Occitane supports the sustainability of almond trees in the region, as these trees, while difficult to grow, are a staple to the beauty of the Provencal landscape.", states the Sephora website.

I first tried using this like a traditional body wash and used it with a shower pouf.  This was a big mistake as it doesn't foam up and it covered my pouf but never really transferred to my skin.  The second time that I used this was much better.  I poured a bit out into my hands and then rubbed my wet hands together to heat up and distribute the product.  I then used my hands to apply it right to my wet skin.  Once the product had contact with water, it turned into a rich, milky lather on my skin.  It rinses clean and left a slight almond fragrance on my skin. 

I was able to skip the lotion after this product, it didn't strip my skin like traditional body washes and helped to jump start the hydration process right in the shower.  This product will be amazing when my skin gets very dry in the winter months and tends to dry out by the time that I am getting out of the shower in the morning. 

After using this product, I can understand why people love almond oil and the almond fragrance.  I would like to add more products from this line into my body product collection throughout this winter and I look forward to trying more body products from the company to my line up.

photo courtesy of Sephora

LUSH Karma Bar Soap

I have been on the fence about trying the LUSH Karma Bar Soap for quite a long time, I can stand the scent of patchouli but I don't think that I love it enough to use it on my body.  This is a cult LUSH product so I really wanted to see what all the hype was about and decide for myself if this is a fragrance that I could wear in small doses.  I don't mind patchouli notes in perfume and they were well on my skin so I thought that I would be able to wear it on my skin.  Turns out...I can't and this is not the Bar Soap for me.

I waited for cooler weather to arrive before I tried this strongly fragranced soap and I will only use this soap at night.  Even with the advent of fall, this fragrance is still too strong on my skin to use during the day.  As much as I love LUSH soaps, this is not the fragrance for me and I will use this one bar and then not order it again.

"An all-time classic, Karma is the ultimate LUSH scent. Spicy patchouli is complemented with refreshing lemongrass, orange oil and pine oil to create a clean and lovely smell that lasts on the skin for ages after you've washed. One whiff and you'll be hooked - for this life and the next. There's enough Karma fragrance in each bar to perfume your whole body each time you wash, and transport you back to the days of free love and flower power. Give yourself good Karma; if you've been mindful and brimming with loving kindness, this is the soap to reward you.", states the LUSH website. 

This soap performs very similarly to the rest of the LUSH Bar Soaps that are translucent, foams up well and rinses clean without drying skin out.  I have no issues with the way that this soap performs. The reason that this soap is not for me is the fragrance, it reminds me of entering a head shop and this is not a fragrance that I can wear.  Incense doesn't bother me in small doses but I cannot wear this fragrance on my skin.  I was hoping that a bar soap would leave the lightest amount of fragrance but this is still too strong for me so I cannot buy this product again.

This is a very polarizing product, people either love or hate this fragrance however this same effect tends to occur anytime that patchouli is used in a fragrance.  I cannot wear this fragrance on my skin, the only aspect of this fragrance that I like is the smell that is leaves in my shower after I get out.  It reminds me a bit of the yoga studio after a class and I love that fragrance.  I am realistic enough to think that this fragrance would begin to annoy me toward the end of the bar.

I love and will continue to order LUSH Bar Soaps but this cult product is just not the fragrance for me.

photo courtesy of LUSH

Bath and Body Works Amber Blush

Bath and Body Works has released a new fragrance for the fall and early winter and it brings the revamping of their Signature Collection products with it.  Fall has just started and it is time for many of us to start looking for new fragrances and body products to use as the weather is really changing.  The Fall Traditions fragrances came out again this year before Labor Day and I skipped over them because they are basically the exact same fragrances that we get every single year and I have never found any of them to be all that great (unless you LOVE pumpkin) and wasn't wasting my time on them this year.  I am glad that I kept waiting and now can feel free to buy another fragrance this fall.

Amber Blush was released earlier than I had first heard but I am glad to see and try a new fragrance for fall.  This is a strong berry fragrance was is a disappointment for me, most berry fragrances either go very sweet or very sour on me and I tend to only be able to wear berries when they are mixed with strong florals.  I doubted that this fragrance would be a keeper for me and I was right after trying out the Fragrance Mist and the Lotion, the lotion is ok on me but the mist goes much too sweet for me to wear on a daily basis.

"Capture the sensual warmth and luxury of a romantic getaway! Raspberry champagne & gardenia petals mingle with a seductive kiss of crystallized amber for an ultra-feminine scent.", states the Bath and Body Works website when providing us with a fragrance description.  The top notes of the fragrance are: Sparkling Bergamot, Juicy Mandarin, Raspberry Champagne.  The heart notes are: Jasmine, Gardenia Petals, Star Anise, Apricot Nectar, Magnolia Blossom.  The base notes are: Creamy Vanilla Suede, Crystalized Amber, Golden Sandalwood, Soft Musk.

I get all the Raspberry Champagne from this fragrance and next to none of the other notes...especially not the floral notes that are in the brew.  This fragrance starts out with the raspberry and a bit of tart champagne but the champagne quickly fades away and the fragrance wears as a very sweet raspberry on me.  I don't get much of the amber notes or any of the bottom notes and this fragrance fades pretty quickly since it has little to no base.  This is not the best fragrance for me and I will not able to wear it, the raspberry annoys me and gives me quite a headache.  The Fine Fragrance Mist was awful on me and will not be coming home with me.

The fragrance comes in the full range of Signature Collection forms: EDT, Fine Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, Golden Sugar Scrub, and Shimmer Mist.  The EDT is better than the Fine Fragrance Mist for me, it is less sweet and the tart champagne note is much stronger.  I bought the small sample of it earlier this month and have been wearing it the past few days, I like it in the EDT but don't love it enough to purchase the full size bottle.  I get sick of this fragrance quickly, I can only wear it two or three days in a row before I tire of it and want to switch over to another fragrance. 

The lotion and shower gel is in this fragrance are better for me than the EDT or Fine Fragrance Mist and the only items that I would consider purchasing.  The body products are still slightly too sweet for me to like, I prefer sweet vanilla scents to sweet berry scents and know that I wouldn't get very much use from the body products and therefore there isn't much of a point in my purchasing them.  If you like berry scents, then you will love this fragrance but I will be skipping over it and setting some cash aside for when the Holiday Traditions body products come out!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

C.O. Bigelow Coconut Body Cleanser

Fall may be quickly on its way but I will not stop using coconut fragranced body products any time soon, I am still in love with Bath and Body Works' Malibu Heat and will be very sad when I finish my last shower gel in the product.  I have been alternating that scent with the C.O. Bigelow Coconut body products and I am really happy to add another coconut to my body product collection.

I first used this collection years ago when I was in college and it was released at Bath and Body Works.  Some of their stores still carry it but it is very disappointing to see how much the line has shrunk over the years and I have taken to ordering the products from the C.O. Bigelow website.  This website carries the full line of products that are available at the apothecary in the West Village and I am planning to visit there one day soon.  Until that day occurs, I will just be doing a good amount of online shopping to get my goodies from this company.  I first started using the newest body product collection with the Lime and Coriander fragrance and was very impressed with the quality of the shower gel.  This time around, I ordered the products in the Coconut fragrance. 

We are starting with the body wash and then moving onto the matching body lotion.  The C.O. Bigelow website states, "This refreshing body cleanser provides a rich, creamy lather while gently cleansing the skin. Formulated with hydrating sodium PCA (a naturally occurring humectant that draws moisture to the skin) and soothing aloe vera to help skin maintain a perfect moisture balance. Fragranced with a sensual blend of toasted coconut and creamy coconut milk."

"This silky, moisturizing body lotion provides lightweight moisture while conditioning the skin. Formulated to soften and replenish skin with moisturizing olive and borage oils and soothing aloe vera for super healthy skin, day after day. Fragranced with a sensual blend of toasted coconut and creamy coconut milk.", states the C.O. Bigelow website in the product description of the matching body lotion. 

The C.O. Bigelow Coconut is less of the "suntan lotion" type of coconut fragrance and reminds me more the old Bath and Body Works Exotic Coconut fragrance.  There is a strong note of coconut at the heart of the fragrance but the almond and sandalwood notes develop more as the lotion remains on my skin.  This is a deeper and richer coconut fragrance than the ones that I had been using throughout the summer and will be a great choice for a "fall" coconut and will be a nice change of pace.

All of the C.O. Bigelow body products are extremely high quality and I would love to be able to see them back on the shelves in Bath and Body Works.  The body washes foam up quickly and produce abundant lather on the skin while rinsing clean and not leaving any residue.  The lightweight lotion absorbs quickly and hydrates normal to slightly dry skin well.  This lotion will not be hydrating enough to use in the late fall and winter months and this company does not offer any type of body cream or oil that would work with the Coconut body wash.  I would also love to see the fragrances from this line in more products (I wouldn't mind a perfume in this lovely coconut too). 

I own quite a few fragrances from this line and the only one left for me to order is the Rosemary Mint, I had this fragrance when I was back in college and the company had another body product line out.  I loved it then and I know that I will love it for next spring and summer.

photo courtesy of C.O. Bigelow

C. Booth Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist

Today we are moving back to a product that I first tried in last month's Glossybox, the products included with July's box didn't do much for me and I gave several of them away already.  The July box theme was all about product that were blue (or inspired by the color blue) and were all about summer beauty.  I wasn't really interested in a box full of summer products at the end of July, I have been thinking about fall for the past few weeks now and don't have any place in my beauty product collection for more summer products.  There is a pretty good chance that I will not get to use any of them yet this year and they will wait until next May to be opened.  I find it interesting that a product in June's box will be better for fall than the ones in the July box.

When I got my June box, I was most excited about the Oscar de la Renta perfume samples and put most of the other products to the side.  I picked up one of the body products for the first time the other day, C. Booth was not a brand that I had ever used before and I was interested in trying a completely new body product brand.  I have so many Bath and Body Works and Body Shop products that I tend to have tunnel vision with body products and may not notice new brands (a habit that I need to change soon!) and I wanted to see what this line was all about.  The Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist was included in my box and this is the kind of fragrance that I love in the cold weather months.  I also used to love using oils on my skin during that time of the year and wish that Bath and Body Works still carried all the body oils that they used to when I started there in college.  Oil sprays seem to be harder and harder to find each year even though I find them to be one of the best moisturizers for dry skin.

I found the C. Booth products on the Drugstore.com website and will be ordering more products from this company.  "This dramatically lightweight dry oil for face & body imparts a light, lasting glow for instantly touchable skin.  Elegant, nourishing oils quickly absorb to smooth & soften.  Infused with a gentle sweet blend of Honey & Almond, it's the ultimate aromatic indulgence for skin & the senses!"  This oil is very easy to use and the results of it are great for normal to dry skin.

I hold the bottle about six to eight inches away from my skin and then spray it twice over each part.  I then rub the oil into my skin for best usage.  You don't have to rub the oil in but I do recommend it and have used all kinds of spray oils in this fashion for quite a long time now.  The oil leaves very little residue when rubbed in but leaves more residue if you do not use it in this fashion.  I love the hydrating properties of this oil and it works as well as heavy moisturizers without the sticky feeling that many of them leave on the skin.  If you don't like the feeling that creams and butter leave on the skin, then you might want to try a dry oil and see how you like it.

I love the Honey Almond fragrance but I find it a bit to heavy to use in the summer months, this is a lovely blend of the two notes and I recommend it for a cold weather scent.  I saw on the Drugstore.com website that this product also comes in a Tahitian Monoi scent that would be much better for the summer.  I also saw that the Honey Almond scent comes in a butter, a lotion, and a body wash and I will want to order and try all of the products in this fragrance.

I have found a new body product line to order products from and there will be many more reviews on the way from C. Booth!

photo courtesy of Drugstore.com

Bath and Body Works Summer Chill

Now that the Semi Annual Sale is over, Bath and Body Works has created several new lines of products and I have been all about this store for since the beginning of this month.  We have already looked at the True Blue Spa Shower Smoothies and I picked up the rest of the collection scents already.  Now I am moving toward the Summer Chill collection of scents that was released for the Signature Collection and I have even more body products to collect at the moment.

Summer Chill is probably the last limited edition collection that Bath and Body Works will release for the warm weather months, I remember from working there in college that the fall products start getting shipped to stores at the end of July so soon we will all start thinking about pumpkins and cider.  But until then...I need to celebrate every minute of the warm weather and pick up a few last minute summer products!

The Summer Chill collection consists of three new fragrances, each with the typical products that are found in the Signature Collection.  All three fragrances are available in the Fine Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, and Body Lotion; I am disappointed to see that none of the fragrances are available in the Triple Moisture Body Cream that I prefer to use.

The first fragrance that I tried from this collection is still my favorite of the three and the one that I took home first, White Mango Chill.  Everyone that knows me knows that I love mango scents both in the summer and then all year long and this is one of the best that I have smelled in years.  This fragrance is up with The Body Shop Mango and I wanted these products as soon as I smelled them.  "Chill out with an ice cold cooler of white mango, kiwi sorbet and strawberry frost."  The top notes of this scent are: Fresh Red Raspberry, Blackberry, Strawberry, Tangerine, Water Lily, Blue Freesia, Frozen Melon.  The middle notes are: White Mango, Jasmine, Muguet, Orange Blossom, Solar Floral.  The base notes are: Blue Sugar Cane, Musk, Vanilla Bean, Creamy Sandalwood, Teakwood.  This is my favorite scent and I was so excited to buy it the other day!

The second fragrance is my least favorite of the collection, I thought that I would love the Coconut Water Chill since I love coconut scents but this one did nothing for me.  "Beat the summer heat with the ultimate refresher of coconut water, iced acai berry & watery melon.", the problem with this scent for me is that it smells next to nothing like coconut and I get more of a weak melon and berry mixture.  This scent smelled like nothing on my skin and I wasn't impressed.  The top notes are:  Sparkling Tangerine, Lemon Italy Orpur, Bergamot Italia Orpur, Iced Acai, Frozen Apple.  The heart notes of the fragrance are: Watery Melon Notes, Sheer Muguet, Pineapple Juice, Jasmine Petals.  The bottom notes are: Sheer Coconut Water, Sandalwood, Musk, Touch of Madagascar Vanilla.

The last fragrance is the one that I liked but wouldn't consider buying.  The Citrus Orchid Chill is a slightly citrusy scent with a slight floral note.  "Slight" is the best word to describe this scent, it has very little fragrance.  "Cool off during the white hot days of summer with this exotic blend of iced blue orchid, lemon granita & watery star fruit."  The top notes are: Watery Starfruit, Lemon Granita, Sparkling Tangelo.  The middle notes are: Iced Blue Orchid, Chilled Lotus, Pink Jasmine.  The base notes are: White Amber Crystals, Exotic Teak, Solar Musk.

I was expecting to like at least two of the fragrances, if not all three.  I wanted to like all three of the fragrances but only the White Mango Chill ended up coming home with me.  So far, I have bought the Shower Gel and the Body Lotion and I am considering buying multiples of those products since I love this Mango scent.  The Coconut was too berry for me and the Citrus Orchid scent was too light for me to get much of a fragrance from it.  If you don't like a lot of fragrance in the summer months, then these are the scents for you and will be great for you to wear until Labor Day.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Yogurt Shower Smoothies

All of you know that I have been using Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa self tanners for the past two years and I consider them to be among the best of the tanners on the market.  This is quite a feat considering that I have used some of the best self tanners from Sephora before and this is the only one that even comes close in quality.  Since I love this product so much, I am all about looking for new summer products in the Spa collection and I always wish that Bath and Body Works would expand this great line of products even further.  This summer, the company has brought out a new product for the shower and I am willing to bet that this is a summer-only product (though I can hope that it stays a bit longer).

The Shower Smoothies are a new product line that is based off the popularity of the Mango and Raspberry line of body products that I was buying earlier in the spring.  Those two collections were discontinued at the Sale that just ended and now I see that they are back in the shower products only and a few other fragrances have joined the line up.  I am excited to buy a bunch of these smoothies and use them all summer long, I already own several of the Mango and Raspberry and now I need more of them!

"Our creamy yogurt-enriched shower gel is a nourishing cocktail that cleanses and replenishes skin.  Vitamin E and nutrient-rich fruit extracts provide the ultimate summer indulgence!  Ultra-refreshing body cleanser contains exfoliating apricot seeds.  Rich & creamy formula provides abundant lather."  Each of the smoothies contains special fruit extracts that make them unique and all worth purchasing!

In addition to the Mango and Raspberry, there are four more fragrances that are part of this collection and I have already starting collecting them even though they have only come out last Monday.  The other fragrances that are available are...

- Strawberry Banana
- Blueberry Vanilla
- Honeydew Kiwi
- Pineapple Papaya

My favorites so far are the Strawberry Banana and the Pineapple Papaya.  The Strawberry Banana is the perfect combination of the two fragrances and is perfect to layer with the Fresh Picked Strawberry Body Lotion from last spring.  Pineapple Papaya is heavy on the pineapple and a very unique, tart pineapple fragrance.  This is one that I own nothing like already and was very excited to add it to my collection.  The Honeydew Kiwi is very heavy on the honeydew note, I can barely smell the kiwi note at all.  Again, very unique and a welcome addition to my collection.  The Blueberry Vanilla smells like blueberries and cream and I have never smelled anything like this scent before. 

I already bought both of the Strawberry Banana and Pineapple Papaya and want to buy the other two also.  I think that I can skip over the Mango and Raspberry since I already own two of each scent, I stocked up when they went on sale since I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get them again.  Turns out...I shouldn't have been quite so worried. 

I have only used the Strawberry Banana so far and I have found that this type of product can be used in two different ways, it works well when applied directly to the skin or when applied to a puff.  I like it both ways but I think that I prefer it when used directly on the skin, I have found that it helps to prolong my self tan and keep my skin very hydrated.  This is a great formula for someone with dry skin or that have had reactions to certain types of foaming ingredients in other body washes.

I love this product line and I really hope that this line is permanent but I believe that it only out foe the summer months.  I am going to buy the two other fragrances that I need and I am even considering picking up more than one bottle of each fragrance.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works 60-Second Manicure Hand Scrub

One of the hardest places on my body to successfully self tan is my hands, I have never found a good way to make my hands look natural and completely streak-free.  I have struggled with this year after year and I doubt that I will ever find a way to make this an easy process.  I have decided that I need to focus more on the preparation and the maintenance of the tan.  I have a good regime started for tanning and I will need to just add an extra step or two to improve upon it.  I have been using the Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Smoothing Foot Scrub for years now to keep my feet an even, streak-free tan and I have decided to use the hand scrub in this collection to see if I get the same results.

I had originally used this product back in college when it was first released and I have used it on and off ever since.  However I have mostly been using it during the late fall and winter in order to try and relive some of the chapping that occurs every cold weather season.  I had not thought of using it any other time of the year since I really don't need it unless my skin is very dry and cracked.  This is the best hand scrub that I have ever tried and I have tried several from a range of salon brands and this is the clear winner and one that I am going to try to make the self tanner on my hands a bit less of an issue. 

"Why wait? This sugar-based exfoliating treatment makes quick work of dull, dry skin and ragged cuticles to give even the most mani-deprived hands a taste of soft, smooth, spa manicure perfection - in just one minute.  Sugar crystals provide exfoliation, resulting in smooth, glowing skin.  Light citrus fragrance.", states the Bath and Body Works website.

To use - "Massage treatment into wet hands for a full minute, paying special attention to any rough areas. Rinse clean to reveal hands that look like they've spent the whole day at the spa."

I use this scrub once a week to get rid of the dry skin that is soaking up too much of the tanner and creating the issues with the streaks and the deep spots than tend to appear on my hands.  This product has some great benefits but a few downsides to it at the same time.  The major benefit is that it is more effective than anything else that I have tried to get dead skin off and help to improve rough, dry areas.  Use of this scrub makes my hand cream work much more effectively and this continues to improve my tanning experience.

The main issue that I have with this product is that I can only use it once a week (at maximum), it takes too much of my tanner off to make me happy and I need to use it sparingly or I will take all of my tan off and I will never be able to build up a good fake tan.  I have accepted this because this is the best hand scrub out there and will help my hands to absorb the tanner better and more evenly (and make them look much more natural than they did before I tried using this product).

I am glad that I started using this product again, I remember how many times I used to wash  my hands with it when I first tried it out and it really is the best hand scrub on the market.  I have tried quite a few and this is the best one and I highly recommend this product for anyone that has dry skin on their hands.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Philosophy Here Comes the Bride Gift Set

We are now in the beginning of June and this is the month that contains the highest amount of weddings for the whole year.  There is no wedding or engagement on my horizon right now but the same can be said of many of my close friends and extended family members, I have looked at more Gift Registries over the past few weeks than ever before and am shopping for dresses that I can wear to more than one summer afternoon wedding.  I am the worst person at buying practical gifts for my friends who are tying the knot and almost always throw something fun and just for the bride into the gift.  In previous seasons, I have found little gift sets at Sephora for my friends and I am hoping that this year is exactly the same, I have had so many of my bride friends love the little extra gift that they received and I want to continue this trend for as long as I can.

Philosophy has been a source of bridal gifts in the past and I am happy to see that they will not disappoint me this year.  This company has released a brand new gift set this year just in time for the wedding season, Here Comes The Bride will be going right into my Sephora shopping cart and I am now deciding how many of them I will want to order this wedding season.  In previous years, the gift sets for brides from this company have been so good that I have been tempted to order one for myself.  I loved the one that contained the champagne scented products from a previous year, this was the best set that Philosophy made and I haven't seen one as good yet.

This year the set is named Here Comes The Bride and is a combination of fragrance and skin care products (in sizes that will fit perfectly in a carry on for the honeymoon!) and contains two of their best selling skin care items and small products in the Amazing Grace fragrance. 

"A lovely gift set for the beautiful bride-to-be.  Here Comes The Bride features Philosophy’s bestselling skincare and fragrance, so she can walk down the aisle with a stunning, radiant complexion while feeling amazingly clean and beautifully feminine. The highly-effective one-step facial cleanser rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores, while the cult-favorite moisturizer gently hydrates, exfoliates, and protects the skin. The three-in-one gel and luxurious body lotion are infused with the beloved Amazing Grace fragrance—a uniquely feminine blend of soft, floral blossoms accented by a hint of light musk. Together, this collection will have the bride-to-be fully ready for the celebration of her life.", states the Sephora website.

This set contains: 2 oz Purity Made Simple, 1 oz Hope in a Jar, 2 oz Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel, and 2 oz Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion

Purity Made Simple - A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a pH-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores. The bestselling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.  Purity Made Simple is part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin. It is a "Best of Sephora" Winner 2008.

Hope in a Jar - A cult-favorite moisturizer that gently hydrates, exfoliates, and protects the skin.  Philosophy Hope in a Jar is a 99.9% oil-free, deeply hydrating, lightweight wonder designed to smooth the complexion while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Originally created for the medical market, this expert essential delivers soft, healthy, glowing results.  This beloved formula contains antioxidants that protect skin against environmental damage and provides continuous exfoliation to keep roughness at bay. An infusion of yeast-derived beta glucan supports the skin's natural defense system and improves repair capabilities.

Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath, and Shower Gel - A 3-in-1 gel infused with the beloved Amazing Grace fragrance.  Philosophy expanded its Amazing Grace line to include this product that's a bath, shampoo, and shower gel all-in-one. This gel is a lovely way to wear Grace, either by itself for a subtle scent or layered for longer wear.  Amazing Grace fragrance for women is a uniquely feminine blend of soft, floral blossoms accented by a hint of light musk.

Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion - Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion is a toning body moisturizer that helps to purify, moisturize, and revitalize dry, aged, or wrinkled skin with a unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins E and C. Chock full of luscious moisturizing properties including shea butter, macadamia nut, and olive oils.  Indulge yourself - and those you are most thankful for - with good-for-your-body-and-soul treats from Philosophy's Amazing Grace Collection.

I think this might be my new favorite of the wedding gift sets, the combination of products inside is great and the sizes are perfect for a honeymoon adventure.  Both of the skincare products are among the best that I have ever used and I have never met any lady who does not like the Amazing Grace fragrance so I think that this gift set is pretty safe for anyone who is getting married this season!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Smoothing Body Scrub

Body scrubs are one of my favorite body products and I am always excited to try new fragrances and formulas from nearly every single beauty product company.  I am someone who uses scrubs in every single season and consider them to be one of the staples of my body product regime, I scrub at least once a week and usually try to get in a second round once every few weeks.  I have very dry skin all throughout the year and I have found that my moisturizers just don't work correctly unless I take the extra step to exfoliate as much dead skin off as I can before using the products.  It consistently amazes me when people do not use scrubs or body brushes...what is the point of using great product on dead skin cells that aren't going to absorb it and waste it? 

I exfoliate every single season how I do change up my formulas with the season as I want different results at different times of the year.  In the winter, I need a sugar scrub that will get dry skin off without being harsh on my very dry skin.  I use the same type of formula in the spring because I am trying to get the rest of the dead winter skin off before I start wearing skirts and using self tanner.  I find these two seasons to be the most important for scrubs and this when I use them the most.  In the summer and fall months, I will use a lighter formula scrub and it is more for self tanner maintenance and for general skin health (once I stop using tanner for the season).  Right now, I am using a light, foaming formula from the Aromatherapy line from Bath and Body Works.

One of my all time favorite scrub formulas is the Sugar Scrub from Bath and Body Works' Aromatherapy line.  I have used this scrub since I worked there in college and this is one of the few products that I have consistently bought for years now.  My only issue with this product is that it is too heavy for the warm weather month, it is a combination of hydrating oil and sugar.  A great choice for the winter and spring but too much for the summer and early fall.  For quite a long time, I simply resigned myself to using these scrubs only during the winter months used other formulas from this and other beauty brands during the summer months.  However this is no longer the case!

The Aromatherapy line now has a second scrub formula and one that is much better for the summer months.  I believe that I first saw this product about two years ago when some of the new Energy blends came out but I have just purchased a tube of the Stress Relief formula and have been using it for about two weeks now. 

"Gentle enough to use every day, this foaming body scrub cleanses and softens skin while an aromatherapy blend of essential oils and natural ingredients enhances body, mind & mood. Massage gently over skin during a shower or bath. Breath deeply for best results. Rinse well.  Eucalyptus essential oil clears the mind while Spearmint Essential Oil uplifts to help improve concentration."

This scrub is great for the summer months, it is very light, foams up quickly, and then rinses clean with no oil in the formula.  I use this once a week in between self tanning treatments to keep my color even and the products absorbing correctly.  I use this on clean, wet skin and I love the way that it keeps my tan even and natural looking.  I personally love the Eucalyptus Spearmint scent from Aromatherapy but I was a bit disappointed to see that this was the only scent that it was available (or in stock in), I would love to own this in the Sleep blends or the other Eucalyptus fragrance in the Aromatherapy line. 

I'm glad that I found another scrub formula to use in the summer months, normally this is the time of the year that I have a harder time trying to find good scrub formulas as many of the good ones are too heavy for this time of the year.  I will be using this formula for the rest of the summer and into the beginning of fall.  I just hope that a few more fragrances get released in it...

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works Pure Paradise

This has a been a big spring for Bath and Body Works, it seems like every month at least one new fragrance has come out along with all kinds of new scents in candles and hand soap.  The last thing that I need is more shower gel but I always want to try new scents from this company and am always end up buying some items from each new fragrance, once you have worked there it seems that you never fall out of wanting new products and know how fast the items go and when to stock up.  I am hoping for a Buy 3, Get 3 sale for Memorial Day but I don't know that I will be able to hold out until the end of this month for a sale like that.  Bath and Body Works has gone from spring products to summer products and this is my favorite time of the year to buy body products.  This is also the time of the year that I buy enough products to last me all through the cold weather months, I am not a spice or pumpkin fan so I will be using coconut and mango scents all through the year. 

Today is the first day that Pure Paradise is available at Bath and Body Works and I will be buying some of it before the weekend hits.  I tried the Fragrance Mist tester out several weeks ago and I think that this might be one of my favorite fragrances in a long time from this company, it is rare that I find a fragrance from this company that I want to purchase and use as more than just body products.  I want this in all the body products and the matching Fragrance Mist because this tropical floral scent is unique, pretty, and perfect for pairing with a sundress on a summer night!

The Bath and Body Works website provides a fragrance description and a detailed look at the notes that are found in this fragrance.  "Pure Paradise is an island fantasy inspired by white sand beaches, endless blue skies and clear turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. This alluring fragrance is a sparkling blend of fresh star fruit, frangipani and water lily drenched in sun-kissed coconut and white musk."

The top notes are: Fresh Star Fruit, Juicy Guava, Dewy Cassis.  The heart notes of the fragrance are: Luscious Gardenia, Frangipani, Watery Lily.  The bottom notes are: White Musk, Blond Woods, Sun-Kissed Coconut.

On me, this fragrance is a mixture of the sweet Starfruit and the florals.  This is the tupe of tropical fragrance that I would wear out at night with a sundress, this is not your typical beachy or casual fragrance.  This is more what I imagined that Bronze Goddess from Estee Lauder would smell like and it is surprising how expensive this fragrance smells, the Fragrance Mist smells quite strong and rivals many of the more expensive tropical fragrances that I have tried.  This is one of the few Bath and Body Works fragrances that I actually loved in the Fragrance Mist, typically I only buy body products from the Signature Collection with a few EDTs in here and there but Fragrance Mist is not a product that I use.  I do wish that this fragrance came in the EDT, I would buy it in a minute to add to my perfume collection.

This fragrance comes in the normal range of Signature Collection products; shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, Fine Fragrance Mist, 2-in-1 Superfruit Body Scrub and Wash, and Lip Gloss.  There are also three unique products that are released in this fragrance: Beach Glow Body Lotion, Beach Bronze Leg Shine, and Beach Waves Hair Mist.

Beach Glow Body Lotion - Add a radiant, sun-kissed glow to skin all summer long. Our Beach Glow Body Lotion adds instant glamour and shimmer to skin for a beach-ready body!  A summer-chic blend of sparkling star fruit & ocean-kissed frangipani blossoms… it’s pure paradise in a bottle!  Apply evenly to legs, arms and wherever you want a silky smooth, bronze glow. Let dry before dressing and you're ready to glow!  Contains soothing, refreshing Aloe.

 

Beach Bronze Leg Shine - Add the perfect hint of tint and shimmer for flawless, bronzed, beach sexy legs. Our velvety shine effortlessly glides onto skin for the smoothest, most radiant legs!  A summer-chic blend of sparkling star fruit & ocean-kissed frangipani blossoms… it’s pure paradise in a bottle!  Shake well. Apply evenly to legs. Let dry before dressing, then it’s time to shine!

 

Beach Waves Hair Mist - Add incredible texture to get tousled, wavy hair for an effortlessly sexy beach blown look. A few quick mists and you'll become the envy of bronze bombshells everywhere!  A summer-chic blend of sparkling star fruit & ocean-kissed frangipani blossoms… it’s pure paradise in a bottle!  Use on dry or damp hair. Work through hair and use fingers to scrunch and twirl for sexy, beach blown waves.  Leaves hair feeling soft, never sticky or shiny.  Contains mineral-rich sea salt.

 

I have picked up a few pieces of this fragrance already today and I plan to get more items if Bath and Body works does a sale on Memorial Day.  I bought the Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, and Triple Moisture boy Cream already and I put some of each of the bronzer products on my arms so that I could see the differences.  I am not sold on either of them yet, the Beach Glow Body Lotion provides a hint of bronze color with a bit of shimmer while the Leg Shine is much more dramatic in both aspects.  I would be more likely to buy the Lotion version, the Leg Shine could look too over the top for me and I would have to sustain a pretty deep self tan to use it. 

 

I am excited that I have some new body products for the summer and I will be pairing this fragrance with a cute little sundress for all kinds of summer dates!

 

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Malibu Body Product Collection

Today we are going to look at some body products that will be perfect for the summer months, I love Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa collection and I am very excited to see that a new collection inspired by the shores of Malibu has come out for the summer months!  Last spring, a Malibu-inspired Spa collection was released and I still count those products among my favorites in my body product collection, I am really excited to see that they came back this year so I have the chance to pick some more up to stash away.  In addition to some of my previous favorites, I see that there is a crop of new products for me to love this year!  I am especially excited to see the return of the beach pedicure foot scrub, I had used this sand scrub for years in college and I hope that the formula is exactly the same as it was several years ago.

In addition to the Malibu body and hair care products that came out last year, a series of beach-inspired foot care products have arrived this year.  I am not going to visit the products from last year's collection again, you are free to look them up on your own but I am sure that many of you have read about them already if you have been following this blog for more than a few months.  As I said already, I am the most excited for the sand foot scrub but I am also looking forward to the new beach foot cream in the collection.  In addition to the beginning of self tanning season being right around the corner, the beginning of sandal season is right around the corner too and I need to begin to get ready to show off a bright pink pedicure!

Here are the new Malibu foot products that have been added to the True Blue Spa collection!

Malibu Fresh Cooling Foot Scrub - When the heat is on, this icy cool spray revitalizes and invigorates hot or tired feet and legs so your feet feel light as air all summer long.  Mint instantly cools and refreshes for feet that feel invigorated.

Malibu Beach Pedicure Foot Scrub - Reveal softer, smoother, beach-worthy feet with our intensely exfoliating pedicure foot scrub. This fab spa formula is perfect for every day use as it smooths rough skin and prepares feet for an ultra-glamorous dip in the sea.  Exfoliating Beach Sand smooths away rough, dry skin.

Malibu Beach Pedicure Foot Cream - Dive feet first into this luxuriously rich moisturizing spa treatment and give dry skin an ultra-pampering pedicure.  Avocado Butter adds creamy moisture.

I have already bought both the foot cream and the foot scrub, I tried a bit of the foot scrub last night and I am happy to report that this is basically the same product as before.  In fact, this product was actually improved, the fragrance on the new version is a great tropical fruit blend and fills up the whole shower with fragrance.  I would love to have matching body products in this fragrance and I hope that Bath and Body Works considers doing more in this line next year.  The foot cream is spiked with avocado, a new ingredient for this company to use.  The fragrance is almost exactly the same as the scrub and the texture is very rich and creamy, I love this product after only using the tester once.

I actually considered using the foot cream as a body cream as I love this fragrance so much.  I haven't reached that point yet since I will go through the product really quickly that way and I want to buy at least one more tube of it before I try going this route.  The rich cream quickly hydrates my feet and this product will be a staple of mine through the next few months.

The scrub is lighter than the traditional Spa Soothing Foot Scrub but it still does the job quite well.  I use twice as week just as I did the other formula and I have gotten great results from use twice a week.  I will continue to use either of the foot scrubs in this fashion.  This sand foot scrub is limited edition so I will continue to buy it as long as it is available but after that I will have no problems going back to the other formula.

I love True Blue Spa products and I hope that the Malibu collection is one that will continue to reappear and grow over the next few years!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works Take Me to Italy Body Products

Bath and Body Works is all over the fragrance spectrum this spring, they started with the fabulous Fresh Picked line and then introduced a light, fresh fragrance named Beautiful Day.  Fresh Picked in one of my favorite lines that this company has introduced in the past few years and I can't wait to see if they bring more fragrances out in this collection since I know that I will keep buying these products for years to come.  The newest fragrances in the Signature Collection are very different from every other fragrance that has been introduced in the past few months and it seems a bit out of the blue.  The three new fragrances are all based on Italy and the fragrances that are popular in that country, it is very similar to the three limited edition Paris fragrances that I loved late last summer.  These fragrances may be out of the blue...but I have tried all three and I am loving this new direction for the end of the spring months!

Three new fragrances have been introduced with the Italian theme and new home fragrance products and hand soaps have all been introduced at the same time.  I started with collecting some of the new candles, my favorites are Expresso and Limoncello, and I started picking them up as soon as I could at the end of last month!  I am really pumped to add the soaps and the fragrance body products to my collection, I loved Italy when I went there in high school and some of these fragrances can take me right back to Venice and the Italian countryside.  At the rate we are going, I will be able to visit the whole world by just taking a shower with the right fragrances...

The three new fragrances are: Capri Seaside Citrus, Rome Honeysuckle Amore, and Venice Dolce Berry.  My early favorite is the Capri Seaside Citrus, this is a great citrus scent and it smells like nothing that I already own (a huge feat for any fragrance)!  "Lavishly spray on our sunny seaside fragrance and radiate this sparkling blend of fresh citrus, juicy nectarine & orange flower."  The top notes of the fragrance are: Mediterranean Grapefruit, Sparkling Bergamot, Juicy Nectarine.  The heart notes are: Muguet, Orange Flower, Coconut.  The bottom notes are: Amber Driftwood, Creamy Musks, Whipped Vanilla.  This fragrance is a mixture of citrus, delicate floral notes, and driftwood.  I love this fragrance in the body products, however the Fragrance Mist doesn't work well on my skin chemistry.  This is a great citrus however the driftwood keeps in unique and like nothing else that I have used recently, I will be buying the body products in this fragrance over the weekend.

Rome Honeysuckle Amore is my second favorite of the fragrances, this one is the floral fragrance of the trio and it reminds me of fragrances that I have had in the past from this company.  I had something many years ago and this fragrance is so similar to it, of course I don't even remember the name or the bottle but the scent still sticks with me.  The smell of honeysuckle has been a favorite of mine for years and I was as excited to see this fragrance as I was the Capri Seaside Citrus.  "

Lavishly spray on our glamorous fragrance and radiate our head-over-heels blend of pink honeysuckle, golden peach & cyprus woods."  The top notes are: Italian Peach, Blackberry, Green Mandarin.  The middle notes of the fragrance are: Pink Honeysuckle, White Raspberry, Peony.  The bottom notes are: Golden Amber, Soft Sandalwood, Cypress Wood.  This fragrance starts out with the strong peach note but then quickly goes floral on me.  The amber and sandalwood stay on my skin the longest and mix with the honeysuckle note to make the fragrance last longer than your average honeysuckle mix.  I will be buying the body products in this scent but I found the peach  note to be too strong in the Fragrance mist, I was hoping for a perfume with less fruit and more floral and wood mix.  Any ideas?

 

The last fragrance is my least fragrance of the three, Venice Dolce Berry is very sweet and a gourmand fragrance.  I found this fragrance to be too strong for the summer and I might have liked it better if it was a fall fragrance.  I think this fragrance was introduced at the wrong time of the year and I might revisit it at the end of August (if it is still around).  "Lavishly spray on 'la dolce vita,' the sweet life, and radiate our playful blend of plumberry, frosted magnolia & sandalwood sugar."  The top notes of the fragrance are: Pink Plumberry, Apple Blossom, White Iris.  The middle notes are: Venetian Raspberry, Red Apricot, Frosted Magnolia.  The base notes are: Blackberry Musk, Sandalwood Sugar, Vanilla Biscotti.  This fragrance smells like blackberry and biscotti and will be very popular among those who love sweet fragrances or strong berry scents.  This fragrance is much too strong on my skin, in both the body products and the Fragrance Mist so I will skip over it.  Maybe if this would have been a fall fragrance, I might have different thoughts...

 

This fragrance comes in the traditional Signature Collection Body Product forms: Fine Fragrance Mist, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Triple Moisture Body Cream, and one new product.  The new product that was released is the Bronze Shimmer Fizz Body Mousse, a product that holds no appeal for me.  "Soak in a faux sun-kisssed glow with our bronze shimmer fizz body mousse, a silky-smooth, body bronzer that leaves skin sparkling with a kiss of color.  Goes on smooth with a fresh, fizzy sensation."  I use self tanner instead of dealing with body bronzers so I would never use this product.  The last product that comes with this collection is a lip gloss that matches each fragrance, I will skip over the lip gloss also and just stick with the body products.

 

Overall, this collection will appeal to ladies with all kinds of tastes, the three fragrances are all very different and everyone will be able to find at least one that they really like.  I love the Capri Seaside Citrus and the Rome Honeysuckle Amore and will buy the body products in both fragrances to wear in the spring and summer months.  Bath and Body Works has released quite a wide variety of fragrances this spring and I am looking forward to what else will be coming out over the next few months! 

 

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works