Smuggler's Soul Sunday

The new Lush Father's Day collection* is out on shelves and I've been trialling some of the products, despite obviously not being a papa myself. My own Dad isn't the pampering kind at all and wouldn't appreciate gifts like this for his special day (we've actually bought some awesome new décor for his bar!) but I know that when Mister Bovary and I have a child he will be gunning for a big bag of Lush each Father's Day - it's his favourite!

The focus seems to be on citrus and sandalwood for the Father's in our lives, which suits me as I'm fond of both of those scent families. 'Thanks Dad Soap' and 'The Modfather Bubble Bar' are from the citrus side of things while the 'Super Dad Bath Bomb' and Smuggler's Soul range is all based on sandalwood.

I immediately made grabby hands for the Smuggler's Soul Multipurpose Cream and Smuggler's Soul Facial Scrub, which Mister and I are trialling together. Lush says that you can use the Multipurpose Cream as a moisturiser, shaving cream, hair styling product etc but so far we've just used it as a straight up facial moisturiser. It's definitely better suited to a night time skincare routine as it does leave some residue on the skin (which I don't mind for overnight) and the scent is lovely! It's the consistency of runny yoghurt but packs a nice punch in the moisturising stakes!

I have a weakness for facial scrubs and the Smuggler's Soul Facial Scrub is one of the nicer ones I've tried in recent times - it's contains very fine bamboo granules and has a delicious sandalwood scent that is so warm and cozy! I love the texture and it scrubs my skin really well, but I do find with physical exfoliants like this I need to be careful not to be overzealous in case it aggravates my skin.

We've got a jam-packed afternoon planned for Father's Day, we're having a casual lunch out with my side during the day and moving straight onto an early dinner at an Italian restaurant chain with Mister's side - I think I'm going to have to be rolled home after all that food! Do you have anything exciting planned with your family?
-Emma x


*These products were provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Satsuma Sunshine

As I type this I'm curled up on the couch with Charlie the Cavalier, hair sopping wet in a towel and exhausted from scrubbing out our ensuite shower. Since showers are on my mind I thought it the perfect time to share my thoughts on The Body Shop's limited edition Satsuma Shower Gel!

Originally an annual Boxing Day launched scent, the Satsuma scent is currently available at The Body Shop in a whole big range of products - but by far, my favourite product from the brand is their sudsy and delicious-smelling shower gels! The lather with these is perfect and I've hoarded this particular bottle from a Boxing Day splurge many moons ago - I have to admit that I often pop open that lid for a sniff when no-one is looking! TBS shower gels are a bit pricier than the average that our household uses (we go through the stuff so fast!) and as a result of that, Mister isn't allowed to use any of TBS stuff and is relegated to the Original Source bottles I stock up on for us (as evidenced in this Instagram post!)

Satsuma is a whopping great hit of tart and tangy tangerine in a bottle for me - the scent immediately makes me happy and it's probably my favourite from the brand, followed closely by the lovely floral Moringa from the permanent line. The only negative about this that I could think of was that I'm unsure about the other products in the Satsuma line up - do I want a perfume or body mist to make me smell like a walking tangerine?! I can't really knock that as I haven't personally tried it out, but I can't see myself reaching for it like I do my vanilla body mists...

TBS shower gels are soap free and this satsuma scent is naturally fragranced with satsuma peel essential oil- how lush is that?!  The 250ml bottle retails for $9.95 AUD but it also comes in a jumbo 750ml size for $19.95 AUD, along with products like hand sanitizers, mini gift cubes, beautifying oil and the famed body butters! I'm considering grabbing one of the Body Sorbet's ($19.95/200ml) as it seems like a perfect summer moisturiser for me...

Are you a citrus gal at heart, or are florals more your thing?
What is your fave Body Shop scent and product?
-Emma


*Purchased this product myself - honesty, always!

March Empties

Another month, another lot of empties!

The Hair

Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ‘Classic’

A staple in my shower, this is pretty much the only shampoo that my scalp will tolerate. Trialling a new fancy brand right now, fingers crossed all goes well but I will always return to this lovely blue bottle.

L’Oreal Elvive Total Repair Restoring Crème Conditioner

Don’t remember too much about this sample sachet, but I don’t remember disliking it so that is a plus.

The Body

Haus of Gloi Twice is Nice Pumpkin Butter

Haul post here! HoG scents are to die for, and this is one of my favourites from the permanent line. I like the sample sized tubs as I get to dabble in a few scents, and this is one I will repurchase later on.

Weleda Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion*

Reviewed here, this was a great moisturising lotion and I adored the tangy scent!

The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Cream Body Scrub*

Reviewed here. A gentle and moisturising scrub, this smelt nice and actually persuaded me to like the gentle scrub side of the spectrum. Straight up peach scent, delish!

The Rest

Urban Rituelle Cotton Candy Petite Parfum

Reviewed here. Seriously, this couldn’t be any better (okay, if it were longer lasting it might be better) Introduced as a PR sample, this particular vial was a repurchase and I am now elated that Urban Rituelle brought this into 100ml bottle form. Hallelujah! Sweet and sugary, this is one of my very favourite perfumes.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

I have gone through so many of these, it really is the best powder I’ve come across. Am trialling other brands right now and missing this so much, am staring forlornly at my sealed backup and trying to stay strong and use up others first. Beauty blogger problems!

How much did you use up in March?

 

*Marked items were provided for consideration. Honesty,always.

 

Sea Buckthorn from Southern Tuscany // Weleda Organic Body Lotions

The first thing I thought when this travel set of Weleda lotions hit my desk was ‘Sea Buckthorn? What!?’ I had never heard of the ingredient before, and after researching it I found out that it is very high in vitamin C! Weleda sources theirs from the mountain regions of Southern Tuscany, which definitely added to the exotic appeal of the tangy orange lotion. I had entered an Echolife competition to win this travel set of lotions and promptly forgotten about my entry, so was pleased when I found out I had won!

 I was even more pleased to find out how soft these lotions made my skin. I typically use them on my arms day and night, and though they are lotions they are quite thick and take a while to sink in, you really have to rub at them. I didn’t mind as I tend to use them while in front of a YouTube video, and they leave the softest skin behind so the work pays off. The Wild Rose scent is a bit too full on for my taste, but the Pomegranate and Citrus scents are refreshing and different to the usual scents I see on the market. Sea Buckthorn is definitely my favourite from the quartet, and I am pleased to report that the lotions are all natural, vegan, are not tested on animals and are free from parabens. Weleda, pat on the back!

The Weleda Travel Lotion pack retails for $24.90 with free shipping at Echolife!

 

 

*I won this pack from Echolife and opinions are my own. Honesty, always!

Orange FOTD

Orange is pretty much my favourite colour, so here is a FOTD using some of my favourite citrusy prodzLook was partially inspired by Mister Christopher's t-shirt, which I wear to bed sometimes=)

Products used:

*Face of Australia Primer

*Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in #52

*Stila Convertible Colour in Gladiola

*Face of Australia Translucent Powder

*Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Facial Mist

*MAC Slimshine in Missy

*Elianto eyeshadows in Light Salmon & Coco Orange

*Maybelline Falsies mascaraMAC Slimshine in MissyElianto Light Salmon as a wash and Coco Orange in corner&crease

Finished off with Maybelline Falsies

I love this look as I think it's nice to brighten up your face in this dreary weather, with someone a little bit different. Are you into orange at the moment?

emmabovary xx