4 of the Best Body Lotions for Any Season!

When the weather begins to heat up, blog readers are often inundated by moisturiser reviews and the focus is generally on getting your body ‘smooth and bikini ready!’ I like to keep my body moisturised all year round, and so have been loving a few bottles of body cream for quite some time now. Winter means scaly skin inundated with indoor heating and summer means air con ravished skin, so whatever weather you are enjoying these products are for you!

I have a bit of an obsession with the Victoria’s Secret body products, and the best I’ve tried is the Amber Romance body lotion which I bought from Sydney airport when I was over for IMATS 2012. A strong mix of “sultry amber and crème anglaise”, this is a ‘sexy’ scent and I am head over heels for it. The lotion itself is thick and moisturising but not greasy or heavy on the skin, which of course means I now want to add to my VS lotion stash as soon as I can! I’ve heard of a website called Secrets on Sale where you are able to buy VS online, have any of my readers ordered from them before? It is so hard to get your hands on here in Australia!

 

In contrast with the heavily scented Amber Romance, the Dove Body Milk* ($8.39/400ml) is a plain creamy scent that I love using when I don’t want my body lotion to clash with my perfume. It sinks in with ease and is more of a light lotion than a body cream (hence the term body milk I suppose!) though it does a really great job of moisturising nevertheless. I would say those who are in hot climates would be drawn to this, as it is a perfect summer lotion to throw on when the sun is blazing and you don’t want to faff around with luxe lotions.

The Clarins Eau des Jardins Smoothing Body Lotion Cream* is definitely the more luxe out of the four mentioned, with a lovely floral scent and a great formula that sinks in fast enough and is thick and nourishing on the skin. I have used and loved the matching Body Wash in this scent before, and the two together is a match made in heaven! The Palmer’s Skin Smoothing Lotion with Alpha/Beta Hydroxy & Shea Butter ($7.40/250ml) is a favourite of Chris’ as it rids him of the dreaded ‘chicken skin’ or keratosis he gets on his upper arms. I believe Palmer’s have repackaged and rebranded (possibly reformulated?) with a mention of anti-aging on the bottle, but if it remains similar it is definitely worth picking up! The scent is quite strong and masculine, and if I’m in the mood for a scented lotion I like keeping my skin smooth with this lotion.

What is your favourite body lotion?

What do you recommend  I buy next?

*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

 

 

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder // Rave Review, Photos, Swatch

I've only really delved into the world of face powders via the drugstore, and haven't tried any high end setting/translucent powders to date. Of all of the affordable face powders I've tried, Maybelline's Dream Matte powder reigns above all!

As you can see from the massive pan showing, I love this dearly. This is my third, perhaps fourth pan of Dream Matte, and though I've still been dipping my toe into other brands I always come back to this one.

I use this as an all-over setting powder (I generally use liquid foundation) and find that it doesn't give full coverage, and does help to hide some imperfections in the skin when I use a light coverage foundation. I used this in conjunction with my Invisible Zinc tinted moisturiser whilst in Thailand earlier in the year and found that it toned down the greasy, sunscreen look of the TM but still looked beautifully natural. Here is a picture of me wearing the TM with Dream Matte, just for reference:

 And as a side note, Chris has a wee bit of Dream Matte powder on in that photo,too! I made sure I slathered him in sunscreen while we were there, but he didn't like the shine either. Sun protection is worth it though, just powder it! I really wish I was in Thailand right now *rugs up next to heater with hot chocolate*

The packaging is a little bit bulky, as it contains a swing out section underneath the actual pan which holds a large mirror and powder puff. I actually use the mirror for all of my touch ups (as you can leave the powder section closed and still use the mirror) and so I find the packaging perfect for me. I don't often use the puff, but I like having it there if I forget a brush or just want to dab the powder on.

I don't find that the Maybelline Dream Matte powder cakes on me, even when I neglect blotting and just throw it on during the day for a touch up. It works well to control my oily t-zone and I can last until after lunch before I feel I need to check my face or freshen myself up.

The powder is fragrance-free and dermatologist/allergy tested, oil-free and won't clog pores. I wear the shade Cream (Light 4-5) and find it suits me perfectly.

What powder do you recommend I try next?

Have you tried anything from the Dream Matte line?

*This product was purchased by me (over and over again!) Honesty, always.