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!

Tropical Washin'

I was doing the groceries solo last week when I spotted this glowing beacon of tropical deliciousness in the beauty aisle - already being a huge fan of the Original Source brand meant this Tropical Pineapple scented collaboration with Surfing Australia made a dive right into my basket alongside the orzo and the crouton cup-a-soup I'm currently addicted to.

 

I have a love/hate relationship with pineapple, truth be told. I was a big pineapple lover until a flight in Asia where I became ill after eating pineapple (I think it was the actual flying and not the pineapple that made me sick!) and from that moment on I've proceeded with caution at the thought of that horrendous experience. I think that I need to toughen up and this is definitely the shower gel to get me back into camp pineapple!

All of the Original Source shower gels I've tried are dead set incredible - my favourite was definitely the limited edition Chocolate Mint one, but the Lime and Lemon scents are staples in our bathroom cupboards. The XXX Black Mint one is a bit too tingly for the nether region (TMI?) so the Bovary household tends to steer well clear of that one!

This Tropical Pineapple scent is definitely up there with the best and the fact that it is vegan, has a natural fragrance and is made in the UK means it is a hit with me! The only downside is that it really makes me crave those pineapple lollies from the milk bar (and I don't even normally eat those!)

You can check out the Original Source range here and buy a bottle for yourself from Coles - it's limited edition though, so be quick!

What scents do you gravitate towards for shower gel? Are you a fruity-scent lover or prefer a creamy shea butter base?

Emma x

*This bottle was purchased by me while doing the groceries - it's a well known fact that the beauty aisle in a supermarket counts as groceries and not a beauty buy ;)

Sample Selection #1

I've decided to begin a new series in order to dip into my sample stash and throw some mini reviews up onto the blog. First up is a selection of adorable little sample pots that Mumma Bovary nabbed for me at The Body Shop. Our local shops had a scratch and win, and Mumma B came up trumps with a rare win - usually all we see is 'better luck next time'! The lure of the free samples dragged her in even though the scent of shops like that is normally far too much for her sensitive head. She walked out with Honeymania Body Butter, Coconut Scrub and Honeymania Shower Gel sample, which she promptly brought round to mine and gifted me!

 

I've been wanting to try the Honeymania scent since it launched, and it is so much more than a simple honey scent lemme tell you. It is floral and strong, and I'd say it is more honey blossom than a sweet nectar sort of scent.

 

The shower gels from TBS are always lovely (I rely on the travel sizes anytime I go away) but the Coconut Scrub was a little bit new for me as I'd previously only tried the sugar-based scrubs. This one was creamy with little bits of grit in it and left my skin really soft and smooth, but I've smelt better scents from TBS so I'd probably choose another scrub when the time comes.

 

The winner of this trio was definitely the Honeymania Body Butter - the butters are quite heavy on the skin (and also very moisturising, so there's that...) but the scent was perfect and it fixed my dry elbows in a flash - very classy I am!

 

So what scents do you recommend I sniff when I head back in for my complimentary express makeover? Do you have any Body Shop loves that you just can't get enough of?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

Luxurious Bathing, the gift of relaxation // Gift Guide, Part One

 I am a firm believer in giving Christmas gifts, and I think the best sorts of gifts are the things that you wouldn’t usually purchase for yourself. Being someone who is completely beauty obsessed means that I do tend to indulge in bath and body products quite often, but before I began blogging the only items I really used were those gifted to me. Luxury during a bath and shower can really help someone wind down after a long day at school or work (or shopping!) and these gifts would all make lovely, thoughtful gifts.

Even though I’m not a bar soap sort of person myself, the majority of people I know prefer them to shower gels . The fact that this product is made by the Scottish Fine Soaps Company (my family come from Glasgow!) makes it hold a special place in my heart, and the tins are stunning and reusable. They have tins with birthday, good luck, and other general messages on top, making them perfect as something sweet AND useful! $11.99 at David Jones.

The Clarins Eau des Jardins Uplifting Shower Gel is probably the nicest luxe shower gel I have ever used. The scent is beautiful, but hard to explain, and it lathers up in the most perfect way. The scent is made up of 10 different essential oils, including  zesty ones like grapefruit, right through to rose and cedar. The bottle itself is really cute as well, and the range contains a gift set which would make a beautiful gift. $42.00 for 150ml at Myer, David Jones, pharmacies and Adore Beauty.

 

As well making lovely face products, L’Occitane have a great range of bath and shower products that I really enjoy. I’m about to try the Almond Shower Oil (and am very excited by it!) but something I’ve been using for a while are these two shower gels. Captivant is definitely my favourite from this range, I also have it in cologne form and it makes for a very uplifting scent experience. A wander into L’Occitane is always a good idea at Christmas time, the packs they make are often better value than purchasing products separately. I know when I went to my local store for Christmas drinks I was taken with the packaging and value they have out at the moment! These shower gels retail for $28 for 250ml.

 

It’s no secret I am a massive Kiehl’s fan, and the new Aromatic Blends collection has really impressed me! I have been using my travel size samples of the Orange Flower & Lychee scent for a while now and love it, but I’ve also sniffed all 3 other variations in store and adore them as well! The range has lotions, fragrance sprays and body cleansers, so you can pick and mix to your hearts content. Prices range from $29 for the fragrances to $38 for the lotions, and the collection is available from Kiehl’s counters in Myer and David Jones.

 

I have another of these posts coming up soon as I just couldn't fit all of my bath and body loves into a single post. I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether or not you like to receive things like this for Christmas, or for birthdays or other celebrations?

 

 

 

 

These products were kindly provided for editorial consideration, so I had a chance to personally try all of these products. Honesty, always.

The Shower Situation

An overflowing shower caddy...

...with other products stacked on the shower floor!

I love having some nice shower products to choose from as I unwind at the end of the day, but all of this is getting to be a bit much. I am sick of the half-finished items getting in the way, so have made a deal with myself. When I finish up 5 shower products, I can hop over to Haus of Gloi and haul my butt off. Sounds fair, right?

What do you recommend from Haus of Gloi?

What do you think of my shower situation?

Cherry Princess by L'Occitane

L'Occitane have been hitting it out of the park with their recent collections, and this one is no exception. The scent of a cherry blossom is one that I just adore, and having that in such a range of products is a wonderfully sweet addition to the L'Occitane brand. A limited edition release, the Cherry Princess scented range contains quite a few stunningly packaged products. This post will share the pearlescent shower cream, the hand cream and the solid perfume.

I adore shower time, and having a shimmering creamy bottle of this is a little slice of heaven. Though it is a shower cream, it does lather once it hits the sponge and goes a long way. The lather isn't completely creamy, but still quite moisturising and lovely to use.

I am fond of pearlescent products for the shower, I think they add a touch of luxe to any bathing ritual, and that is something I definitely endorse.

Ingredients, in case anyone is interested in them.

I tend to think of hand creams as a necessary indulgence, and when I'm sitting in the library writing all day, I look forward to using a sweetly-scented one to perk up a dull mood or slump in writing action. This leaves my hands super soft and isn't greasy at all. L'Occitane hand creams are some of the best I've used, and this scent is less sickly-sweet than just plain lovely, and I adore the packaging as well. It isn't a classic floral print, but geometric and definitely adds a modern touch to L'Occitane.

Again, the ingredients list if anyone is interested.

I only have a few solid perfumes in my collection, and I like being able to take the convenient size along with me. This is not a strong scent, it's subtle but something to surprise my nose each time my wrist happens to pass by my nose.

It's much easier to reapply throughout the day than a spray, as I don't have to leave the desk at the library for fear of offending any sensitive noses nearby. I have also been using this before bed at night, as I sleep with my hands clasped near my face (bit random?) and this delicate lil' flower is excellent to drift into dreamland with.

Ingredients for the solid perfume (as an aside, I love things that are made in France a little more than others, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!)

Any pieces from this collection would make a lovely gift for yourself or for Mother's Day, and the collection is now out at L'Occitane stores so be sure to check it out. Alternatively, you can order from the new collection online here. They have some great promotions going on, including a $30 'Spring Blossom' hand cream trio in a tin, or a complete Mother's Day set for $95 which is amazing! If you spend $80 in L'Occitane which includes a piece from the new collection, you get a great GWP as well.

Overall I think this collection is one of the best I've seen from L'Occitane, the packaging and product execution is stellar and the prices make these products very accessible.

Pearlescent Shower Cream 250ml $28

Solid Perfume 10g $16

Hand Cream 30ml $12

Are you a fan of cherry blossom scents?
What are some of your favourite L'Occitane products?

Would love to hear what you think of the packaging of this collection in the comments!

*These products were provided for consideration for review, which has not affected my opinions or review of this collection. Honesty, always.

September Empties

Cannot believe it is already October! Getting so excited for the end of the year, it's something I look forward to each year and this time around it's extra special because I will be celebrating a big birthday amongst the xmas and new year cheer!

A rather mediocre lot of empties this time around, mostly shower goodies. My moisturiser and some of my makeup is almost empty so October should be a good month for making room in my collection. A collection which is almost bursting after ABBW!

On with the empties:

Botanical Creations body scrub in Lily & White Tea

My favourite scrub, I am so heartbroken about this range being discontinued from Priceline. This scent seems so luxe yet this was so affordable, at the end up it was only $1. I have a drawer full of back ups, thank goodness.

Essential Ingredients Vanilla & Coconut Body Wash

This was only $1 at my local supermarket, and though it wasn't as nice as some of my fancier shower prodz, it was definitely lovely considering its price. Would repurchase again.

Avon Naturals Body Wash in Sparkling Cherry Blossom

I used up a different variety of this in my August Empties, and this one was brought out when my friend Candice stayed the night. A cherry blossom fiend she is, we both agreed that this was nice but not really strong in scent. Foams up pretty well though and was nice to use, so will probably repurchase again come the xmas time sales with Avon.

Priceline Cotton Rounds

Those who wear makeup every day (moi) go through these by the boatload. At the moment I'm using a different brand as I found them on sale, but I definitely prefer the Priceline brand ones.

Derma Intensive 2in1 Facial Wipes

These were also $1 in my local supermarket, and I mainly used them for wiping off residue or swatches on my arm. Quite thin and I much prefer my Priceline brand wipes for all over the face. Would still buy these again though, they weren't bad.

Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey 1ml sample

I really enjoyed this during September, I adore little sample vials because they give me a chance to test something out before buying a whole bottle and hating it. I mentioned this in yesterdays post as one of the scents I adored during the month. I would consider buying a full size of this, but have a list of ones I'd like before it.

Scarlett by Cacharel 1.5ml sample

This was nice, but nothing that stood out or wowed me. It was given to me by the girls in Perfume Connection when I bought an aftershave for Chris, which was a nice gesture. Wouldn't buy a full size of it, it was nothing special to me.

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo

I suffer from dandruff, and it really is the bane of my existence. I tried this out and was initially impressed, but after I tried a few other brands and came back to this, I was disappointed. After using it my hair feels squeaky in a negative way, and it did almost nothing for the dreaded flakies. Am still on the search for a good shampoo for my poor head, if anyone can recommend something I would be utterly grateful.

How much did you manage to get through in September?

emmabovary x

(I purchased all of these items with my own money, with the exception of the shower gel which was a gift from my Dad and the perfume samples which were free with purchase/gift bags. Always honest!)