MOLTON BROWN HEAVENLY GINGERLILY BATH & SHOWER GEL {#TBT REVIEW}

Whilst scrolling through past posts, in search of a review or article to feature

 in my#tbt post, I came across this review on the Molton Brown

Heavenly Gingerlily Bath & Shower Gel, however upon re-reading it made

me feel sad for various reasons.

Despite only going back to 2012 (8yrs), it mentions 3 powerhouses on the 

South African beauty landscape that sadly are no longer with us.

1.

 Glossybox

 the international monthly subscription beauty box that just didn't

thrive in SA.

2.

Stuttafords 

the department store that had been around for over 100 years.

3.

Red Square

The stand alone beauty store arm of Edgars has recently closed and re-located

their beauty back into the Edgars stores.

On a brighter note I have re-purchased the Heavenly Gingerlily

Bath & Shower Gel several times along with many other of the fragrance

 variants and Molton Brown has become one of my favourite go-tos for 

luxurious indulgent bubbles.

*I have amended the price*

~~~~~~

Molton Brown has been available for over 2 years now in South Africa, but this quintessential British export has been "wowing" its followers worldwide for 

nearly 40 years....so what or who is Molton Brown?

The natural and alternate hairdressing salon opened in 1973 and took its 

name from the street it was situated on...Molton Street London. 

Soon the salon created their own natural hair & body products and as the

 saying goes "the rest is history".

Molton Brown consists of luxurious product ranges for the bath, body, hair, 

men, home, gifting and travel using the finest plant and marine extracts. 

Over 85% of their products are produced in England. 

Expertly created fragrance collections proudly hold a Royal Warrant for 

the supply of toiletries by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen.

Now available in 70 countries worldwide this brand remains proudly British!

I remember fondly of a trip to London in the late 70's as a trainee 

Beauty Therapist making a "beeline" for Molton Brown on Molton Street,

hoping to walk in and get an appointment to have my hair cut....

Oh dear! what naivety.

The reason for this post, is that way back in May I received an exclusive

 Stuttafords "Glossybox" that contained a travel size (30ml) of the

 Heavenly Gingerlily Bath & Shower Gel. 
I cannot believe this was lying in a drawer begging me to try it for 

over five months! 

What is so nice about the Molton Brown product line up, is that it extends to

several products with the same fragrance, so once you have found you're

favourite, it can truly fragrance your room or whole house.

Those that know me well, I am a lover of my bath much preferring it 

to a shower.

For me a Foam bath must be as much about the fragrance and it benefits, 

as the staying power and volume of the bubbles, as you can't have one 

without the other and all of these I found to be great in this product.

 

The name heavenly is also very apt, as the fragrance is absolutely heavenly,

escape to exotic beaches with fragrant lily, warming ginger and cardamom 

in this alluring bath and shower gel.

Paraben-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free and vegan

No ingredient of animal origin

Would I buy it? Yes as the fragrance is far too "yummy" to resist...

MOLTON BROWN

HEAVENLY GINGERLILY

BATH & SHOWER GEL

300ml 

R

265

525

$

32

£

22

Molton Brown products are available in 

Stuttafords and selected Red Squares.

skinscosmetics

NUXE - REVE DE MIEL - ULTRA RICH FACE AND BODY CLEANSING GEL {REVIEW}

Through my series of posts "Sunday Sample" I have discovered some great products that may not have been on my beauty radar and perhaps never would have been and this weeks little golden gem is one those.

This ultra rich face & body gel from the French brand NUXE forms part of their Rêve de Miel® range which primarily contains ingredients like Honey and Precious Oils, ensuring that this range is a pure delight for all skin types.
This golden,paraben free,soothing cleansing gel cares for dry and sensitive skin and is gentle enough to be used every day by the whole family.
With its wonderful aroma of honey, this rich, lipid-enriched gel containing Honey and Sunflower cleanses the face and body whilst respecting that important hydrolipid film.
Apply a small amount of Rich Cleansing Gel in the morning and evening to moist skin over your face and body, enjoy its generous foam and then rinse off.

It was an absolute pleasure to use and with its pump dispenser, on the generous 400ml plastic container, makes it an ideal product for daily use in the shower.

I loved the way it transformed in a creamy foam and comforted my skin rather than leaving my skin feeling tight like so many other body washes do.

In fact, I loved it so much that I am going to purchase a bottle this week...

Thank goodness for my Sunday Sample series of posts otherwise I would have overlooked this "French Beauty".

(I have written several reviews on NUXE products, so if you would like to read more on this brand and my experiences then just click on the pink link at the foot of this post)

400ml Pump Dispenser

R295

$
I believe that NUXE is no longer available in the US as of end of April 2017

£19

Available in South Africa at selected Truworths and Woolworths Countrywide


To read my other NUXE reviews

SUNDAY SAMPLE

This weeks Sunday Sample was only added to my Sample Jar this past Friday and I have to say, it sounds like a very interesting product from The French brand NUXE and it's part of their rêve de miel range.

I'm excited to try the Face & Body Ultra Riche Cleansing Gel,which contains Honey & Sunflower.This paraben free cleansing gel has been formulated to be gentle cleanse both the face and body.

Having tried several of the NUXE products I am yet to try anything that I don't like, so as always check back in on Sunday to find out whether I enjoyed this product or not...

FOOT PEEL SKIN REPUBLIC {REVIEW}

Part 1

Skin Republic Foot Peel is a luxurious at-home treatment that peels your feet to remove dead skin cells and calluses.The specially designed booties contain 15 plant extracts (including ginko biloba and green tea) that soak into the skin removing calluses and dead skin cells and is also rich in vitamin E to leave your feet smooth and silky. 

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) remove dead skin cells leaving you with soft, crack-free skin.

   Each foot peel mask contains 2 booties for one application and is Dermatologically tested.

Having heard and read a mixed bag of reviews and knowing that "peel" booties have to be on my feet for 90-120 minutes and that my skin may peel and shed like a snake during the week post application... has put me off somewhat. 

Seeing that the weather has changed here in South Africa and open shoes now make way for closed I've decided to now put this Foot Peel to the test.

Application is super easy, but you do need to allow the suggested time in order for the AHA's do their job. I left my booties on for 120 minutes. Also be aware that it's not easy to walk around with the booties on as your feet are squishing around in a wet, jelly type solution, so it truly is a case of "put you feet up" for the hour n a half to two hours.

Directions for use: 

1. 
After washing and drying your feet, open the pouch and take out all-in-one bootie.
 2. 
Cut open bootie along the cutline and place feet inside bootie. 
3. 
Wear booties for 90-120 minutes, then remove feet from booties, wash thoroughly. 
4. 
After using the foot peel mask, dead skin cells will naturally peel off within a week. To be used only once every 6 weeks. 
5. 
For best results on extremely rough callused heels we recommend that this product be used with an exfoliating file. 
6. 
The foot peel mask contains a high concentration of AHAs that may cause skin irritation. To ensure skin compatibility, it is advisable to test a small area of your foot before use. 
7.
Use booties immediately after opening to prevent the essence from drying out.

Part 2

It's now 8 days since applying and I have nothing to really report back to you other than my feet did feel slightly softer for a couple of days after application, but

I've had no peeling of any skin whatsoever and it's not the result that I was expecting.

I'm not sure why nothing has happened, but it's a huge disappointment.

Maybe my feet are too well cared for and perhaps the product only has the desired affect if used on very neglected feet.

R115

40g

Available from Clicks, Dischems and selected Pharmacies countrywide

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS {APRIL 2017}

Here are my Quickie Product Reviews (QPR'S) for April, unfortunately my scoring ranges from an 8 to a zero...yes a zero!

LUSH The Comforter Shower Cream

Brand : LUSH

Product : Comforter Shower Cream (100mls)

Price : R95

Verdict:

I bought this product hoping that I would love it and it would fill the gap left by the Snow Fairy, but alas the opposite happened. However if you love to smell like a huge sweet blackcurrant then you will just love "The Comforter".

In the Lush store, I just had a whiff of the product from the bottle and not being opposed to a fruity fragrance I bought the 100ml size. Thank goodness I did, as this was as its name suggests... of no "comfort" to me, as it was overpowering and had a really unpleasant overriding petroleum smell and it was the worst fragrance in a shower cream I have ever tried.That being said if you enjoy a strong and intense fruity fragrance from your shower products, then I highly recommend. I personally like the Lush Shower Creams but my dislike for the fragrance distracted from the usual products benefits.

2/10

~~~~~~

Oxygen Moisture Shampoo & Oxygen Moisture Conditioner

Brand : DOVE

Product : Oxygen Moisture Shampoo (250mls) & Oxygen Moisture Conditioner (250mls)

Price : R85 each

Verdict:

Over the past 30 years I have always bought & used Professional salon ranges of hair products and I have "yo yo'd", over the years, between Redken, Kerastase and L'Oreal Professional, which I have always been very happy with and I've never had any negative reactions.
Several weeks ago my shampoo was running out and I stupidly broke from tradition and bought a pharmacy range shampoo and conditioner from the Dove collection.
My scalp unbeknown to me instantly took a reactive dislike to either the Oxygen Moisture Shampoo or the Conditioner or both.
From the first wash my scalp felt itchy, which I put down to possible sunburn along my parting, which I have had before. However the itching continued for several weeks (just on the day of washing and conditioning my hair), but no scalp flakiness appeared and I soon connected the dots to realise it was a reaction to the products.
The Oxygen range claims to
 "breath life into fine, flat hair leaving it beautifully bouncy and moisturised and full of natural volume".
Despite the obvious reason for the zero rating my hair, whilst feeling clean, didn't feel or look particularly great. (Personally I think my hair went into a state of "Shock") I'm sure there are lots of happy users out there but I'm not one of them.
What I've  learnt from this - I won't stray off my salon hair products in a hurry again and in my opinion they're well worth the extra money. 

0/10

~~~~~~

rain Natural Castile Olive Wash (Lavender)

Brand : rain

Product : Natural Castile Olive Wash Lavender (400mls)

Price : R85

Verdict:

Being a huge fan of all things rain, my "go to" liquid hand wash for a couple of years now has been the generous 400mls (lasts so long) of the Natural Castile Olive Wash.
Having a dual purpose as a "wash" it can be used by the basin or in the bath.
There are 4 subtle fragrances to chose from; Lavender, Amber, Passion and Forest plus a fragrance free option.(I haven't yet tried the Amber or the fragrance free, but I can vouch for the other 3 scents)
These washes contain over 50% olive oil meaning that your hands and body are left feeling moisturised in a non greasy way. 

8/10

~~~~~~

CLARINS TONIC BODY POLISHER {REVIEW}

I love a good face and body exfoliator and I'm one of those people that use 
regularly as part of my beauty regime and I really don't find it a chore, 
as there is nothing nicer than the feeling of a smooth, soft and revitalised skin
 and considering the little effort required, it yields maximum results.

An exfoliator for the face or body is the one product that gives instant results
 that you can both see and feel.

If you don't use an exfoliator then now is the time, as it's never too late to 
introduce to your beauty routine.

I have learnt that face, lip, hand and body exfoliation becomes even more i
mportant with age, as we need to encourage and stimulate the skins 
cell renewal process, which naturally slows with age.

Body Polishers, scrubs and exfoliators, call them what you may,
 all pretty much do the same thing and that's to remove the surface 
layer of the dead, drying skin cells that build up over time. 
This build-up is responsible for giving the skin that rough, dull and uneven 
appearance and feel to our skin whether it be on your face or body.

Exfoliators for the body generally comprise of coarser grains than those used
 on the face and I personally love a coarser type of scrub. 
I feel that they are far more efficient at the exfoliation process and leave the skin 
feeling wonderfully smooth, soft and glowing.

As with most exfoliating type products you can control the degree of exfoliation
 by adding more or less water on application.

(If your skin leans more towards the sensitive side then finer granules would be more suited)

To say that I have used so many body scrubs etc. over my years I cannot believe
 that the Clarins Tonic Body Polisher with Essential Oils escaped my
 "beady beauty eye", 
but it did much to my annoyance and loss.

Having started my beauty career here in South Africa with Clarins, 
firstly as a counter consultant and then as a rep, I have a fond appreciation 
and respect for the brand. 

Originally Clarins had 3 specific body oils on offer:

Tonic Oil (Firmness & Tone)

Relaxing Oil (Soothing & Relaxing)

Anti-Eau Oil (Anti Water & Fluid Retention)

They no longer have the Anti-Eau Oil, but have extended their product offering
 within the Relax and Tonic ranges, which I'm happy about.

If you would like to know more about the Tonic and Relaxing body products visit

Clarins

The clever people at Clarins have included in their Tonic Body Polisher 
a wonderful mix of

100% essential oils including Rosemary, Rosewood, Mint, Hazelnut & Geranium 

These essential oils not only promote a feeling of well being, 

as they smell amazing, but more importantly help to both respect the 

natural hydrolipidic film and nourish our skin post exfoliation.

The granules in this polisher are made up of a mixture of Sugar and Salt crystals
 from the Camargue region in the South of France 

(I have been lucky to have visited this beautiful region)

This mixture is what eliminates those dead cells, whilst deep cleansing the skin 

to reveal a smoother, brighter and more toned skin.

The inclusion of one of my favourite ingredients Shea Butter along with Hazelnut Oil 

make this body polisher super nourishing and softening on the skin.

This body polisher is also a perfect product to prep the skin prior to the application 

of a self tan, as it ensures an even and streak free bronzed result.

Body exfoliators are easy peasy to use:
Use once or twice a week. Lightly massage into clean, damp skin, concentrating 
on areas of rough skin: elbows, knees, feet. Rinse well.
(Remember it's always advisable to use a moisturising product immediately 
after any skin exfoliating)

I fell in love with this product as soon as I opened the jar, as it truly smells 
divine and the  aromas immediately work their magic to give you a 
feeling of well being.

It's my "Spa In A Jar" and as if it couldn't get any better, the Body Polisher is 
super effective at what it's name suggests and that's...
Polishing the Body



Clarins Tonic Body Polisher
200mls

R

500

$

41

£

33

Available from Clarins stockists countrywide and online

40 YEARS OF L'OCCITANE {LAVENDER FOAM BATH}

Despite only being around in South Africa since 2008 L'Occitane has been in existence since 1976, which makes 2016 its special 
40th Anniversary year.

I wonder if back then the founder of L'Occitane, Olivier Baussan, could ever have envisaged the outcome of his passion for his native Provence, love of plants and his desire to create wonderful products that were authentic, traceable and respected both the environment and people.

Alambic

With nothing but an alambic, a small truck and a solid knowledge of plants this young man of 23, set out to sell his distilled Rosemary essential oil on the local markets of Provence in Southern France.

Lavender is a fragrant iconic symbol of Provence and is renowned worldwide for its highest quality, especially that grown in the Haute Provence region and this seemed the most obvious choice for his next essential oil and today it's  still a core ingredient in many of the L'OCCITANE ranges and products.

40 years later and as they say "the rest is history" and L'OCCITANE is now available in every corner of the world for everyone to enjoy.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, L'OCCITANE is celebrating Provence, the land of its birth, through a limited-edition collection based around its most famous flower. 

The packaging features a new design, inspired by fields of lavender seen from the sky, which trace diagonal lines across the plateaus of Haute-Provence, filling them with colour.

My "go to" weekly Lavender foam bath and one that I rave about constantly is the one below and quite simply it's the very 

Best!

It's a rich, delicate foam bath containing Lavender Essential Oil with a captivating lavender scent and more importantly voluminous long lasting bubbles.
The aroma lets your mind escape to Provence as you breathe in its fragrance and enjoy a soothing moment of relaxation. 

It leaves your skin feeling supple and fragranced with the delicate scent of lavender.

If you love your bubbles and enjoy the whole relaxing bathing experience then I cannot recommend a more beautiful relaxing product and maybe the 40th anniversary is a perfect time to treat yourself to a little bit of Provence.

L'OCCITANE

Lavender Foam Bath

500mls R450

100mls R130

L'OCCITANE Lavender Foam Bath

If you follow me regularly on my blog and other social media platforms you will already know that L'OCCITANE is my one of my favourite brands and if you just type in the word L'OCCITANE in the "search for my Shout words" on the side bar, so many L'OCCITANE reviews will pop up and if there are any reviews that you would like me to review in the future, then just leave me a comment below.

Available from L'OCCITANE Boutiques countrywide and online 

L'OCCITANE

ALMOND DAY - L'OCCITANE ALMOND SHOWER OIL [REVIEW}

Today

is 

Almond Day

I thought today in honour of the super healthy Almond I would share this post again with you.

 I love Almonds not only to eat, but also to apply to my face and body.

Almond is well-know for its ability to nourish the skin and in my opinion L'OCCITANE have best harnessed the exceptional beautifying power of almond from the south of France and integrated it in body treatments and toiletries that are both deliciously tempting and wonderfully effective. 

Made with Almonds sourced from Haute Provence, the Almond range, includes delicious shower oil, mouth watering body creams, soaps and hand creams

The review below was written in 2012 and in my opinion nothing has changed and it still remains on my "must have" list, so if you havent yet tried this or any other Almond products from L'Occitane then you really are missing out.

The Almond Shower Oil is L'Occitane's second "Best Selling"  product worldwide after their wonderful Shea Hand Cream ,which by the way won a Fair Lady award for 2011!

The Almond Shower Oil is unique and has to be experienced in order to appreciate and understand fully the pleasure and the benefits derived from using this cleansing and soothing oil.

Don't be put off by the fact it's an oil, as I know, it conjures up visions of an oily residue being left on the skin after your daily shower...

Well it doesn't!

Even the application of the product is special in so many ways. 

Firstly the aroma of Almonds is great, then once you massage the oil onto a wet skin the oil magically turns into a white creamy texture! 

You then cleanse the body and rinse under the shower as normal and your skin is left beautifully cleansed, (whilst respecting the Hydrolipidic film), moisturised and softened, (thanks to all the magical powers of the Almond oils) and yet leaves

no oily residue behind on the skin.

Can it get any better? 

Well yes it can & it does, as they also recommend that you shave your legs in the shower using the Shower Oil..

How easy is that...its a great multi- tasking product. 

Oh! I nearly forgot the product is unisex, so you can share it with your man.

This is an easy choice as "My Must Haves" and judging by the worldwide sales, I am not the only one that has to "Have" the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil.....

This product comes in a plastic containers, which are safer in the shower and it comes in

 a variety of sizes!

              75ml              

R115

                250ml                

R295

               500ml                

R525

To order online 

To read my 

Other "Must Haves"

CLARINS GOLDEN SUN SHIMMER BODY OIL

I was lucky enough to be given a limited edition Shimmer Body Oil from the Clarins Splendours Summer Make-up Collection. I have always enjoyed and preferred using a Shimmer body oil rather than a shimmer lotion or cream. In my opinion an oil somehow enhances your tan or natural colour so much better and this Clarins oil promises to give your décolleté, arms, legs and body a shimmery radiance, all thanks to the tiny gold flecks.

Hazelnut oil nourishes,softens and smoothes the skin while protecting it from dehydration, yet will never feel oily.The light summer fragrance is a mix of essential oils of tangerine, grapefruit,ylangylng and tonka bean.


The first thing that caught my attention was the shimmer in the bottle, as it is very evident and I was a little concerned that it would be too shimmery, but upon application you immediately see that it's a subtle shimmer, that enhances any skin tone/colour beautifully.
The nourishing oils are light and most definitely do not give your skin an oily feel.
The fragrance is light, fresh and slightly fruity and would suit everyone, as its a hint of summer and after all who doesn't like summer?
Remember - that this product is a limited edition, therefore once stocks have sold through
its NO longer available...and that's a pity. 

Available now from selected retailers

RRSP: R460, 100ml

www.clarins.co.za