Mybeautywaxstash

Author: mybeautywaxstash

  • Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub

    When it comes to looking after the skin on the body, there is nothing more satisfying than using a body scrub. The texture, fragrance, the feel of it on the skin is something I personally adore. The best bit for many though is the end result. How the skin feels, all soft and smooth should make anyone feel better about their body. So it will come as no surprise that I have a collection of body scrubs in my beauty stash, but I’ve decided to use Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub for a late afternoon pampering session. This was part of a gift collection I received from a friend many moons ago.

    Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub

    Why this one?

    I’ve had this hidden away too long! This little packet of goodness has been neglected just as much as my skin! I never miss my body moisturising stage as I do it twice a day, but scrubs I definitely could be more consistent with using e.g once or twice a week. I love using them but I forget why I do until I get back into using them again, if that makes sense? But this scrub I wanted to use because dare I say I have NEVER actually used anything from this brand before!

    What is this supposed to do?

    This body scrub is designed to polish and moisturise the body during and after use.

    Packaging.

    The salt scrub I received was travel sized and not in it’s standard packaging, so came in a handy sachet. In this sachet contained 60g of product. The range itself seems to focus on certain colours such as oranges, golds and white which is reflected on how this looks.

    Fragrance.

    Absolutely divine! I’ve never been to a spa but this is how I imagine one to smell like along with it’s products! This should be quite a heavy fragrance but it’s not. Why? Because it has some pretty punchy elements to it. Think of your incense type smells like patchouli and sandalwood, which this has in it. It’s full of body but doesn’t come across strong and masculine because it has an uplifting sweetness to it. There’s the tiniest bit of floral in there as well. Overall, a beautiful scent which is incredibly relaxing for me, and screams pamper time!

    Texture.

    White, small but not too small crystal looking salt pieces. Similar in size and as you can imagine a touch rough because of what they are. These are in an oil base but to look at them and to feel them that isn’t the first thing you think of. It doesn’t look or feel greasy or oily in the traditional sense. But does remind me of feeling damp sand, but of course more clumpy with the salts in it.

    In the shower/bath.

    I first had a shower. I’m lazy, and sometimes want to head into using something like this first, but I opted on a shower because I’m a good girl. This meant my skin was perfectly clean and still damp. I rubbed the salts all over myself, and I used just over two thirds of the sachet. Easy to use, I probably overdone it force wise as I was a little rough and heavy hande, but no damage caused. I could feel the exfoliating action, I could feel the salts on my skin. And they felt the right amount and size for the job at hand.

    While I was using them, the thought popped into my head that these would be even better if they were more oil based. The scent was there and fabulous, my skin felt as if it was being exfoliated well, but not much oil? But what I did after using this made me go 360 because once finished I slipped into a nearly full bath. Oh my goodness! It may not have felt oily but by God when I got into that tub my skin felt AMAZING! In the water it felt so smooth, so soft, so moisturised. Definitely a body treatment rather than just a body product. And I lay in the bath basking in it’s glory for what felt like hours!

    Out of the bath.

    My skin didn’t look massively different except it looked hydrated. No dryness in look or feel, not shiny but looked healthy. And it FELT it too. Did I need to put on a body lotion? Nope! Touching my skin it was as if I already had put something on, something oil based as I could feel it. But I always follow with a body lotion so I didn’t need it but used it anyway. So smooth, supple, soft…oh and before I forget lightly fragranced!

    Sanctuary Spa Body Range

    Recommended?

    Honestly, I didn’t think this scrub would be as good as it was. I thought it would be nice to use, but didn’t think it would be great to use and it was! Easy and enjoyable in application. But for me it transformed and the quality of it shone through, when I was in the bath. So massive thumbs up from me I love this! And great for those people who suffer from dry skin and need a moisturising scrub but not an oily one.

    The brand itself is so easy to purchase as it’s available from so many places instore and online e.g Boots, Superdrug, Amazon and direct from Sanctuary Spa themselves ( just to name a few ). Prices start from £13.00 for the 650g full size of this Goddess like scrub. The sachet currently seems to be available in sets rather than singular, but worthwhile checking for availability on it’s own if you want to try it first before paying for the full size version.

  • Soap & Glory Under Eye Brightening Patches

    We all have at least one thing about our face which we feel is our weakest area. For me it’s under my eyes. Staying up late at night as a child watching the series V and Prisoner Cell Block H ( do not ask! ) didn’t start my eyes off on the right path. Now, being a mum doesn’t help. Getting up at 4.30am Mon to Fri probably NOT the best way to look rested! So yes, my eyes are my weakest area. Always happy to try something that can improve their appearance, I decided to try Soap & Glory’s Puffy Eye Attack Under Eye Brightening Patches I purchased from Boots. Bought when it was on offer, usual price is £3.50.

    Soap & Glory’s Puffy Eye Attack Under Eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches

    Why did I go for this one?

    Soap & Glory as a body care brand has a great reputation, so please explain to me why I’ve never used any of their body OR skincare products before? I really wanted to try something out and went for a product that I hoped would target an area that needed help. With it being on special offer, I thought it was super affordable and worth a gamble.

    What is this designed to do?

    It’s supposed to make the under eye area look better by reducing puffiness, and giving this area a more rested and brighter appearance.

    My eyes.

    Puffiness isn’t a massive concern for me, unless something has made me do some serious ugly crying or I’ve had zero sleep. Just remembered, as a hay fever sufferer itchy and rubbing of my eyes can cause it, so I’ve changed my mind! I do suffer from this occasionally! BUT my usual issue is they just look tired! You know when your neighbour or a customer at work says ‘Oh you look tired dear!’ is all the confirmation you need.

    Packaging.

    These patches come in a sachet. Photograph of eyes on the front, with the sachet almost the same shape, means you know what this product is for. Colouring in white, grey and pink pretty much matches the rest of the brand and it’s ranges. Instructions and ingredients on the back as standard.

    When you take the patches out they come housed in plastic which you need to open. The patches have their own plastic covering on them ( think of the same thing that plasters have on them to make sure they don’t stick together ).

    How to use.

    Apply onto skin dry skin. Remove thin film. Place the patches under the eyes. Remove second film and pat the patches down. Leave for up to 30 minutes. Remove and massage in any residue of gel left on skin.

    The eye patches.

    These eye patches are typical in shape from others I’ve used. They’re designed to follow the shape of the under eye. Thicker in width right below the eye and then thin off as it gets closer to the outside of the eye. Think of a chicken nugget shape and that’s close enough! These are almost jelly like in texture but has a decent thickness to it which I liked. These are clear so no colour. Not too sure why but there seems to be some form of weaving pattern on these. And I also detected no fragrance.

    Application.

    I followed the instructions. Placing these under my eyes was very easy, and they stuck to this area very well. Perfect, as I had no intention of sitting anywhere like a statue I had things to do! And these weren’t restrictive at all!They felt ok. They didn’t feel too weird on the skin. But I did expect them to feel cooler for some reason. They didn’t have any real coldness to them and I wish I had put them in the fridge prior to use. I also expected lots more serum/product on these eye patches but there wasn’t.

    After use. Did my eyes look any better?

    Not that I noticed! My under eyes are my weak spot and I’m always tired. When I used these my eyes weren’t at their worst but if there was an improvement it was so subtle I couldn’t see it!. They felt barely moisturised which I would’ve preferred more of. So appearance and feel wise no change although was an ok experience.

    Recommended?

    Personally? These weren’t for me! If my under eyes at least felt more revived but didn’t look it, then that would be something but they didn’t. I didn’t see any noticeable change either so these didn’t impress me. What I did like about them though was there thickness and ease of use. What I didn’t like was lack of solution on the eye patches, no real cooling effect and my eyes didn’t look more rested, less puffy and more alive in anyway.

    I feel their skincare range just by looking at it is geared towards a younger market. And although younger skin will have concerns because everyone’s skin is different, I’m not convinced it will be hard working enough for older skin and seems more geared towards being fun products.

    The Soap & Glory range, including this product, can be found in Boots. If it’s a range that you like, curious about or feel it could be right for you, the good thing is there regular promotions making their products quite affordable.

  • Treacle Moon’s Marshmallow Hearts Hand Cream

    If there has been one body product I have used since March 2020 more than I ever have in my whole life, it has got to be a hand cream! Dry hands, like dry lips, normally isn’t a massive concern of mine. But as we all know constant hand washing and using hand sanitisers is NOT kind to this area of the body. And with my skin colouring being brown, looking down at hands that pretty much have turned white, isn’t the look I am after! So I think I’m justified in buying a hand cream or three if and when needed. My latest hand cream of choice has been Treacle Moon’s Marshmallow Hearts Hand Cream. Bought in my local Tesco store, for £1.75.

    Treacle Moon’s Marshmallow Hearts Hand Cream

    Why did I buy this one?

    I’ve actually wanted this hand cream for ages! I’ve tried shower and bath gels, bath salts and body scrubs from this range and really enjoyed them. The one product I haven’t tried is the hand creams but I could never find them in store …until now! And having a hand cream is a must for me at the moment as my hands can go from normal to White Walker looking dry in a heart beat! So this was on my to purchase list for sure.

    What is this supposed to do?

    Moisturise the hands when suffering from dryness, thanks to it containing ingredients such as Apricot Oil, Vitamin E and Shea butter.

    Packaging.

    This packaging is quite adorable! It doesn’t come in your standard tube that many hand creams come in. I can’t quite describe the shape of this as it’s not a traditional shape as such e.g circle, square etc. 75ml of hand cream lives in a plastic flip top lid bottle which can sit up right. It’s quite flat with slightly rounded edges. Pale pink in colouring with writing and lid in black, which contrasts nicely. Matches perfectly with the shower and bath gel in the same fragrance. It’s quite a fun way this hand cream is presented and I think geared more towards younger people.

    Fragrance.

    If I remember correctly the smells similar if not identical to the shower and bath gel. Sweet, candyfloss, marshmallow like. This isn’t for the faint hearted. Not everyone likes sugary scents. But you will know if you do and I do! But what I would say is it’s not massively strong. It’s there but doesn’t give your nose diabetes.

    Consistency.

    Squirting this out of it’s packaging, the texture of this reminds me of many body lotions out there and white in colour.

    On the hands.

    I didn’t need too much. A good squirt the size of a 5p piece was enough. Easy to rub in, and as I did so, I could feel the hand cream had a little slip to it. But what it didn’t feel or look like was greasy. My hands looked more hydrated and healthier but not oily or shiny. In fact, quite matt in appearance. They felt smoother too. I could go a head with any tasks I needed to do e.g driving or being at work, without worrying about my hands feeling sticky or slippy.

    Did my hands stay moisturised?

    I found Marshmallow Hearts hand cream is something I apply a few times during the day. You can’t expect one application of a hand cream to keep you going for hours and hours, in between hand washing and everything else! This gives me an immediate hit of moisture but does need to be reapplied.

    Recommended?

    I would! And I would repurchase this for myself too. It’s a good amount of hand cream (75ml), great packaging which is super easy to carry around all day. And of course I like the smell! But what I like is the fact I have so many different textured hand care products, but this one is a more practical one as I can apply it and straight away use my hands. I have richer ones that will moisturise my hands more and for longer if I’m honest, which is great when my hands are beyond dry! But this is for everyday use. And the price? £1.75 is affordable! And because of how this looks and the fact it’s a good hand cream, I would (and have) gifted these to friends for birthdays and/or Christmas.

    If you want to get your maybe not so moisturised hands on this hand cream, it’s available online direct from Treacle Moon, and instore and online at Tesco. Don’t forget they have other products for the body too. Check out my posts on their Coconut Island Body Scrub, Gentle Powder Love Shower & Bath Gel and Marshmallow Hearts Shower & Bath Gel. A budget friendly brand for bath, body and gifting.

  • Is Palmer’s Coconut Oil Lip Balm Good?

    One of the worst areas to suffer from dryness has got to be the lips. Not only can they feel tight and saw, but dry lips look awful! No one wants to suffer from this. That’s why many of us use some form of lip product or balm to keep them well moisturised. Although I’m not a constant sufferer of dry lips, it does happen occasionally, so every so often I will buy a lip balm to help. The most recent one I’ve bought, and tried out for the first time, is Palmer’s Coconut Oil Lip Balm from my local Tesco for £1.30 ( special price when using your Clubcard ). So why did I buy this and what is it like?

    Palmer’s Coconut Oil Lip Balm
    Why did I buy this?

    Palmer’s is a brand I’ve used over the years and loved. But I’ve never used their lip products before. This was priced affordably, in the coconut range I like so I thought I would give it a go! AND it contains an SPF so hopefully not only providing moisturising but also protection too.

    What does this lip balm do?

    This lip balm is supposed to keep lips hydrated all day and keep lips soft and supple. And is also designed to protect the lips against environmental damage.

    Packaging

    Typical lip balm packaging in regards to it being in a small, thin plastic tube. Lidded, and you screw the bottom to bring out the actual lip balm as far as needed and then back into the tube. But rather than this being tube shaped its almost oval! I quite like the feel of this in the hands and makes it a little different.

    Fragrance

    Scent wise there’s a creaminess and sweetness to this, but not sickly. There’s the smallest hint of floral to it, and of course coconut. All combined, this has a tropical vibe to it but the scent is quite subtle, which I liked. I would happily envelope myself in this fragrance in the form of a body spray, body lotion and any other product that would leave this scent as it’s beautiful!

    On the lips

    Very typical in regards to other lip balms. You turn the bottom and the lip balm section moves up, so you can apply it. It felt a little solid when it first moved over the lips but the warmth from this area made it glide over. Instant hit of moisture given, not too greasy in texture but of course it will have a feel of that to a degree. Not too sticky, and I didn’t need to use too much to get the desired amount of moisture on my lips. And how did my lips look? Not dry! Hydrated, with a light sheen on them, not the look of me finishing off eating fried chicken!

    Another thing I noticed is the fact the unusual shape of the lip balm meant it somehow followed the shape of my lips a little easier than it’s traditional counterparts, which I found interesting.

    Taste?

    Should I admit this? But yes, I gave my lips a little lick! And although I wouldn’t be running my tongue all over them on purpose, this actually tastes quite nice! It tastes pretty similar to how it smells which is not a bad thing at all!

    How long did my lips feel moisturised?

    Hours! I would pop this on and hours later my lips still felt and looked moist. Of course, drinking and eating would mean to look at them they wouldn’t quite have that light sheen they first had. But I didn’t feel the need to keep replying.

    Extra points?

    This has an SPF15! I can’t speak for anyone else, but sun protection is something I’m trying to work on this year e.g wear it ALL THE TIME! And for some reason lips for me is an area I continually forget about protecting which isn’t good.

    Recommended?

    Lip balms are one of those products I don’t buy often and I don’t like buying expensive ones. These are the first items that my daughter will lose or I will leave in an item of clothing, it goes in the wash and gets destroyed! But this product is inexpensive. It does exactly what it’s meant to do, great quality with a lovely scent. And it comes from a brand I like and trust in regards to what their products deliver for me. So why would I NOT recommend this? If you can get this at it’s special price of £1.30 brilliant! But at its full price of £2.00, I still think it’s worth it.

    Needing an affordable lip balm that actually does the job? Grab yours from Tesco here, or available instore ( dependant on branch and availability ).