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  • Superdrug’s Vitamin E Sugar And Oil Body Scrub

    Body scrubs. I love them! I don’t use them all the time but I really do love them. It’s one of those products I have to make time to slip into my routine, but when I do I am thankful for it. My skin is in a decent condition at the moment with no massive problems of dryness or dullness, but it definitely deserves a treat! So I’ve started to use Superdrug’s Vitamin E Sugar and Oil Body Scrub. £4.99 for 300ml, but I bought this when this was on special offer price wise a few months ago.

    Superdrug’s Vitamin E Sugar and Oil Body Scrub

    Why did I buy this?

    The Vitamin E range at the time I ordered this was one I hadn’t tried before. There were a few items I wanted to see if they were any good, such as the eye cream, so decided to pop this in my virtual basket as well. The price was good, I needed another body scrub anyway, and as mentioned a new range I hadn’t tried before so curiosity got my credit card!

    What is this supposed to do?

    Exfoliate the skin thanks to it containing a mix of walnut shell, sugar and sea salt. While leaving the skin feeling soft and nourished thanks to the ingredients of Sweet Almond and Grapeseed oil. Designed for normal to dry skin.

    Packaging.

    Nothing fancy here but it doesn’t need to be. The scrub sits happily in a plastic, lidded tub. All very natural in colouring e.g beige and creams, with the tub itself clear so you can see what’s inside it. All relevant detail included on the label e.g ingredients, hot to use etc.

    How it looks.

    Removing the lid I thought a pot of instant porridge was looking at me! Creamy coloured with little brown speckles in it, and you can understand why I thought this could be breakfast! Appearance wise it’s not smooth but not lumpy either. Although it’s not solid, it does look really thick. I know this description doesn’t make it sound appealing, but this isn’t to eat remember.

    Fragrance.

    Love love love! Fresh, clean, just come out of the sea type of scent with a hint of sweetness to it. Beautifully scented, and will be liked by most people. Just the fragrance alone makes me want to use other body products in this range because it’s so nice, and definitely has a Summer vibe to it.

    How to use.

    Apply to wet skin using circular movements. Rinse and pat dry.

    On the skin.

    I ran a bath before using this scrub, and added nothing to it so it didn’t influence the use of this. This was applied onto my skin after I popped into the shower. I think my skin should have been more damp than wet, as I felt I used more of this than what I should have. But what I found despite this was the texture of this scrub is something I have never experienced before. It’s not quite oil based and not quite cream based, a bit like a hybrid. In my hands, it was a little gloppy if honest, but on the skin it rubbed over it easily.

    I could feel the exfoliating grains in this which were the perfect size and shape e.g not sharp. As it rubbed into the skin it became more oil like but not greasy, quite light weight so I would even say closer to a dry oil in feel. Very easy and quick in application and I quite enjoyed the process.

    Rather than wash this off I sank myself into the bath. The scrub on my skin turned the water into a milky cloudy colour, so I felt as if I was getting a bath soak as well as a scrub. Having the fragrance wafting around the bathroom really did give this stage an added relaxation element and finished off the process perfectly.

    Skin afterwards.

    Once out of the bath I lightly patted myself dry. My skin looked quite normal but not that typical dull, matt, just towel dried looked. It wasn’t shiny but it didn’t look or feel dry in anyway. Smooth, hydrated, softy fragranced with zero need for a body lotion.

    Recommended?

    Lets put it this way, it’s going on my repurchase list! massive thumbs up from me.You get a good amount of scrub for the price, which is affordable. A massive help is it’s regularly on some form of special offer as well. This is really important because once it’s finished you don’t have to worry about cost because its not expensive. The scrub itself is very unusual in texture, but very effective in it’s exfoliating action. Highly moisturising and a joy to soak in. Ideal if you want the moisturising benefits of an oil based scrub but don’t want something too oily in feel. So why would I NOT recommend this?

    If you want to grab this scrub, it’s currently on a special offer at Superdrug. Buy one get one half price if you purchase anything from a Superdrug face and body range plus 10% off anything from the Vitamin E range (at time of writing this post). Happy shopping!

  • Aldi’s Lacura Original Hot Cloth Cleanser

    What is the most important thing in a skincare routine? Treat fine lines and wrinkles? Fade dark circles? Blitz away spots? It probably depends on what your skin concerns are. BUT, I think most people will agree that the first step, and possibly the most important part in a skincare routine, is the cleansing stage. Why? Why do anything to dirty skin until it’s clean? How effective will various lotions and potions be on top of dirt and grime? It’s logic really. So a good cleanser for me is important. When a current cleanser is on it’s way out or the seasons change, I’m very open to trying out new ones. I’ve recently picked up Aldi’s Lacura Original Hot Cloth Cleanser. It’s £3.99 for 200ml.

    Aldi’s Lacura Original Hot Cloth Cleanser

    Why did I buy this one?

    I’ve ALWAYS wanted to try this product! I’m a massive fan of hot cloth cleansers, ever since using Liz Earle’s iconic and possibly ‘the original’ hot cloth cleanser many moons ago. But with my local Aldi store, the stock of this is hit, miss or maybe. I thought now would be the perfect time to grab one as my current cleanser was running low, and there seemed to be a good flow of stock of this product every time I’ve been instore recently.

    What is a hot cloth cleanser?

    A hot cloth cleanser is designed to be used with a muslin cloth, so providing not only the the initial cleansing stage but a light exfoliation too. Hot cloth cleansers tend to be rich in moisturising ingredients so not only are they meant to clean the skin, but also nourish the skin. Lacura’s Hot Cloth Cleanser contains Cocoa Butter, Rosemary, Chamomile, White Tea and Eucalyptus which are designed to hydrate, clean, smooth skin and make it feel refreshed.

    Packging.

    The product itself is housed in a plastic tube with a flip top lid on the bottom. Off white in colour, mint green with silver detailing. The design is simple, clean looking and does the job! The tube comes in a cardboard box mirroring the design and colouring of the tube. In the box comes a muslin cloth.

    Look & Texture

    White in colour, smooth but quite thick in texture. When I squeeze this out of the tube it holds its shape like a really thick body lotion.

    Fragrance.

    I quite like it. The fragrance isn’t strong but has a slightly antibacterial element to it because of the eucalyptus. It does have a softened herbal smell to it too. But the scent overall is pleasant, fresh and non offensive.

    How to use.

    Take a small amount and massage onto dry skin. Pop the muslin cloth in warm water and wipe cleanser off skin. Splash face with water. Allow cloth to dry naturally and wash regularly.

    In use.

    I used this pretty much as suggested and over a 10 day period (still using this now by the way). Sometimes morning and night, sometimes just night time. I took a decent amount of the cleanser and rubbed it into my face and neck for roughly two minutes. Easy to do and the fragrance was nice enough and not overpowering. What I did notice was this cleanser started to lose slip, and it felt as if it was sinking into my skin rather than sitting on the surface. Looking into the mirror, the once white residue on my face was disappearing and pretty much got drunk up! At this stage I wet my muslin cloth and wiped it off hoping it would still do the job of being a cleanser rather than a moisturiser.

    What was left on my skin was removed quickly and easily. Skin felt ok after removal. It felt clean but a touch on the tight side, which I sometimes get when using a product for the first few times. This seemed less noticeable the more I used this.

    My face after.

    It looked ok. It didn’t look dirty, but it didn’t look or feel particularly fresh either. Normally when I use a cleanser, especially one with a texture to it, I enjoy the process. Not with this. It was just ok and I found it slightly underwhelming if I’m honest.

    Did it clean my skin though?

    Most definitely! I used a toner to swipe over my face to check and no dirt on my cotton pad, clean as a whistle!

    Would I buy this again?

    For myself? No. If I use a hot cloth cleanser I want to enjoy the few minutes I use it and I didn’t when using this. I also didn’t like the idea of this soaking into my skin so quickly, so felt as if I had to rush this stage. That wasn’t something I wanted to do because Summer is the time you are sweaty, have more product on your face like sun cream, so more time maybe is needed to cleanse the face and neck area. So overall not for me.

    Recommended?

    Although this wasn’t for me this does have some good points to it so definitely worth a go if you want this type of cleanser. The price. £3.99 for 200ml and a muslin cloth is good value. Decent hot cloth cleansers I’ve noticed are available from £3.99 up. So if you check around you can get something comparable in price or a little more dearer but still won’t break the bank. If you shop in Aldi anyway it’s an easy purchase to make while grabbing your milk and bread so convenient. Scent was fresh and texture was nice. Easy to use, cleaned well so did what it was designed to do. This is a decent hot cloth cleanser for many people, just not one that I felt was the best for me.

    Not available online at the moment, but if you want to add this to your Summer skincare collection, visit your local store to purchase.

  • The Body Shop’s Berry Bath Blend

    Warm weather does not put me off when it comes to my evening bathing ritual. Sunny, scorching, 100 degrees outside? I don’t care! No matter what, I will be sat in my bath tub like Ariel swimming under the sea! It’s a part of my daily routine and a way to relax, regardless of feeling as if I’m being poached alive. But with it being Summer, I thought I would drag out a bath product that in my opinion reflects the season because of its fragrance. The Body Shop’s Berry Bath Blend seemed a perfect choice. £8.00 for 250ml.

    The Body Shop’s Berry Bath Blend

    Why this one?

    I’ve used the Banana Bath Blend and loved it. I’m a lover of fruity fragranced products anyway so why not? I have my typical bath and shower gels that I pick up from supermarkets, but then there are times I just want something a little more special, and this is that time and product!

    What’s a bath blend?

    The Body Shop’s Bath Blends are fairly new products. Released within the last year or two, they are designed of course to go into the bath. Be fragrant, provide foam and nourish the skin without stripping it. Part bath cream, part bath soak.

    Packaging.

    How this is presented reminds me of when my dad used to buy flavoured milk from the milk man! Although not in a glass bottle ( bath blend is in plastic), it has that old time milk bottle shape but with a screw top lid. Clear, so you can see the colour of the blend. The labeling matches the color of the blend itself. Very appealing and almost drinkable!

    Fragrance.

    Very berry! Strawberry to be more specific! But there’s a little sharpness to the sweetness of this. Also, some creaminess which makes it more balanced and rounder making it delicious in scent. I really want to drink this, as I did with the banana version, but better not!

    Look & Consistency.

    This is a lovely berry reddish pink colour. Totally opaque. The consistency is very unusual because it’s not a gel or a cream. Like it’s banana fragranced counterpart it reminds me of a milk based drink. Not a thick milkshake, but the more fluid ones.

    In the bath.

    Under warm running water, this bath blend turned the clear water into a beautiful pink coloured pool. And laying on the top of that produced a decent amount of soft, white, frothy bubbles making this bath very appealing. The fragrance was there and it smelt beautifully, but wished it was a little bit stronger because its so mouth watering and enjoyable to smell.

    The bath itself was relaxing. The bubbles lasted a good amount of time and when they left, the bath water stayed pink but more cloudy. On the skin I had no issues, and it didn’t dry out my skin afterwards.

    Recommended?

    I like this bath blend. But between this and the banana version I’ve used before, the banana wins. Why? It’s more of an unusual fragrance compared to something berry based which is more common in bath products where scent is concerned. It’s a lovely product. Not something I would buy regularly due to price and size but a rare purchase. I would recommend this in a set form to get the best possible price, or if it’s on sale so discounted. But as a regular repeat purchase on it’s own probably not but depends on your budget. As a treat to yourself or for someone else? Absolutely!

    If this fruity cocktail is making you thirsty to buy it, you can grab it in person at you local Body Shop store or online here and safe your legs the hassle of walking.

  • Superdrug’s Bloom Driftwood & Sea Salt Body Mist

    Using some form of fragrance for me is like finishing off an outfit. Once it’s sprayed onto my clothes, it’s my sign that its time to go and to start my day. Are there particular fragrances or types I want to wear at certain times? No not really. Whatever I fancy at the moment is what I chose, which could be a completely different type of scent the following day. That’s why my collection is sizeable. Mostly, this consists of body/perfume mists with a few actual perfumes thrown in. One body mist I’ve recently been using is Superdrug’s Bloom Driftwood & Sea Salt Body Mist. Usual price is £2.99, I bought this when on offer for 99p!

    Superdrug’s Bloom Driftwood & Sea Salt Body Mist

    Why did I chose this one?

    The scents I tend to go for are quite typical and predictable. Fruity, bakery based. Maybe floral and feminine, but mixed with something else to give it a feel of sophistication rather than making me smell like a granny. This I wanted it to be totally different. From the fragrance name alone, it conjured up something quite clean and fresh with a twist, which is exactly what I wanted, especially to wear during Summer.

    Packaging.

    Tall and thin plastic rectangular spray topped bottle. Totally clear, very basic in look. The thing that makes it stand out is the label. Designed very simply but mint green in colour providing it a much needed pop.

    Scent Description from Superdrug’s Website.

    Driftwood and Seasalt Body Mist : a contemporary classic fragrance, combining amber and fresh notes of bergamot, infused with base notes of sandalwood.

    How does this smell to me?

    A salty sea breeze mixed in with a hint off woodiness and spice. There’s a slight herbal edge in here with some subtle powdery notes and sweetness. It’s a great combination of elements in one fragrance. It gives a unique take on a clean smelling scent. I love how this screams Summer to me, but there isn’t a flower or tropical fruit scent to this in sight. Quite a unisex fragrance in my opinion and not targeting a particular age range. This would appeal to a large number of people regardless of age or sex.

    Strength & Longevity.

    Strength is medium. What I like about this body mist, is it could easily be an overwhelming fragrance but it isn’t. Too strong and this could kill the senses, but it’s strong enough to enjoy the aroma. Longevity for me could have been a little longer. I found myself having to top this up a few times during the day as the strength seemed to dive somewhat, and I really wanted the initial strength back. But in all honesty I think I would have reapplied regardless as I just love how it smells!

    Recommended?

    This scent is gorgeous! I absolutely love it! Every time I use this it literally makes me smile! I even spray my son with this when he needs freshening up. Despite the fact I would like this to retain it’s strength for longer, I still think this is a killer fragrance. It’s different, it’s in keeping with the Spring/Summer seasons, and I think it has mass appeal. Why oh why they don’t sell this in wax melt or reed diffuser form I do not know as it needs to exist!

    Currently, at time of writing this, this fragrance and others in the range are on a 2 for £5.00 deal. So if you are thinking of keeping one for yourself, and gifting one to some lucky person, get your body mist groove on here.