Surely I’m not the only one who thought they were pretty much prepared Christmas wise, only to realise there are one or three people that need a small gift or gifts for the the festive season? But in all seriousness, I do not have a big budget and I definitely do not have the time to run up and down the high street like a crazy woman to fill these present gaps. And I’m sure YOU don’t either! So if you’re still looking for some bath and body stocking fillers and you shop in the supermarket store Aldi, read below. All of these products I’ve bought, used and reviewed. And it’s safe to say I would give (and have done) these as small gifts or part of a selection of small pieces. And the best bit is these are all under £2.00 each!
This was something I purchased last year and was surprised and happy to see it in stores again this year. This is a very nourishing and protective hand cream which works great on dry hands, especially now it’s a colder season and central heating is on full whack. £1.49 for 65ml.
I expected these to be limited edition but they’ve been in my local store for a few months now and regularly replenished. Beautifully scented product that creates lots of bubbles, and would no doubt create a relaxing bathing experience for any wannabe mermaid. £1.79 for 500ml.
My latest discovery and purchase from Aldi’s Lacura range. Fits in perfectly with this time of year scent and packaging wise. If you know someone who has a thing for hand washes (you will know who they are trust me!), likes to use hand cream and has a massive collection of bath and shower gels, they probably would appreciate these. You could pick up all three in this fragrance, each priced at £1.99 (400ml of shower gel, 100ml of hand cream).
Aldi’s Lacura Winter Candy Apple Shower Gel & Hand Cream
There’s still time to grab a few items that you need to get for Christmas presents/stocking fillers. You really don’t have to spend too much on good items for the people in your life. Even better if you can grab these during your normal day to day shopping of groceries!
We all have our weaknesses in life, but I fall hook, line and sinker for products designed to go into the bath. It’s my happy place! I read a book, scroll through my phone, sit back and relax. So having good and enjoyable products to use during this time is an essential part of my life. So imagine when I found out that Aldi’s Lacura range had brought out new bath products. Less than 24hrs later I roamed the aisles to find and purchase their Foaming Bath Soak and Luxury BathFloat. Both £1.79 and both 500ml.
Aldi’s Lacura Spa Foaming Bath Soak and Luxury Bath Float
Why did I buy these?
I saw these products on social media and of course with them being new and for the bath, my interest had peaked. But I couldn’t help noticing the packaging, how they looked and comments made about these being dupes of a particular brand. A brand available on the high street and one I have used before….
What are the differences between the Bath Soak and the Bath Float?
The Bath Soak look wise makes me think of a bath milk or bath cream . It’s creamy in colour, opaque with a decent thickness to it. But a touch more runnier than a traditional foaming bath. The Bath Float is quite golden in colour, transparent, same consistency as the Bath Soak. The ingredients are slightly different too so not identical and possibly have different benefits or trying to create different benefits per product.
Packaging.
Both the bath soak and bath float are packaged in the same tall cylinder shaped plastic bottles. Bottles are clear with soft gold coloured screw top lids. The labels on the front have random patterns on them, almost free style loose swirls coloured the same as the lids. With each label appearing to be almost frosted in effect rather than totally transparent.
Fragrance.
Both products are identical in fragrance. They smell beautiful! This is definitely floral based but probably more so on the oriental floral side. There’s depth to this, it’s quite warming thanks to having some slightly woody, musky notes to it. Possibly a hint of citrus in this? It has an almost zesty quality to it that’s faint in the background. But all elements are very well balanced It has quite a fresh feel to it, very relaxing with feminine charm to it but fragrance that would appeal to anyone.
In the bath.
Under warm running water, both of these foamed up quickly and well. Created was plenty of white fluffy bubbles while the water underneath remained clear. The foam was present for ages which was nice to see. The fragrance was there, obvious, and I thoroughly enjoyed.
These didn’t dry out my skin, no irritation and mixes beautifully with anything vanilla based. I know this because I couldn’t help but add some of my Vanilla fragranced Body Shop bath product in as a form of mixology!
Any difference between the Bath Soak and Bath Float in the bath or on the skin?
No difference! I expected the Bath Soak to provide a more luxurious bath, even a touch on the milky side. I also thought it would be more moisturising on the skin. But in all honesty, unless I was half asleep,these were both the same. Same scent, same foam, same coloured water and same effect on the skin.
What are these dupes of?
The Sanctuary Spa range. The design of the labels from the colouring and patterns on it as you can see below are very similar. Even the colouring of the product itself. But it’s the smell that does it for me. Does it smell the same? Let’s put it this way, if there is a difference in scent between the two it’s small! Incredibly similar and the Lacura version fragrance way is of a fantastic quality 100%!
Sanctuary Spa VS Lacura Spa
Could these be improved?
I would have liked two different bathing experiences from these products. The Bath Soak I think should have been more hydrating on the skin. And would have been great if it was more of a bath milk. But for the price and the amount you get I won’t complain!
Recommended?
For £1.79 you get 500ml of a foaming bath product. They smell great, both created foam which lasted a good amount of time and packaging wise these are easy on the eye. So of course I would recommend this! If you are someone who likes the scent of the Sanctuary Spa range then you will like this of course because of it’s similarities. If on a budget these would make great gifts or good for the family to use on a daily basis. What they need to do next is create a home fragrance range connected o these products and they will get even more money from me!
Available instore dependant on availability of stock. I expected these to be in the middle aisles but found them in the same sections for the normal, everyday bath and body products. So if you can’t find them under Special Buys, look for them there.
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.
If you have read some of my previous skincare blog posts, you will know that my main facial concern is my eyes. My skin overall is in good condition, no major lines or wrinkles and the occasional spot or two I can cope with. But my eyes are the area I feel need the most love and attention. That’s why eye products are my credit card’s Kryptonite. I can’t help but coo over them and want to buy them all, hoping one will give me a well rested look. So I HAD to pick up Aldi’s Lacura Avocado Bright Eyes Overnight Retinol Sleeping Mask when it was released a few weeks ago. £4.99 for 15ml.
It’s an eye product! Eye products for me are hit and miss. I don’t expect something to give me a massive change but some small improvement would be nice. The ingredients listed on the packaging made me think this could be a good product for me. Its price point seemed very fair and affordable, and it was a new product, so already got my attention!
What is this & what is it supposed to do?
This product is designed to be placed under the eyes at night time. It’s supposed to make dark circles and dullness under the eyes improve while you snooze. Brighter, firmer. The eyes should look more moisturised, thanks to ingredients such as avocado oil and shea butter. Oh, and if you are into following skincare brands, this product and others from this same subrange, is supposed to be ‘inspired’ by a well known company. Use Google, you will find it!
Packaging.
This product comes in a simple but cute glass (I think) jar. The jar itself seems tinted green, and matches the colour of the lid. The sides are curved which makes it look even more cuter and interesting on the eye (no pun intended!).
The jar comes in a box, which is striking because of the pattern all over it. Cartoon like halved avocados! The colouring of the box is mainly white, green with silver detailing. Fun, quirky, but I feel as if it’s targeting a younger audience because of how this product is presented.
Texture & Fragrance.
LOVE the texture of this! It might make some people nervous but it is very rich. You can tell its power packed with moisturising ingredients. It’s similar in texture to, I would say, a very rich face cream for dry skin and would even go as far to say it reminds me of a body butter! Not quite as thick and definitely not as greasy but does have a waxy feel to it. Although the pic below makes this look pale green in colour, it’s actually white. White, opaque and smooth.
I expected fragrance to be honest. I find a lot of products that try to catch your eye with packaging done in a funky way (not all the time but some!) can be heavily fragranced. This? Nothing! I was glad about this because as much as I don’t have a problem with fragrance, I don’t want my eye product reeking of it.
Application.
You need to apply this like any other eye product. Take a small amount and lightly dab underneath the area, not too close to the eye itself. AND on clean skin. Although this product says it’s an overnight mask, it does suggest direction wise you can use this during the day but follow up with sun care. But I never used this during the day, just at night time. Using a small amount, I found despite how thick this product was, it patted under the eye like a dream. Easy, no dragging or pressure needed and left no greasy, oily look to the area. Felt quite light but under my eyes immediately felt and looked moisturised and hydrated.
The day after the night before.
The first thing I noticed after one application was how under my eyes felt plump and hydrated. They felt just as protected as they did when I first put the product on.
Over 10 days…
Every morning my eyes have felt the same as mentioned above. But what I have noticed as time has gone on is my under eyes overall have improved. Not massively. I don’t look like I’ve had eye surgery or anything like that. But they look a bit more rested, they look more awake and they seem to recovery quicker than usual e.g from too little sleep, ugly crying etc. I wouldn’t say my under eyes are exceptionally dark normally, but they have looked a touch less dead like since using this.
Recommended?
There is one thing I hate about Aldi. They bring out limited edition skincare subranges and you wonder hmmm, should I buy 1 or 3? You buy 1 because you don’t want to be silly with money just in case it’s not for you. And by the time you use it, and give it at least a good week to see if there are any results, you love it and it’s not in store anymore! That sums it up perfectly!
This is an eye product I really like! The texture of it I adore, even for under the eyes as thick creams aren’t always good for such a delicate area. I love the almost everlasting moisturisation, and how it takes the edge off how life is making my eyes feel and look. I couldn’t ask for anything more really. Miracles is something I never expect with skincare products, but what little changes I’ve seen I’m happy with. For £4.99 it’s great value, you need the smallest amount, so if used once a day this should last me 2 to 3 months easily.
If you are lucky enough to still see this instore, I think it’s a good purchase to make. But bare in mind how your skin reacts to textures on this area and what your general under eye concerns are, as this may not be needed or useful for you. But for me? I wish I bought a few more of this overnight eye mask and I am exceptionally sad now!
