Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub Review

As mentioned in my most recent Feel Unique haul, I purchased the Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Scrub on a whim after my regular St Ives Apricot scrub was on its way to emptiness.

The entire Burt's Bees product range contains 100% natural ingredients, and as a company they are dedicated to educating consumers on the use of truly natural products that are better for our body and the environment.

This particular product has a very delicate fragrance, and it is nothing short of amazing. Although it is more creamy with considerably less scrub particles than the St Ives version, it does an amazing job of cleansing, and really lives up to its 'deep pore scrub' promise. The finely ground peach stone particles are quite rough/sharp, so you do have to be careful and go steady when massaging it into damp skin, but the effects are truly amazing. My skin was immediately more radiant, really deep-cleansed and super soft after the first use.  I also didn't even feel the urge to moisturise immediately after cleansing like I normally would (although I did of course!).

I cannot recommend this product highly enough, and even though it is a few pounds more expensive at £8.50 than the St Ives Apricot scrub that I am used to, I would happily repurchase this product time and again.

What are you're thoughts on this product?

Claire

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Philosphy 'Have A Cherry Christmas' Product Review

Philosophy is a brand "devoted to caring for your skin" and is developed using medical research for proven results. Sound good? I think so too!!

I have been wanting to try the philosophy shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath combos for such a long time. However, I have such a vast stash of shower products to use up that I have always managed to resist making a purchase... Until now...

Have A Cherry Christmas is a limited edition product for the festive season, and just how amazing does it look? I have to admit, I had decided to purchase this particular version as soon as I spotted it prettily glistening away on the shelf - before I even took a sniff! I am a sucker for anything pink, sparkly and girly, and was immediately in awe. This has a White Cherry scent, which is a very delicate fragrance - definately not the usual sweet cherry scent by a long stretch.

As a shampoo, this product is surprisingly quite good. It lathers like a dream, and cleanses well too. I did feel like I had to tug the comb through my wet hair to de-tangle, but once dried my hair was soft and shiny. I'm not sure that I would use this as my every-wash shampoo of choice, as I have quite long hair that I like to use more conditioning products on, but this definately works well as part of the multi-purpose product, and would be good to use for travel.

As a shower gel it also lathered well with the use of a shower pouff, and the glittery-ness on my skin was superb! I was a little disappointed that I did not stay looking like a glitter ball - as this obviously washes away - and (more seriously) that the scent did not really stay evident on my skin. It is a 'barely-there' scent. On a more positive note my skin was super-duper soft, and I didn't feel the absolute need to follow with a moisturiser.

And finally, as a bubble bath... This was the final way that I tested this product, and is probably my most favourite way to use it. It doesn't provide a copious amount of bubbles, which is to my liking, and I loved the way that I could soak in and wash with the same scented product without having to make two separate purchases. My skin was uber soft and lightly scented. Amazeballs!!

I really cant wait to try out more products from Philosophy - I just need to make an emergency dash to the shops to pick up a Candy Cane and Pumpkin Pie before they sell out!!

This product retails at £14.00 for 460mls, and comes boxed to make for an ideal gift or stocking filler. It appears to be unavailable on the philosophy website, but is still in stock on  the Boots website.

What Philosophy products would you recommend?

Claire

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Another Feel Unique Haul....

Hey everyone,

Every time I decide to 'browse' the feel unique website, I ALWAYS end up making a purchase. I try to be strong, and tell myself that I don't need yet another shower gel or hair product, but in the end temptation gets the better of me and I just cant resist! Oh well, here comes my latest little splurge...

I have been wanting to try the Redken extreme hair care range for a while, especially as I have heard such good reviews of the anti-snap product, which is a leave-in fortifier that rebuilds and strengthens the hair as well as providing protection against heated styling tools. It costs £13.95 for 250ml and I'm sure that, with such a large bottle of product, it is going to last me a long while.

In addition to the anti-snap, I decided to go all-out and purchase the extreme shampoo and conditioner too. These also work in much the same way, by strengthening the hairs core and rebuilding surface protection. They also provide progressive conditioning. At a cost of £10.10 for 300ml of shampoo and £11.40 for 250ml of conditioner, I am expecting good things....

I usually use the St Ives Apricot Scrub 2-3 times per week for deep pore cleansing. I am running low on this product and, when I spotted the Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub, I thought it sounded like a good alternative and just had to make a purchase. I haven't really ever used any Burt's Bees products before, so I am hoping that this will be the first of many. It is a little more expensive at £8.50 for 110g but I am hoping that this will result in a better cleanse :-)

And lastly, the Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick. This was a complete impulse purchase, mainly because I have heard quite good reviews about some of the other Korres Lip Butters. It cost £7.00 for a 5ml stick, and on first impression I am not that bowled over. It doesn't particularly smell of mandarin (the main reason for choosing this particular lip butter), but the packaging is funky and it is a product free from a few of the ingredient nasties like silicone. Fingers crossed this make my lips as deeply nourished as it promises.

So that's my latest feel unique splurge and, with free delivery on all products, who could resist?

There is also 10% off everything on the website at the moment, just enter GIFT10 at the checkout (some brand exclusions apply).

Claire

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Empties Sept/Oct 2012

Timotei Pure Shampoo & Conditioner (Normal/Greasy Hair)

The Timotei Pure range are new(ish) hair care products that are free from parabens, colourants and silicone's. This particular shampoo & conditioner is infused with green tea, and has a light, fresh scent that really stays after the hair is dried. The shampoo lathers well, and the conditioner is lightweight but rinses well and leaves the hair feeling de-tangled, glossy and in great condition. I also found that I didn't really need to use a dry shampoo the day after washing my hair as it wasn't as 'greasy' as it normally can be. So, a big thumbs up for this combo!!

Original Source Cranberry Daily Scrub

For use simply as an everyday scrub, I wouldn't say that this is the best product on the market as the grains are few and far between, so I popped a little on a shower pouff and used as a simple shower wash instead. Not exactly how it is advertised for use, but it worked well all the same and I didn't feel like I had wasted my money. On a positive note, it smells deliciously sweet, lathers well, and left my skin feeling soft. It was a great bargain for a pound.

Aussie Take The Heat Leave in Spray

I have used this product after every hair wash over that past six months or so. It combs through the hair well, and it has moderately helped to protect my hair. It smells good too. Would I purchase this product again? Hmm... its good but it is not the greatest heat protectant spray available, so more than likely I wouldn't.

Boots Extracts Almond Body Scrub

I loved the smell of this product, and it left my skin feeling great. Although it does say it is a gentle exfoliating scrub, it just didn't have enough 'scrub' to it for me, and for a cost of £7.95 for 400ml I think there are better products out there.

Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter

I am a big fan of any of the Body Shop Body Butters, and this particular one is no exception. Made with Community Trade cocoa butter, it did a great job of moisturising my dry skin. All of the Body Butters are a bit on the pricey side, but they always smell great, apply easily, and dry quickly. This little 50ml size is also ideal for travel, as the larger size butters are quite bulky. 

Origins A Perfect World Moisturiser

This little tube was good for a weeks worth of testing, and I have to say that I was really impressed with it. Aside from the smell, which I wasn't overly keen on, my skin felt really soft and moisturised after using this product. It provided a great base for my foundation, allowing it to blend easily. A full size 50ml jar is £33.00, and I think it is a product worth splashing out on.

Flora by Gucci

I love almost all of the Gucci fragrances, and this one is by far one of my favourite scents of all time. As the name suggests, this perfume has a light, floral scent, but without being too sickly-sweet. I would repurchase it again and again, and am really unhappy that this bottle is empty :-(

L'Occitane Precious Night Cream

Oh, how I am falling in love with the L'Occitane range. This particular product claims to reinforce regeneration of the skin, visibly correct deep wrinkles and improve skin firmness. It works overnight, and is just such an amazing product. The smell is a bit iffy, but it is such a rich, indulgent moisturiser that I wouldn't hesitate to spend £49 on a 50ml jar. I don't know how well it would work on deep wrinkles, but my skin absolutely loved it.

L'Occitane Rose 4 Reines Body Milk

As body moisturisers go, a body milk is not something I would have ever considered purchasing. This was before trying out this generous sample. It is enriched with grape seed, and I applied it to my legs, tummy and arms after having a bath. My skin not only smelled amazing, but was left feeling super soft and more than adequately moisturised. I have to say that I was quite shocked after using this product, as I didn't expect any body milk to be this good - they always just seemed too watery in consistency to do any worthwhile moisturising. It has super fast absorption, and the scent is one of a beautiful vintage rose product that your gran would be proud of. A full 250ml bottle retails at £18.50.

L'Occitane Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner

These are products formulated with a natural origin vegetable complex of 5 essential oils. The shampoo aids repair of dry, damaged, colour-treated or chemically-treated hair. The conditioner strengthens, regenerates, nourishes and helps to restore capillary fibres. It also claims to detangle, soften and add lustre to hair. I loved both of these products. After use, my hair felt thicker, glossier and healthier, and in much better condition that it had done for a long time. The shampoo is £14 for 300mls, and the conditioner is £14 for 250mls - not exactly a bargain, but I guess sometimes you get what you pay for. And I would definitely purchase these at full price.

 

I hope you like my empties - what products have you used up lately?

 

Claire

 

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Caudalie Winter Rescue Duo Review

Recently I purchased the Caudalie Winter Rescue Duo in preparation for the harsh winter weather. As soon as the crisp, cold mornings set in I suffer uber chapped lips. My skin also takes a battering, especially my hands which,  after being washed a zillion times a day in work, can be chapped and dry to the point of soreness some days. Frown.

 

This little Duo contains a full size Lip Conditioner and a 30ml Hand and Nail cream.

The Lip Conditioner has a subtle vanilla flavour, and is the most amazing product for dry/chapped lips that I have ever used. I applied it before bed and in the morning my lips were miraculously repaired. This effect lasted all day without the need for re-applying anymore product whatsoever. A definite winner!

The Hand and Nail Cream has a very subtle white grape and Shea butter scent. It applies easily, absorbs quickly and leaves hands feeling nicely moisturised. I wouldn't say it is as groundbreaking as the Lip conditioner, but it is a lovely little product that I would most probably purchase again.

The Duo retails at £7.20 (inclusive of postage) at feelunique, which I think is an absolute steal. I think that it would be ideal as a secret Santa gift or make for a great little stocking filler!!

Are you thinking of giving these products a try?

Claire

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Lush Stepping Stone Foot Scrub Review

A little while back, I purchased the Stepping Stone Foot Scrub from Lush. I work long, hard 12 hour shifts where I am constantly on my feet. This really takes its toll, and not only do my feet feel tired and achy, they also tend to dry out - and more so during the winter months.

Looking a little worse for wear :-(

The Stepping Stone Foot Scrub smells amazingly citrus-fresh, and contains pumice which promises to scrub and smooth away dead skin, whilst the jojoba oil moisturises to leave feet feeling soft. Sounds like just the ticket!

I purchased this product on a whim, and having returned home I read through some online reviews, most of which claimed that this is a product that dissolves very easily in water, allowing for no more than one use. For a cost of £2.95 this seemed a little excessive. I followed the recommendation of one reviewer, and crushed up the whole product into an empty pot using the back of a spoon. Bingo! A product that is now fit for multiple uses!

I wouldn't recommend using this product in the shower, as the slightest contact with water and it fizzles away super-quick. I used mine whilst in the bath, soaked my feet for a while, and made this the last product that I used in my routine as the pumice makes for a very uncomfortable feel under the bum when it settles on the bottom of the bath. I towel dried my hands before scooping a small amount out of the pot, and repeated each time to allow as less water contact with the product as possible. I would guess that I can now get around 8-10 uses out of this one product, making it far more value for money.

The Foot Scrub itself is amazing. It is a fine scrub that exfoliates easily and really does leave skin feeling super-soft. Followed by a little moisturiser, my feet now feel pampered to the max. As a side-effect, the palms of my hands are now also feeling rather soft and exfoliated too!! Dual-purpose maybe? I really wouldn't hesitate in repurchasing this product!!

Do you have any handy hints for making your products last a little longer?

Claire

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Joico K-PAK Moisture Intense Hydrator Review

If you want to create that super silky fresh-from-the-salon style at home, then this is the product you may well be looking for...

Joico K-PAK Moisture Intense Hydrator is a treatment for dry, damaged hair that promises restored moisture, sealed cuticles, shine, improved manageability & elasticity. Phew! This is alot to expect from a single hair care product, however, this little beauty did exactly what it said on the tube.

I used it following a normal wash with my Kerastase Shampoo, and after leaving it to work for the minimum 3 minutes then rinsing out, my hair was instantly more silky feeling. Tangles were no match for this mighty product, as my comb eased its way through my damp locks. On drying, my hair smelled amazing, and my silky soft tresses were in the best condition ever. Split ends were sealed and almost invisible, and my hair no longer had that dry-ended I-really-need-a-cut feel.

I cannot recommend this product highly enough, and at £13.95 for 250 mls it is worth every penny!! Go on, treat your hair!!

Have you tried any Joico hair products?

Claire :-)

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