Bomb Cosmetics Countdown To Christmas Advent Calendar Gift Pack

RRP: £19.99 (and in case you feel like buying now and opening all the doors at once...or just keeping it for next year...currently reduced to £9.99)

--What does the promo say?--
“Bomb Cosmetics uses only the finest natural ingredients in an indulgent range of
handmade bath treats, body scrubs, essential oils and gift packs. The Power of Essential Oils – These little gifts from Mother Nature are found in each and every one of our products and are extracted from plants, flowers and fruit. They have to power to soothe the soul and are chock full of magic to heighten, change or enhance your mood. We use natural ingredients wherever possible. That’s right, we are changing all our glitters to a bio-degradable version made from plants and we don’t use microbeads either. We believe that neither animals, humans or the environment should suffer for our luxuries. We pride ourselves on making products that not only smell and feel wonderful on your skin, but also look beautiful too and made completely by hand thanks to our team of over 250 Bomb-er Lomb-ers! Moulded, mixed, rolled and piped entirely by hand, our gorgeous crafters ensure that each and every product is unique, but ultimately perfect in its own little way. (Just like you, you cheeky little Bombshell!). We even hand draw the designs on the gift wrap and the decorations on the blasters! We NEVER have and NEVER will test any of our finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do we employ a third party to do so on our behalf. As much as we’d love to extend our Bomb family past the 72 countries we already supply to, we simply refuse to add any country to this list that requires animal testing to be done by law. All of our soaps, candles and potted and bottled products are suitable for vegans, as well as a load of Blasters, Creamers and Mallows. Look out for the vegan symbol on our website.”

-- Packaging —
I treated myself to this Advent calendar on December 1st and, so far, I have not been disappointed. The packaging is fun – I chose the blue reindeer version rather than the pink one as I wanted to share it with my man. I know men can ‘do’ pink, but my husband prefers blue and it looks better in my green bathroom. The calendar is quite ‘thick’, meaning that you get a decent sized sample of a different product each time. Most of them virtually fill the space provided (3.5cms x 4cms – products around 1.5cms thick).

--Appearance--
The blasters in the calendar are small hearts and dense rectangles which fizz away (some into glitter) in the bath water (which sadly does not always remain on the skin). All products are lovely colours, with beautiful swirls in the soaps. Some mallows and creamers are embellished with small flowers, stars, or glitter. All in all, the presentation is colourful and fun.

--Scent--
The calendar creates wonderful fragrances in the bathroom as a different door is opened each day. The bath bombs it contains are full of Christmassy scents that smell authentic, natural, and in some cases, fabulously fruity. The tags on Blogger are limited to 200 characters (and a maximum of 20 tags!), so I couldn't put them all in, but they also include clary, citrus fruits, coconut, geranium, safflower, marjoram, carrageenan, and others. As good as the market leader easily.

--Texture and consistency--
Bath blasters leave no foam or bubbles, so if you want that, you will be disappointed.

--Effects on the skin--
The creamer from the calendar was magnificently smooth.

--Value for money--
Excellent value; would buy again.

perfect partners
Mistletoe Kiss Candle, £7.99
My Favourite Things Bath Blaster, £2.99
Holly Soaks Gift Pack, £17.99

by Sarah Cross

Molton Brown Vintage With Elderflower Bath and Shower Gel

RRP: £22

--What does the promo say?--
"Explore the sparkling fragrance of Molton Brown's Vintage 2016 with Elderflower Bath & Shower Gel, inspired by a cool cellar of vintage cuvée. Infused with English Elderflower Extract, the luxurious body wash gently refreshes and softens skin, whilst enveloping the body with notes of uplifting Petitgrain, Grapefruit and Vetiver for a truly magical bathing experience. Housed in a limited edition bottle with a wine bottle style label. Featuring the finest ingredients from a vineyard in Champagne-Ardenne, this luxurious lotion evokes the extravagant spirit of the festive season."

--Packaging--
The detachable jingle bells near the opening are a festive delight that accentuate the glitter in the shower gel itself, which is visible through the transparent plastic bottle. The golden label is chic and in keeping with the celebratory champagne feel.

--Usage--
Press the top of the lid downwards and then squeeze the bottle to expel the shower gel. Lather up under the shower and then rub over wet skin as normal before rinsing.

--Appearance--
A translucent cream gel with gold glittery particles that leave a delicate sparkly sheen on the skin - perfect for Christmas time (yes, some of us do start thinking of our gifts in August - what of it?).

--Scent--
The vetiver grounds the scent without being overpowering, just as the grapefruit subtly lifts it, but the champagne is the dominant flavour (NB don't eat it!). Elderflower is also delicately detectable; overall, a well-balanced and sophisticated fragrance.

--Texture and consistency--
The gel is thick and luxurious without being heavy or sticky; this lathers to a fine white foam that washes off when you want it to.

--Effects on the skin--
Apart from the shine from the embedded glitter (which can last beautifully depending on how liberally you've used it in the shower), skin is left feeling soft and moisturised.

--Value for money--
At £22 this is only a little more expensive than Molton Brown's usual shower gels of the same size and would make a beautiful upscale Christmas present for anyone who's already a fan of the brand - or even someone who's a Molton Brown newbie. At the launch you were even able to personalise the label with the recipient's name, and I hope this will be available to the mass market also. A gorgeous gift with which to ring in the new year.

perfect partners
Body Lotion, £26
Single Wick Candle, £42
Festive Bauble, £12

AA Skincare Peony, Bay and Brahmi Liquid Shower and Bath Gel

RRP: £5.94 for 250ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Balancing and soothing, this antioxidant rich formula will help give your skin an added boost, leaving it feeling soft, supple and well nourished.

Containing a delicate blend of traditional Ayurvedic herbs, pure essential oils and natural ingredients. This naturally inspired shower and bath gel is designed to be non - drying for the skin and the exquisite aromas make showering a real treat!"

--Packaging--

The white and pink bottle, while traditional, perfectly encapsulates the essence of the ingredients used in this bath and shower gel. The flip-top lid of the plastic bottle opens easily when you are in the shower, yet closes securely. The flow of liquid is also such that you don't end up with a rush of product (so no wastage).

--Usage--

Lather up under the shower and rub over wet skin before rinsing off. Alternatively, squeeze into running water for luxurious bath bubbles.

--Appearance--

The gel itself is completely clear, but lathers and froths with fine white foam on contact with water. This washes off without leaving any visible residue.

--Scent--

Floral without being heavy, and yet it has a depth and complexity to the layering of its scent that make it fresh, modern and unique. The exquisite aromas promised are definitely delivered.

Texture and consistency--

The gel is light and not sticky, without being runny or watery; it holds its shape. When lathered up, the foam is fine and smooth, with small bubbles.

--Effects on the skin--

Thanks to the essential oils included in the formulation, skin is left feeling truly moisturised, and sensitive skin soothed.

--Value for money--

Thanks to the high quality of the ingredients used, I would have expected this to be far more expensive, and as little is needed to create a decent lather, one bottle would last a long time, even if used for baths instead of or in addition to showers. The complex layering of scents and refined foam texture also creates a truly luxurious experience, and even though I was sent my bottle for free by AA Skincare's PR, I would undoubtedly spend my own money on replenishing stocks.

perfect partners

Peony, Bay & Brahmi Liquid Conditioner, £5.94

Peony, Bay & Brahmi Nourishing Shampoo, £5.94

Wild Olive Luxury Bath Melts

RRP: £14.95 for a box of six

--What does the promo say?--
"Deliciously delectable and sumptuously indulgent, these beautiful Bath Melts make a fantastic gift for anyone; or a luxurious treat for yourself after a long, hard day’s work. Decorated to look like yummy cupcakes and arriving in the sweetest pink egg box, this is a tub of treats nobody will be able to resist - and better still, no calories!

The gorgeous gift box contains 3 tranquil bath souffles and 3 soothing sundaes, all enriched with creamy cocoa butter creating super soft skin and a gorgeously indulgent bath.

Create a unique atmosphere with each Luxury Bath Melt, whether it’s natural and fresh or romantic and sensual; each bath melt is fragranced with a different essential oil to suit every mood."

--Packaging--

The pink egg box is original, pretty and eco-friendly, as well as protecting the melts securely, and while the papers are tricky to peel off the bath melts initially, they come off quickly once the melt has been immersed in your bath water for a couple of seconds. This wrapping, too, is recyclable, so the company's philosophy and innovation in packaging design is certainly to be applauded. The only minor gripe would be the proofreading errors on the packaging itself, which detracts slightly from the brand's professionalism.

--Usage--

Drop the melt into the bath and let it melt away. The paper case can be easily slipped off and discarded after a couple of seconds. Very easy.

--Appearance--

Beautifully decorated and designed to resemble cupcakes and fairy cakes, these bath melts catch the eye, and their natural origins are augmented by the decorations of dried flowers, which float in the bath once the melt has dissolved for an extra luxurious touch. Some bubbles of cocoa butter will float on the water's surface as well. Depending on which bath melt you drop in, the bath water can appear opaque, milky, glittery or translucent. No visible residue is left on the skin.

--Scent--

The melt perfumes the entire bathroom stunningly well, not just thanks to the essential oils used but also due to the dried flowers used to decorate. The scent is natural, too, rather than being overridden by artificial soap smells.

--Texture and consistency, and effects on the skin --

The bath water feels smooth and moisturising, and thanks to the melts' high concentration of cocoa butter and essential oils leaves your skin feeling wonderfully soft.

--Value for money--

The highly appropriate size of these bath melts (especially compared to Lush's, which some may consider oversized), along with the luxurious experience evoked by the scents, pretty styling, and the moisturising effect on the skin, make these of excellent value, and a wonderful gift at any time of year. I was sent mine for free by Prezzybox, but will definitely be buying as a present for relatives this Christmas.

Radox Eastern Spirit Bath Soak

 RRP: £1.25 for 500ml
 
--What does the promo say?--
"Enjoy a blissful bath, containing the exotic aromas of this bath soak. Inspired by Oriental traditions, Eastern Spirit - with sacred lotus flower and orange blossom - creates a bathing experience that will revive your senses, leaving you feeling uplifted."

--Packaging--
The large bottle is sturdy and proud, with the screw cap not eluding even the slipperiest of fingers. 

--Application--
Pour into the bath at leisure and watch the bubbles build up.

--Appearance--
The pink-orange gel turns into white bubbles that leave no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
Fruity and exotic, almost as if lightly spiced. The fragrance leaves you feeling genuinely transported and relaxed - I just wish there were hand and body creams available too, to make it last even longer.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth gel that softens the skin.

--Value for money--
Just £1.25 for a huge bottle like this is great value - I was expecting such a moment of spa-style relaxation to cost more. Would definitely recommend.  

perfect partners
Eastern Spirit Hand Wash, £1.25 for 300ml
Eastern Spirit Shower Gel, £1.25 for 250ml

Enjoy a blissful bath, containing the exotic aromas of this bath soak. Inspired by Oriental traditions, Eastern Spirit with sacred Lotus flower and Orange Blossom, creates a bathing experience that will revive your senses leaving you feeling uplifted.  Ingredients »

- See more at: http://www.radox.co.uk/products/bath-therapy/eastern-spirit#sthash.vUZNLKDz.dpuf

Enjoy a blissful bath, containing the exotic aromas of this bath soak. Inspired by Oriental traditions, Eastern Spirit with sacred Lotus flower and Orange Blossom, creates a bathing experience that will revive your senses leaving you feeling uplifted.  Ingredients »

- See more at: http://www.radox.co.uk/products/bath-therapy/eastern-spirit#sthash.vUZNLKDz.dpuf

Enjoy a blissful bath, containing the exotic aromas of this bath soak. Inspired by Oriental traditions, Eastern Spirit with sacred Lotus flower and Orange Blossom, creates a bathing experience that will revive your senses leaving you feeling uplifted.  Ingredients »

- See more at: http://www.radox.co.uk/products/bath-therapy/eastern-spirit#sthash.vUZNLKDz.dpuf

Enjoy a blissful bath, containing the exotic aromas of this bath soak. Inspired by Oriental traditions, Eastern Spirit with sacred Lotus flower and Orange Blossom, creates a bathing experience that will revive your senses leaving you feeling uplifted.  Ingredients »

- See more at: http://www.radox.co.uk/products/bath-therapy/eastern-spirit#sthash.vUZNLKDz.dpuf

Competition: Deep Heat Muscle Rescue

Overdone it at the gym? Done something amazing like the Race For Life? Or just had a hard day at work? To help, you can win one of three Deep Heat Muscle Rescue kits, which include the neck/shoulder cream and the bath soak.

You know how much I like products that are both utilitarian and luxurious. These ones do both as well. The cream contains vanilla to relax the senses and rosemary to relax your muscles, and the convenient sponge applicator gives a gentle massage during application.

The bath soak, equally, combines aromatherapeutic orange and patchouli with healing rosemary to relax your aching body.

To celebrate Deep Heat Muscle Rescue, Mentholatum, the Deep Heat muscle experts, are offering three product sets. To enter, answer the following question and email your answer to soprano_seraph[AT]hotmail[DOT]com:

Which official rescue person wears a red uniform?

·         Policeman

·         Life Guard

·         Doctor

You have until 23:59, British Summer Time, on August 13th 2013 to enter. Good luck :) 

Radox Muscle Therapy Bath Soak

 RRP: £2/500ml

--What does the promo say?--
"There's nothing quite like a hot soak to ease the aches out of your tired body.  Taking a bath in Radox Muscle Therapy Herbal Bath, with our blend of black pepper and ginseng will help gently warm your muscles and revive your body and mind.  Just sink in, lie back and feel rejuvenated."

--Packaging--
This is intended primarily for use in the bath, and so has a black screw cap and an open top (as opposed to a pump action or one of those plastic discs with a hole in it). This is naturally fine for bath use, but means it's not easy to control the amount that comes out of the bottle if you're hoping to use it in the shower (I don't have a bath at home, so this was bound to occur). The fact that the bottle is see-through is great for knowing how much is left, and the herbal illustration is appealing and concise.

--Application--
Pour as much as desired into the bath, and let relaxation commence.

--Appearance--
A translucent red that doesn't look too gory when lathered up! Does not leave stains.

--Scent--
Reflects the black pepper aspects slightly more than the ginseng, and my husband liked the scent more than I did. This appeal to men may well explain why Boots have categorized it under 'men's bath soaks' on their website.

--Texture and consistency--
Quite runny, but not so liquid that you waste the product. Not at all lumpy or irritating, and forms a perfectly smooth lather on skin, while still washing off easily when you want it to.

--Effects on the skin--
The scent will linger for a short time on the skin, so may contradict some women's perfumes, but shouldn't be an issue for men's aftershaves. (However, I'm not sure I know anyone who has time to bathe in the morning, so perhaps this isn't really relevant.) Skin also feels moisturised. Since, as mentioned, I don't have a bath at home, I don't think I was really able to maximise the bath soak's full therapeutic qualities. However, I can believe that it would have a psychological effect as an absolute minimum, as the scent is very relaxing and invigorating. Once I've had a chance to test it in a bath, I'll let you know!

--Value for money--
Just £2 seems very reasonable for such an enormous bottle - and Superdrug has it on half price at the moment, so even better. I'd say this does what it says on the tin, and I'd definitely be looking to try their other bath soaks to explore the range of scents.

Radox's other bath soaks
Spa Conditioning (honey, milk, almond); Brazilian Fusion (dragon fruit and camu camu); Stress Relief (rosemary and eucalyptus); Muscle Soak (clary sage and sea minerals); Relax (lavender and water lily); Moisture Soak (calendula and rose); Sleep Easy (camomile and jasmine)

Philosophy Spiced Clementine Toddy Gift Set

RRP: £18 (currently £9 in the sale)

--What does the promo say?--
"Share seasonal spirit. Spiced clementine toddy shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath (240 ml.) and body lotion (240 ml.) warm your heart and soul during and after the shower or bath."

--Packaging--
The dotty bow decoration on the box is lovely for a gift (especially for anyone with a January birthday, as you can grab this for half price in the sale at the moment), and the bottles themselves are classic Philosophy: transparent, so you can always see how much is left, with black writing detailing yummy recipes for the foodstuff that inspired the product. The black fliptop plastic lid is stylish, practical and secure.

--Application--
Lather up the 3-in-1 product in the shower, or pour under running water. Clean your hair with it as well if you like before rinsing off. As for the body lotion, rub into slightly damp or dry skin. Easy as pie (well, toddy).

--Appearance--
The bright orange shower gel definitely doesn't stain or even create much colour, foaming to a white/light orange lather. The body lotion is just a creamy colour, leaving no residue on the skin.

--Scent--
I was a little disappointed with the bath and shower product, as it smelled a bit too masculine for me (although I can't find a specific ingredient causing this) and evoked bitter orange peel scents and general alcohol more than spice and the sweetness of orange juice. The body lotion was better for this, meaning you could even share this pack with your better half (you can swipe the body lotion, and he can have the shower gel...how romantic).

--Texture and consistency---
The gel is smooth and quite runny, without being watery or sticky. The body lotion does equally well in this regard, sinking in super-quickly and providing a luxurious experience.

--Effects on skin and hair--
Body skin and hair are left feeling amazingly smooth and soft, with hair feeling volumised and nourished. Definitely a top scorer.

--Value for money--
A little goes a long way with this stuff and you definitely get good results too. Even though it's a pain that you can't buy both products separately, they do represent good value, with this being even truer now that Philosophy's sale is on. Go and get it!

perfect partner
The Microdelivery Peel, £59

Lush Dorothy Bubble Bar

--What does the promo say?--

"Somewhere over the rainbow, baths are blue. If you’re not already a friend of Dorothy, isn’t it time you tried it? A blue skies thinking bath that takes you out of the monochrome and into a colourful fantasy, where the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. This bath smells so great you might want to stay in there quite some time, so take a good book, a glass of wine and something to munchkin."

--Packaging--

Being Lush, they've stuck to one of their trademark paper bags for this one. You can buy a tin if you like, however.

--Usage instructions--

Drop into the bath and watch the bubbles foam up! So simple and fun to use that it's practically child's play.

--Appearance--

The beautiful rainbow combined with bright blue is cheerful and basic, meaning it's enough to provide us with the best of childlike joy. I didn't find that the bathwater went that blue, but the mounds of white bubbles alone were enough to make me happy. No colourful dye or residue was left on the skin after use. The bar also kept its shape and colour even after one half-hour use.

--Scent--

The product uses ylang ylang, gardenia and orange in its formulation, with the ylang ylang perhaps being the most obvious. The scent also fills the bathroom for ages after use, making for an aromatherapeutic experience for you to enjoy long after you've pulled the plug.

--Effects on the skin--

After a bath in this, skin is left feeling smooth and soft until the next morning. A delight.

--Longevity--

I had planned to luxuriate in my bath until the bubbles had long gone, but after half an hour and decidedly prune-like skin, I reluctantly let the water out, even though the vast majority of the bubbles had stayed put. No two ways about it - this is an enthusiastic product from a passionate brand that delivers on what it promises. En plus, the bar itself had nowhere near run out, leaving plenty for another day.

--Value for money--

Curiously, the British RRP is not available on the Lush website at present, but the product is still selling as normal in the US and France, for $6.25 and €5.45 respectively, and there is no sign online of the product being discontinued (there were rumours of this happening in 2010, but all of the whispers on the wind proved to be unfounded). So we can safely assume that the product is being sold somewhere in the region of £4 to £4.50 (based on the exchange rates today for the prices given above). This is clearly in line with other eco-friendly bubble baths, such as those from companies like Earth Friendly, The Eco Bath, and Logona. It's also on a par with novelty bath bubble bottles for children, such as In The Night Garden and Toy Story 3-themed bottles currently being sold, meaning it's neither suspiciously cheap nor outrageously expensive. Fun, natural, and long-lasting - by all accounts I'll definitely be back for more bubble bars from Lush, be it for gifts or an indulgent treat.

perfect partner

Relax...Take A Bath, £12.50

Dreamtime Luxury Bath Melt, £3.15

Twilight Bath Bomb, £3.20

Radox Bath Smoothies

RRP: £2.99/250ml

available in 3 variants: Spirit Booster (pomegranate, yoghurt and elderberry), Soul Soother (cranberry, blackcurrant, camomile), and Tropical Tranquility (myrrh, coconut and almonds)

--What does the promo say?--

"Radox Bath Smoothies Spirit Booster will allow you to relax in the sumptuous bubbles whilst super fruits like natural pomegranate and elderberries, blended with yoghurt, comfort your skin. Packed with berry goodness to leave you feeling totally pampered. Your skin will thank you."

--Packaging--

While clearly distinguished from its squeezy-tube Shower Smoothie counterparts, the "handwritten" effect, Radox logo and sumptuous illustrations all identify the product clearly with its brand. Strangely, the bottle is not in the least impractical, and pours and travels well.

--Application--

Even though no instructions are given on the bottle, it's probably fairly self-explanatory for most: pour a couple of capfuls into a bath until the required bubble quotient is reached. Then just relax! (Can also be used in a shower situation: just rub over wet skin like you would with a normal shower gel, then rinse off.)

--Appearance--

The Spirit Booster variant (kindly sent to me by Radox) is a runny purple creamy liquid that's similar to a blackcurrant or elderberry colour. This froths into fine white bubbles and leaves no residue on the skin.

--Scent--

Very fruity and very natural; it's also a very strong smell that lingers on the skin for hours (unlike that of the Shower Smoothies that came before it). The pomegranate and elderberry are detectable in the scent, while the yoghurt isn't (I'm guessing the latter is there mainly for texture though).

--Texture and consistency--

Very creamy and luxurious - just what Radox is famed for. Its runniness means you obviously have to make sure you don't get too enthusiastic about pouring it out of the bottle, though, but not in any serious though.

--Effects on the skin--

Softens the skin, but no more than any other bath or shower product. Saying this, though, my body skin is normal to oily, so tends to regulate itself pretty well; this means I don't see nourishing effects perhaps as much as some people.

--Value for money--

Surprisingly few companies are offering this quantity of shower gel, for this price, at this level of luxury. The closest companies that come towards filling the gap are Original Source and Dove, but neither of them fulfil the consumer needs that Radox do. In addition, as it's an effective and enjoyable product, I would thoroughly recommend it.

--Other comments--

My complaint with the Shower Smoothies was that they apparently had little in the way of practical function, when what I really like it to combine pampering with practicality. The Bath Smoothie, however, does do both: as well as being a pleasing experience, I can also see how it would nourish, and its strong natural smell has quite an aromatherapeutic effect too. Lovely bubbly.

Bath and Body Works Lemongrass Cardamom Shower Gel

RRP: $13 for 10 fl.oz.

--What does the promo say?--
"Just relax. Lemongrass essential oil enhances clarity. Cardamom essential Oil helps soothe the mind. This nourishing body wash contains green tea extract to help keep skin looking younger and healthier."

--Packaging--
A nice contrast from the Lemongrass Cardamom Body Lotion, but still visibly part of the Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy range, the shower gel uses a similar style of label, but this time on a clear rather than a green plastic bottle, to create a sophisticated and useable result.

--Usage--
Very easy - just lather up whenever you're in the shower or bath, massage over body, and then rinse off.

--Appearance--
A transparent, slightly yellowy gel.

--Scent--
The citrus element comes through even more strongly than with the body lotion in the range, but it's not lemon - it definitely has something more sophisticated to it. Lemongrass definitely a good choice, but I still wished that I could smell the cardamom more.

--Texture/consistency--
That of your average shower gel: gloopy and viscous, but not sticky. It lathers well, though, creating a light film of bubbles that is easy to wash off.

--Effects on skin--
Makes skin soft, but the scent barely lingers - a couple of hours after showering, it's gone.

--Value for money--
While it's nice enough, for this money I prefer the body lotion, and for other shower gels in this price bracket, I'd prefer one by Caudalie, Escada, or, ironically, Crabtree & Evelyn.

perfect partners
Lemongrass Cardamom Body Lotion, $13
Lemongrass Cardamom Body Mist, $15
Lemongrass Cardamom Pillow Mist, $10

philosophy amazing grace perfumed shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath

RRP: from £18/$22 for 475ml/16oz

--What does the promo say?--
"amazing grace was selected as one of Oprah's favorite things® for 2005! amazing grace perfumed shampoo and shower gel is philosophy's best selling, uniquely feminine, moisturizing shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath created for the most gracious bodies. Because it is formulated with nourishing milk proteins, it calms even the most sensitive skin and nourishes the driest hair. Clean skin and hair never smelled so amazing.

You need this product if...
# you are looking for a moisturizing shampoo, bath, and shower gel for dry skin and hair
# you want hair that looks and feels terrific
# you like multi-tasking products
# you like a gentle formulation
# you need a moisturizing formula "

--Packaging--
This has a nice design (transparent plastic bottle, with black simple lettering and a black plastic lid), but the plastic is really hard and so it's a real struggle to squeeze the stuff out of the bottle.

--Appearance--
The lotion is a pale, dusky rose pink, with a nacreous shimmer to it, and it's a perfect consistency too - not too runny, not too viscous, not at all lumpy. It lathers nicely too, with a 50p-size piece lathering up all over your body. The lather is white and no visible or tangible residue is left on the body afterwards.

--Scent--
Really, really tricky. Nothing is specified on the bottle label, even in the small print of the ingredients, and there's no discernible overriding scent. My best guess was rose. While the scent (whatever it is) personifies the concept of 'grace' quite well (it's delicate and feminine), I think it's a pretty poor showing to not list any specific scent on the label at all.

--Texture--
Smooth. Oh so very smooth.

--How does it make your skin and hair feel?--
It makes your skin feel very soft, and there's no irritation, but then I do have quite normal/oily skin anyway, so I didn't expect to see much difference anyway as I don't have any body skin problems that need repairing. I must admit I haven't tested it on my hair - partly because I'm currently trialling a new Pantene shampoo (ooh the excitement!) and am expressly forbidden to use any other shampoos concurrently; and partly because I didn't trust it enough to put it on my hair (mainly because my hair is quite sensitive to new products, but the fact that the contents of the shampoo were quite dubious also didn't exactly help). Perhaps when the Pantene trial is up I'll give it a go, but I'm not holding out much hope.

--Longevity--
Certainly the scent doesn't really linger.

--Value for money--
Not fantastic - I wouldn't pay the RRP for this (although one bottle lasts plenty long enough). I just don't think the minimal effects are worth paying for.

perfect partners
amazing grace perfumed daily hair conditioner, £10 for 8oz
amazing grace fragrance, £32 for 60ml
amazing grace firming body emulsion, £27 for 475ml
amazing grace hot tub scrub, £24 for 650g
amazing grace hand cream, £9 for 28.5g
amazing grace foot cream, £18
amazing grace body butter, £22 for 5oz
amazing grace candle, £24 for 10oz

*available from John Lewis, HQ Hair, and www.philosophy.com

Kiehl's Lavender Foaming Relaxing Bath with Sea Salts and Aloe

RRP: from $18.50/£25.50.

--What does the promo say?--
"Soothing and relaxing
Contains moisturizing and conditioning ingredients
Not tested on animals
Historically, Lavender and Dead Sea Salts have been used because of their soothing and relaxing properties. This foaming-relaxing bath also contains moisturizing and conditioning ingredients that are beneficial in maintaining optimal skin condition."

--Packaging--
My boyfriend and I had already ascertained from previous use of Kiehl's products that their packaging is useless - it may look pretty but it leaks when in transit too - awful if you want to take the stuff on holiday, and this stuff is far too expensive to waste. Sadly, this product also didn't fail to disappoint - I accidentally knocked it over (not from a great height, and onto carpet, not tiles), and the lid shattered into a million tiny pieces. And it's only made of plastic (i.e. not of a usually breakable material such as glass). Needless to say, I was not really impressed when this happened.

--Usage instructions--
Run a small amount under running bathwater for bubbles galore. Lie back, relax, and enjoy the softness of the bubbles and the aromatherapeutic properties of their ingredients.

--Lather--
Good to start with, but the bubbles seem to disappear quite quickly, meaning topups may be needed to prolong the luxuriousness of your bath.

--Appearance--
The foam bath liquid is quite watery and a sort of pale yellow colour. The bubbles, however, are white.

--Scent--
The lavender is definitely more discernible than the aloe, so don't go for this if you prefer the latter scent. The scent is also quite strong, although not in a negative way, and smells very natural rather than synthetic.

--Longevity of effects on the skin--
Uber-softness will result, although the scent doesn't linger for as long as I'd like. Interestingly, though, this has the added bonus of being extremely soothing on bad sunburn (yes, I realised this from experience...).

--Value for money--
With the current exchange rate I would certainly be seeking to buy this in the US, rather than going to my nearest SpaceNK store in the UK. However, even then I'm not sure I'd buy this again, mainly because of the packaging. It really is so brittle and lacks durability - I like to be able to take any of my products anywhere with me, and with this, I don't feel I'd be able to do that.

perfect partner
Kiehl's Creme de Corps, from £14.50/$16.50

Aveda Caribbean Therapy Bath Soak

RRP: £20 for 250ml

--What does the promo say?--
"A special blend of moisturizing oils and warm island aromas creates a milky oasis that blooms in your bath—nurturing and revitalizing stressed skin and senses. Nourishing oils condition and soften skin while you soak; Caribbean mango and cocoa butters hydrate the skin, sealing in moisture; and aromas of Caribbean lime, amyris, bay leaf and vetiver rejuvenate body and spirit."

--Packaging--
The distinctive Aveda logo lies against their trademark creamy beige bottle, with the Caribbean Therapy logo and design taking on a green and maroon colour scheme that matches the Aveda colours well. Easy to open and close, and doesn't leak in transit.

--Usage--
"Pour 4-6 capfuls under warm running water in the bath. Follow with Caribbean Therapy™ Body Creme."

--Lather--
This is a bath oil and is not intended to lather.

--Appearance--
This bath soak turns the water a milky white, which is quite exotic and relaxing. There is no visible residue left over on the skin.

--Scent--
All the different scents fuse really well and definitely evoke the Caribbean. However, they are also all discernible alone too, and it's worth pointing out that this is a more musky scent - not sweet or coconutty at all.

--Longevity of effects on the skin--
Sadly, the scent doesn't really linger, but it does make your skin uber-soft.

--Value for money--
I adore the scent of this, but would probably be more inclined to try another product or products from the range, on the grounds that a) You seem to need to use a fair amount each time (I think 4-6 capfuls is a lot, personally), and b) The scent doesn't really linger for as long as I'd like. Definitely a great bath experience, though, and I'd love to try other Caribbean Therapy products.

perfect partners
Aveda Caribbean Therapy Soy Wax Candle, £22 (275g)
Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Creme, £23 (200ml)
* also available: Flower Water, Body Cleanser, Body Scrub, and Bath Bar, ranging from £12 to £25

Lush Bare Naked Lady Dusting Powder

RRP: £5.95 for 3.5 oz

--What is it?--
A natural alternative to talcum powder, with far fewer chemicals.

--Ingredients--
Key: Black = Safe Synthetic Products; Green = Natural and/or Organic Products

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Calamine Powder, Perfume, Golden Glitter (Polyethylene terephthalate and FD&C Yellow No.5), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia)

--What does the promo say?--
"Like all dusting powders, this is best applied when bare naked, Let the sparkling, rose scented powder fall on and get in between your nooks and crannies. Fight the urge to remain nude for the rest of the day - go out and seduce someone instead."

--Packaging--
The image shown above is from the USA Lush website (the UK Lush website is down at the moment) and the packaging is only slightly different - in the UK it's a sort of shocking pink colour pot with a black lid, but all other details remain the same, with the name of the product and the Lush logo on the front of the pot, and all other information going round the label. The top is slideable so that you can sprinkle just a little on your body, or stick your fingers right in there for something more full-on. Packaging seems secure and not something that would send dusting powder all over your suitcase or bottom drawer.

--Application--
After a bath or shower, towel yourself dry thoroughly and then sprinkle a little powder wherever desired on your body and rub in. Not recommended for face.

--Appearance--
The powder is white with tiny sparkles. When rubbed into the body, there is no white residue (unless of course you use too much) but the sparkles remain (though not enough to make you look like a Vegas showgirl!). There will be no white residue on your clothes from this product as it seems to rub onto the skin easily.

--Scent--
They claim it smells of roses, but I don't know enough about botany to know if it really does smell of roses. Smells nice and floral, anyway. The scent is light and not overbearing.

--Texture--
The powder is soft and not at all claggy.

--How does your skin feel?--
Very soft and smooth, doesn't irritate the skin, and of course it looks nice and sparkly too! Bonus!

--Longevity--
This product will in all likelihood rub off throughout the day. However, it seems to bear up quite well as far as talcs/dusting powders go.

--Value for money--
Excellent - you don't need to use much of this product per application and even though I've used my pot many times, there's still plenty left. However, I'd agree with some reviewers on the US site that a free dusting pad or puff would be nice with this product. This is an excellent natural alternative to talcum powder and I'd definitely buy it (or any other Lush dusting powder) again.