Born In Brooklyn Aromatherapy Brown Sugar Scrub

RRP: $20, only via www.borninbrooklynskincare.com
variants available: Coconut & Mango, Pomegranate, Tangerine & Lemongrass, Kiwi & Melon

--What does the promo say?--
"Born in Brooklyn is famous for its fabulous and timeless Aromatherapy Brown Sugar Scrub line.  These scrubs can be used on face and body and they come in a scrumptious variety! The Aromatherapy Brown Sugar uses African Brown Sugar and a touch of Dead Sea Salt from Israel to slough off unwanted dead and dry skin from your face and body. This scrub is perfect for year round use - pampering dry skin in the winter and keeping you glowing in your shorts during the summer. Jojoba, Avocado, Sweet Almond and Coconut oils are absorbed into your skin with each and every use.  Rub gently in a circular motion on dry skin as soon as you hop in the shower.  Rinse and shower as usual.  When you're done, your skin will be smooth, incredibly soft and silky. NO NEED FOR LOTION, just pat dry and go!"

--Packaging--
A basic plastic pot and lid with a distinctly homemade-looking sticker. To be honest, glass seems more luxurious even if it is a little less practical - and when people are spending $20, I think they want a little luxury. More serious, though, is the fact that this doesn't come with a little scoop or anything to help mix the scrub or get it out of the pot. Having one would reduce wastage and mess significantly.

--Application--
Massage into wet skin while in the bath or shower, then rinse off. Can be used on face or body.

--Appearance--
A brown lump of sugar/salt mixture, swimming in a sea of natural oils. Happily, it breaks up quite easily with your fingers so that you can mix it with the oil. However, a scoop or mini spatula would still be easier.

--Scent--
The scent I own, Spicy Pumpkin, is now defunct, but can still be purchased from the Dead Sea Salt 'n' Scrub collection and the bath oil range. However, rest assured it still smells like exactly what it says, which augurs well for the other scents available.

--Texture and consistency--
Strikes a perfect balance between scrubbiness and moisture, with the oil sinking beautifully into the skin, meaning there's not necessarily a need to moisturise separately after use.

--Effects on the skin--
Effectively sends dead skin packing, with the results visible from the very first use. Skin is also left soft and feeling moisturised.

--Value for money--
$20 can initially seem pricey. However, the pot is generously sized, so it should last a long time, and the product itself is effective, ticking all the boxes for luxury as well as utility. Plus, the $20 appears to include shipping when a dummy purchase is run through the website, making it even better value. Would buy again.

perfect partners
Moisturizing After Bath Oil, $10
Dead Sea Salt Soak 'n' Scrub, $20

Dove Natural Touch Dead Sea Minerals Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

RRP: £2.19

--What does the promo say?--

"Dove Natural Touch Dead Sea Minerals Roll-On 50ml is a anti-perspirant, anti-transpirant deodorant that gives up to 48 hours protection. Our only formulation with Dead Sea Minerals that helps keep your underarms moisturised, odour free and dry all day. 0% alcohol and with dead sea minerals renowned for natural skin moisturisation."

--Packaging--

While the whites and pastels used for this roll-on package are fairly endemic in the deodorant market, the Dead Sea minerals image and silver dove help it to stand out more on the shelf. The package is able to stand alone next to the sink or wherever you want to keep it, with the roller ball pointing down so that gravity helps the deodorant along, keeping the ball constantly lubricated (no constantly running the ball over your skin just to get a tiny amount of deodorant out!). The only criticism with this is that at times excess liquid can gather at the edges of the ball, so just be sure to wipe under your arms with the excess first.

--Application--

Roll over clean dry skin and allow to dry for a few minutes before getting dressed.

--Appearance--

A white translucent gel-cream which dries invisibly on skin. I did experience a couple of white marks on clothes while dressing (boo hiss) but I suspect I was not patient enough.

--Scent--

Clean, fresh - but funnily enough, not too salty.

--Texture and consistency--

Absorbs quickly into skin and is creamy yet light. The liquid keeps cool well and so is refreshing too. No irritation was experienced during use of this product.

--Efficacy--

I experienced a little more wetness with this deodorant than I did with Sure's newest deodorant (tested in March).  However, this was not too serious or visible (just slightly uncomfortable!) and it still seemed to prevent body odour effectively in spite of this, which is more important for me. So the claim that this deodorant "keeps you dry all day" perhaps doesn't stand up fully - but then again I have suffered from hyperhydrosis all my life, so I'm always going to be a tougher nut to crack and I'm sure most people won't have this issue. Underarms did feel moisturised though and as mentioned body odour is definitely prevented.

--Value for money--

This is over 50% less money than the Sure deodorant tested, so I am perhaps a little more predisposed towards it in this regard. One roller ball seems to last a long time, and the deodorant is mostly effective, so I would definitely consider purchasing from the brand again - even if as a hyperhydrosis sufferer I went for one of their heavier-duty lines, such as their Maximum Protection range (including their new and equally appealing Go Fresh scents).

perfect partner

Dove Anti-Perspirant Natural Touch Spray, from £2.49 

Dead Sea Source Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub

RRP: £8.99/575g
retails at Boots

--What does the promo say?--
"The waters of the Dead Sea are rich with minerals and help benefit almost every skin ailment, from spots to psoriasis. The Dead Sea Source™ Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub contains marine extracts combined with Fairtrade coffee and lemongrass, basil and black pepper. The scrub leaves your skin soft to the touch and revived."

--Packaging--
Comes in an attractive kiln jar (it's kind of heavy, though, so is probably not suitable for travelling) with a warming brown and gold label that proves extraordinarily resistant to shower water (even though the jar itself isn't 100% watertight, with small amounts of water being let in - possibly from steam). Is easy to open and close, and the opening to the jar is quite big, so you can easily get your hand in there and scoop out as much as you like.

--Application--
While in the shower, scrub on to wet skin. Use on shoulders, bust, stomach, thighs and bottom. Rinse off. This is relatively easy, though if any water gets into the jar you also get a second product in the form of a sort of shower oil, which can also be rubbed onto the skin but doesn't rinse off as easily as the scrub.

--Scent--
Overwhelmingly of coffee. Basil, lemongrass, black pepper - you would never guess that all that stuff was in there. If anything, there's more of a chocolate undertone once you've got past the coffee. Yum. Definitely not for people who don't like coffee though.

--Texture/consistency--
Pleasantly scrubby; not abrasive. Don't use on your face, though.

--Appearance--
Dark, chocolatey, coffee brown; granules are quite large and visible.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin appears smoother and less cellulitey; however, around the chest area I can't say that I saw any improvement in my acne as a result. Shame.

--Value for money--
At nearly £10 this might seem initially a bit steep; however, the pot is huge and will last you literally for months. While the therapeutic value of the product is perhaps disputable, as a luxury it is simply delightful. Would definitely buy this or any other Dead Sea Source product again.

perfect partners
Invigorating Coffee Body Butter, £6.99/350ml
Invigorating Coffee Body Wash, £5.49/300ml