Arbonne Pampermint Gift Set

RRP: £31.50
--What does the promo say?--
"Nourishing cream and gentle scrub pamper your soles and your soul — a gift of cosy comfort right down to the tips of your plush socks. Set includes FootWork Foot Scrub (Net wt. 12 oz.), SoleMate Foot Cream (Net wt. 9 oz.) and Signature Socks in a holiday gift box."

--Packaging--
Apart from the box being a bit bashed around the edges by the time it got to me (but that's the French postal system for you), I have no complaints. In fact, I find the packaging and overall scheme positively inspiring: the combination of the peppermint scent with the red and white stripes suggesting candy canes is a perfect fit for the holiday season. In addition, the foot scrub and cream pots (plastic, with screw top lids) also come with little red snowflakes drawn on them. Brava! All incredibly sweet and festive.

--Application--
Rub the foot scrub into wet or dry skin as you prefer before rinsing off. Apply the cream onto dry feet before bed and then slip on the socks to seal in the moisture as you sleep.

--Appearance--
The socks are quite clearly the most dazzling thing appearance-wise about the entire set; even just looking at them makes you feel comfy and cosy with their baggy, fuzzy cheer. The foot scrub is an off-white, grey-green colour, in which flecks of exfoliant can be seen, and the cream is white and stiff, rubbing into the skin invisibly.

--Scent--
The peppermint smell is there one hundred per cent and really helps to wake you up on those cold winter mornings, as well as helping to calm you down on winter nights.

--Texture and consistency--
The cream is a bit 'blobby' and difficult to get hold of, coming out of the tub in white lumps. While it's still easy enough to blend in (even though it looks and feels stiff), I think most people would still prefer a more luxurious, creamier sensation. The foot scrub is better at this, and still washes off easily to boot. The socks are joyfully just as heavenly as they look, making you feel as innocent and comfy as a child waiting for Santa.

--Effects on the skin--
The socks alone are a really comforting and calming experience, possibly claiming the crown of being the softest, nicest socks I've ever worn. The cream and scrub, used together, also really help to minimise dry skin and restore softness.

--Value for money--
While this appears expensive at face value, it is better value for money than some of Arbonne's other gift sets, with the high-quality products evening out to be around £10 (and a few pence) each, which is no more than you would pay in other more widespread outlets such as The Body Shop. For a unique and wow-factor gift for the special lady in your life this Christmas (or hey - even just yourself) this Christmas, I'd say look no further. Tis the season!

perfect partner
Mint Latte Eyeshadow Palette, £42

Arbonne Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturiser with SPF15

RRP: £24/30ml
# of shades available: 6

--What does the promo say?--
"Tinted moisturiser delivers sun protection and natural-looking coverage while restoring and maintaining optimal moisture balance."

--Packaging--
The slate-grey packaging is perfectly in line with the rest of Arbonne's cosmetic range. The screw-top lid travels well, closing securely when you want it to and opening easily when you need it.

--Application--
Apply onto clean dry face, after a primer if desired. Then go out and enjoy the sun! Simple.

--Scent--
None.

--Texture and consistency--
A little bit runny perhaps, but it's overall quite a controllable product that presents no problems in this regard. Feels very light on the skin.

--Appearance--
Excellent quality coverage. A matte and natural look is provided with little or no effort. Personally, I wouldn't bother buying the foundation given that the quality of this is so high, especially for those of us needing extra coverage.

--Longevity--
Again, extremely good; lasts all day. Does not get greasy or slide off your face.

--Value for money--
What's not to like? The price is maybe a bit high but you're getting such a high-quality product for the money that not only allows your skin the space it needs to breathe but also gives it sun protection and a 'finished' look in instants. On a par with Clarins and Lancôme in terms of price, and probably exceeds them in quality, but delivers an individual, away-from-the-high-street quality that these brands do not.

perfect partners
Bronzer, £19
Sheer Pressed Powder, £25
Sheer Glow Highlighter, £29

Arbonne Liquid Foundation SPF15

RRP: £29/30ml
# of available shades: 15

--What does the promo say?--
"Multitasking liquid foundation with skin-firming properties helps lift the appearance of facial contours, smooth and even skin tone, while providing sun protection."

--Packaging--
The plastic bottle scores well for travel but not so much for sophistication. However, the sophistication level is compensated for by the chic slate-grey shiny lid and the overall minimalist design. The transparent pump-action bottle means it's easy to see how much foundation remains, and the rectangular prism shape is unusual too.

--Application--
Only squeeze out a very small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand, as very little is needed. Stroke and blend onto face using fingers or a brush (sponges are evil and must be destroyed).

--Appearance--
The shade I possess, Alabaster, is exactly perfect for my skin tone, providing an even and unified look as promised. Imperfections are concealed successfully, building on the previous work of concealer and primer, and the look overall is natural and beautiful. Less is definitely more with this.

--Texture and consistency--
Super-smooth and runny without being watery or uncontrollable. Blends extremely well and very little is needed (think a large pea-sized blob) to cover the face adequately.

--Coverage--
As previously mentioned, excellent. Makes skin look a lot better and so confidence is increased as a result :)

--Value for money--
While this is certainly expensive, you easily get what you pay for, with one bottle lasting many months and offering excellent coverage every time. You are easily into the luxury target market here, and despite being a lesser-known brand, Arbonne's foundation does not disappoint. Price-wise it is on a par with companies such as Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Chanel, Clarins, YSL, and Dior, and with the SPF it also offers similar features. Even though this costs a bit more than I would normally spend, this foundation would make a superb gift as well as an indulgent treat for yourself.

perfect partners
Sheer Glow Highlighter, £29
Bronzer, £19
Sheer Pressed Powder, £25
Blush, £18
Crème Concealer, £16

Arbonne Creme Concealer

--What does the promo say?--
"Masks imperfections, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness with a velvety formula that dries to a powdery soft finish."

# of shades available: 3 (light - medium - dark)
£16/2.2g

--Packaging--
While the packaging seems robust, it lacks the wow factor somewhat and a mirror inside it (even though it would of course only be a small mirror - this is a very tiny and portable concealer compact) would perhaps be preferable to the lacklustre plastic window Arbonne has as part of the lid. It's also very 'fingerprinty' - much like Guerlain's compacts - so don't expect this to stay looking clean. These are only superficial problems, however.

--Application--
Once you've done your usual routine (washing your face, and then applying face primer and eye primer if you use them), use your finger or a concealer brush to target blemishes or imperfections. This is easy enough to do; the concealer blends well and doesn't feel greasy on your fingers if this is how you're applying it.

--Scent--
None.

--Texture and consistency--
Silky smooth and dries powder-light, as promised.

--Appearance and Coverage--
I'd normally be sceptical of face cosmetics that only come in three shades, and I stand by that. However, I'm lucky that the 'light' shade is perfect for me: it blends with my skin tone flawlessly. However, this is not to say that it's completely perfect; it doesn't always cover up really bad blemishes 100% and I feel that in this regard I have used better concealers (mainly by the now-defunct Prescriptives and by Clinique). Nevertheless, I'm aware that many people will not have blemishes that are as bad as mine and so for them it's unlikely to be of concern.

--Longevity--
On this score, now, this concealer fares excellently: it compensates for any weaknesses in coverage by lasting all day long. You definitely won't need to retouch during the day with this, and it's wonderful to not have to think about it.

--Value for money--
I won't lie: this is definitely not cheap; BUT a quick sweep of the Boots website reveals that plenty of mainstream brands are more expensive, including Dior, Estée Lauder, Benefit and Lancôme. Even Olay's concealers are at times more expensive, so while this perhaps isn't intended for Maybelline fans, I'd still say that's pretty spanking value for money there. It's a long-lasting concealer that wears beautifully, and people with oily skin (who normally should avoid liquid or creme foundations and concealers - although that's not a rule that I'm very good at adhering to myself) just might have struck gold here. Price-wise, it's easily on a par with Clarins and Fashion Fair, while possibly even exceeding them in quality.

perfect partners
Mineral Foundation, £26
Pressed Powder, £25
Tinted Moisturiser, £24
Liquid Foundation, £29
Makeup Primer, £24

Arbonne NutriMinC REgain Illuminating Enzyme Peel

RRP: £24/30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Illuminate your skin with an exotic cocktail of natural fruit enzymes from African papaya and Far East pineapple that gently exfoliate, revealing a more even complexion and noticeably smoother-looking skin. In just 10 minutes the peel purifies and revitalises the look of tired skin for a more youthful, radiant appearance."

--Packaging--
While I cannot comment on usability given the sample nature of my trial, I do love the bright orange colour of this bottle, which is pretty unusual not just for anti-ageing products but in the field of women's skincare generally.

--Application--
There are two ways with this - you can either apply it in a thicker layer to your face and wash it off after 15 minutes, like a face mask, or you can apply it at night using a smaller amount in place of your usual night cream, washing it off with cleanser in the morning. Do whatever suits you.

--Scent--
None in particular, which is slightly incongruous given the presence of papaya and pineapple.

--Appearance--
A pale orange-yellow cream.

--Texture/consistency--
Smooth, luxurious, and easy for skin to absorb and rinse off.

--Effects on the skin--
I'm not much of a fan of anti-ageing products generally, so cannot say I was feeling positive before the initial use of this product. However, my inner cynic was forced to shut up: after the night-time version of the treatment, skin looked visibly retextured, calmer, less red, and more even in tone, which is an effect that easily lasts during the day.

--Value for money--
A tiny sachet containing just a few millilitres of product will provide at least five treatments, so 30ml should go a long way. Given that the effects of the product are comparable to Crème de La Mer's Refining Facial (which is closer to £60), the price is even more reasonable than it first appears. I would definitely recommend this product for women age 17 and up: even if it doesn't act as an anti-ageing agent (and who really knows?), it is still a wonderful and affordable luxury from an up-and-coming brand that could even replace your trips to the beauty salon.

perfect partners
RETreatment Set, £112.50
REversing Gelée Transforming Lift, £31.00
RElease Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, £25.50
REtaliate Wrinkle Filler, £32.00
REveal Facial Scrub, £23.00

Arbonne Eye Shadow

RRP: £8.50

--What does the promo say?--
"The eyes have it with these 14 moisturising formulas that enhance lids with gorgeous colour that won’t flake or smudge."

--Packaging--
I can't comment on this in a great deal of detail given the sample nature of my test, but I do hope that the eyeshadow trays are fixed into the real compact much more securely than they are in the samples - mine were constantly falling out (though not to any damage, thank goodness). As a plus point, though, the application sponges appear to be sturdy.

--Application--
Idiot-proof; even the most inexperienced of beginners will be able to get a good all-purpose look with these complementary eyeshadows. Just stroke across the eyelids, blend a little bit if needed, and voilà.

--Appearance--
The choice of shades is, I think, about right: there are enough different colours to provide choice and variety but not so many that you're overwhelmed. They are all wonderfully flattering and natural-looking, and, as previously mentioned, a classy yet subtle look is easy to achieve. This result is not only suitable for work or for a low-key daytime look, but when layered can also be shimmery and special enough for night-time. On the website, the colours are divided into three groups according to complexion - Warm (6 shades), Neutral (6 shades), and Cool (2 shades) - so that you are able to pick the colours that best suit you. And, in case you don't already know which complexion category (popularised by MAC and the now-defunct Prescriptives) applies to you, there are also brief, readable notes on the website to help explain. The two colours I was sent - Dusk, and Tulle - are very classic and wearable. They make you look like you have put in so much more effort than you actually have (which is always nice!) and they go well with anything.

--Texture/consistency--
A very gentle powder that flakes easily in the tray and blends easily on the eyelid.

--Longevity--
This is a tricky one. As the promotional materials state, the colours do indeed stay resistant to flaking, smudging and creasing. However, I did find that they faded, and that consequently at least one reapplication was required during the day.

--Value for money--
While the colours are certainly beautiful, you can have L'Oréal trios, which are of quite high quality, for less, but they may not be as natural as Arbonne's monos (which contain cucumber extract and aloe, making them suitable for those with even the most sensitive eyes, which the L'Oréal ones may not be). Revlon's ColourStay Quads also offer more colours in one compact for roughly the same money, so it's about choosing according to your needs: if the high street shadows irritate your eyes and/or you don't want to be one of the crowd, then Arbonne's eyeshadows may well be for you.

perfect partners
Virtual Illusion Dual Volume Mascara, £19
Virtual Illusion Liquid Eyeliner, £10
Wipe Out Eye Makeup Remover, £11.50

Arbonne Shea Butter Hand and Body Care Duo

RRP: £35
available from: www.arbonneinternational.co.uk

--What does the promo say?--
"Soothes, softens and replenishes dry skin with moisture. Includes Hand Wash (11.5 fl. oz.) and Hand Lotion (11.5 fl. oz.). Available in a contemporary stainless steel caddy for easy use on your sink or counter. Gift boxed."

--Packaging--
The context in which I received these products from Arbonne last month was as part of a limited edition Christmas gift set*, which contained not only the two products mentioned above, but also the now defunct Cuticle Care Pen, Intensive Moisture Balm, and Exfoliating Hand Treatment. In this set, the hand lotion and hand wash were both available in squeezy tubes. For the hand lotion, this was no problem at all. For the hand wash, however, it was - it's very tricky to put the lid back on such a thing when your hands are all wet and covered in soap. Plus, soap would collect in the lid, meaning some product was sadly wasted, and I found myself longing for it to come in a pump-action bottle. Thankfully, as you can see from the picture above, in this combination it does, and I think it's set off very nicely by the matching hand lotion pump and the silver mount.

--Application--
Easy peasy. Pump some soap (just a small amount will do) into your hands, and lather under a running tap. Rinse off, then dry your hands. Application is equally easy with the hand lotion - just slather it on liberally as needed.

--Appearance--
The hand wash is clear, while the hand lotion is a pale white. The lather created by the soap is also white, and no visible traces are left on the skin.

--Scent--
Perfectly natural and tallied with the impression the brand wants to give: natural, classy and realistic. Halfway between vanilla and chocolate, for those of you unfamiliar with the shea butter smell - so perhaps not especially masculine.

--Texture/consistency--
The hand wash lather is silky smooth, and the hand lotion absorbs quickly and effectively. As well as being a hand lotion, it's also a body lotion, meaning that you can use it on your feet, elbows, or anywhere else where you might be having trouble with stubborn dry skin.

--Effects on the skin--
While the hand wash made the skin on the tops of my hands feel soft, on the palms I just found it made it drier (however, my fiancé reported no such drying effects, so it's likely that this just varies from person to person). The hand and body lotion, however, gave me no such problem, although it's less effective on tougher dry skin, such as on the feet. You definitely have to be patient with it and keep on applying it regularly to see long-term results.

--Value for money--
The Limited Edition Hand Care Collection also retailed at £35, so in one sense it seems better value than the duo that's now being sold; however, these sizes are also much bigger, so it probably evens out. You get a high-quality, sophisticated, luxurious and generally effective product duo from a company that's surely a rising star in its field; what more could you ask for?

(* I'd advise you to get hold of this set as quickly as you can from Inspired By My Girls, which is the only place where you can still get the limited edition set apart from ebay. It's great :)
If you live in Australia, lucky you! If you order the Endless Love set or the Touch of Love set, then the Hand Care Collection is included. My favourite product from it is probably the Exfoliating Hand Treatment - it's innovative, smells gorgeous, and gets the job done.)