L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

RRP: £14.50 for 250ml

--What does the promo say?--
"A customer favourite. Transforms into a lavish, softening foam -- original and unique in texture -- that leaves a satin-like softness all over the body. Rich in almond oil and nourishing lipids. Cleanses gently to impart a delectable perfume. Keep handy in bath or shower as an extra-pampering alternative to Shea Butter Soap and our fragrance soaps."

--Packaging--
Looks simple and timeless. Clear plastic bottle, chunky text on a minimalist label, keeping a colour scheme designed to evoke Provence with its olive green and brown. There's also a fake metal screw-cap style lid, which in fact doesn't screw off at all: it's just there for effect, and you just push down the plastic disc at the top in order to dispense the oil. Dispensing the oil is a pretty controlled process - it doesn't spill out everywhere, allowing its use to be effective and economical. Bottle itself seems fairly robust and the label doesn't peel off in the shower either, making it constantly look as if you have only just bought it.

--Application--
Squeeze out a 50p-sized amount of the oil, and rub onto your body, avoiding genitals and face. Leave on skin during your shower and then rinse off.

--Scent--
Sweet and sort of doughy - smells exactly like when almonds are fried with sugar (delicious - I recommend doing this if you haven't tried it! Also works well with salt.).

--Texture/consistency--
Perfect: not runny, lumpy, sticky or viscous. Just the right 'thickness' and it glides well over the body.

--Appearance--
A pale yellow oil, which leaves no residue on the skin.

--Sensation--
Warms up slightly when rubbed between the hands.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
The product's two main claims are soft skin, and the fact that this can also be used as an effective lubricant before shaving. The latter is certainly true: I shave daily, and have experienced no irritation whilst using this. The former I cannot advise so confidently on, as I do not really suffer from dry skin. However, the fact that my skin has not become dried out while using this suggests that those with dry skin would experience softer, smoother skin.

--Value for money--
This is excellent - superior to 'higher' brands such as philosophy without capitalising on it in terms of price. I always respect companies who keep their prices honest, and who are more concerned about keeping their old customers than attracting new ones. It's a luxurious product to use in the shower and also has useful qualities, which is always nice. Champion.

perfect partners
Almond Milk Concentrate, £32 for 200ml
Almond Delicious Paste, £24 for 200ml

Gillette Venus Breeze Razor

RRP: £7.99 (includes razor and 4 blades)

--What does the promo say?--
"Venus Breeze is the only razor with built-in shave gel bars! Just wet and shave. Theres no need for separate shave cream or soap. With Venus Breeze you'll love the senationally smooth shave that you have come to expect from Venus. Shaving is now a breeze."

--Packaging--
Purple, swirly and luxurious (all made of course from genuine plastic). The razor comes with its own little platform to rest on, which not only fixes to your shower wall or to the inside of your bathroom cabinet but also opens up for a convenient place to keep your blades. The blades are also conveniently packaged, meaning they are easy to change; and to remove an old blade, just press a button on the razor near the blade for it to go pinging straight into the bin.

--Usage--
Just wet the razor, and shave. Pretty simple.

--Scent--
No discernible scent.

--Lather--
Not very much lather is generated, but it's more than adequate.

--Razor-cut potential--
I found the gel bars attached to the blades somewhat slippery, and I seemed to cut myself much more than usual while using this.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Itchy. Be prepared to get your moisturiser out.

--How does your skin look afterwards?--
The only visible signs of your battle with the razor blade on your legs are any cuts you might have sustained. If, like me, you have PCOS/hirsutism and occasionally have to use the razor on places other than your legs and underarms, you may find (as I did) that this razor doesn't really fulfil its moisturising potential. Along with the itchiness, I found that incidences of dry patches increased, which I wasn't too happy with.

--Does it de-fuzz adequately?--
Yes - and if you manage to not cut yourself, smooth sexy legs can indeed be yours (helped along, of course, with a post-shave moisturising session).

--Longevity--
These blades don't seem to provide any closer a shave than normal razors. However, the blades themselves last a long time before they need changing - going by when the gel bars run out provides a good indication of when you should chuck that blade out and clip a new one on.

--Value for money--
I cannot understand for the life of me why you would fork out an extra £1 for 4 blades when for £1 less you can not only have the four blades but also a brand new razor and platform. So as well as this slightly dodgy marketing strategy, we also have an overpackaged product that if it doesn't cut you to oblivion will certainly have you reaching for the moisturiser after shaving. It is vaguely convenient, I'll grant you, and I would consider using these for travel (I'm guessing the £7.99 pack of razor + platform + blades would see anyone through their summer holiday), but as for everyday use? No way. I'm just not prepared to put up with that itchiness.

perfect partner
Gillette Venus Breeze Blades 4-pack, £8.99