Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir

RRP: £42 for 30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"With its 14 precious plant oils Beauty Sleep Elixir supports skin barrier function and plays a key role in fighting inflammation. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that counteract irritation and inflammation. Beauty Sleep Elixir can be worn under makeup in the evening and boosts skin tone, acting as an on the spot blemish treatment due to its anti-inflammatory powers and brightens the complexion for no makeup days. During precious beauty sleep, skin renews itself thanks to this product's super boost of vitamins, minerals and a complete omega hit of 3,5,6,7 and 9, letting you wake up to beautiful glowing skin. Softalia, from a sustainable plantation in Australia, counteracts inflammation and has unique activity on the skin due to its ximenynic acid content, helping hydration and reducing fine lines. Caribbean coral neutralizes the enzyme responsible for skin ageing, acne and sunburn and is one of the worlds most potent anti-inflammatory ingredients."

--Packaging--
The opaque glass bottle is perfect for a product of this type as it enables you to see exactly how much is left at all times, as well as letting the beautiful amber colour of the oil shine through. Equally, the minimalist product information on the bottle and the silvery band and lid contribute to a classy effect. The pump-action mechanism is practical and minimises waste.

--Application--
Massage into face, hands or body for use as a moisturiser. You can also use it to cleanse or remove makeup with by massaging over the face and then removing the oil immediately with a cotton pad.

--Appearance--
A golden orange oil that disappears invisibly into the skin, leaving no residue.

--Scent--
The woodier scents are dominant in this, so I'm guessing the sandalwood is largely at play here. However, a citrus element is also detectable thanks to the sea buckthorn: a hard berry reminiscent of orange and lemon.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth, non-greasy oil which absorbs quickly into the skin.

--Effects on the skin--
Has deeply moisturising properties which work well on all areas of the body as well as the face. Perfect for these sunnier times of the year when skin may dry out from exposure to the sun, the sea, or chlorinated swimming pools.

--Value for money--
A little goes a very long way and the product is clearly composed of high quality ingredients (which, for what it's worth, are 98% organic and 100% natural). An excellent multi-purpose product for affordable luxury moisturisation.

Bath and Body Works Plum Potion Body Lotion

RRP: $5/88ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Our exclusive Signature Body Lotion formula, fortified with powerful ingredients like super conditioning Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E, hydrates skin with moisture that lasts all day. Our non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and completely to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished, making it the perfect daily moisturizer. Our exclusive Plum Potion is an enticing blend sweet plum, blood orange and black raspberry."

--Packaging--

Capitalising on the Halloween theme with black and glitter and plenty of scary-looking lettering, this bottle fits the bill perfectly. Its ergonomic shape and secure push-down lid are also characteristic of the brand and make the product enjoyable and easy to use.

--Application--

Smooth over clean, dry skin to moisturise and fragrance skin.

--Appearance--

Surprisingly, the cream is white. For the Plum Potion variant, a deep purple perhaps would have been more what we expected.

--Scent--

Incredibly sweet, fruity and intense. While the blend is as enticing as the promotional material promises (someone said it reminded them of a car air freshener - I disagree), it's also not a light scent - it is heavy, lingers for hours on skin and night clothes, and may be offputting to some as a result. Not me though :D

--Texture and consistency--

It is fast-absorbing as promised, and is light without being runny. It's also definitely luxurious: nothing everyday about this lotion.

--Value for money--

For the strength of scent and effectiveness of moisturisation, $5 is already very good for a travel size, but in the runup to Halloween, it's been discounted further to a mere $1.25 a bottle, so I'd encourage all US readers to get their mitts on it (or, if not on this variant, on the other Halloween scents, such as Black Candy Apple or Scream-A-Colada). If UK readers are lucky, Amazon or Ebay may also yield fruit. Yet another excellent product from an excellent brand.

Beauty Byte: Free Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Lip Balm

Blistex have recently launched a new product: Raspberry Lemonade Blast.

A summery, fun lip balm which contains moisturising ingredients and sun protection, its launch is being celebrated with Blistex giving away FREE samples of the lip balm via its Facebook page. Like the page, fill in your details, and a sample will be winging its way to you.

Samples are limited, so make sure you get in there quickly. Enjoy!

Baylis and Harding Wild Rose and Raspberry Luxurious Shower Creme

RRP: £3 for 750ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Pamper yourself with our Wild Rose and Raspberry Leaf luxurious shower creme - as refreshing as spring rain."

--Packaging--

While the packaging is simple but effective, with glorious vibrant colours, this is detracted from by the fact that all of the Baylis and Harding packaging is remarkably reminiscent of the more upmarket Molton Brown range.

--Application--

Slap on while under the shower, lather up, and rinse off. No problems there.

--Appearance--

No visible residue is left on the skin after using this pearlescent shower creme, which lathers into off-white suds.

--Scent--

One of the more faithful of the range - while the grapefruit soap did not smell as expect, this tallies up more with its theme (rose), with just enough of a twist of raspberry to add something extra without being too sweet. 

--Texture and consistency--

A bit more viscous than perhaps its higher-end equivalent would be, but at such a low price, who really minds?

--Longevity--

The bottle of course is huge and so will serve you well, especially as the amounts required to soap up are relatively small.

--Value for money--

I don't think anybody can be left in any doubt at the value presented by Baylis and Harding's products. However, I still feel that the branding is a little too close for comfort to the higher end brand that it aspires to resemble, and that a more individual identity would only boost its sales.

perfect partners

Wild Rose and Raspberry Sensuous Bath Foam, £3 (750ml)

Wild Rose and Raspberry Moisturising Hand Lotion, £2 (500ml)

Wild Rose and Raspberry Cleansing Hand Wash, £2 (500ml) 

www.baylisandharding.com