L'occitane Verbena body salt scrub

Salts from the Mediterranean Sea combine with the refreshing fragrance of pure extracts of verbena, orange, geranium and lemon tree in a luxurious exfoliating body scrub. Essential oils of grapeseed, apricot and sweet almond nourish and moisturize. Antioxidizing vitamin A helps to tone and maintain healthy appearance. Skin turns silky-smooth as dead skin cells are massaged away. Body and mood feel revived.

As you already may know I am big fan of body scrubs. I like to experiment and try new ones. I am always on the hunt for the best one. This is my second scrub from Loccitane. I have already reviewed Almond shower scrub here .
I prefer salt scrubs over sugar ones. I had high expectations from the Verbena scrub. I like Verbena scent it's light refreshing, zesty citrus - perfect for hot summer months.  From the rest of the Verbena line I have tried - hand cream, shower gel and body lotion - they are all awful.  BUT I love citrus verbena line.

It retails for 36$ and it's probably best value L'occitane has to offer since you get whole 14 oz or 400 grams. Also comes with a nice spatula that's extremely helpful when product needs to be scooped out of the jar.

For the whole body I needed 4 full spatulas. Two for upper body and one for each leg. I have a feeling this will last me a long time.

Texture is mixture of oils and salts. I gently mixed these together with the spatula before scooping the product out. Salt grains are very chunky and in my opinion too rough on the skin. Don't get me wrong I do not like gentle scrubs but I feel this is just too much. I had parts of my body become very red and irritated seconds after using this. And I tried to scrub gently. Also consistency is pretty thin, there is nothing to hold oil and salt together, so I had more salt in the tub than I had it on me. I was disappointed about this.

Oil part I actually really liked. You can feel that it leaves skin nicely moisturized with beautiful scent but does not leave sticky residue. Just soft skin.

If the salt is not so rough and if the mixing these two together would make better consistency meaning that you do not loose half of the product, I would recommend it. This is not for sensitive skin!!
This might work well as a foot scrub since it's so rough.

I will use it up during summer months but I will not repurchase. Almond shower scrub I plan to buy again. I would also love to try Shea body scrub, that's next on my wishlist.

February and March 2014 hauls

I can easily use my birthday month as an excuse for excessive shopping... Anyway life became very difficult again and as always I had a need to shop like there is no tomorrow. I never get any gifts for my birthday from other people - or rarely ever so I decided couple of years ago that I will start treating myself. 

First up my MAC fix - small haul including re-promoted Perfect topping - unfortunately not as good as original release. Why oh why does MAC do this? Lately they have been promoting some amazing old products. Well actually they would create completely new product and just use a name of the old one. So irritating. Old Perfect topping was very unique and I was so excited to be able to buy it again. I am not saying new one is not nice but it's not the same as the original. 

Mineralize blush in Petal power - This one is stunning with it's beautiful golden sheen. I can't wait to review it. I can see myself wearing it often especially during warmer months. It sold out quickly but I can tell you this is back up worthy.

 Dior amber diamond <3 My first ever HE makeup purchase. Long long time ago I think it was 2007. I still have it but I bought another one when I realized it was gone completely. I know it got discontinued a while ago in EU but was hoping it will stay permanent in the US. Well since they are coming out with two new shimmer powders they got rid of Amber diamond. I will never forgive you Dior!! So I went on a hunt trying to find it and thankfully local Nordstrom had two left and shipped one to me.

Now my real birthday haul from Ulta. I restocked on some skincare. My skin is terribly dry, like a dessert. I decided to switch to Tonique confort (btw I love it! what a pleasant surprise) from my Tonique radiance (will go back to it when this never ending winter ends). Also wanted to try hydrating mask for a first time - let's see if it will make any difference, I am not big believer in masks.  Binefait UV is my choice for this summer when it comes to sun protection. Previous two summers I used clinique and shiseido and I loved both, but wanted to try something new.  Juicy tubes are one of my favorite glosses and I added Hallucination to my
collection.

Second part of my Ulta : OPI avoplex oil - buying it for the second time. When I originally got it I did not like it at all. Lately I have been using it often and it is great when applied right before I make nail swatches. Great for on the go to. Clarisonic cashmere cleanse will replace my sensitive brush - can't wait to try it! CK one mascara is birthday gift from Ulta. I have never tried anything from CK one line but I have heard some amazing things about their foundation. Too faced revamped they Natural eyes palette and I had to buy it. I am huge fan of the first one. It has been my mostly used palette of all the eyeshadows and palettes I have (reviewed here).

 Lancome added another product to their Visionnaire line. So excited to try Visionnaire blur! I wore it today with Lancome teint miracle foundation over it and first impressions are that this can easily become my all time favorite primer. Makes skin super smooth and silky without heavy silicone feeling. 

 NARSSisist eyeshadow palette. They pretty much hit it out of the park with this one. Lately NARS has been killing my wallet. Selection of their best eyeshadows all in one palette. What morec oould one NARS fan ask for? <3
I love the looks Lauren created with his palette http://www.lcmakeupblog.com/2014/01/fotd-using-new-narsissist-eyeshadow.html  http://www.lcmakeupblog.com/2014/01/arabic-eye-inspired-fotd-with.html

Giorgio Armani blush number 10 has been sitting on my wishlist for months. Or maybe a year? I keep delaying to buy it but when I found out that they will discontinue it and come out with new line of blushes I had to order it right away. I am sure it sold out quickly among it's loyal fans. It is very pretty shade for light skin tones. Not to beige not to pink with subtle shimmer. Why do companies discontinue such a classic products? This is my first Armani product.

Couple of new fragrances. I needed another one like I need hole in the head. Manifesto was such a surprise. I have tried it many times on the blotter and it was just ok, not worth buying. It has this annoying top note. I liked how it smelled on other people. Couple of weekends ago I sprayed it on my skin just for fun even though I already had perfume on... First it completely overpowered what I had on, it had amazing staying power and smelled better and better as timed went by. It is extremely sweet, yummy and sexy at the same time.

I have been eyeing Valentina for over two years. I remember trying it when it came out and I liked it right away. Simple, feminine, soft. Easy to wear and great choice for springs. Main reason I did not buy it was that staying power is not so great. It's not terrible but not as good as I would like it to be. Well I broke down and finally got it. I will make sure to use it often this spring. 

Finally I treated myself with one of the best perfumed body lotions out there - Prada Infusion D'iris. I've had small bottle long time ago and loved it. It smells exactly like the perfume which I find is very rare, mostly ancilery products smell similar with some added "plastic" scent to it. I assume it's hard to recreate the same scent used in actual fragrance and transfer it to body lotion, shower gel etc... And huge plus is that it is actually very moisturizing which is almost never the case with this type of body products. Only thing I find annoying is that there is no pump. Seriously for 50$ body lotion they could at least put a pump on that bottle! I used Infusion D'iris EDP 4 years ago and brings beautiful memories back on our vacation to Hawaii. Can't wait to use it again this summer! 

Lancome Nutrix Royal Body review

 Rescue extremely dry, dehydrated skin with this sumptuous silky lotion that locks in nourishing moisture for 24 hours. Feelings of tightness virtually disappear, thanks to Lancôme’s ultra hydrating formula that’s enriched with Royal Jelly for lasting comfort. Almost immediately, skin feels smooth, supple and cushiony-soft.

Benefits

• Smoothes and nurtures skin with 24-hour moisture
• Cushions and insulates skin from the effects of climate and seasonal changes
• Smoothes on effortlessly, drenching skin in comforting moisture for a satiny-soft feel

Technology

• Royal Lipidéum™ Complex of Lipidéum and Royal Jelly: Helps skin retain moisture by supplementing its own natural lipids (moisture-binding fat cells found in the skin)
• Contains Shea Butter, one of the most effective ingredients to fight dryness
• Chestnut Peptides increase skin’s natural lipid production

Lancome Nutrix royal has been my very surprising discovery. I never paid attention to it but I received it as a gift and was super happy about it. I love trying different products for body while trying to discover the best lotion/cream/butter for dry skin. 

This is very thick and creamy lotion, I am not sure it can be called lotion at all. It is between butter and a lotion texture wise. Even though it has such a thick texture it's easy to spread. Does not absorb immediately so I like to use it before going to bed. It takes a while to absorb but leaves skin very soft and moisturized. Great choice for brutal Chicago winter when my skin is super dry and needs all the help possible. 

I like the packaging too. It's nice squeeze out tube and has 6.8 oz or 200ml. With daily use it would last about a month, not longer. But since it provides such a great moisture you can easily use it every other day or for example three times a week, even if your skin is very dry. For skin that's not so dry this could be more of a occasional "treatment".  I also like to use it after hair removal on my legs, to soothe and moisturize irritated skin. Scent is soft but noticeable, hard to describe -light floral would be my best guess. Nothing that would interfere if you are wearing a fragrance. I like to stay away from lotions that mess up scent I am wearing. It has to be either very light and neutral or exactly the same lotion as the fragrance I am wearing. 

I like using Nutrix royal after Lancome exfoliant fraichelle since it does leave my skin slightly dry and has no residue. Then I have feeling that Nutrix royal can be absorbed the best. I wish Lancome would have even more body products. I would love to try their self tanners since I've heard some great things about them.

Lancome Nutrix Royal body  retails for 30$ and can be purchased on Lancome website

Biotherm Oil Therapy Huile de gommage review

This exfoliating oil with melting sugar crystals refines and smoothes skin texture. Leaves a silky and protecting veil on the skin.

Dry skin regains all of its qualities: softness, firmness and smoothness. Leaves a silky veil on the skin.

An exfoliating oil with melting sugar crystals refines and smoothes skin texture.

I have been wanting to try something from Biotherm for a while. Before they were totally out of my price range. When I moved to US I realized they are not available at any retailer except online on their website. Not good if you want to try the product first before buying. I do not like experimenting with face skincare products so I decided to get one of the body products from their line. I love exfoliators and I am always willing to try a new one. Plus I had 15% off coupon so I ended paying around 22$ for this plus I got couple of very nice samples and free shipping.

Biotherm Oil therapy huile de gommage got my attention with two things - first is -I always consider it as a rescue for my dry skin and the second is apricot scent - yummy love it!

It does really have pretty authentic apricot scent, not too strong and it stays nicely on skin. It's not that fake plasticky scent like The body shop fruit line. When it comes to oil in it - honestly I do not feel it at all. I am very surprised since product feels and looks more like thick gel. Exfoliating particles are small but very powerful. They do decent exfoliation without drying out skin or being too rough on it. When the product is rinsed out there is absolutely no residue. Good for someone who does not like exfoliators that leave "oily" residue. I do like that and that's why I did not like after feel with this one. This could be such a nice summer body scrub, since the scent, lightweight feel, good exfoliation and no residue work better for me during summer months when I do not need as much hydration. Or possibly for someone who does not have dry skin ever. Skin was soft and feeling smooth though I have to admit. Particles are rough enough for legs to help with the ingrown hair or for the knees or elbows.

I had high expectations from this one but I can only say it's OK. For the price you get decent size, nice scent, good exfoliation but that's it... you can get that with 5$ scrub too. I will not repurchase it. I like defoliators that feel luxurious, rich and pampering while using it and after.

Lancome Exfoliant Fraichelle invigorating body scrub review

Lately I have been on a body scrub kick! Since I used up The body shop shea scrub, I bought 4 different ones (yeeks)

I had my eye on the Lancome Exfoliant Fraichelle for a while and I got it while they had nice GWP offer so I got some extra freebies.

So what does Lancome say about it:

An invigorating, rich-foaming scrub that buffs away dull, dead surface cells. Enriched with a patented emollient and botanical extracts with magnesium, provitamin B5 and essential fatty acids. Awakens your body from head to toe, revealing smoother, softer, more supple body skin that's refreshed with an exhilarating fresh floral scent

Exfoliant Fraichelle is a nice scrub that's mild enough for dry and sensitive skin yet effective enough to soften the skin and leave it refreshed. It is more of a shower scrub meaning it's a in between shower gel and a body scrub. It foams up more than I expected and it's not as thick or harsh as usually body scrubs are. So if you are looking for something in between these two or for a 2 in 1 product Exfoliant Fraichelle is a nice choice.

First time I tried it I was actually worried that it won't be effective enough becase right out of the tube it feels and looks like there are no buffing grains at all. It has lightweight gel texture.  Interesting thing is the more you rub it in it seems  it has more and more buffing grains. Like they are suddenly there out of nowhere. I have not tried it on dry skin as I never do with body scrubs but I know some people like to do it to make it more effective. 

It is easy to rinse out and it does not leave any kind of a residue like it usually happens with salt based scrubs who have oils in them (my favorites). I do like when there is a oil "residue" on skin after exfoliation because skin feels softer smoother and moisturized. I do not like dry and squeaky feeling on skin. 

Tube is convenient to hold in hand and it's easy to squeeze the product out. 

It has a fresh cucumber like scent that I personally do not like. I do not know how to describe it, it's not a bad scent but it just doesn't smell nice to me. I would prefer if it had more of a citrusy smell.

I love using Lancome nutrix loyal body lotion after this and will wright separate review for this product. 

Right out of the tube

Rubbed in a little bit

Rubbed in some more. Now you can actually see buffing beads

Overall: It is a nice scrub with a good price point, nice size, you can get some freebies with always amazing Lancome GWP, it's good for sensitive skin, but I have tried better and I am not sure I will repurchase it. At least with body scrubs I like to experiment and try new stuff. 

L'occitane En Provence Shea butter body lotion review

Enriched with 15% Shea Butter and natural honey and apricot oil, this creamy lotion absorbs quickly into the skin to leave skin feeling soft and looking radiant all day. Rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, this silky lotion will nourish, moisturize and protect skin.


The shea tree (Sapotaceae family) comes from dry tropical Africa and grows to a height of 12 to 20 meters. It has a thick, corky bark that protects it against bushfires and can live for 200 to 300 years. Its fruits, which look like large yellowish plums and measure 4 to 5 cm, only appear after 25 to 30 years. A thin, edible flesh surrounds 1 or 2 large seeds, which are very rich in oil. Shea trees are rarely cultivated even today and shea nuts are usually harvested in the wild.

Specific to Sub-Saharan Africa, this much-respected tree contributes to the rhythm of village life. Shea butter is used as a food oil, but also in therapeutic products. However, its main use is in beauty products: it protects the skin against the wind and the burning sun and makes a nourishing balm for the hair.

Incorporated into L'OCCITANE formulas, shea butter is an ideal balm for dry and dehydrated skin. Its nourishing and protective properties have been revealed. It contains insaponifiables, to boost cell renewal and repair the hydrolipid film, for softer, more elastic and comfortable skin. It acts like a barrier for the skin and limits water loss, thus maintaining an optimal level of moisture. For an oil version and higher proportion of unsaponifiable matter, shea butter olein is used. Finally, in soaps, the butter can be saponified to make it exceptionally soft and gentle.

I am huge fan of L'occitane shea line. I already wrote about their Shea hand cream and Shea hand scrub and both products highly impressed me. I wanted to try other stuff from their Shea line (I actually had  body scrub on my mind) but I had a chance to snatch body lotion with 50% off. I was slightly reluctant because I read some reviews online saying it's not hydrating enough and that is very lightweight. I usually prefer body butters over lotion just because my skin is so dry, barely any lotion will help with dryness.

Anyway, Shea lotion is on a pricier side. 60$ + tax for 16oz or 500ml. That's a lot. I got it for 30$ which is more acceptable price for me.

It comes in a white bottle that's not bulky at all (even though  it has 500ml) with a pump that can be opened and then closed. A lot of pumps like this one once you open it you are doomed, can't be closed back again.

Scent of this lotion is just divine. It has signature shea scent same as their hand cream. I LOVE IT! So soft, clean and not overpowering.

Texture is really on a thin side, slightly watery and absorbs very quickly. Nothing bad about that actually it's a plus if you are applying it in the morning before getting dressed, or if you like your lotion not leaving any kind of a residue. As L'occitane promises it really leaves skin looking healthy and very radiant. I was nicely surprised by this. Skin feels soft on touch. Unfortunately for me it does not moisturize enough. It is lightweight and could be great pick for summer if you have very dry skin. If not this could be your year around lotion. It is very basic, could be used for hands, feet, even your man would like this since it has such a lightweight texture. I've read some use it on their kids too, but I haven't really tried that.

I wish it has thicker, creamier texture and to provide more moisture. But even like this I am glad I got it. I will try to use it up during summer and then to switch to Shea body butter during winter.

L'occitane En Provence Almond shower scrub review

Enriched with almond oil and crushed shells, the foaming Almond Shower Scrub melts into the skin, cleanses softly and exfoliates to remove impurities and dead cells. Skin is soft, smooth and ready to absorb all the benefits of your body creams. This scrub leaves behind the fresh and delicate fragrance of almond tree flowers

In spring 2012 L'occitane introduced couple of new items to the Almond line. Strangely all of them were limited edition (???). OK I might understand for the shower scrub but other firming items being LE doesn't make sense at all. If you are supposed to use firming products it takes a while not one time purchase. Anyway, I have not tried any of them except the shower scrub. When it was released last year I wanted to buy it, but was waiting not realizing it's LE and I missed it. It was sold out pretty fast. I was excited to see it was released again this spring and I got my hands on it. Yay! I adore Almond shower oil, and I really did have high hopes for shower scrub too.

Almond shower scrub does gentle exfoliation without stripping the skin or drying it out. It is great choice for dry and sensitive skin since it's not as harsh as some other scrubs, but does exfoliate really effectively. It leaves skin very soft and radiant. Since it is enriched with almond oil, skin is nicely moisturized but it does not leave any oily residue. 

I was hoping it will have exactly the same scent as the Almond shower oil, but it is not as sweet. It does have a same base but it slightly lighter and fresher. I would say more suitable for summer, since it's not so heavy and sweet.

Texture is thin, runny and gel like. It is not gritty at all. When you start massaging it into the skin it turns white and more and more creamy. Surprisingly it foams up very nicely. I usually do not like shower scrubs. They are not hydrating enough to be nice shower gel but on the other hand they do not exfoliate enough to be a good scrub. So somewhere in between and average in both categories. That's why I usually avoid this  kind of a product. Well, Almond shower scrub is a nice surprise. Smooth and hydrating enough , foamy enough to provide nice cleansing without drying skin out but on the other hand effective enough for exfoliator.

Nice touch was twist open & close cap.

I really can't find one thing that I do not like about this product except being Limited edition. So either waiting until next spring and hoping it will be released again or stocking up now while it's still available?? Since they discontinued other scrub from the Almond line, L'occitane needs to make this permanent!