Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Collection Review

Getting Beachy feels everytime I use Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Collection.  The newly reformulated range features new products and four restorative marine blends and a new hero ingredient of anti-oxidant rich Green Seaweed Extract. Marine Goddess here I come!

Crabtree & Evelyn say 

The La Source collection draws inspiration from the restorative powers of the sea around us, and is carefully designed to restore, condition and rejuvenate the skin from head to toe. Formulated with a blend of ingredients such as underwater algae, mineral salts and seaweeds the products in this collection allow you to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in spa-like rituals.

My thoughts

I absolutely adore the scent - fresh and Summery. It lends itself so well to the products in the range and there is a whole host of products for top to toe. I was sent a few bits from the range to review and have definitely fallen in love with this uplifting, feel good collection. Oh, and of course, all the products have that all important bathroom shelf appeal. A huge thumbs up from me.

La Source Refreshing Body Wash 500ml £27

Described as 'A crisp, clean scent of refreshing aquatic notes, musk, and gentle shoreline breezes' this body wash swathes the bathroom in its glorious scent and leaves skin feeling cleansed, soft and refreshed.

La Source Exfoliating Body Scrub 175g £20

One of my favourite products in the range, the body scrub is smooth and creamy with enough grittiness to do its job of exfoliating, leaving skin smooth. Contains a refreshing marine blend of green seaweed extract and purifying brown algae extract.

La Source Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy 25g £8

Moisturising, softening and leaves hands smelling great, what's not to love about the classic hand therapy hand cream? Features the restorative marine blend of anti-oxidant-rich green seaweed extract and protecting red sea algae. The hydrating power of hyaluronic acid and ceramides contribute to improve the skin’s natural moisture barrier. I notice an instant plumpness and improvement in my hands condition as soon as I apply. 

La Source Triple Milled Soap 100g £7

For those of you who  like traditional soap there is one in this range, with all the goodness of shea butter and mineral skin loving properties from the collection, this is a bather's dream. 

La Source Eau De Toilette 100ml £37

And finally, we get to my absolute favourite item in the range - the EDT. I have worn this every day since receiving my package. In Spring/Summer I suffer terribly with hayfever and scents irritating my delicate nose. La Source EDT however is a revelation in scent terms - it is light, refreshing, Summery and oceanic. Does anyone remember Oceanus? It's similar-ish to this beautiful scent. 

Eau La Source is described in the following way - 

Take your senses on a journey with the new Eau de La Source®  Eau de Toilette, featuring a delicate marine accord and our antioxidant-rich Green Seaweed Extract. Experience the tranquillity of deserted shores as the spa-like scent of crisp ocean breezes, marine aromas and clean citrus notes soothes your soul and revitalises your spirit. Golden notes of amber evoke the warmth of rich sunsets, while Petitgrain and Basil bring to mind far-flung beach destinations.

• Marine aromas and clean citrus notes
• Golden notes of amber complemented with petitgrain and basil 
• Eau de toilette strength
• Perfect daytime fragrance

Literally transports me to the sea. I adore it! The husband also likes it so it's a win win.

Have you tried this range?

*PR Samples 

Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Salt Scrub Review

Sanctuary Spa say 

Our iconic dead sea salt scrub that leaves skin perfectly. polished and gorgeously moisturised.

Our multi award-winning and much-loved treatment contains sea salt from the renowned Dead Sea enveloped by a rich mix of moisturising oils: jojoba, coconut and almond.

While the salt gently exfoliates dead cells to stimulate and promote renewal, the oils soak into skin leaving it gleaming and exquisitely scented.

My thoughts 

When it's cold and wet outside there is no better time to disappear into the bathroom for a nice long soak and treat my skin to some body pampering. In winter time I like my baths hot (not too hot as they will dry out the skin) and I love the products I use to have great aromas.

When I finished my last scrub I was wondering what to purchase next and was about to repurchase The Sanctuary Body Scrub which I really like when I came across the Ultimate Salt Scrub on the shelf in Boots, well with a name like that I had to try it!

I have to say I am really glad I did. The Ultimate Salt Scrub is wonderfully indulgent but at an affordable price, it smells so glorious and sweet and far more expensive than the price tag suggests. The salt scrub is quite scrubby for great skin exfoliation but it comes accompanied with rich and delicious oils of Almond, Jojoba and Coconut which moisturise and condition the skin. The oils leave a residue when the skin is wet but when you dry off you are left with just fabulously soft, smooth skin.

I don't have particularly dry skin but I don't feel the need to use a separate moisturiser after.

A huge thumbs up from me.

Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Salt Scrub 650g costs £11.50 

Pinks Boutique Try Me Set Rose Body

I do love a sample sized product and this little Try Me Set from luxury organic skincare brand Pinks Boutique is up there with the best of them and is quite simply an ideal way for trying before buying. There are seven sets to choose from, being the Rose fiend that I am I had to try the Rose Body version.

The set contains the following items which I found to be suitable for one use.

Rose Crystal Bath Soak - My favourite from within this little box of goodies. I popped the crystals into my bath and soon the bathroom smelt incredible and inviting. A lovely way to relax and kick off the pampering.

Contains Himalayan mineral crystal, Epsom salts and is infused with an organic blend of rose essential oils.

Rose Crystal Bath Soak 500g costs £39

Rosehip Face and Body Scrub - A gorgeous smelling, smooth and gentle yet effective scrub, I used it on my body for super soft skin. 

Rosehip Face and Body Scrub 60g £31.50

Rose & Geranium Body Wash - This body wash comes out as a gel, is delicately scented and is gentle on the skin and soothing.

Rose & Geranium Body Wash 250ml £23

Rose Face & Body Balm - The balm is almost solid in form but warmed up in your hands turns into a delightful oil that would be so good as a massage oil, as it was I had to massage into my own skin and it was just beautiful. Smelt wonderful and left skin feeling super soft for hours. I used it on my body as part of my pampering experience.

Rose Face & Body Balm 50g £30 

Final thoughts - I loved this little set and it provided a fantastic introduction to the Pinks Boutique products. I absolutely loved the Face & Body Balm and Bath Soak. 

Pinks Boutique Try Met Set - Rose Body costs £20 

*PR Sample

Mandara Spa Bali Santi Collection - Home Pampering For Just £20!

I have fallen in love with Mandara Spa's latest bath and body collection - Bali Santi. Taking inspiration from the exotic spa rituals of Indonesia, Mandara Spa have selected naturally pampering ingredients which are used in the traditional spa rituals of Bali.

The delicious key ingredients in this collection are - Coconut Oil, Yoghurt, Lotus Flower Milk, Sweet Almond Oil, Rose Flower Petals, Aloe and Cocoa. 

Coconut Oil is a buzz word right now, the benefits being exalted whether used in health, beauty or food so this is a timely release.

There are 3 products in the Bali Santi collection -

Mandara Spa Bali Santi Indulgent Bath & Shower Cream With Coconut Oil & Yoghurt £7 

Mandara Spa say

An indulgent blend of coconut oil, yoghurt and lotus flower milk to help leave skin feeling soft and smooth after bathing.

My thoughts

This bath & shower cream is rich and creamy. It has a lovely pearly sheen to it and is perfect to swirl in the bath for some soft bubbles and luxurious bathing or used as a shower cream. It has a gorgeous coconut scent and leaves skin feeling beautifully soft and smooth as it promises.

Mandara Spa Bali Santi Energising Body Scrub £8 

Mandara Spa say

A traditional blend of energising coffee granules and comforting coconut oil awakens the senses and stimulates the body.

My Thoughts 

The body scrub is my favourite product from the Bali Santi collection. It smells so incredibly delectable! Smelling of delicious chocolate mousse, with a soft, silky texture which is then blended with exfoliating coffee granules, it leaves skin wonderfully smooth. However, as it is the colour of chocolate too, bath water is left looking dirty and murky. Fabulous.

Mandara Spa Bali Santi Nurturing Body Milk With Coconut Oil and Lotus Flower Milk £5

Mandara Spa say

A soothing blend of coconut and sweet almond oils, blended with  lotus flower milk and yoghurt, work to deeply moisturise the skin leaving it calm and nourished.

My thoughts 

As expected this body milk is scented with coconut but has a slight spicy after-note to it which stops it from being too sweet and heavy. A light, fluid body moisturiser than leaves skin feeling soft. A nice finish to body pampering.

Final thoughts - 

Exotic print, bright packaging that add a splash of colour to the bathroom shelf, the real treat however are the contents inside. Lock the bathroom door and allow yourself to be transported to Bali with Bali Santi. A great, indulgent and inexpensive pamper in the comfort of your own home.

*PR Sample

Elemis Skin Nourishing Body Scrub - Review

Elemis say 

This luxurious creamy body scrub uses natural exfoliators of rice, Bora Bora sand and bamboo to gently polish the skin, whilst sweet almond, macadamia and wheat germ oils nourish and condition. An exquisite milk protein base rich in vitamins is combined with organic oat extract tp help leave skin feeling soft, supple and velvety smooth.

My thoughts

Smelling soft, creamy and powdery this is an effective and gritty feeling body scrub. Coming out of the tube in quite a solid consistency, I found the screw top a bit hard to juggle with the product, I would have preferred a flip top. However, this is a tiny niggle. This Spa at Home Body Scrub smooths and softens skin wonderfully. I suffer from keratosis pilaris on my upper arms and this leaves my skin feeling ultra smooth, helping me to wave goodbye to the bumpy surface.

Elemis Skin Nourishing Body Scrub 200ml £28.50

*PR Sample

BeautySwot Beauty Products Of The Year 2013

As 2013 is drawing to a close, I felt it was time to share my 5 favourite beauty
products of the year. These awards are not taken lightly. All of these products have been selected for the following reasons

They live up to their claims
I reached for them the most
I would be happy to purchase them over and over again

So without further ado... the BeautySwot Products of the Year 2013 are -

1. Optrex Actimist 2in1 Spray for itchy, watery eyes

This product wins hands down for changing my life, literally. Although technically not a beauty product it was a product that was indispensable for me last Spring/Summer. I was hugely sceptical of its claims but one or two sprays per eye and I got instant relief from itchy, watery hay fever eyes. It meant that hay fever season wasn't miserable for me and it was so easy to use I could pop it in my bag and use it on the go. Magical

You can read my original review here... http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/04/instant-relief-optrex-actimist-2in1-eye.html

2. GINVERA Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream 

This BB Cream was my go to product over Summer and even now I still use it often instead of a standard foundation as it provides good coverage for even skintone whilst remaining light and natural looking and giving a nice glow to the skin. It has an SPF30 and it smells wonderful. I absolutely love this skin base, and although it came to the UK in 2012 it was in 2013 that I thankfully discovered it. A fantastic BB Cream that I rave to all and sundry about.

You can read my original review here..http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/04/ginvera-green-tea-nude-cover-bb-cream.html

3. Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30 

A primer with a hint of colour, SPF30 and a base so good at smoothing and covering the skin that I could go out with nothing else on. This is why I gave it the accolade of the Rolls Royce of primers. Excellent on its own or under foundation. I give it 10/10.

You can read my original review here... http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/08/dermalogica-skinperfect-primer-spf30.html

4. Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 

This salt scrub is like heaven in a jar, it smells amazing. Elemis have excelled with this launch, it smells good and the scrub is gentle yet smoothing. A beautiful spa experience in your home, this is guaranteed to transport you to sunnier climes... (I wish it could, but for now I will settle for this!) Best bodycare product launch of the year.

You can read my original review here...http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/06/elemis-frangipani-monoi-salt-glow.html

5. Makeup Brand Of The Year - Kiko Cosmetics Milano 

Finally no year would be complete without mentioning Kiko. This was undoubtedly their year. A huge range of products, consistently good quality and on trend shades. I have reached for many of their products over and over again this year. If you are looking for good quality makeup and tools at a great purse friendly price you cannot go wrong with Kiko.

Excitingly they have just opened a huge store on Regent Street in London. A must visit for beauty lovers.

Well that's it, my five products of the year..what products have stood out for you this year?

Smiths Of Jersey - Spa Quality Products In Your Home

I have had a lovely pampering morning at home with new British bodycare brand Smiths Of Jersey. Inspired by the sea, the capsule range consists of four products. Certified organic and harnessing the benefits of local seaweeds and marine extracts this is a luxurious range of products that bring the Spa into your home.

Smiths of Jersey Regenerating Honey & Sea Salt Body Scrub 200ml £24.95

Smiths say

Say goodbye to dry areas and a dull complexion with this luxuriously nourishing Thalasso Body Scrub. Mineral-rich Atlantic Salt blended with Honey, Shea Butter, Organic Sweet Almond Oil and Marine Extracts gently exfoliates and removes impurities, rapidly renewing the skin cells and intensely moisturising to restore softness, suppleness and radiance to the skin – for spa-quality results at home.

My thoughts 

This body scrub is to be applied to dry skin and then washed off using a body wash (I used the one in the collection) It feels buttery soft out of the container but as it is rubbed over the skin you can feel the grains of salt as they exfoliate the skin. It has a pleasant scent that is slightly salty. As water made contact with it, my skin felt like I had applied grease to it but I needn't have worried because as soon as the body wash was applied the scrub rinsed off leaving my skin soft and smooth.

Smiths of Jersey Marine Rich Detoxifying Bath & Shower Wash 300ml £19.95

Smiths say 

Experience pure spa indulgence at home with this soft lathering organic body wash. Packed with detoxifying and toning Marine Extracts, collagen-boosting Sea Kelp, Barley Sprout Floral Water and Papaya Extracts to deeply cleanse, maintain pH balance and rapidly renew the skin cells - leaving the skin feeling soft, supple and revitalised.

My thoughts 

The bath and shower wash has a gel like texture that just glides across the skin, it doesn't foam which personally I prefer in my body washes. This has a delicate fresh scent which I liked, feels really gentle to the skin and my skin felt beautifully soft when I stepped out of the bath.

Smiths of Jersey Sheer Hydration Body Lotion 200ml £24.95

Smiths say

Gently massage this sensationally silky lotion into the legs, arms and feet for the ultimate skin treat. Packed with revitalising Marine Extracts, Propolis, Elemi oil and Organic Cornflower Water to effectively restore skin’s natural moisture balance, increase suppleness and alleviate the signs of ageing. Skin is left feeling deeply soothed, hydrated and silky smooth, without a dry patch in sight.

My thoughts 

Once again the scent on the body lotion is really delicate which is ideal for those of us who are not overly keen on heavily scented products and prefer our scent to come from our perfume.. Texture wise this is a really light lotion which absorbs fast and does a fabulous job of hydrating the skin. At the end of my pamper session I was surprised at how super smooth my skin was, how even the tone and flawless my legs appeared. You know when you see airbrushed legs in adverts?..well that is how my legs looked.

Smiths Of Jersey Nourishing Ultra-Rich Hand & Foot Cream 100ml £18.95

Smiths say

A beauty must-have, this organic hand & foot cream has a sensationally rich texture that melts into the skin. Enriched with moisturising Shea Butter, soothing and hydrating Sea Fennel, collagen-boosting Sea Kelp and other revitalising Marine Extracts to effectively nourish, moisturise and regenerate dry and cracked skin, restoring silky smooth softness to hard-working hands and feet.

My thoughts 

Oh now this was amazing. The hand and foot cream is reasonably light in texture but made light work of my feet, leaving them literally like silk and incredibly soft that I couldn't stop feeling them! I absolutely loved this product. As with the other products the scent was delicate.

Final thoughts

Often I read descriptions and claims of products and take them with a pinch of salt but it was hard to disagree with the words from Smiths Of Jersey, having used the products I found myself nodding along as I agreed with everything they said. The products provided me with a spa like experience in my home, were a real pleasure to use and left my skin feeling so good that I just could not fault them. Home pampering at its finest.

For more information visit www.smithsofjersey.com

*PR Samples

DIY Beauty With The Multi-Tasking STEAMCREAM

STEAMCREAM is well known as a fabulous light and airy moisturiser suitable for use on face, hands and body. It uses ingredients including lavender and oatmeal infusion (now I am not a huge fan of a lavender scent but this is delicate and doesn't linger) It is also known for its tins and their many designs which I personally love!

The team at STEAMCREAM recently contacted me to take part in a Blogger Challenge which would show that not only is STEAMCREAM a great moisturiser but can be used in other ways too. I am not known for making my own beauty products so I was looking forward to giving it a go. STEAMCREAM supplied a DIY Kit consisting of

1 bottle of STEAMCREAM
1 bag of unrefined brown sugar
1 bag of organic jumbo oats
1 empty STEAMCREAM tin 

I know what you are thinking... perfect porridge ingredients, right? I was tempted !!

I enlisted the help of my 5 year old son who was very excited to be helping mummy make some make up! We had a great afternoon of fun and most importantly discovered that STEAMCREAM could indeed be made into 3 other wonderful beauty products that really work. Versatile indeed.

Invigorating Sugar Scrub

Mix a few pumps of steam cream into a small amount of sugar and there you have a fast homemade body scrub. I love this, it smells wonderful and is creamy too. This is a really effective sugar scrub, leaving my skin silky soft and smooth.

The sugar helps to naturally remove dead skin cells. The almond oil, Vitamin A & E strengthen and nourish skin whilst the neroli oil with soften dry, hard skin.

BeautySwot Tip - Mix up as you go along with only the amount you need as it soon melts!

Gentle Exfoliating Face Mask

Mix a few pumps of STEAMCREAM with a small amount of bashed up oats (hence the need for a rolling pin, my little boy had great fun with this!) Dampen face, apply mask to skin and leave for 5 minutes. Remove with warm water.

Another really effective use for STEAMCREAM, when I had removed this homemade mask I was left with skin that positively glowed. It was radiant and incredibly soft.

The oatmeal infusion gentle soothes sensitive, irritated skin and brightens skintone. The added oats work to naturally remove dead skin cells.

Homemade BB Cream 

I took my favourite full coverage foundation Estee Lauder Double Wear SPF10 and mixed it with STEAMCREAM (one part STEAMCREAM to two parts foundation) to make a lighter, more dewier finish foundation with skincare benefits (BB Cream!) This worked really well. Coverage was good, my skin felt good and it lasted.

Simple, easy and effective uses for STEAMCREAM. I have to say I really enjoyed this challenge.

STEAMCREAM costs 12.95 and is available from www.steamcream.co.uk , Selfridges, John Lewis and ASOS.com

*PR Sample

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Revitalising Leg Treatment - Summer Ready Legs

I was recently invited to experience a new Mandara Spa Treatment - The Island Paradise Revitalising leg Treatment. I popped along to the divine Spa based at the Park Plaza Hotel Westminster Bridge for the 50 minute treatment and allowed myself to drift away to paradise.

Developed exclusively for Mandara Spa this detoxifying and contouring treatment for the legs combine hero
products from the Island Paradise bath & body spa collection.

Treatment claims

Inspired by the Maldives, the potent benefits of grapefruit, lemon and white tea combined with an intensive lymphatic drainage treatment using traditional bamboo massage techniques, will help stimulate a sluggish circulation, reduce fluid retention and smooth the appearance of cellulite. Tired, heavy legs will feel energised whilst the skin will feel beautifully smooth and look healthy and toned – the perfect preparation for summer.

What it involves

• To help kick-start poor circulation, an intensive dual-action treatment of dry-brushing, followed by exfoliation will have an invigorating effect on the legs. The Island Paradise Intensive Body Scrub combines crushed peach stone granules and coconut shells to thoroughly exfoliate the skin in preparation for the massage.

• Next the Island Paradise Cooling Gel is generously applied and massaged into the legs and thighs. The cooling,menthol action will further help stimulate blood flow and refresh tired legs.

• Legs are then wrapped, a technique that enhances the benefits of the cooling gel by restricting blood flow in the capillaries and helps to reduce any puffiness. Feet then receive a massage with the Island Paradise Foot Butter and placed into cotton socks for an intense nourishing treatment.

• Whilst your feet and legs undergo their transformation,enjoy a wonderfully relaxing head and shoulder massage.

• The treatment is finished with a traditional warm bamboo massage. Designed to stimulate the lymphatic drainage, it will help flush away the build up of toxins and fatty deposits that can lead to the appearance of cellulite. The legs will appear more toned and contoured whilst feeling revitalised and beautifully soft to the touch.

My thoughts and a mini review of the products used.

The treatment from start to finish was sublime. The room was warm and inviting, the music calm and relaxing. my therapist had a wonderfully soothing voice. The scrub was harsh but pleasant for a real exfoliating and invigorating feeling that woke up the legs.  The cooling gel's icy cool effects were really rather pleasurable as it gained momentum having been wrapped. I normally dislike my feet being massaged but the foot massage was gentle and non tickly which made it bearable.. I absolutely loved the head and shoulder massage which identified tense areas and my therapist recommended that I had regular massages to ease this. The highlight of the treatment was the warm bamboo massage on my legs. This was a delightful contrast to the iciness that had preceded it.

At the end of the treatment my legs felt extremely light and the softest and smoothest I have ever felt them to be. I felt ready to bare them.

Bringing the spa to your home... You can replicate the spa treatment at home.. sadly minus the professional massage, with the affordable products that are used during the treatment.

Product reviews - products available to purchase from Sainsbury's.

Island Paradise Intensive Body Scrub £8.00 - Slightly lemony and citrus in scent this is a grainy and highly effective exfoliator.

Island Paradise Refreshing Cooling Gel £5.00 - Containing menthol the scent is very similar to Tunes, which I find really quite appealing and cannot help inhaling. The cooling effect is fab and would be highly enjoyable on a hot sunny day!

Island Paradise Softening Foot Butter £4.00 - This also has a citrus lemon scent, resembling a lemon cream. This foot butter is semi thick, absorbs fast and leaves feet smelling wonderful and super soft and silky.

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Revitalising Leg Treatment 

Price: £85.00 for 50 minutes

*PR Samples

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow is part of the Elemis Sp@ home range and one of two new body scrubs to be launched recently.

Elemis say

Transport mind, body and soul to the shore of the South Pacific.

Mineral rich salts and Hibiscus cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells to help brighten skin
A rich infusion of exotic Tahitian Monoi Oil and Frangipani Flowers leaves skin delicately fragranced.
A nourishing Coconut Oil base melts on contact with the skin to seal in moisture.

To use - Apply with gentle circular motions to damp skin in the bath or shower. Use weekly to remove dead skin cells and restore skin radiance.

My thoughts  

The moment you open the jar you are seduced by the most obscenely beautiful scent possible. It makes you want to dive in and smother your body in this salt scrub. Obviously I didn't go crazy and do this but used it as per the instructions ;-)

The scrub is quite smooth (which I wasn't expecting) with a little bit of grit, enough to make you feel that you are indeed getting an exfoliation. The salt granules melt as you apply and turn into a milky textured liquid as it moisturises the skin. The result is silky smooth, soft skin.

Decadent and gorgeous. Achieving an exotic spa feeling at home has never been this pleasurable or easy!

The perfect self pampering treat.

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 480g costs £36.50 and is out now.

*PR Sample

Love For - L'Occitane Almond Delicious Paste - Review

The delectable Almond Shower Oil was my introduction to the L'Occitane brand and what an introduction it was, the product became my Holy Grail bathing product and since then I have never looked back. I am a huge fan of the brand and its fantastic products.

I have been using the Almond Delicious Paste recently and have been suitable impressed with this very apt product... Delicious it most certainly is!

L'Occitane say

This delicious blend of almond butter and almond oil, infused with crushed almond shells and sugar crystals, offers a gentle, yet effective, exfoliation of the entire body. Skin is left smooth and soft, delicately fragranced with the crunchy note of fresh almond.

This product is free from: synthetic colorants, mineral oils, animal ingredients, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phtalates, silicone, triclosan, formol or formaldehyde, EDTA, BHA, BHT.


My thoughts 

A gorgeously buttery textured almond exfoliator that contains enough grit to be effective without feeling scratchy. The perfect gentle exfoliator that leaves skin wonderfully moisturised, soft and smooth with a scent that smells good enough to eat.

Seriously good.

L'Occitane Almond Delicious Paste costs £27 for 200ml

*The sample size pictured was included in a Christmas Gift Set

Anatomicals Don't Just Clean It Woman, Scrub It Body Scrub - Review

I am currently loving using Anatomicals Don't Just Clean It Woman, Scrub It Body Scrub. This 75ml sample tube came in October's GlossyBox and has a fabulously zingy and refreshing grapefruit scent. The actual product is clear and has a gel texture which is interspersed with apricot seed to exfoliate.

I find this scrub to be a gentle exfoliator, more like a polish rather than a real, scrubby scrub but it does leave skin feeling lovely and soft.

With packaging that is colourful, cheeky and cheerful this really does brighten up the bathroom.

Anatomicals Don't Just Clean It Woman, Scrub It Body Scrub costs £3.49 for 200ml

CHAMPNEYS Spa Treatments Watermint Body Scrub

For an invigorating and awakening body scrub Champneys Spa Treatments Watermint Body Scrub has to be my favourite. This uber minty scented scrub just smells so incredibly minty and fresh. It has no less than three types of mint - watermint, peppermint and wildmint and contains jojoba beads to exfoliate. This is more like a body polish than a harsher scrub, which is my personal preference.I find that the mint provides a nice and pleasant cooling effect when applied to skin and leaves my body soft and smooth once rinsed off.

Makes you feel good and soft to the touch, bathroom smelling lush, what's not to like!

Champneys Spa Treatments Watermint Body Scrub 200ml costs £6

Elemis Best Of British Face And Body Collection

Had to share this fabulous box set from Elemis - Best of British Face And Body Collection.

Presented in a stunning gift box it features many of my skincare favourites and represents excellent value for money.

Inside you will find:

Tranquil Touch Indulgent Bath Elixir 300ml
Wild Lavender Hand & Body Lotion 50ml
Pro Collagen Marine Cream 30ml
Melting Cleansing Gel 20ml
Tranquil Touch Body Polish 50ml
Treat your Feet Foot Cream 20ml

The set costs £49 but is worth £83! Saving you a massive £34.

I think that is worth shouting about.

Available to buy now at www.timetospa.co.uk

Elemis Tranquil Touch Body Polish - Review

Elemis Tranquil Touch Body Polish is from the sp@home body exotics collection and is quite simply the nicest body polish/scrub I have ever used.

Just take a look at some of the ingredients:

Mandarin
Cedarwood
Ginger
Patchouli
Vetivert
Rice Scrub
Capuacu Butter
This is an ultra gentle smoothing body scrub containing a natural rice exfoliator to sweep away impurities and soften the skin.

Without a doubt this is a luxurious scrub and it comes with the sublimest of scents, using this I feel transported to an exotic and faraway spa. The scent is heavenly, sensuous and lingering. Utterly delectable, I love sniffing my body long after my bath ritual has ended. It is not often I get THAT excited about a scrub but this isn't just a scrub, it is a scrub that ensures bath time is the most enjoyable and relaxing of past times.

Elemis is one of my favourite skincare brands, for me scents are one of the most important things in liking a product and yet again they have managed in my eyes to combine performance with a glorious scent and fabulous ingredients. It is pricey but in my eyes it is worth every penny.

The Elemis Promise - This product is free from parabens, SLS, SLES, DEA, mineral oils, artificial colours and silicones.

Elemis Tranquil Touch Body Polish costs £20 for 150mls


*PR Sample

Skin Wisdom Day Spa Gentle Revive Gingerlily & Orange Wash 'n' Scrub

I was sent another item to review from the Skin Wisdom Spa Range at Tesco after I was so impressed with some of the other products in the range. If you missed the reviews you can read them here.

Skin Wisdom Day Spa Gentle Revive Brightening Wash 'n' Scrub in Gingerlily & Orange

This is described as a 2 in 1 wash and scrub for the body. It comes in a flip top tube and the product comes out really easily in a gel formula. What struck me was how pretty it was when it came out, I don't often say that about bath products but this really was. I tried my hardest to capture in photography but essentially the scrub bits, which are square shaped, are swirled around in the gel forming a pattern.

On contact with water the gel changes to a more creamy consistency which allows you to wash using it.

I am not sure what gingerlily is supposed to smell like and I couldn't really make out any orange scent in it but it smells pleasant, the only way I could describe it would be to say.. a bit like a holiday scent!

I would consider this product to be more of a body polish than a scrub as the particles are larger and less than you would find in a traditional scrub but with that in mind I found it to be effective and for the price (less than £5), great value. The packaging is nice, the product feels expensive and leaves the skin comfortable, soft and smooth. I was particularly impressed with how smooth my upper arms felt, this is exactly what I look for in a scrub. I didn't find it overly harsh and although the scrub bits don't melt, a quick rinse of the shower (if you are using this in the bath) will wash them away.

I am a huge fan of using scrubs, particularly in the Summer when having super smooth skin is important when applying fake tans. I liked this scrub a lot and it would seem I am not the only one, as the gentle revive brightening wash 'n' scrub has been shortlisted by a panel of experts in the body care category of the Tesco Your Beauty Awards.

This is the first year Tesco are running the awards. One lucky voter will win a luxury holiday for two to Antigua and each week (whilst the awards are running) all entrants will be entered into a prize draw to win all 55 shortlisted products in the awards. Hurry though the awards close on 23/08/2011

To vote in the Tesco Your Beauty Awards just click this link - http://www.tescomagazine.com/beauty-campaign.html

*Sponsored Post 

Soap & Glory Flake Away Spa Body Polish

I have heard good things about S&G, they seem to have so many fans. So when I wanted to be lovely and smooth for my holiday I popped down to Boots and picked up Scrub of Your Life and can honestly say I was so disappointed when I used it. I hated the smell, so synthetically soapy and chemical, it was awful and really got up my nose. Using it made no difference to the softness and smoothness of my body and definitely didn't do anything for the bumps on my arms which was the reason that I had bought it. And the bobbly bits didn't even seem to dissolve. A real waste of my £6.50.

To the credit of Soap & Glory, when I complained about the product (I felt that strongly) they offered to send me Flake Away to try, and what a difference!

I love this product, it smells utterly gorgeous, sweet and feminine and actually works. Not as abrasive as a full sugar scrub but just enough to do the job. I now have THE most fabulously smooth, soft and silkiest body I have ever had. The ingredients of this skin smoothing spa body polish are - Shea Butter, sweet almond oil, peach seed powder, sea salt and sugar.

Highly recommended.

Flake Away is £6.50 for 300mls and is available from Boots, ASOS.com and Harvey Nichols.