Review: The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

100mL/ 3.3 fl. oz.

The Body Shop USA- $12

The Body Shop UK- ₤5

The Body SHop EU- €6

Found at http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com

This hand cream is supposed to “soften and protect” very dry hands that uses Community Trade hemp seed oil and Community Trade organic beeswax to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and seal said moisture in. It is a very rich, slightly greenish colored cream.

 

Ingredients

Water (Solvent/Diluent), Glycerin (Humectant), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Myristyl Myristate (Emollient), Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Emollient), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (Emulsifier), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), PEG-100 Stearate (Surfactant), Beeswax (Emulsifier/Emollient), Panthenol (Skin/Hair Conditioning Agent), Methyl Soyate (Skin Conditioning Agent – Emollient), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Fragrance (Fragrance), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Allantoin (Skin Soothing Agent), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emollient), Retinyl Palmitate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Talc (Absorbent/Bulking Agent), Chromium Oxide Greens (Colour), Iron Oxides (Colour).

 

So my love affair with the Body Shop continues. This cream does everything is says it will. It is so rich and nourishing, no matter how dry my hands are this cream makes them feel soft and supple. Now that the fall and winter are coming up, if you live somewhere that does get cold, I would highly, highly recommend this. It is (so far, anyway) the best hand cream that I have ever tried and believe me, I have tried a lot! Now that I have relocated to Houston where it does not get cold, ever, I will not be needing this as much, but when I lived in northern Germany, during the winter this is what kept my hands from dying. And believe me when I say the job was not easy.

In terms of scent, it’s not the most delicious in the world. Honestly, it kinda smells vaguely of a plant. However, it is not a particularly strong smell, it goes away quickly, and you get used to it so it’s not a big deal.

This cream soaks in pretty quickly, considering how rich it is. It leaves an odd residue on the skin- not oily at all, you won’t leave massive oil splotches on things you touch like other creams- but it feels like there’s a protective layer on the skin which I assume comes from the beeswax. For me it’s not a problem at all, but I would recommend trying it out in the store if you have the chance.

Price-wise, I think it is pretty decent! In Europe and Britain more so, but the American price isn’t too tragic. I would say it’s pretty midrange- it’s a little more expensive than something like Nivea, but then again it works far better. Also compared to some of the more luxury hand creams it’s a steal, and may very well  work just as well or better. Considering the benefits, it is a sum I am happy to spend.

 

Bottom line, this is a fabulous hand cream and your hands will love you. If you can stand the smell, get it.

Rating: A+

Christmas Gift Guide: Smaller Gifts

The holiday season is one of my very favorite times, and one of the reasons is I love gifts. Ok, I won’t pretend I don’t love getting gifts (I mean, who doesn’t?) but I really, REALLY love giving gifts. But sometimes, that perfect gift may be a bit hard to find, and that could cause some major stress. Hopefully this post will give you some ideas for that fabulous (beauty related) present for that special gal, be it your friend, girlfriend, or mom! These smaller gifts could be combined to make one gift, or used to supplement mid-sized gifts.

The Body Shop Mini Body Butters

Found on TheBodyShop-USA.com

These things are really the best! They cost $6  for 1.7 fl oz (50 ml), so they are a pretty good deal. I couldn’t find them on the German or British site, but I’m pretty sure they have them in store. They should be around the €5 mark, and they are often on 3 for 2 at my store! You can normally find a pretty good selection of scents, I know I see Pink Grapefruit pretty regularly at mine, as well as Shea and Olive. I have also seen Strawberry, I believe, as well as Coconut. And Moringa, as shown in the picture. As for picking scents, the Shea and Olive ones are pretty neutral but still smell quite nice, so I think you could hardly go wrong. Personally, I love the Pink Grapefruit one (click here to read my review), as well as the Moringa scent. Coconut is quite nice too (surprisingly, as normally I don’t like coconut-scented things), but Strawberry is just way too sickly for me. You can always smell the full-sized testers if you don’t know for sure.

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/gifts/stocking-stuffers/mini-body-butter-moringa.aspx

Crabtree & Evelyn Soaps

Found on Crabtree-Evelyn.co.uk

These soaps are so beautiful, really any of the scents would be fabulous. My personal favorites are the Summer Hill and Crabapple & Mulberry scents. They range in price from $6-$10.

http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com/eng/products/bath-body/bar-soap/french-milled-soaps/crabapple_mulberry_triple_milled_soap?79496

LUSH Bath Products

Found on Lushusa.com

There would be no Christmas related post, or gift post at all for that matter, without a LUSH bath product or 15 gazillion. Phoenix Rising (pictured above) is one favorite: it is available all year round, but I think is especially good for this time of year. It is very spicy and cinnamon-y, and is purple and covered with gold glitter. Basically, me in bath bomb form. The Sex Bomb bath bomb is a classic, and probably will be loved by everyone. The Rose Jam bubble bar smells divine, and the Melting Snowman bath melt is as scrumptious-smelling as it is adorable. These products all range from $3-10.

Hildegard Braukmann Face Masks

Found on Hildegard-Braukmann.de

These are a really good way to go- they are really nice quality skincare, provide a little treat, and are really, really inexpensive to boot! These come in all different formulations to suit most skin types.

 

Lilla’s Box of Treasures (LBD): September 2012

Well I haven’t done one of these in a while, and it is Wednesday (my day for random posts), and I have a lab report for Biology due Friday that I’d rather not do, so I decided to do my monthly favesies!

Beauty Favorites:

A+D

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahh trusty A+D, how I do love you. I use this for just about everything, but this has been instrumental, along with another product that I will mention shortly, in keeping my hands from being chopped off for a snakeskin handbag. I wrote a rather glowing post about it last week comparing it to the famous Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (if you would like to read that, click here), so I will not go into a ton of detail. Anyway, it is fabulous… and cheap, too! When I go back to the States in October I will probably pick up some back-ups.

The Body Shop Wild Rose Hand Cream SPF 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was given to me a fairly short amount of time ago by a very good friend (hey Marie, thanks schmexy lady!), and I wish I had it for longer because it is AWESOME. Now, you may say that 4 days is not enough time to test out a product. Believe me, for this product this is not the case: I have used it enough times to know it is just amazing! I will wait a little longer to write a full review though. Anyway, it smells gorgeous, exactly like roses. It sinks in really quickly and doesn’t leave your hands feeling nasty, which is great. It is extremely moisturizing (this was the other key player in Mission Prevent The World From Experiencing The Horror That Is Lilla’s Hands In The Winter/Fall), and I like that this has SPF in it to protect my hands from the unrelenting German sun. Just kidding, there is no sun here, especially as we get towards fall. It is supposed to be for mature skin, but whatever. I think I am a very mature 15 year old, and can therefore handle the cream with wisdom and grace.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, I have to confess that this is only a sample size, but for this a little goes a long way and I have been testing this out for a good long while. I really really REALLY like this face cream, it is really moisturizing, has a gorgeous texture, and smells really nice. It is actually a real bummer that I like it so much, because I cannot see myself purchasing the full-size product for a very long time. Why? Because I checked on FeelUnique.com and it’s like 70 quid. Now that may be fine when I am older and looking into higher caliber anti-aging products (not to mention when I actually earn a proper salary), but for now I think as much as I like it, I don’t think I can justify spending 70 pounds at this stage in my life.

The Body Shop Eye Definer in Blue Smoke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the products that I carry around in my Emergency Kit, because it is an easy, one-step look that looks nice and doesn’t need tools. This is an interesting color, it is a non-shimmery grey with just a slight overcast of blue, it adds a really pretty smokiness without looking too harsh or stark. When I finish this, which probably won’t be long now!, I will be buying another.

Lilla Brand Tinted Lipbalm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah ok, I am pretty proud of myself. Maybe a bit too proud. But I don’t care. I really like this color, it is really easy to apply, you don’t need a mirror, and it looks gorgeous whilst still moisturizing. That seems to be a theme for this month, I guess that’s fair enough because we are moving into Fall and Winter. This product also gets bonus points for doubling as an emergency blush!

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Tone-Revealing Hydration Conditioner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly I was a bit skeptical about the tone-revealing properties of this conditioner, but I think it really did work. My hair is not only softer and more hydrated, it does look quite a bit shinier and… well, richer, I guess. It’s nice!

Real Techniques Detailer Brush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This brush is from the Core Collection, and I am really enjoying it! It can be used for a lot of different things, but this month I pretty much used it for lipstick. At first I thought it was going to be a bit big for my lips, but it turned out to do a really good job. It gives nice clean lines, and gives you a lot of control. I love how all the brushes from this set feel, they are super soft and feel really well constructed.

Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea Pocket Bac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This thing is such a lifesaver! I use this nearly every day because I take the tram to school, so it keeps me from dying. Yes. It smells divine, and the little blue beads that just disappear never fail to amaze me. I am easily amused, I know. Anyway, this product is the bomb and I would not be here without it!

The Body Shop Neroli Jasmine Eau de Toilette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one that I have commandeered from my mom (well she never wears it… :D). It is a pretty sweet smell, and very warm. This may be a bit sweet for some people but I have gotten some compliments on it so I am obviously not alone in loving it. I am also pretty impressed with the staying power of it, considering it is an EDT.

Random Favorites

Primandonna by Marina and the Diamonds

I have liked this song since camp, but just recently I went to see Coldplay when they came to my city (it was AWESOME), and Marina and the Diamonds played backup. I actually have developed a bit of a girl crush on her, she is gorgeous, has the most amazing figure, and has a great voice! From what I saw at the concert it seemed like she has a really sweet personality too. She was wearing a really pretty outfiit at the concert, nothing that I could ever pull off but look fabulous on her.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mavnu7iGdl1r9misbo1_500.jpg
With the glasses and the vest…

As Long as You Love Me by Justin Bieber Ft. Big Sean

Ok, this is kind of my guilty pleasure song… Ordinarily I’m not fond of Justin Bieber, but this song is just so irresistible!

Same by Snow Patrol

I have just recently discovered this song, it is so relaxing and sweet, it is just so calming.

My Awesome Typewriter Notebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I picked this notebook up from T.K. Maxx.for 6 euros (!). I haven’t written in it yet, I haven’t decided what I will use it for, but it is just so perfect!

My Gina Tricot Sweater

Courtesy of Gina Tricot

This is one of my most recent clothing purchases. I think it is so pretty and delicate and perfect for the upcoming months!

My Rain Boots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not sure what brand these are because my mom got me them from Costco, but please tell me these are not the awesomest wellies in the history of the world. Just try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Worn Products Tag *Summer Edition*

I really enjoyed watching other people do this tag, so I have decided to turn it into a blog post. Hope you like it!

1) Most worn nail polish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It would probably have to be either OPI’s Lucern-tainly Look Marvelous or Wet n Wild’s Emblazed. Emblazed is a quite summery color, but the OPI color? Not so much… I think it was because the beginning of the summer the whether here in Germany was really super cold.

2) Most worn scent

Image courtesy of Sephora.com

I wore Dior Addict Eau Fraiche quite a bit, but more towards the end of the summer, I really like it. Apparently it has notes of bergamot, grapefruit, orange, freesia, lily of the valley, lotus flower, pineapple, watermelon, grenadine, sandalwood, and white musk, but honestly I wouldn’t know because I am terrible at describing scents. It is a very appropriate scent for summer, it is pretty light. I guess that’s from the floral notes? Anyway, it is beautiful.

3) Most worn hair product

Image courtesy of The Body Shop

Image courtesy of JohnFrieda.com

This is quite easy, The Body Shop Rainforest Shampoo for oily hair and the John Frieda detangling spray. Right now my hair is the healthiest it has ever been, and I am pretty sure it is down to one or both of these products. I cannot rep the Body Shop shampoo enough, I love everything about it. It is sulfate free but still manages to fully clean my hair, and smells phenomenal to boot (to see the full post, click here). The John Frieda detangling spray is pretty good as well, it does the job and smells quite good (and to see the full post for this one, click here).

4) Most worn bag

Image courtesy of Bloomingdales.com

Again, an easy one: I only really ever use one bag outside of school, and that is my Longchamp Le Pliage. I love it (obviously!), it is chic and timeless and goes with everything. It is also a good size for me; it fits everything I need to bring, without being too big. This is very important for me, because I tend to bring a lot of stuff so I need space, but if the bag is too big I will fill it with all kinds of crap that I would never need and I would give myself back problems.

5) Most worn shoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That would definitely be my flip-flops! I hate wearing socks, so as soon as the weather permitted I donned my sandals and hardly took them off after! I got this pair in Italy, from a shop called Scout. I am very impressed with them, they are extremely sturdy and they were only 10€!! When I walk my feet turn in, and I have wrecked so many pairs of shoes, both cheap and not so cheap. For these flip-flops to be in the condition that they are in after a whole summer of wearing them pretty much non-stop is nothing short of amazing.

6) Most worn accessory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My sunnies! These are my babies, they are oversized and gorgeous and just generally perfect! They are from Versace, and I feel like a movie star when I wear them.

7) Most worn clothing item

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess this would have to be my American Eagle top. This is one of my favorites out of all the tops that I have, I love how baggy it is as well and the pattern on the tie.

8+9) Most worn blush/bronzer and lip product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have combined these two questions because the answer is the same for both of them. I have used MAC’s Costa Chic both on my lips and on my cheeks because it saves time and looks really nice! It also means less product I have to carry around with me to touch up.

10) Most worn mascara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I only use one mascara at a time, so this summer was still my Bourjois Volume Glamour Max mascara in its awesome hot pink tube.

11) Most worn eyeshadow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t really wear eyeshadow very much this season, I got really into smudgy eyeliner… my most worn eyeliner, though, would have to be the Body Shop eyeliner in Blue Smoke.

Well, that’s it, I hope you enjoyed my tag post!

Review: The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Condtioner

60 ml/250 ml/400 ml

The Body Shop UK: £2/£4/£6

The Body Shop DE: 3€/6€/9€

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/hair/conditioner/rainforest-balance-conditioner.aspx

http://www.thebodyshop.de/haarpflege/conditioner/ausgleichende-pflegespuelung.aspx

Does not contain parabens, silicones, or colorants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Conditioner is a conditioner specially formulated for oily hair. It is made with pracaxi oil, white nettle, seaweed, and aloe vera. It claims that it “lightly conditions to reduce excess oils for hair that looks clean and fresh all day without weighing it down. Like it’s matching shampoo, it has a very thick consistency.

Ingredients

Aqua, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Propylene Glycol, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Lamium Album Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol.

This was a really disappointing product for me because I really like the shampoo that goes with it. It just did nothing. First of all, it had a strange consistency, thicker than normal conditioner with a weird almost gritty texture. It kind of felt like a mud mask in conditioner form. It didn’t condition my hair at all. On top of that, it smelled like a mix of the afore-mentioned mud mask and a chlorinated pool. Yeah, not really a good smell, and especially not a comforting smell for something you are putting on your hair! Luckily the smell doesn’t linger, so you didn’t walk around smelling like pool for the entire day.

There really isn’t much to say about this product. It didn’t work. It smelled bad. End of story. A really disappointment, I must say. Don’t waste your money! The price may have been well worth it for the shampoo, but for this it is really too much.

Rating: D

Review: The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Shampoo

60 ml/250 ml/400 ml

The Body Shop UK: £2/£4/£6

The Body Shop DE: 3€/6€/9€

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/hair/shampoo/rainforest-balance-shampoo.aspx

http://www.thebodyshop.de/haarpflege/shampoo/ausgleichendes-shampoo.aspx

Does not contain parabens, sulfates, silicones, or colorants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo for oily hair. It is formulated with pracaxi oil (whatever that is), white nettle, seaweed, Community Trade sugar (???), and aloe vera. It claims to “reduce excess oil for hair that looks clean and fresh all day”. It has a very thick consistency and a pleasant, herbal smell.

Ingredients

Aqua, Sucrose, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl Betaine, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Parfum, Sucrose Laurate, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Lamium Album Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol

The two main things that you should have gotten out of the description (no, I’m not talking about the weird ingredients…) are the fact that it is a sulfate-free shampoo, and that it is for oily hair. This brings up a major question… namely; does it clean your hair properly? The answer is yes, it does. And quite well, surprisingly. For people with normal or oily hair it seems that sulfates are useful sparingly, every other day to every three days ton once a week depending on how oily your hair gets and how frequently you wash it. This is because you don’t want to use sulfates on your hair too often, as that would dry it out, but if you don’t use sulfates you may not properly break down the oils in your hair, leaving residue that would make your hair look dull. With this shampoo I don’t feel the need to use a separate shampoo containing a sulfate because it really does what it claims to do, reducing the excess oils in my hair. This is great because I can have my hair clean without running the risk of drying it out too badly. I honestly have no clue how this would work for dryer hair, but it doesn’t have sulfates in so it may work. The Body Shop does have other formulations, which I assume are also sulfate free, so you may try those.

As for lathering, this shampoo is relatively good for a sulfate shampoo. It takes a little more effort and time to get it there, but it does lather up. Obviously not as well as a sulfate shampoo, but it does do the job without too much stress. I have found that you only need a small amount of the shampoo because it is so thick. My hair is of a normal thickness, and I only need like a nickel-sized amount of product. For the Europeans and the Brits, that would be roughly the size of a 10 euro cent coin or a penny. I have found that it helps to distribute the shampoo through the roots of your wet hair and work it in as per usual, but then duck under the shower stream again and then work the product some more. I think this really helps with the lather.

Because you only need a small amount of product means that it takes forever to use up the bottle. Coupled with the fact that you have the option to get it in bigger bottles, this means that if you intend to purchase the product regularly you don’t have to run to the store so often. This is particularly helpful because you can only find this product at a Body Shop store, not just at your local Rossman or Boots. It is also a little more expensive than something you may buy at a drugstore, but I think the long life of one bottle, plus the fact that you can get the more cost-effective bigger size makes this product not that much more expensive in the long run. Plus it is sulfate free, which is sometimes a struggle to find in cheaper shampoos!

Overall, I would really recommend this product. It smells great, does a great job despite not containing sulfate, and is a quite reasonable price for the amount of product you get and how much you have to use at one time.

Rating: A

Lilla’s Box of Treasures (LBT): June 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since June is my birthday month, this month’s LBT is formed predominately of birthday gifts. Nails do feature prominently, as I got a crapload of pretty polishes, and I just wanted to try them all out!

The Nailpolish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The three nailpolishes which have been big this month are these three from OPI: Lucern-tainly Look Marvelous, Uh-oh Roll Down the Window, and Bogata Blackberry. Lucern-tainly Look Marvelous is a gunmetal grey with shimmer (see NOTD here), Uh-Oh Roll Down the window is a creamy army green, and Bogata Blackberry is a dark red with shimmer.

MAC Costa Chic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous coral which I have been wearing unashamedly pretty much every day. Since I got it almost halfway through the month, most days I have just been wearing some eyeliner (more on that in a bit) and this dabbed onto my lips. It is a perfect color for summer and complements my long sleeved shirts wonderfully. Yes, you read that right, guys. It has been like October in Germany for the past couple of weeks!

The Body Shop Eye Definer in Black

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently I have been going for  a darker, more smokey look than I normally wear, and have been really loving it! Well, I hardly go smokey at all, so it isn’t that much. I love how I can get defined, made-up eyes using only this eyeliner and a cotton bud. If you are looking for a creamy, black-black eyeliner this definitely isn’t it. However, it works very well for the purpose I have just described to you. Because it is so hard and not creamy, I find that it is much quicker and easier to get the smokey, smudged out look I was going for. This was the one product out of this post that I did not get for my birthday!

The Ice Watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This watch is the medium-sized watch (I believe). It is white with a graphite-colored face and a black Swarovski crystal on the windy bit that you use to change the time with. I was never a big watch-wearer, but I really love this watch! It is the perfect size for me, and I love the face and the crystal. I am a thoroughly happy bunny 🙂

The Bracelet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least I have a product that shouldn’t really be here because I have absolutely no clue where it is from , but I had to include it anyway because I have been wearing it everyday since I got it along with my watch. It is a really delicate gold chain, with bejewelled bobbles placed at intervals around it. It is so delicate and feminine, I really love it. It’s funny, because it is one of those cases where it is an item I would never have picked up myself (I normally go for huge, loud, in-yo-face jewellery, and rings mostly), but I really love it and how it looks on and basically everything about it.

Review: The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Lotion (SPF 15)

50 ml

The Body Shop UK, £10

The Body Shop EU, €16

(This product did not seem to be available on the American site)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Body Shop describes this cream as a light, easily absorbed moisturizing cream with an “SPF 15 for UVA and UVB protection” that “leaves the skin soft and healthy looking”. It is formulated with Vitamin E, community fair-trade sesame seed oil, and wheatgerm oil. Suitable for all skin types.

 

Key Ingredient(s)

▪                 Vitamin E

▪                 Community Fair Trade sesame seed oil

▪                 Wheatgerm oil

Full Ingredients

Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Sunscreen), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (Emulsifier), Cyclopentasiloxane (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Octyl Salicylate (Sunscreen), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), Butylene Glycol (Humectant), Phenyl Trimethicone (Emollient/Hair Conditioner), Potassium Cetyl Phosphate (Surfactant/Emulsifying Agent), Cetyl Dimethicone (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Triethanolamine (pH Adjuster), Sesamum Indicum Oil (Emollient), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Parfum (Fragrance), Carbomer (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Behenyl Alcohol (Emollient), Cetyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Methylparaben (Preservative), Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil (Emollient), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Tetrasodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Butylparaben (Preservative), Ethylparaben (Preservative), Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone (Fragrance Ingredient), Isobutylparaben (Preservative), Propylparaben (Preservative), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Geraniol (Fragrance Ingredient), Tocopherol (Antioxidant).

 

First of all let me say how nice it is to be able to get a hold of a day cream that has UVA protection. It is really great that I don’t have to go through all the hassle of hunting down a separate sunscreen, then after slathering it on, becoming super paranoid as to whether it will break me out or not. So kudos to you, Body Shop.

The formula is relatively light and feels very nice on the skin. It does sink in pretty quickly, but until it has done so completely, it leaves a slight greasy residue. The residue goes away pretty quickly, leaving the skin very smooth and hydrated, but that still is an iffy point for me. Despite the residue, the texture is still such that it allows for mixing with foundation to create a tinted moisturizer, which is definitely a plus.

Speaking of hydration, this cream is a very, VERY hydrating one. Before I started using it, I had a couple of dry patches on my cheeks. Afterwards? Nada. My face was nice and smooth. On the other hand, it didn’t make me break out on my forehead, where I typically get very oily. This leaves me to believe that the claim that it is suitable for all skin types is a relevant one, and that is something that my finicky combination skin greatly appreciates.

Although one of the things that makes this product good in my books is the fact that it can be substituted for sunscreen, one of the things that I do not like about it is that in some ways, it is too much like sunscreen in that it smells like it. Though sunscreen is very good and I am glad that it was invented, I am not terribly keen on the smell. And having that in a moisturizer is not really something that I enjoy. The smell wears off after a while, so it’s not so bad, but for me it is definitely a weak point in an otherwise good moisturizer.

The packaging is also pretty good in my books, as it is a squeezy tube rather than a tub. I prefer squeezy tubes because they are more hygienic as you do are not repeatedly dipping your fingers into the same product. In addition, it is better for creating DIY tinted moisturizers, as the product comes out it a specific place so the whole back of your hand isn’t covered with cream. Unfortunately, there is always the hassle of having to cut the top portion off to access the cream when the product starts to run out.

 

Overall, this is a pretty good product, especially due to its moisturizing properties and SPF (with UVA!). One of its greatest bonuses, though, is that it is so versatile in terms of skin type, so if you are someone whose skin is either really dry and really oily at the same time, or whose skin type varies drastically from one time to another, this cream should be able to keep up. The smell and slight residue do provide a slight irritation, but probably would not keep me from repurchasing the product. And hey, some people seemed to even like the smell!

 

Rating: A-

 

 

 

 

Lilla’s Box of Treasures (LBT): May 2012

As the month of May draws to a close I would like to draw your attention to a couple of products that I have really reached for this month.

MAC Eyeshadow in Quarry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have really been neglecting my eye makeup recently (the result of warmer weather, extreme laziness, and the sudden fascination for bright lipsticks, which I unfortunately am not brave enough to wear to school), but when I have done something with my eyes, it often involves this color. One of my biggest pet peeves in the world of beauty (or anywhere, really) is an overly dark crease color. I don’t think having a brown line in your eye socket is attractive, and it sure as hell isn’t fooling anyone when it comes to eye depth. To me, Quarry is the perfect color. A beautiful soft purple-y brown (I don’t think the camera is quite picking up on that), it is subtle enough that it can actually look like a naturally shadowy socket, but does still provide a unique color. I also sometimes use it as an all-over lid color for a subtle and polished eye look (a nice partner for bright lips, for instance), or to blend out the edge of Urban Decay’s Sidecar eyeshadow. As for quality it is a very nice, smooth texture, and provides the perfect amount of pigmentation for a crease/blending color. I really do recommend this shade; it is a very versatile and unique eyeshadow that you can always depend on.

Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in Genius in the Bottle

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have only recently acquired this color, and I have been really enjoying it! It is a beautiful color, one of the many dupes of Chanel Peridot. I have gotten a ton of compliments on this nail polish, and actually a couple of friends bought this shade after borrowing mine, so expect some drooling if you choose to wear it ;).

Wet n’ Wild Megashine Nail Color in 437F Emblazed 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To me this is the perfect summer color: a gorgeous true coral, even if it doesn’t show up on camera as such (it is actually less orange in real life). I currently have this on my toes, and it looks amazing! Another amazing thing: the price (somewhere under $2, I believe…)!

Labello Soft Rose Chapstick

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s just talk about lifesavers for a minute. Along with my face, my lips have been so dry recently. And then, of course, I went and lost my Carmex. I was not amused. So of course I had to trek down to my local drugstore and pick up another chapstick, and I picked up another one of these guys. Well, two of these guys, as they came in a two-pack for a grand total of €1.99 (!). The color provided is really sheer, NOTHING like the Revlon lip butters, but when applied they just give you the prettiest your-lips-but-better lip color imaginable.

Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Lotion SPF 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been getting pretty sunny this month, especially now towards the end, so sun protection is getting to be really important (click here to see more about sun protection). This has made it really easy for me to just throw on some protection without needing a separate facial sunscreen. In addition, my skin has been especially dry recently (normally it’s combination, but it has been just flat-out dry), and this also has really helped that.

Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, I have been into skincare this month, more so than usual (skincare normally comes as an afterthought to makeup for me). I have been really into this moisturizer this month, because it is fabulous. It is so super nourishing; my dry scaly legs just love to soak it up. Good thing too, considering I have to expose them now that it is warm…

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioning Spray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been looking for a good detangling spray to use on my rat’s nest after coming out of the shower. Apparently your hair is super-vulnerable when it is wet, so you’re not supposed to yank a hairbrush through it at that point. Oops. Anyway, that’s where this spray comes in: you spray it in your hair, and voila, your brush just slides right on through with no problems whatsoever. I was also very excited to see that it comes with heat protection, so I can blast my hair with a hairdryer and not feel bad. Is it bad that this makes me so excited…?

Review: The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Butter

50/200 ml

The Body Shop US, $6 (only in mini)

The Body Shop UK, £5/12.50

The Body Shop EU, €5/15

 

 

The Pink Grapefruit Body Butter is described as a creamy lotion for the body that sinks in quickly, making the skin feel hydrated and soft for up to 24 hours. According to the Body Shop, it is intended for normal skin

 

Ingredients:

Water, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Limonene, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Yellow 6, Red 33.

 

The texture of the cream is reasonably thick, but honestly this does not seem to help. The body butter was not, unfortunately, as hydrating as it claimed. It did provide some moisture, but did not condition my normal-to-dry body as much as it should have. The effects certainly did not last for 24 hours, as the next day around the same time; my legs were back to how they were the day before. The cream also did not sink in as quickly as I would have liked, and left an ever-so-slight residue.

 

However, I must say that the Body Shop hit the nail right on the head in terms of scent. This lotion smells divine. It is a nice refreshing, zingy scent, exactly like pink grapefruit. It’s funny, because sometimes, like with the Mango Body Butter, the body butters do not really smell like the fruit that they are supposed to (although they do usually smell nice nonetheless).

 

There’s not very much to say about the packaging, it’s pretty standard: a round tub with a screw top. It does its job just fine. One thing I do like, though, is its color. It is a lovely shade of pink.

 

This body butter is a bit of a trade off: the lotion is fairly mediocre, but the smell is lovely. If my skin weren’t on the drier side, I would definitely consider getting it just for the smell. Consider it a body spray in lotion form, with a little bit of moisturizing properties. Actually, you could just apply it over an unscented moisturizer that actually hydrates the skin, and get a satisfactory outcome. Not ideal though, and perhaps not worth the effort.

 

Rating: B-