The Body Shop // Warm Vanilla Body Butter Review

The Body Shop // Warm Vanilla Body Butter
RRP - (No longer sold, Christmas 2019 special)

This is a 200ml tub that I bought from a Body Shop outlet store in June 2020 for £7.50.

First Impressions:

This smells heavenly. I can see why it was a Christmas special. It has this warm, buttery smell that makes me want to curl up by a fire and toast marshmallows. I've not used a Body Shop body butter in over a year now due to having to use up various creams and it's so nice to be using one again. My skin feels amazing and I love the slight greasy feeling it leaves behind. I always shower at night and I love lathering my skin in something that smells nice before going to bed. It's just relaxing to me.

Usage
First use - 18th June 2020
Last use - 12th July 2020

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

I forgot how quickly I go through Body Shop body butters. This lasted about 25 days which is about right as I used to go through a tub every month. It's been a long time though since I last used a Body Shop body butter and I can honestly say I've missed them. I only ever buy them when I can get them for 50% off as I don't think they're worth £15. Fortunately there is an outlet store near me so I tend to pick up 4/5 in one go of whatever is going super cheap. The pumpkin Spice ones are the only scent I truly hate (I've never been a cinnamon fan).

Even though you do end up going through it ridiculously fast, this is still one of my favourite moisturisers; my skin just feels so soft and I don't have to battle with dry patches anymore. My knees and elbows felt like sandpaper after a month of that Stone Street Soaphouse body cream. I also love the texture; they truly are the best body butters.

Stone Street Soaphouse // Hay Ho! Wholesome Body Cream Review

Stone Street Soaphouse // Hay Ho! Wholesome Body Cream
RRP £24 for 250ml

This is a full size 250ml tub that I bought in the FabFitFun Spring edit sale in April 2020 for $10.80 (including tax).

First Impressions:

This does not smell great...it's like grass. I'm one of the few people in the world it feels like who does not like the smell of grass. It also leaked in the box and the lid is covered in crusty product. It has this weird lip at the top due to the tub design and it makes it a little difficult to scoop product out as it's not really a butter or cream...it has a much thinner consistency; like a lotion. 

Usage

First use - 1st June 2020

Last use - 17th June 2020

8th June 2020 - It's been 7 days and I'm halfway through the tub. 250ml body butters usually last me a month but I've been having to use more than usual because this doesn't leave my skin feeling moisturised. It leaves it feeling kind of dry and crusty. It's not great. I've noticed that my skin drinks up my body oil that I apply afterwards and I've been having to use more of the body oil to keep my skin moisturised.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I can't believe a 250ml tub of this stuff only lasted me 17 uses. I'm pretty sure I don't normally go through body moisturisers that fast. I'm glad this is finished though as the scent wasn't great. On the side of the tub it says it's inspired by straw...I don't know why anyone would want to smell like straw...strawberries yes. Up next for me is The Body Shop in Warm Vanilla and I'm looking forward to smelling like a dessert after my shower again.

Also, I didn't realise that this is product made in the UK by a British brand; I've never heard of them before the FFF sale. I find it funny that it was exported to LA only to be imported back over.

Overall, I didn't feel like this product did an adequate enough job of keeping my skin moisturised and it's not even that dry right now. The past month has been wet, warm and humid.

Nuxe // Reve de Miel Ultra Comforting Face Cream Review

Nuxe // Reve de Miel Ultra Comforting Face Cream
RRP £27.50 for 50ml

This is a 15ml sample that I chose for my Lastest In Beauty box in March 2019.

First Impressions:

It took me a while to get round to get round to this. It's a lovely thick, rich cream and I used it once and woke up covered in spots. I check the ingredients and the 3rd ingredient is coconut oil which is a known comedogenic. This means that it's blocks the pores and causes breakouts. Now I love coconut oil; it's great for my hair but I always use it as a pre-poo and wash it off with shampoo otherwise my hair is a horrible greasy mess.

Usage
I used this once sometime in November 2019 and then promptly stopped using it. I didn't want to waste it though and finished the tube by using it has a hand cream which worked surprisingly well.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I've really started to go off Nuxe products; I just haven't found anything other than the creme fraiche cream to work. I love their perfume but the skin care products just seem to be full of cheap ingredients that should not cause the prices of the products to be as steep as they are. Take this product for example. The top 5 ingredients are water, glycerin, coconut oil, macadamia oil and rice bran oil. Moving on further down the huge ingredient list reveals more oils and many silicones. I used to think Nuxe were a luxury brand but not anymore; I'll be avoiding their products unless it's the Le Matin des Possibles perfume. I might do a review on that because it's a beautiful and unique scent.

Prai Platinum // Firm & Lift Creme Review

Prai Platinum // Firm & Lift Creme
RRP £35 for 50ml

This is a 10ml sample that I received in a Look Fantastic box.

First Impressions:
(I can't remember)

Usage
First use - Not sure, definitely 2019
Last use - December 2019

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I'm starting to make my way through my box of used products to write about so the details on this one may be a bit more vague. I know we received a Prai neck cream in a previous Look Fantastic box so I decided to use this in the exact same way even though it's not a dedicated neck cream. It is a luxe, thick cream and I like the texture but I don't feel it did anything for my decollete area. Due to this I don't feel it would do anything for your face either. Due to how rich it is as well it may end up being to much for some.

It does have good reviews which is strange with one reviewer saying "all women over 35 should be using this". I'm a few years off 35 but I've got some bad lines forming on my neck due to the dreaded "tech-neck". I feel other products have done more to combat these lines than this cream. 

At £35 it's not horrendously priced for a multi-purpose day and night cream but I'd prefer to use separate creams as your skin has different needs during the day than during the night. This cream also offers no SPF which I know can be a turn off for some. I apply an SPF separately as most SPF containing products only offer UVB protection (leaving you exposed to UVA radiation).

I have no desire to purchase this cream after using up the sample though.

The Botanica Lab // Collagen & Hemp Oil Body Lotion Review

The Botanica Lab // Collagen & Hemp Oil Body Lotion
RRP £4.99 for 739ml

This is 739ml bottle that I bought from TK Maxx for £4.99.

First Impressions:

The scent is not what I was expecting; it's way more lavender than vanilla and quite bitter. I was hoping it would be smooth and sweet. As a lotion it's cheap and cheerful. It takes a while to absorb and your skin kind of feels a bit dry after application.

Usage
First use - October 2019
Last use - January 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

After some research it appears that this is probably one of TK Maxx's "in-house" brands as I can't find it anywhere on the internet. There is a Botanical Lab sold in superdrug and a cuisine website called Botanica Lab but nothing on google about this product. It's clearly something you can only buy in stores.

I ended up buying this one because at the time I was in a bit of a bind and I needed a body lotion that would last me a good 3/4 months that didn't cost over a fiver. For that price point I wasn't expecting miracles and ended up purchasing this one due to it's hefty 739ml size. I managed to completely finish it as I don't like wasting products anymore but I wouldn't buy it again (or anything else from this 'range'). It left my skin feeling dry even though it wasn't really all that dry. I think crunchy might be a better word to use. Like when you're hair is crunchy and you need to scrunch the product to get it feeling soft again...only I can't scrunch my skin.

I was deliberately using more than I needed as well so I would go through it faster. I'm always wary of buying TK Maxx brands because of the cheap ingredients and whereas this didn't cause any negative effects it didn't wow me. It was adequate is the best thing I can say about it.

Grown Alchemist // Detox Night Cream

Grown Alchemist // Detox Night Cream
RRP £86 for 40ml

This is the full size 40ml product that I received as a 'mystery item' in the FabFitFun Autumn box.

First Impressions

Oh man, was I super hyped up to use this cream. The FFF forum boards go on and on about this brand and I was so excited to have received this as my mystery item as it's a staggering £86. It has quite a strong masculine scent to it that I wasn't expecting; it reminds me of my uncle's aftershave that he's been wearing for the past 25 years.

Usage
First use - November 2019
Last Use - 27th May 2020

I initially started using this in November 2019 but stopped as I felt the strong fragrance was causing me to break out after using a quarter of the tube. I started using it again at the beginning of February 2020 but, started breaking out again so I gave it rest. Another trial period began mid April; by this point I was halfway through the tube.

11th May 2020 - I have about a quarter left to go now and some cuts in the packaging have appeared due to creases, allowing product to seep out and go hard. You'd think for an almost £90 product the packing would be a little sturdier? I'm not impressed that the product left inside the tube is effectively exposed thanks to all these cracks. I've been quite gentle with the tube as well; with how it's acting you'd think I'd been rolling it up like toothpaste. I just want this cream to be over with though; it's not great.

18th May 2020 - I'm almost done. I think there must be another week left? More holes have appeared along the tube now and I'm having to be super delicate otherwise product is just squeezing right out everywhere. My skin has been fine though so I'm certain now that it doesn't cause spots but it still doesn't do anything. It's riding on the back of my hard working Elizabeth Arden booster and Ren Serum. If it weren't for them I would be looking awful right now.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

I finally finished this product after 7 long months. In the end I don't think it caused any irritation to my skin but it didn't seem to do anything else; it was a cream. I suppose my skin was adequately moisturised but that's it. £86 is daylight robbery. You could buy a £5 cream from Asda that would perform in the exact same way. I also started finding this brand in TK Maxx (just before lockdown) and this exact product was selling for £9.99 with no RRP price on it. I'm always wary when products in TK have no RRP; it often means it's an in-house brand.

Grown Alchemist appear a lot in FabFitFun sales and I can say that my money is safe. I will not be purchasing anything from this brand in the future.

Tesco Beauty. // Conditioning Hand and Nail Cream Review

Tesco Beauty. // Conditioning Hand and Nail Cream
RRP £1.75 for 75ml

This is the full size 75ml tube that I bought from my local Tesco Express for £1.75

First Impressions:

March 27th 2020 - I ran out of hand cream and picked this up until some packages I ordered online arrived. It has a generic chemical/plastic scent that cheap hand creams have and it's borderline greasy. It moisturised my hands though which was the whole point.

Usage
First use - March 27th 2020
Last use - April 20th 2020

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

In an emergency (which this was, lockdown had just started), this will moisturise your hands. It's a bog standard, no frills product that doesn't promise anything. It wasn't awful though and the scent doesn't last for long and isn't really that strong. I ended up mixing some essential oils into to give spice it up a little. For £1.75 I can't really complain and I'll probably buy another to leave in my car and bags that I don't use all that often.

Polaar // Northern Light Smoothing Cream Review

Polaar // Northern Light Smoothing Cream
RRP £35 for 50ml

This is a 25ml sample that I received in a Birchbox.

First Impressions:
A light, yet oily face cream with an odd scent. I'm not sure if I like it. It feels like it's sitting on top of my skin instead of absorbing.

Usage
First use - January 2020
Last use - May 3rd 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I used this on and off for the first two months as I wasn't sure if it was causing spots; turns out it was a different product. I finally started using it daily at the beginning of April 2020 and I was glad when it ran out because it did nothing for me. Sure my skin felt moisturised but it didn't do anything spectacular. I felt it was a weak point in my routine and it left my face far too shiny for my liking. I like to have the dewy look but this left the skin more greasy than dewy.

This is more expensive than my favourite day cream which is the Origins GinZing Gel moisturiser; and that does a better job and making the skin appear dewy, soft and moisturised.

Dr Botanicals // Hemp Infused Natural Nutrition Moisturiser Review

Dr Botanicals // Hemp Infused Natural Nutrition Moisturiser
RRP £15.99 for 30ml

I received this 30ml tube in either a Look Fantastic or Birchbox in January 2020.

Usage
First use - Mid January 2020
Last use - Beginning of March 2020

Would I buy it: No.

First Impressions:

I was not expecting a green moisturiser. I might be going mad but it looks like it leaves a green tint on the skin and slightly dries. My skin felt like I had left on a very thin layer of a face mask; it was weird. It felt moisturised but it rubbed off in flakes when I applied my BB cream.

Overall Impressions:

By the time this moisturiser was up I knew I wouldn't want to purchase it again. This is an odd product. It didn't cause me to break out in spots but it did cast a slightly green tinge to my skin. I have an olive skintone so it didn't look too strange on me but I could imagine it looking a bit odd on someone very pale. It also definitely left residue on the skin which would flake off; I absolutely hate it when products do that. I used this throughout the coldest months and my skin didn't become totally dry so I guess it did an adequate job of moisturising but it didn't leave me with a nice glow. By the end of work my skin felt dry and tight.

This cream is far too expensive for what it provides.

Nuxe // Créme Prodigieuse Boost Multi-Correction Gel Cream Review

Nuxe // Créme Prodigieuse Boost Multi-Correction Gel Cream
RRP £29.50 for 40ml
This is a 15ml sample that I chose in a Latest In Beauty box. I have two 15ml samples.

First Impressions

Has a strong floral/sanitiser scent to it and a true gel consistency. Sinks in just a bit too fast for my liking.

Usage

I started using this on the 12th March 2020 and abruptly stopped using it that same day after two uses.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

Not great. I actually didn't use this on my face because I was afraid to and I'm glad I didn't because my hands were not great after using this. At first I thought "hmm, feels quenching...my hands are getting a bit dry though, better apply again". That second time was what made me throw it in the bin. My hands stunk of alcohol; like I had used a hand sanitiser and sure enough, the very second ingredient is alcohol. I think they did this to give the appearance that it absorbs quickly; in reality it's just evaporating.

The first ingredient is water, followed by alcohol, then glycerine and a silicone. So it appears to be mainly made up of cheap items which isn't really acceptable for a £30 product. I can only imagine what this would feel like on the face; hydrating to begin then dry and itchy as the day wears on. I do not recommend at all.

If you're in need of a lightweight day gel then I suggest the Origins Ginzing Gel Boost Moisturiser which is £5 cheaper and far superior in every way possible.

Greenfrog Botanic // Natural Body Lotion Sweet Argan Review

Greenfrog Botanic // Natural Body Lotion Sweet Argan 
RRP £13.95 for 500ml

This is a 50ml sample I received in the January 2020 Birchbox.

First Impressions

Wonderful scent with a light silky texture.

Usage

This lasted me 4 uses. It honestly really annoys me when Birchbox gives out 50ml samples of body lotions, especially when the full size is less than £15. I get that the 500ml wouldn't have fit in the box but this sample is worth about a £1 in the grand scheme of things.

Would I Buy It: Yes.

Overall Impressions

Even though the ingredients are quite cheap, I still really liked the product. I didn't want to either, I wanted to hate it because it was such a tiny sample but I can't. I have a few body moisturisers to get through but if I see this on offer I'll definitely buy one as 500ml should last me about 2 months and I tend to spend £7ish a month on body moisturiser so it works out.

After 20 hours my skin wasn't peeling or dry and it did surprisingly well with the elbows and knees; I just wish the scent lingered as it's easily the best part about the whole product. It's got a light, fresh, sweet almond scent that I wish I could bottle for a perfume.

Whenever I go in TK Maxx, I'm on the lookout for this product now (if we can ever go back in TK Maxx...)

Kate Somerville // Goat Milk Moisturising Cream Review

Kate Somerville // Goat Milk Moisturising Cream
RRP £55 for 50ml

This is the full size 50ml jar that I chose in the FabFitFun Winter 2019 box.

First Impressions

It kind of smells like PVA glue and has a thin, watery consistency more akin to a lotion than a cream. This shouldn't be in a jar to the liquid form and would suit a pump bottle more as it was a little annoying trying to get a good scoop of product.

Usage

I started using this immediately at the beginning of November 2019 when I got the box and it lasted me until the end of January with twice daily use.

Would I Buy It: ...Perhaps....maybe....probably not.

Overall Impressions

I liked this moisturiser, it was fine. There was a point half way through using that I was convinced I was going to buy a full size and that this was my new HG moisturiser however by the time the jar was up, I was glad I hadn't hastily bought another because it's hella expensive and probably not worth the money.

By the end of the jar, I was convinced that it wasn't a holy grail product but just a nice moisturiser that doesn't do well with the harsh winter weather. My skin was glowing and moisturised for about an hour after application but dying for some hydration by the time I got home from work. I think this would make a great summer cream though as it was a perfect primer for heavier foundations.

It didn't make me break out which is great as is advertised for those with sensitive skin, even though it has a truck load of oils in the ingredients. I think if I ever saw this on sale for £25 I would definitely purchase it again but I just don't feel like it's worth £55 when other creams half the price do the exact job (aka the Origins Ginzing).

Ecooking // Night Cream Review

ECooking // Night Cream
RRP £32 for 50ml

This is a 15ml jar that I chose in a Latest In Beauty box in May 2019 (..i think...it was around april/may last year).

First Impressions

I was excited to use this initially and I remember choosing it for one box and then enjoying it so much I chose it for next months box as well as they still had it in stock. It's quite a thick, heavy cream that's more like a butter with a slight patchouli scent.

Usage

One of these 15ml tubs lasts me a good month and a half and I use around a pea size amount. Even though the cream is thick is spreads well and doesn't feel oily but leaves that slight feel of grease on the skin which I don't mind at night.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

I completely finished the first pot and initially enjoyed it and thought it was better than my favourite Origins Night-A-Mins however I then finished that pot, began using other products and didn't get round to this pot until December 2019. My skin was not great in December due to a horrendous diet and little water and I was convinced it was this product (and some others) making me break out in spots so I stopped using it and it was left half empty (as seen in the photo). However, having sorted my diet out in January I decided to finish the rest of the pot starting February because I really hate wasting products.

It did not make me break out which is great however, my skin doesn't look or feel any better than it did. It does feel soft but I don't believe the claim of "helps visibly reduce fine lines" as I would expect my skin to look plumper and more youthful. Which it doesn't. So far, I still haven't found a product that can beat the Origins Night cream.

Balance Me // Super Moisturising Hand Cream Review

Balance Me // Super Moisturising Hand Cream
RRP £14.50 for 100ml

The empty one is on the right. Both were bought from TK Maxx, the 50ml (right) was £3.99 and I purchased it August 2018. The left was £5.99 for 100ml and purchased a few weeks ago.

First Impressions

I remember when I bought this because it was the last time I did ride the lights in Blackpool. It always takes place in August and I had forgotten my handcream that day, so whilst I was out cycling I nipped in TK Maxx for some. This has quite a thick cream consistency and smells strongly of patchouli. It moisturises well and doesn't take too long to absorb.

Usage

I finally finished using the 50ml size a couple of months ago. That was with irregular use as it was kept in a bag I only used on certain occasions. The 100ml I've taken to work and I'm already half way through it. So I imagine the larger size would last a month and a half with use several times a day. In all honestly I don't like the smell' it's herby and smells like a new age crystal shop. That said, every single time I use this someone comments how amazing it smells so I think it might just be me. The scent is quite strong so keep that in mind if your sensitive.

Would I Buy It: Even though I detest the smell I would definitely continue to buy this. I remember this being £10 full size so it's gone up a bit but I see it quite a bit in TK Maxx. They've also redesigned their packaging so the older batches will probably show up in stores soon.

Overall Impressions

At the moment this is my go to hand cream; it's one of the first creams I've used in a while that doesn't leave my hands feeling dry 30 minutes after application. I use a pea sized amount and my skin is visibly smoother and more youthful. I've used a few products from this brand and I actually quite like it; especially the micellar water and eye cream.

Prismologie // Sapphire & Oud Relaxing Foot Cream Review

Prismologie // Sapphire & Oud Relaxing Foot Cream
RRP £28 for 75ml

This was a 40ml sample that I received in a Latest In Beauty box a few months ago.

First Impressions

I'm not a big fan of the scent, I prefer sweeter smells and this is earthy and deep. It's definitely more of a masculine scent. The product is also more of a lotion and not very thick. It also takes a while to absorb.

Usage

The 40ml lasted me around three months daily use. I only use it once a day after my shower and I've definitely seen by skin take a nosedive since I stopped using my previous product (Hey Honey Foot Cream). This lotion was not moisturising enough for the winter months and there is a lot of dry skin on my feet now. They just look tired and they don't smell great either.

Would I Buy This Product: No.

Overall Impressions

I've also tried the rose hand cream from this brand and that was exactly the same product but with a different scent. This brand is super expensive for what it is and I've never heard of it before. According to their website they've been in business since 2013 and wanted a brand that infused colour with aromatherapy. It appears that the colour of the packaging is more important to them than anything else and whereas I love some great packaging; the product has to also shine and this foot cream is nowhere near worth £28.

It's great that this product is cruelty free and made in the UK however I'd recommend the Dr Organic Manuka Honey Foot & Heel cream as an alternative. It works infinitely better as a foot cream, smells great and only costs £6.75.

Avant // Supreme Hyaluronic Acid Antioxidising DUO Moisturiser Review

Avant // Supreme Hyaluronic Acid Antioxidising DUO Moisturiser
RRP £100 for 50ml

This was a 10ml sample that I received in a Look Fantastic box a few months ago.

First Impressions

Not great as previous Avant products have reacted badly with my skin or just not lived up to their ridiculous price tag. This blue cream is lightweight and absorbs easily with a strong floral scent. It didn't cause any spots but it didn't feel particularly moisturising for the crisp autumn mornings.

Usage

This 10ml sample lasted me about a month with daily use. I used this only as a day cream whilst using Origins Night-A-Mins as my night cream. I wasn't blown away by this product after a months use. I think if I had paid £100 for it I would be sorely disappointed. My skin was moisturised but it didn't have any 'glow' or brightening effects like the Origins Ginzing Gel moisturiser gives, and that product is only £25. By the time the product was empty my skin looked a little off, like it was sagging. 

Would I Buy This Product: Absolutely not, not even when it's on sale. 

Overall Impressions

Save your money. This brand just seems to be overpriced tat. So far I've used the Eight-Hour retexuring serum (a full size one that costs £89) as well, it broke me out in spots every time I used it and eventually gave it away.

This brand just seems a bit sketch though, as is the mysterious website that just has a bunch of jargon in their "about me". They are also heavily featured in beauty boxes and seem to be discounted a lot on other websites.  It's also very difficult to find reviews on products by Avant by other bloggers. This brand in my opinion has not earnt the right to charge the same amount as brands like Chantecaille and La Mer.

Caudalie // Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet Review

Caudalie Vinosource // Moisturising Sorbet
RRP £23 for 40ml

This was a 10ml sample that I received in a Latest In Beauty box some time ago. However, I have used two other 10ml samples completely in the past.

First Impressions

This is a liquidy white cream that kind of looks like it's curdled as it is a little chunky in some places but once you start rubbing it in it turns into a watery gel and sinks in quickly. It doesn't have the nicest smell; kind of like play dough.

Usage

I've previously used two 10ml samples to completion but this one I had to stop when it was around 3/4 empty due to the fact that it was breaking me out in spots. When I last used this product I was constantly switching up my routine and the products I used so I wasn't sure which products were causing me to break out. In the last 6 months though, I've stopped doing that and use 1 product to completion. I've found it very easy now to spot which items don't work with my skin or don't work in conjunction with other products.

My skin had been clear for a month and no products had been swapped out for a good 3 weeks, I then started using this and within 2 days, red angry spots were appearing on my skin. I continued using it for 2 weeks and it got worse. After stopping, it took 2 months for my skin to calm down and the scars from the spots to finally fade.

Would I Buy This Product: No. It works well as a serum but if you have sensitive skin or are prone to acne, I would not recommend this.

Overall Impressions

At first I was impressed, but that was before I stopped changing my routine all the time. Now, the smell, the texture and results just don't justify the £23 price tag. This hasn't put me off Caudalie products though, I still enjoy their Vinopure range but I think I'll stay away from the vinosource range now.