The Body Shop Mango Body Butter

Price: $8 for 1.7oz, $20 for 6.9oz

What they say:
"Best if you want to: Pamper your skin with a rich, deliciously mango-scented cream that softens and moisturizes for up to 24 hours.

Best for: very dry skin
How it works:

• Mango seed oil moisturizes the skin.
• Community Trade cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature, leaving skin soft and smooth.
• Sweet almond oil provides essential fatty acids that help to repair skin’s moisture barrier, helping to restore smoothness and suppleness."

What I say:
This is a very nice body butter, but I wouldn't say it is the most moisturizing.  Maybe it's because my skin is not absorbing it all, but I think some of my other lotions/butters that I use are more moisturizing.

Speaking of absorbing, this stuff takes a long time to absorb into my skin.  It doesn't matter how long I rub, or don't rub, this stuff just takes a while.  This is okay at night, when I don't care anyway, but during the day this is a no-go for me.  Secondly, the normal idea of having your skin be slightly moist when you are putting this on does not work.  Any liquid that you have on your skin is just going to make this butter kinda filmy (you know, that white cast that happens), and make it take even longer to absorb into your skin.

The scent, in the tub, is really nice.  I would say mango, like they claim, but not really fresh mango smelling, more like mango candy.  On my skin, it doesn't quite smell the same, but since this is a body chemistry thing, I can't really fault the product.  For me, it starts to smell more herby?  Less like fruit, more like something else, and I can't quite place it.  Not unpleasant, but I really wish the smell in the tub would have carried over.

I put the price for both sizes in the price section, but would really suggest getting a small unless you really know you are going to use this butter up.  A little does go a long way with this product, and since the scent can be altered by body chemistry, the scent that you thought you would like might not be that good anymore.

The packaging for this is a plastic tub that screws shut.  The tubs themselves are colored to match idea of the lotion inside (I wouldn't say match entirely, since for instance the butter for mango is much lighter than the tub), which makes it easy to locate the one that you want to use.  Since the cap screws shut, the tub does well in travel, and can take a decent beating.  Not throw against a wall type of beating, but it shouldn't crack with a regular handbag toss.

Overall a decent product, and would suggest it for those who can absorb body butters.  Decent price for the amount that you get, and the smaller tubs are the perfect travel size.

4/5

Steamcream

Price: £10.00 for 75g from www.steamcream.co.uk


What they say:
"   * A multipurpose cream uniquely formulated using pure, unrefined steam for maximum absorption.
    * High quality skincare for all skin-types. STEAMCREAM Jar
    * Locally produced using fresh, natural and traceable ingredients.
    * Funky eco-friendly packaging designed in Japan and decorated with limited edition collectible designs.
    * Handy-sized tin for on-the-go lifestyles at an affordable price.

STEAMCREAM represents the latest concept in skincare. Using a revolutionary steam-infused manufacturing process, STEAMCREAM provides a long-lasting, intensive and effective form of skincare that can be used on face, body and hands.

STEAMCREAM have pioneered the use of a steam technique to create this unique, gentle and loosely-bound emulsion. This looseness allows each ingredient – including a moisturising and soothing oatmeal infusion, orange flower water and healing lavender oil – to breakdown and penetrate areas of the skin that other creams find hard to reach.

Packaged in a compact, flush-lid aluminium tin featuring unique and collectable designs, STEAMCREAM is a perfect on-the-go product – convenient to slip into your bag, take to work, to school, on holidays or to the gym. And it’s hand luggage friendly at just 75g!"


What I say:
I bought this cream a long time ago, actually, and when I went to throw out the now expired cream (and keep the packaging, of course), realized that I should probably write a review about it.


The texture of this cream is like that of a whipped, well, cream.  It's thick, but still light, and spreads very easily once on the skin.  I really would say that it is a loose emulsion (from what they say), because it does feel that the whipping is all that keeps this product from disintegrating back into a more liquidy, albeit fatty, state.


The smell, I would say, is a strong orange blossom perfume smell.  Personally, I hate it.  It is way too strong, and lingers way too long, preventing me from putting this anywhere near my face.  This is sad, because  it claims to be a multipurpose product, and that takes it back down to just one.  I have no idea why they would add that much fragrance to this product, and am a little alarmed, because many companies add fragrance to hide something, or use the term "fragrance" to secretly add preservatives and claim that they added none.  I am not saying this is what this company did, I'm just saying what I thought when I saw, and smelled, the totally over-the-top perfume smell.  Remember, fragrance is a personal thing, and you might love the smell of this cream.


I had no transfer or white cast problems when wearing this, but I did have "should not be worn while sweating" problems.  This cream would just melt, and become a slippery mess on my body when perspiring.  If you workout often, I don't suggest wearing this until afterwards.


Lastly, the packaging.  Love the packaging.  The tin is lightweight, a decent size, and screws closed, so no accidents from it opening in your bag.  The collectible designs are fun, and make it much easier to tell which one is yours if you live in a place where more than one person is using the same type of cream.  This is a perfect size for snacks, in my opinion, and am already planning to sanitize my tin to use for things like almonds, since I think this tin is about the standard "serving size" of them.


Overall, this is a good product, but the scent is just too strong for me to repurchase.  The cream did melt into my skin fairly easily, but it also melted out just as fast.  The texture is quite nice, and the fact that it is in a nice travel tin is also good.  Normally, if it wasn't for the scent, I could see myself using this quickly enough that the cost would be a little too much, so that's something to watch out for.  It is an okay price for just your face, but getting your body involved kinda breaks that deal.


3/5 - A few problems that might not bother others, okay.

L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream

Price: $10 for 1oz, $26 for 5.2oz

What they say:
"Enriched with Shea Butter and vitamin E, this lightly textured and non-greasy cream nourishes and protects hands from daily aggressions. They are soft, moisturized and delicately perfumed with Cherry Blossom's enveloping flowery scent. Contains a cherry extract from Luberon, France. "

What I say:
This is indeed a non-greasy cream.  I use this on my eczema riddled hands/wrists, and not only did it absorb, it didn't aggravate my sensitive skin.  This works especially well during the colder months, since it is thicker, but still absorbs.  I haven't tried this during the summer, but given the texture, I think it would melt off quickly, so I don't think this would be good for those of you who live in more humid, warmer climates. 

The scent of cherry blossoms was there, but fainter than I expected, and faded before it got really annoying.  It was more of a perfume scent than a natural one, but it wasn't horrible, and my husband thought it smelled nice.  Because the scent of this one wasn't over the top, I'm interested in trying more scents from this company.

The price is a little high for the amount of product that you get.  I got the 1oz "travel" version, so I expected it to be higher per ounce, but it still is steep.  I could see this being $7, but not really 10.  The 5.2 ounce one for $26 is a decent enough deal, considering how long it should last, but it's too big for travel.

The tube for this is metal looking (aluminum, if anyone cares, hehe), but when you really look at the top, you can see that it is plastic.  Looking closely at the tube, it looks like there is a thin layer of metal surrounding a plastic tube.  Whether this is for aesthetics, or if it actually helps protect the product, I can't say.  The cap is just plain black plastic, in a octagonal shape to allow for easier opening and closing.

Overall, quite pleased with this lotion, but wish it was a little cheaper in travel form.

4/5

Avalon Organics Hand and Body Lotion

image from avalonorganics.com

Price: $11.45 (though you can often find it cheaper) for 12 fl oz (350 ml)

What they say:

"Product description: A triple dose of rich lipid sources -- certified organic sunflower, flaxseed and coconut oils -- restores the skin's lipid balance for long-lasting, easily absorbed moisturization and silky, supple skin.

Features and benefits: Formulated with our special Triple Lipid System and beta glucan for fresh, healthy skin, our certified organic herbal blend of organic peppermint oil and moisturizing glycerin leaves skin soft and refreshed."

What I say:

This is a really good product, and I could not easily live without it.  This is one of the few products that I have found that I can use on my eczema that doesn't cause it to act up.  It isn't the most moisturizing, or the cheapest, but I think it's great (great enough that I have gone through several bottles of this stuff).

The smell of the one I get is real peppermint, and dissipates quickly enough that it shouldn't give people a headache.  The consistancy is pretty standard: not really runny, not really that thick.  I would say it's a little more on the thick side, but not by much.  I have not noticed a buildup of product on my clothes from using this (for.. years now, I think), nor have I noticed my skin getting used to this, and needing more moisture.

So, yeah, I love this stuff.  You can find Try Mes at Whole Foods, and perhaps other places, though I haven't seen many places that have this in person.  Drugstore.com does carry it (for a decent price, as well), and you can also get it from avalonorganics.com.

HG 5/5  

ALBA SPF 16 Lotion

 

image from albabotanica.com

Price: $14.50 for 12 fl oz (350 ml), $27.75 for 32 fl oz (950 ml)  (I actually paid only about $20 for the 32 fl oz version, because of a sale at Whole Foods.  This often goes on sale there, so if you have access, I would check them out).

What they say:

"Product description: This daily lotion blends certified organic aloe vera, green tea and chamomile extracts with natural plant emollients and vitamin E to soothe, nourish and revitalize dry, sensitive skin. With alpha hydroxy acids to help exfoliate dull surface cells and effective SPF 16 sun protection.

Features and benefits: With an SPF of 16, this deeply nourishing lotion provides protection and hydration for dry skin. It also delivers a restorative infusion of almond oil and gentle alpha beta hydroxy exfolliation for healthy skin that glows."

What I say:

This is an okay lotion, but I would not say it "provides... hydration for dry skin."  I originally picked this lotion up because it claimed to provide the benefits of lotion with the need for SPF, and since I hate the sun, and am lazy, I thought this was exactly what I needed.  I guess looking at it that way, it does exactly what it claims it does, I just think it could do better.

For instance, this lotion is a pain to spread.  You put a little bit on at a time, and it's relatively easy, but you try putting the recommended amount on all at once, and you have a problem of too little time, too much rubbing.  Don't get the impression that you can do what you can with other lotions, though, and spread it on when you're fresh from a shower, because that makes it even worse!  This lotion, because of the SPF content, does not like water between itself, and your skin.  So you are left with the too much rubbing situation, or the too many layer situation.  Also, the lotion can cause greasiness on your hands and body when it is not fully absorbed, so you have to wait before you do anything after applying this (unless you like lotion residue on your stuff).

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad lotion.  If you consider that most people don't get any SPF at all, and this is helping make there be one less step in the morning, this is a great lotion!  I just think the formula needs work, and personally don't feel that I will be repurchasing this in the future. 

3/5 

Korres Body Butter

image from korresusa.com

So let's start this little story with a few months ago. I had heard Korres was releasing a USA website, where one could purchase their products (without the Sephora middle man), and be able to purchase more items. I, being the intrigued one, promptly signed up, and forgot all about it. Now, fast forward to early last month, and the arrival of an email stating that the Korres site is up and running, and since I was such a good little girl, and signed up to their newsletter, I was entitled to 20% off and free stuff!

Woot!

So, that's how the story began, and that's basically how it ended. I bought crap, I received my crap, and I was happy. Actually, surprisingly, very happy.

Now, some of you out there might know what it's like to get really dry wrists/hands. Top this with eczema. Top that with sensitivities to scents and petrolium products... yeah, that's my skin. This doesn't aggrivate it. At all. Not only that, but it also sinks in, and leaves my hands sufficiently grease free to be able to actually type (read:play games and websurf).

Now, down to the smells. So far, so good. I was surprised to find out that the scent I thought I would like the most (Lemon Basil) was downright nasty. I mean, come on. /Lemon/ /Basil/ That, to me, is chocolate with chocolate sauce on top. How can you mess up something that basically just makes you want to drool non-stop? Well, somehow, they did, but not to worry! Guava is actually a good scent! *gasp* While being fruity and vanilla-y, it still remains just light enough that I don't get a scent headache, and still strong enough that I can actually tell what I'm wearing.

Now, the bad stuff. The price. I bought the small tubes to carry around in my bags, since I'm often not at home where my mammoth sized lotions live, but I still would like to have one of these large tubes at home. Sadly, that is not to be. With how high the unit price is on this, I cannot justify a large tube when the lotions that I use are almost as good, and much, much cheaper.

Still, if you have the excess cash around, I suggest giving these a go. Better yet, go to Sephora and try these out in person. You know what, just do that in general. Given how much scent is a personal thing, you really should know what you are getting yourself into before you purchase something like this.

4/5