Aromatherapy Optimism – Bright Blossoms Sudsing Scrub ($13.00) is a body scrub that foams up while exfoliating the skin. It smells like jasmine and spring to me. It contains small sugar grains that help you exfoliate your skin. A lot of exfoliating products don’t foam up, so it’s nice to see one that does. It feels pretty gentle against the skin, and the sugar granules melt against the skin after they’ve been massaged into the skin. You get a good amount for your buck, and I tend to cheap out for shower products–if only because so much ends up down the drain!
I like using this one with a loofah, which I can’t do with a lot of body scrubs, because it does foam up quite a bit. It lathers really well (much like a regular body wash) so a loofah is just perfect for getting suds up from head to toe.
True Blue Spa Just a Minute 60-Second Manicure Scrub ($12.00) is a sugar scrub designed for hands. The product claims that you just need to use it on your hands for sixty seconds to have hands that looked like they spent the day at the spa. I have to admit I was pretty skeptical, because I wasn’t sure if I really wanted a scrub just for my hands (seriously, do I need that?!) and if it would do anything for me.
I must let you all know that I generally do not scrub my hands with any scrub, other than to the extent exfoliation occurs when I use a body scrub (since I use my hands to work the scrub in). So anyway, I followed the directions and scrubbed my hands with the sugar scrub, paying attention to my nail beds and cuticles. I was totally blown away by how re-freaking-diculously soft my hands were. I felt like I could be a hand model! Seriously! My hands take a beating everyday, because I’m constantly washing them and I’m not so great at remembering the hand cream, which leaves me with neglected, tore-up hands most of the time.
Definitely keeping this by the sink so I remember to scrub every other day or so!
Philosophy “The Holiday” Cookbook ($35.00) features six 2 oz. bottles of Philosophy’s popular three-in-ones. Each is scented differently, but all can be used as a shampoo, shower gel, or a bubble bath. Who doesn’t appreciate a product that multi-tasks? And in my shower, a product that can do three things will definitely earn a spot to call its own! I’m a huge fan of Philosophy’s shower gels (3-in-1s, whatever!), because they lather SO, SO richly and luxuriously! I’m all about being able to work up a good lather, and any shower gel that can’t do that doesn’t past muster with me. Thankfully, Philosophy has yet to disappoint me when it comes to their formula!
You get to try six scents: Gingerbread, Cinnamon Buns, Spicy Pear, Pumpkin Spice, Red Velvet Cake, and Hot Cocoa. Philosophy does an excellent job of making their scents smell just like their namesake. I can appreciate truth in advertising! My favorites were, well, all of them to be honest. If I had to pick three, I would say Gingerbread, Pumpkin Spice (mmm, Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte anyone?), and Hot Cocoa–they’re just supremely holiday-esque scents. Get one for yourself, or one for a friend (or both!)! 
Let’s take a peek inside! Continue reading →
Philosophy First Snow Set ($26.00) is a three-piece set featuring Snow Shower exfoliating shower gel (4 oz.), Snow Body Shimmer Lotion (2 oz.), and Snow Kiss Lip Shine (0.5 oz). The Snow Shower is a glittery gel that exfoliates and sloughs off rough skin without being rough. I’d consider it a gentle body exfoliator. The Snow Body Shimmer Lotion is adorable; it’s such a fun product to use when you want to pamper yourself. The shimmer went on subtly, which is great, because while I love some body shimmer, I don’t want a glittery hot mess either! I love, love, LOVE Philosophy’s Lip Shines (you know how some people obsess over Juicy Tubes? Lip Shines for me!). It’s not surprising that Snow Kiss is a nice low key choice. It’s a sheer, shimmery gloss with blue-toned glimmer. It’s kind of like frost/ice in a sense. There’s a scent/flavor to it; I’m not exactly sure what it is… reminds me almost of raspberry lemonade.
See more product photos, and a swatch of Snow Kiss! Continue reading →
LUSH Rub Rub Rub & Yummy Yummy Yummy ($8.95 to $23.95) are two shower gels that recently came out. Rub Rub Rub’s scent can be compared to Lush’s Sakura bath bomb (which is a fresh, spring-blossom-day kind of scent). RRR is not just a shower gel, but more of shower gel meets shower scrub. It’s not a full-on shower scrub (it’s just not gritty enough), but the sea salt in it helps make this gel give you softer, smoother skin. I actually like that it’s got the lather of a shower gel, but some of the grit of a scrub, because I can still use my bath poof to lather up and get some extra exfoliation in.
Yummy Yummy Yummy is comprised mostly of strawberries, honey, and almond oil. I definitely can sense the strawberries in the product, but I wasn’t as impressed with the actual product. It is runnier than Lush’s other shower gels (and I’ve tried several!), and it doesn’t lather up as nicely as their other ones, either. I have seen some murmurings about the product separating, but I’ve had mine for over a month with no separation whatsoever. So as a shower gel, you’re better off with one like Flying Fox, but I found a better use for it–my hair. If you want a touch of strawberry smoothie scent in your hair, just shampoo your hair a little with this instead!
Origins’ Modern Friction
($37.00) is a super citrus-scented exfoliant that uses rice starch to help slough off dead skin cells. You might remember I posted about this product a few months ago, as I bought it for my younger sister after she fell in love with the difference it made on her hand (she tried it in-store). Being a beauty addict, I figured she couldn’t have all the fun, so I had to get my own jar to try, too!
The product leaves me a little torn, because sometimes I find it seems too acidic that my eyes tear/sting a little just from the scent (because I definitely don’t use this near my eyes–at least not deliberately!). I think I must be particularly sensitive to an ingredient in there that causes that problem, so it probably isn’t something the average person would experience. Also, I do find it can be too harsh/abrasive when used dry (I find myself having to use water to soften it a bit). Origins says it is “nature’s gentle dermabrasion,” but it doesn’t feel that gentle to me. I love to exfoliate–and I have a whole slew (err, bin) of exfoliants and scrubs for face and body–so I’m no stranger to the feeling!
But on the other hand, my skin feels ridiculously smooth and instantly brightened post-use. The product is designed to be used over dry, clean skin two to three times a week. They do mention to use it over damp skin if you have more sensitive skin. After you’ve rubbed the product in, work it into a lather with a splash of water, then rinse. It really can be an amazing product to help soften, smooth, and brighten skin, so I definitely suggest stopping by your local Origins’ counter/store and getting a sample if you can.
It’s easy to use, but I know a lot of people are going to be put-off by the packaging, which is a large 4 oz. tub of product, which you scoop out product of. It’s just not the most sanitary way of doing things, so be sure to wash your hands before using to minimize contamination. Personally, I wash my hands thoroughly before I start my AM/PM skincare regimen, so it’s not a huge deal, *but* the jar contains so much product you’ll have this on-hand for at least a year. You just don’t need much to get the job done (especially if you use it with water rather than just dry). So while it helps stretch out the product’s cost, it is longer than I’d like for this kind of product. I do think this is a product better off in a tube and sold in smaller sizes (obviously at an equivalent price).
Overall, I still use the product regularly, but I wouldn’t say it’s my holy grail, just because it’s a bit harsher than I’d like on my skin in particular. The results definitely make it worth checking out, and like I said, I still find myself using it periodically, because I love the way it makes my skin feel afterward. If you find it’s too harsh for your face, it does work just as excellently as a body exfoliant, too!
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