The Body Shop Christmas Collections 2019

It's officially socially acceptable to talk about Christmas, and what better way to start the festivities than with The Body Shop's Christmas releases and seasonal gifts?!

I was invited to visit The Body Shop's newly revamped store at The Plaza Shopping Complex in Sliema where I was given a thorough explanation of what to expect this year as well as experiencing some of the new releases.

This year's theme is 'To Dream Big' where the company has drawn inspiration from women from all around the world who have contributed to making the world a better place in different aspects.

I'm going to start with what you have all been waiting for, the advent calendars. They come in three sizes - small, medium and large and in fitting with the theme, each box in the calendar has an achievement by women printed on it.

Then there are the seasonal scents, and this year we have Juicy Pear, Rich Plum and Warm Vanilla. Vanilla always remains a favourite with me but if I had to pick another favourite, the accolade will go to the Juicy Pear range! I love how it smells fresh yet it has all the Christmas feels packed into it! Each scent has a range of products such as body mist, shower gel, bath bombs, etc and you can also find them in gift packs to suit any budget.

This year the packaging is very traditional looking yet it's still typical of The Body Shop with fun prints and colours all around. I think their seasonal offerings will make great gifts and stocking fillers anyone will be happy to find under their tree! As usual, all The Body Shop products are cruelty free and most of them are manufactured with FairTrade ingredients. There have also been some new makeup releases including a highlighter, red liquid lipstick and glow drops which you put under your foundation for a dewy finish.

Lastly, I wanted to talk to you about the Love Your Body Loyalty Program and it's benefits. 

♡ Basically, €10 are paid upon application and you get your loyalty card which entitles you to 10% off your purchases for a whole year. Each purchase of €20 of more, will also earn you a stamp (limited to 2 stamps per visit). 

♡ Upon collecting the 4th stamp, you are entitled to a gift worth €10 and upon collecting the 8th stamp, you will be entitled to a gift worth €13

♡ If you visit The Body Shop during your birthday month, you are also entitled to a gift worth €10.

Other perks of joining the Love Your Body Club include being the first to know about offers and new products from your favourite shop!

What are you most tempted to get this year?

Review | The Body Shop Bouncy Sleep Mask

I have a confession to make...I hoard face masks. I have hydrating masks, deep cleansing masks, peel off masks, etc and just when I thought I cannot have another type of face mask in my bathroom cupboard, I get introduced to The Body Shop's Bouncy Sleep Mask during their summer event last month.

Apart from discovering the summer launches, us bloggers were gifted with a product of our choice from The Body Shop and my choice was of course the Bouncy Sleep Mask. What drew me to this mask is the texture and the fact that you can leave it on overnight for a super moisturising treat.

The mask comes in a box that contains a green glass jar with 90ml of product and a small spatula to scoop the mask with. The mask has a bouncy, cream-gel texture and contains Edelweiss stem cells to aid cell renewal. It is advised to apply onto clean skin and leave on overnight to absorb and renew the skin.

I have been using this mask once a week to renew my skin especially after a day in the sun to boost hydration. I apply one spatula-ful to my face and another to my neck right after throughly cleansing my skin and I sleep with the mask on. It does feel a little sticky and takes some time before it is absorbed because of it's rather rich texture. In the morning however, my skin feels refreshed and looks better than the day before. I still have to cleanse it though for the mask can still be felt on the skin to a certain extent.

Despite the stickiness, I really enjoy using this mask, primarily because the little girl in me is always amused at the sight of the mask assuming a perfect surface after each use! I think my skin is already reaping the benefits of using the mask, thus this mask is far up in my favourite skin care products list!

Get it from The Body Shop in Paola, Plaza (Sliema), Valletta, Bugibba and PAMA (Mosta).

PR Sample

Event | The Body Shop launches the New Summer Collections!

Early yesterday evening, I gladly made my way to one of my favourite stores - The Body Shop at The Plaza in Sliema where the new summer collections were launched. We were greeted with some fresh fruit juice by staff members who wore flower leis around their necks and bright, colourful makeup that screamed summer from miles away!

Following last year's popularity of the Pinita Colada limited edition collection, The Body Shop have re-launched the collection yet again for the summer period. The collection features a shower gel, body scrub, body butter and body sorbet which one can buy separately or the smaller sizes in a very colourful gift box. This range has summer written all over it and just taking a whiff of any product instantly transports you to beaches with white sands, pina colada in hand and just relaxing on a deck chair under palm trees while the sea gently washes against the shore...hmm!

They are also celebrating the launch of some new makeup in the Honey Bronze range as well as new packaging for the Vitamin E range by Eley Kishimoto which also includes a limited edition pouch.

Whenever I go into The Body Shop I always stock up on some basics and this time was no exception, especially with the 20% discount being offered on the night! I also got some new things to try and ultimately share with you so do stay tuned for reviews.

If you happen to visit The Body Shop, do make sure to sign the petition for their plea to end cosmetic animal testing once and for all. The company is aiming to collect 8 million signatures so every one of them counts.

Missed tonight's event? Don't fret! The Body Shop in PAMA will be hosting the same 20% off everything for one night next Friday 16th June from 7pm till 9pm! Go on, love your body!

Review | The Body Shop Drops of Light Pure Translucency Essence Lotion

Skin care is one of my favourite areas in the beauty world and I really like to keep abreast with what's new and right now, essences seem to be all the range.

What are these essences? I hear you ask. Not to be confused with cream moisturisers, they are somewhat watery fluids which help the skin maintain its moisture levels. Many skin care brands recommend you apply an essence right after cleansing to seal in moisture and prepare the skin for the treatments to follow.

One such product I am currently using in my skin care routine, is The Body Shop Drops of Light Pure Translucency Essence Lotion. It comes in a clean white bottle, which may I add, looks very nice in my bathroom. The lotion has a very watery consistency and is transparent in colour.

The Body Shop Drops of Light Pure Translucency essence lotion contains red algae extract which are known to be rich in Vitamin C as well as other nutrients and minerals that are beneficial for our skin's well being. These same extracts also help brighten the skin, giving it a more even tone.

I like to apply it with my fingertips, smooth it onto my skin, then gently pat to help it get absorbed and boost circulation. It is recommended to use this essence lotion day and night on cleansed skin, which is exactly the way I use it and I feel my skin looks much plumper ever since I started using this product. I have also noticed a decrease in sebum production as my skin is always thoroughly moisturised.

If you get one thing from The Body Shop's skin care range, make sure it's this essence lotion which is also suitable for sensitive skin.

The Body Shop outlets are located in Paola, Valletta, Bugibba, Sliema and Arkadia, Gozo.

PR Sample

Monthly Favourites | December

In my favourites post, I usually write about the beauty products that I would have enjoyed using most throughout the month. However, for this edition, I am going to start the post with some fashion items that I have literally been super obsessed with. First off, these River Island tassel loafers that literally go with everything and are super comfortable and stylish - they really have been my favourite pair of shoes this month. Another River Island purchase I am currently obsessed with is this fold-over cross-body bag which also features tassels and is great for both day and night use. The Charles&Ron scarf from their Ganutell collection is also a favoruite of mine as of late and I have quite a number of outfits planned around it which I cannot wait to wear! The last fashion related item I wanted to share with you is this dainty gold neckalce from Fossil at Sunlab which I have been wearing almost everyday as it looks good with practically anything!

Now onto the beauty products. So, my favourite eyeshadow palettes this month have been the Essence All About Greys and All About Bronze palettes (and now I'm really excited to try the All About Vintage palette) as well as the Sleek i-Divine Enchanted Forest. All of the palettes feature highly pigmented eyeshadows at small prices and I really like the quality of all three of them with respect to longevity. The Essence Merry Berry Eyeshadows have also made quite a number of appearances in my makeup looks this month as did the Catrice Deluxe Eyeshadow Trio in 010 Antique C'est Tres Chic.

I have also really enjoyed using the Essence Gel Eyeliner Waterproof in the shades 01 Black Blaze and 05 Gunmetal. These are just the best eyeliners I have ever used - they stay on all day even in the waterline without a chance of them budging! The last eye product I wanted to share is the Catrice Fixing Brow Wax which keeps my brows in place all day.

I have rediscovered an old favourite too, the Sleek Antique blush which is the perfect shade of warm pink during winter. It also has a hint of shimmer which I really don't mind as it makes my skin glow. Speaking of glow, I have also enjoyed using the Essence Merry Berry Highlighter which is not overpowering at all and offers just a subtle hint of shimmer so it is perfect for those who prefer a more muted approach to highlighting.

Also from the Merry Berry collection, the lipstick in the shade 01 Let The Berry-Tales Begin has been my favourite this month along with MAC D for Danger.

The Body Shop Frosted Plum hand cream is the last favourite I have to share with you for this month. I love how good this smells and how soft and moisturised my hands feel after using this - pity it is limited edition!

What were your favourites for the last month of the year?

Event | The Body Shop 2015 Christmas Collections

The Body Shop's Christmas event is one I look forward to every year mainly because I enjoy their limited edition Christmas collections and this year, the brand has opened another shop in the newly opened PAMA Shopping Village in Mosta, where the event actually took place.

This year, The Body Shop proposes three festive fragrances - Frosted Plum, Frosted Cranberry and Glazed Apple, of which the latter two are re-promotes from last year and the Frosted Plum range is completely new. 

Despite two of the scents being re-promotes, there is a good variety of new products which are found in all three ranges, such as the sugar scrub and the shimmer mists. This year, the majority of the products in the Christmas ranges are shimmery so do be aware of that if you are not a fan of such products. Apart from the individual products, you can also find them packaged in very festive cases too. 

In keeping with the Christmas theme, The Body Shop have also launched a limited edition makeup collection which really reminded me of The Great Gatsby with it's artdeco packaging and shades.

There are also some other new products and fragrances worth discovering such as the Spa Of The World range and the new Shade Adjusting Drops which help you get the perfect foundation shade for your skin tone! In fact, I got myself a bottle of the Lightening drops.

Then of course there are the usual gifts for him and her that are perfect for your office Secret Santa and a whole range of gifts to suit all budgets. 

When talking about The Body Shop, one cannot forget its humanitarian actions and this year, they have partnered with WaterAid to provide families with safe water. Proceeds from specially marked Christmas items will help the company reach its goals.

Lastly, The Body Shop is giving you a free gift with every purchase of over €35 and you can also apply for your Love Your Body card to get 10% off your purchases every time. 

Follow The Body Shop Malta on Facebook to keep updated.

Review | The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

During our cruise stop on the Greek island of Corfu last July, we had ample time for shopping and I guess we were in luck as most of the shops had sales going on; The Body Shop was one of them! I had a browse around the shop and one of the products I bought was this Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil.

Cleansing oils are fast gaining popularity and they are busting the myth that if you have oily skin you have to steer clear of them. On the contrary, they seem to work better than foaming cleansers that strip your skin of all forms of moisture. The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil seemed like a good place to start my venture into the world of cleansing oils, particularly because it is suitable for sensitive skin.

The product comes in a 200ml pump dispenser bottle and claims to 'effortlessly lifts away impurities and even removes waterproof makeup'. You are meant to apply the oil circular movements on dry skin to dissolve away all makeup, add water to emulsify and rinse off.

I have really taken a fancy to this product especially when I am travelling as it means I don't have to carry a cleanser and makeup remover but this on its own is enough! Also, the pump can be opened and closed so there is no issue with the product ending up all over the place.

Of course it has a light camomile scent but I haven't experienced any irritation whatsoever yet. I like how it takes off all my waterproof mascara even if it means I have to look like a panda for a few instances before I rinse everything off! It literally melts everything off!

After using this product, my skin feels thoroughly clean, soft and well hydrated. I do feel that I have to rinse with copious amounts of water though to remove all of the oil. However, I tend to resort to using this cleansing oil only when I am wearing heavy makeup. For the other days, I like to stick to my micellar water gel which is just as effective but less dense.

All in all, I think this is a product I would write home about because it does what it says, in a very effective manner! 

July Collective Haul

July has been a good month - I enjoyed my summer cruise holiday, tanned a little bit more than I'm used to and MAC has finally opened in Malta! Here is what I purchased throughout this month, starting with online orders from KIKO and Makeup Revolution.

KIKO had an up to 50% sale on most products and since I had wanted to get some things from them, I though this was the best time to do so. I purchased the XL pochette which is excellent for travelling as I can keep all makeup and toiletries in one place. I also bought the small nail travel case which comes in handy when I need to take just a few essentials to do my nails on the go. Needless to say, I bought a backup of the Brush Cleanser and I also wanted to try some new products, namely the Summer Wipes which are supposed to dissolve salt from the skin after a dip in the sea, the CC Cream Cushion System (I got the shades 30 Warm Rose and 30 Warm Beige) as well as a glass nail file.

Next up is my first ever Makeup Revolution order which consisted of the newly launched Ultra Base Corrector palette and the Ultra Contour Palette. They were even so nice to include a full sized tester of the I Heart Obsession Palette - Paris. I have very high expectations of this brand after hearing a lot of good things about their products and I am really looking forward to try the palettes out.

More beauty purchases, this time from my cruise holiday. I didn't have much time to shop around for clothes but I did splurge a little on makeup and beauty products. First up, this Roses et Reines hand cream from L'Occitane which I had been dying to try out!

Next, I had the opportunity to visit a The Body Shop outlet in Corfu, Greece which was on sale and I bought the Smoky Poppy Body Massage Oil and the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. The lady was also nice enough to include some moisturiser samples. In the same street, there was a Hondos Centre which was having 23% off MAC and of course, I couldn't pass it up...I bought Dame Powder Blush, Hot Gossip Cremesheen Lipstick and a Dazzleshadow in the shade Can't Stop Don't Stop from the Le Disko Collection. I also bought another glass nail file on visiting Dubrovnik in Croatia.

By now, everyone knows that MAC has also opened in Malta and I got the following items, of which you can check out more pictures here. I got Prep+Prime Fix+, Fluidline in Dipdown, Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy and Frost Lipstick in Ramblin' Rose.

Lastly, my boyfriend treated me to this very comfortable pair of Tommy Hilfiger flip-flops and mum had ordered this cute pair of sandals off the internet in a wrong size which luckily fits me :)

April & May Collective Haul

Since I had little stuff to show you in April, I thought it better to combine the hauls for April and May in one post which is a little overdue. I also have a ton of Essence & Catrice products to show you so stay tuned for a separate haul post ;)

I will start with the beauty stuff first with a little package from Born Pretty Store. BPS are releasing new stamping plates every so often and I really wanted to get some of their new large plates. I chose the following plates as well as some cuticle tattoos, French tip guides and a flashing nail sticker.

Next, from The Body Shop I bought a Fuji Green Tea Bath Tea and Diffuser as well as travel size shower gels and a shampoo that I needed to stock upon.

Moving on to fashion, this is the biggest purchase in this haul, the dress I bought for my cousin's wedding in April. I'm in love with it and can't wait to wear it again! Later that day I found a pair of shoes from Debenhams which were on sale and the last pair in my size that match the dress perfectly!

More from Debenhams, I bought this gorgeous pair of yellow flats, this pair of light blue pumps and ankle boots, all of which were on sale and feel extremely comfortable. I also bought this sleeveless polo shirt and two pairs of black trousers, a cute beach romper and a gold cuff.

I also bought this mint belt from Debenhams and my first bikini of the season from Peacocks. I like the vintage feel to it and the colour is perfect for summer :)

The last two clothing items are from Miss Selfridge (white crop shirt) and OVS (blue sheer sleeveless blouse) which I can see myself wearing a lot in summer.

Finally, from Mango I found this gorgeous bag on sale and these gold bangles which are firm favourites of mine to jazz up an outfit.