Review | The Body Shop Early-Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub

In last month's favourites, I have included this body scrub by The Body Shop. Most of you know I swear by their Coconut scrub which is my all time favourite but I decided to give this one a go in one of my last trips to their newly opened shop in Paola.

 

Packaging is the same as for all other scrubs by the eco-conscious brand and I quite like it in all its simplicity. The jelly-like consistency is what reeled me in and when I opened the tester to take a whiff, I was transported to a candy shop thanks to the scrub's sweet smell.

 

 

The Early-Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub is obviously mostly composed of the fruit's extract and the seeds are the main exfoliating ingredient. Although it is pink in colour, it does not stain the skin and since it is much less abrasive than some of the other varieties, I would recommend this for people with not so dry skin types and those with more sensitive skin.

 

I use the scrub twice weekly and like the other Body Shop scrubs I have tried, this one leaves my skin soft, smooth and radiant and the raspberry scent lingers on for quite some time without being overpowering.

 

As a concluding remark, I will definitely add this scrub to my list of favourites from The Body Shop and will gladly repurchase!

 

The Body Shop Early-Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub is available from all The Body Shop outlets across Malta & Gozo and retails for €12.50 for 200ml.

Review | Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash

To the majority of people, men and women alike, the month of May translates to 'panic-because-summer-is-soon-upon-us' month. We all know that new year resolutions of eating a healthier diet and going daily to the gym are easier said than done but luckily, there exists an easier way to keep cellulite at bay that comes in a black squeeze-type tube and the consistency of a serum. Enter Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash. 

 

I was kindly sent this product by ProHealth, the importers of Vichy and La Roche Posay products in Malta and I have been testing it for two weeks so as to see if it stands to the claim that results are visible after 14 days of use. 

 

Like I said, packaging is pretty simple yet very convenient with respect to the intended use of the product as you just have to twist the silver cap and the product comes out of a small hole, enabling you to control how much product is dispensed. A carton box is part of the packaging and there are massaging instructions printed on the inside. Here I would like to suggest that I think it is better if the instructions were printed on a package insert rather than inside the box as that made it a little difficult to see them.

 

 

As for the product, it has the consistency of a serum and bears a caramel colour with light reflecting gold pearl pigments. The formulation is easy to work onto the skin and a euro-sized amount is enough for me to massage one thigh. Despite being tinted, the serum does not stain clothes and is rapidly absorbed, hence you don't have to wait for it to dry before dressing.

 

 

The serum is fit for use thighs, buttock, hips, stomach and arms - basically any area that lacks tonicity and is showing signs of cellulite development. In fact, it is aimed at targeting cellulite, stubborn volumes, tonicity, homogeneity and overall skin texture for an improved silhouette.

 

The key ingredients are 6% pure Caffeine (known for its action against cellulite), Hyaluronic Acid at a concentration of 0.4% (known for its re-plumping effect) and Salicylic Acid (to yield smoother, softer and more radiant skin).

 

It is recommended to apply the product twice a day for 2 to 4 weeks in massaging motions as explained below and after I have followed the instructions and tested the product for two weeks, I have noticed that my thighs do look more toned. I am now in the third week of treatment and I am still noticing an even more toned appearance.

 

I would recommend this product for a quick fix just before summer but always remember that a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise are key to maintaining a healthy body all year round. Lotions and potions are there to help you preserve what you achieve ;)

 

Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash is now available at various pharmacies around Malta & Gozo and retails for €29.90. For enquiries, check out the Vichy Facebook page.

PR Sample

Monthly Favourites | May

With May coming to an end two days ago, here are the products I have used most during the month!

 

Starting with body care, I have three products, two of which are new discoveries. So on my last trip to The Body Shop, I bought a new version of body scrub, the Early Harvest Raspberry which has definitely gone down in my list of favourite products from the shop. It smells really good and since it is not that abrasive, it can be used on sensitive skin.

 

 

The next new product comes courtesy of ProHealth, the importers of Vichy and La Roche Posay products in Malta. They have kindly sent me the new Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash to review and after using it for two weeks, I can definitely see the results. I will not spend a lot of time on this product in this post, but you can read a full review tomorrow so watch out for that!

 

With all Fashion Week events and what not, I have reached for Dior L'eau Cologne Floreale for all events and it has somewhat become my signature scent. I love how it is not overpowering yet it conveys a nice floral scent that lingers on my skin for a long time.

 

Next up are some skin care products, again two of which are new discoveries thanks to ProHealth. Even when clouds are still high up in the sky, our skin needs adequate protection against UV rays and thankfully La Roche Posay also have a range specifically targeted for oily and combination skins. I have found Anthelios XL Extreme Fluid and Dry Touch Gel-Cream to be extremely good at offering the best protection and they don't make my skin greasy. Highly recommended!

 

 

Lierac Mesolift Serum has once again proven to be a skin saviour especially last week during a very hectic fashion week. It keeps my skin plump and looking fresh - I wouldn't change it for anything!

 

Obviously, Fashion Week calls for tip top makeup and the following were my favourite products for creating a flawless base, ready for pictures and looking good in general! Left to right, NYX HD Foundation HDF02 Soft Beige, Catrice Prime and Fine Mattifying Powder Waterproof, Catrice Camouflage Cream 010 Ivory, Inglot Under the Makeup Base.

 

 



More makeup, this time its all about eye products. For some reason, I was obsessed with blue eye makeup last month and consequently, these are the products I reached for the most, top to bottom, Pupa Milano Vamp! Mascara 300 Deep Night, Catrice Long Lasting Eyeliner Pen 080 I Like Blue Mondays, Rimmel London Soft Kohl Eye Pencil 021 Denim Blue and Wjcon Eyeshadow Stick 10 Sapphire.

 

 

As for the normal black mascara and eye pencil days, nothing beats the combination of Catrice Glamour Doll Volume and Curl Mascara and Pupa Milano Made To Last Eyes 100 Black.

 

 

May Collective Haul

We're nearing half the year already and that only means one thing...summer is fast approaching :D Consequently, this month's haul consists of new summer gear as well as some last chance wintry buys that I got on sale.

 

Online clothes shopping has become somewhat a new addiction especially from River Island. This is what I got:

 

 

The sweater is really comfy and it can be dressed up or down effortlessly. The best thing is I only paid €24 for it instead of €55. I also threw in this cute pair of pastel stud earrings and flower ring which cost €5 and €4 respectively.

 

In another order, I got these navy quilted plimsolls for €25, this floral print wrap shirt for €37 as well as these red and white crop tops for €20 and €33 respectively. Luckily for me and a whole lot of other fans, River Island has opened its doors again in Malta at The Point Shopping Complex last Saturday and I can't wait to pay a visit to see what the store has to offer!

 

 

More online shopping, this time from Boohoo.com. I finally found a jumpsuit that looks fine on me for a mere €38! The only issue I had with this is that it is a little more see-through than I would have liked but seamless skin-coloured underwear should do the trick! Also from Boohoo Boutique, I got this ethic print shirt for €30.
 



 

From New Look I bought this cute floral dress with a mesh panel on the front for just €29.99. I wore this to the Gagliardi fashion show (check out the post here). I also bought my second bikini (€21.98) for this summer as well as two Montagne Jeunesse Blemish Mud face masks for €1.25 each.

I have been on the look-out for a nice black blazer for some time now and thankfully, Mango answered my prayers with this beautiful number for which I paid €42.74 (with discount). I paired this blazer with the red crop top above and leopard print shoes below for the Bridal Fashion Show (check out the full outfit post here).

 

 

The last attire purchases are shoes...I bought this gorgeous pair of royal blue sandals from Nine West for €99. I know that for some they can come across as expensive but honestly, their shoes are worth every cent just because they are so comfortable. The grey leopard print ones are from Debenhams and they were marked down to €15.39 in their Blue Cross Sale and they were the last pair and in my size...I couldn't just leave them there could I?

 



 

Lastly, beauty purchases from The Body Shop. I always go crazy in there but I tried to restrain myself to only buy stuff I actually needed. So, I bought two body scrubs, Coconut, my all time favourite and Raspberry which smells divine and I also got two bath lillies. The salesgirl was also kind enough to give me a sample of each of the Mango Sorbet and Moringa Sorbet body creams. The scrubs were €12.50 each and the bath lillies €2.30 each.

 

OOTD | What I Wore To The Bortex - Gagliardi Show

For my last Fashion Week show, I went for an all girly outfit and I reserved this New Look dress for the occasion. I paired it with coral sling-back sandals and I played up the look with some colourful makeup. Sorry for the bad picture quality but I only took the photos just as I got home after another event.
 

 

Dress, New Look | Shoes, Limited Collection at M&S

Bag, local shop | Watch, Michael Kors

Rings, Accessorise and River Island | Earrings, River Island

 

The list of makeup products used is as follows:

 

Face

Inglot Under The Makeup Base

NYX HD Foundation HDF02 Soft Beige

Catrice Camouflage Cream 010 Ivory

Essence Stay Natural Concealer 01 Soft Beige

Catrice Prime and Fine Mattifying Powder Waterproof

E.L.F. Studio Blush Candid Coral

 

Eyes

Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base

NYX Eyeshadow Lime Green

Catrice Absolute Eye Colour 180 Ocean's 14

Catrice Absolute Eye Colour 550 Saw It On Blue Tube

NYX Eyeshadow Tropical

Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow ABC Gum

Catrice Glamour Doll Volume & Curl Mascara

Rimmel London Eye Pencil 021 Denim Blue

 

Lips

Chanel Rouge Coco 39 Paradis