Saturday 13 September 2014

CONFESSIONS: of a Body Washaholic (Part 7)...

Yikes, up to Part 7 already? My discovery of the fabulous Imperial Leather body washes kinda slowed down the cycling of my collection, but I've caught up a bit now. These are the last of the ones from the Part 5 photo, so Part 8 will have a new "current collection" pic ♥. I reached the conclusion many moons ago that this particular fascination of mine is never EVER going to end, so you can count on this series being a regular feature on my blog...



Grace Cole Passionfruit & Guava Shower Gel...


Yumbo! If you want to kick-start your appetite first thing in the morning, then this is the body wash that'll do it - I find myself craving a platter of fresh fruit whenever I slather on this passion fruit and guava scented cleanser. Non-drying, costs less than $5, and if you want confirmation, the beautiful Hailey O MUA wrote a rave review about it back in November last year. Like Hailey, I'd rather the gel had a thicker consistency, and because it's such a delicate lavender shade, I'd prefer the tube to be clear so I could appreciate the pretty hue before it hits my flannel. Other than that, if you're a fruity fragrance fan, you won't be disappointed. I've only ever seen it at Chemist Warehouse, and they stock a bunch of other fragrance matched body products from Grace Cole too...

LUX Passionate Spell Fragranced Body Wash...



Divine colour, scintillatingly sensuous smell - the base notes are similar to the purple Magical Spell in this range. I waxed lyrical about that particular one back in Part 5, but this one is even more potent, like...wow! Can't say I can actually identify the Passion Fruit or Fiery Orange Rose content, but the combo is a winner. It's spicy and warming, exceptionally intoxicating, and because of that, right up there at the top of my list for the cooler months. More like a pricey oriental from a perfume house, my skin stays fragrant for a good couple of hours. Definitely NOT for anyone with scent sensitivities, my nose picks up some earthy vanilla and sandalwood too, so this might even be a hit with the guys...


Bit of a Soft Touch Jojoba, Peach and Vanilla Bean Extract Moisturising Body Wash...


I fondled this bottle in the supermarket on at least three separate occasions before I actually bought it  - loved the fragrance, and it was excellent value (around $8 for 500ml), but I thought the packaging was terribly ordinary. Yeah I know I'm fussy, but I want to love the look of what I'm reaching for in the shower, and this was all a bit bleah and uninspiring. But it just goes to show that you can never judge a body wash by its container - what's inside turned out to be quite stunning ♥ Can't smell any vanilla at all, but the peach is ultra refreshing, crisp and mouth wateringly fruity - in short it's an absolute delight, a resounding hit with all family members, and has amazing skin hydrating qualities. The label is highly informative and tells me it contains jojoba and antioxidants, and the added bonus is that it's SLS and PBA free. Despite its decidedly unglamorous appearance, I'll be trying more from this all-Australian range - it was voted Product of the Year in the Bodycare Category, based on Nielsen research...

Palmolive Naturals Moisturising Shower Cremes - Pomegranate, Kiwifruit, Mandarin...


Sadly these are no longer in production, but I stumbled across the whole set about a month ago in My Chemist for $5 each, and snapped them up because I have such a soft spot for all three. It was actually my rave review of these body washes that scored me a beautyheaven Glosscars prize way back in 2011! Highly recommended if you ever see them in a discount store...
Pomegranate
All of these shower creams are thick and lovingly moisturising, and squeeze from the bottom of the fat tubby bottles. The pomegranate one is unbelievably sweet, and conjures up a gourmet dessert of meringue with a colourful fruit coulis. The fragrance is 100% girly, and I find myself grinning like a loon while I'm showering - anything that puts me in such a happy mood gets my seal of approval...
Kiwifruit
This one smells exactly like kiwi fruit, and has me salivating whenever I indulge in it. It has a sour zingy edge that instantly flags it as a summertime shower staple - on hot days I'm not interested in flowery or heady exotic fragrances. Instead I want something zesty and crisp that will make me feel refreshed, cool and clean - bingo!
Mandarin
A delightful blend of citrus and baby powder, and the most delicately perfumed of the three. Best summed up as a calming and comforting caress - a fave for lazy Sunday mornings when I want to stave off thinking about Monday. In short, a darn shame they stopped making it...

EDIT: I can't bear leading anyone astray, so I'm adding that after trying these a few times in the shower (they smelt fine from the bottle), they really are past their prime - they've lost the zingy freshness they had when they were first released. Bummer, as I miss them :-( 

And if you missed them, the rest of the series is here...
Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5, Part 6...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

20 comments:

  1. Oh Kats, I'm back up to EIGHT different body washes in my shower! Oops!

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    1. Ha ha Rose honey, you're as bad as me! I have 8 in the shower hangers, and no less than 12 newbies in the cupboard just waiting for their chance to be in the spotlight here. I need another bathroom lol...

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  2. What a shame that the Palmolive Shower Creams are no longer available. They look and sound delish!
    I love that your rubbing off on me Kats. Body washes are incredibly enjoyable and are just so lovely to look at in the bathroom. :D I'll have to keep an eye out for the Grace Cole Gel. :D
    Hope you're having a fab Sunday beautiful xx

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    1. Sunday was wonderful thanks babe - a magnificent Spring day up here, gloriously warm sunshine, and a yummy lunch ♥ Chuffed to the moon that you're getting into the shower goodies hon - I love enabling gals with something that's actually an affordable indulgence ♥♥♥ Hope you have a terrific week hon xxx

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  3. It's a pity the Palmolive mandarin one is no more. I'd have liked to try that one. :(
    Which supermarket did you find the peach one in? It sounds like great value and I love the pump pack.

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    1. It's a loss to the body wash world mayday - who knows they might bring it back one day, fingers crossed anyway :-) The peach one is available at Coles - haven't spotted it in Woolies, but I don't get there all that often ♥

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  4. After reading this I just had to go back and read Parts 1 to 6 and I thought your amazing eye looks were your passion! Love reading and seeing everyone's addictions to their beauty products - whether it be makeup, nail polish, body products, hair products or everything - makes me feel I'm in the right place!

    Unfortunately I discovered many years ago that body washes made my skin itchy, so turned to natural cold pressed soaps, which became an addiction in itself - even turned my hand to making my own, but realised it was more fun buying other peoples wonderful creative soaps.

    With the flood of 'natural' body washes on the market (although it pays to read the ingredients), I have been using some body washes and they don't suds up anywhere near the readily available washes and are usually more costly, but they work well and are a change from soap bars. But only have 1 or 2 going - with 4 other adults in the house, the shower recess gets a little claustrophobic with everyone's body wash, face wash, shampoos etc.

    Currently using Urban Rituelle's Ginger Siam, which is lovely and just finished First Aid Beauty's (DJ's brand) Gentle Body Wash, which was very creamy and luckily I picked it up on a clearance table!

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    1. Karen sweetie, thanks for this lovely long comment hon. You're most definitely in the right place - I'm a bit nutty about face scrubs too, Part 3 will be up shortly ha ha! So glad you've found something that works for your skin - Urban Rituelle washes are simply divine, in fact I've just placed an order for a couple more (oops!) ♥

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  5. Wow kats, you own lots. Does Mr. Kats get a look in with these body washes also?
    I love reading all your threads on this product. I didn't realise there were so many on the market.

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    1. It's a huge industry Mandy - I reckon I'll be blogging about all the different ones for years to come. And yes I'll be reviewing some blokey washes too ♥

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  6. Reading these body wash reviews has made me hungry for a fresh fruit salad now! What scent has been your overall favourite to date?

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    1. Gee hon, now that's a toughie - I have many many favourites, and I go through stages of loving some more than others. Let's see...current fave is Imperial Leather Flirtatious Pomegranate & Wild Rose, but it's hard to go past Palmolive Invigorating Pomegranate & Mango. As you may have gathered, I'm particularly fond of pomegranate ♥

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  7. Thank you for the link love!! I have spent some time organising my stash and discovered that body related products are where my biggest problem is. I'm not allowed to buy ANY more body products until I get it sorted out because, like you, I seem to have some sort of obsession going on!

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    1. My pleasure babe - actually when I bought the first Grace Cole wash, I ummed and aaahed about which one to get next. Then I read your review and it solved that particular problem ♥ But of course I have another GREATER issue in that my vanity cupboard is just bursting at the seams with all the untried bottles, in fact I can't close the door properly - I think I'll have to take a leaf out of your book hon and be a whole lot STRONGER in the resistance department!

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  8. Oh Kats Part 7 on the Body Washes LOL!! I currently have two in my shower and another 6 in the cupboard! I've used those Palmolive ones years ago and they were lovely......such a shame they are no longer available.

    On another note: Was wondering if you are still using Lancôme Visionnaire Serum? And whether you have tried their new one? And if so, how it differs from the old one?
    I picked up two Marie Claire Magazines to snatch up the deluxe samples and am really loving it.....just don't like the $97 price tag for 30ml!!!
    Look forward to your reply Hunny.....sorry its off topic :P
    Love Flaming Beauty xxx

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    1. Hey Flaming - lovely to read you darling ♥ Glad to hear your not letting the side down by only having ONE body wash lol... As for the new Visionnaire, I haven't tried it yet, but that's because Australia Post is INCOMPETENT, and today they sent my order back to Lancome without even attempting to deliver it! If I ever get my precious bottle of Visionnaire hon, I'll let you know if the formula is an improvement ♥

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    2. Oh no Kats.....bloody Australia Post!! Hopefully by now this error has been fixed and you have received your beloved new Visionnaire. Would love to know how you go with it. Thanks Flaming Beauty xx

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    3. Not yet I'm afraid babe - who knows where it is now, but Lancome have emailed to say they'll send it out to me again when it shows up. I'm so bummed, it's put me off buying anything online for a while :-(

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  9. I don't own any body washes because of my skin sensitivities and partly because I really can't be bothered with that stuff, but the Bit of a Soft Touch one piqued my interest I admit! Shall check it out when I'm in Coles next time.

    I think I have a bit of an obsession with body lotions/butters. Bought some LaVanila ones whilst in the US and now I've got 3 of them, a Moogoo lotion + some Nuxe body oil to use up! Luckily the Moogoo + one of the LaVanila lotions (Vanilla & Coconut FYI) will be finished soon. Oh and then there's the tubes of Burts Bees foot lotions (the coconut thick one AND the peppermint thin one) that I have to go through...ay ay ay...

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  10. Can understand why you've given the shower gels a miss Seashells - there's some lovely fragrances in the Soft Touch range, and without the usual ingredients that trigger skin sensitivities, hope they don't give your skin any grief. Mmmm body lotions and butters - another world I've yet to explore in any detail. I googled the Lavanila range and some of it is available in Australia, sounds divine ♥

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