REVIEW: Urban Rituelle Hibiscus and Cranberry...

Last July, I posted a review of the fabulous Urban Rituelle Turkish Rose and Vanilla range that I had either been gifted by family, or won as a prize. To say I was smitten with the products was somewhat of an understatement, and since then I've been on a mission to explore all the other delights they have on offer. I still have a long way to go, if for no other reason than they have SO many goodies to choose from, but I've already discovered something I'm even crazier about - Hibiscus and Cranberry (warning: picture heavy post)...

Thankfully my efforts have been aided and abetted by the fact that UR have had a whole series of sales over the last few months, and the above selection is what I've been able to amass across several orders, all of which have arrived within days, with free shipping, and a generous little surprise in the box each time (latest one below) ♥

But enough of the blurb, what does it smell like? Hard to describe because I've not smelt anything quite like it before, but it's tangy and tart without being sour, and amazingly refreshing - an inspired blend of hibiscus tea, cranberry, lime and sugar cane. I simply adore the initial zing, which then softens down to a delicate fruit-with-slightly-floral blend, with the accent on the fruit. Definitely a Summer-ready fragrance - it's almost like a cranberry sherbet ♥

The Scented Candle ($24.95) is 180 grams, with an approximate burn time of 40 hours. I haven't lit mine yet - I'm saving it for a dull and dreary day when I need a zesty pick-me-up. You can probably tell from the photos that all UR products are stunningly presented, sturdily boxed for safe delivery, and I reckon any candle-lover would be in raptures to receive this as a gift... 

 

These three little travel size mini sweethearts came in a clear pouch with a zip lock - the 40ml size is perfect for packing light, and there's Body Lotion, Hand Therapy and Bath & Shower Gel. The Body Lotion ($22.50) will be my next purchase in the full-size - it contains a host of skin-loving ingredients including Chamomile, Grape Seed Oil, Ginseng, Shea Butter, Macadamia Oil, Calendula and Aloe Vera. And there's no tedious waiting for it to be absorbed - my skin soaks it up like a sponge. This will be a must-have for me through the hot months, to keep my skin soft and supple, and smelling berry-licious...

I need a giant size of the Hand Therapy! ($20.96). All hand creams in the "Tea Ceremony" range contain Sweet Almond and Jojoba Oils, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Ginseng, Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Gingko Biloba - a powerhouse tube of nourishing, protecting and re-conditioning natural ingredients to restore and keep your hands and cuticles in tip-top condition, without being greasy. The formula is light but intensive, and leaves my paws satiny smooth and delicately fragranced. The standard tube is a generous 100ml and lasts forever - I also love that it isn't made of metal (like some other high-end brands), so it doesn't look all dented and tatty after a few squeezes. This little 40ml wonder is already safely tucked away in my handbag...

You'll find my rave about the Bath & Shower Gel further down the page ♥

The perfumes come in two formulas, both delightfully purse-friendly - Petit Parfum, an EDT spray, and Perfume Oil, which has a teeny little roller-ball applicator. The spray is light and the scent doesn't last long, but that's its beauty - sometimes I just want something to make ME feel good and smell delish without permeating the whole space around me. As you would expect, the oil is more potent and durable, and yet it has an enticing subtlety. I wore it today actually and smiled every time I moved and my nose caught a little waft of the scent. Ingredients include Sweet Almond, Grape Seed, Avocado, Sesame, Sunflower and Rose Hip oils, so you can imagine how softening it is on the skin. This is still on sale at the moment for $13.56 - I can't find it listed anywhere except on the Sale Store page, so I hope that doesn't mean it's being discontinued...

As usual I've saved the best till last - oh boy, am I in shower heaven! Regular readers will know that I'm a bodywashaholic, and given I've tried so many of the ones in the market place, for me to say this Bath & Shower Gel ($28.50) is my absolute all-time favourite is really quite a statement. But there it is, I've said it! Gee, how to describe my experience of this mouth-watering bod-cleanser? Ok, for starters the bottle is a huge 500ml and has a twist click lockable cap. The pump is sturdy and one push delivers only a teeny dollop, but I'm glad because I'm somewhat heavy handed with my gel dispensing, and quite a bit goes down the drain. I find about six squirts is just the right amount for a blissfully bubblesome experience. The gel is thick and clear, and smells divine. Honestly this is a sparkler of a fragrance, and I feel like I'm washing myself with cranberry soda fizz! After showering my skin feels soft and hydrated, so much so I can skip the body lotion step on those rushed weekday mornings. And it's no wonder with a stack of natural ingredients like Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Chamomile, Calendula and Witch Hazel. This is a forever keeper ♥

Well by now I hope you're sufficiently entranced, and if you've made it this far down the page, well done (lol!), and there's a treat - I ordered an extra bottle of the Perfume Oil so I could give one away, and share the UR love ♥ If you've not experienced any Urban Rituelle products, and especially not the Hibiscus and Cranberry fragrance, this is your chance to try it out...

The Rafflecopter will decide the winner, so please make sure that you follow the entry instructions, and read the Terms and Conditions inside (Australian residents only). Please note that leaving a comment, providing your email address inside the Rafflecopter, AND following my blog one way or another from the many choices listed are MANDATORY for entry...

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This giveaway is now closed

Check back later tonight to see who the lucky winner is!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Anna M. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Anna please respond to the email I've sent you by 

Thursday 4th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Anna has claimed her prize ♥

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Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. All products were purchased by me - the plan was to give some of them as Christmas gifts, but I couldn't resist trying them, and well, that's the end of that plan ha ha!

P.P.S. Urban Rituelle products are 100% cruelty free and not tested on animals ♥