Thursday 27 November 2014

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!


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 

21 comments:

  1. Hi Kats, one of my favourite Summer scents is coconut so I can day dream and think that I am on a tropical oasis, aaaah, palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze..... Claire xx

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    1. Nice one Claire - coconut = summer to me too! Makes me think of the same things as you, as well as Pina Coladas with those little umbrellas in them lol ♥

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  2. I love Urban Rituelle and yes, their Warehouse Sales always entice me (as I live 20 mins drive away!) and I do have the Hibiscus & Cranberry roll on perfume and it really is lovely. Their Turkish Rose is another favourite of mine!

    Good Luck to all - I'll sit this one out!

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    1. Ooh you lucky duck Karen - the UR warehouse is about 4 hours away from me, and I'm totally bummed about that fact. Probably just as well though, I'd be there every weekend ha ha! Sweet of you to refrain from entering, but you may as well hon, looks like no-one else is interested ♥

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    2. Karen honey, thanks a bunch for drumming up some interest in my little giveaway - I'm going to make you my PR Lady ♥

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  3. well dang,,,,,my posts are not appearing again...*sigh*....trying again....

    What i said was that I have a strong passion for the scent of citrus so anything with a citrus base and im sold.

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    1. LOVE citrus for Summer too Fawn, actually fruits in general seem to resonate with the warmer weather for me - so glad you posted again. I wonder if there is a little folder in the Cloud somewhere that has all these missing posts?

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  4. I am currently loving the freshness and zing of lime for summer. It's so refreshing and just wakes me up.

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    1. Oooh yes, thanks for the reminder CB - I have a body wash stashed somewhere in the cupboard that contains lime, will dig it out now that summer's here ♥

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  5. This sounds amazing. You've totally sold me on the body wash.. I'm a body wash nutter as well but after seeing all your posts, I know how seriously you take them :P to say this one is your favourite IS huge!
    My favourite summer scent... hmmm hard to decide. I like anything refreshing with a hint of sweetness. I think I'd like this scent a lot though ;)
    Great review hun and good luck to everyone who enters! xx

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    1. Jasmine their body washes are simply beautiful - the Turkish Rose & Vanilla is really quite strong, but it's a warming fragrance so it's great for the cold weather, but this Hibiscus & Cranberry is more subtle, yet delightfully refreshing for summer. The moisturising properties are amazing, my skin feels so soft after showering, I don't need to put on body lotion, wow ♥

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  6. My favourite summer scent is Evodia coconut and lime! It's exotic and tropical, love it!

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    1. Golly that sounds delish stackcats - I haven't tried anything Evodia as yet, but it's now on my list to experience ♥

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  7. My favorite summer fragrance is frangipani. I love the scent. It is exotic and reminds me of being in an island enjoying the beach.

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    1. Moonlight, there's a frangipani tree right outside my office window, and I can smell the flowers when the wind blows from the sea - just gorgeous ♥

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  8. Haha aww Kats you're so cute, I do that often - the whole buying 'gifts for others' thing then not being able to resist opening them up for myself. You're so generous always it blows me away why/how people can be so nice?!!?

    I adore ADORE Urban Rituelle, they're one of my favourite brands and I think I already told you my favourite scent for summer (for all year-round actually) is their Mango Milk body spray - it's sooooooo gooooooood and I've run out and should get another soon. I have the hibiscus and cranberry roll-on too and so I know whoever wins it will probably adore it - it's so comforting, calm and fresh. :)

    I always try to order above $75 to get free shipping so I will bookmark this post and probably grab that body wash ;) but then again, my parent's work is literally a 5 minute drive away from the Warehouse which I am afraid to visit because I need to be mindful of my wallet!! I'm only a student so be kind universe.

    Fabulous post as always lovely, your photos are incredible!! Makes me want to own everything.

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    1. Hey babe, thanks for this lovely LONG comment :-) Yes I remember you mentioning your passion for the Mango Milk, and I bought the Body Scrub in that range to give as a pressie. I've been SO good and haven't opened it - don't know how long I'll last, but I'm trying my best to be good lol... xxx

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  9. Loving the packaging......beautiful colour. I can't say that I have ever used their products before but that could be because some of the scents I couldn't use. On reading though......they do make some that I could use so that's good :-) Hibiscus and Cranberry sound very nice :-)
    I find when out shopping it is hard to resist at not getting yourself the product as well :-)

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    1. There's bound to be something that will suit you Mandy - I've loved everything I've ever tried from their range, it's just that some things I love that little bit more ♥

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  10. THANK YOU so very much....I am so very excited to try this....im sure its going to be amazing.

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    1. Thrilled for you Fawn - hope you love it as much as I do ♥

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