CONFESSIONS: of a Scrubaholic (Part 7) - Sukin + Giveaway!...

I've been going a bit Sukin stir-crazy lately - absolutely loving exploring their range of skincare. Their products have absolutely EVERYTHING going for them - excellent quality, jam-packed with goodness, minus the usual swag of yucky chemicals, Australian owned & made, refreshingly affordable, available at the supermarket, 100% carbon neutral and vegan, and they don't test on animals! Wowee, see what I mean?

They have three facial scrubs available, and I'll be honest, I simply can't choose a favourite - all three are fab for different reasons, so here's the skinny...

Oil Balancing Charcoal Pore Refining Facial Scrub (125ml, $12.95)

This is a bluey-grey kind of earthy scented cream with jojoba beads and bamboo charcoal - gentle enough for me to use every day, except I'm always tempted by the other two in the range lol. Some charcoal scrubs I've tried are highly effective but really quite messy because they're so intensely black - this one however won't require a cleanup of the shower recess or basin afterwards, and that's already a bonus. So many natural ingredients - Aloe, Sesame Seed Oil, Moringa Extract, Chamomile, Willowherb, Bilberry, Mandarin, Lavender and Lime oils, oh boy the list goes on and on. I'd SO rather scrub my complexion with all these plants, herbs and fruits ♥ This scrub is especially for oily to combo skin (c'est moi) and it's non-drying nor does it cause any irritation or redness. Definitely adding this to my list of staples - my blackheads have left the building, even the ones on my nose ♥...

Revitalising Facial Scrub (125ml, $9.95)

This pearly white cream with brown specks has a delicate floral fragrance, and bamboo and ground walnut shells as the exfoliators. More of a polish, I find it a tad gentler, and the focus is on calming, soothing and replenishing moisture while removing all the gunk. Suitable for all skin types, sometimes I use this at night instead of a cleanser even if I've used one of the others in the morning - makes my skin feel refreshed and deeply cleansed without any tightness or tingling. Love it ♥...

Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub (125ml, $12.95)

I know I said before that I didn't favour any one of these over the others, but I'm leaning ever so slightly towards this flavour. Like the charcoal one, it has the jojoba beads as the sloughing agents, plus ground bamboo - this is the gentlest of the three. It's also white (not green lol) and smells a wee bit sweeter and fruitier than the Revitalising one, and the ingredients are quite different - Kale, Spirulina, Chlorella, Parsley, Pineapple, Licorice, Lime Peel and Cranberry. Just reading those names makes my mouth water and hankering for a plate of freshly steamed green veggies and a bowl of fruit salad! Also suitable for all skin types, this leaves my skin feeling baby soft, looking healthy, glowing and I just KNOW it's been botanically nourished. The other two formulations score pretty well with some terrific reviews on beautyheaven, but this baby gets 5 big fat gold stars. Definitely a keeper ♥...

And soooo...because it's Christmas and I want to share the Sukin love, I'm giving away a Super Greens Facial pack, ordered online a few weeks back...

The box contains the Super Greens Detoxifying Clay Masque (personal fave), Nutrient Rich Facial Moisturiser, and the aforementioned and lovingly reviewed Detoxifying Facial Scrub ♥...

The box is quite bulky, so I'll limit this giveaway to...

Australian Residents Only!

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment, you won't be included in the draw!)
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

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This giveaway is now closed - check back later today to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Cindy C. as the winner. 

Congratulations gorgeous!

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

Thursday 28th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Cindy has claimed her prize

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Scrubaholic (Part 6)...

Yikes, I almost forgot to post this next episode in the series - embarrassed to say Part 5 was back in June! But I've been a busy bee discovering more new and absolutely delightful face scrubs to add to my collection, so Part 7 is not far away. Meanwhile let's get on with some of these that have been on the market for a while...

Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub (113g, RRP $14.99)

I use a scrub to cleanse my face every morning in the shower, and I need quite a few different intensities to choose from so that I can alternate (from gentle to heavy duty) to not overdo the sloughing effect on my skin, and this one I would classify as gentle to medium. This clear gel is quite runny, so care needs to be taken when dispensing - I do prefer something not quite so fluid, but it's manageable. Overall this is a lovely scrub - I believe the granules are grapefruit peel, and it also contains Vitamin C, Lycopene and Sunflower Oil. No parabens, petroleum or SLS, and it has quite a sour fruit scent, (a mix of grapefruit and lemon), but I enjoy it as it doesn't smell fake and there's no artificial sweetening. Another bonus is that it doesn't leave behind any grainy bits in my facial nooks and crannies - I've found that some do regardless of how well I rinse ♥...

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub (140g, RRP $13.99)

If you're after a gentle scrub, then this is the go! So kind and loving to the skin, the granules are super-fine and virtually invisible in the pearly cream - I haven't been able to find out what they're made from, but the label says "naturally derived". Great consistency and lovely fresh scent, this is mild enough for daily use, and leaves my face smooth and refreshed without any irritation. I have normal/oily combination skin, and while this isn't powerful enough to frighten away the relentless blackheads on my nose, I use it once a week to give my face a break from the other more rigorous scrubs on the shelf ♥...

Olay Regenerist Revitalising Thermal Mini-Peel Treatment (125ml, RRP $19.99)

While technically this isn't a scrub, it has an exfoliating component, hence it's inclusion here. As soon as it hits my face, it warms my skin - absolute heaven in winter! It has a delicate floral scent, the cream is a pretty pale lavender shade, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth without drying it out. The packaging looks modern and ritzy, but the tube needs some major refinement from a functional perspective - as the amount of product reduces, it get's harder and harder to extract anything from it. It kind of shrinks and shrivels with use (like a toothpaste tube), and the cap is so huge (and doesn't unscrew) so it's almost impossible to squeeze out the scrub that's left at the bottom  Another negative is that I found out (after purchase) that it's on the Microbead naughty list, so that means I will never buy it again unless it is reformulated - boo...

Nivea Daily Essentials Gentle Exfoliating Scrub (150ml, RRP $9.98)

Have had this on my shower shelf for almost 6 months and barely used it at all. Oh it's nice enough, does a terrific job of sloughing off the skin cells and ensuring my blackheads don't get the upper hand, but, well, I find it boring. Silly comment I know but hey, there are so many scrubs out there that don't bore me, so I asked myself why, and came up with "it's the fragrance". It's just kinda soapy and bland, and therefore there's nothing to grab me, or pull me in to look forward to using it over and over again. I was also concerned about the white exfoliating beads that don't dissolve, but I checked and it doesn't seem to have any of the "poly-xxx" ingredients that are so bad for the marine life. Anyways, if a body wash or hand cleanser has a mehhh scent, I add a few drops of fragrant oil to it, but I can't do that with a face scrub, so I bit the bullet and put it in the laundry for when I do gardening, and the dirt gets inside my gloves...

In summary, two winners out of four, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Do you use a scrub regularly? What's your favourite?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Scrubaholic (Part 5)...

Golly gee - I haven't done a Scrubaholic post for almost 2 years! Oh I'm still a Scrubaholic, but my exploration slowed down considerably for a while simply because I'd found some face scrubs I was absolutely crazy about, and consequently wasn't buying very many others to try. But loving variety (and blogging) as I do, I decided a fresh discovery of the market offerings was in order. Sooooooo......below is a pic of all the scrubs in my shower stall at the mo' - whoops!...

These four I've been using for many many moons, and am still madly in love with all of them...

For links to my reviews of these beauties, just click on the brand names: Dermalogica, St. Ives, Nude by Nature...

My recent acquisitions are in the piccie below, and today I'm reviewing four of them. A couple are "technically" cleansers, but as they exfoliate as well, I'm including them in my scrub category...

Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimiser (92ml, $10.99)

This is my second bottle, and sure won't be my last. I haven't seen much in the way of pore minimising as yet, but I love the charcoal content and the consistency, and it sure does give my face a deep clean without leaving it feeling tight or dry. Love the funky pump dispenser, and what comes out is creamy and black and foams up nicely while gently exfoliating away those pesky dead surface cells that can make my complexion look dull and tired, and it also keeps the dreaded blackheads from regaining control of my nose sector. Some of the other Bioré products in the range make my eyes water, but I'm delighted this one doesn't - I think it's the menthol-like fragrance that gives me trouble, but this one is only mildly scented. I've been going a bit charcoal-crazy of late, and so has Bioré, so we're well matched lol ♥...

Beechworth Honey Gentle Scrub (100ml, $19.95)

Only discovered their hand cream at Woolworths a few months ago - oh my gosh it's magnificent, the lemon myrtle fragrance and skin softening formula has secured its place on my bedside table forever, so of course I had to try the scrub too. Was a little sad it didn't have the same zesty lemony fragrance, but the eucalyptus scent is equally refreshing, and the whole formula smells so organic and natural, probably because it is ♥ While the scrub grains are fine and minute, they're quite firm (I think it's pumice) and they don't soften or dissolve, so I would rate it as a medium scrub rather than "gentle". I counted eight oils in the list of ingredients along with Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter - skin nutrients by the bucketload here. Love the whole concept of saving the honeybees too. They make several other ranges that include lavender, grapefruit & rosemary oils which I'm aching to try - I've only seen the macadamia one in the supermarket, but all the others are available from their website. No animal testing, and they also sell lip balms, candles, homewares, books and the most delicious sounding edible sweet treats and drinks, and of course...honey! ♥...

Lush Dark Angels Fresh Facial Cleanser (100g, $17.50)

One of my purchases at the Bloggers United AU Birthday party at Lush earlier this year. I can't imagine ever not buying this again! Love it to bits ♥ I use it at least once a week in the shower because it's thick and VERY VERY BLACK and makes one helluva a mess of my vanity. But hey I'm finding ANY charcoal product a challenge because of the cleanup required, but it's not stopping me getting into this magical ingredient big time. Dark Angels exfoliating cleanser smells like licorice and leaves my face softer than I thought was even possible at my age. The paste is very thick, and I scrape out enough to cover a 20 cent piece (the label recommends "pea" size, but that's too mean for me), I mix it with a little water and then massage it into my face and neck, and then rinse thoroughly (under finger nails needs attention too). I'm about half way through the container which has a use-by date of May, but it still smells so fantastic and works so brilliantly, so I'm not stressing ♥...

Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator (100ml, $14.99)

Have thoroughly enjoyed every essano product I've ever tried (currently blissing over their foaming cleanser) and this scrub is no exception. Very very gentle, has a delicate floral scent, aloe vera juice is the second listed ingredient, no sulphates or silicones, not tested on animals, and the microscopic granules are actual rosehips. It's really more of a facial polish than a scrub, and perfect for those days when I just want to whisk away the bare minimum, without any mess or fuss. No need to write much more because the label says it all - in short it's a gem ♥...

The other four scrubs will star in Part 6, which'll be up in the next few weeks ♥...

Have you used any of these facial scrubs? Do you have a favourite one that I should try?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - the party starts bright and early ♥...

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (part 20) - Dove...

For many reasons I'm so glad I attended the Bloggers United AU Event last November. One big one was being reminded just how skin-loving Dove Body Washes are ♥ I was a fan of their Go Fresh Nectarine variety years ago, but they stopped making that particular flavour (well I couldn't/can't find it any more), and I moved on to explore the offerings from other brands. But at the event, we were gifted with a bottle of both the Aqua Moisture and Triple Moisturising varieties, and I loved them so much, I went out and bought the Cucumber & Green Tea one so I'd have a trio of hydrating heavyweights to look after my skin now that the cooler weather has arrived ♥...

Dove Go Fresh Fresh Touch Body Wash - Cucumber & Green Tea Scent

What a lovely fragrance this has - there's a delightful freshness to it, and despite cucumber always conjuring up a "cooling" mental image, this blend with the Green Tea will work beautifully for me all year round.  Whatever this Nutrium stuff is, it works a treat on dry skin. I haven't been able to figure out why it is that as soon as the temperature starts dropping below 20 degrees celsius, my bod starts demanding extra hydration - I wondered if it's because I start wearing long sleeved tops and camisoles, and there's some sort of friction thing happening, but more likely the pores shrink a bit and therefore don't produce as much natural oil (wish they'd shrink on my face lol!). Whatever the reason it's a fact that I have to switch my products once we get past March, and this pastel green body cleanser delivers the right amount of enriching juice to keep my skin supple and soft ♥...

Dove Aqua Moisture Nourishing Body Wash 

Love this one too - an unidentifiable florally scent that's refreshing without being overpowering, and it's such a pretty pale pearly aqua colour. I much prefer a body wash to produce a soft lather rather than lots of soapy bubbles, and this Aqua Moisture is creamy, calming and soothing.  Incidentally, all of these containers are easily manageable with wet hands, and the flip top cap snaps shut without leaking - when the contents are down to about one third, I always up-end the bottle in the shower caddy for quicker dispensing (the liquid is very thick), and none of these have ever leaked ♥...

Dove Triple Moisturising Nourishing Body Wash

I my beauty book, this Triple Moisturising variety is the jewel in Dove's crown of body washes. The clean powdery fragrance is an absolute delight, and the formula is so incredibly lush that I don't need a body moisturiser after showering with this gem. What I find particularly interesting is that while my skin feels like satin, it doesn't leave the floor of the shower feeling slippery or slimy. The plan was to hang onto this until the really cold weather when I need that extra boost of nourishment, but after trying it once, there was no hope of it going back into the cupboard for later. It's also terrific for when I'm shaving my legs, after which I ALWAYS need to moisturise, but not with this body wash. Now that's a time-saver as well as a skin-saver. It's actually no wonder this luscious shower treat gets a 5-star rating on beautyheaven, and has won two Best in Beauty Awards ♥...

The recommended retail price of these 375ml bottles is $7.36, but they're often on special at supermarkets, chemists and Priceline, plus they're also available in the giant 1 litre size (with pump) for $12.99. There's also an exfoliating one in the range which I'm keen to try...

So delighted to have discovered these three - this might just be the first Winter where I don't experience my usual snakeskin crack and peel, especially on my legs. Thank you again Dove and Bloggers United AU ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (part 19)...

Well at last the weather is cooling down a tad here in Sydney, which means it's time for me to start thinking about switching my body washes to something a little less tangy, and a lot more moisturising. And to my delight, one of my favourite shower product makers, Original Source, have come up with some yummy new concoctions to take me through to Spring. I tend to go for milky formulas rather than gels at this time of year as they seem to be more hydrating, and these flavours are right up my fragrance fantasy alley ♥... 

Green Banana & Bamboo

To be honest I was expecting this to be my absolute fave of the bunch, but that's not quite how it turned out. I DO love this, but I was a wee bit disappointed as the banana scent isn't all that strong - well not as potent as I was hoping for. Perhaps it's because they're green bananas, which aren't anywhere near as sweet or flavoursome as fully ripened ones, or it could be the bamboo content (does anyone know what bamboo smells like?). Anyways, I'm sure this combo will have lots of fans because it's not at all lolly-like. It's actually quite lovely - very creamy and soft and subtle, and the formula is terrific because it does give my skin that little something extra. Not enough to skip the body lotion step, but enough to emerge from the shower with supple, delicately scented skin that doesn't feel parched or tight ♥...

Lime & Coconut

This one scored second place because it has the perfect balance of tangy lime and warming coconut - neither one overpowers the other. Nowhere near as bold as the straight lime in the regular range, this one is also soft and subtle, although I expect that once I turn up the hot water volume, it will have more oomph. I reckon the fellas will enjoy this one too - it's not as girly as the others. By the way, Original Source use all natural fragrances and moisturisers in their products, they're vegan, and don't test on animals. However most of the formulas contain SLS, so if that particular ingredient gives you grief, then they're best avoided as it's second on the list after water ♥...

Sweet Apple & Vanilla

This one was the biggest surprise as I'm not a huge vanilla fan, but combined with the apple, it makes for a delish dessert-style experience - it doesn't quite get to the apple pie stage, but it's both refreshing and comforting in a home-baked kinda way. Incidentally I reckon they're red apples rather than green ones as there's not even a hint of tartness. All of these shower milks lather into a creamy foam rather than bubbles, and none of the scents linger for long, so they won't compete with your perfume ♥...

In summary, I'm pretty keen on all of these, and if you like your fragrant bath products to chat quietly in the background rather than hollering, I highly recommend them. Actually I bought all three of them again yesterday morning as they're on special at Woolworths at the mo' for $2 - absolute bargain!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Hooking up with the always interesting Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - come say hello!...

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (Part 18)...

Been almost 6 months since my last body wash confession - the influx of new varieties has definitely slowed, mainly due to the fact that my shelves and cupboards just can't take any more! But as you can see in my Empties posts, I've been putting in a concerted effort to finish off quite a few, and that focus has rewarded me with some space for these four newbies...

Given that I've tried just about every supermarket brand and flavour that's currently available (well the ones I liked the smell of anyway), this time I extended my search to a couple of online sources - Sephora and DB Cosmetics. It's a bit weird for me to have body wash arrive via the postie, but the nearest Sephora store is two hours away, and I've never seen shower products on the DB stand at my local stockist. Well that's my excuse anyway ♥...

Original Source Mango Shower Cream...

For a long long time, my Coles just didn't stock this fabulous Original Source Mango, and then one day it appeared, and in the giant 500ml size, so I grabbed it in a flash. I've waxed lyrical about some of the other flavours in this range at various stages (HERE & HERE), but I've been lusting after this fruity delight for months (without smelling it) ever since I spotted it on their website, and it sure didn't disappoint. I adore both the taste and scent of mangos, and this is the real deal. Fresh and fabulous without being overly sweet, I look forward to every shower, but trying not to use it all the time as I never want to tire of it. The formula is creamy, bubbly and non-drying, although for gals with skin sensitivities, it does contain SLS. A bargain for around $7 ♥...

Sephora Hydrating & Energizing Shower Gel (with Goji Berry extract)...

Definitely one of my greatest discoveries! This was $19, but worth every penny (although it also contains SLS). The bottle says it's made in France, and while I can't actually pinpoint the main fragrance note, it sure lives up to its name. A combination of unidentifiable fruit, flowers, herbs and even a spice or two, this is one of the most invigorating shower gels I've ever had the pleasure to experience. Crisp and enlivening, my skin (and nose) just loves this formula - moisturising and bubbly fresh, it's the perfect antidote to hot and steamy weather, which has a tendency to make me feel a little lethargic. Definitely a wake-me-upper, and it's a sure bet I'll be buying it again ♥... 

Thankyou Botanical Geranium & Rosewood Body Wash...

My first body wash from this brand, and I'm suitably impressed. The fragrance is soft and feminine and predominantly rose - more the sort of scent I go for in cooler weather, but I'm enjoying it all the same because of the formula. Second listed ingredient is Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, and further down are Chamomile, Sweet Almond Oil, Geranium Oil, Rose Oil, Patchouli Oil, Lemon Oil and Rosewood Oil - crikey, that's a helluva lot of oil, and yet it's super cleansing! Of course all these delish ingredients means it's magically hydrating, and there's a very long list of what's NOT included, which natural product loving gals will appreciate, along with the fact it's not tested on animals. There's also quite a story behind this brand, and a heart warming philosophy which you can read about HERE. Very happy to support this company, and while I'm not so fussed on the scent of the other two varieties, I will most certainly be investigating more of their range. I already have their hand wash and hand cream to try ♥...

Designer Brands Pomegranate Body Wash...

For once I didn't save the best till last. This body wash is a bit wishy-washy, in both the fragrance and moisturising departments, but hey it was only $5.99. The scent is quite lovely, but once I'm in the shower, I can hardly smell it, so that means it's automatically crossed off my re-buy list. The ingredients include Pomegranate Extract, Coconut Oil, Vitamin C & Vitamin E (SLS too), but my skin didn't seem to register any obvious hydration benefits, although it doesn't make it feel dry. In its favour, the footprint is minimal so there's a tad more space in my caddy. In summary, just a bit ordinary and I'll probably use it up as a hand wash...

Hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas Day ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Joining in Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party ♥...

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (Part 17)...

Fancy an ultra-rich moisturising body wash that leaves your skin baby soft, and delicately fragranced with the aroma of freshly cut peaches? Well good old Palmolive has released one such gem in their range, just in time to counteract the dreaded winter skin flakies. I'm SO in love with this utterly delicious Body Butter Peach Indulgence Moisturising Body Wash, I've bought FOUR of them already! Well, one's for my Mum, but I wasn't going to risk stocks running low as more and more folks discover it's delights...

Despite no less than eight other loves on my shower shelf, this is the one I'm reaching for most often at the mo', especially on work days - it's so hydrating, I can skip my body moisturising step! The creamy formula is super thick, and lathers into a rich glossy foam that gets my bod clean, softens my skin, and yet doesn't make the tiles the least bit slippery...

I'm saddened that it contains SLS though - it means that those folks who are sensitive to this pesky ingredient will miss out on experiencing the pleasure of this bathroom belle. I can't imagine anyone having a problem with the fragrance though - it's so fresh and amazingly realistic, subtle and yet quite pervasive...

So far I've only found this shower treat at Coles, but not doubt it will be available in the usual stockists shortly. At $4.99, it's terrific value for 400ml of fabulously fruity body cleanser that actually puts some juice back into your skin. Just like the Passionfruit Bodypolish Exfoliating Body Wash in the same range, this is another can't-live-without ♥♥♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (Part 16) - Boutique by Grace Cole

Wow three months since my last post in this series! No, I'm not cured of my addiction, just been trying to use up my stash (to make room for more lol) and last month I did my seasonal swapover, which means that some that were almost finished have now been put away till Spring. But I sure haven't stopped looking, and I recently found these pretty-as Boutique Soothing Bath & Shower Gels by Grace Cole at Chemist Warehouse. They're a bit more upmarket than the other range I've tried from this UK company - there are eight varieties, although my CW only has five, but these two were the absolute standouts for me...

The packaging is elegant and classy - each bottle has either gold or silver trim, and a cute little tassel which I didn't want to remove because it's so pretty, but shower stall practicality prevailed. The bottles are sturdy and a generous 500ml for $5.99 (RRP). Almost impossible to photograph successfully though as the label on the back seems to show through at any angle - in short, a bloggers nightmare, but I've forgiven them because what's inside is so delish, and I'll get my revenge when I buy the handwashes, which also have this little adornment. For those with skin sensitivities, they do contain sodium laureth sulfate and benzyl alcohol, but on the plus side they are paraben free, and the company is against animal testing.

Wild Fig & Pink Cedar...with extracts of chamomile, honey & pink peony

This smells like red lollies to me, with a touch of tangy fruit - that's not a bad thing, it's actually absolutely delicious. A crisp, fresh fragrance for all year round, and especially if you want something zingy without being too intense. Literally makes my mouth water, and it's the most gorgeous pastel pink hue ♥ Contains chamomile & honey to soothe the skin - not the most moisturising shower gel on my shelf, but it's not drying either. All up I reckon it's great value for the price, and Chemist Warehouse has this range on special for $4.99 at the mo'...

Nectarine Blossom & Grapefruit...with extracts of Vitamin E, Honey & Mandarin

Of the two, this one has the edge for me - no lollies here, this is a delicate fruit and flower blend with a wee bit of zest. If it came in a perfume bottle, I'd buy it in a flash, that's how much I love the scent, and I'll certainly be buying the hand wash.. Fruit Extract is listed in the ingredients rather than specifically nectarine or grapefruit, but there's also a fair whack of mandarin orange, and that's what my nose picks up. Just plain lovely, and makes me feel super clean and refreshed - will repurchase for sure...

There's a heavenly looking lavender one in the range too, and I'll grab that next for those days when I need some serious de-stressing ♥

Take care of  you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (Part 15)...

Well it doesn't seem to matter how many body washes I buy and try, somehow there's always more to be discovered - fortunately! However I think these two may have taken me to the last of the Original Source range - there are others of course (I wish I could find the Mango one), and sadly not all varieties are available in Australia (like Liquorice Scrub, Cherry & Jojoba Oil or Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn) but the remaining fragrances I've found on my treks to various local supermarkets just don't grab me when I give them the sniff test. Still I'm absolutely delighted I kept widening my search area, because these two are beauties ♥...

You'll find my review of the other four I put to the test here - at the time I declared the Tropical Pineapple as my fave, but it's been well and truly surpassed by the fabulous Lime. If you're a fan of  this particularly zesty citrus fruit, then I have one recommendation - buy the big bottle! I've used about two thirds of the 250ml, but I've already bought the larger size as I'm powering through it, up to four times a week now that summer has finally settled down in Sydney. This zingy concoction is my go-to for the hot days we've been having more or less consistently of late. The uplifting scent is incredibly cooling and refreshing, and I'm delighted that it's all natural, enriched with essential oils, and not tested on animals. Even the colour of it makes me smile, and sets me in a happy mood to start the day ♥...

The Vanilla & Raspberry was recommended to me by a friend - she got me by saying it smelled like strawberry Freddos (thank you sweetie!). I was a little concerned about the vanilla content as it's not normally a fragrance I go for in the shower, mainly because similarly with chocolate or cocoa scented products, I often don't feel all that fresh and clean afterwards. Anyways I liked the smell when I flipped the lid in Woolies, so it launched itself into my trolley. All I can say is WOW - I wasn't expecting to fall in love, but I'm totally under its spell! Creamy and comforting (yes it does remind me of berry Freddos hon), but my take on it is more like one of those delicious fluffy fruit trifles that come in a huge parfait glass that you wish was never going to end. I hope I can find this in the giant size too as I'm almost out. While I'm loving it this season, I reckon this might become my numero uno in the cooler months when I stash away the lime one, and my preference is for something more warming. According to their website, there's a handwash in this flavour too, although I've not seen it anywhere - boo!...

Both these shower creams are non-drying, use 100% natural fragrances, and are such great value for around $5, even more so when they're on special  - incidentally, Coles have them at the mo' for $2 ♥♥♥ 

Here's hoping my review has made your mouth water ha ha. What's your favourite Original Source body wash scent?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (Part 14) - nspa...

I doubt I'm not alone in loving beaut body washes containing at least some natural ingredients, are not tested on animals, and that I can pick up for under $8 at the supermarket - nspa is one such brand, a UK company that sells exclusively (?) through ASDA stores, and yet I found these at Coles...

Available in a standard 500ml plastic container with a flip top lid, the formula contains no parabens, lathers well and I haven't found it to be at all drying on my skin. The "natural vitamins" are not identified anywhere on the label, but there's quite a few strange sounding ingredients listed on the back, and three of them translate as Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Vitamin A ...

Peach...

My personal fave, and starred in last month's empties - I mentioned it smelt exactly like freshly cut peaches, and it still amazes me how realistic the fragrance is. I know it says "real fruit goodness" on the label, but that doesn't always mean that the smell is spot on after all the processing, but in this case it is. Bellissimo. Truly this totally fools my brain into thinking it's the real deal, and my mouth actually starts to water whenever I sniff it! Nice thick consistency too so it won't slide off your loofah before you have a chance to lather up ♥...

Raspberry

Not quite so ecstatic about this one - smells more like raspberry cordial to me, although it isn't at all sickly or lolly sweet. Having said that I don't think I've actually stuck my nose into a punnet of raspberries (too busy eating them lol), so it may actually be close to the original. Gorgeous colour though, and I'll definitely finish it up because it's a nice fresh scent, just probably won't repurchase as there are lots of other shower fragrances that ring my bells a whole lot louder...

Coconut

Not a massive fan of this particular fragrance, but it's most definitely coconut - creamy and subtle, I'd prefer if it had a bit of something else mixed with it, like banana or mango, but that's just me. Still it's nice to have a change from my other flower and fruit varieties, and with any body wash that I'm not overly excited about, I can always use it as a hand wash. All these shower gels can be used as bubble baths as well - according to the blurb, they make masses of bubbles..

On their website there are 13 flavours in the range, and I can only hope that Coles decides to stock more varieties - personally I'd love to try the passionfruit and apple ones (pretty please?) ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Bodywashaholic (Part 13) - Original Source...

Well there's one sure thing that excites me, and that's when a brand expands their range, and I was delighted to see these Original Source fruity selections at my local supermarket. I'd tried a few of their shower gels years ago - enjoyed the formulas, their availability and price, but wasn't all that keen on the fragrance choices. There are quite a few more, but these are the ones that grabbed me once I flipped the lid ♥ They are all vegan and contain 100% natural fragrances...

Blackcurrant & Moringa Oil

This particular Skin Quench formula contains natural oil beads suspended in the gel, and they work their magic boosting the moisturising power - my skin feels so soft and smooth after my shower, and I find I don't need any additional body lotion. Not overly sudsy, smells EXACTLY like ripe and juicy blackcurrants, and it's the prettiest berry colour. Loving this one, but being the fragrance fanatic that I am, I wish the scent was a whole lot stronger...

Pink Grapefruit

One of my all time favourite shower fragrances, so I couldn't go past this particular variety. Again, not quite enough scented oomph for my over-the-top tastes, but it's all natural and has a lovely zing to it. Despite not containing any moisturising oil beads, it doesn't make my skin feel parched or dry, just deliciously cleansed and fruitified...

Tropical Pineapple

Oh yum - this is my pick of the bunch, absolutely delish and ultra-refreshing. Whoever had the inspiration to create a shower gel that smells exactly like freshly cut pineapple deserves a round of applause - both revitalising and mouth-watering, this will be my numero uno for steamy hot days when I need to cool off, freshen up and boost my energy levels...

Watermelon & Jojoba Oil

Another from the Skin Quench range, this has the most subtle fragrance of the four. Most definitely genuine cooling melon (more like Rockmelon to me though), and delightful, but I can only just smell it. This would be terrific for folks who are scent-sensitive, but it just doesn't cut the mustard with me. A pity because it would be awesome for the Sydney Summer season when things get steamy...

In summary I'm loving these four varieties, but I'd love them even more if the fragrance intensity was doubled ♥

What's your favourite Original Source shower gel flavour?

Take care of you,

kats xxx