CONFESSIONS: of a Body Washaholic (Part 4)...

This is actually a double-confession - ermmm I went out and bought four more body washes, even though I'd only finished off one of my existing ones from Parts 1, 2 & 3. Gee wiz, I just couldn't help myself :-( At this stage this just HAS to be it for a while though because as you can imagine, there's simply NO room at the inn...

As a reminder, here's what was already bulging out of my shower caddys...

Ok now that I've fessed up, there's little point dwelling on past sins, so here's what tempted me...

Grace Cole Fruitworks Strawberry & Kiwi Shower Gel

Loving body washes as I do, I've been on a mission to find some new and interesting ones to add to my collection. Spotted this in Chemist Warehouse, and it had me at first sniff. I reckon it's a bargain for $4.99 and there's quite a few varieties in the range (along with other matching body products), but given the fact that my mouth waters at the first hint of strawberries and kiwi fruit, the other scent combos didn't really get a look-in this time around. It's made in England, paraben free, and I've not seen it for sale anywhere else. The clear berry coloured gel is quite runny so be careful when you pop the flip-top lid - I cup my flannel and squeeze a bit into the middle, then mash the edges together before slathering the fruity suds all over my bod. Non-drying and zingily refreshing, I'll be exploring the other yummy scents once I have some space lol (I'm almost certain there was a pink grapefruit one, so that'll be next...)

Radox Coconut Rush Body Wash

Oddly enough, in the past I've avoided coconut fragranced products - haven't a clue why, and actually after trying this beauty from Radox, I'm wondering what past experience could possibly have induced this silly scent-blockage, but whatever it is, I'm over it because I LOVE this stuff - the name alone makes me feel energised. The smell is very definitely coconut, but it's not overly sweet or cloying. The liquid is thick and pearly white, soap free, and according to the back of the big fat bottle, contains Sorbitol (third item listed in the ingredients) to moisturise, and that it does. Most definitely scoring a place on my "regulars' list, the 500ml bottle is available in supermarkets and pharmacies for just under $7, and there's also a giant 1 litre pump container for less than $10. A massive thank you to Gemma Sapphire for inspiring me get over my coconut phobia ♥

Lux Soft Touch Cherry Cream Body Wash

Oh now this is a pretty one - forget it fellas, this is a 100% girly fragrance, a blend of cherry blossom and baby powder ♥ You know I really should note down where I buy things as soon as I walk in the door - by the time I get around to reviewing, I'm struggling to remember the source, which is a pain when I want to find it again. Anyway my seniors brain is telling me The Reject Shop for around the $5 mark. A gorgeous pastel pink liquid that's thick and pearly, this body wash is said to contain Silk Protein Extract and Cherry Cream - well it sure makes my skin feel as smooth as silk, nicely hydrated, and the ultra-feminine fragrance lingers for a while without interfering with my perfume...

Palmer's Tropical Shea Butter Body Wash

If the smell of fruit salad and cream appeals to you, then I can highly recommend this body wash. It's the first Palmer's one I've tried, and like most of their products, the Shea Butter content delivers a rich boost of moisture with every squirt, without making my skin feel slippery or slimy. Can't see any fruit listed in the ingredients, but it does have a lovely tropical tang to it, and the consistency is nice and thick. Interestingly there's not one review of it on beautyheaven, but the Coconut flavour won a 2014 Glosscars. This 400ml bottle has only just appeared at my local Coles for $5.99, is sulfate & paraben free, and Palmer's are against animal testing....

Well I'm calling the Body Washaholic series a wrap for the time being, but you just KNOW I'll be doing a Part 5 in the not too distant future now don't you? Ha ha...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Body Washaholic (Part 3)...

I'm not going to say this is the LAST instalment in this series because I've already bought three more since I took this photo (oops!), but meanwhile, off we go with Part 3. (Here are the links if you missed Part 1 & Part 2.)

Radox Uplifting Shower Gel with Pink Grapefruit & Basil

I'm quite a serious grapefruit fan - it's a bit odd because I can't bear the taste of it (way too sour) but as a fragrance in a bathroom product, it's hard to beat in my book for it's refreshing and invigorating qualities (see rave review of pink grapefruit scrub here). I haven't been able to find the Palmolive version for a while, so I bought this Radox variety thinking it would be a reasonable substitute, and it didn't let me down. The addition of basil to the mix helps keep the sweetness tempered, and the formula is deliciously thick. Also non drying, this is the first Radox shower gel to really impress me, and I may give more of their range a try, so watch out for Part 4 lol...

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Bath & Shower Gel

Ah yes, my darling Body Shop Cherry Blossom :-) I've loved this range for many years after receiving several fabulous BS gift baskets for birthdays from my ever so thoughtful brother. The body butter is to die for (although I don't think they make it any more), and this companion body wash a delicate delight. In my bold and bright world, she reminds me to be subtle and romantic. A darling friend (Flaming Beauty) picked up a whole stack of these for me a while back when they were being cleared out to make way for some new packaging (in an even prettier bottle), but I don't know if the fragrance is the same or not - this is the last of my stash, so I'll report back once I've bought one of the new style. Both versions contain Community Trade honey from Ethiopia, are soap free, low sudsing and of course The Body Shop is against animal testing :-)

Palmolive Ayurituel Joyous Shower Gel with Indian Mulberry and Lotus Flower

When this new range first came out, I grabbed all three knowing I'd love every single one of them. The green Tranquility one is a herbal delight (my bh review of it is here), and the orange Energy one is zingy and refreshing (my bh review of it is here) - but out of the three, this wine-coloured Joyous variety is my favourite, and the one I keep repurchasing over and over again. Absolutely adore the colour and the fragrance is pure heaven - it's a sensuously sweet floral softened with a baby powderish edge that just smells like pure "woman" to me. Way more grown up than Cherry Blossom, I doubt you'll have a problem with the kids or hubby using this beauty if you have a communal shower. I find her undeniably exotic and alluring (even the bottle is femininely curvaceous) and an absolute steal for under $7. Highly recommended, my bh review is here, 

Palmolive Aroma Therapy Anti-Stress Shower Gel with Ylang Ylang & Iris

Being such a colour nut, how could I NOT have a purple body wash in my collection hey? I'm enjoying this gel, but not loving it. It's nice enough, but for me it's a wee bit too soapy and sweet, so I only use it every couple of weeks. I was in two minds when I bought it - notorious for sniffing anything and everything before I purchase, I hummed and haahhhed a good while before deciding that I wanted it for the colour more than anything else. The one listed on their website is in a slightly different shaped bottle, and it mentions lavender & patchouli along with the ylang ylang, so now I'm wondering if I've somehow scored a fake lol! Will try and find the "right" bottle and see if the fragrance is any different...

Take care of you,
kats xxx