REVIEW: Urban Rituelle Natural Hand & Body Wash and Purifying Face Scrub...

My love affair with Urban Rituelle products goes back, way back - at least 7 years in fact. A search on my blog reveals no less than 15 articles, and their fragrance diffusers and hand creams have made numerous appearances in my empties posts because they are exceptional - lovingly created, exquisitely presented, and the UR Team are constantly working towards developing products that are not only beneficial to our bodies (and souls) but also have the least impact on the environment ♥...

Recently they so kindly sent me six of the products from their new Natural Remedy range (there are 11 in total), which also includes face products - woo hoo! And I can assure you that each and every one of them is chock full of natural ingredients, an absolute pleasure to use, beautifully packaged, and all materials and ingredients used are chosen with sustainability as a priority - UR's philosophy is that their products not only have to work brilliantly, feel and look sensational, they also must be made with the greatest respect for our planet and its dwindling resources ♥...

I'll be reviewing all of the above in the coming weeks, but for now, I'll start with those categories that are most dear to my heart ♥...

Mandarin, Orange & Geranium Natural Hand & Body Wash (500ml, RRP $37.95)

I'll begin with the packaging which is a cream cardboard box made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper ♥ The list of ingredients is impressive to me as there is only one item (2nd last) that isn't either naturally derived or certified organic, and that's Dehydroacetic Acid, which Google explains is a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Everything else is either natural or, better still, organic - things like Kakadu Plum, Hibiscus Flower Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Argan Kernel Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil and Rosehip Fruit Oil. There are no sulphates, parabens, mineral oils, phthlates, synthetic colour or fragrance, and no PEGS or silicones. The dark brown bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, and the pump dispenser is the kind you pivot left or right to open and close ♥...

The golden liquid inside has an almost gel-like consistency, and it smells as if it were divinely inspired - predominantly geranium, but there is also a tinge of citrus, lavender and patchouli to steer it into the realm of family-friendly rather than girls-only. I'm besotted - it's the only hand and body wash that I've EVER moved from shower stall to vanity and back again just so I could experience it more than once in the same day! I definitely need another bottle lol. The suds are creamy and fragrant, and anyone with skin prone to dryness will be blissing-out just like me as this formula is so nourishing, calming and moisturising. There is a partnering Hand and Body Lotion in the range, but I'm not even sure I need it after this! LOVE ♥♥♥

Mandarin, Lime & Neroli Purifying Face Scrub (100ml, RRP $25.95)

Similar recycled cardboard box with UR's Earth-friendly mission statement(s) on one side, and equally fabulous (and comforting) ingredients information on the other two. 50% of the tube is made from post-consumer plastics, it's 100% recyclable, and has what I regard as the essential flip-top cap for easy dispensing, especially in the shower. Over half of the ingredients in this beauty are organic - Aloe Leaf Juice, Kakadu Plum, Gooseberry Fruit Powder, and there's also White Kaolin Clay and Hibiscus Flower Extract. The sloughing granules are small and firm, and there's no indication as to what they are made from but I'm guessing that the Ground Bamboo Stem may be involved here. The scent is very subtle, and I would call it more earthy or natural rather than citrus-inspired - but the Mandarin, Lime & Neroli essential oils are there, just not in predominance, so scent-sensitive folks are well catered for...

As for the results, my face feels amazing. I almost always use scrubs in the shower, but I've tried this over the basin, and unlike other brands in my kit, it's super easy to completely rinse off the fine granules. Incidentally, afterwards, I paused in my skincare routine as I was distracted by something else, and by the time I got back to the remaining steps, I was delighted to observe that my skin felt fabulous as is! No tightness, no feeling as if the surface had been stripped - just deeply cleansed, super-soft and supple skin, and I massaged the rest of my products into an ultra-smooth and healthily glowing surface. Needless to say I'M HOOKED ♥♥♥  

All Urban Rituelle products are Australian made, cruelty-free, and if you don't wish to order from their website or visit their Caringbah store, there are over 1000 stockists around the country, plus with every purchase I have made over the years, I have received a free soap - a different one each time (how do they know?) ♥...

Thank you Urban Rituelle for this beautiful gift, and I'm both excited & delighted to have the opportunity to review all of these stunning products in the weeks ahead. I'm so in love with what you create, and I hope your dreams filter out into the world ♥...

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Olay 5 in 1 Clean Vitamin C Scrubs

My commitment to a regular skincare routine didn't get off the ground until I was in my 50's, and while I wish I'd developed a passion for looking after my skin at a much earlier age, one thing I've always used regularly is a facial scrub. I started using them in my early 30's, but only once a week, and of course 30 years ago (gulp!) there wasn't the range there is today. These days I'm a scrubaholic, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't use one of a variety of scrubs in the shower every morning to encourage cell turnover, whisk away the dead bits, maintain a smooth complexion, and help keep my blackheads at bay. They range from what I would call "strong" (heavy-duty sloughing) all the way down to "gentle" (microfoliant) and I choose what I use each day depending on how my skin feels. Loving the Regenerist Anti-Aging Scrub as I do, I was excited to spot this new range of  Olay 5 in 1 Clean Vitamin C Scrubs at the supermarket, and even more excited when they were recently on special ♥...

All three are designed to brighten, deeply cleanse, gently exfoliate, remove excess oil and overall refresh the complexion, and I find they all work a treat for me. The ingredients are similar as is the exfoliation strength, but there are a few differences - it really just depends what particular flavour takes my fancy on the day...

Hydrating - Vitamin C + Caviar Lime

The Caviar Lime version smells particularly refreshing with its distinctively citrus tang - there's no lime actually listed in the ingredients, but there is grapefruit and bergamot extract. It's a smooth slightly tinted white cream/gel that's the perfect consistency for me - not too runny or too firm, and while the beads are quite fine, they sure do soften and smooth my face. Made of silica, they eventually dissolve as you massage them in. I've experienced zero irritation from this scrub - can't say I've noticed any hydration benefits, but it does a great job of prepping my skin for the remainder of my routine ♥...

Detoxifying - Vitamin C + Black Charcoal

This was the first one I bought - wasn't aware of the others in the range at the time, but being a charcoal nut, it was a done deal even if I had spotted the other two. Very similar consistency to the Caviar Lime one - the creamy liquid has a slightly greyish tinge, and I use this one when my skin feels a little more oily than usual, which is invariably when the weather is warmer. The fragrance is light and very pleasant, and I guess you could say it is reminiscent of charcoal. Also contains peppermint oil and menthol although my nose doesn't detect their presence ♥...

Pore Perfecting - Vitamin C + Dragon Fruit

As I often do, I've saved my fave for last. I have 15 other scrubs in my shower rack (see I told you I was a scrubaholic!), but this is the one I reach for most often. The exfoliating beads are finer than the other two in the set, and the fragrance is just so deliciously tropical, even though there are no fruit extracts listed in the ingredients, not even Dragon Fruit! Interestingly this is the only one of the three to contain SLS, but I've not had any adverse reaction - it's a fair way down in the list, so I imagine the quantity is minimal, but it might explain why this pinkish cream foams a little more than the others ♥...

Overall I'm loving these scrubs, and so does my face. The packaging is cheerful, the squeezy flip-top tubes make for easy dispensing with wet hands, and I'm always delighted when I can pick up skincare during my weekly grocery shop. While the RRP $18.99 price tag might seem a little hefty, like all Olay products, they seem to be on special regularly and I picked up two of these for $12.99, which is far more purse-friendly ♥...

Have you tried any of these scrubs yet - which is your favourite?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

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

Bloggiversary Giveaway - Sukin Skincare!...

At the risk of boring everyone with another Bloggiversary Giveaway, here's Number 3! I've been exploring the Sukin Australian Natural Skincare range lately, and am super impressed with what I've tried so far (cleanser, scrub, mask & hydrating mist toner). Their products are vegan, minus the usual bunch of yucky chemicals, they're cruelty-free, and all ingredients are naturally derived - they're also biodegradable and 100% carbon neutral! And so when I recently spotted the range on the supermarket shelves for a fraction of the price, I took the hint from the Universe that one of you gals might enjoy these products too ♥ There's pretty much a whole skincare set in this prize, just waiting for a face to nurture... 

Total prize value is around $100, and up for grabs is...

• Foaming Facial Cleanser (125ml)
• Hydrating Mist Toner (125ml)
• Super Greens Nutrient Rich Facial Moisturiser (125ml)
• Moisture Restoring Night Cream (120ml)
• Antioxidant Eye Serum (30ml)
• Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub (125ml)
• Anti-Pollution Facial Masque (100ml)

Because of the sheet weight of all these goodies, this giveaway is open 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
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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Tuesday 3rd October to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Faiza 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 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 ♥...

REVIEW: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - Best in Beauty 2015...

Crikey, it's beautyheaven Best In Beauty Awards time again! This time last year I was voting, and racking my brains over my entry in this awesome annual competition, and to my absolute delight, I was one of the lucky winners ♥ To be fair I won't be entering again this year, but I'll sure be letting beautyheaven know which ones are my faves from the list of nominations. I still have a stack of long overdue reviews of the fabulous products that came in my prize pack, so here goes with the amazing Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - this is a long forgotten love, and one I'm so grateful that bh reminded me of, plus it's been nominated again this year... 

I first discovered this ever so gentle skin smoother, soother and brightener back in 2013 - from memory I collected several freebie sample bottles from some magazine covers, and was 100% sold after the first use. It's a very fine rice-based powder that you mix with water into a creamy paste, gently massage into your skin for approximately 1 minute, and then rinse off...

Apart from Rice Bran, other ingredients include Green Tea, Gingko and Colloidal Oatmeal, along with Licorice Root, Allantoin and Papain. It's honestly the gentlest "scrub" I've ever had the pleasure to use - gentle enough to use every day, even on my ancient face...

Containing no artificial colours or fragrances, it has a kind of oatmealy scent, but it's very subtle. Just LOVE how my face feels after a dose of this magical powder - amazingly smooth and silky, and the overall texture looks more refined. Best of all there's not even a hint of pink when I step out of the shower, or any other visible sign of irritation ♥...

No wonder it won last year, and I'll put my money on it scoring another accolade this time around - I'll certainly be voting for it! Thank you again beautyheaven and Dermalogica for reminding me that I need this in my life on a permanent basis ♥

This is definitely my HG exfoliator - would love to know yours...

Did you enter the beautyheaven Best in Beauty Awards 2016 competition?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking this to the always brilliant Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥...

REVIEW: Clearasil Daily Clear Superfruits Refreshing Scrub...

I don't often receive products to trial, but this arrived in the post (my first parcel at my new address!), and I was absolutely delighted as I love this scrub, and had just squeezed out the last dollop from the tube I'd had for around 6 months - perfect timing! I did a mini-review of it last November, but it deserves a whole page to itself, so here we go...

I still can't get used to the fact that Clearasil products work so well on my mature skin - in fact if it wasn't for beautyheaven sending a sample of the brilliant Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Wash almost two years ago, I would have continued on thinking that the Clearasil range was wholly and solely for young troubled skin. But I'm always happy to have my opinion changed, especially when I find something that works so well, and this scrub is a honey ♥

When it comes to bathroom products, my preference is for fruit fragrances, and this Raspberry & Cranberry combination is refreshing and zingy without being overpowering. The pretty pale pink cream is not at all difficult to dispense, but has a very thick and rich consistency - I far prefer this to some scrubs that are more liquid as they have tendency to slip through my fingers, and that means waste..

You can see how firm it is in the above pic, and if you look closely you can also spot some teeny little deeper pink exfoliating grains. There are much finer ones too that aren't visible, but together with the Coconut and Salicylic acid, they do a beaut job of scaring away blackheads and sloughing off flaky skin cells, leaving a surface that silky smooth and ready for moisturiser and foundation...

When I first try a new scrub, I use it daily for at least a week to see how well it performs, and to find out if it's going to dry my skin at all - no such problem with this little darling. There's not even a hint of tightness, and I like the fact that my face feels super clean, but not stripped. The label actually says it can be used every day, both morning and night - at my age I reckon that's a wee bit excessive, but I'd say it's gentle enough to not cause any issues if  you are so inclined.

In my earlier review I said this was a keeper, and that's still the case. At $10.99 it's excellent value, and you can pick it up at most supermarkets ♥ If you're interested, there's a helpful skin care guide on the Clearasil website, and of course they also make a deep cleansing scrub for those folk dealing with pimples and breakouts.

Thank you Clearasil for sending me something that I know and love, precisely when I needed it ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Scrubaholic (Part 4)...

Although I found one polish at the end of last year that suits my skin beautifully (by Ego QV Face, and reviewed here), my addiction to scrubs (or rather the collecting and trying out of scrubs ha ha), shows no signs of abating. Despite shower space being a premium, I don't think I'm ever going to get over my passion for variety - using the same product every single day is just way too boring in my personal beauty book, so here's the next lot I've been putting through their paces ♥

St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub

St. Ives scrubs have been part of my kit for almost a decade - in fact I've just found a beautyheaven review of the Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot one I wrote back in 2008 (embarrassingly only three sentences, but you can tell I loved it). For value (around $10) and performance this range is hard to beat, and there's a good variety to choose from for various skin concerns. While I'm lucky to have very little facial redness, blackheads on my nose are forever looming on the horizon unless I keep a watchful eye on their formation. Using this twice a week though, I can keep them under control with (I believe) the Salicylic Acid content. The cream is such a pretty olive shade, and the green tea fragrance is light and refreshing. Just the right consistency, not too runny or too thick, the sloughing grains are super-fine and not even visible to the naked eye, yet its smoothing power is undeniable. The new packaging contains a nifty little "exfoliation meter" on the back of the pack (a bit like those bushfire hazard warning signs) indicating Gentle, Moderate or Deep, and this Green Tea Scrub is marked as Moderate. All St. Ives scrubs contain no parabens or sulfates, are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic...

St. Ives Smooth & Hydrated Oatmeal Scrub & Mask

My skin seems to love anything oatmealy in the skin care department, and this combination scrub and mask from St. Ives is a keeper. Loving the fact that it's a gentle scrub, plus I can leave it on till I finish the rest of my ablutions, and my complexion receives the benefits of a soothing and hydrating mask, all while I'm showering - now that's a dual purpose that's practical as well as being a marvellous time-saver. Honestly this really is moisturising, and yet it has enough oomph to remove any dry flakes. The cream is the colour of oatmeal with tiny brown beads - the consistency is more liquid than the green tea one, but not runny enough to be a problem with it dripping through my fingers. And the fragrance is worthy of a special mention - subtle yet fresh, it's a beautiful floral that I find incredibly calming. Actually I'd LOVE a body wash that smells like this, and with the same skin softening and moisturising formula - hint hint St. Ives ♥

Palmer's Coca Butter Formula Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub

This purchase was actually a revisit - I stopped using this scrub almost two years ago for a couple of reasons. 1) I'm not keen on the fragrance - yes I know the scent of Palmer's Cocoa Butter products has a MASSIVE following, but it just doesn't appeal to me, never has, and after repurchasing this truly terrific scrub, nothing has changed from my perfume point of view. 2) I found it extraordinarily difficult to squeeze the cream from the tube - it used to be such a thick consistency, and I struggled every time, especially with wet fingers. The good thing this time around is that the formula seems to have been re-worked, and it's now far more liquid than before - but actually I think it's almost too liquid and I waste quite a bit. Sigh - oh well you can't please everybody hey? Performance-wise though, this is a great scrub - I'd classify it as heavy duty, and as such I only use it once a week. It contains lots of goodies like Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Evening Primrose, and I do like the fact that the beads are actually cocoa beans, and not bits of plastic like some other brands... 

Nude by Nature Nude Face Scrub

As I often do, I've saved the best till last - this little gem is my current #1 fave ♥ It also happens to be the very first Nude by Nature product I've ever tried, which is puzzling as the brand has been around for years (and so have I) although I don't remember seeing it in the supermarket until fairly recently, which may be the explanation. I so rarely get to Priceline these days, and every time I go into Chemist Warehouse, I get sidetracked at the perfume counter (oops!), so Coles or Woolies tends to be the place where I shop for my skincare basics, and I'm super excited that I can now pick up some of this range when I do my weekly grocery purchase.

Firstly I love the packaging - sure it's the same flip-top tube as most other brands, but there's something about the colours and the simplicity of the labelling that really appeals to me. Of course it's what's inside that counts, and that's what has really won my heart. The cream has a consistency and appearance more like a moisturiser - it's quite thick and shiny, yet it spreads effortlessly. If I've read the label right, the exfoliating beads are made from coconut husks, jojoba and walnuts, which soften as you add water and gently massage it into your skin. The rest of the ingredients are just as natural - Kakadu Plum, Quandong, Desert Lime, Avocado, Rose Hip and Jojoba oils, and NO parabens, preservatives, sulfates, artificial fragrance or petrochemicals, PLUS it's not tested on animals. With all those goodies, and no baddies, it's no wonder it smells divine - like freshly squeezed lemons and limes. Leaves my skin feeling so incredibly soft and smooth, and my complexion looks and feels like I've had a facial. Love it so very much - at $17.95 it's quite a bit more expensive than others on my shelf, but SO worth the extra $$$ for both the delightful experience and the impressive results ♥ 

In case you missed them, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3...

Take care of you,

kats xxx