FINISHED! January Edition

Hello lovelies,

if you are following me on Instagram or Twitter, you could have seen that I finally have a new camera (Canon EOS 600D) and so far I’m loving it. Of course, I’m still learning and experimentating (I’ve had it for only two days), but this post will feature the first pictures I’ve taken with it.

As I’ve been promising, January is finally the month where I have some substantial amounts of products to show. So let’s start.

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Zdravo dragi,

ukoliko me pratite na Instagramu ili Twitteru, mogle ste vidjeti da sam konačno nabavila novi fotoaparat (Canon EOS 600D) i za sad ga obožavam. Naravno, još učim i eksperimentiram (imam ga tek dva dana), ali u ovom postu možete vidjeti moje prve ekspermente.

Kao što sam i obećala, konačno sam uspijela potrošiti poštenu količinu proizvoda. Pa idemo redom:

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BODYCARE / NJEGA TIJELA:

YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde Fleur de Cotton and Ylang Ylang shower gel. The whole Yves Rocher is my favourite – cleansing and non-drying. As for the scent, I prefer Ylang Ylang. / YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde Fleur de Cotton and Ylang Ylang gelovi za tuširanje. Obožavam cijelu Yves Rocher liniju za tuširanje jer čiste, a ne isušuju kožu. Što se mirisa tiče, draži mi je Ylang Ylang.

AVEO Berry Nail Polish Remover. I’ve heard many raves about this product, but to me it is nothing special. It smells sickly sweet. I won’t repurchase it. / AVEO Berry odstranjivač laka za nokte. Ovaj su odstranjivač puno hvalili, ali ja sam ostala razočarana. Miriši umjetno slatko, što mi se ne sviđa. Sigurno ga neću opet kupiti.

SISLEY Soir de Lune Body Cream. An excellent body cream if you like the scent. / SISLEY Soir de Lune mirisna krema za tijelo. Ova je krema izvrsna ukoliko vam se sviđa miris parfema Soir de Lune.

ARTDECO Intensive Nail Treatment. I couldn’t have waited to get rid of it. It did nothing. / ARTDECO Intensive Nail Treatment. Nisam mogla dočekati da ga konačno potrošim jer od ovog proizvoda apsolutno nije bilo nikakve koristi.

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SKINCARE / NJEGA LICA:

SISLEY Lyslait and Floral Toning Lotion. I’ve reviewed them many times so I won’t anymore. / SISLEY Lyslait mlijeko za čišćenje lica i Floral Toning Lotion tonik. Toliko sam puta već recenzirala ove proizvode tako da više neću. Dovoljno je reći da su izvrsni.

SISLEY Moisturizer with Cucumber. A nice moisturizer if you have combination or oily skin. It is not good enough in winter. / SISLEY Moisturizer with Cucumber. Vrlo dobra hidratantna krema za miješanu ili masnu kožu. Doduše, zimi mi nije dovoljna.

L’OCCITANE Angelica Protective Lotion. A basic moisturizer. Nothing special. / L’OCCITANE Angelica Protective Lotion. Standardna hidratantna krema, ništa posebno.

SISLEY Sisleya Radiance Anti Aging Concentrate. It is one of my favourite serums – it makes my skin look more radiant and healthier. / SISLEY Sisleya Radiance Anti Ageing Concentrate. Jedan od meni najdražih seruma jer mi koža izgleda sjajnije i zdravije.

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MAKE-UP and FRAGRANCE / ŠMINKA i PARFEMI

YVES SAINT LAURENT Teint Parfait. It is my favourite primer/tinted moisturizer and it is a shame it has been discontinued. / YVES LAURENT Teint Parfait. Jedan od najboljih baza/toniranih kremi i šteta je da ga više ne proizvode.

GUERLAIN Rouge G in Gaela. A lovely, albeit a bit too cold pink. The lipstick was very pigmented, but not as moisturizing as I’d like. I probably won’t purchase more Rouges G because I prefer the formula of Rouge Automatique. / GUERLAIN Rouge G u nijansi Gaela. Vrlo lijepa iako malčice prehladna nijansa roze. Ruž je jako pigmentiran, ali ne baš hidratantan. Najvjerojatnije više neću kupovati Rouge G liniju jer preferiram teksturu Rogue Automatiquea.

NAOMI CAMPBELL Paradise Passion. This fragrance stinks awfully. I kind of hope that the sample has gone bad because I can’t believe that someone would actually launch something so stinky. / NAOMI CAMPBELL Paradise Passion. Ovaj parfem zbilja smrdi tako da se nadam da je uzorak bio pokvaren jer ne mogu vjerovati da bi netko pustio nešto tako smrdljivo u prodaju.

MOSCHINO Hippy Fizz. A cheap fruity horror. / MOSCHINO Hippy Fizz. Jeftin voćni užas.

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Well, that would be it. I’m planning to swatch many lipsticks, so stay tuned. Until you hear from me the next time, enjoy your weekend.

Love, Tamara

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Evo, to bi bilo to. Planiram poswatchati hrpu ruževa preko vikenda, tako da pratite blog. Uživajte u vikendu.

Voli vas Tamara

L’OCCITANE Bonne Mere Linden Soap Review

I can’t remember the last time I used L’Occitane soap, but recently I got another soap from Bonne Mere range so this was the chance to remind myself. Bonne Mere soaps contain 100 grams and retail for $7. They come in a variety of scents, my favourite so far being Milk and Rose soaps. This time I have Linden scented soap.

The quality of the soap is here – a little goes a long way and the soap doesn’t melt too easily. Unlike the rose soap (which has a particles of rose inside, so it can be too harsh on the skin), Linden soap is actually pretty gentle on the skin. While I can’t say that it is moisturizing, it doesn’t dry my skin out. However, I still prefer shower gels.

As for the scent, at first it is really strong and nothing like a linden blossom (I should know since a linden tree grew next to my house). My first association was patchouli and Lush store. Later, as the scent weakens in intensity, I could smell a creamy linden, but the smell doesn’t stay on the skin for too long.

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Ne mogu se sjetiti kada sam zadnji put koristila L’Occitane sapun, ali budući da sam nedavno kupila jedan, to je bila prilika da se podsjetim. Bonne Mere sapuni sadrže 100 grama i koštaju 27 kuna. Dolaze u raznim mirisima od kojih su mi za sad najdraži ruža i mlijeko. Doduše, ovaj sam put kupila sapun s mirisom lipe.

Kvaliteta je tu – sapun se sporo troši i ne topi se prelako. Za razliku od sapuna s mirisom ruže koji je grublji (zbog komadića ruže), sapun s lipom je jako nježan na koži. Na žalost ne mogu reći da je hidratantan, ali niti dodatno ne isušuje kožu. Opet, još uvijek preferiram gelove za tuširanje.

Što se mirisa tiče, ovaj mi sapun isprve nije mirisao niti približno poput lipina cvijeta. Zapravo miris me je jako podsjetio na pačuli i miris Lushevog dućana. Kasnije, kako miris slabi, počinje se osjećati kremasti miris lipe, ali miris ne ostaje na koži dugo.

ORIFLAME Intense Hand Protection Concentrate Review

At work, I very often come in contact with the substances which dry out hands. Currently, a hand cream is something that I can’t live without. After spending Eucerin hand cream, which was very good, I wanted to find a cheaper solution and I’ve found it in Oriflame Intense Hand Protection Concentrate. It is not as cheap as I have hoped for – I got it on the sale for $4 for 50ml tube (Eucerin costs around $10 for 75ml).

The cream is very thick, but it spreads easily. However, it won’t sink immediately – it will take at least 5 to 10 minutes for it to sink in completely. This makes the cream not so work-friendly, as in this case you need something that will sink in quickly.

As for its effectiveness, it is very good – I usually apply a two pea-sized amount and it moisturizes pretty well (especially if I apply it in a thicker layer and use it over night). It works well for the cuticles, too.

The cream has a light, inoffensive scent, which needs some time to disappear completely.

All in all, a nice option, although I’d prefer if it would sink in more quickly.

YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde Indian Cotton Flower Review and Ingredients

Hello, dear readers.

I’m a huge fan of Yves Rocher shower gels, so when I visited their store, I had to update my collection. This time I’ll review Indian Cotton Flower shower cream. The cream has 200ml and retails for around $3.

The consistency of the cream is pretty liquid, but even a small amount foams up pretty well. While both the gel and the cream formulas from Jardins du Monde collection are moisturizing enough, I think that the cream offers a tiny bit more of moisture.

As for the scent, it is very mild, slightly floral. However, I have no idea whether this is the true scent of the cotton flower or not. I do have a branch with cotton flowers as a decoration, but it is scentless.

The only objection I have to these gels concerns the packaging – the flip top can be pretty difficult to open.

If you’re into long-lasting scents, this gel won’t be the best choice. On the other hand, if you are sensitive to scents, you might want to give it a chance.

As for me, I like it, but my favourites from the line so far are Tiare and Ylang Ylang.

EVELINE Slim Extreme 3D Anti Cellulite Peeling Massage Shower Gel Review and Ingredients

Eveline is one of my favourite budget friendly companies, especially when it comes to body care, although they make make-up and skincare, too.

Slim Extreme 3D Anti Cellulite Peeling Massage Shower Gel is one of my favourite body exfoliator (others being L’Oreal Exfotonic which is discontinued and Sisley Foaming Exfoliant which is expensive).

Eveline Peeling Gel comes in a 200 ml flip top opening tube and retails for around $5. This is both the shower gel and exfoliator in one. It also claims that it helps to reduce cellulite in combination with Eveline anticellulite creams, but I haven’t tried it that way, so I cannot comment the claims.

The exfoliating beads are tiny, but there could be more of them – for my skin that amount of beads works if I use it daily. However, if I only use it from time to time, it is not strong enough.

A bonus is that it can be used as a 2 in 1 (especially if you don’t have sensitive skin) which makes it the perfect product for travelling.

As a shower gel, it foams up and it cleanses well. It has a slightly minty scent.

I like it, but I’m not sure I love it. However, for the price, it is still my favourite choice.

FINISHED! October Edition

This October was really productive. The stars have aligned and I have managed to spend several make-up full sizes, including a mascara. I’m really happy for it because I got a bunch of skincare this month too, so this balances it out. I’m also waiting an Oriflame order, so this will mean a bunch of new stuff, too.

As I have mentioned several times, this year I’m planning on getting a decent camera around Christmas. I’m currently taking photos with a 12 year old digital camera and I really need an upgrade. I really hope that I’d be able to get a decent DSLR for under $1000.

I’m also saving to get the driver’s licence in spring. As far as I know, getting the licence in Croatia costs around $1500 (if you don’t fail). I had no need for it because there is a good system of public transportation where I live, plus I hate driving, but many jobs require having a licence, so I think it is a high time I get one as soon as possible.

These are the reasons why I probably won’t buy much in December – I’m considering getting either Chanel or Guerlain holiday eyeshadow quad, maybe Guerlain Liu palette and some MAC product if I go to Vienna or Budapest (where the closest stores are).

But, no more talking about purchases – let’s see the items I’m saying „Goodbye“ to.

MAKEUP:

Oriflame Wonder Lash Intense Mascara. This is a nice mascara that separates the lashes well, but doesn’t do much for the volume. I won’t repurchase it.

Oriflame Visions Fresh Face Foundation in Lindsay and Lucy (sample). This foundation was discontinued a long time ago, but I have found the samples and I couldn’t resist to try it. It smells awkward. The coverage is medium, but the foundation is not longwearing. It blends nicely into the skin.

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Santal. Well, it was about time to say „Goodbye“ to Rouge Allure Laque. This lipstick is very pigmented – only one thin coat is enough for a complete opacity. Santal is my perfect nude shade.

Sisley Instant Perfect Primer (sample). A lovely primer. I already have the full-size.

Oriflame Studio Artist Foundation. For the price, this was a very good foundation. The coverage is light to medium and it gives a healthy skin glow effect.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Baby in Rosy Nude. One of the best tinted lip balms ever. A shame that they are discontiuned.

Benefit High Beam (GWP). At first I admit that I wasn’t a fan of High Beam, but when I started using it more intensely, I liked it a lot. Since Benefit is no longer available in Croatia, I’ll have to find something similar.

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SKINCARE:

Sisley Eye Contour Mask (sample). An excelent mask – a saviour for the dehydrated eye-area.

Sisley Soapless Facial Cleansing Bar. It took me almost a year and a half to spend one bar, by using it once per day, plus once per week as a brush cleanser. I love it – it cleanses skin (although it doens’t remove make-up) without drying it out.  I’m already using a back-up.

Decleor Aroma Solutions Nutri Smooth Lipstick. A nice lip balm, but I think I’m ready for a change.

Sisley Floral Toning Lotion (GWP). Excellent toner.

Bioderma Sensibio Eye Cream. A very nice starter eye cream, but I feel that I need more moisture than Bioderma offers.

Sisley Lyslait (GWP). Excellent cleanser.

Sisley Tropical Resins Complex (sample). A nice mattifying moisturizer – leaves me matte without being too drying on my skin during summer. In fall, it becomes slightly too drying.

Sisley Hydraglobal (sample). A nice summer moisturizer. It is not moisturizing enough for drier skin types.

Sisley Global Perfect Pore Minimizer (sample). Works good as a primer underneath the make-up, but it is nothing special on its own.

Declaré Hydro-energy Cream. A nice moisturizer. Possible repurchase.

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 BODYCARE, HAIR, FRAGRANCE:

 

Oriflame Perfect Body Anti-Cellulite Scrub. The worst scrub ever. This, in fact, is a salt mixed with mineral oil and some fragrance. Whenever I’d use it, my skin would be irritated by the salt and the bath-tub would be completely greasy. I’m really not in the mood for scrubing the bath-tub every time I use it.

Moschino I Love Love EdT (sample). Unremarkable.

Yves Rocher Jardins du Monde Fleur de Tiare Shower Gel. A nice, moisturizing shower gel.

Nivea Long Repair Shampoo (GWP). A decent shampoo but I probably won’t repurchase.

I’ve also thrown out three nail polishes: Catrice limited edition in En Vogue, Carla Cosmetics and Rimmel Grape Sorbet. Catrice is a horribly thick and quickly chipping mess, Carla Cosmetics is super sheer and gritty and Rimmel is dried out.

What products have you spent recently? Please share in the comments.

Thank you for reading.

P.S. My 500th post

YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde Ylang Ylang des Comores Shower Gel Review and Ingredients

Yves Rocher Jardins du Monde Ylang Ylang is the third in the Jardins du Monde shower gels that I have tried and, when it comes to scent, it is my favourite.

Jardins du Monde shower gels come in a 200 ml bottle and retail for around $3. The only issue I have, when it comes to these shower gels, is that the flip tom can be hard to open and I often break my nail trying to open it.

Everything else about this shower gel is fabulous – the scent is nice – fruity floral. I don’t have much experience with ylang ylang, so I’m not sure how similar it is to the real flower, but I really like it as it is.

The scent doesn’t linger for too long on my skin. This works fine for me, since I doubt I could fall asleep if the scent were too long-lasting.

The gel foams up well and cleans my skin nicely, without being drying.

I am really happy with these shower gels and I can’t wait to try other scents.

YVES ROCHER Malaysian Coconut Silky Body Lotion Review and Ingredients

I hate body lotions. In my life, I have found only 4 I can tolerate on my skin: Sisley Crème Reparatrice Corps, L’Occitane Hand and Body Lotion, L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Cream, and finally Yves Rocher Les Plaisirs Nature body lotion.

From Les Plaisirs Nature Collection, so far I have tested Malaysian Coconut body lotion, but I’m planning on getting other scents, too.

Malaysian coconut retails for around $8 for 400ml. It comes in a bottle without the pump, but the pump can be bough separately.

The lotion is very light-weight, but moisturizing. My skin is not too dry, so this works fine for me. It doesn’t sink as quickly as I would like, but I don’t mind waiting for a minute.

The coconut scent reminds me of beach and summer. The scent starts strong, but it weakens quickly. The next morning, I can’t feel it on the skin.

Overall, this is a good light lotion which I like very much (especially for the price).

FINISHED! September Edition

September was a really slow month when it comes to the products I have spent. I also have to brag myself a bit and say that, with the exception of Essie nail polish (shade Recessionista) I haven’t bough any single product, be it make-up or skincare, since August 10th. That’s almost two months of an unintentional no-buy. It wasn’t so hard – I simply didn’t think about it at all.

Anyway, I’m planning on having a huge shopping spree – I need some Vitamin C serums, glycolic acid peel and something with Retinol. I’m kind of low with the body-care products, too, and I’m planning to raid Yves Rocher store.

Also, Sisley has launched new blushes in the trashiest packaging possible (the plastic cover with zebra pattern) but I’m in love with the coral shade.

Next, I’m gathering the courage to get my hair cut – I haven’t been at the hairdresser for over two years (because of the very traumatic experience) and my hair is in horrible condition. I’ll have to cut off at least 10 to 15 centimeters and I just need to find a reliable salon. This also means that I’ll have to get some hair-care products.

EUCERIN pH5 Hand Cream

I’ve given up on L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream because of its packaging (aluminium tube on which I have managed to cut myself several times), so the replacement was needed.

Eucerin always has the promo where if you spend 720 kunas (around $130), you get a free product. My mother uses Eucerin moisturizers and she was missing 50 kunas to the required amount for a free product, so I’ve put the hand cream into the cart.

The cream comes in a 75ml plastic tube with a flip top opening. It retails for around $10. It has a pleasant, mild scent which disappears quickly upon application.

The consistency feels like a mousse – it looks thick, but when you spread it, it goes easily and it is very lightweight. It sinks in immediately, without leaving a greasy layer on the skin, which is a bonus, in my opinion.

The cream leaves the skin on your hand moisturized for a long time. It immediately fixes the skin dried out from hand-washing dishes.

Even though it is far from cheap, in my opinion this cream is worth every penny.

SISLEY Soir de Lune Perfumed Bath and Shower Gel Review

 

I got an 8 ml sample of this shower gel with one GWP. The full size comes in a 200ml bottle and retails for $87.

The shower gel is a part of Soir de Lune fragrance line, out of which I have only used Soir de Lune perfumed body cream.

8 ml was enough for 3 uses – it would last more, but I thought that this was a body cream (they have the same packaging and I didn’t read what it says on, so I’ve thrown away more than half of it).

The shower gel is a transparent gel with a yellowish tint. It doesn’t foam up much – in that it reminds me more of shower creams like L’Occitane Shea Butter Shower cream; but it cleanses skin well.

It is not drying, but I wouldn’t call it moisturizing after. After using it, I still felt like I could do with a bit of moisture (for example, after using Yves Rocher shower gels, I don’t need to use a body lotion).

As for the scent, it is the same as the scent of Soir dew Lune fragrance – a white floral chypre (I’m not the fan of the scent). The scent of the shower gel will linger on the skin for some time, more than with ordinary shower gels – up to 4 hours. Of course, the scent will be very mild.

If you are a fan of Soir de Lune range, both shower gel and body cream are high-quality product and will nicely complement the fragrance. However, I’m still not quite used to the scent – it’s quite sharp and I’m fonder of sweet, gourmand scents.

YVES ROCHER Monoi de Tahiti Oil Review

 

Mine dose of Tiare scent for this summer

As a total fan of Tahitian gardenia scent, I couldn’t resist it.

Yves Rocher Monoi de Tahiti scented dry oil comes in a 125ml bottle with a spray pump. It retails for around $11.

It sinks quickly and leaves my skin lightly perfumed and moisturized. If you have drier skin, it will not be enough, but for my skin, the level of moisture is just fine.

The scent is not quite the Tiare I like – it is way too sweet and lacks floral dimension. Unfortunately, on my skin the scent doesn’t linger for too long – maximum of four hours. Take into account that I might be a bit spoiled by Montale, which is impossible to wash off, but Monoi de Tahiti is a bit too mild for me.

Here are the ingredients:

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA Sapone a Base di Latte Gelsomino Review

I haven’t had much luck in using soaps instead of shower gels since my skin would always end up severely dry.

I got Santa Maria Novella as a gift when I purchased some fragrance, so I don’t know the price, but I think it is around $8 for 100gram bar of soap.

The smell is kind of old-fashioned, slightly spicy but I grew to like it. It lingers on the skin for an hour or two.

Out of all the soaps I have tried, this one is the best. However, it doesn’t mean that it is perfect. My skin still feels slightly tight after washing with it, even though the dryness of my skin is much less pronounced than when I use other soaps. Still, this was enough for me to use it only as a hand soap. As a hand soap, it is very good. It cleanses the hands well without drying them up. The soap lasts for a very long time – I was afraid that it will be gone quickly, but even after a month of every-day use (several times per day), the soap looks almost new – only the bas-relief is not as sharp as it was.

When I find out the exact price, I will consider switching to these soaps instead of using L’Occitane.

FINISHED! July Edition

First, I’d like to thank all the readers who are reading and following my blog. i have to admit that I’ve been so busy and yesterday I have realized that the second year of blogging has finished.

I would like to thank you for your support

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I’ve been looking back on my older posts and it is funny how one changes oneself through the period of time.

Reviewing some of not-so-widely known brands was one of reasons for which I have started blogging, and while this still remains true, some of my attitude towards blogging has changed.

I remember how much stuff I have accumulated during my first year as a beauty blogger. I would often find myself in the store purchasing something thinking „I really don’t need it, but I would like to review it on my blog“ and ending up with the product which wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t something I really needed.

As the time flies, I realize that I have changed my attitude towards make-up and cosmetics in general. Today, I have a much clearer perception of what I want and need and what I do not. I’m more focused on purchasing essentials and products that will work for me, rather than purchasing something that has a gorgeous packaging (although I may cave in from time to time).

It seems that I less and less willing to settle for the second best. However, the quest for THE product lasta a long time. I’ve been hunting THE blush for a year and I have yet to narrow the choice down (this is what lists are for). Luckily, this means that I have enough time to finish with the products I already have.

YVES ROCHER Jardins du Monde African Cocoa Bean (Feve de Cacao d’Afrique) Shower Cream Review

When I have discovered Yves Rocher, my crazines for L’Occitane subsided. oday I’ll review the shower cream I’m currently using.

Yves Rocher Jardins du Monde shower gels and creams come in a large range of scents. The bottle contains 200ml and retails for around $2,5.

African Cocoa Bean is a thick shower cream – the consistency reminds me a bit of L’Ocitane Shea Butter Shower Cream. The main difference is that I get more foam with Yves Rocehr than with L’Occitane.

The scent is a true bitter cocoa powder with a milky undertone. It smells like a dark chocolate and if you were hoping for a sweet smell, this one might disappoint.

The scent doesn’t linger on the skin for too long – it smells when I shower, but when I’m finished with putting my clothes on, the scent is almost gone.

What I like the most about not only this scent, but the whole Jardins du Monde range is that they wash the skin without drying it out. I could easily go without putting a body lotion after and my skin wouldn’t feel tight.

The shower gel is multi-functional – you can use it to prepare the skin for shaving instead of the shaving foam.

The only thing that I don’t like about it is the packaging. Sometimes I have the problem opening up the cap, especially when I try to do it with wet hands. This has resulted with several broken nails. I’m considering transfering the gel into more use-friendly packaging.

In spite of this, I would recomend the whole Jardins du Monde range.

SISLEY Energizing Foaming Exfoliant Review

Sisley Energizing Foaming Exfoliator comes in a 150 ml plastic tube and retails for around $120.

I have tested the sample – it was enough for 4 uses on the legs and decollete.

In general I hate exfoliators because they are either too oily or have too harsh partickes (all the natural ones which for example use crushed almond peel as exfoliating particles or they put too much oil). I have found some good that I repurchase, but in general I avoid the exfoliation.

The consistency is a bit runny – I’d prefer it to be thicker. The exfoliating beads are medium sizeb. They are not too harsh, but they do a pretty good job of exfoliating. I would like if there were more beads.  The exfoliator really foams up when you massage it inot the skin – additional bonus, so you can use it instead of the shower gel.

After using it, the skin comes out clean and soft. It removes the dead cells well, without drying out the skin.It doesn’t irritate the skin and it helps with ingrown hairs.

The scent is really refreshing – lavender. However, it doesn’t linger for too long.

I really like it but while I currently can justify spenfing $120 on a moisturizer, I cannot spend $120 on something that will go down the drain, especially when there are some pretty good exfoliators at a considerably cheaper price (like L’Oreal Exfotonig, although I haven’t seen this one in the stores for a very long time ; and Eveline Anti-Cellulite exfoliator).

INGREDIENTS:

FINISHED! June Edition

The last month has been really productive. I’ve sorted out all of the products which are close to finishing and I’ve been almost exclusively using them for the last month. Some products still aren’t finished, but many are.

L’OCCITANE Shea Butter Body Cream Review

Yesterday, I have reviewed Shea Butter Hand & Body Lotion and today it is the time for Shea Butter Body Cream. Unlike the lotion, the body cream has 25% of shea butter.

I still haven’t purchased the full size (250ml jar for approximately $50), but I have used for over ten 8ml samples and I have to say that this is one of the best body moisturizer ever. It is even better than Sisley Creme Reparatrice Corps, for a three times less money.

The cream is thick, so you’ll have to use more, but it sinks quickly into the skin and you can immediately put your clothes on. 8ml lasted me enough to apply it twice or thrice on the legs, arms and decollete.

The scent is very light, creamy, just like the scent of the rest of the Shea Butter line.

As I have said before, it is very moisturizing and repairing. However, for its thicker consistency, I’ll use it during colder months because centra heating does such a wreckage on my skin and I don’t think that hand and body lotion I use now will be up to that challenge.

L’OCCITANTE Shea Butter Hand and Body Lotion Review

You may have noticed before that I absolutely hate body lotions. The skin on my legs is completely dried out, yet I haven’t use any lotion as they are too sticky and non absorbing. I can tolerate Sisley Creme Reparatrice for Body, but I’m still not willing to shell out over $150 for something that will be gone in a month, no matter how good it is.

I’ve been testing samples of L’Occitane Shea Butter Body cream (I’ll review it soon) which is good, but I’ll go through it very quickly and I’d like a cheaper alternative. As I was browsing Shea Butter line in L’Occitane store, I saw Shea Butter Body Milk and Shea Butter Hand and Body Lotion. I have picked Hand and Body Lotion, since it had 300 ml of the product in a pump bottle for approximately $30. However, you have to take into account that this lotion has the lowest percentage of shea butter.

I love it very much. I use approximately two pumps, which is enough for my legs (and I have very long and wide legs), although I use thicker layer on the lower part of the legs, since this is where the skin is very dry.

The lotion is very thin and runny, so a little goes a long way. You can see on the picture that I haven’t spent too much of the lotion – I’ve been using it once per day for a month.

The lotion sinks quickly and I can immediately put on clothes. The lotion has a pleasant, creamy scent which doesn’t stick on the skin for long.

I have noticed a huge improvment in how my skin looks – before using this lotion the skin was so dry that it looked scaly. After, there is no visible dryness.

The name says that the lotion can be used on hands, but I prefer to use it as a body lotion. The pump allows you to use lower dosages, just don’t press the pump completely. Since the lotion is runny, you won’t need much, but it also won’t help much. I can think of it as a quick fix when you need a bit of moisture, but you don’t have the time for a richer cream to sink in.

L’OCCITANE Amond Soap Review

I’ve heard many raves about L’Occitane Almond soap, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.

The presentation is wonderful – the soap looks (and smells) just like its name says: delicious. My skin, however, doesn’t think so.

The soap contains ground almonds. Although the almond particles are tiny, they are very harsh on the skin. The almond particles are harsh enough to exfoliate, but there isn’t enough of them to exfoliate properly. In the end, I end up with scratched and irritated skin.

Another thing to note is that the soap is very drying. After using it, my skin feels very tight and uncomfortable.

Since it didn’t work for the body, I decided to use it as a hand soap and it is more drying that the other L’Occitane soaps I have tried.