This is available at HQhair and Boots!

FAT. Along with all the other obvious (and worse) swear words that you normally hear in the school yard the word ‘Fat’ can stop you in your tracks. You don’t care if someone calls your mum a drunk or if someone accuses your dad of being a dole scrounger,but if someone calls you fat you run for the hills and swear you’ll only eat 3 grapes tomorrow instead of your usual 6. In previous centuries being well rounded was a sign of wealth. I was born in the wrong century! With all this in mind I was quite intrigued by Bliss’ name for their latest body scrub which is soo un PC for 2009. The jar tells me I can scrub away my visible ‘blub’. Having been extremely happy with my Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub I hoped this would follow suit.

This product is quite different. The smell reminds me of  toothpaste which I wasn’t keen on. The scrub itself, which contains 60% Himalayan Pink Salt has a sticky tacky texture. I was expecting it to glide on but it is quite concentrated. You also need to stir it up as the oil pools at the top. The scrubbing action is okay but I felt something was amiss. I decided to try my Fat Girl scrub again on my blubby left leg and the Blood Orange Scrub on my blubby right leg to compare.  Both legs looked well scrubbed when everything finally rinsed off but I preferred the feeling and texture of the Blood Orange Scrub to the Fat Girl scrub.  I personally think I can get the same results from the Blood Orange scrub. I would say this is a moderate scrub due to the oil content prevented me from getting a more vigorous pelting.

This product is a further extension to the Bliss war on cellulite range which includes Fat Girl Slim and Fat Girl Sleep.

Benefits

• Helps reduce stagnant fluids that contribute to cellulite
• Cooling sensation lasts afterwards
• Paraben Free

Drawbacks

• Oily texture
• Tub is smaller than other Bliss scrub products

Verdict

Packaging too pink, don’t like the texture or smell. Not one of my faves. I would also hide this in the bathroom cabinet from any snooping frenemies or dates. It’s the 2009 equivalent of someone finding your girdle and support hose!

Contains:

Pink Himalayan Salts, Red Algae, Grapefruit Extract

Country of Origin

USA

Cowshed is available at Lookfantastic!

Anyone who has had the pleasure of my company first thing in morning could tell you what a charming vibrant person I am upon rising to a new day. Yeah right. The A.M. and I have been mortal enemies since day one. Whilst others jump out of bed to greet the new day I, in fact ooze out of bed. Elderly Sloths move faster than I do. I need all the help I can get!

Cowshed, I am happy to say is made here in the UK. This is important to me as I’m happy to pay for good quality products especially if they are made right here at home. Using pure essential oils is the main focus for the fab folks at Cowshed.  As you can imagine I chose the ‘Grumpy Cow’ range as I thought that described me best. The bottles at 300ml are quite generous which I’m all in favour of. They will also look good in your bathroom. The packaging has a cool country grown-up quality to it with a very clever use of black and white patterns for each of their products.

Shower Gel

The bath and shower gel is quite thick so you don’t need much to get a good lather. If you look at the ingredients on the bottle extract of Grapefruit is the second ingredient listed on the bottle which means it has a very high concentration of said essential oil. Take note! As Martha Stewart (American Lifestyle Guru) would say ‘It’s a good thing’. There is a lovely aroma of citrus fruits that give this shower gel it’s ‘uplifting’ element. My only complaint is that I wish the scent would have lasted longer only because it is so nice.  I know this is not possible as any scent that lingered would be synthetic. My skin felt clean and refreshed so it is perfect for first thing in the morning.

Body Lotion

The texture of the body lotion is likened more to a body butter. As it is so thick I would recommend that you put this on straight out of the shower and wait for it to sink in or you may feel too slick to put on your clothes. The scent lingers longer with the body lotion and my skin felt smooth and protected the rest of the day. I would say with daily use there will be noticeable improvement in your skin’s texture and it will feel more purified and protected.

Take note for mums or would be mums

It is recommended by Cowshed that you seek advice regarding Essential oils if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The label also clearly marks which ingredients could be allergens.

I’m sure when the staff at Cowshed were coming up with names for their products they had a blast. I would like submit my own recommendations for new products for the modern woman; On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Cow, I’ve Just Maxed Out My Credit Card Cow, and Why Hasn’t He Called Me Yet Cow!

Good Stuff

• Exceptional value for money due to the high content of essential oils
• Fabulous packaging
• Improves skin texture with regular use
• Paraben, Petrochemical and Sulfate free

Bad Stuff

• I wish the scent lasted longer

Verdict

I think this Cowshed range is great for everyday use if you are grumpy or not! I will definitely be buying Moo-vahelous range again. (Yeah I heard you all groan after reading that)

Contains

Mandarin Red, Petitgrain, and Grapefruit

Country of Origin

United Kingdom

This is available at HQhair!

Close your eyes. Imagine yourself on some faraway tropical island. You feel the warm turquoise coloured south seas lap at your feet as they slowly sink into the sparkling sand. The mild breeze is permeated  with the scent of beautiful exotic flowers. Even if you live in a two bed terraced house in the city like me the smell of this really does take you away.

How to use

With it’s kitsch packaging and various formulas we all have a chance to have super soft skin. I chose the bath and shower as I thought that would be a good place to start. It should noted that this shower gel doesn’t really lather up as other shower products do. As a matter of fact I don’t really think the shower is the best place for this lovely creation. Now let’s get one thing clear, I don’t do baths! However I think on this occasion I will have to make an exception and say this is probably best used for a nice soak in the bath. After I used it my skin felt silky and smelled wonderful and scent lingers all day. I think I expected my skin to feel oily but was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t as I was getting dressed.

Take Note

The package says it is gentle enough to use every day, prolonged use may cause irritation to the skin and urinary tract. I wouldn’t be too alarmed though anything and everything can irritate your delicate bits so just be aware. I would also store the tube cap side up. While this awkward I found that because of the high concentration of oil is does leak.

Pluses

• Distinctive exotic fragrance
• Leaves skin dewy and strokably soft
• Doesn’t cost the earth

Minuses

• May cause irritation
• Cap may leak

Verdict

I will definitely be using this again and may even take a bath.  Shh don’t tell anyone!

Contains

Coconut Extract, Tiare Flower

Country of Origin

France

This is available at HQhair!

Okay how could I resist this one. A lip balm that claims to burn fat and suppress my appetite. I’ve spent loads more on other things that claim the same thing so why not try this. Manufactured by Advanced Cosmetic Research Laboratories for Pacific Shore Holdings Inc. it is the endeavour of Dr. Allan Kurtz. I don’t know about you but the name of the company sounds similar to ‘Cayman Island Offshore Holding Coporation’ which is the stamp that Krusty the Clown uses to endorse the cheque Bart gives him. Now I’m not saying that the owner of Pacific Shore Holdings Inc. is run by Krusty the Clown it’s just merely an observation.

Application

This looks like any run of the mill lip balm with the standard cap and  banner around the tube. I chose pomegranate over the other flavours as I thought it might a little different. It does smell nice but unfortunately that’s where the pleasure ends. I expected it to just glide on like any normal lip balm and it does but the texture is gritty. The grittyness does seem to melt after a few minutes but it isn’t pleasant. It’s not dissimilar to when you put on gooey lip gloss and every little bit of dirt and fluff sticks to it. The balm itself also feels quite greasy. I think you would have to use this under lipstick but I think it would make it slide around.

What happened next

Well actually nothing happened. I used it for two weeks and I didn’t notice a change in my energy levels nor do I feel that it suppressed my appetite and believe me I wished it would have. I don’t know if I should have used the product longer, there doesn’t seem to be any information about how quickly you will see results. However with any product of this nature individual results my vary. I suppose it would work better in tandem with a fitness regime and balanced diet of which I have neither at the moment. Like everyone else I thought I could scoff as many Grande Mocha’s I wanted and still get away with it. Fat Chance!

Good Points

• Contains active ingredients
• Nice smell
• Not expensive

Bad Points

• Texture is unpleasant
• Does not absolve you of exercise and eating properly

Verdict

I’m not convinced it’s for me but it may well work for others

Contains:

Hoodia Extract, Chromium Picolinate, Caffeine, Green Tea Extract

Country of Origin:

USA