I’ve seen on some news report that apparently the recession is over? I don’t know about you but I’m still skint as I ever was. The one thing I never like to compromise on when it comes to budgeting is beauty. I’d rather eat beans on toast for a month than go without beauty products. It’s a good thing I don’t have children or else Social Services would be around my house and my only saving grace would be that my kids would have great skin! The founder of the Bliss range created the Soap and Glory range for her cash strapped sis-tahs. The bottles and tubes are cute and kitsch with ‘so bad they’re good’ puns written on them. Here are some of my faves from the extensive range:

Scrub Your Nose In It Face Scrub 125ml

This claims to help refine large pores and prevent blemishes. My pores are the size of the Grand Canyon. I swear they can be seen from space. Anything that would claim to refine, shrink or erase them would be a miracle product.

This has a lovely texture with fine mild scrubbing action. It would be difficult to damage your skin as this is quite gentle which I did not expect. The smell and appearance is like tooth paste which some how seems to work. It does make your skin feel clean and mattified afterwards. It can also be used as a mask if you leave it on for a few minutes longer.

Contains: Kaolin

Some Like It Hot Body Softening Thermal Scrub 200ml

I love thermal scrubs. They remind me of my trip to the Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland. This has a pink gooey consistency that I would class as a moderate scrub. It’s best used on damp skin to get the full effect of the warming thermal action. The scent has quite a fresh smell reminiscent of summers at the swimming pool. It also has a mattifying effect on the skin and skin is left feeling warm and purified. It rinses away on the skin really well and doesn’t leave a ring around the tub.

Contains: Macadamia oil, white sand grains

Butter Up Special Dry Skin Spa Formula Deluxe Body Smoothing Cream 200ml

What a mouthful! I as a rule can’t stand body butters but the smell of this made me buy it. It reminds me of orange creamsicles or tropical Soleros. My main issue with body butters (especially used in the summer months) are they are quite heavy and just sit on the skin. I suppose I never have dry enough skin to get the full effect of body butters but this one sinks into the skin and absorbs pretty much straight away. It works really well on dry chapped elbows which if you work in an office like me is a constant problem. I’m always putting my elbows on my desk whilst on the phone or staring at the computer trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing. As a result the thin skin on the elbow gets scuffed and it can be quite difficult to get rid of the roughness once it sets in. I used this week for several weeks and it has really helped soothe and smooth that area.

Contains: Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil

Verdict

The range is definitely cheap and cheerful. I say this not to put you off but you get what you pay for. If you are used to using more expensive treatments then you may be disappointed with the results/smell/texture of these goodies. Part of their charm is the packaging so they are ideal for gifts for young adults or friends/relatives that are in need of a skincare regime (and all the hints you’ve dropped haven’t worked).

Available at Boots!

This is available at HQhair!

Mario Badescu Skin Care always seems to be linked celebrities. As you know this is not always the best way to judge a beauty product. The website boasts an impressive roster of tinseltown’s finest. This is not why I bought this though, I was enticed by the name of the product picturing crushed strawberries in a jar.

Well I was sort of right about the idea I had in my head. It is a jar of strawberry seeds floating in what looks and smells  like strawberry yoghurt. I haven’t missed the fact that it says ‘non-abrasive’ scrub so I wasn’t expecting it to be like sandpaper. The texture is lovely and creamy and it smells wonderful. The strawberry seeds would offer great exfoliation but there isn’t enough of them to make a difference (to me anyway). This face scrub is a concoction conundrum. If it were just a creamy gentle cleanser then it would work but add the strawberry seeds and it just becomes annoying. I have a feeling this is intended for individuals who have really dry skin and those who cannot tolerate too much exfoliation.

Good Stuff

• Smells and feels like strawberry yoghurt
• Non-irritating

Bad Stuff

• Won’t be rough enough for some
• Difficult to rinse off need toner afterwards

Verdict

This one isn’t for me but someone with really dry skin would probably benefit from the cooling sensation of the creamy texture and the gentle action of the strawberry seeds.

Contains:

Strawberry Fruit Extract

Country of Origin:

USA

This is available from HQhair!

I’ve been using Burt’s Bees products for several years now and even though they have become more global they haven’t lost their ‘down home’ roots or their passion for the environment and ethical business practices. They regularly support community projects and work tirelessly on new packaging innovations to ease the stress on our natural resources.

Application

Not many cleansers come little glass pots these days but this one does and it makes you feel like you have a treasure from days gone by. When you twist open the metal lid the smell hits you, it’s not citrus but a nutmegy fruit cake smell. The scrub itself is pretty much solid in the jar so you need to wet you fingers a little to get some out. It’s not a harsh scrub I would say mild to moderate. It’s best to make some in a little paste before you put it on otherwise it will not move. I like to use this before I do a face masque as it exfoliates but doesn’t strip your skin. The small jar should last fairly long as you don’t need much to get a good wash. This would also travel well due to the size and doesn’t cost the earth.

Advantages

• A little goes a long way
• Scrummy smell makes you want to eat it
• Gives a good scrub without being to harsh
• Won’t break the bank

Disadvantages

• A bit fiddly to get out of the jar
• Glass jar might not be practical

Verdict

Burt and his bees are always winners in my book and this scrub is a lovely surprise.  If you care about the environment and want to look good at the same time then let Burt show you the way.

Contains:

Sweet Almond Oil, Orange Oil, Nutmeg, Clove

Country of Origin:

USA

This is available at HQhair!

This is a very concentrated product as in you hardly need any to get a good proper wash. Of course the first time I used it I poured too much in my palm (I think I was too excited to focus) so after subsequent uses I made sure I was more economical with my dollop.

I would class this as a mild scrub as the exfoliating action is quite gentle for everyday use. It has a lovely delicate smell of orange oil so the fragrance is quite ambiguous. If you have oily skin like me then this is perfect to wash the day off especially if you live in a city and feel grimy after work. I’ve used this to wash my face before re-applying makeup to go out in the evening and it does wash all my skin sins away. Lucky Tiger recommends that you use this after cleansing but I think this doubles up as both a cleanser and exfoliator. This face scrub is perfect for those couples who like to use each other’s stuff and looks wicked on the bathroom shelf.

This is available at Holland and Barrett!

The makers of Dead Sea Spa Magik have been making top quality spa products since 1981. They created the spa magik range so anyone could create a spa experience at home. They have recently re-formulated their products to eliminate parabens and include more certified organic ingredients.

How to use

The texture is fine grains of sand in a paste which means its easy to control the amount that comes out if you only wanted to exfoliate certain areas like your chin or forehead. It does a superb job and makes your skin feel toned and properly buffed.  I noticed my toner and moisturiser goes on much better after I have used it. It rinses easily in the shower but you’d probably need a damp sponge to remove it properly if you were just washing your face over the sink. I also use it on my neck area assuming that it will  scrub away any extra chins I might have or at least make them smooth. I can get a months use out of the tube and that is using it several times a week. I would classify this scrub as hardcore even though it is sold as a ‘mild’ scrub.

It’s small enough to fit in an overnite bag, and the packaging/smell is quite ambiguous so would appeal product phobic men. The packaging won’t win any style awards but who cares?

Who should use it

• Anyone with oily/combination skin
• Those who require a more robust scrub
• Individuals who do not want to spend a lot of money

Who shouldn’t use it

• Anyone who has dry/sensitive skin this product may be too harsh

Verdict

I do love this scrub and works exceptionally well for pre mask application.

Contains:

Harmonised Water, Kaolin, Lemon Balm Leaf Extract, Roobios Leaf Extract

Country of Origin:

United Kingdom