ProductWhores

Spiced Pumpkin Makes Me Happy

So I finally got my hands on The Body Shop's new Spiced Pumpkin Shower Gel and oh boy, this is really not going to help with my pumpkin obsession.  It smells delightful, all warm and cozy and, uh, spicy (obviously!)  It's still far too hot in Los Angeles for it to feel like fall, so using products like this in my morning shower (when it's at least a little cooler) makes me feel like I'm not living in an alternate universe where October is 95 degrees.  Also, it's only $5.99 for an 8.4 ounce container, which I love because I'm putting myself on a serious shopping budget until after the holidays and that means I don't have to live without this.  (Anything under $10, okay... $15, is fair game!)  You can get it in stores or on their website now, but it's a special edition so it'll be gone before you know it.  Plan for backups! 

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with The Body Shop

The Body Shop Gets Creative

Okay, I'm dying to try The Body Shop's new Limited Edition Spiced Pumpkin Bath & Shower Gel.  I LOVE anything that smells like pumpkin at this time of year, plus it's got a really cool story behind it.  It was developed by a California native, Stephie Wilhelm, who was the winner of The Body Shop's global "Originals" competition that encouraged consumers to create their own Limited Edition fragrance.  (How did I not know about this?  I could've kicked some serious ass!)  The shower gel is made with all organic and natural ingredients including Community Fair Trade Aloe Vera and Pumpkin Seed Extract AND it's only $5.99 for an 8.4 ounce bottle.  How soon can I get to the mall after work?

Peppered With Scent

I have such a good association with Molton Brown products because one of the first times I used them, I was in Paris in this amazing hotel room where the bathtub looked right out onto the Opera House.  It was like, the perfect bathing experience.  And the hotel would just keep replenishing our stock with fun new scents every day, so I got excited every time we came back to the room just to see what they'd left on the sink.  (And don't think I didn't pack every single one of the leftovers in my suitcase the day we flew home).  So every single time I've gotten my hands on a Molton Brown product since then, it's gotten me excited.  Recently I tried their Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod Bath & Shower gel and I'm totally loving it.  It's a really unique scent, which I really like because I have so many similar smelling shower gels that it's nice to get one that really stands out as different.  It's also kind of a hard to describe scent - it contains warm pink pepperpods, African ginger, patchouli, and pink pepper, so it's definitely an energizing, uplifting scent.  I like using it in the morning to get me going since I'm not exactly what you would call a morning person.  It kind of has a floral smell to it, but with a spicy undertone, which is what makes it so pretty to me, since I usually don't like floral scents by themselves.  It also lathers up nicely and doesn't dry out my skin.  (And you can also layer it with the matching Body Lotion and Bathing Milk, which is key for me.  I love to layer scents).  Now if only I could be packing it in my suitcase for another trip to Paris...   

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Molton Brown

Marshmallow Goodness

 

I had to stop buying rice crispy treats awhile back because I am literally incapable of rationing them out.  If I have a box of them in the house on Monday, I eat the entire box by, oh, let's just say... Tuesday.  (Luckily, I don't ever feel the need to make them myself because even though they're easy, I get super annoyed when the gooey mixture sticks to my hands when I'm trying to make them, so at least I never have to worry that I'm going to whip up an entire batch and eat it while I'm watching "Teen Mom.")  All bets are off though with Philosophy's Crispy Marshmallow Bars 3-in-1 Shower Gel.  We've already established that I'm a sucker for any of their food scented 3-in-1's, but I cannot get enough of this one.  It's a mixture of marshmallow and vanilla and creamy goodness, but it's not super strong, so it's not overpowering in the shower and it won't clash with any perfume you put on afterwards.  (I also like to use it right before I go to bed because it kind of reminds me of the fall and cold weather as I'm getting under the covers, although I have no idea why since people definitely eat marshmallow bars year round.  Weird).  I've been using this nonstop since I got it two weeks ago, which means that it might officially be the first 3-in-1 I finish in the same month I bought it.  (They're big containers!)  Bring on the marshmallows! 

Stay On The Grass

I'm definitely a city girl and could never imagine going back to living in a place where it's impossible to find a store open past 8pm, but the one thing I really miss about the suburbs is the smell of freshly cut grass when everyone was mowing their lawns on the weekend.  (I used to think using a lawnmower seemed like so much fun - I used to beg my dad to let me push ours around the backyard, which in retrospect seems kind of ridiculous because... why?  It's not like I loved yard work or any sort of manual labor and it wasn't even one of those cool riding ones that seem so awesome when you're a kid.  Thank God he never actually let me because I'm fairly certain I would have run over my feet, or possibly the dog).  LUSH's new Grass shower gel brings all those childhood memories back but in the best way possible.  It smells exactly like fragrant summer grass with slight notes of bergamot and neroli on top and it lathers up fantastically well.  It leaves my skin super soft and deliciously scented, but what I love most about it is how unique it is.  I mean, sure, I love food scented shower gels (oh, how I love them...) but a lot of brands have amazing bottles of those.  I don't think I've ever encountered another brand with a shower gel quite like this one, and it's what makes me love LUSH so much.  I've decided that I'm going to treat myself by using it in the shower after I come back from the gym, but if I'm lazy and don't go, I won't let myself use it.  Hopefully my love for LUSH will win out over my laziness most nights.  We'll see...

Note: A sample  of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with LUSH

Have A Little Philosophy This Holiday

Does Philosophy not have the best gift sets around the holidays?  Some brands come out with one or two gift sets in December and call it a day, but Philosophy has a plethora of fantastic gift sets that you can make someone very happy by putting under their tree.  (Also, how proud is my childhood vocabulary teacher that I just used the word "plethora" in a sentence?)  

The Cookie Exchange ($30) is probably my favorite of all the gift sets, and that's saying a lot.  It has four 4 ounce Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath bottles in Lemon Cookie, Oatmeal Raisin, Coconut Macaroon, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.  SO, SO good.  They smell exactly like their cookie namesakes, which makes the cookie lover in me a little giddy when I step into the shower because I can't wait to use them.  And they're calorie-free!  I'm kinda hoping Philosophy comes out with full-sized versions of these after the holidays because I want to own them all.

The Winter Escape ($19) is perfect as a stocking stuffer for your sister or best friend.  It has a 4 ounce  Peppermint Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, a Melting Marshmallow Cream Lip Shine, and a 2 ounce Melting Marshmallow Cream Body Soufflé.  Love!  The Lip Shine is so delicious, I keep putting it on just so I can smell it on my lips.  It's actually making me crave S'mores because it smells so much like a gooey marshmallow.  (I almost broke down and made them on my stove tonight.  My stove!  That's just sad).  I've also been slightly obsessed with the Peppermint Hot Cocoa Shower Gel since I got the full-sized version last month, so I'm loving the smaller, back up bottle that I can save for my next weekend away.

The Bake Shoppe ($22) is another set chock full of sweet scented products that I can't get enough of.  This one has a 4 ounce Pink Frosted Layer Cake Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, a 4 ounce Raspberry Mousse Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, a Raspberry Mouse Flavored Lip Shine, and a 2 ounce Sweet Creamy Frosting Body Lotion.  I adore the body lotion - it smells just like a bowl of freshly made frosting - and the shower gels are light and fruity.  I really love these small sizes too - even if I don't use them when I travel, they're easy to mix and match in the shower every morning.  Plus, this one comes in the most adorable packaging meant to look like an old-fashioned bakery.  So cute!  

These are only a few of the many gift sets Philosophy has released this holiday season.  Check them all out at Philosophy.com and Sephora.com.

Pepperminty Goodness

Can I just say that I am totally in love with Philosophy's Peppermint Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath?  Because I am.  It's easily in my top three flavors of the many, many (many!) that they've released over the years.  We all know the deal about the formula by now - it's creamy, lathers very well, and doesn't dry out your skin - plus the bottles are a great value at 16 ounces for $16.  But the scent of this one is what really made me fall in love.  It's ridiculously good.  It smells exactly like the Peppermint Hot Chocolate at Starbucks around the holidays, which is totally my kryptonite.  I literally cannot pass a Starbucks without getting one of them (or the Peppermint Mocha Latte) once those festive red cups are rolled out every year.  It's a sickness.  The Peppermint Hot Cocoa shower gel has a strong scent of chocolate, but that's mixed with a minty, fresh flavor as well.  The best way to describe it is delicious.  So, so delicious.  (Although I do have to admit that it totally makes me crave chocolate and want to eat some immediately after I get out of the shower).  I'm totally stocking up on this one so I can be using it long after Starbucks retires the Peppermint Hot Chocolate or the season.  (Sniff, sniff).

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Philosophy.

Philosophy for the Cure

Shower for the cure ($20) is Philosophy's pink ribbon shower gel - a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath.  This long-time Philosophy favorite contains a touch of milk proteins and fruit essences to provide a delightful experience for your senses.  Shower for the cure represents the spirit of every woman and 100% of Philosophy's net proceeds from the sale of shower for the cure will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund.  The memorable scent and poem on the pink ribbon shower gel was inspired by the unforgettable charity event, one of Hollywood's most beloved occasions, which is held every spring and is chaired by Rita Wilson and Kate Capshaw.

Philosophy's she colors my day charity bubble bath ($20) was created to honor all women while giving back to a very worthwhile cause.  It is inspirational, playful and can be enjoyed by mothers and daughters alike.  She colors my day pink generates high-foaming bubbles, lightly tints your bath pink and helps soothe and moisturize skin.  We encourage you to take pleasure in the bright pink bubbles and delicious pink bubble gum scent as you soak in the tub.  100% of Philosophy's net proceeds goes to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund to support the early detection of women's cancers.

You can buy both of them on philosophy.com.

American Grown

Bath and Body Works has introduced a new, limited-edition collection of hand washes and shower gels called American Grown.  They come in HUGE, bright bottles, two things that I love because for one, the more product I can get for my money, the better.  (As much as I love some of the super expensive brands I buy, there is always that moment where I'm staring at the empty tube or jar thinking, "Really?  I paid $40 for that and it's gone already?  REALLY"  And then I feel guilty and think that I should be donating that money to orphans or homeless people.  Or, more realistically, my credit card company).  I also love the bright bottles because they're fun and wake me up in the morning when I'm standing in my shower like a zombie wondering what day it is.  The scents were inspired by great American destinations (and yet, somehow they didn't call one "The Mall" - weird).  They come in these five scents:   

Washington Apple: In the fertile valleys of Washington State in America’s far west, growers tend orchards that produce the world’s most crisp, ripe apples.  Formulated with Apple Extract to help nourish skin, Washington Apple instantly evokes your first bite of a shiny red apple, an unmistakably juicy flavor.
 
Napa Grape: In the rolling hills of Napa Valley’s wine country, the alluring scent of ripe grapes wafts through the air.  Breathe in this irresistible fragrance and experience the intoxicating aroma as grape seed oil conditions and protects skin.
 
Siesta Key Lemon: Nothing says summer like fresh-cut Meyer lemons from Florida.  Sweeter than other lemons, the plump, smooth-skinned citrus produces a sparklingly fresh fragrance.  Take an instant vacation to Siesta Key as Lemon Oil refreshes and brightens the skin.
 
Savannah Mint: A frosty glass of iced tea in a hot Savannah summer is twice as refreshing with a cool sprig of mint.  Breathe in this invigorating fragrance and experience the romance of southern charm and gentility while Peppermint Oil energizes your skin and your senses.
 
Montana Sky: Experience the clear, crisp quality of the mountain air in big sky country with formulas inspired by the vast beauty of an endless blue sky.  Bathe your skin in calming spring waters as you inhale a rush of fresh air. 

I've tried the Montana Sky and Washington Apple shower gels and I love them both.  Montana Sky is right up my alley - it's perfect layered under any of my CLEAN scents or the Marc Jacobs Rain Splash that I've been wearing.  Washington Apple smells exactly like a walk through an orchard when all the apples are ripening - if you're a fan of the fruity scents, this one will definitely belong in your shower.  (I also really need to go pick up Savannah Mint because it would be perfect for after a workout.  You know, if I ever get my lazy self back to the gym...) 

The entire American Grown line is super affordable - just $6.50 for a 16 ounce hand soap and $12.50 for a  24 ounce shower gel.  Even better, right now at Bath and Body Works, the entire line is buy one, get one free.  That means you could get a whopping 48 ounces of shower gel for only $12.50!  I know where I'll be going after work today...       

Get Some Relief

 

I buy so many "fancy" body washes that some times, I forget how great the regular drugstore brands can be.  I have sensitive skin and especially during the summer, it can get irritated really easily, so for the past few weeks, I've been trying to give it a break and treat it really gently.  Enter Aveeno.  I've been alternating between the Skin Relief Body Wash during the daytime, and if I shower again before bed, the Stress Relief Body Wash.  The Stress Relief scent is such a great way to relax before sleep - it has natural colloidal oatmeal in it, which is apparently known to be soothing on skin (and here I just thought it went really well with brown sugar in the morning!)  It's also very moisturizing, which is great on skin that's been drying out in the summer heat all day.  The scent is definitely one of the best things about it - it's a mix of lavender, essential chamomile and ylang-ylang oil, so it definitely smells like something you would use to de-stress.  (If I use it in the morning, I just want to go back to bed!)  The Skin Relief Body Wash also has oatmeal in it and gives me the same soft and healthy skin, but it's totally fragrance-free, which I like because doesn't clash with any of my perfumes.  They're both perfect for sensitive skin or skin that's stressed out for some reason, plus they're a great drugstore deal.  (I got both of them for a total of $10 with a buy one, get one free coupon).  Who knew oatmeal would be my new favorite bath ingredient?