The Body Shop’s Earth Lovers Shower Gels

Sulphate-free. Paraben-free. Colorant-free. I’m sure you’re aware by now that hearing your beauty products described as such is a good thing. You’ll be happy, then, to know that all three apply to The Body Shop’s Earth Lovers Shower Gels. These eco-friendly cleansers are designed to be entirely biodegradable (bottle included!) and are made from natural ingredients that won’t harm the environment, even when washed down the drain. They also come in delicious and creative fruit and herb fragrance combinations, although don’t expect to smell too much of the latter in any of them. The lather they produce is luxurious and rich and they’ll leave your skin feeling hydrated and fresh.

Here are my thoughts on the individual products of the line:

Apricot and Basil:

I’m gonna be honest, I’m a little sad that this smelled all apricot, with little to no basil involved. However, said apricot was very juicy and sweet, so I can’t be too unhappy with it.

Pear and Lemongrass:

Ripe, refreshing pear with a hint of fresh lemongrass.

Watermelon and Eucalyptus:

I was very sad that I couldn’t find any eucalyptus (which I love) in this. However, like with the apricot and basil, the watermelon was still very nice, saving the gel from being a letdown.

Cucumber and Mint:

This wasn’t as minty as I wanted, but it was as tingly and refreshing as one would imagine anything involving these two ingredients would be.

Fig and Rosemary:

Out of the bunch, this was the one where the “herb” ingredient was most noticeable and I gotta say, the combination was delightful. My favorite.

Lemon and Thyme: (Not Pictured)

I didn’t buy this one, but I did whiff it in the store. It was a little too “floor-cleaner” for me.

Final Verdict: Like it! 

PS- In case anyone's wondering why I post so many things from The Body Shop, I actually used to work for the company, plus I've been following the brand since I was a little girl. What can I say, I'm a  fan. 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost

If you were to ask any employee of The Body Shop what their number one skin care product is, they would say the Vitamin C Skin Boost. And I can understand why.

This little skin serum/gel is silky to the touch and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. It also absorbs quickly, so that your face isn’t left sticky or oily. It also has a refreshing orange-y smell, not unlike the company’s Satsuma line.

Upon application, the gel might look glittery or shimmery. Don’t fret, as this will not show up on you. This property will, however, help brighten your skin and give it a touch of radiance.

The only thing that drives me nuts about this product is that I can only wear it on foundation-free days, as any type of foundation I’ve tried to use with it (powder, liquid, cream, etc) slides right off and gives my face a blotchy appearance.

Final Verdict: Like It

Throwback Thrillers: The Body Shop Originals

I’ve been a follower of The Body Shop’s products for a very long time, so when I heard that their Originals line was being discontinued, I was heartbroken. While I didn’t adore every single one of the line’s products (I must confess, the Carrot Moisturizer was a little too sticky for me and I was allergic to the Cucumber Cleansing Milk) I was in love with the delicious shower gels and the refreshing Cucumber Freshening Water. Lucky for me, I was able to nab my favorites before they disappeared from stores and Ebay has an abundant overstock of products, should I ever run out.

But what makes each of these special? All of the following shower gels are a cleansing, nicely-lathering treat, each with a unique, lovely fragrance.  

Raspberry Ripple:

This is a rich berry scent that is not overly sweet like many other raspberry fragrances. 

Dewberry:

Many people wonder just what exactly a dewberry is. A close cousin of the blackberry, it is a little bit less sweet, leaving this shower gel with a clean, green-based scent.

Green Apple:

A lot of people are going to expect a generic sour apple bubblegum flavor, but this refreshing surprise couldn’t be any less artificial. It smells like deliciously juicy Granny Smith apples, ready for the picking.

Fuzzy Peach:

Peach jello. This might a problem for some, but not for me. Why? I love peach jello. 

Spiced Pumpkin:

A lot of pumpkin spice anything tend to make it all about the spice and less about the pumpkin. Not this decadent little gel. The base is a sumptuous candied pumpkin with a subtle spice quickly following it. This gel is divine for hot showers during cold winter days.

Cucumber Freshening Water:

Words cannot describe how much I love this toner. The fragrance is delicious, crisp cucumbers soaked in water. It leaves my skin sparklingly clean and tingly, but doesn’t dry it out. I will miss this one most of all. 

Enjoy!

The Body Shop’s Born Lippy Stick Lip Balm

The time has come for me to feature another deliciously hydrating and just plain old delicious moisturizer for your lips (in cute packaging, to boot!) Presenting The Body Shop’s newest lip balm line: Born Lippy Stick Balm, at $6 each. These balms are excellent for those who balk at slippery or oily-textured lip products. They apply with the same weight and texture of a conditioning lipstick, but are completely sheer, with a soft hint of shimmer. They come in six flavors: Pomegranate, Plum, Pink Berry, Lychee, Toffee*, and Strawberry*.

*Note: Not included in the review. 

Thoughts on the individual balms-

Pomegranate:

I was a little bit let down by this one. I was expecting the exotic rich taste and smell of the Mediterranean fruit, or at least something that vaguely resembled it. All I smelled was cherry Chapstick. I mean, it’s not terrible and still moisturizing, it was just anti-climactic. Once on there is a tiny hint of something different, but it tastes more like raspberry than anything else.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Emollient), Octyldodecanol (Emollient), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Skin Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil/Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba) Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Sorbitan Olivate (Emulsifying Agent), Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de candelilla (Stabiliser), Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille (Emulsifier/Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Aroma/Flavor (Flavour), Aqua/Water/Eau (Solvent/Diluent), Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Synthetic Wax (Binder/Emollient), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Octocrylene (Sunscreen), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Ammonium Glycyrrhizate (Flavour), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract (Humectant), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Emollient), Olea Europaea Fruit Extract/Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent), Homosalate (Sunscreen), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Sodium Citrate (pH Adjuster), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (Binder), CI 19140/Yellow 5 Lake (Colour), CI 15850/Red 7 Lake (Colour), CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide (Colour).

Plum:

Nice, subtle plum-y scent. The color of the balm is so pretty, I wish it weren’t sheer! While wearing it I’m reminded of my favorite plum infused white tea!

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Emollient), Octyldodecanol (Emollient), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Skin Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil/Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba) Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Sorbitan Olivate (Emulsifying Agent), Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de candelilla (Stabiliser), Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille (Emulsifier/Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance), Aqua/Water/Eau (Solvent/Diluent), Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Synthetic Wax (Binder/Emollient), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Octocrylene (Sunscreen), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Ammonium Glycyrrhizate (Flavour), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract (Humectant), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Emollient), Olea Europaea Fruit Extract/Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent), Homosalate (Sunscreen), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Sodium Citrate (pH Adjuster), Alumina (Bulking Agent), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (Binder), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide (Colour), CI 45410/Red 28 Lake (Colour), CI 15850/Red 7 Lake (Colour), CI 77499/Iron Oxides (Colour), CI 42090/Blue 1 Lake (Colour).

Lychee:

Yum! One whiff already reminds me of sweet lychee nectar, which is only made richer when actually applied. 

Ingredients: BORN LIPPY STICK LYCHEE (1090767) LS081002 (RP/04/58/A) Total: 100% Ricinus Communis Seed Oil/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Emollient), Octyldodecanol (Emollient), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Skin Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil/Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba) Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Sorbitan Olivate (Emulsifying Agent), Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax (Stabiliser), Cera Alba/Beeswax (Emulsifier/Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Aroma/Flavor (Flavour), Aqua/Water (Solvent/Diluent), Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Synthetic Wax (Binder/Emollient), Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate (Bulking Agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Octocrylene (Sunscreen), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Ammonium Glycyrrhizate (Flavour), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract (Humectant), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Emollient), Olea Europaea Fruit Extract/Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent), Homosalate (Sunscreen), Silica (Absorbent), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Sodium Citrate (pH Adjuster), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (Binder), Tin Oxide (Opacifier), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide (Colour). Ricinus Communis Seed Oil/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Emollient), Octyldodecanol (Emollient), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Skin Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil/Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba) Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Sorbitan Olivate (Emulsifying Agent), Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de candelilla (Stabiliser), Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille (Emulsifier/Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Aroma/Flavor (Flavour), Aqua/Water/Eau (Solvent/Diluent), Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Synthetic Wax (Binder/Emollient), Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate (Bulking Agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Octocrylene (Sunscreen), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Ammonium Glycyrrhizate (Flavour), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract (Humectant), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Emollient), Olea Europaea Fruit Extract/Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent), Homosalate (Sunscreen), Silica (Absorbent), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Sodium Citrate (pH Adjuster), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (Binder), Tin Oxide (Opacifier), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide (Colour).

Pink Berry:

My favorite! It has a bit of an odd fruity smell in the tube, not unpleasant, but not especially appealing. While actually wearing it, though, it turns into a yummy mixture of tangy berries and sweet, ripe guava. I absolutely love it!

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis Seed Oil/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Emollient), Octyldodecanol (Emollient), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Skin Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil/Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba) Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Sorbitan Olivate (Emulsifying Agent), Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de candelilla (Stabiliser), Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille (Emulsifier/Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Aroma/Flavor (Flavour), Aqua/Water/Eau (Solvent/Diluent), Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Mica (Opacifier), Synthetic Wax (Binder/Emollient), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Octocrylene (Sunscreen), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Ammonium Glycyrrhizate (Flavour), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract (Humectant), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Emollient), Olea Europaea Fruit Extract/Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent), Homosalate (Sunscreen), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate (Emollient), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (Binder), Sodium Citrate (pH Adjuster), Talc (Absorbent/Bulking Agent), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide (Colour), CI 77492/Iron Oxides (Colour), CI 15850/Red 7 Lake (Colour), CI 77491/Iron Oxides (Colour).

These are wonderful little lip balms and are often on special promotion: 2 for $10! Go check them out today!

Final Verdict: Love it!