The Body Shop Voyage Scents of the World Collection Review

Dear Readers,

The Body Shop recently sent me their Voyage 'Scents of the World' collection to review.

The exotic scents take you on a fragrant journey from east to west, and I’m sure there is something to suit every taste. I love floral fragrances and most of the EDT were quite floral, so I'm very pleased with the collection as a whole. 

Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey as you discover the inspiration behind each of the scents below and what I thought of each one.

Japanese Cherry Blossom

A deer grazes among the fallen sakura or cherry blossoms photo credit:narastoryteller.blogspot.com

Our fragrant voyage starts in the Far Eastern gardens of Kyoto.  Picture yourself strolling underneath with the delicate yet elegant Japanese Cherry Blossom trees as the soft petals gently fall around you, infusing the air in a fresh scent with light floral notes on a fruity musk and sandalwood base.

This light fragrance is perfect for daywear and can be easily mixed with other scents. It is a very pretty feminine scent, perfect for a gift as I think its the sort of soft fragrance everyone will like.

 

Indian Night Jasmine

Taj mahal by moonlight photo credit:saffronmarigold.com

Imagine walking in a moon lit palace garden, the soothing patter of the fountains play in the background, as the mystical Indian Night Jasmine scent envelops you, the perfect fusion of floral and oriental notes. This is my favourite from the whole Voyage collection, very feminine and pretty long lasting.

Madagascar Island Vanilla

Madagascar photo credit: 4photos.net

Escape to the tropical island of Madagascar, and feel the zest for life return to your body as you drink in the sun’s rays and breathe in the warm scent of vanilla flower- my mum really likes this one.

Atlas Mountain Rose

La Rosarie,Morocco photo credit: insidethetravellab.com

Feast your eyes on the sunrise in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, as the birds start their morning chirping, the air is filled with a bright dewy fragrance of a thousand blooming roses- a romantic’s heaven. (This one is my second favourite, reminds me of a bouquet of red roses)

Amazonian Wild Lily

Giant water lily photo credit:shutterpoint.com

Close your eyes and with a sniff of this EDT, you will be transported to the lush green jungles of the Amazon still wet from the rain, the aquatic scent of the wild lily is refreshing and cool, it reminds me of the smell of rain in spring.

All the fragrances have a range of accompanying products such as shower gel, and body lotion which you can use to layer the fragrance for a longer lasting effect.

Be sure to try out these gorgeous ‘Scents of the World’ next time you visit the The Body Shop   and tell me which one is your favourite?

Stay up-to-date with new product launches, offers and competitions by following The Body Shop on Facebook and Twitter.

You may also like to check out reviews of The Body Shop's other popular products:
 
All in One BB Cream review

Strawberry body butter, body mist, dry oil review

Honey Bronze Dry Shimmering Oil review
Sources:

The Body Shop

The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream Review

Best kept beauty secret: TBS All In One BB Cream

Dear Readers,

The Body Shop recently introduced me to a game-changing beauty product which is making waves all over Europe: All-In-One BB cream.

The BB cream comes in three shades 01 for fair skin tones, 02 for medium skin tones, and 03 for darker skin tones.

TBS BB cream: Out of the tube it looks white..which intially surprised me I thought it would like the colour on the tube

It is a white cream which upon application adapts to your skin tone. Pigment-filled capsules burst when applied to the skin, releasing the colour inside leaving your skin moisturised with a dewy finish. It provides a light level of coverage suitable for day-time and everyday wear for work or uni when you don’t want to plaster your face with heavy foundation.

I have combination skin and it worked well without being overly greasy. I used the 02 shade and it did not turn me orange which some BB creams do.

Pic 2: As I started to blend it turned a pinkish hue

Pic 3: When completely blended znd absorbed ,it gives a sheer dewy effect and leaves the skin  feeling soft to touch

If you have very dark very noticeable blemishes/scars you may need to use a spot corrector/concealer, otherwise the BB cream alone corrects any patches and smoothes out skin tone, and makes pores look smaller.

It is perfect if you want to achieve that natural no make-up look, and have fairly good skin, this product will moisturise and give you a healthy glow.

 Please note this product does not contain SPF so please apply some before you go out in the sun.

The Body Shop regulary run contests and special discounts are introducing new products all the time, to ensure you don’t miss out follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Oh HONEY! The Body Shop Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil Review

Dear Readers,

The first time I laid eyes on a bottle of Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, I had a vision of then pop diva Mariah Carey dancing to her song Honey flash in front of my eyes. If you grew up in the nineties in the days when MTV used to play music videos instead of trashy reality shows..you'll know what I'm talking about.

Mariah Carey singing Honey, I can't describe
How good it feels..

 If not,  it roughly translates to remembering Beyonce dancing to Love on top, except Mariah’s video is more erm...entertaining.

Beyonce: Honey Honey...

Ok I digress...Beyonce, Shakira, J-Lo, or Jennifer Anniston all sport the perfect ‘just got back from a beach vacation’ glow. Images of perfectly tanned bodies of celebrities are emblazoned into our minds, although make-up and photo-shop do play a role, there are products out there which can help you attain a healthy glow too - right at home without running the risk of cancer. Fake it-don't bake it!

You no longer have an excuse to walk around looking pale as a vampire  wishing for a magical sun-ring, anymore when you have The Body Shop’s Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil.

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil

First of all, it smells like heaven in a bottle! The delicious fragrance, I’m told by the Head of Fragrance of The Body Shop herself, is from the much sought after tiare monoi flowers found in the islands of Micronesia. The tiare monoi is often used in tanning lotions and gives it that fresh-from-paradise-island smell. I'm willing to use it for the fragrance alone just don't wear perfume with it.

Before pic with a drop of oil, taken without flash

The colour may look dark, but once you apply it gives more of healthy golden glow than rather than a dark tan. I would suggest it for people with pale skin as results will be more apparent on them, if you have a darker skin like me ( I have an olive skin tone), it adds a bit of shine, but not in a greasy kind of way. It contains very tiny golden specks which diffuse the light and give you an airbrushed look.

Its dries quickly and doesn’t stain clothing, and can be used instead of a body lotion. But I have to say it’s not very long lasting you will need to top it up every 3-4 hours. 

After using the honey bronze oil pic- it does glow

After using the honey bronze oil pic- another angle can you notice a bit of a tint?

I tried to take before and after pics (above) but my photography skills are rather lacking so please don't judge solely on the basis of my photos.

For pale skin types check out this Body Shop staffer review which also has pics.

The organic honey moisturizes and helps condition the skin. The fair trade honey is sourced from Bezamar in South Oromia state, Ethiopia. The beekeepers employ traditional methods, using hives handcrafted from locally grown bamboo which promotes strong, healthy bees and deters logging.

So even though summer maybe over, you can indulge your senses with Honey Bronze, it glides on your body leaving it silky smooth infused with a divine fragrance and healthy golden glow. You will not only smell great but you'll also look yummy ;-).

Be sure to try it out the Honey Bronze shimmering dry oil in your nearest Pulse boutique and follow The Body Shop on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss out on all their great offers and new products.

Sources:

Mariah Carey imagehttp://mariahcareycollection.com/videos/singles.html

Beyonce image http://buzz-videos.eu/video-film-beyonce-love-on-top/

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/honey-bronze/honey-bronze-shimmering-dry-oil.aspx?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=RatingsAndReviews&utm_content=Default

I Heart Strawberries: A Review of The Body Shop's Strawberry Body Mist, Body Butter, and Beautifying Oil

Dear Readers,

As promised here’s my review of The Body Shop’s Strawberry body mist, beautifying oil and body butter.

Image credit: groedibles.com

Personally, I’m a fan of strawberries, I love eating them; go crazy for desserts with a strawberry garnish, especially cakes! There’s just something so sensual about strawberries, the attractive shiny red colour the tangy yet sweet burst of flavour when you bite into one; the invigorating scent. It reminds me of summer holidays, parties at the beach and decadent desserts.

But, dear readers, do I necessarily want to smell like strawberries? 

Strawberry body mist

Well, I’m happy to report that the strawberry body mist does NOT turn you into a walking ad for strawberry ice cream. 

The fragrance is fruity, fresh and sweet, without being overpowering or overly saccharine, balanced by underlying citrusy tones. It smells slightly ‘perfumey’ (for lack of a better word) as compared to the Strawberry body butter. (A positive point in my book)

It’s fairly light so you will need to top it up several times a day, but the bottle is also light so you can conveniently stash it in your bag when you are on the go, and spray when you need a refreshing pick-me-up.

*Tip: Try using it with the TBS Satsuma  body mist for an even zestier fragrance.

Strawberry beautifying oil

I love a product that wears many hats (multi-purpose), I feel that you get more bang for your buck, and it makes life so much more easier when you travel.

This game changing dry oil not only moisturises, but smoothes and illuminates as well. It can be used on the face, body and even hair! Its versatility has won it a place in my travel toiletries’ bag.

What I like about dry oil is that it gives a satin non-greasy finish, compared to regular oil which leaves that slick overtly shiny/greasy look and feel.

The strawberry beautifying oil contains nature’s goodness in the form of strawberry seed oil, Community Fair Trade marula oil, sweet almond oil and kukui nut oil.

It absorbs very quickly leaves you skin looking luminous instead of flaky. The strawberry fragrance is very light and similar to the strawberry body mist which I like.

*Tip: I use the dry oil all over my body after showering and use body butter on my dry areas: hand, feet, elbows, knees where an extra rich moisturiser is necessary.

Strawberry body butter

Living in a heavily air-conditioned atmosphere to survive the Saudi summer can leave you with extremely dry skin. The fact that in the summer there is no such thing as cold tap water, you have a recipe for severely parched skin.

The strawberry body butter rehydrates your skin and it is a very rich moisturiser containing community sourced shea butter. Use it at night before bed so that it can be absorbed in your skin as you sleep. I wash my hands obsessively so I use it on my hands throughout the day. I would probably use this product more in the winter when my skin gets bone- dry all over.

The funniest thing about it the strawberry body butter is that there’s a sign and they’ve clearly stated not fit for consumption! I laughed out loud when I saw that. After all, it smells temptingly sweet like a strawberries and cream trifle or something.

Image credit Brett Stevens

It is advised to keep it out of reach of small children who may understandably mistake it for something to eat. In my opinion the fragrance, of the body butter is stronger, sweeter and a tad candy like, and my family immediately noticed the fragrance and asked me what I was wearing. 

Personally, I like the strawberry body mist fragrance the best, as it has a more grown up fragrance compared to the body butter. Try it out tell me what you think.

For more info on products from The Body Shop follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't miss future reviews click to follow me on Facebook ,

How the Pulse Boutique In Jeddah Stole My Heart

Dear Readers,

Earlier in the week I shared with you the invitation to attend the grand opening of the Pulse boutique, if you weren’t able to make it, you need to read this post.

The entrance of the Pulse boutique moments before the opening

On Tuesday, I fought, the driver fought rush-hour traffic and I arrived at Aziz Mall at 5:30pm for the grand opening of The Body Shop brand new Pulse boutique. There was a crowd of expectant men women buzzing with anticipation. It was a glam event complete with a green grass carpet, high-tech spotlights, cameraman and photographers; it really did look like a grand opening. Then the moment we’d all been waiting for arrived: the spotlights came on and The Body Shop banner dramatically fell away amid applause to reveal the shiny new boutique. 

The VIPs made their way in followed closely by eager customer and there were a few short and sweet speeches highlighting how The Body Shop brand is different: against animal testing, for fair trade, community conscious, and environmentally friendly to name a few. To complete the scene, pretty waitresses served us with scrumptious finger food and refreshments while the customers browsed in the new surroundings taking it all in.

The first thing I noticed was how much bigger than the Pulse boutique was, and it was definitely a lot brighter. The entire marketing team was very approachable, friendly and informative. A special shout out to Alaa Abdullah who showed me around and informed me about the new products. I also had the opportunity to speak with Qasar Qayyum the Middle East Franchise Account Director who was had flown in for the opening of Pulse boutique in Jeddah. He assiduously answered all my questions and queries and suggested I try out the Honey Bronze shimmering dry oil (Review coming soon). 

Qasar Qayyum the Middle East Franchise Account Director in front of the Ramdan gifts display

It was refreshing to meet such a professional and capable marketing team in Jeddah. They explained that the Pulse boutique brand concept is Beauty with Heart, emphasising on a kind of beauty that isn’t skin-deep; true beauty comes from the heart.

The brand concept really resonated with me, and I’m sure other young women in the Middle East would agree. We love to pamper ourselves with luxurious body butters and enhance our beauty with the latest make-up, but we scorn when we are considered as ‘just another pretty face.’

8 new body mists in a variety of fruity and fresh fragrances

The youth today, like you and I, want to make a difference in the world and a positive contribution in the community.I believe consumption with a conscience is a form of activism.

The Pulse boutique allows you to do just that, through their Look Good, Feel Good, and just as importantly Do Good mantra! The Do Good aspect really touched me, and it perfectly captures the essence of the Beauty with Heart brand.

Look Good

The gorgeous  cruelty-free make-up range at The Body Shop not only help you look good, the products are carefully crafted using nature sourced ingredients, free from animal-testing and without disgusting ingredients such as fish scales or bug shells (do you know what’s in your make-up?!) Personally, I love the Lily Cole - Puff On Radiance, and Lily Cole Lip and Cheek dome the products are great-but the packaging is simply adorable!  Lily Cole is a model, actress and an activist who is aptly the Pulse brand’s global brand advocate; The Pulse boutique also has female staff at hand to provide skin consultations and even a makeover if you wish. 

Lily Cole -Cruelty free make-up range

Feel Good

I’m sure you know that when you make a loved one happy, it infuses you in a warm glow that money can’t buy. The Pulse boutique is offering Ramadan/Eid gift packs which you can shower on your family friends and feel good in the knowledge that you’ve made someone dear to you happy. So this Ramadan when you are invited to a Suhoor/Iftar why not take something that doesn't add to your hostess' waistline, take one of these thoughtful gift packs- there's something for every taste and budget.

Ramadan Gift packs at Pulse boutique, Jeddah

Do Good

You may ask, Misha that sounds great, but how do I actually Do Good, and what has it got to do with the Pulse boutique?

When you purchase The Body Shop’s products you contribute to growth and welfare of local communities involved in the process. You can also sign-up on petitions for a cause that you feel passionately about.  For example, the gift bag that the marketing team generously gave us helps create awareness about the ‘Stop $ex trafficking of children and young people’. The bag is yours for life, unlike plastic bags which are an innocent looking menaces to the environment.  

A bag for life

In short, other competitors may sell you make-up and moisturisers, in other words hope in a bottle, but Pulse, in a heartbeat  offers you a globally holistic experience.

Pulse is where activism, beauty and community collide.

Go check out Pulse boutique in Aziz Mall, you can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

A big thank you to the marketing team for the great gift pack!

Stay tuned for more reviews of The Body Shop products in the coming weeks, don’t miss my post hurry follow me on Facebook and Twitter.