Winter Staples: Bath & Body Works - Cucumber Melon Body Cream

Bath & Body Works' body creams are incredibly moisturizing, yet they absorb quickly; perfect if you're on the go. Despite it's rich texture, it does not feel oily at all. It leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth.

If Cucumber Melon isn't your thing, that's ok! You only have, oh, 35 other scents to choose from :p. There's a fantastic deal going on right now on their website: buy 3 body creams, get 3 FREE! So if you're stumped for Christmas presents, definitely check these out!

Just a note: these body creams do contain parabens, so steer clear if you want to use paraben-free products. That said, this product leaves my skin feeling so incredible and I love using it on my hands especially. I've been trying to drink more water, which means I need to, uh... Unload more often than usual; which, in turn, means I need to wash my hands more. And on top of that, I always have my heater on, so my hands have been drier than usual. Like I mentioned above, this body cream sinks in so quickly and doesn't leave any oily residue, so it's perfect for using on my hands. I don't have to worry about not touching anything until my hands dry :p.

Now, I only wish they came in smaller tubes so they can fit in my purse much easier!

What's your favourite hand cream?

READ MORE - Winter Staples: Bath & Body Works - Cucumber Melon Body Cream

BathTime Diaries: Lush - Floating Island Bath Melt & Butterball Bath Bomb

As the weather's gotten progressively colder, I found myself wanting to take more baths. A few nights ago, I treated myself to a combination of Lush's Floating Island Bath Melt and Butterball Bath Bomb.

I have to say, I really love this combination. Butterball is known to be Lush's most moisturizing bath bomb; now pair that with a bath melt and you've got yourself one fabulous bath!

As you can see, there isn't really anything special about how these products look in the bath. There are minimal bubbles, there are no funky colours, no confetti... What's truly special about these two is how it makes your skin feel afterwards: incredibly moisturized. In fact, I only really need to apply lotion on my drier areas (i.e. elbows, knees, etc).

And I can't forget the scent. These two smell sooo delicious! Butterball smells like cocoa butter and Floating Island smells like vanilla. YUMMY!

Have you tried either of these bath products?

READ MORE - BathTime Diaries: Lush - Floating Island Bath Melt & Butterball Bath Bomb

Winter Staple: Lush - King Of Skin Body Butter

(photo from Lush)

Another lovely product from Lush, this body butter not only smells delicious, but it's also luxuriously moisturizing. Lush says that it contains cocoa, shea & coconut butter, bananas, toning essential oils, jojoba & almond oils, fresh avocado and oatmeal.

I love using King of Skin after baths because it's so moisturizing. It's really best to use at night, in my opinion, because it takes a while to sink in. It's definitely not the product I reach for if I'm pressed for time :p.

My skin always feels incredibly soft after I apply King of Skin. The scent lingers, too, which definitely adds to the entire experience; using this product really feels like I'm pampering myself. And we all deserve a little pampering once in a while, no?

As you can see, it's a solid body butter so it would be wise to buy some sort of container if you decide to purchase King of Skin. It's crown shape is a bit difficult to fit into Lush's body butter tins, but after a few uses, it'll fit in perfectly. Lush recommends using it in the shower when skin is still wet, then rinsing off. I personally haven't tried it, but I've heard the bar melts quicker this way, so I don't do it. Though I presume this method will allow the product to sink in quicker so it's something to consider if you want to use it and need to dress right away.

It's truly a lovely product and I highly recommend it. The ingredients are natural and won't irritate skin if you happen to be sensitive.

Have you tried King of Skin body butter?

READ MORE - Winter Staple: Lush - King Of Skin Body Butter

Monthly Favourites - November 2010

In every Monthly Favourites post, I always say something along the lines of, "I can't believe it's ___ already!" or "Time is going by so fast!" Seeing as I would hate to break tradition, I have to say: November really really flew by for me. But I'm so happy it's December, because it means Christmas is right around the corner! But enough blabbering from me, here's my November Faves:

1. Revlon - Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup

I wasn't too jazzed about this foundation at first. I didn't feel there was enough coverage and I didn't really like the finish. But once I found the perfect way to apply it, I've been obsessed! I'd say it's around light to medium coverage and is absolutely buildable. It looks natural on the skin and really matches my skin better now that I use a brush instead of my fingers. I'll do a more in-depth review soon, but this has definitely been the base product I've reached for the most this month.

2. Sigma - F50 (Formerly SS 187) Duo Fibre Brush

It is thanks to this baby that I've fallen in love with the Revlon Beyond Natural foundation. But it works beautifully for other liquid face products as well. By stippling the product onto the skin and then blending it out, you achieve a gorgeous finish. Some say "airbrushed," but I've never used any airbrushing equipment on my face so I can't say for certain if that's the finish it achieves. But gorgeous is definitely a good word to describe the finish I achieve for myself.

3. Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Sunset Palette - Cranberry Shade

This entire palette is gorgeous; in fact, Sunset and Storm are probably 2 of Sleek's best palettes. But I've come to really enjoy this one shade in particular. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a name, but it's a gorgeous red with a satiny finish. I've used it in two looks recently, one of which I posted yesterday. It's amazingly pigmented and the velvety texture allows it to blend quite easily. I never though I'd love a red eyeshadow, but there you go :p.

4. Lush - The Olive Branch Shower Gel

I've had this shower gel since the summer but I never used it until fall/winter rolled around. It just smells so amazingly warm that it feels more appropriate to use it when the weather's a bit chilly. No, it's not the most moisturizing of shower gels, nor is it a brilliant exfoliator; but it there's something so welcoming about it, especially when you shower with really warm water... That's why I love it so much!

5. Lush - Sympathy For The Skin Body Lotion

This lotion is definitely a staple for me in any season, but I've come to really  appreciate it this winter. Although it isn't technically winter yet, we experienced a period of below freezing weather and my skin has suffered for it. Sympathy for the Skin has kept my skin wonderfully moisturized; it retains moisture better and smells absolutely delicious. The combination of The Olive Branch and this lotion is especially glorious!

6. Lush - Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser

Angels on Bare Skin is really such a wonderful cleanser. It leaves my skin looking and feeling smoother and doesn't strip any moisture at all from my skin. Actually, I would feel comfortable saying it's moisturizing as well because I can get away with not applying moisturizer on my skin after using this product. Not only is it simple yet effective, it's also one of Lush's vegan products. It has natural ingredients and no parabens, sulfates, or any preservatives.

7. Nivea - Milk & Honey Lip Balm

Smells lovely (milk and honey? Come on!) and moisturizes just as well as my well-loved tinted lip conditioner from MAC. Also, it was less than $3. There is no losing with this lip balm! No fancy tricks here, but it's a very effective product. An more in-depth review is coming soon.

8. Revlon - Sugar Plum Nail Polish

Applies smoothly and effortlessly, plus it dries so incredibly quick! The shade is gorgeous, too. Perfect for the Holidays! 

Happy December, lovelies!

What were your favourites form last month?

READ MORE - Monthly Favourites - November 2010

Winter Staple: Lush - Sympathy for the Skin Body Lotion

The temperature has dropped to below 0 Celsius here in Vancouver, something that doesn't happen often. That means the heater's always on and I'm always using borderline hot water for my baths/showers. 

Now my skin isn't normally dry. In fact, I can go through a typical Vancouver winter without having to use body creams or lotions. But this winter is going to be anything but typical, and I find myself needing to moisturize much more than I usually do. 

Sympathy for the Skin is my absolute favourite Lush body product. It moisturizes perfectly; sinking into my skin enough that it doesn't feel tacky but still leaving a bit of moisture at the surface so I don't feel like I need to apply more. Not that I mind the tacky feeling, I quite like it. But if I'm in not in the mood to sit around waiting for my skin to dry, then I reach for this product.

On top of it's amazing moisturizing abilities, it also smells absolutely delicious! It contains real bananas and vanilla pods, but it smells mostly like vanilla. I can seriously just sniff myself all day, it smells so good... That sounds weird...

If you plan  on purchasing it, keep in mind that it does have an expiration date. However, it's good for about a year so it shouldn't be a problem since there's only 240g of product in the pot. Which reminds me; mine expires in January so I really should use mine up. Not much more to go, by the looks of it!

What's your favourite body cream / lotion?

READ MORE - Winter Staple: Lush - Sympathy for the Skin Body Lotion

Lush Christmas Products! (Part II)

(all photos from Lush Canada)

We all know a Lush Christmas wouldn't be the same without their amazing wrapped gifts. This year, Lush has designed 12 different Christmas gifts for us to choose from!

Contains: Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb, Snowcake Soap

Contains: Snow Globe Soap, Whoosh Shower Jelly (also wins for cutest name :p)

Warning: product may melt

Contains: The Boog Bath Bomb, Cinders Bath Bomb

Warning: product may melt

Contains: So White Bath Bomb, Cinders Bath Bomb (Matrioshka dolls made of So White Soap)

Warning: product may melt

Contains: So White Bath Bomb, Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb, Bearded Lady Bubble Bar

Contains: Snowcake Soap, Vanilla Fountain Bath Bomb, 

Smitten Hand Cream, Li'l LUSH Pud Bath Bomb

Contains: Cinders Bath Bomb, So White Bath bomb, L'il LUSH Pud Bath Bomb, 

HokkaidoWinter Bath Bath Bomb, Think Pink - XMSSTR Bath Bomb, Mrs. Whippy Bath Bomb

Warning: product may melt

Contains: Christmas Eve Bubble Bar, Cinders Bath Bomb, Mandarin's Tea Party Soap, 

Sexy Peel Soap, Dragon's Egg Bath Bomb, Butterball Bath Bomb

Contains: Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Candy Cane Bubble Bar, Rock Star Soap, 

Honey I Washed The Kids Soap, Bubble Gum Lip Scrub, Snow Fairy Lip Tint

Warning: product may melt

Contains: Candy Cane Bubble Bar, Angel's Delight Gift Star Soap, Snow Fairy Shower Gel, 

Twilight Bath Bomb, Bon Bon Lip Scrub, Sugar Plum Fairy Scrub, Iced Wine Shower Jelly

Contains: Sexy Peel Soap, The Olive Branch Shower Gel, Glogg Shower Gel, 

Mandarin's Tea Party Soap, Buffy Body Butter, Sugar Scrub Shower Scrub, New! Solid Shampoo

Warning: product may melt

Contains: Candy Cane Bubble Bar, So White Bath Bomb, Christmas Eve Bubble Bar, 

Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb, The Boog Bath Bomb, HokkaidoWinter Bath Bath Bomb, 

Bearded Lady Bubble Bar, Gingerbread House Bubble Bar, Mandarin's Tea Party Soap, 

Glogg Shower Gel, Snow Globe Soap

Needless to say, there's pretty much something for everybody in these gift sets. My personal pick is definitely the 12 Days Of Christmas gift set. Yes, it's pricey, but it comes with almost every single product I want to try from the Christmas line. 

But I'm also really intrigued with the Matrioshka gift! I used to have a Matryoshka doll when I was younger and found it incredibly entertaining (ahh, to be young and be easily amused!). I remember Lush releasing Easter products that functioned the same: the gift itself was a bath bomb and it came with more products inside). Since I missed out on those, I'd like to pick up one of the Matrioshka gifts. 

And how cute is the Chillin' With My Gnomies gift? I'm only really interested in the Snow Globe Soap, but... Gnomies! Come on! I will not get over this...

Which presents would you lovelies pick up (whether for 

yourself or a loved one)?

READ MORE - Lush Christmas Products! (Part II)

Lush Christmas Products! (Part I)

(all photos from Lush's Canadian & UK websites; compiled by me)

If you're a Lush fan like me, then I'm sure you were as excited as I was when you heard about the new and returning Christmas products. For those that haven't seen, here they are in all their Christmas-y glory:

LIP PRODUCTS

MASSAGE BAR

BODY SCRUB

SHOWER GEL / JELLY

SOAP

BUBBLE BAR

BATH BOMB (BALLISTICS)

I can't wait to see these products on the shelves of Canadian Lush stores! I'm personally excited for: the Sugar Plum Fairy Scrub, the Bon Bon Lip Scrub, the Glogg Shower Gel, the Mandarin's Tea Party & Snow Globe Soap, and ALL the bath melts/ballistics!

What are your must-have Lush Christmas products?

READ MORE - Lush Christmas Products! (Part I)