The Body Shop - Sampler Gift Set

I got this set for just $10 because I wanted to try the Peppermint Foot Lotion. The lotion turned out not to be as good as my all-time fave, Pied de Pepper, but the set was a great deal and it's been fun trying some of the other stuff, too! 

I like the almond hand wash - it definitely keeps my skin feeling soft and supple. I like the scent of almonds - but I do find that this is a little overwhelming and the scent stays on my hands for ages after I wash them. It's a little much. I haven't tried the Coconut Shower Gel yet, but it's next on my list. It smells great in the bottle, though! And of course Cocoa Butter Lotion - well you really can't go wrong there! I've been using various different cocoa butter lotions for years. The only think I really don't like is the White Musk Shower Gel. I've never been a fan of the scent (neither was the guy in I bought it from at the store - I said I probably would give it away and he winked and said "I don't blame you!"). I'm sure I can find someone else who'll like it, though, and for $10 I'm more than happy with the other four!

Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 4/5
Worth the price? Super good deal.
Would I purchase again? I'll probably get some of these things again in the future, and would definitely re-purchase the set as a gift. **Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from The Body Shop.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of L’Oréal. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

Where to find it: The Body Shop in store.

The Body Shop - Shower Gel in Satsuma

This stuff smells like a citrus orchard in a bottle. It's one of those scents you just want to breathe in and never breathe out again. You need only a little bit because it lathers up like crazy, and the scent will linger on your skin for literally hours after you're done in the shower - maybe a down side for people who aren't so crazy about perfumes and scents! But I absolutely love it, and it's great for this time of year when you're starting to see summer around the corner! Mmmm-mmmm.

Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Definitely!
Would I purchase again? I have, and might get another backup while I still can since it's discontinued! **Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from The Body Shop.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of L’Oréal. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

Where to find it: The Body Shop in store and online. 

The Body Shop - Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

I first started using The Body Shop's Tea Tree line in my teenage years to help with breakouts instead of harsh chemical options. I found the smell a little strange at first, but over time I got used to it and started to like it. My mother is an aromatherapist, so she recommended it, being familiar with the antiseptic and healing qualities of Tea Tree oil.

Now that I'm a little older (okay, a lot older) I don't have to worry about breakouts quite as much, but I do still have that wonderful hormonal week every month when the skin goes a little haywire - particularly if I'm under the weather. I always keep a little travel sized bottle of this cleanser around to use when I've got a couple of breakouts going on. I like that it makes my skin feel very refreshed and... well... clean without drying it out or making it feel like it's being pulled tight over my face. Give it a try if you have trouble with your complexion but want to stay away from harsh chemical ingredients!


Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? I just get the travel size and it's only about $4 - and lasts me a few months at least!
Would I purchase again? Yes, over and over again! **Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from The Body Shop.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of L’Oréal. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

Where to find it: The Body Shop in store or online.