Bath & Body - Beauty Collection Blog

[Review] Philosophy’s Sweet Talk Gift Set

February 14, 2012 By Claudia C. 1 Comment

The Philosophy brand balances fun and whimsy with serious science and proven ingredients. So, I jumped at the chance to try Philosophy’s Sweet Talk gift set.

I usually have one or two Philosophy products at home, whether it’s a bath-and-body gel or a lip gloss. The Sweet Talk set includes an all-in-one bath/shampoo gel, a body lotion and a lip gloss. The packaging is adorned with the sweet little sayings you would see on Candy Hearts, which is also the scent for this set.

I always love the scents used in Philosophy bath products, and was excited to find out what Candy Hearts would smell like. It wasn’t a flavor I was familiar with, but it was described as sweet and tart. To my surprise, it has a grapefruity bubblegum scent that had me instantly in love. Sweet Talk was a hit! It’s a light, fruity fragrance—and as I usually wear something coconut-scented, this was a nice change.

First, I tried the Candy Hearts Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath. I loved that I could use this as an all-in-one. It suds up great with the help of a shower poof, and it washed clean from my hair without leaving an ultra-sugary scent behind. The all-in-one is a pretty pearl-pink liquid that can be used from head to toe. My skin was left feeling moisturized, and not tight, due in part to the blend of allantoin, aloe and sunflower seed oil that replenishes hair and skin.

After showering, I tried the Candy Hearts Body Lotion. I was hoping this would be an ultra-thick formula, as it’s February and my legs need all the help they can get. The lotion pours out and sits like a cream would, which I prefer over a more liquidy formula. While it didn’t feel thick like a body butter, the cream spread easily and was lightly scented just like the body wash—light enough so that I could apply it from the neck down for full body moisture, without killing everyone in the house with the scent of Candy Hearts.

Sweet Talk Lip Gloss now has a home in my purse. In the tube, it looks like it will apply glittery and pink, but the ultra-sheer formula glides on and accents your own lips’ natural color. The gloss is super glassy and would look hot layered over a lipstick or stain, and the flavor is like a delicious mix between candy and bubble gum. I can imagine needing to reapply more often for this very reason!

I loved the Philosophy Sweet Talk set. I only wish I could make the scent last longer, but this one is definitely on the the lighter side. I suspect this set would last two to three weeks for the average person using it daily because mine is already halfway gone—which only shows how much I loved using everything.

I wouldn’t mind getting this as a gift on Valentine’s Day (hint, hint guys). It’s cute, it’s fun, and a scent you’ll enjoy. It would equally be accepted by any of my friends (hello, who doesn’t love a scented Philosophy set?). So, really, what I’m saying is if you need to get out and indulge in a little gifting for yourself or a friend, this set can be found at Beauty Collection locations for $22.00 or you can call customer service to place your order.

Ladies, would you wear Candy Hearts? What’s your favorite scent from the Philosophy family?

XOXO

Product: Philosophy Sweet Talk Gift Set

Price: $22.00

Purchase: At all Beauty Collection locations, or call 866.881.8393 to order

Filed Under: Bath & Body, Gift Ideas, Reviews Tagged With: flirty scent, philosophy, sweet talk value set, valentine gift idea, valentine gift set

Battle of the Fragrances: Kai & Leila Lou

January 4, 2012 By Kathleen N. Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I have been hearing an awful lot about Kai and Leila Lou. For years, I have seen these brands in the press, read numerous articles in glossy magazines penned by beauty editors raving over them and have heard celebrities using the word “obsessed” to describe their devotion to these two wildly popular brands. Look them up on Beauty Collection’s website and you will see that both Kai and Leila Lou’s perfume oils have five star ratings and dozens of comments left by happy customers singing their praises.

I am going to dissect these two brands for you. Let me put them head to head, through numerous tests and judge them on multiple factors. I will describe the fragrances in detail, chronicle every pro and con about the formulas, and track performance of each product. Afterwards, you can take my data and use it to help you decide if one of these (or both!) fragrances is right for you. This all sounds super scientific doesn’t it?!

So for each brand I reviewed the perfume oil and a bath and body product. For Kai that was the Bathing Bubbles and for Leila Lou it was the Body Lotion. Let’s do this!

Kai

Kai creator Gaye Straza struggled for years to find a perfume that agreed with her, After a lot of frustration, Straza decided to make her own fragrance. Kai Perfume was inspired by her frequent vacations to the tropics in her youth, and the white exotic flowers she discovered and fell in love with during these trips. Kai’s delicate scent is intensely floral yet simple and elegant.

Kai Perfume Oil

I was super excited to get my hands on this perfume. For years I have been curious about it because of how popular it is. When you smell it in the bottle it smells so floral. Definitely not in a Grandma way though.This is a modern floral that starts with Gardenia but ends with a tropical smell. I can’t place it though. It just reminds me of the beach. The air and the sand, plants and sea. It’s all there. The tiny glass bottle is a has a roller ball applicator making it a cinch to apply and highly portable for touch ups. After application, it dried down into a creamy floral, and some Tuberose leaked out. The fragrance lasted throughout the day and when I went to bed at night, I could still smell it on my wrists.

The thing that I find most interesting about this fragrance is that even though it is a floral it is never overpowering. I have never met a floral perfume that I liked. I always felt like it entered the room before me and left way after I did. Plus I always felt like it was in my mouth or my husband was coughing and gagging, swiftly evacuating the bedroom after I sprayed myself. But not with Kai. Delicate is a great word for it. Delicate, floral and creamy

Kai Bathing Bubbles

Kai’s nourishing bubble bath is packed with moisturizing Vitamin E rich Argan Oil and naturally cleansing coconut and sugar derivatives which will leave your skin soft, supple and glowing. Your bath and skin will be fragranced with the same floral scent as Kai’s perfume oil. Personally, I loved the Bathing Bubbles. I actually used it as both a bubble bath and a shower gel. The formula did leave my skin feeling extremely smooth and hydrated and the scent was gorgeous. Not too strong but just enough so that the scent lingered on my skin throughout the day. The bottle is fairly large (16oz) and will last for some time.

Leila Lou

This irresistible fragrance was created by Rosie Jane Cosmetics. The light perfume oil is made with 100% essential oils. Leila Lou was meant to capture the alluring scent of freshness and innocence. With notes of Pear Blossom, fresh cut grass and Tangerine, the scent is unique, modern and clean.

Leila Lou Perfume Oil

I am new to this brand but have heard loads of positive things about tit since I started blogging for Beauty Collection. According to Leila Lou’s website, there are only three stores that carry the line in my state and I don’t frequent any of them, so I am not surprised I have never seen it. The glass bottle is slightly larger than Kai’s, but it’s the same roller ball style. When you smell Leila Lou straight out of the bottle you smell a clean scent that is mixed with a fruitiness. It smells really good! Once applied, it dries down and becomes more complex. You can smell floral behind the clean fruit smell. It’s a beautiful mix of fruit, floral and a soapy clean. The only thing that really bothered me about this oil was that it didn’t last long enough. Kai definitely beat Leila Lou in terms of performance but the brilliant thing is that the bottle is totally portable making it easy to reapply when needed.

Leila Lou Body Lotion

Leila Lou’s light body lotion contains 100% essential oils and naturally hydrating ingredients. Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba and Coconut Oil moisturize your skin while the scent of Leila Lou’s perfume oil fragrances your skin. Even though this was a very light formula, I loved the lotion. I used it all over my whole body and it kept me moisturized throughout the day. Layering the lotion with the perfume oil did help with the staying power of the fragrance.

Overall I am in love with both fragrances. They both have their own special qualities. The thing the I found unique about their coordinating bath and body products was that the fragrance translated well and the formulas were phenomenal. Too many times I have been disappointed by a perfume’s matching lotion or shower gel. Either the fragrance isn’t the same as the perfume or the formula is terrible. Drying lotions is the number one problem I find with perfumed body products. These did not disappoint though. I would highly recommend both brands and feel like they are universal scents. If floral based fragrances scare you, give Kai a try. It’s a fantastic perfume to ease into floral scents. Leila Lou was my favorite of the two. The clean scent is as perfect for day as it is for a night out.

So….have you tried either of these brands? What did you think? Do you have a favorite?

I hope all of my sweet readers have a happy and safe New Year! Thank you for your support in 2011, stay tuned to see what Beauty Collection brings you in 2012. It’s going to be beautiful!

Product: Kai Perfume Oil

Price: $49.00

Purchase: All Beauty Collection locations as well as beautycollection.com

Product: Kai Bathing Bubbles

Price: $36.00

Purchase: All Beauty Collection locations as well as beautycollection.com

Product: Leila Lou Perfume Oil

Price: $38.00

Purchase: All Beauty Collection locations as well as beautycollection.com

Product: Leila Lou Body Lotion

Price: $28.00

Purchase: All Beauty Collection locations as well as beautycollection.com

Filed Under: Bath & Body, Fragrance, Quotes We Heart, Reviews

Bliss Spa-liday Set: Supreme Happiness for $29

December 19, 2011 By Laura Leave a Comment

Bliss (noun) supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment. That how you will feel after using the Bliss Lemon + Sage Spa-liday set. In case you have’t heard of Bliss hear is a quick summary. The first Bliss Spa opened in New York City in 1996. They have since used cutting edge technology and services to pamper their clients head to toe with skin care that yields results( sign me up!). They have recreated the spa feel with at home products. Their colorful design is fun and upbeat and adds a little playfulness to their products. They are uplifting and meant to make sure you refreshed and ready to take on the world(who doesn’t want that feeling?… I do!)

SpaLiday Gift Set 300x300 Bliss Spa liday Set: Supreme Happiness for $29

Bliss Spa-Liday Gift Set - Lemon Sage

Still need to get a few more gifts? You will want to pick this one up! The set comes with a FULL size of the Lemon +Sage Soapy Suds and Full size body butter PLUS and a shower pouf. The smell is like fresh squeezed lemons, it is so uplifting in the mornings( it’s like hello, I’m awake!) It’s citrus without being too citrus( you know, when you make “that face” because it’s too sour) It smells so uplifting it perks me right up and brightens up my mood. Plus, this set is also paraben free( if you were wondering). I am not one for super strong scented products but this one really hit the mark, with just enough scent to make it yummy!

: Bliss Lemon + Sage Soap Suds

The wash is nice and soapy, you can also double it as a bubble bath. Now, it will not be as bubbly as other bubble baths but the smell alone with help you relax and bring your spirits right up. I like it because you feel clean without it stripping all the moisture from your skin but it also won’t leave a “film” on your skin either( perfect mix for a wash I say) Put a little on your shower pouf or bath and enjoy.

Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter

The body butter is just that, butter! Not in a jar? I know, but trust me it is so thick and creamy that you wouldn’t know it wasn’t in a jar. The butter smells just as delicious as the soap and it is super moisturizing without being greasy. Use it at night, and your skin will be so smooth in the morning. Use it in the morning, and you will feel fresh all day. The smell is very light, it is not at all overwhelming. All in all, an amazing lemon scented butter with wonderful moisturizing benefits.

The Bliss Spa-liday set is not only a really good value ($50 value not including the shower pouf) but a really nice gift for someone in need of some pampering. The smell will relax and energize you and the products will help your skin stay hydrated through the winter. Now, the question is, to buy one as a gift or for myself( maybe a gift for myself? Hmmmm… decisions decisions!) How will you decide?

Filed Under: Bath & Body, Curator Corner, Gift Ideas, Uncategorized

[Review] LaLicious Sugar Souffle Scrub & Body Butter

December 8, 2011 By Claudia C. Leave a Comment

If you haven’t heard of Lalicious already, then grab your cup of cocoa and read on. LaLicious is an all-natural (paraben & sulfate-free) bath and body line, created by Jessica Kernochan. In 2002, Jessica had an idea to make body care gifts for friends (at home) for Christmas, which has developed into a 5500 sq.ft eco-friendly facility just to keep up with the demand from customers! Her ultra-moisturizing creations which include Whipped Body Soap, Body Oil, Sugar Souffle Scrub, and Body Butter come in a variety of scents, such as Tahitian Flower, Lily Mango, and Peppermint. Each product in the line helps in maintaining youthful, hydrated skin with deeply penetrating, nourishing oils such as coconut, almond, and Vitamin E Oil.

[Review]

I was lucky enough to try the Sugar Souffle Scrub and Body Butter in Sugar Kiss, a warm vanilla (almost frosting-like) scent. I had tried it out once before at a Beauty Collection in-store charity event and had put it on my must-try-more list! Needless to say, when my package arrived I ripped open the box and couldn’t wait to crack these babies open and take a sniff. Ahhh……a little bit of heaven, I’m telling you.

LaLicious Sugar Souffle Body Scrub – 16oz – $32

First off, this scrub is amazing, no joke. I am an exfoliation freak and have grown very picky on what I like. I love that this scrub is sugar based instead of salt, that means no stinging and less scratchy-ness. Because the winter has completely sucked the moisture out of my legs, I was in need of something that exfoliated, but at the same time moisturized. I used the scrub all over my body, but noticed how well it kept my legs moisturized after the shower–you can even use this stuff as a shave oil after the sugar crystals rinse off. I loved how I could just pat dry most of my body and off I could go. A perfect gift for someone who wants to stick with all-natural, paraben & sulfate-free products, or who loves scented body products. Sugar Kiss leaves behind a light vanilla sugar scent and can be intensified with the use of the body butter.

LaLicious Body Butter – 8oz. – $25

Lalicious Body Butter is super-thick, but spreads nicely and is non-greasy. Being able to take a scoop out and cover myself head to toe was wonderful! I’ve gotten so many compliments on how nice I smell in my office building, I only wish I had a travel body spray to keep in my car! (hint,hint LaLicious) Not to mention, boyfriend-approved. The shea butter and aloe made my winter legs feel like they can come out of hiding for while, due to the beautiful sheen they have now. This body butter is a true treat for pretty much anyone who comes in contact with it. You don’t need severely dry skin to enjoy this– you can enjoy this when you give yourself a manicure and pedicure (like I did) or even a mini-spa treat for yourself at home?

I’ve used both products for a couple days straight now and I will say that its not necessary to get everything–but with one sniff I know your going to want the entire line, because I do! I’ve already got my eye on some other scents (and for those of you concerned with overpowering scents, the coffee bean scrub rinses off right down the drain*) I “need” to buy, and plan to restock once I run out of one or the other. Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes. A Co-worker? Yes. Let’s just say I put LaLicious on my wish list for this holiday, and if Santa doesn’t bring it this year, someones making a trip out to the store.

Filed Under: Bath & Body, Gift Ideas, Reviews Tagged With: body butter, body moisturizers, coconut oil, lalicious, paraben-free, sulfate-free

Kit’s Faves- Dry Skin Soothers

October 9, 2011 By Kathleen N. Leave a Comment

Winter is fast approaching and when I think of chilly temperatures I think of parched, dry skin. Ick! One solution would be slathering myself in Vaseline to create a protective barrier between my delicate skin and the elements. Unfortunately, the greased up Vaseline look is hard to pull off.

So instead, I yearn for something more glamorous, with gorgeous scents and rich textures to cure my dehydrated skin. So without further adieu, may I present to you with my 5 favorite products for banishing dry skin on both your face and body.

Cake Beauty Milk Made Frothing Bath and Shower Cream $22

Start your battle against dry skin in the shower – making sure to avoid steaming hot showers, and opting for gentle lukewarm water instead. Another tip is to shorten your shower time to fifteen minutes max, anything longer will zap the moisture right out of your skin. It’s important to use a rich cleanser with ultra-moisturizing properties, like this decadent cleanser from Cake Beauty. Blended with Shea Butter, Avocado, Whole Milk and Marshmallow Extract, this creamy wash will leave your skin clean, smooth and prepped for further moisturizing products.

Diana B. Green Tea Desert Grapefruit Scrub $45

While you are in the shower, slough off all of the dead skin cells that are standing between you and glowing, moisturized skin. Diana B’s sugar scrub will enliven your senses with it’s fresh, clean grapefruit green tea scent. After scrubbing with the sugar and salt scrub, your skin will magically turn to silk.

Avene Cold Cream Body Lotion $17

Let’s talk about moisturizer. With the cool weather change, you are going to want to go with something to keep you moisturized all day long. Avene’s ultra-moisturizing lotion is formulated with Coconut Oil and Sesame Oil, restoring comfort and suppleness to your skin. Never greasy, this lotion will soften your skin and keep it that way all day. Apply right out of the shower to lock in moisture.

Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub $24

Just like your body, the skin on your face benefits from a good scrub down, to whisk away the dead skin cells that lurks on the surface. Releasing the dry, dead skin will instantly improve skin’s texture and make it easier for your serums and creams to penetrate, making them more effective. Ole Henriksen’s densely textured scrub foams up when activated by water allowing the finely ground Walnut Powder to glide over skin effortlessly enhancing the skin’s natural renewal cycle to reveal the beautiful glow underneath.

Ahava Night Replenisher-Normal to Dry $48

Ahava makes some of my favorite products. Not only are the all indulgent, but they are incredibly effective. This replenishing cream adds much needed moisture back into your skin with it’s key ingredient, a perfectly balanced concentrate of Dead Sea Minerals. Vitamin E prevents dryness and premature aging. Sweet Almond Extract, Avocado Oil, and Jojoba Oil help skin’s elasticity and promote soft, supple skin. As an added bonus, during the winter months this night cream can be used during the day to soothe dry skin.

What do you use to battle dry skin during the winter months? I would love to hear your tip and tricks and what products help to keep you glowing and moisturized when it is chilly outside!

Filed Under: Bath & Body Tagged With: dry facial skin, dry lips, dry skin face, dry skin lotion, winter dry lotion

[Review] Philosophy’s Sweet Talk Gift Set

Battle of the Fragrances: Kai & Leila Lou

Bliss Spa-liday Set: Supreme Happiness for $29

[Review] LaLicious Sugar Souffle Scrub & Body Butter

[Review]

Kit’s Faves- Dry Skin Soothers

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