The Forgotten Wonder - Fruit & Passion Apple Illusion Quenching Butter

Sometimes a product just seems to get lost in the sea of the colorful beauty that is my bathroom and I don't end up talking about it or using it no matter how much I liked it during the initial excitement of "ownership". The neglect is not a reflection of the items quality or usefulness, it's simply a product of my own forgetfulness and the mere fact that I absolutely need a better beauty organization system.

One such forgotten wonder is the  for the body, which was gifted to me this summer by a thoughtful friend who understands my deep appreciation for cosmetics and beauty in general. She is also aware of my goldfish attention span so she gently reminded me about Fruit & Passion Illusion Pomme (Apple Illusion) Quenching Body Butter ($18.50 for 200 ml) this lovely butter upon seeing it on my bathroom shelf. All I can say is "my bad" girlie!
Hopefully this post can rectify my own mistake!

Fruit & Passion is a Canadian cosmetics company created by a master perfumer that makes scented body & home care products using natural ingredients and is committed to high quality, high-performance results with an emphasis on environmental consciences. Basically they make stuff that pleases both your senses and our fragile ecosystems. 

That's a message I can certainly get behind!

Official Description;
Our Quenching Butter for the body, made with shea butter and vegetable oils, has a smooth, creamy texture and penetrates skin fully to deliver nutrients. Enriched with apple extract from Provence, its biodegradable formula leaves skin lightly scented and feeling fresh.

Ingredients;
Aqua (Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 60, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene.
#34-199Ca

I have had the pleasure of using many of their products and I am certainly a fan of their signature scents, with the Illusion Pomme (Apple Illusion) line being no exception to this. A lot of their fragrance lines are limited edition so if I find one I absolutely adore I know fully well to stock up before it disappears. I find their prices are reasonable and on par with their competitor The Body Shop so I have no huge qualms about them but it's always nice to hit their annual sale events.

The Quenching Butter formula is available in various scent profiles and it's pretty consistent across the board, never losing its luxe ultra-nourishing appeal. The texture is lighter than the traditional The Body Shop Body Butters but no less moisturizing. I like the silky consistency because it's easy to work with, sinks in quickly and the non-greasy hydration factor can be felt for hours after application. My skin is left softly scented, feeling comfortable, softened and simply fresh. 

The butter base formula contains Shea Butter and Grape Seed Oil which are known for their powerful emollient properties. The creaminess along with your chosen fragrance can really elevate your daily moisturization to a more spa-like, pampering experience! What's not to love :-)

Scent Description;

A joyful, subtle perfume where the aroma of apple blossoms into a sweet illusion.
A light wisp of flowers quickly fuses with the essence of apple.
A hint of ginger heightens apple’s mouthwatering appeal without overpowering and adds a joyful, spicy twist.
Mild amber and acacia wood add character and longevity while keeping the fragrance light and cheerful.
The Illusion Pomme (Apple Illusion) fragrance is definitively on heavy-duty fruity side of the spectrum but the flowery notes are definitively present as well. Despite the name I can't really describe this scent as "apple" in nature however I suspect the fruit essence is simply over powered by the fresh blossom notes with some ginger in the mix. That being said i feel like the "apple" undertones is what keep this fragrance fresh, light and just plain cheerful!

Ultimately I love Fruit & Passion products and their innovative scent combinations certainly pay homage to their master perfumer origins. Their Body Lotions and Quenching Butters are the brand's stand-out's and I will continue to use them year round, especially when I need some aromatherapy in my day!

I hope this was helpful to someone!

Have you tried Fruit & Passion products? Any favorites I should know about?

XOXO

ANJA

Body Care Moisturization - Worth it!?

Lets face it, body moisturizing is neither the most fun nor the most glamorous beauty activity of your day! I don't know what is more bothersome, the actual application or that "waiting game" after the process itself.

Feeling greasy and slimy is not my definition of beauty and yet I continue to mindlessly apply, reapply and smooth on various concoctions all over my body, almost daily!

Body moisturizers might not be the stars of my beauty regiments and yet if I skimp on them even for a day, my skin lets me know in a very red and itchy kind of way. Things can get even more dicy during those cold Canadian winters so when the temperatures go down I begin my lotion hoarding. The search for the perfect body lotion for my overreactive, sensitive skin has sent me down some questionable paths before but I carried on, only to emerge with a few bottles that I actually "like" using. Don't get me wrong I still find body moisturization cumbersome at best but with these creams of the crop the act itself is just a tiny but more enjoyable. 

There are a few features that I look for when shopping for a body care product, little details that make a bottle stand out in the sea of endless plastic, perfumy potions. 

The thing that is probably most important is surprisingly the price itself. For a girl with a collection of high end makeup items, skimping and scrutinizing prices like this can be somewhat of a foreign experience. However since I tend to use a lot of lotion on a daily basis a $100 bottle is not going to last very long so I have learned to improvise and recognize good ingredients and quality brands that I can afford to use copious amounts of. The Drugstore, Etsy and Handmade body products are the gold mine for great formulations and good prices joined harmoniously in a wonderful product. 

The second thing I pay a lot of attention to is ingredients in the formula. Just because I am looking at lower priced products doesn't mean I am willing nor do I have to sacrifice skin loving ingredients. Concentration of said ingredients is also important so when looking at the bottle information make sure to pay attention what is at the beginning of the list. There are a lot of brands out there that taut certain emollients on the bottle but in reality only contain minuscule amounts of it. The obvious moisture magnets are Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Macadamia Oil and the new comers Argan & Marula Oils.

The things you want to avoid are high concentrations of mineral oil and alcohol, silicones, parabens and petrochemicals. A lot of small, indie type brands are the front-runners when it comes to showcasing the heavy-duty emollient properties of natural ingredients. Their prices are very reasonable and the formula is usually very concentrated, which means the longevity of the product itself is extended and a little bit will go a long way. 

Another important attribute I look for is specific fragrance of the lotion itself. Now I am not talking about scented lotions like the ones from Bath & Body Works - those are made more for the scent than actual moisturizing power. My top lotions are either unscented or have a light fragrance that's not going to compete with perfume or body spray I may choose to use during the day. Fragrance layering is great for certain occasions but for everyday use I need a heavy-duty lotion that will primarily hydrate and soften my skin. I prefer for the scent to lightly linger on my body but doesn't overpower or interfere with the many other products I pile on during my beauty routine. If that wasn't enough, my girly nature also requires a fragrance I thoroughly enjoy! 

The last feature I scrutinize is texture of the lotion and it's absorbency factor. I may need deep hydration but that doesn't mean I am willing to wait around for the body lotion to absorb and settle in to my skin (especially in winter). The greasy, slimy residue is one of the main things that makes body moisturization the unpleasant ritual that it is. Avoiding that alone will make the task easier to stick to. Rich lotions that sink in quickly is a tricky combination to achieve so when you find "the one" I suggest hard core loyalty. It has taken me ages to find my ideal matches. 

The lotions that I personally swear by I'll go as far as say that I "love" using are: Desert Essence Spicy Vanilla Chai Hand and Body Lotion ($8.99 for 8 fl.oz.), Korres Yogurt Body Butter ($33.00 for 7.95 fl.oz.), Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter ($45.00 for 235 ml), The Body Shop Honeymania Body Butter ($20.00 for 200 ml) and  Nourish Organic Body Lotion in Almond Vanilla ($16.00 for 8 fl.oz.)
Even though I have my perenial favorites which are no doubt going to make their appearance during the upcoming cold, snowy Canadian Winter, I am most excited about the MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Elbow, Knee & Heel Cream ($32.00 for 2 oz). If its half as good as their Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer (reviewed here!) I will be over the moon with it. Both will be re-ordered shortly :-)

I hope this was helpful to you!

What are your favorite body lotions? Any favorites I need to know about?

XOXO

ANJA

The Princeza Guide to Bedtime Beauty

It really is no secret that I happen to be a high-maintenance girl in almost every sense of that concept. My natural "girliness" drives almost everything I do and experience throughout my day and as such I embrace it wholeheartedly and openly. The tomboy nature of my childhood has all but died out now and pink sparkly-shiny things seem to dominate my existence and my surroundings. There is nothing wrong with that, right?

This femininity naturally extends into how I approach my beauty regiments and nothing illustrates that more than my bedtime rituals. Each and every step of this routine is designed to relax, comfort and elevate the beautification process, which is something I look forward to especially on those really bad days. It might sound like I am putting way too much thought into this and over-complicating the whole experience but that is exactly the point when you are doing something you love. At least whoever goes to bed with me will be able to reap the benefits of my silky, fragranced self :-)

For better overview I have divided the bedtime beauty process in several steps so you can see just how seriously I can take this!

1. Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness 
I try to shower each night before bed for two reasons - I have a thing about being clean all the time and more importantly I value my sleep immensely so the chances of a morning shower are usually slim to none.
The scent can be very important for bedtime use so I try not to choose any "perky" or "energizing" scent combinations. A gentle, soothing and moisturizing formula is always a must so that along with the fragrance requirement can make my choice somewhat difficult.
One that hits all those points and is one of my favorites is the This Works Deep Sleep Shower Gel ($28.00 for 8.4 oz) and the Cowshed Lazy Cow Soothing Bath & Shower Gel ($25.00 for 10 oz)

2. Butter Yourself Up 
I firmly believe that smooth, silky and soft skin is one of the top attributes of our femininity. Not only does your skin feel more comfortable with proper moisturization but it can also elevate your confidence like nothing else, regardless of the given situation. Bedtime pampering gives you the perfect opportunity for this because as we all know your skin renews and rejuvenates itself best during the night so arming it with some extra emollients can only amplify that effect.
My personal collection of body lotions and rich body butters are quite extensive but the ones I reach for more often during the summer months are Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter ($42.00 for 8 oz), Barr-Co. Fine Shea Butter Lotion ($24.00 for 16 oz) and the amazing The Body Shop Divine Calm Body Butter ($20.00 for 6.75 oz).

Bedtime 1 with The Body Shop , Anthropologie, Josie Maran

3. Amplified Bedtime Skincare Routine 
I already have a very extensive night time skincare routine with serums, eye creams and heavy duty moisturizers already in place. I like to refer to this as my core regiment and the major theme here is once again regenerate and rejuvenate in order to help the skin's natural nigh-time repair cycle. The products may change but their purpose remains relatively the same.
Every few nights I try to elevate the core with some additional weapons from my bathroom cabinet that really make a difference in both my skin quality and feel.
I am talking about overnight hydration masks (Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask), resurfacing treatments (Dr. Brandt Overnight Resurfacing Serum), targeted imperfection creams (Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel) and nightime eye serums (Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate)

4. Luxury Girly Necessities 
These steps illustrate my high-maintenance nature best. They are obviously not must-have's and most probably don't have all that many major skin or body benefits but are complete indulgences of the beauty world and as such my favorite perks of being a girl. Taking the time to add these little steps to my bedtime make a huge difference when it comes to calming, comforting and preparing me for that lovely slumber time we all need more of.
Deeply moisturizing treatment hand creams take care of the most overlooked but so important body part and only take a few minutes to apply so I really have no excuse when it comes to using them. I keep several mini tubes on my bed-stand and the ones that always stand out are the impossibly cute LUSH Tiny Hands Hand Lotion ($8.95), Compagnie de Provence Wild Rose Shea Butter Hand Cream ($5.50 for 1 oz) and Lollia Relax Shea Butter Handcreme ($25.00 for 4 oz)

Bedtime 2 with Lollia, Compagnie de Provence, LUSH

Moisturizing and nourishing lip treatments are always a must for me and the ones that I love the most (right now) are Tatcha Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($36.00), First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy ($15.00) and the new Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss ($3.99)
My eye lashes get some extra help and conditioning with the Mavala Eye-Lite Double Lash Night Treatment ($18.00) and L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum ($14.99)

Bedtime 3 with Lush, Disney, Prada Candy

5. Bonus Point Steps 
You are probably rolling your eyes by now but I promise I almost done! The finishing touches to this elaborate bedtime indulgence parade are a quick spritz of perfume (PRADA Candy), dusting powder on the sheets (LUSH Silky Underwear Dusting Powder) and maybe a pillow spray (DREAM Pillow Mist)

I think its pretty obvious at this point that I have an obvious cosmetic fetish and rest assured I am fully aware of this but I would still gladly recommend all of these products to anyone who is looking to make their bedtime routine a little more luxurious!
After all beauty products are wonderful perks of our feminine existence and we are all worthy of a little luxury :-)

I hope you enjoyed a tiny glimpse into my beauty product world

Do you have a bedtime routine? What is your favorite part?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter

I fell in love with Soap & Glory for all the wrong reasons! The bright pink containers, the witty tongue-in-cheek product names, the vintage-inspired packaging and the girly fragrances all joined forces and hauled me in before I could do my usual background research on performance, function and most importantly ingredient list. Something so pretty and feminine had to be amazing, right?

The answer of course is yes and no and Soap & Glory is a classic example of a brand that focuses more on the outer packaging and marketing message, that the formulation of the product itself.
I don't really have anyone to blame for my impulse purchases or for the fact that I fall so easily into the advertising trap and nobody forced me to buy anything nor did I feel obligated to use their products. However I can't help but be a tiny bit disappointed with the brand messaging and the fact that a company that supposedly cares about women would produce products that are simply sub par and definitively overpriced for the ingredients used in the final formula.

I know that Soap & Glory is not all bad and I am sure they have a few redeeming products in their line up however after purchasing several things that disappointed me I am bitterly going to step aside and look for something better.
My last Soap & Glory purchase was the Righteous Body Butter and even though I liked using it I still ended up being disappointed because the formulation was average, the ingredient list full of various "nasties" and the price for the quality was seriously inflated.

I know there are a lot of people out there that love Soap & Glory and this particular body butter so I hope this review doesn't offend anyone. The only reason I am writing this slightly negative opinion is because I believe that we must have a balanced view when it comes to product reviews and part of the reason I started blogging in the first place was to be able to present readers with a clear and honest picture of the products I personally used.
My personal opinion of the Soap & Glory Righteous Body Butter is that it fails to deliver on its promises and under-preforms in comparison to some other drugstore, less pricy body lotions.

Description;

Award winning body butter with softening shea butter and aloe vera. Smooth on a handful after your shower and you might swear you're wearing velvet. Scented with our Original Pink™ fragrance.

Directions for use;

After showering or bathing, smooth a generous handful of The Righteous Butter onto damp skin and massage lightly until it all sinks in.

Ingredients;

Water, Shea Butter (Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Cetyl Alcohol (thickening agent), Glyceryl Stearate (Emollient), Coconut Oil (Emollient), Cacoa Seed Butter, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol,Ethylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Limonene, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, Potassium Hydroxide, BHT, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Alpha-isomethyl Ionone, Citral, Propylparaben, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben

Upon closer examination of the Righteous Body Butter ingredient list, heavy duty emollients are easily recognized including Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Cacao Seed Butter and various essential oils. I wasn't able to find out exact concentrations but judging by its thick, greasy texture I would say that the percentage is quite high and it would make sense because this is meant for dry skin. I purchased this product based on the fact that it claimed  to provide deep moisture and since it was thick, it was very easy to assume that it really would be adequate.

The Soap & Glory Righteous Body Butter would be perfect if it actually absorbed into the skin at a certain point but no matter how long I wait for it to sink it, it just refuses to work for me. I have tried experimenting with various amounts, applied on both dry and damp skin, mixed it with body oil and other body lotions but its not co-operating at all.

The fragrance of the body butter is Soap & Glory's signature Original Pink scent and even though its not my favorite its pleasant enough that I would have no objections about it if the product was otherwise usable.

I hate giving a negative rating to a product but I honestly cannot recommend something that preformed so poorly. It never really sinks in to my skin, leaving greasy residue on the body and worst of all despite all those emollients my skin was left feeling irritated and very dry just mere hours after initial application.

I will be passing this on to a friend as I don't want it to go to waste and if her experience is any different I will update this review with the new information but until then I don't recommend this and suggest you save the $20-25 and purchase a tube of the Bliss Body Butter instead

I hope this is helpful anyways :-)

What do you think about the Soap & Glory products? Maybe I am the only one that doesn't like it?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)