Turning On the Light - Mastering the Dewy-Glowy Radiant Look

Even the most hard-core makeup lovers sometimes crave a natural, fresh look that emphasizes natural beauty and a softer everyday youthful feel to your overall appearance.

Don't get me wrong, as a beauty blogger and a lifetime cosmetics fan, I appreciate the variety makeup experimentation can bring to the table and what fun we can have with the transformations resulting from such play time, however I admit there are days and occasions where the non-makeup look is just easier and perhaps even more appropriate. There are beauty queens that can pull off bold, glamorous looks every single day and I have to admire their dedication but for me personally that simply isn't feasible to accomplish. I might over-complicate my beauty routines from time to time but even I have days when I just can't be bothered to follow through with all my essential "steps". 

The "natural" makeup look sounds deceptively simple and easy to preform but even such minimalist presentation needs a variety of products, time and technique to execute and perfect. Replicating the "no-makeup" look ironically requires a combination of both good skincare and you guessed it...makeup products!

The best way to get the dewy look is to have a good base to start with. What I mean by that is that having good skin in the first place, increases your odds of getting things right when it comes to this makeup style. It makes sense, if your skin is dry, uneven, dehydrated and lack-luster to begin with, you'll have much harder time accomplishing any makeup goal and this is no exception to that rule. If anything good skin condition is the most important for the "natural" look because the whole point is to use sheer cover-up products in order to allow your natural glow to shine through. 

Your regular skincare routine, including gentle cleansing, exfoliation factors and sufficient moisture levels are major players throughout that process. 

Beauties with already oily skin may have a hard time with this makeup effect for the simple reason that adding additional "glow" or "dew" to such skin types can only exasperate the "grease" problem. The silver lining for oily skin is that their skin cells produce an abundance of natural oils that can be tamed through the use (but on over-use) of oil-absorbing, mattifying products that will allow some natural dewiness to shine through and amplify the radiance everyone else is working so hard to get. 

STEP 1 - SKINCARE 

As i already mentioned, a good skincare routine created through the use of appropriate skin-loving products is going to be your best friend in developing long-term complexion radiance. Healthy skin is your best starting point but if that's not a possibility there are a few things you can do and products you can use to give your skin a boost and fake some glowy smoothness prior to actual makeup application. 

Replacing your usual, daily cleanser with a cleansing balm will allow you to gently remove skin impurities and add skin-plumping hydration just by washing your face. The ones that never let me down are the Antipodes Certified Organic Grapeseed Butter Cleanser ($42.00) and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm ($70.00).

Good skin preparation following the cleansing step should include a radiance & hydration boosting serum topped by a nourishing moisturizer that will smooth out your complexion canvas and get it ready for additional products. My current favorite serums are the REN Radiance Perfection Serum ($66.00) and the Jurlique Purely Bright Radiance Serum ($72.00), which I follow with the MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer ($25.00) almost daily. Taking a few extra minutes to massage these potions into your skin will stimulate the circulation and elevate the natural radiance factor as well. 

Using a light exfoliator before preparing this "no-makeup look" such as the Melvita Foaming Facial Scrub ($30.00) can also increase your natural radiance exponentially. When I am feeling especially productive I like to use the LUSH Bubble Gum Lip Scrub ($9.95), following it immediately with my beloved By Terry Baume de Rose ($60.00) to pamper and plump up the pout. 

STEP 2 -  FACE MAKEUP 

After completing your skincare routine you can focus on completing and perfecting the makeup steps of this transformation process. I am sure many of you will be surprised just how many products I consider useful and necessary to achieve this seemingly basic "no-makeup look"! However keep in mind that even though the number of beauty items may be high, the application technique and time needed is significantly reduced so once you master the steps the look itself will be easy to replicate each time. 

Depending on your coloring, skin tone and skin condition the type of products you end up choosing will differ but as long as the "sheer" theme is the main attribute of the choices you make, the basis of your personalized natural look should remain universal. The texture and feel of your makeup base needs to be sheer and light, with the goal being a satin-like glowy, real-skin finish in order to achieve the youthful, fresh look we are pursuing. 

The first product I start with is a radiance-boosting primer, typically looking for a formula with light-reflecting particles included in the medium itself. Some excellent primers I have used in the past are Tarina Tarantino Pearl Glow Primer ($32.00), BECCA Radiance Primer ($55.00) and Elizabeth Arden Let There Be Light Radiant Skin ($19.99). I find that using a radiance boosting formula primer can add glow to the complexion in a lot more subtle way than most highlighters and since the natural look is all about subtlety and natural lights a product like that can really pull the entire look in the right direction. 

Keeping with the sheerness theme my primary choice for coverage are usually tinted moisturizers, BB creams and very sheer, lightweight foundation formulations. To keep the finish natural I apply the base with my fingers or a damp sponge making sure to blend and buff everything in to perfection. The final result should be satin-like, sheer perfecting evenness that glows and gives the illusion of a healthy radiance. The one that's been getting the most play time on my vanity lately has been the Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer ($46.00) which has been making me glow for weeks - people actually noticed! 

To amplify the dewiness even more I sometimes apply a liquid or cream highlighter to the cheekbones, brow-bones and Cupid's bow, once again making sure to blend and smooth the targeted areas. My choice for subtle, light reflecting highlighters include: Guerlain Meteorites in Mythic ($67.00), Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up! ($36.00) and Illamasqua Intrigue ($32.00). 

Using a concealer where needed will add polish to your complexion, covering and neutralizing any redness or minor imperfections that the lightweight coverage of the tinted base was unable to deal with. Once again reaching for a creamy, illuminating concealer formula is your best bet and the cult classics NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30.00) and BECCA Radiant Skin Creamy Concealer ($39.00) will deal with just about anything. The hybrid formulas such as the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch ($50.00) and its budget dupe L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Lumi Concealer ($12.99) will do miracles around the eye area, illuminating and contouring all in one step. It takes some practice but with the right touch the results can be quite flattering. 

Light layer of translucent powder to set everything painstakingly applied completes the makeup base and ensures that the achieved results will last the day without smudging, melting or uneven fading. Keep in mind that the powder dust needs to be applied with a very light touch because too much product can just end up mattifying the dewy glow you were aiming for in the first place. Powders that haven't let me down and are still going strong in my stash are: Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder Quartet ($60.00), Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder ($72.00) and the trusty bareMinerals Mineral Veil ($25.00)

STEP 3 - MAKEUP BROWNIE POINTS 

Perfecting the "natural look" complexion is the key when achieving this particular makeup look because skin is where most of your radiance comes from however adding a few extra steps to just finely enhance the rest of your features can elevate your look from plain and boring to polished and youthful. 

Sheer colour, glowy blushes can add a very healthy flush to your cheeks and if applied correctly actually imitate the outdoorsy, cheeky radiance. I personally prefer cream-based blush formulas because they blend in easier than their powder counterparts and just look more natural on my face. One of my most recent discoveries are the Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blushes ($31.00) and they are perfect for faking naturally flushed cheeks. 

To maintain the no-makeup vibe the eyes can be enhanced with just a sheer wash of colour with a neutral, taupe or champagne low-shimmer shade while the lashes retain the natural look (try Benefit Cosmetics Velvet Eyeshadow, $18.00)with just a light coat of brown or clear mascara (try Sephora Collection Clear Defining Mascara, $15.00). 

Going the natural look route doesnt mean that you have to underplay your pout. Applying a sheer lip stain like the Buxom Full-On Lip Tarnish ($23.00) or a sheer balm like the L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balm ($7.99) will keep your look low key but still give you a believable sheer colour to draw some attention to your lips without the stickiness of a lip gloss. 

If you have bronzer experience adding a light layer to the the areas of your face where the sun naturally hits, can chisel and emphasize your features through expert contouring. That particular step is lost on me - my limited skills just end up making me look muddy and no matter how much I want to get the natural sun-kissed look every attempt fails miserably. But I am practicing with my Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel! 

The general consensus for this natural, no-makeup, radiant, glowy look is the sheerness of everything you use. This is not about strong colors, seductive smoky eyes, bronzed goddess like cheekbones, foundation masks or statement-making red lipstick. This look is about enhancing and bringing attention to our own natural beauty - spotlighting our own uniqueness and best features all the while celebrating the youthful spirit that resides in all of us. 

Sure, makeup makeovers can be extremely fun and empowering and sometimes even the most confident girl can have trouble taking the mask off BUT stripping the artificiality of it all gives us a chance to experiment on the opposite end of the spectrum and no-makeup look is still a makeup look regardless... 

Its just softer and prettier...for me anyways!

What do you prefer - nature or glamour? 

Thank you for reading 

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 :-) 

Snobbery Step Aside - My Drugstore and Budget Beauty Favourites

One of my lovely subscribers (Hi - Melanie!) messaged me this weekend with a request for my personal drugstore and budget buys list. Some of you might already know about my slogan "Every Comment Makes Me Do a Happy Dance (really!), which meant that after I did a terrible version of the "chicken dance" I went over to my various stash locations (hiding spots), looked through my vanity drawers, bathroom shelves and makeup bags, determined to make my first request turn out as perfect as it possibly can be. 

If you are familiar with Canadian Princeza, then you might have noticed that the vast number of the products I have reviewed tend to be mostly in the "high-end" category. Scrolling down the "brands" listed you would also notice that the blog's primary topic seems to be skincare and treatment products, which are usually priced a lot higher than makeup basics so that makes my collection seem even more disproportional. Just because I don't have a lot of "drugstore" products reviewed and listed on my blog (yet!) doesn't mean that I have anything against them, that I don't use them, that i don't appreciate a "good value" or that I think I am too good for lower-end stuff. Personally I almost always buy products that have good ingredients, great formulation, "ethical" brand concepts, excellent reviews and innovative research. Every once in a while I get mesmerized by product packaging and limited edition incentives but I am finding that this is happening a lot less often and now that I am writing reviews and reflecting more.

The one category where I have to be extremely careful is skincare and that's only due to my sensitive, reactive skin, which can literally end up out of control in a matter of days. That being said I am a firm believer that the price tag attached to a product does not guarantee success, good results, innovation, good ingredients or even truthful advertising. In fact sometimes it seems the higher the price, the bigger the claims and therefore the worse your disappointment feels. I can think of a few high-end brands that have completely lost my trust, business and endorsement due to problems attached to their "promises" that had not a lot of backing or truth to them at all.

These days we have to be smart in choosing what we purchase and what we allow to be used on our bodies. Its a "dog eat dog" world out there, advertisers can deliberately mislead, ingredients are coded in a way that is harder to understand, the prices are rising every day and we, ordinary girls have to figure out a way to get through the complicated, consumer web and make choices we can stand by.
Higher price doesnt mean a better product at all and luckily the so called "budget" brands, along with a whole slew of "independent small-time" companies have noticed this shift in their customers mind-set and are finally coming out with formulas that are inexpensive, highly efficient, filled with good ingredients, attractively packaged and even philanthropic in nature.
I for one am tickled pink just thinking about the possibilities and more than happy to feature and promote any brand that fits in that category!

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite products that won't break the bank (too much!) bur could break your skepticism :-)

Budget Beauty Favorites with MILANI , Haus of Gloi, Nivea

Here is a list of my "Snobbery-Free" Beauty Favorites;

- L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Balm (Satin Pink) - $7.96 at Walmart
- Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream - $8.97 at Walmart
- LUSH Banana Moon Soap - $7.95 for 100 g at lush.ca
- LUSH Coconut Deodorant Powder - $7.95 for 65 g at lush.ca
- Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter in Litchi Milk Tea - $10.00 for 6 oz at Haus of Gloi
- LUSH Bubble Gum Lip Scrub - $9.95 for 25 g at lush.ca
- Klorane Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk - $12.00 for 200 ml at well.ca
- Klorane Desert Date Nutritive & Repairing Hair Mask - $15.99 for 150 ml at well.ca
- Milani Illuminating Face Powder - $12.79 at well.ca
- Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash - $11.99 for 147 ml at well.ca
- Dr. Bronner's Organic Rose Liquid Soap - $3.99 for 2 oz at well.ca

I hope you enjoyed my first "Budget Beauty Collection" and at least got a few ideas for your next purchase!
Thank you Melanie for the request and the wonderful message you sent me - I really appreciate all of my readers so hearing from any of you just makes my day :-)

Please let me know if you want to see more posts on this topic and if its possible in any way I will gladly accommodate all requests from everyone!

What are your favorite budget finds? Anything I might be missing out on?

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 :-) 

New Lust List!

The Lust List with Eve Lom, Clinique, Sunday Riley

As you can tell I am having a bit of a LUSH affair these days as I am rediscovering some of my old favorites.
Skincare is once again dominating my brain but there are a few makeup items as well to shake things up.
Sidney Riley is a brand that has been catching my mind lately and their tinted primer was a game-changing product for me so expect a full review soon.
My beloved Prada Candy signature scent is now gone and its important to mention that this is the first fragrance I have every finished and I have a feeling its not going to be the last one. Must restock ASAP.

What has been on your wishlist lately?

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 - LUSH Vanilla Puff Powder

LUSH Cosmetics is one of those special, magical places where the intoxicating scents, adorable pastels and super friendly associates combined results in a "perfect storm" of buying frenzy. When I am in the LUSH mode I am able to justify, rationalize and even feel good about buying their bounty! However that happens even when I am not entirely sure what the product actually is or what I am using it for. Sometimes that can be a recipe for buyers remorse but other times it can result in a major "rave" discovery. It's a toss up but kudos to the LUSH team - I almost always come out on top.

The LUSH Vanilla Puff Powder was one of those mystery items, purchased solely for the scent itself and the fact that I seem to be incapable of reading descriptions & directions in a store setting.
I am almost positive that at the time I acquired this I was not really aware that this was essentially a Vanilla scented talc. Granted this is the LUSH version of the traditional "old lady" formula and as such made the experience and the talc itself a little more "current".

The ultimate question remains - Am I a talc convert?

What it is - Luxurious, indulgent vanilla jasmine powder

Scent your skin with vanilla and leave it silky smooth, and softly fragranced. Inspired by rich, sumptuous desserts, Vanilla Puff dusting powder is a decadent extension of our popular range of Vanillary products. Each bottle has a real vanilla pod inside that slowly infuses its sweet fragrance as you use it. Talc keeps your skin smooth and vanilla absolute helps your skin retain moisture while jasmine and tonka help with softness and to give Vanilla Puff its delicious, vanilla pudding scent. For sophisticated fragrance layering – sprinkle some on before spritzing your favorite perfume, Vanillary of course.

Ingredients;
Cornflour (Zea mays), Magnesium Carbonate, Talc, Perfume, Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Tonka Absolute (Dipteryx odorata), Powdered Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), Vanilla Pod (Vanilla planifolia), Coumarin, Hydroxcitronellal

The feature I love the most when it comes to LUSH Vanilla Puff Powder is the scent itself, which was the reason this ended up in my basket in the first place. Fragrances represent a lot of comforting feelings and memories for me so I always develop a personal connection with any scent that I end up choosing for myself and this talc powder is no exception.

As expected the main note in the fragrance is vanilla but if you are expecting the sugary, baked goods kind of development then this is definitively not for you. The combination of the Vanilla with the Tonka note blends to create a comforting, grown-up, sophisticated blend that still smells good enough to eat but has the features of a fancy French dessert instead of the plain old vanilla cookie. Regular LUSH customers already know that this company is known for its extra-special touches when it comes to product design and the Vanilla Puff Powder is no exception. If you look closely you will see that each bottle contains a real Vanilla pod along with the powder. What that implies is that the scent will last longer and continue to evolve even after its made because the vanilla pod continues to infuse the talc powder with fragrance long after.

The scent appeals to both girls and (most) boys because it doesnt have that sweet, sugary finish associated with some "feminine" preconceptions.

Traditionally talcum powders are used as moisture absorbents and as such they keep the skin dry, thereby reducing & soothing rashes and chaffing irritations. Hence its use in baby care!

LUSH Vanilla Puff Powder has surpassed all of my expectations and I am still finding new ways to use it;
- After a bath or a shower, following my body lotion
- Dry shampoo alternative
- Vanilla fragrance enhancer
- Bed sheet refresher
- Muggy weather relief
- Quick deodorant alternative
- Pet bed refresher
- Sprinkled in shoes, gym bags and my 'unmentionables'
- Hair fragrance (softens the ends)

The packaging of the Vanilla Puff Powder leaves a lot to be desired and is probably the only fault I can find with this product. The bottle opening is entirely too big and clumsy, which coupled with my own incompetence can end up being a complete white, powdery disaster. Its taken some practice and patience on my part but now I know to be careful when using this, especially since I don't want to waste something i enjoy so much. If i do make a mess, at least its a beautifully vanilla scented mess so I don't concern myself with it too much. I do however hope LUSH is working on a better alternative.

Initially I wasn't too keen on the idea of talcum powders but the more i use this, the more I love it! There is something very classy, feminine and old-worldly about sprinkling this everywhere and since the scent lingers softly, every whiff just makes me feel pampered and beautiful.

The price is right ($6.95 for 1.9 oz) and the LUSH Vanilla Puff Powder is available both in stores and online year-round. Check out their website for more information and all other awesome LUSH information!


Have you tried the LUSH Vanilla Puff Powder? What's your favorite LUSH product?

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 :-)

Smelling Roses With LUSH

I am a complete girly girl - I love everything single thing that comes with that label (flowers included). That being said I don't think anyone would be surprised to learn that I get very mushy when it comes to flowers - Roses being my favorite of course. I have a huge weakness when it comes to roses - the scent is absolutely my favorite fragrance so when it comes to beauty products chances are if the marketing even touches upon that I will be all over it!

A lot of people associate roses with "old ladies" and old-fashioned criticism and I wholeheartedly disagree. I would never describe them in manner - for me the soft rose scent reminds of classic beauties, glamorous vanity tables, pure feminine energy and most importantly LOVE. There isn't anything more romantic than receiving roses from that certain someone, the scent always fills the air with a promise of beautiful things to come...I know, I am a complete mush! 

But I digress...

So my rose fixation and love of body care products pretty much guaranteed that LUSH's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner and Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie would eventually make their way in to my bathroom. The combination of fragrance, impressive ingredients (actual rose petals, anyone?!) and uniqueness of the product formulas, made it very hard to resist but I assure you I tried. Even though i wasn't entirely sure of what it was I was ordering, I took the plunge and didn't look back. I am happy to say I wasn't disappointed!

Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie is described by LUSH on their site as;

Lather up with our delightfully buttery rose-scented shower smoothie. Each pot is made with superb quality ingredients including aphrodisiac jasmine and Turkish rose, smoothing almond oil, moisturizing cocoa butter and neroli - the euphoric essential oil. Smooth on this softening smoothie in the shower, let it sit for a minute then rinse off for clean, touchably soft and fragrant skin. A pot of this suits all skin types, but it is particularly good for dry and sensitive bodies that need moisture.

The Ingredient list provided is;

Rose Water (Rosa centifolia), Glycerine, Rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil (Brassica napus; Helianthus annuus; Cocos nucifera), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theoproma cacao), Water (Aqua), Perfume, Rose Oil (Rosa centifolia), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), Neroli Oil (Citrus amara), Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Editronate, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hydroxcitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, D&C Red No.33

When I first ordered this I thought I was buying a body lotion or a in-shower moisturizer. Once i had it in my hands and opened the black tub, the consistency & texture indicated that I was wrong and it implied i was dealing with a fine body scrub. It wasn't until I was in the shower that I realized my error but I am happy to report that I loved it regardless. The texture of this is very unique - whipped like butter but solid at the same time, easy to work with with a light foaming action. You don't need a lot but if you are like me you'll end up using more just to enjoy the scent longer. I don't find it very moisturizing but it definitively doesn't dry out my skin like some conventional shower gels. The scent does linger after rinsing but not as long as i would like, however I cant really fault LUSH for that - its not suppose to be a perfume, I just really want it to be! 

The price ($34.95) is a little steep for what is essentially a very luxe body cleanser but if you love the fragrance it is worth the occasional pampering splurge. 

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner is described by LUSH on their site as;

LUSH product inventor Rowena made this decadent, rose-scented shower ‘lotion' – so it's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner which very conveniently sounds like Rose Argan Body Conditioner. She noticed how much she liked the sultry soft feeling conditioner gives her hair, so she thought how nice it would be if she could have the same feeling for the body too. With scoops of cocoa butter, cupuacu butter, almond oil and Argan oils, this is the most luxurious body softener that ever was (if we don't say so ourselves!). After washing up, slather yourself all over with this new invention. Rinse, pat dry and revel in supremely soft, rose-scented skin.

The ingredient list provided is;

Fresh Spring Water (Aqua), Glycerine, Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Cypress Leaf Infusion (Cupressus sempervirens), Brazil Nut Oil (Bertholletia Excelsa), Vanilla Pod (Vanilla planifolia), Fair Trade Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Stearic Acid, Argan Oil (Argania spinosa), Cupuacu Butter (Theobroma Grandiflorum), Fragrance, Triethanolamine, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Goji Berry Decoction (Lycium barbarum), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum), Limonene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

This Body Conditioner was not the first in-shower lotion I have ever used but it was certainly the best. I hadn't read any reviews about this (rare for me) so my expectations were pretty high, maybe even a bit unrealistic but i have to admit LUSH fulfilled every single one of them. I love Ro's Argan Body Conditioner! The texture is that of a light lotion, really refreshing feel on the skin, absolutely no greasiness and enough fragrance to fill your whole bathroom (and then some). Basically all it entails is stepping out of the shower, slathering this on, taking a deep breath - letting the steam take effect while keeping busy preforming some other beauty ritual for a few minutes (applying a face mask, perhaps?) then doing a light rinse, pat and done. This, combined with the Turkish Delight is my favorite shower ritual resulting in the softest, silkiest baby skin EVER!

Final verdict on this pricey little gem ($32.95) is a very positive one - maybe not every day but its perfect for those times I really want to remind myself of my deeply-rooted girly nature. 

For more information on these two rosy favorites and other LUSH products just visit their vast number of international websites here

Have you tried these two 2 LUSH concoctions? What did you think?

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 :-)

My Skin Care Jackpot LUSH Buche de Noel

I've decided that since skincare seems to be on my mind a lot more than makeup these days, I would start a "My Skin Care Jackpot" series and feature a product or a brand that has made it into my "staples" beauty cabinet.

In order to qualify for the coveted spot in this feature the product/brand must meet the following criteria;

1. Product has been in the beauty routine for minimum of 30 days or has shown significant-visible results in a very short time period.
2. I am 100% comfortable recommending a product to family/friends/readers
3. Product has been either repurchased or will be repurchased shortly
4. Product does not contain "dangerous" ingredients (like phenol/parabens)
5. Product or brand is not ridiculously overpriced and is relatively accessible
*Exceptions may happen but only for very special cases!

The first episode of the Jackpot products features LUSH's Buche de Noel Seasonal Cleanser

I know what you are thinking - first product in the Skincare feature and she is already breaking the guidelines she is suppose to follow! It might seem that way but I will do my best to argue my way into the "exceptions list" and hopefully change your perception :-)

1. Buche de Noel is a cleanser released by the LUSH chain usually around the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays and is available for purchase both in-store and online (albeit for a limited time period). Personally i always purchase 2 pots of this since i am always paranoid that it will sell out quickly. One black pot lasts a lot longer than 30 days and if i ration this yummy paste I have been known to make it last all the way to February. The amazing LUSH staff is very helpful and it was through one of them that i discovered that Buche de Noel can be be preserved in the freezer for many months after purchase (l opened my 2nd pot in June!)

2. LUSH cleansers have been used in our household quite regularly and I would be more than comfortable to recommend it to everyone - young and old.The available ingrediant list is very straight forward so potential allergy reactions can be prevented by scanning the short list on the pot

3. I have repurchased this cleanser for at least 2-3 years now and I will definitively be buying it again this Christmas.

4. LUSH makes handmade skincare for both face and body, using premium natural ingredients that the whole family can be comfortable using!

Quantitative Ingredients;
Ground Almonds, Kaolin, Glycerine, Fresh Satsumas, Dried Cranberries, Cocoa Butter, Brandy, Almond Essential Oil, Vetivert Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Linalool, Cinnamal, Perfume, Nori Seaweed, Candy Pine Tree

5. Buche de Noel is actually one of the lower priced cleansers LUSH has to offer - the average being around $8-9 in Canada and even though its not available for purchase year round, extras can be preserved in the freezer and used much-much later on

I distinctly remember this being a complete impulse purchase, spurred no doubt by the holiday excitement, yummy comforting scent and the fact that I was really-really hungry.

Most people compare this to Angels on Bare Skin and i will agree that they are definitively related but i think at best they may be cousins...The texture is similar of course but the Buche de Noel is definitively more gritty and smells so-so-so much better. Just like ABS this cleanser is kind of messy to use but practice helps so after a few tries i am becoming a pro. A pinch in the palm of my hand, mixed with a few drops of warm water combines to create an oatmeal like paste which can be applied directly on the face and massaged in with gentle circular motion. I love how easy it is to rinse off - after only a few splashes of water, my skin is left feeling clean, smooth, plumped and radiant. Buche de Noel does have light exfoliating properties due to texture however in my opinion its not a replacement for a facial scrub especially since its meant to be used daily.
Bonus points for this LUSH formula is that it reminds me of another staple in my skin care cabinet - Dr.Hauschka's Cleansing Cream! I like the scent of both but LUSH is the clear winner.

LUSH products can be purchased here!

Now its your turn! What has your experience been with LUSH skin care?
What do you think - should LUSH make this a permanent year-round product?

XOXO

ANJA