Body Shop Haul
I love shopping ethically, and no big brand is more synonymous with ethical sourcing than The Body Shop. I have purchased items at The Body Shop for many years, and have always found their products to be effective in addressing any skin concerns I may have, as well as having great makeup, such as lash-extending mascaras and long-lasting matte lipsticks. All products are non-animal tested and cruelty-free, and they conduct fair-trade practices in sourcing the goods they make in many corners of the world, such as Morocco and Kenya. I started buying Body Shop products when they opened in 1997, with the first product I bought being their Born Lippy lip balm in Strawberry. Since then, I graduated first to their Tea Tree range, which was the most effective in ridding my face of blemishes during my teenage years and early 20s. After that, I started using their Vitamin E products, which restored moisture to my dry skin. Lately, some of their products, such as the lip butters and body yoghurts, have been removed of bee’s wax and other items, making them 100% Vegan certified, which is amazing (and may require a separate haul-related post). Here are my brand-new purchases which I bought in bulk the other day. I will evaluate them below. Enrich not exploit!!
Items I purchased:
Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream, $7 AUD
This is a limited-edition hand cream, made especially for Halloween as part of The Body Shop’s Fall for Pumpkin range, which also includes a Body Butter, and a Shower Cream. I found that the hand cream absorbs quickly and effortlessly into the hands, leaving them feeling soft and moisturised. It has a non-greasy feel, and the scent has pleasant undertones of pumpkin (of course), vanilla (of course) from Madgascar, and hints of tonka bean, hazelnut, and maple syrup. The scent lasts up to 3-4 hours. I highly recommend this product and give it a 5 out of 5. Get it quick before October 31st!
Coconut Hand Cream, $7 AUD
This hand cream reminds me of an endless summer, and the scent lasts as long as the Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream. It glides on and is non-greasy, and leaves hands feeling soft and hydrated. It smells amazing and is the ultimate handbag must-have. It contains both community trade organic virgin coconut oil from Samoa in Polynesia, and community trade Shea from Ghana. I highly recommend this product, 5 out of 5 stars. Experience that summer fragrance all year round!!
Drops of Light Pure Resurfacing Liquid Peel, $37 AUD
This amazing peel, which for optimal results you should use 2-3 days a week, instantly leaves skin feeling illuminated after one use. With continuous use, it reduces the appearance of skin marks and freckles, and gives a more brightened and even skin tone. I personally like it better than the Vitamin C and Drops of Youth Peels, probably because I struggle with freckles and skin marks. It contains Red Algae Extract harvested from the North Atlantic Ocean, and is rich in Vitamin C Minerals. The only thing is that it can be difficult getting rid of dead skin residue straight away after the peel has been applied, and takes about 2 rounds with the skin cleanser to get it all off. I recommend this product for the results it gives you. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, $19 AUD
This toner is best applied with The Body Shop’s Luxury Facial Flannel (which I have previously purchased), or cotton wipes, in order to preserve its longevity, and maximise it’s effectiveness. Made with Vitamin E extract and Community Trade Soya oil from Brazil (another ethically-sourced product), this product is alcohol-free, and leaves skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. I have learnt the importance of using a toner as part of my skin beauty regime over the years, and this toner has always given me maximised benefits, and is therefore one of my favourite skin products. It effectively removes traces of makeup and skin cleanser. Using a skin cleanser to remove makeup is usually never enough, and using it on it’s own can leave the skin feeling dry, and this is where the benefits of using the Vitamin E Toner come in, ensuring the skin is both properly cleaned and that it’s natural hydration balance is restored. I highly recommend this product, and give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
Tea Tree Targeted Gel, $14 AUD
This little beauty is fantastic for targeting specific blemishes in a particular region, so as not to dry out other parts of your face. It is made with Community Trade Tea Tree from Kenya, and is 100% ethically-sourced. It is quick-drying and effective in reducing blemishes quickly. I had a break-out recently, and it was a god-send in drying out my blemishes within two days. The only thing people might not realise (but I do, so here’s the warning) is that you need to wash and wipe thoroughly the wand applicator each time after you apply it to an affected area, so as not to spread the blemishes. I recommend this product and give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Tea Tree Mattifying Lotion, $19 AUD
This lotion is great to use as an everyday moisturiser on oil-prone and blemish-prone skin, and is effective in drying up and reducing blemishes. It is light-weight and non-greasy to apply, and, like the Tea Tree Targeted Gel, is enriched with Community Trade Tea Tree Oil from Kenya. It provides hydration without clogging pores, and is fine to use under make-up without causing further break-outs. I cannot express how much I love this product, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, $15 AUD
This wash is a beauty regime must-have for blemish-prone skin. I have been using this product off-and-on for around 19 years now, whenever I have a break-out, which usually happens in summer due to the high level of humidity where I live. Again, it is made with ethically-sourced Tea Tree Oil from Kenya (enrich, not exploit), and leaves skin feeling refreshed and super clean. It tingles a little after applying, which is always a good sign if you want to know that a product targeted toward reducing blemishes is working. I give this product a 5 out of 5.
Matte Lipstick in Sienna Rose (No. 430), $21 AUD
Who doesn’t love a nude-coloured lipstick that goes with anything, and glides on seamlessly, providing total matte coverage, and long-lasting colour? No-one, that’s who. This lipstick is perfect for everyday wear, and is a beauty essential. I ate lunch, and this little beauty still persevered, and did not require a re-application afterwards. What a trooper. Also, it is enriched with Community Trade Brazillian Nut Oil,and is 100% Vegetarian. To those who are allergic to bee’s wax, it would probably be safe to avoid this product, as it contains bee’s wax. I recommend this product, 5 out of 5 stars.
Matte Lipstick in Rio Fuschia (No. 423), $21 AUD
Repeat what I’ve said above, but also, this colour is bold and bright. I love a dramatic lip colour if I decide to dress up, and this lipstick definitely does the trick. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Softening Body Butter in Warm Vanilla, $9 AUD
This is an early-release Christmas fragrance addition (the other two of which will be Rich Plum and Juicy Pear). It has undertones of jasmine, caramel, and, of course, vanilla extract ethically-sourced from Madagascar, and handcrafted Shea butter from Tamale, Ghana. It adds 24-hour moisture, and is great for normal-to-dry skin. It leaves skin super soft and silky, and it smells amazing. I found it is great for night-time application, as the fragrance calms me down and helps me sleep better. The only negative is that it takes a while for the skin to absorb it, like most of the Body Butter range. Great for getting in that Christmas spirit. It’s probably not for non-lovers of vanilla though. Grab it while it lasts!! I recommend this product and give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Moringa Bath Bubble and Candied Plum Bath Bomb, $6 AUD
I love the bath bubble and bomb range, I just wish they were bigger!! I tend to combine up to two fragrances per bath routine (as one causes fragrant bubbles and the other gives the bath a fragrant, milky texture), and this time I chose this combo. There are so many fragrances to choose from, including Green Tea, Pink Grapefruit, Coconut, Strawberry, Mango, Candied Plum, and Moringa. The three new fragrances that will be introduced this Christmas (Rich Plum, Warm Vanilla, and Juicy Pear) will also have bath bomb/bubbles variations. I adore nothing more than a good fragrant bath, coupled with some Sauvignon Blanc and Netflix on my iPad, perfectly balanced on a bath caddy, while relaxing with some candles. The bath bubbles are not overly frothy, and the bombs provide an interesting texture. There are also bottles of bubbling bath variations ian Wild Argan Oil and British Rose available for $20, but at just $3 per bomb/bubble (and a 4 for $10 special), these little beauties are a bargain!! I recommend this product, but I’m taking away a star, because of their size. 4 out of 5 stars.
Happy Go Lash Mascara, $23 AUD
This mascara is fantastic for lengthening lashes without them clumping, and is an update on The Body Shop’s old formula, which is why I had to try it for myself!! It is definitely new and improved. It didn’t dry out my lashes or make them flaky, and made them look lush. A down-side for some people is that it is only available in black (it’s not a problem for me, because I have dark hair and eyebrows). It thickened and defined my lashes perfectly!! It is made from 99% natural ingredients and is enriched with Community Trade beeswax from Cameroon and Community Trade organic virgin coconut oil from Samoa in Polynesia. The only issue I had was that it was not the easiest to remove, even with makeup remover. I recommend this product, and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Born Lippy Lip Balm in Passionberry, $6 AUD
The Body Shop finally brought back this Born Lippy shade after discontinuing it, but only for a limited time. I love this lip balm colour and scent to death, as it was amongst my first Body Shop purchases when I was a teenager. It is hydrating and nourishing, and gives lips just a hint of colour. Made from Community Trade beeswax from Guide D’Espoir in Cameroon. It does what it is supposed to do (moisturise), and is a bargain at only $6 AUD. The only downside is that it doesn’t stay on your lips for long. I recommend this product, and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Strawberry Softening Body Polish, $15 AUD
Strawberry-scented products from The Body Shop are among my all-time favourite products in their catalogue of goods. I used this product before my last shower, and was amazed with the exfoliating result after washing it off. It gently refined my skin, and buffed away dead skin cells, whilst leaving my skin silky-soft and hydrated. It contains cold-pressed strawberry seed oil, which is what provides the exfoliation, and is also infused with Community Trade honey from Ethiopia. I highly recommend this product, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, $33 AUD
A must-have for the summer!! Gives you a sun-kissed, shimmery look, which is great for glamming it up for a night out on the town, or for sparkling in the sunshine. Packed Community Trade honey from Ethiopia, the non-greasy formula delivers a warm hint of shimmering colour. It drys quickly and won’t rub off on your clothing. It is my go-to for a tan-enhancing shimmer, and is great for a one-off, bronzed look. This is probably the only downside, as I wished it lasted longer than just a one-off tan application. But for what it is, it is an enduring product that can last up to 6-8 hours on your skin. I recommend this product, and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser, $35 AUD
This product left my skin practically glowing and feeling ultra-hydrated. It provided a necessary skin boost when my skin was looking dull. It’s lightweight and non-greasy, and gave me a natural glow. It is made with ethically-sourced Vitamin C rich Camu Camu from the Amazonian Rainforest in Peru, as well as Community Trade Aloe Vera. I highly recommend this product, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Overall Verdict:
I will continue to shop at The Body Shop for their ethically-sourced, high-quality and relatively inexpensive beauty products. They have a wide range of attractive and beautifully fragrant products that are appealing to purchase, and provide you with a feel-good mind-set, as all products are natural and cruelty-free. Long live The Body Shop!!
Total Price: $287 AUD
