Valentine's Day Gift Guide with Etude House - Part I

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I feel like we've just celebrated New Year, but tomorrow already marks the first day of the most romantic month of the year!  There are so many special Valentine's Day gifts from every beauty brand, but I have to say, using Etude House makes me feel like everyday is Valentine's Day with its pink and red packaging.  This week, I am rounding up some of my favorites that would make great Valentine's Day gifts, whether you're looking for something to treat yourself, gift to girlfriends, or spice up your special dates.

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LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Eau de Perfume

Confession - I made my selections based on the names for these perfume.  I have my forever-love-affair with Estee Lauder Pleasure, but thought it'd be nice to switch things up every now and then.  And these are wonderful scents and the cute bottles and packaging will definitely make a nice decorating piece on any vanity. 

Scent (From left to right)

Love Me Forever  This is my favorite as it has a clean floral smell that's not too intense.  Etude House's description says "freesia and sweet peach", but I can't really smell those specifically.  Good for everyday use.  

Fresh Me Up  This is the lightest scent of the 4.  It is a citron-based scent with some leafy-green smell mixed in.  Good for everyday use. 

Before You Go  This one has a strong floral along with fruity smell.  I usually like floral scent a lot, but this perfume is a bit too strong for me.  I say good for special occasions because of that. 

Take Me  This scent is ultra seductive.  It has a hint of vanilla mixed in with floral.  The bold red high-heel on the front says it all!  Perfect for adding some sexiness.

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Collective bottles that make for great decor on your vanity.

Long-Lasting  I usually spray perfume one time on each of these areas: Upper chest, upper back, and both wrists.  These perfumes have long-lasting scents that stay throughout the day.

Price & Where to Buy   I paid 11,500 won/USD $9.55 at the Etude House store in Seoul.  I also saw them at the Hong Kong store.  However, this collection is not available on Etude House U.S. website.  Selected scents are available on eBay and Amazon, with prices ranging from USD $13.54 to $21.00. 

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CUPCAKES ANYONE?

Sweet Recipe Cupcakes All Over Color

When you see these cute "cupcakes" in person, it's truly impossible to resist them!  I know the colors would be too muted for some, but I'm happy to be just looking at them on my vanity.

Collectible Tins  I still cannot get over how cute these cupcake tins are.  I think these make great gifts both for yourself and your girlfriends.  I am also looking forward to when I use up the balm, so that I can re-use these tins as earrings and rings holder! 

Scent  I try very hard to distinguish the four scents, but at the end, they all smell very similar to me - A sweet fruity scent.  There is a difference in the intensity though.  Raspberry Mousse Cake definitely is the sharpest while the other three are a little lighter and on par with each other.  See photos below for the names of each balm.

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Texture  Imagine a softer version of a balm.  If you add even slight pressure to your finger as you dip into the pod, your finger will sink right into the content.  As you can see in the Raspberry Mousse Cake pod that I had a little accident when I first opened the lid. Oops! 

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Color & Usage  The colors look pretty intense in the pod and also on the initial scoop.  Once blended in though, they become much more muted.  Note that the swatches on my arm were the result of me applying multiple times until the colors show up in the photo.  I think this works well as a lip balm and natural-looking blush, but maybe too light for your eyes. 

Price & Where to Buy  I paid 6,500 won/USD $5.40.  It's not available on Etude House U.S. website, but I did see them at the Hong Kong store.  Amazon also has selected colors, with prices ranging from $2.98 to $7.15.  Keep in mind that shipping charge could cost more than the cupcake itself.

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SWAN LAKE ELEGANCE

Dreaming Swan Eye & Cheek

Part of the Dreaming Swan collection, this silky primer powder can be used on eyes and cheeks.  It is said to have a blurring effect that smooths out skin and what caught my eyes is the romantic design and the illustrations. 

Collaboration  The illustration on this collection is done as a collaboration with someone I love and admire (and follow on IG) - Kerrie Hess, an illustrator from Australia who has worked on projects with designer powerhouses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.  Find her on IGand you will see her amazing work.  Her work is ultra romantic and chic, and that is definitely showing through the packaging of this Etude House collection. 

Swan Lake  The beloved ballet serves as the backdrop for Dreaming Swan.  When I open the lid, another element of surprise awaits me - An image of a ballerina embossed on the surface of the primer powder.  Absolutely beautiful.  I am not sure if I can ever bring myself to deface such gorgeous design.

Color /Effect   This powder has an ultra light pink shade with shimmer.  In the swatch photo: A - In order to show some color, I am using a q-tip to pick up more product than normal, press hard on my skin and repeat multiple times.  B - With normal application using a blush brush, an extremely light/almost invisible pink with shimmer can be seen.  The intent of this product is to enhance skin tone, so the ultra light shade is totally acceptable.  

Price & Where to Buy  I paid 13,000 won/USD $10.80.  Etude House U.S. website (Currently out of stock) and Amazon carry this item, ranging from $13.94 to $15.60.

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Hope you've enjoyed this edition of Valentine's Day gift guide!  I'll be sharing more of my Etude House favorites later this week, so be sure to check back in later. 

What's on your Valentine's Day wishlist?

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MORE FROM THE K-BEAUTY SERIES

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Diptyque - Be My Valentine

#diptyque #beautydiscovery

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Diptyque candles are the crown-jewels of the brand.  With Valentine's Day coming up, the brand is introducing some limited editions like the Rosaviola candles.  My curiosity about these lovely candles took me to the Diptyque boutique inside the Liberty Department Store during my stay in London.  As I was waiting for the crowd to disperse from the candle section, something else caught my eyes - These less-talked-about, but beautifully-packaged Diptyque body care and perfumes.  And the scent I'm completely head over heels with is perfect for adding some romance in the air.

Diptyque the brand

Photo Credit: Diptyque - Our Story

The Beginning  Interestingly, Diptyque's first business was in fabric and wallpaper design.  Liberty London was actually one of their first customers.  The brand was founded by three friends - an interior designer, a painter, and a theater director - who share the same creative passion.  Their first connection that brings them closer to today's collection took place in 1961 when the three founders opened their first store in Paris.  In addition to selling their own soft furnishings, the founders also introduced English perfumes to their customers.

The Iconic Oval  Diptyque's signature label goes back to a fabric designed by Desmond Knox-Leet, one of the founders, in 1963.  The oval label resembles the shields of ancient Rome and echoes the shape of an 18th century medallion.  Fast-forward to today, as soon as you see this iconic oval, you immediately know that you're looking at a Diptyque product.

Information in this section is drawn from Diptyque "Our Story" page on its website.

eau rose hand lotion

I'm a hopeless romantic and I think that's why I'm so drawn to the eau rose scent.  I am also obsessed with hand cream/hand lotion...Lucky for me, this is also the only hand lotion scent available. 

Scent  This rose scent is intense.  At the same time, it's a soothing-kind-of smell.  The imagery in my mind as I put this hand lotion on is that of a romantic getaway...Rose petals on a white-linen-lined bed, two glasses of bubbly, with a large bay window overlooking a gorgeous sunset.  If you are using this hand lotion, I recommend going light on your regular perfume as the scents may compete with one another. 

Texture  True to its lotion form, this is lightweight and does not feel greasy or sticky upon application.  My skin absorbs the lotion quickly and remains moisturized for several hours.  Perfect for helping me get through this dry and cold Boston winter.  

Partially rubbed onto skin.

Design  The packaging design has every signature element of Diptyqye.  From the iconic oval to the hand-drawn rose prints.  It's just absolutely beautiful. 

What Smells So Good?  The 1.7oz size is perfect for travel and this has become my must-have on my recent trips.  I once had a neighbor on the plane asking me what I had just put on that smelled so good.  Do I need to say more?

Available At Diptyque (Currently offering a limited edition with Valentine's Day design).

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eau rose eau de toilette

My go-to perfume is Estee Lauder Pleasure, but ever since I got this Dipyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette, I have cheated on and off.  It's totally normal, right?

Scent  As I ooh and ahh in previous section, the rose scent is again heavenly.  Since this is an eau de toilette, the scent is lighter than a perfume...feel free to apply more liberally!

Body Fragrance Type  Diptyque carries eau de parfum and eau de toilette although this rose scent is only available as an eau de toilette.  On a very high-level, the ranking of scent intensity is as follows across the 3 main types of body fragrance for women: 1) Perfume 2) Eau de parfum 3) Eau de toilette.  The key difference is that, with eau de parfum and eau de toilette, the concentration of perfume essence is less than that in perfume.  As a result, the smell is lighter and each application doesn't last as long.  These two options maybe more ideal for those who have varying levels of sensitivity to fragrance.

Application  Because this is an eau de toilette (lighter scent), you can apply several times over the same spot.  I usually apply on my wrists, tummy, upper chest, and upper back.  I love this roll-on version because I can really control how much I am dispensing.  Also, sneak this baby in your clutch for some mid-date touchup.

Design  Same as the hand lotion, the rose-themed design is just as gorgeous.  What amazes me is the attention to detail and the commitment to beauty from Diptyque product designers - Even though both items are for the eau rose scent, the hand-drawn rose design on each product is unique.  One is purely black and white drawing while the other is a more close-up of roses with pink color applied to the petals.    

Travel-Friendly  In addition to the lean tube size, this also comes with a velvet carrying bag to prevent breakage.  Another way the Diptyque design team shows how much thought and care they put into their work!

Available At Diptyque - Regular design and limited edition Valentine's Day design.

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special treats

Shopping at Liberty London was a special treat, and the Diptyque staff made it even more special.  I wasn't in there to buy a whole lot of items.  Nevertheless, the staff paid as much attention to me as they did to the shoppers ahead of me who bought a few bags full of products.  I was also pleasantly surprised when I was offered two travel sprays as gifts - And don't think the design team takes it easy on these mini's.  You can see it for yourself in the photo. 

My next decision is - Should I still go with my original shopping plan and splurge on some Diptyque candles?  Are you the proud owner of this signature item?  Is it worth the splurge?

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MORE FROM THE BODY CARE SERIES

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Love Me Some Serums - Deep Dive into Clarins, ROC, Mizon & LeeJiHam

#serum #diditwork

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My daily skin care routine involves multiple steps and one of them is always a serum.  Serums pack a high concentration of active ingredients because they typically don't contain any of the emollients and thickeners (non-active ingredients) usually found in moisturizers.  Their lightweight consistency also allows our skin to absorb quickly and at a deeper level.  And most importantly, serums often contain great anti-aging ingredients such as antioxidants and retinol.  In other words, with just a few drops, you'll be getting a powerful dose of skin benefits that's making this extra step well worth your time and investment!

As for me, I went through a very stressful time a few years ago and it totally showed on my skin.  That's when I added a serum in my routine, so that I could get the much needed hydration to combat my dehydrated skin from the stress.

Needless to say, I’ve tried quite a few since I've introduced it to my daily routine.  Below is my experience with this group from Clarins, ROC, Mizon and LeeJiHam.

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CLARINS DOUBLE SERUM COMPLETE AGE CONTROL CONCENTRATE

I was probably one of the early adopters of this product.  It’s one of the few products that I’ve actually used down to the last drop.  To say I love this is an understatement.  However, there are some drawbacks.  

Like  I feel the hydration right away, but it does not give me the greasy feel at all like some anti-aging products do.  My skin has this glow after application and I could see my skin tone improves as I use it consistently.  The way the product pumps out is pretty cool...there are two semi-circular chambers (photo here shows one side).  As you pump, serums from each chamber comes out separately and you mix it in your palm. 

Dislike  Not much in terms of the actual product, to be honest.  However, the drawbacks are 1) the high price (USD $87.00 for 1.0 oz) and 2) the lack of a smaller size for travel convenience (I've had one too many missing baggage incidences, so now I try my hardest to pack travel-size skin care in carry-on just in case).  To combat the high price, I use it only at night in order to extend the usage.

Fragrance  Low level to none.

Sampling  I've already received a few one-time use samples via my Sephora orders, so it could be an option for trial.  Given that this is a pricy product, it would be a good idea to try it out first via sampling.

Available At  Sephora

ROC RETINOL CORREXION DEEP WRINKLE SERUM

I was using this ROC serum consistently before I tried Clarins.  Even though this is a drug-store brand, ROC was developed in France by pharmacist Dr. Jean-Charles Lissarrague in 1957.  Dr. Lissarrague had a strong following of stage actresses at the time as he curated personalized skin care formulas based on their skin concerns.  Needless to say, this affordable drug-store brand is curated and continued to be made in France just like its pricier anti-aging competitions. 

Like  Don't let the mustard yellow color turn you off.  This retinol-based serum packs quite a few anti-aging punches in a tiny bottle.  Similar to my comments for the Clarins serum, I use this for hydration reason.  However, a little something extra from ROC due to its retinol ingredient - skin discoloration improvement.  I have some dark spots and they get worse when I'm in the sun more often.  While the only way to completely remove discoloration is advanced procedures such as laser (with some risks, of course), using this serum helps minimize my dark spots' "mood swing" throughout the sunnier months.

[Those with Sensitive Skin  Retinol-based products are not as powerful as pure retinol products in terms of diminishing discoloration, but they are a good entry into the world of retinol especially for those with sensitive skin.  Pure retinol causes some skin reaction that would normally go away after consistent usage.  However, people with sensitive skin may have bigger or worse reaction, so retinol-based products such as ROC offers a safer option.] 

Dislike  Some may say it's the mustard yellow color, but I don't have anything to complain about this serum.

Fragrance  Low level to none.

Sampling  There is no official samples manufactured by the maker of ROC, but drug stores such as CVS is very good about letting you return even used products if you follow its return policy. 

[Homemade Trial  If you are thinking about getting a little bit of your friend's bottle to try at home, do note that retinol loses its effectiveness if it is exposed to light or air.  It's still a good and economical way to test, but take a small amount and keep it in a non-clear container with a pump (as opposed to an open jar), so that you can truly test out the power of retinol!]

Don't Forget Your SPF  Retinol usage increases your skin's sensitivity to the sun.  Remember to use sunscreen whenever you're using retinol-based or pure retinol products.

Available At  ULTA or any drug store

Did You Know? 

Dr. Lissarrague created the first hypoallergenic skin care product and the first SPF sunscreen.

RoC patented the first pure, stabilized form of retinol for over-the-counter products.

 

MIZON SKIN RECOVERY NIGHT REPAIR SERUMING AMPOULE

I bought this Mizon because I've used and liked their sleeping mask and brightening serum, so I wanted to try another product.  Timing was good, too, as I was commuting between West and East Coasts and I wanted to keep a set of skin care in each home.  I was also hoping I could find a lower-cost replacement for Clarins Double Serum.  Well, cheaper is not always better.  I have very mixed feelings about this product...

Like  I get the hydration that I need from this Mizon serum/ampoule, but somehow the effect feels very short-lived.  Sometimes product gets absorbed quickly into the skin, so not "seeing" the moistened skin may not always be a bad thing. In this case, I have other concerns...

Dislike  Not only is the hydration short-lived, I also don't see much difference after using this serum.  I was starting to wonder if I got a "lemon" or if I somehow got the placebo?

Fragrance  Low level to none.

Sampling  I haven't seen any official samples manufactured by the company.  Another option is to try your friend's bottle if that's available.  There is no known active ingredient, but as a precautionary measure to preserve the effectiveness, use a non-clear container for your sample.  My rule-of-thumb is that if a product comes in a non-clear or non-see-through bottle, it is most likely because some ingredients cannot be exposed to light.

Additional Thoughts  As always, my reviews are based on my own usage experience.  My skin (Combo - 50/50 dry/oily) may react differently to the same products than someone else.  This Mizon is an example - I saw rave reviews on Peach & Lily website where our fellow beauties had great results.  I am super excited that this has worked very well for some, but I'm also here to offer another set of feedback to give you a balanced perspective. 

Available At  Peach and Lily

LEEJIHAM VITA PROPOLIS AMPOULE

Lee Jiham (LJH) markets itself as a clinically-driven dermatological company with heavy focus on R&D.  When I see such selling feature in a beauty company, I often take it with a grain of salt.  I've worked in the beauty industry long enough to know that most beauty companies have some type of R&D facility and conduct clinical testing if they want to make specific claims on their product (even drug store brands such as Neutrogena and L'oreal have heavy R&D investments).  So whenever I see these "glamorous" selling points, I want to wait and let the products speak for themselves.    

Like  This ampoule is lightweight and does not give me the greasy feeling on the skin.  The packaging has a very sophisticated look and feel.  The triangular box unfolds and there are lots of information on there (only if I could read Korean!).  I also like the ultra-compact size for traveling, on-the-go, or the gym bag. 

Dislike  Ampoule is a more concentrated form than serum and it's meant to be used as a booster when skin calls for special treatments.  I use this daily as I tend to get stressed out easily and that's never good for the skin, so I want to give it a daily "booster".  I've used this LJH down to its last drop...sadly, I didn't notice much difference and, similar to Mizon, the hydration was short-lived as well. 

[Alternative Usage  While it hasn't worked for me as a standalone anti-aging treatment, I realize that mixing this LJH with my concealer (my go-to is NARS) is a great way to add some moisture to it.  Also, because this ampoule is mostly in a clear formulation and very lightweight, it mixes well with other products without distorting the color or texture. One more save from my beauty junkyard!] 

Fragrance  None that I can smell!

Sampling  I have not seen any samples yet, but Glow Recipe does attach samples on every order.  You may be able to ask for one.

Available At  Glow Recipe

Thanks for stopping by!

What is your favorite serum?

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MORE FROM THE SKIN CARE SERIES

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Sanctuary Spa Body Care - London Skin Care Discovery

#sanctuaryspa #explorelondon #beautydiscovery

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I ventured into a Boots Pharmacy when I was in London.  I thought I was only going to pick up a few things, but I ended up walking away with two heavy shopping bags worth of beauty products - Everything I bought was something I knew I wouldn't be able to get in the U.S..  There, my purchases are all justified! 

Photo Credit: www.haveyouheardthelatest.com

Most of the products are from brands I am familiar with, except for one - Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden.  I only find out later that there used to be some beautiful Sanctuary Spa locations, but due to declining business, the company decided to close all locations and focus on selling their beloved product lines instead.  I am really bummed as I look through pictures showing what the spas used to look like and they are gorgeous...wish I had the chance to experience it myself. 

The brand definitely has lots of loyal admirers...one try of their products makes me understand why this is such a beloved brand in the U.K..  I am regretting not buying more as Sanctuary Spa doesn't ship full product line to the U.S., and Boots U.S. doesn't carry this brand at all.  However, because of limited luggage space, I've decided to pick a few things for body care and a few things for face care, so that I get to experience the brand from head to toe. 

The Body Pampering Trio

I am very drawn to this trio of shower souffle, shower cream, and body lotion because of their scent and how they feel on my skin.  The simple packaging also appeals to me as I can quickly understand what each item is for.  All 3 products promise 12-hour or 24-hour moisturization, which I can't say it's true.  Having worked in this industry, there are probably some disclaimers on how the test was done to support this claim.  Regardless of the claim's accuracy, I would give these an A+.

AIR-WHIPPED SHOWER SOUFFLE

Available at (U.K. Only) - Sanctuary Spa, Boots

I have to confess that my decision to pick up this product is mainly based on the wording in the product name.  "Air-whipped" and "Souffle" sound like a lot of fun and who wouldn't want to try a beauty product that makes them happy before they've even used it? 

What Does It Do?   This is a body wash that has a mix of cotton and mango seed oil and promises to leave the skin feeling beautifully cleansed, nourished, and silky smooth.  

Texture   As the name is suggesting, the texture resembles the inside of a souffle - very soft, fluffy and airy.  

Scent  This shower souffle has a very strong fragrance from a blend of cotton and mango scents.  It smells wonderful for me, but I know this is not for everyone, especially if you're very sensitive to scent.  On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very fragrant), this is a 10. 

Top/Bottom: Before/After adding water

Usage  I use this as a body wash.  One thing to note is that the nozzle is star-shaped (like the icing tool for baking) and it is sometimes quite difficult to get the product out of the tube.  I love it anyways because the shower souffle comes out just like icing for cupcakes, and like I've said before, it makes it more fun!  The lid can be removed if it gets to be too hard to use the nozzle.

Results  Not only is this fun to use, it's also a good moisturizing body wash.  It does take tiny bit of extra rubbing to get the souffle to blend/dissolve on my skin.  The lovely scent also stays on my body even after washing off.

12-HOUR MOISTURISING SHOWER CREAM

Available at (U.K. Only) - Sanctuary Spa, Boots

Right before I left for London, I saw that Nivea launched its in-shower moisturizer in the U.S..  When I saw this shower cream at Boots, I thought it was similar to the Nivea item, so it went straight into my shopping basket. 

What Does It Do?   This is a body wash that contains shea butter, sunflower oil and Vitamin E and promises to hydrate skin all day without the need to apply extra body lotion after shower. 

What It Doesn't Do  What I realize after I use it for the first time is that this is not one of those in-shower moisturizers - a body lotion you apply in the shower after using body wash and while your body is still wet.  This is strictly a body wash that has moisturizing benefits.  I think the naming convention throws me off a little bit.

Texture   The best way to describe it is a creamy liquid form that is somewhere in between the texture of milk and yogurt

Scent  This shower cream also has the same strong fragrance as the shower souffle.  Again, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very fragrant), this is a 10. 

Top/Bottom: Before/After adding water

Usage  I use this as a body wash.  Because it doesn't lather up like a typical body wash, some may have the urge to use more, but it's really not necessary as a normal amount will do the job.

Results  I love the feeling of this shower cream on my skin - It reminds me of a milk bath because of its creamy liquid texture.  While it doesn't lather up, it's working hard on cleansing my body and moisturizing my skin at the same time.  I also love how the scent stays even after I wash it off.

SILKY SMOOTH BODY LOTION

Available at (U.K. Only) - Sanctuary Spa, Boots

"Silky Smooth" is exactly how this lotion feels on my skin.   I can't truly confirm whether my skin stays this way for 24 hours (as the claim has suggested), but this is a good body moisturizer nevertheless.

What Does It Do?   This is a body lotion that contains ginger, fragrant spices, and jojoba and promises to help stimulate circulation and provide long-lasting moisturization. 

*Please Note*  Because this lotion contains ginger (the ingredient that helps stimulate blood flow in the skin), some people may experience irritation such as redness and tingling sensation.  I personally did not experience either of those, but if you have skin sensitivity, I wouldn't recommend trying this product.  This also comes in travel size for half the price, so if you still want to try it, at least you won't have to invest for a full bottle.

Texture   This is in between a liquid and creamy form.  It's lightweight and blends in quite easily.

Scent  This body lotion also has the same strong fragrance as the shower souffle and shower cream.  Again, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very fragrant), this is a 10.  For me, I like the consistent scent across all 3 products.

Top/Bottom: Before/After rubbing lotion in lightly

Usage  This is lightweight enough to be used all day.  Because it comes with a pump and has nice packaging, this can also be a nice addition to any guest bathroom.  Your guests would love you for this!

Results  Silky smooth is really how my skin feels.  The moisturization for me doesn't last 24 hours as the claim has suggested, but it is long-lasting.  You probably have experienced some body lotions that last about 5 minutes before your skin feels dry again.  This is definitely not one of those. 

Final Thoughts

This trio's moisturizing feature makes it a good candidate for winter usage.  It's also suitable for everyday use in low humidity environment because of its lightweight consistency. 

I would love to buy Sanctuary Spa body care again if I can get my hands on them.  Not only do these beauties work well, they also come at ultra affordable prices.  These three range from USD $8.22 - $10.46, or $0.98 - $1.25 per ounce, which is comparable to U.S. drug store brands.  I am also getting something that looks much more luxurious than my Aveeno body lotion (which I love, but you know what I mean!).  I am happy to share that Sanctuary Spa U.S. site carries quite a bit of their Facial Care products, which I've also tried and loved (will share in another post).  Maybe they will consider adding more Body Care in the near future!

Thanks for stopping by!

What are your favorite Sanctuary Spa body care?

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