A few weeks ago I was invited down to my local The Body Shop in Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough for a sneak peek at their latest releases and a closer look at some of their cult classics too.
We pretty much got a walk through of the whole store’s collection (so many good things) but I’ve selected my top picks for you.
The Body Shop have just launched a couple of new additions to their Tea Tree range specifically to target blemishes and problem skin, along with the hashtag #zithappens where people can share stories and tips on how to cope with dreaded breakouts.
First up, there’s a multipurpose 3-in-1 wash.scrub.mask. Used as a wash, the clay foams up to remove excess oil and combat blemishes, whilst if you don’t add water you can use it as a scrub instead and it’s exfoliating particles will gently unclog pores and smooth your skin. You can also leave it on as a purifying mask for a deeper clean.
A second new arrival is the pre-serum Anti-imperfection Daily Solution which helps mattify oily skin, improve it’s tone and reduce redness with continued use.
I already swear by their trusty Tea Tree Oil in the Summer. My feet get horribly uncomfortable and blistered after walking in the heat, but a couple of drops of this in a warm footbath help to soothe the pain, whilst it’s antibacterial properties promote healing. In Winter the scent would be too much for me but in Summer I find it incredibly refreshing.
If I could give one tip for maintaining youthful skin it’s to make like a vampire and avoid the sunlight… fake tan or tinted moisturiser will help keep you looking fresh, sun damage won’t.
If I do venture out I make sure I’m well protected against the rays, although I absolutely hate wearing suncream on my face! I learned at the event that the Drops of Light range was SPF50. For some reason this isn’t mentioned anywhere on the website, so if I hadn’t been into the store I’d have never have known, so consider this my gift to you.
I took home some samples of the Drops of Light Brightening Serum* to try and have to say I’m suitably impressed. It’s got a really light milky consistency which absorbs easily and although I feel a bit shiny for the first 1o minutes this soon dissipates. I went to the beach today wearing it and it saved my bacon. (I know this because I stupidly didn’t put anything on my neck and shoulders, which are now a delightful shade of pink!) I’ll definitely be returning to purchase a full size bottle of this one to keep me well protected when I’m out catching Pokemon er running.
(I’m so sorry).
I’ve seen a lot of hype this Summer about the Special Edition Pinita Colada range from The Body Shop which I largely ignored because I have so many lotions and potions at home that I really didn’t think I needed another one. Then I smelt it. And it’s delicious. Everyone else agreed.
You really have to go and try it for yourself before you decide that you don’t need it, because basically you do! (Even if you really don’t….)
…in fact although lots of the other body butters at The Body Shop smelled amazing, nothing compared after a whiff of this. Yep, I’ve officially joined the hype bandwagon for this one.
My favourite part of the event was exploring the spa range. This is their luxury, at-home version of the products that you’d find at a spa with heady aromatics that allow you to recreate the pampering experience for a fraction of the price. The range is split into three rituals: Blissful, Revitalising and Relaxing.
I ended up buying two products from the relaxing range: Egyptian Honey and Milk Bath Powder (which comes in a lovely drawstring bag with a wooden scoop and makes your bath smell like milk bottles in addition to providing hydration) and French Lavendar Massage Oil.
I know that some people think that lavender is for old ladies, but I happen to love it for it’s calming, de-stressing properties. My nightly routine now finishes with a few drops of this rubbed into my arms and pulse points before I switch off the light to help me drift off into a peaceful sleep. If you want something more exotic but equally sumptious, try the Tahitian Orchid Massage Oil instead.
Another item of note is the Moroccan Rhassoul Body Clay which you apply to your body with a brush and leave to dry for 10 minutes (pretty much like a face mask) then rinse off to reveal firmed, cleansed skin. I almost bought this but ended up putting it back because I was overspending… I can see it in my future though!
Finally, we come on to makeup. The product that stood out for me here was the Lightening Shade Adjustment Drops. Basically you can add this to your foundation to adjust the shade if it’s not quite right for you. As someone paler than Casper the Friendly Ghost, this seems like a perfect solution to me. (There are also Darkening drops which I think could also be good if you develop a tan and don’t want to have to buy a whole new foundation).
I also kindly received a BB Cream to take home which I haven’t tried yet but will report back when I do!
In addition to learning all about what the products can do for us, we learned about what we can all do in return to help The Body Shop protect and enrich the world we live in. They have committed to restore 1 square metre of rainforest in Vietnam for every product bought this Summer by building Bio-Bridges. (These are restored wildlife corridors within damaged landscapes that help endangered species reconnect, enabling them and local communities to thrive.)
You can show your support by uploading your pictures of the products you’ve purchased (or a selfie in-store) with the hashtag #findreggielove. (Reggie is an endangered Red Douc Monkey native to the Vietnam rainforest in case you were wondering!)
I really could have talked about loads more products here but I’ve mentioned my absolute favourites from the event, most of which I’ve carried on using at home. I’d encourage a visit in store if you’re looking for something in particular, I found the team in Peterborough to be extremely helpful and they can give you a personalised consultation for free too – just ask them!
Do you have any favourites from the Body Shop? What would you like to try from the picks I’ve shared?
