The Body Shop Holiday Collection and Gift Guide 2019

One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is amazing skincare and The Body Shop’s gorgeous holiday sets make it easy to check everyone off your list.

This year the festive collection is all about pampering your loved ones with indulgent scents, delicious ingredients and hydrating formulas that promote rest and relaxation.

The Almond Milk and Honey Premium Collection ($46.00) is creamy, comforting and nourishing. It includes a shower cream, body butter, scrub, hand cream and bath puff packaged in a decorative box. The luxurious vegan formula is enriched with organic almond milk from Spain and natural honey from Ethiopia. There are no mineral oils, colorants, parabens or petroleum so the products are safe for sensitive skin, fast absorbing and non-greasy. I love the warm, scent and skin softening extracts. They cleanse, moisturize and rejuvenate all winter long.

For those who enjoy a warm bath at the end of a long day, the Bath Bomb Party Set will not disappoint. It comes with a Technicolor bath puff and 6 festive fizzies in refreshing fruit scents like moringa, mango and candied plum. Pop it someone’s stocking or surprise a co-worker who loves to soak and unwind.

The Rocket Gift Set ($32.00) looks cute under the tree and the tin is filled with fragrant shower gels, water color bath bombs and pocket-sized hand creams. Jet-Setters and gym enthusiasts will love the convenient travel-size bottles.

The Warm Vanilla Festive Sack ($28.00) is my favorite fragrance and gift in the collection. The rich, creamy formulas replenish, soothe and hydrate parched skin so you look, smell and feel amazing. The set comes with a lush skin quenching body butter, purse-size hand cream, invigorating scrub, refreshing body yogurt and a wonderful shower gel that eliminates dirt sweat and impurities.

Beauty junkies will love the Calming Chamomile Cleanse Kit ($36.00) with Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, Sumptuous Cleansing Butter and Organic Muslin Cloth. Eliminate waterproof makeup, heavy foundation and stubborn glitter with a moisturizing blend of olive oil, shea butter, sunflower seed and fruit extract.

During the winter you can never have too much skincare which is why everyone needs the Festive Body Butter Trio ($15.00) with Warm Vanilla, Rich Plum and Juicy Pear. The small jars are great for vacation and I always keep one in my car for dry skin emergencies.

Born Lippy Festive Star ($20.00) includes 5 lip treatments – strawberry, raspberry and watermelon. I usually open the set and drop one in everyone’s stocking.

If you need a few more ideas, the Reindeer Headband ($5.00) is perfect for your bestie. It keeps hair out of the way while cleansing or applying makeup and the little antlers are adorable!

My mom has trouble sleeping so she’s getting the Live Your Dreams Mask ($4.00) to help block out light and create a peaceful environment. It is great for long flights and train rides.

The young ladies on your list will adore these colorful hair accessories. The barrettes ($6.00) and stylish hair ties ($6.00) have empowering feminist messages and you can wear them in different combinations to customize your look.

These fabulous gifts are available at The Body Shop Stores and online at thebodyshop.ca

The Body Shop Drops of Youth & Roots of Strength Skincare Review

It’s hard to believe that June has already begun but it’s finally time to update your skincare routine by switching to lighter products infused with refreshing botanicals, conditioning emollients and natural ingredients that replenish and protect.

As the weather warms up I no longer need to slather on rich moisturizers and heavy oils but proper hydration and anti-aging care is still important in the battle against UV damage and pollution.

The Body Shop is a great place to find safe vegan formulas free of silicones and synthetics. They handpick premium plant extracts from around the globe to deliver superior skin benefits and indulgent textures.

After a long day of fun in the sun, the first thing I do when I get home is remove my makeup. The Drops of Youth Foaming Face Wash ($20.00) is enriched with 3 plant stem cells: edelweiss from the Italian Alps, sea holly from the Brittany Coast and organic babassu oil from Brazil. The non-drying luscious foam removes impurities, makeup residue, excess oil, sweat and dirt to keep pores clean and help prevent breakouts. My skin feels soft, refreshed and purified with no tightness or discomfort.

The Drops of Youth Collection contains an effective anti-aging complex but using the cleanser alone is probably not enough to diminish lines and wrinkles. I prefer to pump the foam directly onto my cleansing brush and then lather, rinse, repeat and finish with a splash of cool water.

The Bouncy Eye Mask ($32.00) revives tired eyes in the morning, before bed and during allergy season. The formula contains cucumber, plant stem cells, natural extracts and healing oils that hydrate, fade dark circles, reduce under eye bags and soften fine lines. I tested it for 3 consecutive weeks and the dewy gel has made my skin look plump, healthy and less fatigued.

The Roots of Strength Collection is inspired by traditional medicine where plant roots have been used since ancient times for their restorative powers. Each product is infused with 3 potent extracts: ginger root from Madagascar, ginseng root from China and ruscus root from wild oak forests in Europe. Together they plump, firm, stimulate and lift sagging skin for a youthful looking profile.

I start with the Firming Shaping Essence Lotion ($22.00) to lock-in moisture and activate my skin before applying the serum. You can smell the invigorating ginger (which I love) and the lightweight gel melts in quickly to enhance the absorption of all other skincare. The silky finish smooths roughness to improve texture, tone and resiliency.

The Roots of Strenght Firming Shaping Serum ($42.00) refines, contours the jawline and makes skin feel incredibly supple. If you plan to take a lot of selfies this summer, you need this serum! It softens laugh lines, encourages cell renewal, evens the complexion and fades blemishes so skin looks clear and radiant. The consistency is light and non-sticky so you can wear it during the day as primer or at night layered with cream.

My favorite product is the Firming Shaping Cream ($34.00) because it deeply hydrates and makes my skin feel wonderful! Since I don’t have visible signs of aging, there have been no significant changes in my profile but I have experienced fewer breakouts, improved texture and less redness.

Need a little more pampering? Try the Spa of The World Blissful Bath & Shower Oil-In Gels ($14.00 ea). The exotic blends include: Tahitian Tiare infused with monoi oil, blossoms and coconut oil, Balkan Juniper with honey, Brittany Coast enriched with sea algae and Adriatic Peony. As you lather up, the luxurious scents awaken your senses while rinsing away dirt, oil and sweat. They make me feel like I’m vacationing in the Mediterranean and my entire bathroom smells divine!

Check out these fabulous products at The Body Shop stores nationwide and online at thebodyshop.ca.

The Body Shop 2018 Holiday Collection and Gift Guide

When it comes to simple gift giving, no one does it better than The Body Shop. Even last minute shoppers can walk into a delicious smelling store and emerge with an armful of beautifully packaged presents for everyone on their list. The company has done an excellent job creating gift sets that feature bestsellers and delightful new scents so today I’m sharing my top picks to help make your job a bit easier.

The Strawberry Festive Picks Gift Set ($28.00) is packaged in a beautiful red box and comes with a bath puff, shower gel, bar soap, body polish and body butter to replenish dry skin. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love strawberries so this gift is great for all the ladies on my list.

For those dealing with rough winter skin, the Berry Bon Bon Body Scrub ($22.00) is here to save the day! Enriched with cranberry seeds from North America, organic cane sugar from Paraguay and Brazil nut oil from Peru, this exfoliating jam-like jelly buffs away flaky patches with ease. 

If I had to choose one amazing set for myself it would be the Peppermint Candy Cane Delight Festive Sack ($29.00) and I wouldn’t even wrap it. The cute burlap bag is stuffed with shower gel, body butter, body scrub and hand cream that smell like Christmas morning!

For those who love a good face mask (which is literally everyone), don’t miss out on the incredible Facial Mask Duo ($40.00). The Himalayan Charcoal enriched with tea tree oil purifies the skin by eliminating dirt, oil, makeup and pollutants trapped deep in the pores. I’ve been using it all year to keep my face clear and blemish-free. The British Rose Gel Mask with real flower petals and organic aloe vera helps smooth, plump and moisturize for a youthful complexion.

The Enchanting Body Butter Trio is just $15.00 so everyone can get a luscious cream in their stocking this year. The set comes with Almond Milk & Honey, Mango and Coconut which smell scrumptious! I usually pack these for vacation since the non-greasy formula alleviates dry skin and makes a great hand or foot cream.

Forest Retreat ($18.00) includes a bit of everything for a pampering spa day. Inside you'll find a Fuji green tea shower gel, wild argan body scrub, banana shampoo and body butter - cute gifts for friends, family, colleagues and teachers.

If you’re hosting Christmas dinner and want your home to smell inviting, set the mood with a festive candle. Enchanted Forest ($22.00) is infused with essential pine oil to evoke the scent of fresh fir trees.

I can't share my holiday faves without including some pretty lipstick. The Lip Liquid Parade ($50.00) comes with 3 creamy matte shades for all skin tones, 2 sheer glosses that smell like candy and a roll case for travel. The lipsticks are smooth, creamy, vivid and highly pigmented with enough moisture to protect your pout all season.

All of the products I’ve mentioned so far are awesome but if you really want to heal dry skin for good, treat yourself to a Spa of the World Escape Gift Set ($50.00). The African Ximenia Body Scrub is enriched with beeswax, natural oil from Namibia, gentle exfoliating beads and velvety butters that condition, seal in moisture and slough away roughness. After a warm shower slather on the Japanese Camellia Body Cream. The rich texture rejuvenates and transforms dull skin from flaky to silky.

These products are available online at thebodyshop.ca but since Christmas is only a few days away, it is quicker buy them in-store.

The Body Shop Spa of the World Body Wash and NEW Face Masks

Victoria Day long-weekend is coming up so I’ve planned a breakfast party to watch the royal wedding (at 4am) and a delicious family barbecue. After a hectic week of press events and deadlines, I will definitely need a spa day to help me unwind before my guests arrive and The Body Shop has a few luxurious new products to pamper my complexion.

The Spa of the World Body Wash Collection includes an exotic range of cleansers that make bath time more enjoyable. The luxurious gels are soap-free and gentle but the rich formula still lathers into blissful foam that cleanses and nourishes without dryness. Skin feels soft, smooth and hydrated with a wonderful scent.

I chose Tahitian Tiare ($14.00) infused with Ethiopian Honey and Coconut Oil from Samoa – it reminds me of breezy summer days lounging on the beach. If you prefer to soak your tired muscles, simply drizzle some into running water as you fill up the tub, slip into the fluffy bubbles and let the stress just melt away.

Adriatic Peony ($14.00) is a velvety cream that envelops you in lush moisture, refreshing flower extracts and rejuvenating natural oils that will leave your entire bathroom smelling like a high-end spa.

While you’re submerged in the healing water with your candles flickering, layer on a purifying mask for glowing skin. The Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask ($28.00) is 100% vegetarian and formulated without parabens, silicone or mineral oil. This intense treatment removes dullness, evens skin tone, brightens, smooths, balances and corrects. The lovely aroma smells like a botanical garden and the gentle exfoliating beads remove dead cells to reveal the supple skin underneath.

The Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask ($28.00) is packed with Japanese Green Tea leaves and Tee Tree Oil from Kenya for a complete at-home facial. This decadent clay looks like it was scooped right out of a volcanic hot spring and put it in the jar – very natural and healing. The chunky particles provide excellent exfoliation as the other ingredients draw out impurities, pollutants and blemish causing dirt lodged deep within the pores. Once dry, the mask can be a tad difficult to wash off so I usually remove it in the shower. After treatment my face feels clean, replenished and better prepared to absorb moisturizer, oil or serum.

These products are available at The Body Shop Stores nationwide and online at thebodyshop.ca.

Skincare Travel Essentials - The Body Shop Tea Tree Collection

Later this week I am heading to Asia – Shanghai, Singapore, Phuket, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Aside from my trip to Dubai, this is the furthest destination I will be visiting (so far) and I am looking forward to embracing the culture, history and cuisine.

Although traveling is exciting (and a little hectic), it is very important not to neglect your skincare routine which is why I'll be packing a few of my favorite anti-blemish products from The Body Shop.

Factors That Negatively Affect Your Skin While Traveling:

*Long  Flights – According to the World Health Organization, the humidity on airplanes is usually less than 20% which is 5% less than the Sahara Desert and the flight from Toronto to Shanghai is almost 15 hours (wish me luck). To counteract the extreme dryness, skin will usually overproduce oil which can clog pores, make you look greasy and cause pimples.

*Jet Lag, Time Zones & Fatigue – Lack of sleep and exhaustion can compromise the immune system, delay healing and cause dullness and blemishes. I will be dealing with a 14 hour time difference so let's hope I adjust quickly.

*Environmental Changes – Pollution, smog and poor air quality in many large cities can cause irritation, dryness, skin aging, acne, inflammation and rashes. 

*Water Quality – In some cities it is unsafe to drink tap water so using it to wash-up/shower can negatively affect your skin.

*Sun – I don't go on vacation to bake on the beach. Prolonged UV exposure can actually cause pre-mature wrinkles along with sun damage and burns. I also suffer from heat rash so I wear a big hat, slather on the sunscreen and sit in the shade.

*Bacteria – Swimmer’s Itch is an irritating rash caused by wading in the ocean. Bacteria and parasites from the water’s surface cause redness, itching, and unsightly bumps.

*Makeup – When I get home, the first thing I do is cleanse my skin but on vacation my makeup is on for much longer, especially if I’m awake for 22 hours at a time. This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Tea Tree Oil is great for treating and preventing blemishes and the nutritive collection from The Body Shop is infused with organic ingredients that help generate new tissue and improve healing. The oil also purifies the skin by unblocking glands, disinfecting pores and reducing inflammation, redness, irritation and breakouts. Even a small amount may help fade scars and relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and razor burn.

When traveling I always pack the Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil ($13.00) to keep my skin clear and healthy. The formula is super concentrated and smells very strong (like herbal medicine) so I only use it before bed. The oil has powerful antibacterial properties to soothe mosquito bites, eliminate impurities, diminish dark spots, detoxify and treat imperfections. 

Tip: Use a few drops in your face steamer to open nasal passages and refresh dull skin.

Don’t forget to exfoliate while on vacation. Getting rid of all that rough, dead skin will do wonders for your complexion and The Body Shop's 3-In-1 Wash, Scrub, Mask ($21.00) makes the task much easier. The creamy formula gently cleanses to get rid of dirt, oil and pollutants so skin feels soft, smooth and replenished.

The Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask ($23.00) is infused with salicylic acid to eliminate blemishes, tone, mattify, shrink pores, balance, correct and rejuvenate. The refreshing gel feels amazing on parched skin and creates a supple layer of moisture that deeply nourishes as you sleep.

These products are available at The Body Shop Stores nationwide and online at thebodyshop.ca

The Body Shop Drops Of Light Pure Healthy Brightening Serum and Tea Tree Oil Review

Today’s post is dedicated to blemished skin which is a pesky problem that can affect makeup application and put a damper on your self esteem. Currently my complexion is clear, bright and silky but occasionally I spend too much time in the sun, experience mild discoloration or get an annoying pimple that requires treatment. 

When applied on a regular basis, a brightening serum can help fade hyperpigmentation and scarring to even and correct skin tone. The Drops of Light Serum is enriched with natural plant extracts and Red Algae that contains high levels of Vitamin C to brighten, retexture, heal, smooth and nourish. This potent blend has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly for a silky, supple finish and the scent is wonderful! I usually layer it under moisturizer for more hydration and after several trips to the Caribbean I’ve noticed a luminizing effect that has lifted my tan, revitalized my complexion and reversed some environmental damage. The serum retails for $38.00.

Another great product for blemished skin is the Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution Oil. The Body Shop has hand-harvested these precious organic botanicals and steam distilled the formula within 12 hours to yield the most potent Tea Tree elixir. This fragrant oil delivers an efficient dose to help balance, correct and amplify radiance for healthy looking skin. The strong herbal aroma tends to mellow with wear and 2 drops coats the entire face, absorbs deeply and leaves behind no residue. Although the texture does make skin feel soft and smooth I usually combine it with my face cream, night mask or serum for more moisture. The oil retails for $25.00.

I’ve also received some new makeup from The Body Shop including the Color Crush Matte Lipstick in the shade Osaka Plum. The formula is 100% vegetarian and enriched with Brazil Nut Oil and Beeswax for comfort. The pigment is lightweight, highly saturated and slightly creamy but there is some drag across the lips and just enough moisture to prevent dryness. It took a couple layers to achieve consistent, full-coverage color but the bold finish holds up for hours! The lipsticks are available in 7 shades and retail for $15.00 each.

The Color Crush Single Shadows are silky, pearlescent and loaded with skin loving ingredients like coconut oil, sesame and honey. They apply silky and provide sheer to full-coverage intensity depending on the shade and finish. Cocoa Deluxe is a warm radiant bronze with plum undertones and great intensity. Gold Romance is a luminous sheer cream that makes a great highlighter for the eyes and face. The shadows retail for $11.00 each but are currently on sale for $5.00 at thebodyshop.ca. You can also find these great products in-store.

The Body Shop 2015 Holiday Collection and Gift Guide

The countdown for Christmas is winding down and the day is almost upon us! Not to toot my own horn but I had my shopping schedule perfected this year and I got a pile of gorgeous gifts my loved ones will go crazy for! If you haven’t been as organized this year and need some last minute ideas don’t worry, The Body Shop has tons of sumptuous beauty goodies for everyone on your list.

Who doesn’t love a good old fashion pull cracker!? This year the body shop has a limited edition assortment of crackers with delicious gifts hidden within. This strawberry gift set is loaded with fruity goodness and comes with a hand cream and a cute little heart soap bursting with sweetness! They retail for just $10 or two for $16.00.

Since I love strawberries the Limited Edition Premium Selection Gift Set is always a yummy holiday treat for my skin. It comes in a beautiful festive box and includes the shower gel, body butter, body polish, soap and bath puff for about $45.00. The experience is a burst of invigorating juicy fruit that is sure to revive you for the day ahead and leave your skin soft and smelling fabulous.

It may be winter but you don’t have to suffer with dryness when you have the Fruity Body Butter Sweetheart Trio that moisturizes and quenches parched skin. My set came with the Moringa Body Butter which has a floral scent, Shea Body Butter with a warm, rich scent and the sweetly fragrant Argan Body Butter which is my fave! These formulas are delightfully creamy, nourishing and enriched with natural conditioning ingredients to keep skin soft, supple and touchably smooth! The set retails for $15.00 and is great for teachers, secret Santa or stocking stuffers.

If you’d like your house to smell as festive as you feel the Home Fragrance Oils are sure to delight and be a hit with your guests. They come in a delectable assortment of scents including Frosted Plum, Frosted Cranberry and Glazed Apple. The oils are $6.00 each and I know my mom wants one in her stocking this year!

It seems like I’ve been gift wrapping for weeks but sometimes I’m just not in the mood which is why the Gift Cubes are perfect! These cute little packages are ready to go and the mango set comes with a mini shower gel, body lotion and bath puff. The travel size bottles come in handy for weekend getaways and with an infusion of honey, oils and fruit extract they pamper skin in mouth-watering sweetness. The cubes retail for just $10 each which makes gift giving easier on your wallet.

Talk about gorgeous Christmas ornaments! The Shimmer Mists are luscious and bursting with ripe fruit. They also have a pretty iridescent finish that lightly highlights and scents the skin for all your holiday parties. The indulgent Glazed Apple Mist smells like sparkling apple champagne and when you shake the ball the glistening shimmer swirls around the glass for a pretty snow globe effect. The mists retail for just $9.00 on sale.

Many of us prepare for the holidays but are you prepared for what happens next? When the partying is over all those late nights and excitement can take its toll on the skin. To help the guys recoup from all that holiday beer and eggnog The Body Shop’s Modern Gent Post Party Rescue Kit is the perfect remedy. The Maca Root Balancing Face Protector deeply hydrates the skin and replenishes with a natural blend of fruit extracts and botanicals to keep his complexion healthy. The kit also comes with the Eye Serum to revitalize and awaken tired eye and diminish puffiness. The set retails for $32.00.

You can get these great gifts at The Body Shop locations and online by clicking HERE.

*press samples featured