Get Your Legs Ready for Spring with Somersets Shaving Oil

Winter is finally (sort of) on its way out, and I've been dying to bare my legs. I'm done with cold, and I'm ready for fun spring dresses and sunshine. What I wasn't ready for, however, was shaving. It isn't something that I talk about for many reasons, the primary one being that I just hate it!!  

Seriously, shaving and my dry skin just don't get along, and I put it off as long as I could because I just didn't have a routine that I loved. Enter Somersets Shaving Oil. I had read about this product on a British blog ages ago, but never gotten around to picking one up, so when an email landed in my inbox asking if I would like to trial the line, I jumped. 

*PR Sample

Usually, shaving my legs is a bit of an ordeal. (Is that just me?) "Moisturizing" shaving cream formulas clog up razors and leave my legs with a bit of an uneven shave, and thinner formulas either leave my legs feeling dry or irritated. Plus, my hair is really fine and just generally seems impossible to catch with a razor at all. 

Somersets Shaving Oil is perfect for me - wet skin, use a few drops on each leg, and go. It leaves my skin feeling less dry and doesn't clog up a razor with product. It has given me probably the most even shave I've had in ages. Both the Extra Sensitive and Extra Delicate formulas work wonderfully, and I'm happy to report that neither my legs or underarms have felt itchy a few days after like they normally would. Now if only I could find the perfect razor to go with it! 

I didn't realize that Somersets Shave Oil was even sold here, so for US shoppers check your local Walgreens or Drugstore.com. Also, why haven't more brands made a shave oil? I know it exists for men, but I am seriously loving this version for me and I will definitely be ready for summer when it finally arrives! 

Do you find shaving to be a chore like I do? What are your favorite products to make shaving a stress-free experience? I'd love to know! :)

Goldfaden MD Hands to Heart

I'm kind of obsessing over hand cream lately, in particular this lovely stuff from Goldfaden and an almost impulsive purchase from Aesop. (More on that soon) 

*PR Sample, Affiliate Link

Anyways, this hand cream is brilliant. Check out the description from Space NK - I think the mix of ingredients is really what keeps my hands from looking scaly/ashy on a daily basis. 

Anti Aging Plus Brightening Hand Treatment
Dr. Goldfaden's progressive hand treatment is a true multi-tasker. Developed to address the unique needs of the hands, this rich, yet fast absorbing cream helps fade dark spots and reduces the appearance of fine lines while instantly smoothing and plumping skin. Breakthrough anti-aging ingredients CoQ10, Niacinimide, Glucosamine, Retinol and potent Hyaluronic Acid work to provide skin with a more youthful appearance leaving hands nourished, protected and supple.

Now I would love anything that keeps my hands from looking shriveled and terrible, but this hand cream has a light citrus scent that seriously wins me over. Plus, the cream feels silky and soft on my hands, and I can get right back to work. Seriously, this may be the fastest absorbing non greasy hand cream I've tried. Even a handful of non beauty obsessed coworkers will come by and ask to use this! 

I know I'll be sad when this runs out, but I know I will definitely be repurchasing this. At $38, it is perhaps the most I'll spend on hand cream so far in my life, but the tube is nearly 3 ounces and I'm in love...

If you want to get your hands on Hands to Heart, this month, Goldfaden MD will donate 10% of sales of this lovely hand cream to The American Heart Association. With the Space NK gift with purchase event going on today, I think this is the perfect time to pick this up! 

Have you tried this or any other product from Goldfaden MD? What has been your favorite hand cream this winter? I'd love to know!

Lush Lots of Love Valentine's Day Gift Set ♥

I'm always a fan of Lush's seasonal collections, and this gift set for Valentine's Day is jam packed with some great bath & shower goodies. Currently sold out online, I think this gift is a perfect way to gift some relaxation to those you love (including yourself, hehe!) 

Three of the products in this set are limited edition, and are marked with "LE" below. I think this is the perfect kit to get your hands on some Lush bestsellers, or even as an introduction to the line. However, picky noses beware - there is quite a bit of sweetness in most of these scents. 

*PR Sample

Close to You Massage Bar (LE)
This smooshable massage bar is a sweetly scented confection that can be smushed and used in one all over massage. While you don't have to use it all at once, be warned that this little guy melts to heat pretty well. Lovers of Rock Star Soap and Creamy Candy Bubble Bar will recognize this vanilla candy like scent. Who can go wrong with a massage bar full of shea butter that smells like candy? 

Prince Charming (LE) 
This creamy shower gel smells like a fruity marshmallow! Not my typical scent, but I think the grapefruit oil and pomegranate juice really brighten the scent and make for a cheerful shower. If there were such a thing as a pomegranate Peep, I think this guy would be it! 

Neon Love Soap (LE)
Neon Love is a bright moisturizing soap shaped like a heart in this kit. (Outside of this kit, white hearts make this soap just as cute!) One of the more moisturizing Lush soaps I've tried, this one doesn't lather up a ton and smells quite nice. Vaguely reminiscent of Lush's popular Rose Jam scent, this soap has a hint of citrus thanks to bergamot and a little something from rosewood and spicy cinnamon oil. To me, it is a brighter, fresher version of the Rose Jam scent! 

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner
Long time readers may know my love for Ro's Argan. While the rosy sweet scent may not be for everyone, this body conditioner really works. Slather it on before you get out of the shower, and rinse it off (or not!), and your skin will be protected from most of the winter skin conditions out there. "Rose Jam" scent lives in the bubbleroon of the same name as well as a previously released limited edition shower gel and fragrance. Check out my original review of Ro's Argan here.

Sex Bomb
I started my Lush adventures with bath bombs, and this too pretty to use option was one that I really fell in love with a few years back. This gorgeous bath bomb tints your bath with pinks and purples, while the luxurious scent is just so good. Filled with jasmine, ylang ylang, and sage, I never thought I'd like it until I first sniffed it and have always enjoyed it since. No wonder it is a Lush bestseller!

Chou Chou... I Love You Toothy Tabs
These little solid toothpaste tabs are seriously brilliant - preservative free and vegan, they really make my teeth feel clean unlike some of my other experiments with natural toothpastes. These toothy tabs are so compact and easy to use, and I was happily surprised at how fresh my mouth feels - just break up a tab in your mouth, wet your toothbrush and go! This particular flavor almost reminds me of Pez candy, and perhaps that is due to the lemon oil, but it is also mixed in with a bit of rose! Lush's website states that these toothy tabs will leave your breath smelling of Rose Jam, which sounded a bit scary to me, but overall I found there was very little aftertaste. Woohoo!

Rose Jam Bubbleroon
I've already talked about the Rose Jam scent enough today, so I won't bore you with the details. Twist apart this bubbleroon for use in two moisturizing baths - the key for maximum bubbles is to hold these guys under running water! Then it is time to soak in a rosy sweet bath full of bubbles... 

All in all, I think the Lush Lots of Love Gift is an amazing way to try a lot of Lush products all at once! It retails for $52.05 and may still be available in stores. Will you be picking it up for yourself or a loved one? I'd love to know! :)

♥ African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil ♥

This past fall, Space NK sent me a lovely bundle of goodies and I was thrilled to see a product from African Botanics, a brand that I have seriously been loving. (See my previous posts on the brand here.) 

*PR Sample, Affiliate Link

From Space NK:  Dry oil blend: fast absorbing, omega & nutrient rich formula, antioxidant defense, can be used pre- or - post sun exposure to prevent and reverse dehydration from UV exposure. This unique botanical body oil restores flacid, dry, photo-damaged and lackluster skin to youthful firmness, tone, elasticity and softness. Loaded with skin-saving essential fatty acids, rich in plant collagen, high in antioxidants & linoleic acid that are very beneficial for promoting healthy skin & cell membranes.

While I can't speak to the firming claims, I do think that this oil works brilliantly on my dry skin that is veering towards eczema in this winter weather. Slather some on, and my itchy skin is calmed! Seriously, that is such a miracle for me, as I am seriously just ITCHY right now. Plus, I love how this oil (and other items from the line!) have such a lovely, light fruity scent. 

I haven't yet tested this on Mr. Bunny's eczema flare ups (yes, I'm hoarding this and keeping it to myself haha) but I imagine it would do well for eczema too. I didn't even realize that it is meant to help with UV exposure, so I can't wait to use this in the summertime too.

All in all, I am totally loving this for winter! African Botanics Firming Botanical Body Oil is available at Space NK, and they currently have this lovely set of products including this and my favorite Intensive Skin Repair Body Balm in the sale section for $37.50! 

What do you think of African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil? Is this something that you'd like to try? What body oils are you loving? I'd love to know!