My new favorite shower gel - Dove Purely Pampering Sweet Cream & Peony

I've always been a huge fan of Dove products because hydrating shower gels work the best on my skin. Dove has a great variety of shower gels, so it is not too difficult to find a shower gel that has a great scent and deeply hydrating properties. I love the original formula, the deep moisture body wash, but I always love to experiment with new scents, so when I saw this new product on the Dove counter at Target, it wasn't even a question that a bottle will come home with me. :-)

My first impression of this product was great. Let's start with the packaging. It comes in the classic Dove bottle. Some say that is not too practical because you cannot place it upside down when you try to get the last drops from the bottle; however, the shape of the bottle have never bothered me, I 've just added a small amount of water to the bottle and the last few drops came out easily. So just be creative. :-)
Apart from this, it has a nice purplish- pinkish flower pattern on it, I just love to look at this shower gel in my bathroom; it is simply so lovely, and brings a little romantic atmosphere to my bathroom.

The cute bottle hides a delicious smelling cream-gel. The description says that it has a sweet cream scent with peony. What I can smell it is a mild sweet scent with fruity- floral accords. It reminds me of a sweet creamy fruity cupcake. It is just simply yummy without being too strong or overpowering.

It has the same thick texture as all Dove shower cream has. It feels simply luxurious on the skin, and lathers well. After the shower, I just felt that my skin was clean, soft, hydrated without any residue. Lots of hydrating shower gels leave a layer on the skin that I hate, but Dove performs well in this case as well.

The only thing that I can say that I simply love this new member of the Dove Purely Pampering family, and I can recommend it everyone who wants a hydrating rich and luxurious shower experience.

Have you tried out this new Dove body wash? What are your favorite shower gels for spring?

The Best Manicure Practices - Salon Quality at Home

I've always been a type who preferred to do most of the beauty rituals at home. Dying my hair at home just leads to better results than getting it done by the hairdresser and this is the same with manicure and pedicure as well. I wouldn't encourage you to dye your hair at home especially if you want to lighten or darken it more than two shades because it requires some expertise.
However, doing a professional looking manicure is much easier, and you simply cannot go wrong with it.
I thought that I share my manicure routine with you to achieve the best results at home.

1.) Hand bath with oils

First, soak your hands for 5 to 10 minutes in warm water. I recommend to add natural oils to the water like Jojoba oil or Vitamin-E oil. I also use 1-2 drops of lavender oil which is good for the skin and has an amazing scent. If you do your manicure after a bath or shower, you might skip this step.

2.) Shaping

When your nails are soft and nourished enough after the hand-bath, you can start cutting and shaping them. I prefer to use a nail clipper but choose the tool you prefer, manicure scissors are perfect too.

3.) Cuticles

I recommend to use rosewood sticks to gently push back the cuticles with the slanted edge of the stick. The pointed side of the stick can help you clean your nails.

4.) Buffing

Use a nail buffer. I usually buy a four sided nail buffer. Use each side on your nails in the recommended order. After this step, your nails' surface will be more consistent, clean and shiny. Don't worry if you have weak nails, buffing your nails won't damage them. This process will remove only a very thin layer form your nails.

5.) Hydrate

Hydrate your hands and nails with a fast absorbent moisturizer.

6.) Nail polish time

After the moisturizing lotion sank in your hands, you can apply your favorite nail polish. For classic and elegant red manicure, I recommend Hot Gossip (325) from Rimmel.
If you are looking for a more romantic look, the Essie's Pink diamond (192) is a good choice. For a natural look, Sinful Color's Glass Pink is an ideal choice.
Apply the nail polish in one or two layers depending on how pigmented is the chosen product.

7.) Don't forget the top coat

Use a top coat for additional shine and a long lasting result. The Essie Gel-setter top coat has a beautiful gel-manicure like finish. I absolutely recommend this product.

Review: The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter

In this post, I would like to show you my experience with one of the famous Body Shop body butters. I have chosen the strawberry body butter because that is what I use now. I have been using it for two months, so I have some experience with this product.

First impression

My first impression was great about this product. It comes in a pretty 200 ml container with this mouth-watering strawberry picture on it.  Inside the jar, there is a very thick light pink butter. And when I say thick, it means really thick. On the picture, you can see that I used one-third of the bottle from the right side, and it is so thick that the rest of the butter simply stays on the left side.

The Scent

After opening the jar, you can instantly smell the strawberry scent. It has a nice scent, it smells like strawberry yogurt for me because it has a milky undertone.
Even though the product contains real strawberry seed extract, the scent is not too natural though it isn't bad just you won't mistook it with a freshly picked bowl of strawberries.
The scent is strong but not too overpowering, and it settles down after 5-10 minutes. For example, I have tried the Satsuma body butter which was so strongly scented that I've got instantly nauseous and needed to return the product. So this happy strawberry scent is definitely a safer choice for people with sensitive noses than the before mentioned "biological weapon". :-)

Ingredients of the Strawberry Body Butter by The Body Shop

Hydration

But how does this product perform on the skin?
Even though this was created for normal skin, this is a very heavy cream compared for example to the mango body butter of the same brand. After application, it sinks in quite fast and hydrates my skin well. 
What I don't like about it that is the greasy feeling that it leaves on my skin. It doesn't get rubbery or something like that, but it still feels sticky.
Because of this, I use this product only on the dry areas of my skin, for example on my legs. So I would recommend it rather for people with dry skin or use it for the dry spots.

In overall, I think that this good product that hydrates my skin. Apart from the small problems, it is a high quality, happy smelling body butter with lots of natural ingredients. For example, the second on the ingredients list is shea butter, but it also contains a decent amount of cocoa butter as well. 
Last but not least, this product wasn't tested on animals; and this is also a huge plus point for me. 

Have you tried out this body butter? Did you like it?

6 tips for the perfect wellness day

During these cold winter days I need some relaxing revitalizing moments even more than other times of the year. I have lots of excuses why I have no time for myself, but we shouldn't have to forget that our "battery" needs to be recharged sometimes. Right? 
I was thinking that I write some useful tips that helps us, tired woman, organize a wellness day, a day that is just about us. A day on budget that is (almost) as good as a day in SPA. A day that everyone can afford herself.

1. Wake up with a detoxing tea

Are you the kind of person who starts the day with coffee? Try out something new. Herbal teas are delicious and help detoxing your body. My personal favorite is the mint tea which refreshes your mind and also helps detoxify your body. If you are more adventurous then try nettle leaf tea. This is one of the best detoxifying tea ever which keeps your skin healthy and beautiful.

2. The happy shower

Put aside you everyday shower gel this time. Choose a refreshing luxurious soap or shower gel that has an invigorating and happy scent. For example, the raspberry supreme or the Caiperina soap from Bomb Cosmetics is simply amazing. Those scents instantly make me happy.

3. Aromatherapy

After the shower, use aromatherapist lotions. Some natural ingredients can help you relax and also naturally hydrate your skin. I love Trader Joe's Lavender hand & body lotion. Lavender instantly uplifts your mood and the organic sunflower seed oil and the other organic plant extracts deeply hydrate your skin without harsh chemicals. Massage this lotion deeply into your hands and feet too.

4. Walk in the nature

When was the last time when you just went for a walk to the nature without being in a rush? Honestly, for me it was more than a month ago, so a I decided to go for a walk to the bay. I am lucky enough to live quite close to the ocean, but a park, small forest or botanical garden are good choices too. Nature has a great power that helps you relax. Use this great power to treat your soul.

5. Facial masks and manicure

Use the afternoon to put on a cleansing and deeply hydrating facial mask. While the mask is on your face, use the time to treat your hands. Put 3 drops of lavender oil mixed in a spoon of olive oil in a bowl of warm water. Soak your hands in it after that you can apply some hydrating hand cream.

6. Sleep like a baby

I have a trick that helps me sleep better: a body lotion with aroma therapy. Some body mists or lotions with herbal essences can help you relax and fall asleep more easily. Recently, I use a bottle of Johnson's Bedtime Lotion but Bath & BodyWorks have great products. The lavender & chamomile body mist is on my wishlist. Try one of these scents which could help to perfectly finish this self-treat day.

What is your best wellness trick? Leave a comment!