Crabtree's Avocado, Olive and Basil Range {Review}

I know I always say this but I cannot tell you enough, if you have ever been into a Crabtree and Evelyn store, you would know that it is difficult not to find something you love! I call my favourites, "Gems". Beautiful products that leave me, and my skin, in awe. 

My newest Gem from Crabtree and Evelyn is their Avocado, Olive and Basil range. I got given small sizes of the Bath and Shower Gel and the Body Lotion, from this range, at the Hyde Park launch last year. After taking the first sniff, I immediately felt a rush of nostalgia. 

When I was younger, my mom used to have a descent sized herb garden with tons of different herbs. Whenever you were near, you would get pleasantly overwhelmed by the scent of fresh herbs. The most noticeable scent, for me, in the Avo range, is the basil, as if it were picked right from my mommy's garden! I find the Avocado, Olive and Basil range suites the mature ladies and ladies that love gardening. 

Bath and Shower Gel - I don’t particularly like my whole body smelling like herbs and I am still young and don’t wear floral 'granny' dresses, so I used this shower gel as a bubble bath. You still get to enjoy the scent but it won’t stay with you the whole day. The natural ingredients left my skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. 

Body Lotion - I love how the consistency of the lotion is thick but one you apply it and it absorbs into the skin, it doesn’t fell heavy at all. There is a thin shiny film left on the surface of your skin but I prefer it as it locks in the moisture making your skin really soft and nourished.

I adore these two products and dread the day that they come tho their end.

You can follow Crabtree and Evelyn on Twitter. Do the same for me here.

Which Crabtree and Evelyn product is your 'Gem'?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Crabtree and Evelyn has been busy!

This has been an incredibly successful year for Crabtree & Evelyn in South Africa. They have revamped several of their stores and on top of all that, they have managed to release numerous new and exquisite collections.

I was recently invited to their Hyde Park press event but could not make it. The lovely ladies at the store still kept a few samples aside for me so I am here to chat about how truly beautiful the new Himalayan Blue Fragrance collection is.

My Himalayan Blue Hand Therapy Sample Pot

The Himalayan Blue Fragrance Collection is inspired by the early British explorers, taking you into the heart of the Himalayas, tracing their search for the exquisite mythical blue poppy. The Himalayan Blue Fragrance Collection is a treasure trove of indulgence that includes Eau de Toilette (R650), Bath & Shower Gel (R280), Body Lotion (R300) and Hand Therapy (280).

My Himalayan Blue Body Lotion Sample

Crabtree & Evelyn's infamous hand therapy smells divine with the exotic Himalayan blue scent. The scent lasts quite a while. I applied it before playing around on my PC and the scent left me in a happy high for about an hour as well as giving my skin a strong boost of 'the good stuff'.

Their body lotion is just as amazing as the hand therapy. When I smell this lotion, the first thing that pops into my head is a picture of a really stylish and successful business lady. It has a thinner consistency which makes it a really elegant summer body lotion. I wouldn't recommend this scent for ladies who are younger than 25 because it is a mature scent but this is just my personal opinion.

The Himalayan Blue Story Book

When visiting the stunning Hyde Park store, I spotted this cute 'story book' containing small sizes of  the Himalayan Blue Hand Therapy, Body Lotion and Shower Gel. This would make a great Christmas present for an aunt, your mom or even grandmother.

Remember to visit your nearest Crabtree & Evelyn store to test out all the fantastic collections. View their store locations here. Visit their Facebook Page and if you like what you see then click the 'like' button!

I will be testing their Avocado, Olive and Basil collection next so don't forget to follow me on Twitter to be kept in the loop ;)

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

In my sample basket - Crabtree & Evelyn

In my sample basket this week is a Crabtree and Evelyn Sample pot containing their new Lily Hand Therapy.

"Hand Therapy’s ultra-moisturising formula contains shea butter, lily of the valley extract, and macadamia nut oil to leave skin hydrated and delicately soft to the touch. Ceramides help keep moisture close to the skin surface, while myrrh extract helps condition nails and cuticles. The Hand Therapy Collection is formulated without parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil or propylene glycol." - CT&E

What I loved

The scent of this hand therapy is heavenly! The scent gives you a very elegant feeling, as if you were a beautiful young lady in a 50's movie. The lotion has quite a thick consistency which is what I look for in a hand cream. It helps keep your nails and cuticles moisturised and that is a deal maker for me! There is also zero stickiness after applying this hand lotion. *We have a winner!*

What I disliked

If I really had to be anal and try to find something to dislike, I guess some ladies could find the scent to be a bit too "perfume-like" but that all depends on personal preference.(I don't mind)

RSP: 250g is R300, 100g is R280, 50g is R140

Whether you're a stay at home mom, a beauty therapist or in a corporate environment, this is a great hand lotion to keep in your purse.

As with all Crabtree & Evelyn products, they tend to be pricier than other brands but the quality that you receive in each product is fantastic. Being on a tight budget, this would definitely be a splurge, but one I would happily make.

You can find the Lily Hand Therapy in Crabtree & Evelyn stores from November 2012. A great gift for that special lady in your life. Wonder over to their website/online store to check out other products that might catch your eye.

Don't forget to subscribe to my blog by email (top right hand side) to ensure you don't miss out on future posts. Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Crabtree & Evelyn Winter Sale!

For those of you that follow me on Twitter (@MsClairaBella), you would have seen me tweeting about how many great sales that are going on at the moment and, to my delight, they just keep coming!

"Crabtree & Evelyn are having their WINTER SALE! A huge selection of products and gifts will be on SALE from less 50% with the selection of products refreshed DAILY! What better time to treat yourself and stock up on your favourite Crabtree & Evelyn products?" - CT&E Press release

Here are the sale dates for the different Crabtree & Evelyn stores:

Keep up with all the excitement by following Crabtree & Evelyn on Twitter @Crabtree_SA or Liking their Facebook Page. Visit their website to find your nearest Crabtree & Evelyn store.

Read my past blog posts on Crabtree & Evelyn here. I hope you take this opportunity to shop for Gifts for your loved ones. 

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

*NEW* Crabtree & Evelyn Lip Butters & Lip Tints!

As some of you might have seen in my previous posts, I am a big fan of Crabtree & Evelyn products. I am so excited to tell you about their new, delightfully flavoured, ultra-moisturising lip butters that will be in stock from July 2012! They come in three very yummy, irresistible flavours. Choose from uplifting Citron crème & honey, refreshing Crème de menthe or even decadent Vanilla crème brûlée.

All the lip butters have a multi-butter formula, including shea, cocoa, illipe, and kokum butters, which help soothe, recondition and protect lips.

~FYI~

Shea butter protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A and E, and has demonstrated both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Source

Cocoa butter helps reduce cutaneous dryness and for the improvement of skin elasticity.

Illipe butter is renowned for its incredible moisturizing properties and its ability to restore elasticity to the skin.

Kokum butter is a naturally white and incredibly smooth butter which has enormously high compositions of beneficial materials to help regenerate tired and worn skin cells and further supports elasticity and general flexibility of the skin wall.

Source

These little tubes of awesomeness are preservative-free and delicately flavoured with a natural extract derived from liquorice as well as mango oil and beeswax to help maintain soft, healthy lips that make a lasting impression.

RSP R100 each

Lip Tints

"Pamper your lips with Crabtree & Evelyn’s Limited Edition Lip Tints, formulated using some of nature’s finest ingredients to moisturise and condition your lips while providing a long-lasting glamorous shine.

Featuring a rich array of botanical ingredients to soothe, recondition and protect lips, our Lip Tints contain a moisturising blend of shea butter, soothing aloe barbadensis leaf extract and conditioning oils from the apricot kernel, castor, safflower seed, and grapeseed. 

Formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, nitrosamines, propylene glycol and mineral oil, the delicate flavours and shades will prove to be the perfect handbag essential that adds a touch of little luxury for any modern day woman. 

Designed to delight your lips and add luxurious colour and shine, each in a subtle shade to complement the mouth-watering flavour." - Crabtree & Evelyn

Caramel
A delicious butterscotch flavour matched with a warm caramel colour.

Apple
The sweet and crispy flavour of red apple that delivers a rosy, pink shine.

Mulberry
The deepest shade colour tint combined with a fruity, berry taste.

RSP R100 each

*Introductory stock for the lip tints is already almost sold out but will be available from July 2012.*
I can wait to give these yummy new products a try!

Keep up with all the excitement by following Crabtree & Evelyn on Twitter @Crabtree_SA or Liking their Facebook Page. You can also shop online by visiting their website.


You are welcome follow me on twitter @MsClairaBella and like my Facebook Page. Don't forget to subscribe by email (Top right hand side of this page) to make sure you don't miss out on posts in the future.

Miss Claire-Bella

Xoxo

Gifts for Mothers Day

Here are a few specials that I have spotted from my favourite brands and retailers. You can spoil your wife, mom or grandmother this mothers day, without breaking the bank.

Crabtree and Evelyn

Website, Facebook, Twitter

Sorbet - Face and body professionals

Website, Facebook, Twitter

Clicks

Website, Facebook Page

Sh'zen

Website

The Body Shop

Website, Facebook, Twitter

I hope this helps when looking for a gift to spoil a special lady on Mothers Day.

You are welcome follow me on twitter @MsClairaBella and like my Facebook Page. Don't forget to subscribe by email (Top right hand side of this page) to make sure you don't miss out on posts in the future.

Miss Claire-Bella

Xoxo

Crabtree & Evelyn - Treat yourself

“Explore everything, keep the best” was John Evelyn’s motto. Crabtree & Evelyn has been pioneer in botanical formulations for over 35 years.

I recently popped into the Crabtree & Evelyn store in Menlyn Park and I was mesmerized by the quality and wide range of products! Wonder where the name comes from?...Crabtree, from the crabapple tree, the original species from which all cultivated apple trees have derived, and Evelyn, from John Evelyn, the 17th century renaissance Englishman who wrote one of the first important works on conservation.

The first thing that anyone walking past the store would notice is the amazing scents and fragrances that you smell, which leaves you with such a stress-free feeling and Secondly, the very friendly and helpful service from Nthupula the shop assistant.
Everything is so neatly packed in sections/collections making it very easy to find your favourite scents and body products. I loved everything in the store but obviously have my favourites so let’s get to it.

The Citron honey and coriander Hand therapy was my #1 Favorite and the scent was to die for! I’m not a very citrusy person but I really enjoyed the smell and the way it left my hands feeling, moisturized and refreshed. It has a blend of peptides and naturally derived extracts help even skin tone, helps plump and firm skin, and improves overall suppleness as well as a custom blend of natural butters and oils that have been added to moisturise dry skin.

Their Lily Eau De Toilette Perfume was by far my favourite of their fragrances. It’s a very feminine scent that is pleasant and not overpowering. It could be used by ladies of any age.

I fell in love with all the rosewater products but the one that stuck out the most was the Rose Water home Fragrance Oil. It reminds me of sweets (Turkish delight). It is highly concentrated for long-lasting fragrance and can be used in light bulb rings and simmering pots.
My sister loves rosewater so I recommended Crabtree & Evelyn. I can’t wait to hear what she thinks!

Another thing that Crabtree & Evelyn has is Scented Drawer Lining Paper. You place it in your cupboards and it leaves you clothes smelling divine, just like you have perfume on. They come in Lavender, Iris and Rosewater. I think this is a very lovely and original gift to give to your mom, sister or best friend. They are a special way to keep clothes delicately scented. The special heavyweight paper offers long-lasting fragrance and the exclusive floral print adds a touch of elegance.

Crabtree & Evelyn’s eclectic product mix includes the award winning India Hicks Island Living and India Hicks Island Night Collections for the body and home, which are inspired by Crabtree & Evelyn creative partner, designer, model, author, television personality, and goddaughter of the Prince of Wales, India Hicks. I just love the look of the India Hicks Island Living collection!

Crabtree & Evelyn blends the very best of nature and science, tradition and innovation, and luxury and comfort to create benefit-rich bath, body, and home care. The quality in their packaging, products and services are outstanding which is difficult to find these days.
Crabtree & Evelyn is available in more than 40 countries, with over 6,000 locations and 350 concept stores worldwide. Crabtree & Evelyn has seven stores in South Africa: Sandton City, Hyde Park, Design Quarter, Menlyn Park, Cavendish Square, La Lucia Mall and V&A Waterfront.

I am REALLY excited about the launch of their new Pomegranate, Argan and Grapeseed body care and hand care collection in April 2012!

The perfect way to ensure your skin is soft and moisturised as the weather begins to get colder; this collection is infused with the distinctive fragrance blend of the tart sweetness of Pomegranate with a burst of zesty citrus and clementine blossom and fresh fig leaf, will leave your skin beautifully scented.

Keep up with all the excitement by following Crabtree & Evelyn on Twitter @Crabtree_SA or Liking their Facebook Page.

I'd love to share my thoughts on more of their products but for now i think i have said enough. I will do a follow-up blog sometime in the near future.

I hope you will spoil yourselves by visiting your nearest Crabtree & Evelyn store and buying some yummy body products!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo