Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow - Review

Peppered through the blog posts of Summer of 2013 were umpteen mentions of Elemis' Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow. Review after review extolling the virtues of the luxurious scrub that was like heaven in a resealable jar. At €52 a pop though, this purchase was one I had to carefully consider for quite a while and remind myself of the subtle differences between 'need' and 'want' (if you saw my bathroom cabinets you'd understand). 

Unsurprisingly to anyone that knows me, having caught several more sightings of this Salt Glow in May, June AND July beauty favourites videos I finally caved. €52 was spent and Elemis was on its way. 'Mineral rich salts and hibiscus cleanse and exfoliate, whilst an infusion of exotic Tahitian monoi oil and frangipani flowers seal in moisture leaving your skin delicately fragranced', I read over and again as I eagerly awaited my chance to pop open the frosted glass jar of luxury. Being a big fan of every Elemis product I've tried to date, I was full sure I'd be in the immediate love. 

At first pop I wasn't overly enthused but I can be like that with scents, take Estée Lauder's my HG perfume brand's recent scent Modern Muse for example, I smell nothing, NOTHING, so although a little let down, the subtly scented Fangipani Monoi Salt Glow would be put through its paces regardless. When it comes to performance, this scrub is one of the most luxurious I've tried, hands down. It melts on contact with the skin and buffs rather than scrubs, leaving behind the faintest scent of the frangipani flowers and a light sheen from the monoi oil. 

Having loved my first couple of uses, sparingly, I was pretty aghast when I opened the jar for a weekly treat and found this! A hock of scrub taken from the centre, without any of the love I'd shown it. When Adam (16) came sauntering in that evening I caught him - 'Well? How does your skin feel?, Isn't it gorgeous?'. His response? 'Ah, it's grand but I smell like those plastic aliens that I used to grow when I was young' RAGE but then.. slowly.. recognition. 

I couldn't put my finger on the scent initially but Adam managed it in an instant, Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow will be (and is) heaven for 90's kids. The soft, subtle scent is identical to those mini alien, jelly filled pods of that decade - by no means is that unpleasant, it's just not what I expected. 

Needless to say this scrub has been stashed for special use, if he can't appreciate the skin softening magic it provides then it would be literally wasted on him. So I get to add my tuppence to the many, many Monoi reviews. While it's not one I reach for automatically, when my skin needs an extra pamper I'm cracking open Elemis. 

Psst if alien pods and glowing soft skin are your
thing, Millies.ie have this Salt Glow on sale
for €41.60 now or FeelUnique hold their
price steady at €43.26. 

Molton Brown's Celestial Maracuja Body Soufflé Review

I've been a Molton Brown Überfan since long before I could afford their luxurious products. It's been my one splurge, even before I was bitten by the blogging bug and I blame that entirely on my eldest Brosef sending me a Travel Pack many moons ago and me guarding it with my life. I now buy this brand as a gift,  especially for my Poppa as a treat and that's in no small way because the store is always ridiculously generous with samples. 

My most recent purchase was three fold, stocking up on my July Favourite, Bracing Silverbirch, the Cool Buchu gift set for my Pops to celebrate his finishing up treatment and this, the Celestial Maracuja body soufflé because it was on sale from €48.99 to €23 - who doesn't love a half price sale? 

Whipped with organic maracuja passionflower seed oil, olive oil and caramel within its oils and emollients, this silicone free, rich body soufflé absorbs quickly and leaves no residue on the skin. Truth be told I was expecting more of an exotic scent straight from the tub but Celestial Maracuja is a grower, not a shower. 

Within 1 hour of using this unctuous, subtlety scented soufflé it joined what I affectionately call the League of Little Thigh Rubbing Creams (Kiehl's Creme de Corps is another) only because every single time I use the loo I have to have a little rub of my thighs to appreciate how silky soft my skin is. 

Though Molton Brown recommend you use Celestial Maracuja morning and evening, I've found just one application is enough to give me supple skin for up to two days, once used straight after hopping from the shower. 

Unfortunately this body soufflé is not available right now on the Molton Brown site, my guess is that's why I got my feelers on it for half price but I have found it here on LookFantastic for €44.99 with free worldwide delivery (but limited stock). 

My advice is if you can get your mitts or your thighs on this rich, luxurious body soufflé, do it, do it immediately. 

Do you have a body cream that could join the League of Little Thigh Rubbers?   Lemme know!