Art Break! - Floral Wreath

I have quite a collection of dried flowers, all from the lovely PB, and I wanted to do something with them.

I cut out some cardboard in a wreath shape, sticking two pieces together to strengthen it.

I painted it green.

I got ahead of my self and added glue before I took a photo.

I attached some leaves and all the roses.
This is actually the second time I glued these flowers down, thanks to Phil.

I added more glue to reinforce the flowers, then used leaves to fill in the blanks.

I attached a string to the back so I could hang it up.

Done!

Verdict: PB liked it and I liked it too! :D
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Palmolive - Aquarium - Liquid Hand Soap

When PB told me that the soap dispenser in the bathroom was broken, I knew exactly what I wanted as a replacement.
I wanted the fish soap.
I've wanted the fish soap for ages.

This bottle is designed to look like it has fish swimming in it.
There is an extra piece of plastic inside to add more depth to the visual, giving three layers to have images on.

There are a number of different designs; a dolphin, a clown fish, a dory, and a turtle.
I picked the turtle.
It also has angelfish swimming around it.

The soap itself is clear, lathers well, cleans well, and has a mild floral/fruity scent.

Once the soap is finished, I will be refilling this bottle over and over again.

It brings me joy everytime I see it.

Price: 5/5 ($2.99 for 300mL)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Art Break! - John Oliver Embroidered Cushion Cover

In the 18th of February, 2018 episode of 'Last Week Tonight', John Oliver said he wanted the line "He's still going to the same hole, where the same worms will eat him too." crocheted on a pillow case.

Well I don't know about crochet, but I can embroider it!

And don't @ me if you don't like this. I don't care about your political opinions and death is an undeniable truth of all life, irrespective of your thoughts.

I just like art projects.

I started with a floral pillow case.
I wanted a contrast between the dark nature of the quote and the beauty of the nature that corpses will contribute to.

Also the pretty florals reflect the hope the quote brings, in its own way.

When the pillowcase arrived, I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed.
It wasn't bright but muted, light brown rather than white.

But lets go with a more earthy theme then.

I was going to do the text in black, but in light of the pillow's actual colour range, I changed it to a dark green.

For the dots above the i's I was thinking of making them tine flowers.

I tried it and it looked really cute.

Calendula.

Violet.

Dasiy.

Broad-leaved statice.

I also considered adding a worm, but then decided this would be too 'cartoon'-y. Less is more.

So, all done!

Verdict:  I think it turned out really nice!

Mum - Dry - Anti-Perspirant - Cool Pink

I picked out this antiperspirant because my mum used to use it and I wanted to travel back in my olfactory memories, kinda lame I know, but scent is a powerful memory trigger.

However my journey though time went wrong because the scent has since been changed.
It doesn't smell like it did, back in the day when it was in a glass container.

This is the old one I remember:

I could not find a single photo of this online! 

Bring back crystal pink!

The scent is pleasant though, powder and floral.
It's a medium strength scent but isn't overbearing.
'Cool pink' is a surprisingly good description of the scent, at least to my synesthesia having butt.

As an antiperspirant it works really well, no breakthrough sweat.

Price: 5/5 ($3.29 for 50mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Shiseido - The Skincare - Multi-Energizing Cream

This is a sample courtesy of Miss Buttons.

I love the packaging! A sample in a glass jar, with a white iridescent lid. 

It has a faint floral scent.

It is almost a waxy balm, but it melts as soon as it hits your skin, making it easy to apply.
I wouldn't call it lightweight, it is a bit heavy but ok for night use.

I do feel that my skin feels good, but it could be because it is acting as a barrier (like Vaseline) rather than a moisturiser or because of its ingredients.

Price: 2/5 ($60 for 50mL)
Scent: 3/5
Effectiveness: 4/5


***** This product could be reviewed thanks to the raunchy, informative and gorgeous Miss Smut Buttons! *****

Rexona - Impulse - Romantic Spark - Body Spray

This  is a nice woody, floral scent that isn't overbearing.
However it wears off so fast! :(

Fragrantica lists the notes jasmine (nope!), grapefruit (maybe just a touch), violet (yes), woodsy notes (yes), vanilla (yes), musk (yes).

Price: 5/5 ($4.99 for 75mL)
Effectiveness: 3/5
Strength: Low-moderate
Lifetime: Very short
Time: Daytime
Season: Autumn

Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy - La Fleur - Eau de Toilette

This is such a nice floral scent!

It has pink florals, apricot, pink pepper, and citrus notes.
The bottle is also super cute!

Fragrantica lists the notes as

Top Notes: mandarin orange (yes), red berries (yes), water lily (yes)
Middle Notes: honeysuckle (yes), gardenia (yes), jasmine (nope)
Base Notes: vanilla (yes), caramel (yes), sandalwood (just a little bit)

Price: 1/5 (~$110 for 100mL)
Effectiveness: 4/5
Strength: Moderate
Lifetime: Short
Time: Daytime
Season: Spring

Avon - Instinct - Eau de Toilette

This is a spicy, green, and floral scent.
I can't really nail down any specific notes.

Fragrantica lists the notes as green notes (yes), camelia (yes), and sandalwood (yes).

Price: 3/5 (~$33 for 50mL)
Effectiveness: 3/5
Strength: Medium
Longevity: Short
Time: Night time 
Season: Summer

The Body Shop - White Musk - Smoky Rose - Eau de Toilette

This smells like musk, rose and a hint on incense.

It is a really nice floral smell without being overbearingly floral (a concept I don't personally understand).

Fragantica lists the notes as

Top Notes: bergamot (nope), pink pepper (maybe), black currant (nope)
Middle Notes: tobacco blossom (no idea), black rose (yes), immortelle (yes), orange blossom (nope)
Base Notes: olibanum (frankincense, yes), white musk (yes)

Price: 4/5 ($28.95 for 30mL)
Effectiveness: 5/5
Lifetime: Moderate
Strength: Medium
Time: Afternoon
Season: Autumn

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau De Parfum

This is like getting punched in the face with a bouquet, and not in a great way. 

I'm glad I only have a tiny sample!

I can't tell any notes, just generic (some white) flowers.

And it is strong.

The container is really cute, it's a shame that the perfume doesn't match.

I mean, I like it, but it isn't the greatest.

Fragrantica lists the notes as

Top Notes: Neroli (nope), Amalfi lemon (nope), Raspberry (nope).

Middle Notes: Jasmine (nope), African Orange flower (nope), Gardenia (yes).

Base Notes: Patchouli (yes!), White honey (yes), Amber (nope).

Patchouli!!! That must be why I like it still!

Price: 1/5 ($129.00 for 80mL)

Scent: 3/5

Season: Autumn

Time: Nighttime

Strength: Strong

Lifetime: Full day

The Body Shop - Body Cream - Fijian Water Lotus

I wasn't sure I would like this scent, but I was so wrong! 
It's marine, aquatic, floral and playful!
It is also delicate and quite a fresh scent.

Appealing to me on a 'water nymph' level.

It is less thick than the body butter but thicker than a lotion.

It absorbs well and leaves the skin feeling amazing.

I am SO tempted to buy the perfume of this scent!

Price: 3/5 ($26.95 for 200mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 4.5/5

The Body Shop - Lip & Cheek Stain - Pink Hibiscus 001

Initially I wasn't impressed with this, but to be fair I still had lip balm remnants on my lips when I first tried this.
This is very much water based and you need clean lips if you want this to absorb at all. 

It gives a sheer pink tint to the lips. 
Here is a very direct comparison:

And a swatch:

The scent is very faint, sweet and floral.

Now that I know how to use it, I quite like it.

But would I buy it again, probably not (I have lipsticks that stain better).

Price: 1/5 (RRP $24.95 for 7.2mL)
Scent: 3/5
Effectiveness: 3.5/5

Same Product, Different Scent: Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy - Pear and Pink Magnolia

It's sweet, fruity, floral, and a perfect summer scent! Loved this!
And the formula is still as rich as any other scent in this range.

Masquerade! - My Scheming EGF & Amino Acid Double Lifting Mask

This came with the stupid backing sheet... but it does cover the neck as well, which is fun.
Has witch hazel and sunflower extract; smells light, soapy and floral.

Lux - Evenly Gorgeous - Exfoliating Body Wash

This floral body wash lathers up wonderfully (a common short-falling of exfoliating wash) and smells divine.

The gold shimmer colour of the product is quite pleasing visually and the beads in this do a good job of skin-scrubbing!

I wish there was more of a mix of large and small beads though, as this has more of the larger/coarser beads .

Also, I can't get past the fact that the exfoliating beads in these types of products are plastic/ non-biodegradable. 

So, for my eco-friendly friends, a SOLUTION!:

Coffee grounds are biodegradable, can be from your morning cup of joe (Reuse!) and work a treat! Just mix it in with your body wash and you are good to go! 

Also, your bathroom will smell amazing afterwards!

Price: 4/5 (rrp $5.99 for 400mL)

Scent: 4.5/5

Effectiveness: 4/5

Aromatherapy Associates - Shampoo with Rosemary and Ylang ylang

This beautifully floral/herb scented shampoo smells amazing! 

It lathers up terrifically and ... what can I say? It does what a shampoo is meant to do... clean hair in one wash (and you may think that sounds obvious, but some shampoos can't accomplish this)

Unfortunately I can't find this in any size other than travel/hotel size bottles (40mL)... prove me wrong, kids! Prove me wrong!

Price: 2.5/5 (you can get some small containers on eBay... sorry I can't give a rrp)
Scent: 5/5 (floral/herb, almost musk)
Effectiveness: 5/5