The Body Shop - Winter Collection

I reviewed the following three new seasonal products from the Body Shop and would consider them all for gift giving.

Merry Cranberry - Body Scrub - 200 ml

When you first pour out this product, you will think that you must have raided your grandmother's jam cupboard while sleep walking as it has the appearance of her favourite preserves.

There are no directions on how to use the product so resist the urge to spread on toast and try pouring onto a wet loofah mitt before spreading on your body.  First of all, this product is fun.  This is a "berry" fruity and sweet smelling body exfoliate enriched with cranberry seeds and crushed walnut shells.   You'll notice it lightly lathers up on your skin and you can guarantee leaving the bath squeaky clean and feeling like a kid again...next

 Black Velvet Apricot Body Wash - 250 ml

The second product is the Black Velvet Body Wash.  This is described as a sumptuous, soap free cleansing, enriched with black velvet apricot extract and community trade honey.  I would describe it as slightly more sophisticated in nature but an exhilarating experience none the less.   This has a poignant scent of apricots but not as sweet as the product above. And, last but not least..

 Nutmeg and Vanilla Body Butter  200 ml

The third is the Nutmeg and Vanilla Body Butter in a tub. It also has a sweet smell and is suitable for Christmas giving.  The cocoa and shea butters are from Ghana, sesame oil is from Nicaragua, organically grown soya oil and organic babassu oil from Brazil and Brazil nut oil from Peru.  The smell reminds you of the faint scent of home baked cookies.  You may also wish to look at other Body Shop selections.  I suggest you check out their new winter trend make-up line with very pretty packaging.

All of the products are produced with the efforts of community trade.  If you are uncertain what community trade or free trade is all about, this is a highly respected undertaking through the efforts of the manufacturers of the product. It is a democratic system enabling plantation workers in developing countries to financially better themselves, their families and their communities.  How it works is that the buyer pays an agreed premium for the product and a percentage of this money is allocated back to the worker's unions who as a joint body, determines how money is spent to support the community as a whole.

As consumers, it is important to look into what is behind the products we purchase and to speak with our dollar. I believe most people would like to see the world become a better place.  Those who want to do something about the world tomorrow need to spend their money consciously and educate themselves on companies who are trying to make a difference like the "The Body Shop".  I for one wish to commend you on your efforts.