Review: Reader Body Creams

With warmer spring days arriving now is the time to really start coddling the skin we’ve spent the whole past season covering up. If moisturizing was not your priority during winter, or if the cold weather took a toll on your skincare routine (hello getting out of the hot shower and getting dressed in 0.5 seconds!), turn to these efficiently indulgent products to be ready for those long-awaited warmer days.

BEAUTICATE LOVES….BARING SKIN WITH SUMMER’S BOHEMIAN TRENDS: ISABEL MARANT SANDRINE MINI DRESSAND BURBERRY SUEDE AND CANVAS BUCKET BAG

Brisbane-based Beauticater Kata Diquez slathered herself senseless for several weeks to report truthfully on the most intense and indulgent body creams on the market.

The multi-tasker – Sisleya Anti-Aging Concentrate Firming Body Care

SISLEYA ANTI-AGING CONCENTRATE FIRMING BODY CARE

“This super hero body cream is actually an anti-aging serum in disguise. The perfectly balanced formula combines plant-based extracts and oils (16 of them to be exact) that not only hydrate your skin, but also contain anti-aging agents that work hard to improve your skin’s elasticity and firmness. This thick and creamy body cream is definitely not on the cheaper end of the scale, but if your concerns go beyond dryness and enter into the realm of aging, this powerful concentrate is worth the investment. With the added bonus of an elegant clean scent.”

The new best friend – Evo Body Self Indulgence Body Crème

EVO BODY SELF INDULGENCE BODY CRÈME

“Have it in your bathroom, bring it with you to the gym, to work, get a spare one and put it in your car, and then, one in every single handbag you own. Use it in the morning, in the afternoon, before going to bed and any time in between, this body cream needs to be your best friend. With no sulphates or parabens, the guys at Evo made sure there’s nothing nasty hidden in your body cream so you can rest assured your body is getting only the good things. For me, the appeal of this body cream not only relied on its hydrating capabilities, but also the versatility of being able to carry the indestructible bottle around wherever I go. Plus, the ‘straight-out-of-shower’ clean scent works great for those lazy days where you need to look (and smell) presentable but don’t really want to make an effort.”

The one for those fancy nights – Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia Body Crème

JO MALONE ENGLISH PEAR AND FREESIA BODY CRÈME

“For the fragrance lovers out there, prepare to give your perfume a little holiday. The scent of ripened English pears and fresh freesias captured in this body cream is sure to satisfy even the fanciest noses while all the good oils and butters work on hydrating your skin. My day-to-day is ridiculously busy, so I’m all about embracing little sporadic ‘me’ moments. This body cream is so indulgent that the single act of slathering it on my body had me feeling like I was in some sort of spa and not awkwardly sitting on the corner of the bathtub inside a tiny little bathroom while my dog was eating my shampoo. I’m also a sucker for Jo Malone’s luxurious packaging and elegant simplicity so I’m making sure I keep this one on display.”

The savior – La Mer The Body Crème

LA MER THE BODY CRÈME

“Because the lingering colder mornings cannot be faced with cold showers, La Mer’s body cream is perfect to revert the damage we’ve been doing to our skin with those moisture-zapping hot, steamy showers we’ve been taking all winter long. I know hot showers are a big no-no when it comes to skincare but, hey, I’m only human. So, if you share any of those feelings with me, apply this body cream on damp, straight-out-of-the-shower skin. Small quantities take you far and leave your skin soft and delicately scented. La Mer calls this a ‘seaweed wrap in a bottle’ but don’t worry, you’re not going to smell like a sushi roll after every application. It’s something closer to the fresh scent of waves breaking into the sand. Sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what it reminds me of.”

The classic – Jurlique Rose Body Cream

JURLIQUE ROSE BODY CREAM

“If you’re more of a classic gal and prefer traditional scents, give Jurlique’s Rose body cream a try. Prominent notes of rose gives it a powerful fragrance that will stick with you even hours after you apply it and the combination of jojoba oil, shea and cocoa butter create a body cream that brings life back into your dry skin. While leaving you smelling like a giant, walking rose. This is not a body cream I would use in the morning rush as it takes a little longer to sink in, but its perfect as an after-shower and before-bed kind of situation.”

The imperfection-fighter: Frank Body Cream

FRANK BODY CREAM

“Oh, Frank. You’ve done it again. I must admit I’m a fan of anything that comes out of the House of Frank and this body cream is not the exception. Without its signature coffee smell, but with a combination of coconut oil, coffee Arabica seed extract, grape seed oil and sweet almond oil, this body cream is rich in saturated fats and vitamin E. This combination prevents moisture loss, repairs skin and fights the signs of aging while leaving a sweet scent of shea butter and coconut. Some of those ingredients have been known for targeting signs of cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, eczema and acne so, even though it’s practically impossible to fight things like cellulite with a topical treatment, this body cream definitely has all the right ingredients to offer much needed help. If you’re like me and have trust issues, search for the hashtag #frankfeedback on Instagram to see ‘before-and-after’ images of real customers and their experiences (as well as lots of half-naked people covered in coffee).”

The tropical win-win-win – The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter

THE BODY SHOP COCONUT BODY BUTTER

“Body butters are a gift from heaven. The Coconut body butter is a thick, creamy moisturiser that’s also surprisingly fast absorbent and smooth to apply without leaving any greasiness behind. The coconut-y smell comes from Fair Trade organic coconut oil that not only leaves your skin smooth and smelling like a tropical cocktail, but also supports the Women In Business Development for the economic growth of Samoan communities. So, besides helping women and families in need and supporting the global economy, this body butter will make your skin look and feel like a mirage into warmer summer days. Win-Win-Win.”

The all-in – L’Occitane Velvet Balm

L’OCCITANE VELVET BALM

“After trying this body cream, I want every single product from L’Occitane’s almond range. Almonds have always been a staple of a healthy diet, and now, a feature of this range is the way L’Occitane is using the almond tree and all its power as the principal ingredient of their skin-care range. Forget about the simple task of moisturizing, the almond tree cells used in this silky-smooth body cream combat the signs of an aging body: dryness, skin slackening, lack of tonicity, fine lines and skin irregularities. In simple words: beautiful skin by the first sign of spring and a subtle floral, powdery scent to accompany it.”

Story by Katarina Diquez.