When it comes to skincare discovery sets, I’ve bought a few in my time. Mostly from expensive brands, because the asking price for their regular-size products are enough to make my eyes water - and the clasps on my over-used purse snap shut tighter than an agoraphobic clam. Minis have been a cost-effective way of dipping in and out of luxury and sampling a little of what I can’t ordinarily afford. The discovery set I’m raving about right now is definitely on the mini side, but it’s from a super affordable natural beauty brand.
This set was in an advent calendar and has been sitting, literally waiting to be discovered, in my ‘for later’ pile. I’m one of those awful consumers who goes into overdrive at the first mention of Christmas, obsessing over what beauty calendars have the best products and which one to buy. Of course, once I start opening numbered boxes, I’m not looking for any surprises; I’m desperate to get my hands on the goodies that tempted me to purchase that particular calendar. Apart from it sometimes being cheaper to just buy the damn products, I tend to end up with a lot of cosmetics that I’ve either never heard of or wouldn’t rush out to get. Enter my ‘for later’ treats and their cousins, the products that I give away as stocking fillers or hoist on whoever’s name I pick out of the secret Santa hat at work. It’s as basic as that.
So, what is it that Holland & Barrett wanted to introduce me to four months ago? It’s Ethique Beauty's Invigorating Body Care Trio. Beautifully presented, this discovery set of heart-shaped minis takes cute to the next level. As well as coming boxed, each with its own little section, these natural wonders are accompanied by helpful how-to-use and ingredient information. While the body care set contains a natural cleanser and exfoliating body polish, which look almost too beautiful to spoil with water, it also boasts a solid deodorant. And the latter is what prompted me to keep this set and not designate it as a cast-off destined for a distant relative or colleague. Having had breast cancer - both sides - I have switched to natural deodorants. I thought this discovery set would come in handy as an emergency back-up, if I ever run out.
I ran out last week…
Ethique Beauty skincare discovery set - body trio
The minis in this discovery set are pH balanced, soap-free and suitable for all skin types. Using plant-based ingredients, Ethique Beauty has created three refreshing, nourishing self-care products that are infused with zesty lime, moisturising cocoa butter and bamboo, which is high in antioxidants. Perfect for travel as well as a good introduction to the brand, the products in the set are big enough to be used ‘up to 10 times’. For sample sizes, I think that’s a good enough range for a user to be able to determine if they like something.
While I was drawn to the set for its solid deodorant, I was curious about the soap-free ‘soap’. I’m all for naturally fragranced soaps, especially plastic-free ones. In fact, I’ve unwittingly managed to collect a haul of them over the past year. The reason? While they all smelled absolutely amazing on shop shelves, with tantalising top notes wafting strongly from their paper wrappers, they soon lost their scents when exposed to water and air. It’s why I’ve preserved one in an unwrapped state - it’s sitting pretty on a radiator cover in my downstairs loo doing a half-decent job as a stand-in air freshener.
The disappointment of not being able to maintain a soap fragrance for longer than a week is what drove me into the arms of body wash brands. But, hang on, the lime and lemongrass body cleanser in this set still smells great - even though it’s unwrapped and been stored in a half-open box on a windowsill for literally months. I have a feeling that this cleanser’s fragrance will linger to the last scrap. Natural cleansing with built-in scent therapy. Wonderful.
When I used this product, it created a soft, milky cleanser that left my skin feeling clean and hydrated. There was no itchy tightness that you can sometimes experience after using regular soap. I used it all over my body and noticed it was particularly beneficial for areas of dry skin, especially on my lower legs and hands.
The lime and ginger exfoliating bar worked a treat on my upper arms and shoulders. It removed dead skin effortlessly, leaving behind smooth, soft surfaces. I have found some body scrubs, including sugar ones, quite harsh, even painful to use, but not this one. It is super gentle and efficient.
I feel guilty that my reason for preferring a natural deodorant is a selfish one. It’s got nothing to do with saving the planet and everything to do with my fear of dousing radiated areas of skin with chemicals. What makes my choice so effortless is that natural deodorants are not only extremely effective they smell fantastic. I’m sure there must be a lot of people who assume that because something is ‘natural’ it must ooze the aroma of a Woodbine-infused hippy. Nothing could be further from the truth with this discovery set. Yes, you get a hint of earthy - but always with a citrus overtone.
Which brings me to the rustic citrus solid deodorant. This is the only mini in the box that came wrapped. I was pleased to find instructions, because I wasn’t quite sure if I should wash myself with it. As it turns out, you use it after showering or bathing - so, I assume, on slightly damp skin. Ethique Beauty says the product can also be used after exercise. I’ve never previously used a solid deodorant bar before and what really struck me was the convenience. Quick and easy to use, not to mention effective.
I rubbed the deodorant under my arms after showing and before going to work. Guess what? I still smelled fresh as a rustic daisy seven hours later. Now that’s impressive. Having one of these to keep in my handbag would be a godsend in the summer months. I note that Ethique Beauty recommends keeping the bar in an airtight container when not in use. I’m sure I’ve got a little tin somewhere. Although… I see the brand sells these bars in tubed sticks!
Overall, I love this little skincare discovery set. It’s practical yet pretty. If you want one, however, I wouldn't hang about. This £6 set is hard to come by, unless you are prepared to go online. But all is not lost. The full sizes of all the products are available from multiple stockists, including many on the high street. They are as affordable as they are effective. I partly regret ignoring them for so long (I bought the advent calendar as soon as it was released last September!) and partly appreciate the fact that I saved such a fab self-care bundle for the drab, grey days that epitomise mid-winter.
About the brand
Ethique Beauty is a New Zealand-based green beauty company that is a forerunner in the plastic-free shampoo bar sector. The certified B Corp brand, founded to be ethical, vegan and cruelty free, plants a tree for every order. That’s not all - 2% of each sale goes to environmental and social good causes. As well as an extensive haircare range, the brand’s skincare collection includes cleansers, face scrubs and lip balms. With a mission to make natural products that consumers will want to use, Ethique Beauty is all about reducing the impact of beauty and self-care products on the planet.
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