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I was on a low-buy for quite some time, and was pretty happy living a life
with less. Between less blogging (and thus less PR always showing up) and
buying less, I was finally using what I had and taking stock of what I would
actually use (aka there has been a lot of purging and bagging stuff up for
friends to take.) But, at some point, my shopping monstress awoke. Be it
pandemic related stress, political craziness, and quarantine boredom, or most
likely a combo of both, I found myself adding all sorts of things in my cart.
If you couldn't tell from the title, a lot of them just happened to apricot-y.
What can I say? I love apricot. All they ways- taste, scent, and colour. Most
of the product's we're chatting up today fall into scent, but you get the
gist. My foray into all things apricot started with the
Hair Food Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisture Shampoo. The fact that it
is apricot scented spoke to me instantly, but the fact that it is also a
sulfate free (and therefore colour-safe) option from the drugstore that wasn't
overly expensive, and really was free of the pesky sodium / sodium derivatives
that wreak havoc on your colour. The formula features mauka honey and apricot
essence, both for scent and to soften and smooth dry hair without weighing it
down. There is a matching conditioner, but I tend to use masks and deep
conditioners more, so I skipped it.
Okay, this may be marketed for the littles, but the brand does state that
their products are made for the whole family to enjoy. I'm taking that and
running with it solely because I dig all things apricot (duh.) If you didn't
know Hello Bello was co-founded by Kristen Bell and Dax Sheppard to bring
"premium baby products at non-premium prices" and plant-based formulas.
Clearly, it was the
Hello Bello Premium Shampoo & Body Wash in Soothing Vanilla Apricot
that called to me, with a gentle formula that works double duty as shampoo and
body wash. Although, I bought it to use as the later. The scent is light, but has
a fresh fruitiness from the apricot and soothing element from the vanilla, and
it suds up beautifully on a pouf. Skin is left feeling cleansed, but perfectly
balanced thanks in part to the organic aloe, avocado, cucumber, and jojoba and
sunflower seed oils. The range is also home to a sweet cream scent that I
might just have to grab next. I have no shame using baby shower gel,
obviously.
I'm not saying I am without skincare sin, but I have never used that scrub. I had a roommate in college who seemed to used a minimum a tube a month, but I resisted the urge to eliminate my face with it. That said, St. Ives isn't a brand I've had much experience with until spying their sheet masks. The St. Ives Glowing Apricot Sheet Mask makes no grand claims other than the offering of a more radiant, glowing complexion thanks to the naturally sourced apricot essence. It's simple, but it works wonderfully. The results (like that from most sheet masks) aren't long-lasting, but after use my skin is brighter looking, hydrated, and youthfully plump. I leaves skin feeling a little tacky, but I did find it dissipates after a few minutes. Oh, they do have a delightful apricot scent, but that may not be so great for those with sensitivities.
Speaking of apricot scents, I've fallen prey to two little numbers. First off,
The Body Shop Apricot & Agave Hair & Body Mist. I don't know
how I feel about the double ampersand in the title, but I've been enjoying
this light little scent. As with many body mists, I'm not exactly sure I get
the subtlety of the specific notes within it (apricot, orange, bergamot, and
agave) but all combined, the fruity, but not overly sweet scent has a little
depth (a touch of something musky) to give it both more interest and staying
power. I love this especially in hair, as the scent really lingers, but it
lasts longer than I expected on skin as well.
Apricot aromatique deux, the lovely
little Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot Eau de Toilette. I've had
various CSP scents on my wish list over the years, but somehow just never
actually bought one. I had an impromptu urge for new perfume, and this was my
winner. The scent is incredible, but you have to be a lover of sweeter scents
(I am, I'll cop to it willingly.) It's got sweetness, but doesn't tiptoe into
cloying territory thanks to the warmth of Tahitian vanilla. Jackfruit,
apricot, papaya, and sugar candy join in on the party to make this a fun, yet
not too juvenile scent that is a pure joy to wear.
It looks like we've reached the end of Apricot Ave. I think I've reached my
fill on apricot products (for the time being) but I am snacking on a few dried
ones with almonds and pumpkin seeds. A great combo in you needed snack
inspiration. Have I got you craving more of the fuzzy, little orange fruit in
your beauty routine? Tried any of these products or want to?
