Always the bridesmaid, never the bride (Dove Firming Lotion)

Name: Delicate_Orchid1

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Product:	Dove Firming Lotion
Date:	15.07.05 (2630 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Moisturises, absorbs easily

Disadvantages: Not as good as the Dove Intensive Firming Gel - Cream, lack of firming properties

A little while back I reviewed a Dove product called "Body Firm Intensive Firming Gel-Cream". I highly recommended the product, but did point out that it was rather pricey. The steep price label was the reason I decided to try the Dove product that looks vaguely smilar, claims to have vaguely similar properties, and is considerably cheaper.


***The product***

This product comes in a white stand-up bottle with a blue pop-up cap and contains 250 ml of white moisturising lotion. Other colours on the bottle are gold and green. On the front of the bottle you will see the Dove logo in blue and a gold dove right beneath. The product is labelled "Body Firm Firming Lotion".

Underneath the product name you are told that the lotion contains seaweed extract. The product promises you visbly firmer skin within 2 weeks.

On the back of the bottle it is explained that seaweed extract is one of the key components of the firming treatments in ThalassoTherapy.

What is Thalasso Theraphy? A little research told me that "Thalassa" is the greek word for "sea". The theraphy is a method of preventative and curative treatment which uses the therapeutic virtues of seawater and seaweed to oxygenate, tone, moisturize and revitalize the body and the skin.

The back of the bottle tells you a little more about how Dove expects this product to work for you. The seaweed extract is apparently known for its firming properties.

In addition, the moisturiser contains ceramides, which are supposed to tighten the skin's structure.

Dove claims that combined with the active moisturisers the product will firm and increase your skin's elasticity. It also claims that after 1 week your skin is significantly smoother and after 2 weeks your skin is noticeably firmer.

How to use? You simply massage the product into the skin in circular motions.


***Price and availability***

I paid £4.22 for my bottle of moisturiser at Boots. I have seen the product at Boot, Superdrug and Sainsbury's for prices ranging from £3.13 to £4.99.


***My experience***

Before I start describing my experience, I have to point out that until I started using this moisturiser, I was using the intensive firming gel, so my views may be a little bit tainted from the comparatively excellent experience I had with the gel.

When I first opened the bottle and took a sniff, I was rather disappointed. The product did not seem to have much of a smell at all. But as the beauty experts among you know, the smell of a product is often not determined until it is used on the skin.

From my experience with the firming gel, I only needed a pea-sized amount of product for a calf and a another pea-sized amount for a thigh. When I tried using equivalent amounts with the moisturiser, I was very disappointed to discover that I needed much more. It ended being more the size of a chestnut for each body part.

While the moisturiser did not feel as silky smooth on my hands as the firming gel did, it certainly did not feel unpleasant. Rubbing it into my skin I noticed that it absorbed very quickly. It did not "stick" to my hands like some moisturisers tend to do.

I then tried to determine the smell of the product again. I have to admit, the first 3 or 4 times I used it, I could not smell anything at all. After a few more uses I think the smell is best described as a mild floral smell. It slightly reminds me of the Clinque 'Happy' perfume, but it is still very different. It does not linger too long, just about 1-2 hours.

I had originally bought this product for its lower price. For £4.22 I got 250 ml of product. By comparison, the Dove firming gel would set me back £5.99 for 200 ml. However, because I needed to use much more of the moisturiser than of the gel, I quickly discovered that the body gel lasts longer than the moisturiser. The gel lasts me about 4 weeks, using it 4-5 times a week. The moisturiser lasts me about 3 weeks, using it 4-5 times a week.

So what about the firming properties? To be honest, I did not notice any positive firming effects of the product on my skin, even after 2 weeks. If anything, I thought that I was getting more flabby. I have to be honest, the source of this problem could be two-fold. First of all, I have had to cut down my gym visits from 5 times a week to 2-3 times a week. Second of all, I had been using the Dove firming gel previously. As some of you may know, I really felt like the gel had firmed my thighs and gotten rid of some of my celluite.

So does the product have any positive properties? Yes, it is a good little moisturiser. And if you loathe fragrant moisturisers, the smell is mild enough for you.


***Other uses***

Like the body firming gel, the product can potentially be used as a facial moisturiser. It can also be used to remove make-up, if you are desperate.


***The verdict***

I had to think for a long time whether I should recommend the product or not. I personally will return to the firming gel, despite the higher price label. The downside of this moisturiser is that it has no miracle qualities. But if you are just looking for a regular moisturiser, then you might as well buy this one. It definitely does the trick in that department.


***Further info***

Lever Faberge
Admail 1000
London, SW1A 2XX

Tel: 0800-085 15 48

***Acknowledgments***

Information on Thalasso Theraphy found on
www.beautyinternational.org

Summary: A good moisturiser, but it does not live up to its claims of having firming properties.