Chocoholics Shower Cream Dream, here's chocolate without the calories! (Original Source Vanilla Milk & Cocoa Shower Gel)

Member Name: brittle1906

Product:	Original Source Vanilla Milk & Cocoa Shower Gel
Date:	29/07/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smells devine, from a well known manufacturer .

Disadvantages: Weird colour and may not be around for long as is a special edition

Review of Original Source 'Winter Vanilla, Milk and Cocoa Shower Cream'


**The Product**

This Vanilla, milk and cocoa shower cream is the Winter 2008 special edition from Original Source. Being the cheapskate that I am, I purchased this just after Christmas when the supermarket was reducing their winter ranges. It has been sat in the back of the bathroom cabinet ever since and only came to light recently. As far as I recall, I paid in the region of 75p for my bottle of shower cream, I believe that the full price was around £1.50.

**Packaging, Appearance and Scent**

The shower cream is presented in a trapeze shaped, opaque plastic bottle with a black flip open cap. The cap is located at the bottom of the package and doubles as a stand for the shower gel. The container design means that the last drops are fairly easy to get out, but as the shower cream does not have a hook to hang the product up in the shower, I personally do not find it very convenient. This style of bottle is used right across the Original Source range of shower and hair care products, so others must like it, even if I don't!

The package contains 250ml, has a shelf life of 12 months once opened and is made in the UK.
The front of the package has the Original Source brand name, the fragrance and description in brown and black font, with the word "winter" highlighted with a snowflake design. The ingredients and company information are on the reverse, beneath the strap line "The Crop of Winter 08".


The shower cream is a little off putting in colour when you actually see it on your hand. A warm milk chocolate brown shade is the politest way to describe it! The texture of the product is rich and creamy, more like a balm than a shower gel or cream.

The lathering element of the shower cream is not great, I have used better. I do live in a very hard water region of the UK which means getting any bath or shower product to lather well, is a really tough test. The lather was satisfactory here in Kent, but no more than that.

The shower cream smells lovely. It is a warm sweet scent with vanilla high notes and cocoa, cinnamon under notes. As you massage into warm wet skin, the fragrance seems to develop into a very luxurious sweet scent. The scent is fairly strong, yet not over powering and it is not so long lasting on the skin that you wouldn't be able to use a fragrance after your shower.

The product claims to lift senses dulled by the winter blues....as I've been using it in July, I cannot really comment on that statement!

Original Source also state on the packaging that the Cocoa element of the product will leave skin super soft, it does soften skin, however I still need to apply a body lotion after use. In all fairness, that could be just my skin, other users may well find the Winter Shower Cream contains adequate moisturiser for their skin.

**Ingredients and Warnings**

A full list of ingredients is listed on the reverse of the container and on the company website, a break down of what Original Source use in their products can be found.
I will not list all the ingredients here, it would read like a chemist shop stock list and I am sure no one really wants to read it anyway!

Original Source warn that essential oils do not agree with all skin types and that some should be avoided by pregnant women. As with any shower product, care should be taken not to get into the eyes and should it do so, the eyes should be flushed with clean water. Original Source Shower cream is Vegan friendly.

I have sensitive skin, I also suffer from occasional flare ups of contact dermatitis and I am happy to say that I have never had any adverse reaction with any of the Original Source products I've used.

**Company Contact Information**

Original Source products hit the UK market some years ago. The company who are part of the Cussons group, produce a wide range of products bearing the Original Source trade name including shower, deodorant, shaving and bath ranges, shampoos and conditioners.

Original Source use 100% essential oils and natural fragrances rather than synthetic. Original Source products are packed in recyclable containers and the company work closely with the Vegan Society and are members of the Aromatherapy Trade Council.

Original Source has it's own website which is an interactive, fun type of site. See www.originalsource.co.uk
Postal and phone contact:-
PZ Cussons
Freepost NWW13380
Stockport
SK3 0YL
Free Customer care line
0800 581 001


**My Thoughts and Conclusion**

Another winner from Original Source! The shower cream is a luxurious, beautifully scented product which I would be happy to use again and recommend to others. Sadly, as this was the 2008 Winter Special Edition, I do not know whether the shower cream will be produced again. Original Source lines can often be found in Pound Shops so if you see this one, do give it a try, it is certainly worth a go!

Thank you for reading

©brittle1906 July 2009

Review also posted on ciao.co.uk under the same user name

Summary: Get a chocolate fix in the shower...!