A cyber-cookie to anyone who can give me a good use for this. (The Body Shop Total Energy Enlivening Body Gel)

Member Name: LRWade

Product:	The Body Shop Total Energy Enlivening Body Gel
Date:	31/08/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Really yummy scent.

Disadvantages: No discernable purpose.

Total Energy is an aromatherapeutic range from the body shop with products containing oils of bergamot, ginger, rosemary, peppermint and lemon including a body gel, body wash, pulse point balm and essential oil.

The Enlivening Body Gel from the range is one of those completely useless beauty products from the body shop that sells only because it smells so damn good. It is essentially a nice smelling semi-solid water with no discernable use other than a slightly odd take on perfume.

*CLAIMS*

"An invigorating body gel to stimulate and hydrate for soft, radiant-looking skin. Leaves the body feeling refreshed and the senses stimulated and ready for action.
Ideal for those looking to refresh their body and enhance their energy levels so they feel more alert, revived and ready to go!"

*PRODUCT*

I've had three small tubes of this from various freebies when shopping at my local body shop and spending over £20, which is approximately 1 full size tube. The packaging is very attractive, brown tube with a pale creamy label (each range has its own label colour).

The gel itself is pale with small granules in it which disappear whe rubbed into the skin. The feel is pleasantly cool on the skin, and instantly there is a powerful wave of the sharp scent. You might be inclined to call it a stimulating, if only to the nose.

*EFFECTS*

The gel disappears quickly, but it is impossible to tell if it sinks in or simply evaporates. The more you rub it in the thinner it gets, so evaporation is a real possibility. Certainly there is no change in the feel or appearance of the skin to imply absorption. It is not hydrating, nor softened, and it doesn't look any more radiant than before. So the function of this gel is not to moisturise skin.

As for "refresh the body and enhance energy levels", where do I begin? What exactly is refresh the body? If I was asked how to refresh the body I would immediately think "get a shower", clean body = clean mind. The sharpness in the gel's scent may entice you to think of toilet cleaner, but that is as close to clean as you will get. Enhancing energy level...perhaps the strength of the scent will wake you up? Who knows? However the scent doesn't last long after application, maybe 40 minutes.

Another point to make: the strength of the essential oils in this will likely bee far too potent for anyone with sensitive skin. Indeed, it warns of increased sensitivity to sunlight on the back.

Don't get me wrong, the scent of this is absolutely to die for, if they were to make a perfume of it, it would sell out fast. I myself would be first in the queue. But as a skin product this is a waste of money. If you like the smell, the pulse point balm or essential oil are a far better choice.

If you are inclined to get this, it costs £11.70 for a 200 ml tube.

Summary: Don't bother with this, if you like the scent get the oil.