Review: Marks & Spencer China Blue

I rarely repurchase products based mainly on scent. There's just so much out there to try and it's hard to stay loyal. On my 18th birthday, however (man that was so long ago), I received two bottles of those exquisitely scented Marks & Spencer body lotions--typical gifts, right? One I gave to my mom, and the other... well, let's just say that bottle has long since been emptied and its twins and sisters are now residing in my stash.

From L-R: Hand and body lotion, talcum powder, hand and nail cream

The scent in question is what M&S calls China Blue. Evoking the scent of clean fresh linen, it claims. I wish all linen smelled like this! It's definitely clean and fresh, and I became a fan of powdery scents because of this line. Aside from the products I have, the line also has a room/linen spray, hand and body washes/creams, a soap, and a roll-on deodorant. The packaging, as expected, is a spot of luxury on your dressing table. I especially like the touch of gold on the powder's sifter.

Are there downsides to this line? Well, yes, and they may actually be deal-breakers. They smell amazing, but performance-wise, they are so-so. They work well enough, definitely, but in conjunction with the price point, the purchase may not be worth it. Best to treat yourself to a bottle when the situation calls for it, or hint to someone who loves you that it'll make the perfect gift. ;p As for me, I love the scent enough to indulge, and since the stuff lasts me a long time, I'm all right.

The moisturising hand and body lotion (Php395) comes with a pump that twists closed, so it's easier to bring around with you, but the size makes it impractical for travel. Texture-wise it's a tad lighter than the usual body lotion and definitely not as effective as my almost-HG body lotion in terms of moisturizing power, but it's good enough. I wish they had a baby, haha. This is also your typical lotion in that overapplication can result in a sticky feel, so it's best to apply this to towel-patted skin, right after you bathe. I like applying this before bed and the smell lingers in the morning.

The moisturising hand and nail cream (Php245) is surprisingly thicker in texture than the body lotion, but more fast-absorbing. This combination works though, for the product's main use, and after about half a minute of rubbing my hands together with this I'm good to go again. It's my thirty-second break especially when I'm just at my desk for the day. :)

Last but not the least is the silky talcum powder (Php295), the only product I have no qualms about performance-wise. But then again, it's hard to get powder wrong, right? Consequently this is the most repurchased product of the three. I use this during (literally) sticky situations, whether due to overapplied lotion or the hot weather. Sometimes I keep it beside my laptop and take a whiff of it for a pick-me-up. (Admit it, you've done this to one product at some point!)

So there. I think out of all the products I'm using, this line might be something I'll grow old with because of how much I love the scent. I'm glad it's readily available in Marks & Spencer boutiques in the country. Do you have a product for which you have a similar love? Let me know!

P.S. I miss writing, I really do.