Review: Haus of Gloi

So I know this isn't about bras OR makeup... but I am a big fan of indie companies and thought "close enough". I've had my eye on Haus of Gloi for a couple of years now, but never took the plunge until now, as I am in the market for a new body scrub and I like nice-smelling ones that aren't ridiculously expensive.  

  

There were so many scents, I didn't know where to start. Even if something sounds like it smells nice, who knows if I would like the smell in person? So I bought the smaller 56g size tubs and decided to try a few scents. I also bought a soap bar.  

THE BRAND 

This indie brand has been around for a while now. I think I first came across it in the subreddit /r/indiemakeupandmore. The brand is cruelty free and vegan. Everything is handmade from scratch. They make original and very intriguing scents in several different types of bath/body products including rich pumpkin body butters, lightweight body emulsions, emulsifying scrubs (for both exfoliation and moisturising), bubbling scrubs, handmade bar soaps, perfume oil, hair oils and lip balms.

ORDERING/PRICING

The site is easy to navigate and ordering is pretty straightforward. It's great that the company offers small jars to try out their products for a few dollars each (though most indie companies offer sample size options).  I went with 2 sugar exfoliants, a soft bubbling scrub, a body emulsion and a full size soap which cost only $20 USD. The kicker here is that shipping was $19.90 USD which feels so expensive (I did receive a paypal refund of $1.50 the following day), but shipping these kind of products can be costly when it's based weight. Feels expensive, but products here in Australia would cost more. So altogether, it cost about $50 AUD for the products and shipping.  

I placed the order on the 2nd of July, received a shipping confirmation the next day and the parcel arrived on the 16th. So 14 days. Not too bad coming from America! I'm pretty happy with that. The parcel arrived in a small box, with everything quite tightly packed and secure. Each item was wrapped in olive green tissue paper and there was a little handwritten note which was a nice touch. They also popped in a couple of sweets.

Rose City

"Red roses and the earthy wet scent of aged patchouli."

I quite like rose-scented things, so I picked two items to try in Rose City. And I have to say... it is more than a Rose City... it's a Rose Country. It's just a bit too much for me. The body emulsion smells like rose potpourri at my nana's house. It actually has given me a bit of a headache, although the scrub is not nearly as strong.

As mentioned above, I was not a fan of this scent. At all. It gives me a headache. Still, I figured I should test the emulsion. So I rubbed some of the product into my left forearm to see if I liked the formula, even though I am giving this to my nana. 

The body emulsion is actually a really nice, light body moisturiser. It sinks into the skin easily, leaving it nice and soft without feeling greasy. Once it is rubbed in, the scent is not nearly as strong, although sniffing my arm still makes me feel a bit sick. My goodness, this scent lingers. I scrubbed my arm with a washcloth and the smell is still there. I'll admit that I really like the formula of the emulsion though. I might get it in other scents next time. 

This is the only bubbling scrub I bought so I really want to test it... but I can't bring myself to apply more roses onto my skin, even if it does not smell nearly as strong. I felt the texture though, and it feels drier to the touch than the sugar exfoliants did. 

Haus Amber 

"Rich and sultry amber, our own hand blended accord."

Oh I like this smell. It's quite subtle but not weak at all. It does smell a bit sultry, actually. It smells like it would leave a really nice lingering scent on the skin. I kind of wish I'd got this in the body emulsion or perfume oil instead, because it would work really well as a base for one of my unisex perfumes.

I didn't want to wait to have a shower to test this out, so I used my finger to scoop out a bit and scrubbed it onto my right arm to test it. I'm a fan. It feels rough on your fingers but once there's water and massaging, it's a gentle exfoliant that feels really nice on the skin, leaving it feeling moisturised but not greasy (despite having coconut oil as an ingredient, which I don't like by itself). It also leaves a really nice subtle scent on the skin that I love. I'll most likely buy this in full size once I've finished the mini jar. Maybe in a pumpkin butter as well.

Vice

"Steam billows rolling off a vessel of fresh made Turkish coffee, marshmallow goo tainted by graham cracker crumbs, toasted hazelnuts all blanketed in the blackest chocolate."

I don't know if I smell all of that... all I know is that smelling this makes me want to eat it. It smells like a super rich, coffee fudge brownie cake. I want to smell this all day. And I don't even like coffee or cake. I even held it up to my dad's nose and his face lit up and he said, "Oh my god, that smells delicious". I'm glad I bought the bar soap as well as the exfoliant in this scent. Definitely my favourite of the bunch.

I actually used the sugar exfoliant on my left arm on top of the entire area I had rubbed the Rose City emulsion into. This was partly to test the scrub, and partly to try to remove the rose scent. The scrub felt really nice, like the Haus Amber one, and didn't leave my arm feeling greasy. It didn't completely remove the rose scent but it did make scrub off most of it and it seemed to leave a lingering scent of its own. 


The bar of soap not only smells edible but looks it. It took some willpower not to bite it. It smells the same as the scrub, but there is no lingering chocolate scent after the bubbles wash away (except for a slightly vanilla soapy smell). Once the soap bar itself has been under the tap, the scent isn't nearly as strong on it either. They've obviously perfected the formula of the soap, though, which lathers easily and is gentle on the skin.

Zazz (sample)

"When something feels a bit lackluster, dull and boring, it obviously is lacking, zazz. To fix this we recommend something definitely zazzy and not overly complicated: Tart cranberry, pink grapefruit, sparkling champagne all shook up with crushed ginger root "

The lovely people at Haus of Gloi sent a free perfume sample along with my other purchases. Sniffing it straight from the tube was a mistake - it was overpowering and smelled awful, like detergent. However, after dabbing the tiniest amount on my wrist, I can smell the tart sweetness that customers would like. It smells pretty fizzy and frivolous. It is not as overpowering once on the skin and I think would be a nice scent on a young woman that likes sweeter perfumes. I'm still not quite a fan, as I don't like the smell of grapefruit and prefer more sultry scents, but it has gotten me interested in trying some other perfume oils of theirs as the quality is definitely there. I will probably pick up Haus Amber in my next order.

SUMMARY  

Overall, I'd say Haus of Gloi is a win. Their product quality is great and the scents are complex and original. Their TAT is also pretty fast for an indie company. I will definitely be ordering from them in the future. Although, I think if I am trying out new scents, I will get perfume oil sample versions first as shipping is probably based on weight. And along with the perfume samples, I am definitely getting Vice and Haus Amber pumpkin butters at some point. They are nicer scents than any I've smelled in other bath/body brands, including Lush. 

Review: Avocado Annick in Love in 70J and 65K

ANNICK IN LOVE - PLUM 70J (CUT K)

NB: Stock photo from website

SIZING

Figuring out my current size was a bit difficult as I've lost a few cup sizes and a band size in the last several months, from a 32J to a 30H/HH. Previous Avocado bras I've tried (in order) are the red Nina in 75K, Creole in Cassis A cut in 70L, Greta  A cut in 75K and 70K and, most recently, two Caprice A cuts in 65L in black and caramel. The fits of all of these have not been very consistent. The Nina 75K was more like a loose 32 band, the Gretas and Creole ran generous and the Caprice 65L seemed to be the best fit, although I needed an extender for a while for comfort.

Since I have experienced such fit discrepancies between sizes/styles, I looked up reviews for the Annick in Love and checked the bratabase measurements and guessed that the 70J would be a good fit. I think this is meant to be equivalent to about a 32GG, but the band only stretches to 31 inches, so it feels more like a loose 30H and I can do it up on the tightest hook straight away. Wearing it on the middle hook is still comfortable, but I think I will need to invest in a rixie clip for when it stretches out. For reference, my current band measurements are loose 31", comfortably firm 30", tight 29".

The one negative thing I have to say about this bra is the straps. Although they are very comfortable and I'm glad they aren't super thick/wide or ugly... I think they are a bit too stretchy. Because of this, it feels like you need to do them up tighter.

The underwires are quite narrow but not as narrow as the same size in the Calypso A cut. They also don't come up very high under the arm, so pokey wires are not an issue at all. Like all Avocado bras, the centre gore is quite narrow, which is perfect for my close-set boobs.

APPEARANCE

I really love the contrast of the deep plum and the hot pink. When I was purchasing the bra, I didn't realise it had little bows in the centre gore and at the cup/strap attachment as they are not very obvious in the picture on the site. The bows are hot pink and orange and when I received the bra, I was a bit iffy on them and though they were a bit much. But after putting on the bra, I think they are nice little touches and I think the colours all complement each other very well.

The cup is mostly sheer with a kind of spotty pattern through it, which gives it a bit of texture. While the fabric does not feel very soft when you touch it initially, when it is on, it is incredibly comfortable. It is not scratchy on the skin at all.

Centre gore close up.

SHAPE

When I bought the Annick in Love, it was only available in the K cut. Since receiving the bra, Avocado has released the style in their two new cuts, NF (Natural Firm, replacing the H cut) and RV (Round Versatile, replacing the A and K cuts). 

While they seem to be phasing out the A/K/H cuts, the Annick in Love K cut is still available here in the purple/pink colourway and here in the black/green colourway.  

The shape it gives is very rounded and uplifed, as well as having less coverage than the Avocado A cuts. Despite less coverage, it doesn't give "in your face" cleavage, which I don't like as it makes me feel like my boobs are up to my chin. Because of the less coverage with the cups, I feel less "strapped in" than in the A cut, but I think it would be the perfect bra to wear with low-cut tops/dresses or to go out. The sides of the cup also don't come up as tall as the A cut, which I prefer.

I was a little worried that the top of the cup would be too closed as it has the no-stretch ribbon along the seam and I am relatively full on top, but it was fine (although my left breast is a little bigger, so it quads slightly on that one on days I fluctuate).

MATCHING BOTTOMS

The matching underwear options were thong, classic brief, and the short. I opted for the classic brief, as it supposedly has a higher rise than the short, and I'm not a fan of thongs. 

The front panel of spotted mesh is the same fabric as the cups of the bra, with the same sheerness (there is no panel behind it, despite how the photo appears). 

Having bought a size Medium in the Calypso classic brief, I went for the same size in the Annick in Love. You would assume it would fit the same, but I found that the Annick in Love briefs are definitely smaller, moreso in the stitching.

While both briefs are made from 50% polyester, 45% polyamide and 5% elastane, the stretch fabrics definitely feel different. The taupe fabric on the Calypso briefs is quite softer.  After lying the Annick in Love briefs flat on top of the Calypso ones, there is a slight difference in height and at least an inch difference in the hip width. Because of this, the Annick in Love briefs fit slightly lower and smaller and don't fit as smoothly on me. They are still wearable, though, and I'd say they fit like an Australian size 10.

MEASUREMENTS  

ANNICK IN LOVE - BLACK 65K (CUT K)

NB: Stock photo from website

SIZING

As I had already tried the Annick in Love in the 70J and could do it up on the tightest hook right away, I decided to get a 65K in the black/green colourway and take advantage of a promotional email they had sent me for Mother's Day.

Whoa, it was tight! The band only stretches to 28.5 inches. I definitely need an extender with this one! This is meant to be like a 30H, but fits more like a 28HH. This could mean that the style is a good option for women needing smaller band sizes, as the 60 band may fit more like a 26 band, and there aren't many of those around! 

APPEARANCE

The sheer material is obviously exactly the same as the purple, with the same pattern (which is a bit more obvious in the photo of the black). Unlike the purple colourway, which has the orange and hot pink bows in the centre gore and at the attachments of the cup/strap, the black colourway only has the one bow in the centre and nothing at the wing/strap seam, which I think was the right decision for this bra. The black and green with the tiny touch of red fit perfectly.

Centre gore close up. 

I didn't bother getting the briefs for the black and green colourway. I have black undies aplenty and spending the money on exactly-matching ones seemed like overkill, even though I think the touch of green would be really nice. If they released some in full brief style (they currently offer the classic brief, thong and short), I would consider getting them next time I purchase something off the site, though.

MEASUREMENTS

Review: Avocado Calypso 70J

I've been a huge fan of Avocado for a while now, having tried several of their styles/sizes. They are by far my favourite lingerie brand I've tried so far. When I saw the Calypso, I had to add it to my collection.  

The 70 bands I've tried by Avocado have all felt too big, so I initially bought a 65K in the Calypso Hn cut, but it was too tight in the band (felt like a 28 band). I also decided it was the wrong cut for me (too wide), so I exchanged it for a 70J in the A cut, which is a better cut for me. 

NB: Stock photo from website

  SIZING/FIT

Band-wise, the 70J was so much better, measuring 30.8 inches stretched. This is quite small for a 70 band, as all the other 70 bands I've tried in Avocado have stretched to 33" or more. The Calypso band is pretty much perfect for me, as I like a firm band for support but obviously not super tight that it warps the wires or is uncomfortable. For more measurements, you can see my bratabase entry for this bra here.

The underwires are great as well. They sit right up against my IMF and are fairly narrow (though not as narrow as Comexim). They also don't come up as high under the arm as a lot of other bras, so it is super comfortable and not at all pokey.  

The A cut is meant to be more "fuller coverage", but I think full coverage in Poland has a different definition. The edge of the cups definitely come up higher towards the straps on the A cut than the K cut, but in no way is this bra limited to higher necklines. This kind of cut lends itself to a narrower look from the front as the taller comes pull the breasts a bit more inward. There is a fair amount of projection, but the lining of the cup is not stretchy at all, so if you have a lot of upper fullness, you may find that it cuts in a little.

APPEARANCE

I'm not a fan of beige lingerie. It brings me back to when I had to wear plain bras because I didn't know my real size or where to get nice-looking ones from. But the taupe combined with the jade green is really lovely. The embroidery is beautiful. There are two shades of green, and in the lighter lime embroidery there is a shiny thread that runs throughout it, making that middle colour look a bit shimmery. 

The fan shaped embroidery makes it look almost peacock-y, which I love.

Close up of the centre gore embroidery

Closeup of wing embroidery

SHAPE

The A cut is a favourite shape of mine. It is an uplifted but natural, rounded shape. Almost like a rounded teardrop. There is decent projection, but you feel very anchored and secure in this, so I find it ideal to wear to work. The edge of the cup comes up fairly tall where it attaches to the straps so if you have a short torso and larger bust than me, this could be an issue (not so much a comfort issue but it could be visible in some tops/dresses). I don't find that the cup comes up too tall in this size, but I did when I was wearing a 70L.  

The edge of the cup is quite closed as well and has no stretch, so if you are very full on top, you may need to size up or give this cut a miss.

Since receiving the A cut (and the Annick in Love K cuts), Avocado have changed their cuts.  They now offer the NF (Natural Firm) and RV (Round Versatile) cuts. The NF has replaced the Hn cut, and the RV has replaced the A and K.   

Having said that, while the Calypso Hn has been replaced with the newer NF, the A cut is still available here.

Avocado's replacement cuts

MATCHING BOTTOMS  

I rarely buy matching underwear as I pretty picky in that department. Having said that, the Calypso bra is pretty unique-looking and difficult to match, even if you were to just get a pair of beige bottoms (which I think would completely negate the sexiness of the bra). Not to mention, the bra is very cool toned taupe, rather than a yellowy beige.  

I figured I would buy the matching bottoms to treat myself, and I'm glad I did. I usually like mid-high rise underwear as I'm a pretty curvy girl but didn't know which style to go for, so I emailed Avocado so ask which one had the higher rise. At the time, there was the short and the classic brief available, and they said the classic brief would be higher rise. Now, along with the new bra cuts, it looks like they've removed the short and replaced it with a full brief option, which looks a higher rise.

The shiny thread in the embroidery is more noticeable in this picture.

The classic brief that I received does not look like the picture on the site. On the model, the front of the knickers is not the sheer green colour, but the opaque taupe colour. I'm actually quite glad, though, as I think it looks nicer with the all green on the front. The sheerness on the front makes it a bit sexier, too.

  

These briefs are really comfortable. While the sheer green material has no stretch at all, the taupe material does but is soft enough that there are no visible panty lines. I bought the size Medium and it fits nicely, if not slightly big. While I'd consider these briefs to be a lower kind of mid rise (and almost too low for my liking), they still cover my butt perfectly fine and don't dig in anywhere at all. I'd say these fit like an Australian size 12.

MEASUREMENTS