Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan tries a scent her younger self once loved to see if the relationship can be rekindled
THIS is one scent that for me which goes way back. Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source was my go-to scent for body care in early adulthood.
Having been a Crabtree & Evelyn fan for a while — I was hooked on its cookies at one point — I liked the soothing scent of this variant.
It reminded me of the beach and sea breeze — unlike most of its other scents which were floral and too all-out feminine.
There is a versatility to the scent that makes it suitable for both men and women. It’s neither floral nor woody. Its blue packaging, with images of sea shells, makes it acceptable for his or her bathroom shelf.
This year, the scent gets the reformulation treatment with four mineral-enriched marine blends. Each blend has Green Seaweed extract, a natural ingredient found throughout the British Isles, known to be rich in antioxidants.
The ingredients are cultivated by the sea and captured by Crabtree & Evelyn, and the company says its rich marine ingredients are known to help restore skin suppleness and vitality.
REFRESHING BODY WASH (RM74)
The unmistakable scent of La Source is comforting the first time I use it again after many years.
Enriched with ocean goodness, it cleanses, conditions and moisturises with its Marine Blend that contains Brown Algae Extract.
It doesn’t foam as much so it is gentle on the skin. The only flipside is the scent is faint it doesn’t even envelope your shower.
But then, that’s why there are a body cream and scrub, so the scent can be layered on the skin which will last for a longer period of time.
HYDRATING BODY LOTION (RM90)
I used a lot of the range’s body lotion and hand cream when I was younger. Back then, it was light and grease-free.
But as I age, I need a thicker potion to nourish and quench my skin, which unfortunately, this isn’t enough.
The lotion uses the Hydra Marine Blend of Green Seaweed Extract and Blue Sea Kale.
There’s added vitamin E, shea butter and glycerin, and yet, I still need something stronger to lock in hydration and at my age, oil or body balm works best.
VOLUMISING SEAWEED SHAMPOO (RM74)
This shampoo promises voluminous-feeling hair while being kind to your crown. This mild marine-enriched shampoo, like the body wash, features Brown Algae Extract.
I find the quality acceptable since I’m used to salon-grade shampoo to wash my fine hair. It doesn’t dry out hair, although I can’t really say that it adds volume to my otherwise limp hair.
MY VERDICT
Some relationships run their course and the same is true with me and La Source. I suspect my ageing skin contributes to this. I need something richer, thicker and stronger which this range isn’t able to deliver.
But I hope for one customer who has grown out of the scent, there are a few young adults who will find La Source lovely, just like me, more than a decade ago.