Calcot Manor is a luxury spa hotel in the Cotswalds that frankly sounds absolutely to die for. Thus, I was pretty excited to receive their Calcot Manor Country Spa Retreat hamper to review this week. No products, just a set of five different "tools" to upgrade my home-pampering experience. They were beautifully packaged, and I prepared myself for a thoroughly relaxing bathtime. I probably should have prepared for it to go the other way...
First off, they weren't kidding about the Cactus Bristle Body Brush. "Made with naturally exfoliating cactus bristles for soft radiant skin" indeed! If you've got any skin left after 'exfoliating' with this thing I'd be very much surprised. I can only describe the sensation of using this as akin to a carpet burn from a welcome mat. On the other hand, it makes a good back scratcher. Perhaps too good... But it will get the job done.
Conversely, the Super Moisture Bamboo Gloves felt glorious. Very soft and perfectly comfortable for overnight wear after a generous application of your favourite hand cream. That's if, of course, it's the middle of winter and you live in Oymyakon, Russia. After two hours trying to sleep in a sweltering British summer (OK, that's pushing it a bit), I promptly tore them off and rinsed my hands in cold water. There's no way I could've survived the night as suggested.
Still, they might make a reappearance come November, and they would be perfect for anyone with dermatitis and a habit of scratching their skin at night (not a particularly pleasing image, I'll concede). To be fair to the brand, they do suggest the alternative method of wearing them for 20 minutes 2-3 times a week which is largely more bearable; and my hands did feel softer for longer after doing this, truth be told.
Next up was the Super Smoothing Scrub Mitt made of natural cactus sisal. Again with the cactus! With some trepidation I slipped my hand into the mitt only to be met with a sensation very similar to grabbing, well, a cactus stalk.
Nonetheless, the fibres did seem tightly woven into the mitt so, to my great surprise, did not shed barely at all upon inspection. After I put it to use, however, I did find myself covered in tiny wiry bits which wasn't pleasant. It was definitely more exfoliating than abrasive (unlike the Body Brush), though I probably wouldn't recommend it for sensitive skin. And ALWAYS keep away from inflamed and/or delicate areas.
After that came the Double-Sided Bamboo Face Cloth with apparently antibacterial properties. I didn't mind this too much. The soft side was a little too fluffy for my liking and left my face feeling like I'd been nuzzling the cat, but after a few washes it stopped leaving fluff on my skin. The exfoliating side was nigh-on faultless though. It wasn't scratchy and it didn't soften too easily. It was just right, said Goldilocks.
As for the Body Polisher, I originally decided this was also pretty faultless. There was nothing particularly special about it; exactly the same as the other 25 I've owned and is unlikely to last longer than any of them, but still they are my preferred method of exfoliation.
On the other hand, maybe I should rethink my methods. In a climate where plastic is already suffocating our oceans, perhaps I should find a more sustainable option, especially given that body polishers need replacing often thanks to their tendency to unravel with regular use. Calcot Manor have opened my eyes to the more natural products out there, although I think I'll be avoiding cactus spines in future.
In conclusion, my experience of Calcot Manor products has not been the relaxing spa-pampered experience I had anticipated, but you certainly can't fault the price. These items retail at around £2.00 each, so it's hardly a risky investment.