CocoaPink Review

[markjoy]

The package arrived in a padded envelope.  The contents were beautifully packaged in hot pink thick, hot pink wrap paper with a cute seal.  All items were in good condition, nicely sealed and presented very well.  Labels and stationery are very unique.  The product presentation itself is very good, and giftable.  I would be happy to give a gift of CocoaPink to a friend or loved one with its pretty and modern packaging.

1. Conditioner - I received the conditioner in Arctic Raspberry.  It's a light and fresh scent for a hair product, which is what I prefer.  I could sniff it very easily in the bottle, but once applied the scent kind of dissipated.  That's OK by me, since I like to make sure that my body products/perfumes are the star of the show.

I let the conditioner sit for 1 minute.  Immediately my hair felt smooth upon rinsing.  This is nothing unusual, but the difference is that the effect lasted after air drying as well.  Normally my hair tangles easily, but not so with this conditioner.

My hair wasn't more shiny than usual, but it is noticeably softer, without losing volume.  This alone will be reason enough for me to order, and I'm very interested in finding out what you can do with a shampoo.

2. Sugar Scrub Bar - My first reaction is that this bar is smaller than other scrub bars I have tried (Wylde Ivy and Bathed & Infused).  However, when comparing the cost of this bar vs. the others, I think it's a good value.  I also like the shape of the bar, which makes it easy to keep in my hands during a slippery bath.

It's scrubby enough at first, but like the description says, it melts into a creamy lotion pretty quickly.  This will probably be good for most, but I like a more intense scrubbing experience.  After scrubbing, my skin is left extremely hydrated.  Not greasy, but it's still a bit too much moisture for my skin this time of year.  I think when the temperature dips down lower and my skin is a bit drier, it will be perfect.

However, the scent alone is a reason to come back to this bar.  It's a rich and luxurious scent, which I can only guess comes from the cocoa absolute.  It stayed on my skin all day and into the evening, where I kept catching whiffs of it.  Oh, if only I could get an EDP or cream that smelled like this!

3. Body Butter - The body butter has a lovely, light consistency.  But do not be deceived!  It is very moisturizing, and feels soothing upon application.  It does take about 20 minutes or so to fully sink in.  The fragrance was a creamy, lemon sugar.  Fresh and perfect for a cream like this.  My skin is still soft 12 hours later.  My only contention is that it seems too light and airy to be called a butter.

4. STINKY! - My, this was interesting to review.  If I had not been requested to test it, I don't think I would have tried it.  In the container, it smells not smoky and nutty, but sour.  It had the consistency of cold butter, but the moment it hit my skin it melted and absorbed very quickly.  A VERY small amount was needed.  It felt velvety and very pleasing to the skin.  I was able to get dressed immediately without any "stick".  After about 15 minutes, the sour smell disappeared, and my skin was left with a very nonobtrusive slightly nutty scent.  A few hours later, no trace of the scent is left behind.  12 hours later, my skin is still soft and supple.

I like the name of this collection, and the fact that the potent scent has been embraced.  Considering the healing properties of unrefined shea butter, I think it will do very well.  I do hope that fragrance options will be offered for this though.    It might help diffuse the "stink" a bit.

[adrianrny]

This is my first Lab Rat assignment--should we be posting our reviews?  I wasn't sure if we gave our feedback first to CocoaPink??!!

[soylady]

You might want to check with her and see what she wants.... If she wants the reviews private first, we can remove this post no problems....

[adrianrny]

Thanks!! I wasn't sure of the protocol--I didn't want to mess up on my 1st "assignment"!!

[chazzsmom99]

I emailed Ilona from CocoaPink, to ask her this question, and this is what she had to say--

If you could do both that would be wonderful.
I've never been to the board so I haven't seen it yet.
If you could send it to me that would be great as then
I could apply any suggestions to the products.

Thanks!

ilona

Right now I am in the process of following her directions for the conditioner, so I will post my review later on.  But so far my all time favorite has been the body butter!!!

Peggi

[chazzsmom99]

I wanted to use the products for a few days before I reviewed them.  This is my first experience as a lab rat, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  Wish I could do it more!

1. Conditioner--I got this in bergamot and violet, and the scent was very nice, very light.  I am rather picky when it comes to products for my hair, as it keeps falling out way faster than it should.  I try to stay away from the bad stuff, because when I use a shampoo/conditioner with nasty chemicals, my hair comes out faster.  So, this conditioner sat in my shower for a couple days while I tried to figure out whether it was worth the hassle of trying it.  Finally, on the 3rd day, I bit the bullet, and went for it.  I left it in for 1 minute, thinking if it was going to do horrible things to my hair, the less exposure, the better.  Guess what?  I loved it!!!  My hair loved it!!  It was very soft, very smooth, and the tangles weren't there.  It didn't make it any shinier to my eyes, but all the other good things made up for it. Today I left it on for 3 minutes, approx., and my hair!!!  It feels so soft swinging against my shoulders!

2. Body Butter-This is my all time favorite, next to Watkin's lemon lotion.  It has a tangy lemony scent that reminds me of homemade lemonade- it lingers for a long while on my skin, and it goes well with my vanilla fragrance.  My skin feels wonderful after I use it.  The day I got it I fell in love with it, and since then, it has gone just about everywhere with me-a rodeo, to the store, home....

3. Scrub bar--I can't tell if there is a fragrance to this or not, but it fits perfectly in my hand when I use it on my feet.  I really liked it because of the safety issues regarding oils in the shower.  I'm a klutz, plain and simple, and it is too easy for me to hurt myself in my favorite place in the house!  My feet feel really nice right now, soft.  Way back when I graduated from high school, I started going barefoot everywhere.  The calluses got so thick that I could stomp a cigarette out, and walk on snow, with no shoes.  So, now, umpty-ump years later, I am trying to get my feet softer, and less calluses.  The scrub bar helped a great deal!

4.Stinky Whip-To me, this one is aptly named, but the scent goes away soon.  This was not one of my favorites, but it does the job, and what more can you ask for?  I put this on my feet at night, then socks.  In the morning, those calluses (see above) are going away!

Thank you CocoaPink for the opportunity to test your products!!  If you need more testing on more items, let me know!!  I'll be a willing subject!

[Spa-Rella]

        

I loved the the total look of all the products, especially the packaging.

Stinky Whip -   The name was a put-off, but this stuff is wonderful (What about changing the name to Stinking Wonderful Whip? LOL).    I used it on my feet and it absorbs quickly and left my tooties moisturized.    I especially liked the feel of the product as others in this category are waxy and hard. However, this product was soft enough to scoop from the jar and application was a breeze.

Voluptuous Body Butter -  I liked the feel of the product and the scent was wonderful.    I found that it left my body feeling moisturized without a greasy, gummy feel that some body butters have.

Hair Conditioner  - I have baby fine, past my shoulders hair and a lot of it.   During the first test I left the product on for one minute and found it almost impossible to comb my hair after getting out of the shower.  I used some detangler and then let it air dry.   OMG!!!  My hair was shiny, soft and bouncy with lots of volume.    During the next test I left the product on for three minutes which made the comb-out a lot easier.

Sugar Scrub Bar - I have to admit, this is the first time that I've used a Sugar Scrub Bar as I typically use Sugar Scrubs in the jar.   I used it on my legs and found it very similar to waxing a surf board and I honestly didn't think it was doing anything.  However, after my shower my legs were amazingly smooth and shiny - that bar worked a miracle and I'm now a fan!!!

[Crystallarium]

I have thoroughly enjoyed testing these products.  They are high quality, items are packaged nicely and arrived wrapped in lovely hot pink paper.

Conditioner

I received  the Shine Sweetie conditioner in Calabrian, Bergamot & Violet.  The scent of this conditioner is awesome and the violets really come out.  The great thing is, the scent has great staying power.  After using this in the morning, mid-afternoon I was sitting outside and my SIL came to visit.  She sat in the chair next to me and commented that something smelled good and it was my conditioner.  When you put it on after washing, it doesn't feel like there is alot of slip through your hair, but after rinsing (with both the 1 minute time and 3 minute time) and drying, my hair was left soft and shiny as well as smelling absolutely wonderful! 

Voluptuous Body Butter

I received the body butter in Coer de Vahine.  This is a lovely scent that is floral with a touch of citrus.  It is very creamy and soaks in well leaving you moisturized without feeling greasy.  By the end of the day, my skin still feels soft and moisturized with a touch of scent left.  This will be great for keeping the skin soft during the cold winter months.

Sugar Bar

This is a conditioning sugar scrub bar.  The sample size fit nicely in my hand.  I have been using this in the shower mainly on my heels, elbows and on my lower legs.   It doesn't really feel scrubby like a jar scrub, it turns into a lotion in the shower.  Wasn't sure the first time I used it if it was really doing anything since it didn't feel scrubby, however it really does leave your skin soft!  My heels are looking way better just from using this every morning.  So this item has been a nice surprise.  The bar faintly smells of the cocoa butter in it.

Stinky Whip

I may be one of the few that actually likes the smell!      Its very earthy smelling to me.   The scent does disappear.  The shea butter is like a soft butter that goes on sort of oily, but quickly soaks in to leave your skin very soft.  It seems to have a healing effect.   I have also been using this on my heels at night and along with the scrub bar, they are improving.  I've been using this on some dry spots on my face at night too and they have gone away and it has not caused any breakouts.  This is a great product that will also do very well in the winter when my skin gets really dry.

All in all I was impressed with all these Cocoa Pink products! 

[twobsmith]

I did ask Ilona what she wanted..she would prefer that you all email her your reviews/results.
 

[adrianrny]

I was a bit confused as to where to post, but after contacting Ilona, she did say that this was fine.

I was very excited to be a Lab Rat!!   I am a total  product junkie, & thought I was unique to stocking up and trying every bath & body product out there!!  I didn't realize there are others just like me out there!!  This was a great way to be introduced to a company I may not have found on my own, & getting to know & trust the products before actually ordering.  I have stockpiles of items that I have purchased elsewhere which were just not for me!!  Had I tried them 1st. I would never have paid for them!

First of all, I love the name--it is fun, cute, girly, and very easy to remember.  I hate companies that take everything so seriously & dramatize the name & products!  Cocoa Pink is a name that makes me want to use thir poducts.  It made me happy to think about, like Aloha Coconut did.

Now I admit, the product I usually have no qualms about spending ENORMOUS amounts of money on is hair conditioner.  I have very very thick, wavy hi-lighted hair that I am always trying to tame/& de-poof.  I spend way too much on products that contain shea butter, nut-tree butter, coconut oil,  etc.  I am always afraid or the color oxidizing, or humid weather, so I am on a quest for the perfect conditioner.  I may have found it with Shine Sweetie!  My hair was about as soft and as manageable as could be, & it has been very rainy & damp in NY all week.  The conditioner was not too thick where it was like brownie batter, & not at all runny.  I was able to squeeze it in my palm, & have it stay put without in dripping everywhere.  I did leave it on for 3 minutes or so, because I need something to absorb into my hair, rather than wash it out quickly.  The scents were wonderful---  Ilona sent me 2 different fragrances to try. The scent wafted up to me immediately upon squeezing it on to my hand, & lingered in my hair for a few hours.  I love foody scents, & was fortunate enough t receive Buttercream & Artic Raspberry.  Since I like "foody" scents, these were perfect.. The buttercream smelled like riich cake batter without being overwhelming & sickeningly sweet like other products out there.  The Artic Raspberry reminded me of Escada Rockin Rio---not too strong, more of a light, summery raspberry--it reminded me of a snow cone!!  I hate that really heavy fake fruity smell!! These were sweet, but not too heavy, & best of all--my hair shined after using!

Next was the Voluptuous Body Butter.  The only fault I could find with this was that it wasn't large enough!!  I would have liked a tub size so I could slather my body in it every few hours!!!  This was the 1st product I opened-- and what a scent!!  At first, it struck me as smelling like Fresh f21c  Sugar/Lemon.  After my nose adjusted, it had the added scent of Laura Mercier Tarte au Citron--more of a lemony sugar baked goods or lemon merangue pie. YUMMMY!  It absorbed very quickly without leaving my skin feeling oily or sticky, but instead soft and moisturized.  Very easy to spread, and you don't need a large amount.  It was a liitle more whipped than a butter, which I always associate as being firmer.  I would call this a souffle or a mousse.  Whatever, it was wonderful.


The Scrubby Bar is just that--only very soft and moisturizing.  I used this everywhere, like an exfoliating bar.  The scent was neutral, and the texture was very nice.  There was no sudsy lathering, rather a soft wash with the added light abrasiveness.
My dry skin was left much softer,  I like this product in a small size--it is easier to handle than a big bar, & it got very soft when when--I would not want to ruin a large bar, but would prefer to purchase the product in smaller 2oz bars and use them up quicker.  It is not something I would use every day, but every other day.  It was especially good on my feet, which are always dry from being barefoot in the house.

Last but certainly not least is the Stinky Whip.  This product was awesome.  I used it whereever I had dry patches of skin. on my cuticles, hands, lips, & even my hair.  I like the Hamadi shea pomade and Jonathan Dirt, & found this product to do the same job.  Wherever I had dry fly away ends, I pieced in a little.  It really smoothed my hair out.  My skin/cuticles/lips.  This is a great product to carry around for wherever you need it at the moment.  The scent or lack of fragrance did not bother me.  It was not at all "stinky" but instead smelled very natural & nutty.  If anything, I would add some spa- like essential oils to this--lavender or  ylang-ylang, or an Aveda type of scent.  Something neutral, but relaxing.  My only problem with this was the name--it did not fit with Cocoa Pink.  To me, Cocoa Pink is a pampering line, & Stinky totally gives a different impression.  It is cute, but I like something slightly more upscale--even just Whipped Shea would be fine.  Stinky is not very fun or girly.

I hope I didn;t ramble, but based on what I have tried, I think the entire line would be very appealing.  The products are great, the packing is very secure and easy to use, & Ilona is a great communicator.  All in all, it is very well rounded in scent, product, price range and size.
I give Cocoa Pink 2 thumbs up!!!
Thank you Ilona for introducung me to your site!  I will be back!

[markjoy]

I'm trying to be a good girl and use up my other conditioners before I buy more CocoaPink, but I might have to make a purchase next payday...

[adrianrny]

ooops--my keyboard is sticking--excuse spelling errors.  Thanks!

[Tracey1025]

i did not post my reviews here...i sent them directly to Cocoa Pink...I hope that was ok. 

Here is what I sent her back in October:

WOW…so I received your wonderful products and was busy using and testing them
all weekend.  Here are the results of my testing:
 
1. Conditioner – I was astounded at the compliments I received all weekend on
my hair!  The conditioner is fabulous.  The first 2 times I used it, I left and
on for 1 minute and it left my hair soft but manageable and I had very little
“fly away” hair.  The third time I left it on for 3 minutes and my hair was very
soft and shiny, but I did not notice much difference in volume.  (I may have to
play around with it).  The scent was very nice and my husband actually sniffed
my hair (which is a very good sign) LOL!
 
I will definitely be purchasing this conditioner in the future, my biggest
decision will be in what scent! 
 
2. Body Butter –I used  the product anyway and I was very impressed with the softness of
my skin and liked the consistency of the butter.  It was not oily and my skin seemed to “drink” it in.
I did not find that the skin softness lasted though…I had to reapply often.  The scent did last quite
awhile though and I was impressed with it’s longevity.
 
3. Sugar Scrub Bar –  LOVED this one.  Although I did not notice much of a scent
to mine, I loved the way it turned into a lotion in the shower.  I have very
rough heels (from years of walking around barefoot) and this worked wonders on
them.  I can’t wait until I have time to give myself a full pedicure and use
this product.  I can see myself buying several of these as Christmas presents!
 
I will also look forward to trying this in the body bar scrub as well. 
 
4. STINKY! – I have what is referred to as “dry elbow” which is cracking, very
dry skin on the elbows and it has always bothered me.  (It can be painful)  I
started to use Stinky on that area, because it did not seem to have a scent and
I have looked for years for something that would work on my elbows.  I have
never found ANYTHING that work…maybe for a hour but not long term. 
 
Well, let me just tell you that after 4 days of using Stinky….my elbows are
starting to look normal!  My skin is smoother, it seems to last almost all day
and I am very, very happy!  I was very impressed with this product for my
elbows.  It does apply with a “greasier” or “shinier” application, but it really
does work!  I have already recommended this to 2 friends who have similar
problems!

I can tell you that I love her products so much that I just placed my first order with her and I can not wait to smell some of her other scents.  She has an awesome list