Thursday 30 June 2011

Sundari's July Sale

Sundari are one of the many brands on my list of products that I'd love to try. For those of you who also want to try Sundari products, they are having a July sale where all products are 30% off for the whole month. 

Sundari says: At Sundari, we believe that beauty and well-being are interconnected and beautiful skin is merely a reflection of a state of being well. Hence, the desire for beauty is also a journey towards well being. The mind body connection in aging has been rediscovered by modern science. How you think and feel has a direct impact on the body's immune response. Scientific research has highlighted that stress is linked directly to accelerated aging with collagen and elastin protein breakdown, skin wrinkling, acne, hair loss, etc.

Inspired by Ayurveda, Sundari offers a holistic approach to beauty. Products and treatment work synergistically to reduce oxidative stress. Anti aging is intrinsic to our products as well as treatments. Beautiful skin is the result of topical product application as well as relaxation inducing features or our spa treatments.

Doesn't that sound lovely? Now you can see why I want to try some of their products.
 
If you'd like to buy something whilst they have 30% off, click here to go to the website.

Saturday 25 June 2011

P50P Update


After my epic fail I've jumped back on the wagon and have managed to stay there. I've been very tempted to fall off the wagon to buy Perfect Potion Rose lip balm stick, EOS lip balm stick,  Burt's Bees tinted balms and the new Lancome Nu lipsticks, but I've managed to resist.  I reminded myself that none of these products are limited edition so I'll be able to get them once I've finished my P50P.

Since my last update I've finished two more lip balms, Burt's Bees Mango Butter and CO Bigelow Lemon and Raspberry. I'd love to replace both of them but that will have to wait a while. 

I still haven't finished a lipstick and I really want to finish a few as part of P50P so I'll have to get working on it. I'm just not wearing lipstick at the moment though. 


My current tally is now:

Lipsticks finished: 0
Lip glosses finished: 1
Lip balms finished: 4
Total products finished: 5


Lipsticks purchased: 0
Lip glosses purchased: 0
Lip balms purchased: 0
Total products purchased: 0

Number of products to go until P50P is finished: 45 

Monday 20 June 2011

CO Bigelow Lemon and Raspberry Lip Balm


I don't normally use lip balms with petrolatum in them, however I made an exception for this balm for two reasons. Firstly, I didn't know what the ingredients were when I purchased it and secondly, it tastes amazing. Hubby even commented on how lovely it tastes. Unfortunately I've used it all up and as I'm doing P50P I won't be buying another one for a while.

I purchased my Lemon and Raspberry lip balm from Bath and Bodyworks when I was on my lip product binge. I loved it so much that I used it every day and it was finished within four weeks. For a balm with petrolatum in it, it was surprisingly moisturising. The texture is moderately thick with a clear, glossy finish. Being a thicker balm the lasting power is pretty good, at least 3 hours.   
Would I buy this again? Yes, if only because it tastes great.

Ingredients: hydrogenated polydecene, petrolatum, octyldodecanol, polyethylene, ozokerite, beeswax, flavour, citrus medica limonum peel oil, butyrospermum parkii butter, citrus meidca limonum peel extract, rubus idaeus leaf extract, helianthus annuus seed oil, simmondsia chinensis seed oil, vitis vinifera seed oil, sodium saccharin, tocopherol, benzyl alcohol, citral, geraniol, linalool, limonene.

Saturday 11 June 2011

Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter


When Burt's Bees released two new lip balm flavours I had to purchase them. I've loved Burt's Bees original balm for years, it's one of my go to balms when my lips are chapped and dry as it heals them really quickly. It also makes a great lip primer. If I have one criticism of the original balm it is that the scent could be improved. The people at Burt's Bees must have heard me thinking this because they now have a Mango Butter lip balm that smells and tastes amazing.

Being a lip balm addict, I always have at least five different balms in rotation. The sign of an amazing balm is that I forgo all other balms and use it exclusively. That's what happened with my mango butter balm. Once I started using it I loved it so much that it was the only balm I used until it was gone. I would have repurchased a new one immediately if it hadn't been for P50P, but as soon as P50P is over I'll be buying a replacement. This balm is now one of my top ten favorites.

Not only does this balm smell and taste amazing, it's a great, hydrating balm. Unlike the original formula, mango butter balm is less waxy and easier to apply. It's the perfect texture, waxy enough that it lasts a few hours before I need to reapply and smooth enough that it doesn't clump up or feel heavy on my lips. Used daily this keeps my lips in great condition. As this can be layered on quite thickly it makes a wonderful night time balm, I find that it lasts all night if I apply several layers. 

Another test of a good lip balm is the washing machine. If a balm can go through the washing machine without getting ruined then it's a good balm. My Burt's Bees Mango Butter balm passes that test. It emerged from the washing machine intact, not melted and with all the labels still on, what a star!

Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter costs $6.95 and can be purchased from Addicted 2 Lip Balm, David Jones, Myer, Priceline and some chemists.

Would I buy this again? Definitely! It's one of my all time favourite balms.

Ingredients: helianthus annuus seed oil, cocos nucifera oil, cera alba, cire d'abeille, aroma, ricinus communis seed oil, mangifera indica seed butter, lanolin, ammonium glycyrrhizinate, tocopherol, rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, glycine soja oil, canola oil, limonene, linalool.

Thursday 9 June 2011

Johnson's Bedtime range


When I was in hospital after having bub, one of the midwives told me to get the Johnson's Bedtime products to help settle bub at night. She said that they really work and are great to use to help get bub to sleep. I love using these products on bub, they smell so good and help to calm and relax him.

The Bedtime  range consists of a bubble bath, massage oil and body lotion. I've been using the range for a while now and it really does work.



Johnson's says: Johnson's baby Bedtime products have been formulated with Naturalcalm essences, a unique blend of gentle ingredients and soothing aromas. When used as part of a routine, they have been clinically proven to help your baby fall asleep easier and sleep through the night better.

Bedtime bath is a gentle bubble bath that provides moderate bubbles with a soft, light scent.  I'm really not sure how else I can describe this. It doesn't bubble up too much and leaves bub's skin feeling soft and hydrated. I use this all over bub with no problems. It doesn't sting his eyes and it makes his hair smell good. Bedtime Bath costs $5.49 for a 200ml bottle, $8.99 for a 500ml bottle and $10.98 for a litre.

Bedtime lotion is a light, hydrating lotion with the same subtle yet lovely scent. It keeps my bub's skin feeling soft and was great when his hands were peeling. I don't use this on his face, however I use it on his whole body to help relax and get him ready for bed at night. Bedtime lotion costs $5.49 for a 200ml bottle.  

Bedtime Oil is great for massage. It is hydrating as you would expect from a body oil however it isn't overly greasy. I was initially concerned about using an oil on bub as I didn't want him to get all slippery, but this is not too greasy and sinks in quickly, leaving a soft scent behind. Bedtime Oil costs $5.49 for a 200ml bottle.  

All of the Bedtime products smell so lovely that I've been using them on myself too. The scent is gorgeous and I find it very relaxing.

I'm so happy with these products, I'll definitely continue to use this range on both bub and myself. 


Bedtime Bath ingredients: water, peg-80 sorbitan laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium laureth sulfate, polysorbate 20, sodium lauroamphoacetate, peg-150 distearate, citric acid, sodium benzoate, fragrance.


Bedtime Lotion ingredients: water, propylene glycol, myristyl myristate, glyceryl stearate, stearic acid, oleic acid, polysorbate 61, isopropyl palmitate, dimethicone, sorbitan stearate, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, synthetic beeswax, fragrance, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, carbomer, propylparaben, sodium hydroxide, stearoxytrimethylsilane, bht.

Bedtime Oil ingredients: mineral oil, fragrance. 

What I bought

I've been doing a little bit of shopping lately and thought I'd share my purchases.

From Strawberrynet:
H2O+ Tempt Lip Oasis in
DiorSkin Amber Diamond Poudre Shimmer
Guerlain Baie Rose KissKiss Essence De Gloss
Jane Iredale Mardrid Just Kissed Lip Plumper
Guerlain Brun Dore Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner
Molton Brown Nectarine Wonderlips Glace
Chanel Tweed Rose Les Tissages De Chanel

From Addicted 2 Lip Balm:
Tokyo Milk Dark lip balm 
Love and Toast Green Tea and Mint lip butter
Splurge lip buttah

From Haus of Gloi:
Troika soap
Vice perfume
Zazz perfume sample
Coconut Cream and Sweet Rose lip balms


From Vintage Sister:
Lip Shimmer
Elbow Grease
Shangri-La Lip Balm
Coco Noir, Espresso, Chocolate Mousse and Orange Truffle Cocoa lip balms


From Bath and BodyWorks:
Lemon Lip Cream
Just Blushed, Bare Mint and Magenta Mint Mentha Lip Tints
Golden Peach Lip Shine
Mentha Lip Tint
Lemon and Pomegranate Lip Cream
Coconut Vanilla Liplicious
Lemon and Raspberry lip balm 
Warm Vanilla Sugar HandiBac


From Kit Cosmetics:
Origins VitaZing
Mario Badescu cleanser
Origins Drink Up night mask
Origins Plantscription, VitaZing, Night a Min and Never a Dull Moment samples
From The Face Shop:
Raspberry Roots night mask
Lovely BB cream
Vita C mask sheet
Phytogenic makeup base and foundation samples





Saturday 4 June 2011

P50P Epic Fail Part 3

Thankfully this is the last post in my Epic Fail series. It's a nice small fail too. As I mentioned previously, just like an addict I've been on a lip product binge and it's been so much fun. However I'm now back on the wagon and will do my best not to buy any more lip products.

This time I purchased two lip balms from Haus of Gloi. They make amazing bath and body products and have recently released a range of lip balms that I couldn't resist buying. I was very restrained and only purchased two. 

I also purchased some balms from Vintage Sister. I've long been a fan of Vintage Sister so was really excited when their store reopened. When I saw they now make chocolate lip balms I had to buy some. The largest product in the photo above isn't a lip balm, it's Elbow Grease which is a moisturiser.  



After having a think about this I've decided to change P50P. The new rule is that from now on, if I purchase any more lip products they will be deducted from my tally. As that will make P50P take even longer, it should be a good deterrent for me. I'm still pondering if I should include lip balms in P50P, I just can't decide that one. 


Here's my tally. As you can see, I've purchased more products that I've finished, that's something that I aim to change! I really need to start using more lip gloss and lipstick, however since I had bub I rarely wear anything other than lip balm.





Lipsticks finished: 0

Lip glosses finished: 1
Lip balms finished: 3
Total products finished: 4


Lipsticks purchased: 0
Lip glosses purchased:11
Lip balms purchased: 15
Total products purchased: 26
Number of products to go until P50P is finished: 46

Thursday 2 June 2011

Bloom and Blossom Soothing Nipple Balm


Now that I have a baby, be prepared for a whole new type of reviews as I search out products for mums and bubs. 

At this early stage of bub's life I have discovered that nipple care is very important. This means that I've been on the hunt for a good nipple balm. I've tried quite a few, but my favorite by far is Bloom and Blossom's Soothing Nipple Balm. 

Bloom and Blossom is a UK company who make products for mothers, babies and mothers to be. They use the minimum number of ingredients to get the maximum result and their products are free of nasties.

There are a few reasons this is my favorite nipple balm:
It is effective - it keeps my nipples in good condition and when they are sore it feels very soothing.
It's natural and safe for baby. Even though I wipe the residue off before I feed bub, I'm sure there are still remnants of it when bub feeds, so it's good to know that there is nothing in it that could harm him.
Whilst being highly moisturising it has a light texture and I only need to use a very small amount. It is also very easy to spread. Some of the other nipple balms I've tried have been very thick and sticky so very difficult to apply.
It makes a lovely, shiny lip balm that tastes good. 
The little pot is cute and compact so easy to carry around in my bag. It's not obviously a nipple treatment too so when I'm using it as a lip balm no-one knows what it really is.

Bloom and Blossom says: Our Soothing Nipple Balm has been developed for mothers to help heal and protect sore or cracked nipples. It is safe to use during breast feeding and can also be used to help treat other sore skin conditions, such as dry and chapped skin and lips.  

I'm glad that I discovered that nipple balms make great lip balms. All the nipple balms that I'm not liking as nipple balms are being used as lip balm instead. They also work really well as a cuticle cream and an intensive moisturiser for dry patches. 

Bloom and Blossom products can be purchased from Beauty Works West.

There are only five ingredients in this product, they are: 
Organic passionflower extract which is high in vitamin e and fatty acids to soothe the nipples.
Coconut oil which softens and soothes the skin and it's sweet taste encourages the baby to feed.
Lanolin which moisturises the skin, reduces the risk of allergic reactions and stops the spread of infection.
Glycerin helps retain water in the skin.
Water which is taken from natural sources.