Monday 29 November 2010

November Empties

Neutrogena Deep Moisture body cream 
Palmers Line Smoothing eye cream
Ardell Brow Sculpting gel
Nivea Q10 Plus tinted day cream 
Biore self heating mask
Thursday Plantation Aloe Vera Gel
Dove Minimising deodorant
Beauty and the Bees Ultra Rich eye care oil
In Essence Tahitian Monoi body lotion
Estee Lauder Idealist
Elemis Exotic Cream moisturising mask
Ella Dean Gemini lip balm
Bioelements All Things Pure moisturiser
Bioelements All Things Pure scrub
Bioelements All Things Pure cleanser
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula concentrated cream
Clarins Hydra Care Tinted Moisturiser
Bliss Lemon and Sage Supershine shampoo
Bliss Lemon and Sage Conditioning rinse
Decleor foaming cleanser 

Friday 26 November 2010

Samples I've been trialing

Lancome Genifique Youth Activator face serum - I used this for eight weeks and didn't notice any difference in my skin condition. It's a lovely, light serum that felt nice to apply, but for the price I expect to see results. I won't be buying this one.


Nivea Q10 Plus Tinted Day Cream - I really liked this moisturiser. It provided a good level of cover and was moisturising enough that I didn't need to use a separate moisturiser underneath it. I'll definitely purchase this.


Biore self heating mask - I was worried that this would be a little harsh for my slightly sensitive skin but it wasn't. The warming sensation felt really nice and after I'd taken the mask off my skin felt soft and smooth. This is another product that I'll purchase.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Top Ten Make-Up Products

This post is inspired by Jessica's Top Ten post on her blog The Belle Lumiere.

My Top Ten Make-Up products are:

The Face Shop Blemish Balm
Clarins Hydra Care Tinted Moisturiser in Bisque
Christian Dior Long Wearing Moisturisng Concealer shade 410
Lancome Juicy Tubes (any colour, I love them all)
Bonne Bell Lip Lites in Mocha Mousse
Ardell clear brow gel
Australis Mineral Inject lip gloss (any colour, I have nearly all of them)
MAC Syrup lipstick
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque
Bloom Soft Taupe Shadow Liner

These are all products that I have (or will) purchase over and over again.

Monday 22 November 2010

Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion


You know how sometimes you get rough skin on your body, and no matter how much you exfoliate it won't go away? No? Then you don't need this lotion. If you do know what I'm talking about then you need Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion. Palmer's say that it removes dry skin cells and uncovers healthier looking skin and they're right.


I use this at night time and when I wake up in the morning my dry, rough skin is gone and I have soft, smooth skin. I'm always amazed at how quickly this works. Normally I'll use it for two to three nights in a row to totally get rid of my rough, dry skin. After the first day my skin feels soft and there is only a slight hint of roughness. By the second day the roughness is gone and I have lovely, smooth skin.

When you use this don't expect the usual chocolatey Palmer's scent, Skin Smoothing lotion has a chemically scent that's not very pleasant. However the scent is worth putting up with as the lotion is so effective, and thankfully the scent fades quickly upon application.

Palmer's say: A unique blend of cocoa butter, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, vitamin e and shea butter that exfoliates dry skin cells and uncovers healthier looking skin. This fast absorbing lotions helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and evens skin tone. Your skin will feel soft, smooth and healthy with no greasy feeling. 

Ingredients: water, cyclomethicone, lactic acid, glyceryl stearate, peg-100, polyacrylamide, c13-14 isoparaffin, laureth-7, diemthicone, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, mineral oil, isopropyl myristate, butyrospermum parkii, theobroma cacao seed butter, salicylic acid, vaccinium myrtillus extract, saccharum officinarum extract, acer saccharinum extract, citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, citrus medica limonum fruit extract, fragrance, myristyl myristate, tocopheryl acetate, dioctyl sebacate, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, coumarin, linalool, limonene, citronellol, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, cocos nucifera oil, sodium hydroxide, disodium edta, yellow 5, orange 4.  

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Bioelements All Things Pure

To my great excitement Bioelements have recently released a new range called All Things Pure. 


The range consists of four products; a cleanser, scrub, eye oil and moisturiser. I was able to try samples of each of the products and loved them all. They all have a very fresh, natural scent that I find difficult to describe. I used each product around four times so can't provide a full review of each product, but I've written mini reviews of my thoughts on each product.


The moisturiser is hydrating yet light, has a lovely, fresh scent and kept my skin feeling soft and moisturised all day. Even in humid weather it did not feel oily or greasy.


The scrub has fine particles that are gentle on the skin and yet there are enough of them that they scrub effectively leaving my skin feeling smooth. 


The cleanser is green :), gentle and feels lovely on the skin. As it's clay based it cleans deeply without stripping or irritating. 

The eye oil can  be used around the eyes or all over the face. I find it a little rich to use during the day, however it's a lovely, hydrating night treatment.




Monday 15 November 2010

Essie Au Natural

I have to admit that even though I'm a beauty fan, I rarely paint my fingernails. The reason for that it I haven't been able to find a long lasting nail polish since Revlon discontinued it's Colourstay polishes. Not to be discouraged, I continue trying out new polishes in the hope of finding something that lasts more than a few hours on me without chipping. 

I'd now like to introduce you all to my new favorite nail polish brand Essie.

Essie products have recently become available at Myer stores. As a Myer One member I received a special offer where I received a gorgeous GWP if I spent over $30 on Essie products. What a great excuse to shop!

I purchased 3 way glaze (a base, strengthener and top coat in one), Au Natural and Red Label polishes. Au Natural is now one of my favorite polishes. With a base coat, two layers of polish and a top coat it lasts at least five days on me without any chipping. By day five the colour starts to wear off on the tips of my nails, but it's barely noticeable and I can go seven days before I need to remove the polish and start again. How amazing is that?
As you can see from the photo's, Au Natural is a lovely nude colour. It's a little brighter than it looks in the photo's and has a subtle, pretty shimmer. This has become my favorite polish to wear to work as it goes with everything and makes my nails look nice and 'done'.


Would I buy this again? Yes, it's my new favourite polish brand!

Friday 12 November 2010

RMS is coming to Bathing Beauty!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned Bathing Beauty before, but it's a beautiful little Perth based webstore that has a range of lovely products.

They recently sent me a press release and I had to share the news. Bathing Beauty is now carrying RMS products! RMS beauty was created by Rose-Marie Swift, the line is organic and non-toxic. RMS is a brand that I've been wanting to try for ages but haven't had access to. Their products all look amazing.
Here's what RMS have to say about their products: 
Rose-Marie created RMS Beauty after experiencing health issues that stemmed directly from all the chemicals in the color cosmetics she worked with. She created a healthy, natural makeup, that’s as good as its conventional counterparts.

RMS Beauty is a truly organic color cosmetics brand. RMS is dedicated to transforming the way women use makeup, and it's about more than simply using organic ingredients. In fact, that's only the first step in creating a product that's not only non-toxic, but that actually heals and nourishes skin. Unrefined, organic, healing agents create easy blending, nourishing products perfect for even for those who feel intimidated by makeup. RMS products are refreshingly simple and only take minutes to apply, but add a wealth of vital nutrients to your skin. 

The range currently consists of lip shines, lip and skin balm, 'un' cover-up, lip2cheek, cream eye shadow, living luminiser and raw coconut cream.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Neutrogena Deep Moisture body cream



Since I got pregnant I've been using hydrating body lotions twice daily. I tried using two different pregnancy anti-stretch mark oils but they both gave me a rash, so I'm sticking to body butters. I find that the body butters make my skin feel more hydrated, so I'm hoping they work as well as the anti-stretch mark oils would.

I've somehow amassed quite a stash of body butters and it's very satisfying slowly making my way through them. The body butter I've been using recently is Neutrogena's Deep Moisture body cream. 


The first thing I noticed when I opened the tub is the beautiful, sweet, butter cream scent, it smells edible! Despite being deeply hydrating the cream is actually quite light. It sinks in quickly whilst leaving my skin feeling soft and hydrated. The hydrated feeling lasts all day, at the end of the day my skin still feels soft and moisturised.


Anyone who has been pregnant can relate to the pregnancy skin itchies. Deep Moisture body cream kept my itchies away all day, which is much better than the oils I was using.


Neutrogena says: The delightfully rich, creamy formula turns even severely dry skin into soft, smooth skin after just one use. Deeply penetrating moisture is delivered to dried out skin in three ways. Naturally derived cocoa butter nourishes the surface for supple skin. Creamy mango butter provides rich moisture to soften skin. Rich shea butter helps seal in moisture for long lasting benefits.


I'll definitely buy this again!   

Ingredients: water, glycerin, distearyldimonium chloride, petrolatum, isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, butyrospermum parkii, cocoa seed butter, mango seed butter, benzyl alcohol, bht, sodium chloride, yellow 5, yellow 6, fragrance.

Monday 8 November 2010

Burt's Bees Purifying Daily Cleanser


Burt's Bees have recently released an Anti-Blemish range. I was lucky enough to receive some of the products to review from Primped.


Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Purifying Daily Cleanser is a gentle cleanser that can be used on all skin types, even sensitive skins. Initially I was a little worried about testing it out as anti-blemish cleansers are usually too harsh for my skin, however I don't have any problems with this one.


Burt's Bees says: This cleanser is proven to help wash away blemish causing bacteria, excess oil and impurities without over drying or irritating skin. Salyclic acid, derived naturally from willow bark extract, penetrates pores to help reduce blemishes and prevent future breakouts. Evening primrose and beetroot extracts help care for troubled skin resulting in clear and healthy looking skin, naturally.  


I waited to do this review until I'd used up the whole cleanser. Whilst it's a nice, gentle cleanser I can't say it did anything to help clear up my skin. Considering that my breakouts are hormonal, I'm not sure that anything can help clear them up though.


This is a nice, gentle effective cleanser and one that I would buy again.


Ingredients: salicylic acid 1.0%, aqua, decyl clucoside, lauryl glucoside, sucrose laurate, salix nigra bark extract, coco-betaine, betaine, beta vulgaris extract, oenothera biennis leaf extract, sodium cocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein, hydroxypropyltrimonium honey, glycerin, glyceryl oleate, coco-glucoside, parfum, glucose, alcohol denat, dlucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase, citric acid, sodium chloride, phenoxyethanol, limonene, linalool. 

Friday 5 November 2010

This weeks mail

I've been very bad lately and ordered a lot of things online. With the Australian $$ doing so well and the crazy prices we get charged here I took advantage and ordered some things I've been wanting for a while.

Here's an example of how crazy our prices are. I wanted Belli's Elasticity Belly  oil. In Australia it costs $70. I purchased it from Apothica for $38 (AUD). Crazy! What is even more crazy is that Belli is an Australian company! From Apothica In addition to the belly oil I purchased Erbavia's Queeze-Ease lip balm and DuWop Blackcurrant Iced Tea lip balm.

I've been wanting DuWop's Private Red lipstick for ages but couldn't find an online store that would ship it to Australia. Bizarrely I can get other DuWop products shipped here but not Private Red. So I gave in and bought it from Adore Beauty. I also purchased Private lipstick in Nude.


For our wedding I purchased three Glasshouse Leura candles. They're limited edition and I couldn't find them locally so I bought them from Moonlight Candles.
I also placed a Strawberrynet order. I got two aftershaves for Mr GQ, my wedding day perfume and a Clarins eyeliner. I also received a Calvin Klein eyeshadow with my purchase.
I've been dying to try the limited edition Lanolips Lemon balm and the two new Burt's Bees lip balms but haven't found them here, so I ordered them from Addicted 2 Lip Balm. I love their service. I placed my order around lunchtime and it was shipped the same afternoon! I also purchased Organic Island's vanilla lip balm, I couldn't resist it as it has biodegradable packaging, which is something I've never seen before.

That's it for me for a while!

Wednesday 3 November 2010

For Goodness Grape Lip Balm


One of the many balms I bought in my recent lip balm purchasing frenzy was from Etsy store For Goodness Grape. The balm I'm reviewing today is their Buttermint Lip Candy. This cost me approximately $3.70 (AUD), which is a bargain!

Here's what For Goodness Grape has to say about their lip candies: Our lip products are a wonderful lip quenching balm and butter combined into one. Each balm is full of moisture rich ingredients and has more than 3 skin quenching butters and 4 moisturizing oils making it one of the top shelf lip products available. This awesome flavor is just scrumptious with a deep, rich aroma of butter and peppermint just like the after dinner mints. Gives your lips a nice clear shine, superior moisture and protection from the elements. Super soft and buttery on lips.

Buttermint is a beautiful, sweet mint flavour that smells and tastes amazing. For me the one of the requirements for a great balm is the taste, and this balm certainly lives up to that requirement. In addition to that, I find this to be very moisturising, great for the cold winter weather.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I love these balms, they're super cheap and have a great range of yummy flavours.

Ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil tocopherol (vitamin e).

Monday 1 November 2010

Foundation experimentation

After reading on a few beauty websites about mixing foundation with tinted moisturiser I thought I'd give it a try. I've never mixed my foundation before, I've always just applied it straight from the bottle or tube. I'm usually in a hurry in the mornings do can't be bothered with things that take up extra time, but I've found that mixing foundation and tinted moisturiser isn't too time consuming so it is something that I'd actually do.


The first products that I tried mixing were my Stila Illuminating foundation and Stila Illuminating tinted moisturiser. I used these alone without any moisturiser underneath.
The finish looked quite nice but by halfway through the day my face felt very tight and dry. I constantly sprayed on rose water for the rest of the day but my face still felt dry. So that one was a fail.

The second experiment was Stila Illuminating tinted moisturiser mixed with Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation. I used moisturiser underneath this time. This was a really good mix. I sometimes find the Silk Creme foundation to be a bit too heavy but mixing it with the Stila tinted moisturiser gave me glowy coverage that looked light but still gave great coverage. I'll definitely use this mix again.

Next I tried mixing my Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation with my Red Earth Illuminator. This didn't work at all well. I used a moisturiser underneath but by lunchtime my face felt dry and the foundation looked horrible, it sunk into all my fine lines and made me look ten years older. This one was a huge fail.



I'm going to continue experimenting with mixing my foundations and will report back with any good combinations that I find.