WIN: Aphelia Cosmetology Skincare Pack

I have now brought you three reviews of the Aphelia Cosmetology acne products from three different guest reviewers. Here is: Andrea's review (age 33); Jenny's review (age 20) and Nalini's review (age 30).

The Aphelia Cosmetology herbal skincare range is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Rather than rely on one 'hero herb' in an otherwise basic formulation, Aphelia Cosmetology uses a precise prescription of herbs to create a formulation that heals and nurtures your skin.

The acne range from Aphelia Cosmetology is truly unique - it is the world’s only acne solution with no Benzoyl Peroxide & Salicylic Acid that has been proven with independent in vitro (this means in a petri dish or in a test tube) tests to inhibit acne bacterium for 6 hours at 99.96% (I have a copy of these studies which I will go through in more detail in another post). This means that the acne range from Aphelia Cosmetology won't produce the side effects that Benzoyl Peroxide & Salicylic Acid may cause such as drying and irritating you skin.

If you think that this might be something that you would like to try then you are in luck - I have a pack of the Aphelia Cosmetology skincare to give away.

What your pack will include: Oasis Acne Solution, Classic Skin Purifier Cleansing Beauty Oil and the Master Cleanse.

To win, all you have to do is follow me by either GFC, Facebook or email and then comment with the answer the following question:

What is your worst pimple/acne experience?

The winner will be drawn randomly (so don't worry if your story isn't too horrific!).

Want to hear mine? It happened when I was about 14 and is a classic why you should not squeeze pimples story. I woke up one Saturday with a smallish pimple right on the tip of my nose. I had a party to go to later that night so wanted it gone. It had a white head on it so I thought that I could squeeze it but when I did nothing came out. So, I tried again. Still nothing. So I popped it with a pin. A little bit of gunk came out but it still looked like more was there but it just wasn't coming so I gave up and put some toner on it (that seemed the right thing to do in my 14 year old wisdom). Clearly it wasn't. An hour later it had tripled in size and was now yellow, so clearly infected. So, of course I squeezed it again but only water pus came out. For the rest of the day, each time it was allowed it scab over, within minutes it would be full of yellow pus again. It was hideous and now the surrounding skin was also bright red and swollen. In fact, it was so swollen the tip of my nose was now in my line of vision which just further irritated me and reminded me it was there. I spent the entire day putting a dab of every product I own on it every 5 minutes. In hindsight, none of these products were antiseptics so were never going to clear the infection - I think they just further inflamed it. By the time time the party rocked around, I had managed to get rid of the yellow infection but now had a rather large scab on the end of my nose plus my entire nose was very much Rudolf like. To say that it was noticeable is an understatement. The redness was actually so bad that my nose looked sunburned; however, it was the middle of winter so that was not possible. I remember people asking what happened to my nose at the party. For some reason, I recall being really embarrassed to admit that I had a pimple so made some lie up about hurting my nose. I have no idea why I was so embarrassed to have a pimple since, as the party was full of 14 year olds, I would say that every single person there would have had one on their face at that time! As a 32 year old looking back at my 14 year old self, I no longer feel that situation was embarrassing and am surprised how strongly I felt shame about that pimple. Teenagers are a funny species - one that we will never fully understand, even having had once been one!

Anyway, this competition will run until 8.00pm (AEST)on Sunday April 14th and the winner will be contacted by email. I have two methods of commenting below - if you use Intense Debate (the bottom comment section) there is no need to provide an email address as it gets sent to me with your comment. However, if you comment with Nuffnang X Conversations can you please leave your email address so I can contact you. This competition is open Australia Wide. 

The Clarisonic Mia: A review

How to use it: I used it once a day in the shower in the morning. I would apply cleanser to my face first, wet the Clarisonic under the shower then turn it on. It would immediately start buzzing and vibrating. I then gently massaged it over my face. The Clarisonic Mia has an automatic timer that switches it off after one minute. I would start cleansing my chin by massaging it in small circles. I usually spend around 10 seconds on the chin. I then do each cheek and jawline, this time massaging large circles with the brush. Again I would spend 10 seconds on each cheek/jawline and another 10 seconds on the nose. For the nose I just hold the brush over it, trying hard to get into the corner of my nose as this is a problem area for me. I then finish off by spending about 20 seconds on my forehead as I am getting a fair amount of congestion there at the moment.

The bristle on the Clarisonic Mia are quite soft but you don't want to press too hard. The Clarisonic isn't actually meant for use as an abrasive exfoliant - it uses ultrasonic vibration to shake loose cell debris and dirt then the brush sweeps them away. I found that if I ever did press a little bit too hard it would leave my skin feeling a little raw. However, this feeling didn't linger and within minutes the raw feeling had subsided.

Although the Clarisonic is an electric device, it is full water proof. The charger attaches to it magnetically so there is no entry point into the device for water to get in, hence why it can be used in the shower. This is absolutely brilliant as I do my cleansing in the shower so wouldn't want to have to incorporate an extra step when I got out. Since it is completely water proof I actually store the device in the shower. With two young kids I usually have to bolt into the shower when they are both happily occupied with something or when one of them is sleeping so this leaves me quite forgetful to bring products in with me. As soon as I get in the shower I see my Clarisonic in there waiting for me and it reminds me to use it.

I tested the Clarisonic with multiple different cleansers - the provided cream cleanser and a couple of my own foaming cleansers. I think I prefer a foaming cleanser with it as the cream cleanser tends to disappear in the bristles so at times it feels like I am using it without a cleanser which feels a tiny bit abrasive.

To clean the Clarisonic what I do is, once its 1 minute cycle has finished, I then turn it on again and massage it over the palm of my hand under running water until no hint of cleanser remains.

Once you have finished the one minute cycle with the Clarisonic your skin still needs to be rinsed under running water to remove any remaining cleanser. This is where you will first notice just how damn soft your skin is. After the first time I used it I kept rinsing and rinsing my face thinking it still had cleanser on it, it was so soft and slippery, until I realised that was how my skin now felt,

After exiting the shower I noticed my skin was looking shiny like it had been buffed. This faded once I applied serum or moisturiser. After the first time I used it I was quite surprised at how much more quickly my moisturiser absorbed in. I usually apply moisturiser then brush my teeth and afterwards my skin is usually still tacky and shiny. After using the Clarisonic, my moisturiser had fully absorbed by the time I had brushed my teeth.

In the first week after using it I noticed a few white heads appearing on my forehead. They were only tiny so I think it must have been all of the gunk in my pores rising to the surface. They cleared up and since then my forehead has been looking a lot smoother. This last year my cleansing routine has gone out the window. I had a baby 9 months ago and have been in a constant state of exhaustion and so lost interesting in maintaining my skin. This has left my forehead looking very bumpy. The Clarisonic has changed that . One minute of cleansing with it each day has made such a difference. And because it is making a difference I actually get a little bit excited about cleansing, my skin has been looking so much smooth and feeling incredibly soft in the two weeks that I have been using it.

This is one beauty device that is actually worthy of all of the hype around it. Such a simple addition to your cleansing routine makes such a difference therefore I cannot recommend this any more highly. It is definitely a worthwhile beauty investment.

Here is a little video review that I did for Beauty Heaven on the Clarisonic Mia:

The Clarisonic Mia retails at $139 and can be bought at Myer or online at The Facial Company (as can replacement brush heads).


What beauty device can you not live without?


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. The Clarisonic Mia was provided to me for consideration as part of Beauty Heaven's Trial Team.

The Acne Series: Guest review of the Aphelia Cosmetology Oasis Acne Solution

The next guest review in my acne series that I am going to bring to you is from Andrea and is of the Aphelia Cosmetology skincare range. Andrea is 33 years of age but still suffers from bad acne especially on her forehead and cheeks.

The Aphelia Cosmetology herbal skincare range is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (a little aside - Traditional Chinese Medicine is actually the degree that I wanted to study at uni but I was worried it might limit my job prospects if I didn't like the field so I went for a more broad science degree - Biomedical Science, with the plans on specialising in Tradition Chinese Medicine once I finished. Instead, I fell in love with pathology and went on to do a PhD in wound healing but I still find the field absolutely fascinating). Rather than rely on one 'hero herb' in an otherwise basic formulation, Aphelia Cosmetology uses a precise prescription of herbs to create a formulation that heals and nurtures your skin.

The acne range from Aphelia Cosmetology is truly unique - it is the world’s only acne solution with no Benzoyl Peroxide & Salicylic Acid that has been proven with independent in vitro (this means in a petri dish or in a test tube) tests to inhibit acne bacterium for 6 hours at 99.96% (I have a copy of these studies which I will go through in more detail in another post). This means that the acne range from Aphelia Cosmetology won't produce the side effects that Benzoyl Peroxide & Salicylic Acid may cause such as drying and irritating you skin.

Andrea was provided with the Acne Solution Set (RRP $49.95) which contains the Oasis Acne Solution and the Classic Skin Purifier Cleansing Beauty Oil as well as the Master Cleanse.

Here is Andrea's review:

Aphelia Oasis Acne Solution

For the first time in months, more like years! I had just 1 pimple for the first month, so the product did work for sure in reducing pimples forming. However the one pimple I did get was pretty bad and did take ages to go away even with using it religiously twice a day. Have been using the cleanser and makeup remover in the range too. Don't mind the fragrance of the oil and cleanser but don't care for the fragrance of the acne treatment essence so much. It has a very strong herbal medicinal smell which I do not like much at all. The second month I used it I got a few more pimples. So pretty average at stopping pimples from forming which is good. Wish it actually treated the ones that did occur too. The product itself is like a pale yellow liquid which you apply all over the face. It dries quickly and is a bit drying on the skin. Does not leave it looking oily though and can apply makeup over it without any problems.

Aphelia Master Cleanse Deep Cleanse Fluid

Have been using this a face wash for up to 2 months now. My skin has much less breakouts than normal. Does not lather up too much. My face feels really fresh and clean. It removes all traces of makeup, even eye makeup completely. My skin feels soft, clean and fresh. Does not dry out my skin or leave me with a "tight" feeling. . It has a very faint almost no fragrance and a nice white shimmery colour. Like the white and gold lettering clean classic lines of the bottle. You only need one press of the pump for washing your face so it lasts for a long time too. For all 3 products found a sharp contrast in the very bright green and gold outer pack and the inner actual look of the bottles.

Aphelia Classic Skin Purifier Cleansing Beauty Oil

I used this for removing makeup with a cotton pad. Like the look of the bottle and the easy dispense pump pack. SO no wastage or mess. Has a delightful light oriental/floral fragrance. Its useful when I have worn heavy eye makeup to get the makeup off as gently as possible. I do use it for cleansing my skin too. It does not lather up, it emulsifies with a few drops of water to cleanse your face. Again left my skin feeling incredibly soft and clean. Perfect for dry skin types and for use in winter. I thought it would be hard to remove as it was an oil based product, but it washed off very easily after cleansing.

Thanks Andrea.

The Aphelia Cosmetology range can be bought online.

I actually have two more guest reviews coming up for this range so it will be great to hear how it works on a variety of skin types.


What have you found to be your solution to your acne woes? Does your current acne range dry out your skin?


I received no remuneration for this post and all opinions are my (or Andrea's) own. The Aphelia range was provided to Andrea for consideration. 

The acne series: a teen's perspective of the Teen Aspect Kit

As anyone who has suffered from acne knows, it can affect any age and not one treatment will cure everyone so I have been trying to get a range of reviewers to try a variety of solutions in the hope that you will find your solution. Today's guest reviewer is Brook. Brooke  is 12 1/2 years and has pimply skin on her forehead, chin and both cheeks.   She has very oily skin from hormonal changes and has been suffering regular bouts of lots of pimples for the last 6 months or so. I had Brook trial the Teen Aspect Kit for me. 

According to Aspect, Teen Aspect is:

A simple, uncomplicated skin care range designed with the busy teenager in mind. Teen Aspect is suitable for pre-teens and teenagers who want a quick and easy-to-use skin care regime. Free of the typical nasties, it will not irritate, dry out or clog the skin.

Teen Aspect Kit

The ideal way to try out the Teen Aspect range for only $59.95!  The Teen Aspect Starter Kit is the ideal start to clean, clear skin. The Teen Aspect Starter Kit contains:

• Teen Aspect Cleanser
• Teen Aspect Toner
• Teen Aspect Facial Lotion
• Teen Aspect Stop Spot Travel Stick

Here is Brook's review:

Teen Aspect Cleanser – “The smell is lemony and refreshing.  After I used it my face felt clean.  It was gentle on my skin.  The container is easy to pump out the cleanser and it goes all bubbly when I rubbed it on my face.  I only need to use one squirt for the whole of my face and it worked well.”

 Teen Aspect Toner – “The toner was my favourite because when I wiped my skin with it felt fresh, although after it my skin felt dry and that’s why I used the Teen Aspect Facial Lotion after it.  It smells very strong and lemony.”

 Teen Aspect Facial Lotion – “The Facial Lotion made my face feel moisturised and took away the ‘dryness’ of the toner.  It smells like the cleanser – the lemony smell.  This also came in a pump pack like the cleanser and toner. “

 Teen Aspect Stop Spot – “The Stop Spot was good to put on pimples that needed to be treated and it helped get rid of them.  It smells lemony too – which is nice because it was very refreshing in the morning and before I went to bed.  The Stop Spot is a liquid and I squirted a tiny bit onto my finger and put it onto my pimples.  My older sister tried to use it (without asking!) and applied Stop Spot straight to her face which doesn’t work because it ran down her cheek.”

 “All the products have the black , white and silver design which I liked and I like how it came in a set and looks really good together.  I did find my skin cleared up a bit when I used it all the time – both day and night.  When I stopped using it (because I got a bit forgetful) I noticed my pimples tried to come back.  I want to keep using this Teen Aspect range.”

Before using the Teen Aspect Kit 

After using the Teen Aspect Kit

Sigh...doesn't Brook have gorgeous skin!

The photo's speak for themselves. Brook's skin seems to have really settled down. As she is just entering her teenage years I wouldn't expect her to be completely pimple free but this kit is really keeping the majority of them at bay.

The Teen Aspect Kit can be bought from selected clinics for $59.95. For your nearest stockist call 1800 648 851.

Have you found the solution to your acne woes yet?

See here for other posts in The Acne Series.

All opinions are Brook's own and neither Brook nor myself received any remuneration for this post. Brook was provided with the Teen Aspect Kit for consideration.

Dermaviduals Glow & Nourish Gift Set

I whinge a lot on this blog about how little time I have to myself since having kids. This means that I tend only do the bare minimum when it comes to skincare. When I just had The Crazy Kid I could sometimes sneak a mask on whilst I was supervising him in the bath. This was all well and good if he did his normal 45 minutes but the problem was that when he decided that it was time to get out, he meant immediately. He didn't have the patience to wait for me to rinse my mask off and any delay would result in an epic tanty.

I think that I might have discovered the perfect solution for time poor people - dermaviduals have a peel and a mask that can be removed simply with a tissue! This Christmas, dermaviduals have beautifully packaged together their DMS Mask with Vitamins and their DMS Peeling Cream in the Glow and Nourish Gift Set. This set retails for $130.00 - if you were to buy the products individually they would cost $185 so you save a huge $55.

The gift set is beautifully presented so that you do not need to do anything - it is ready to placed straight under the tree.

DMS-Mask with Vitamins

What they say: Vitamins A, C, E combined with D-Panthenol for all skin types. Provides intense skin care. The DMS®-mask with vitamins contains a very effective combination of vitamins A, C, E and provitamin B5 (panthenol) together with DMS® components as well as vitamin F (essential fatty acids) in the form of liposomes and nanoparticles. The mask is free of emulsifiers.

The mask acts as a prophylactic against vitamin deficiency symptoms of the skin. Due to its composition similar to DMS it provides intense skin care which is still measurable after 72 hours.

Application: The cream is spread onto the skin in a circular motion. After absorption by the skin, the surplus cream is removed by gently patting a dry tissue to the skin. As the mask is an excellent base for further skin care steps due to its DMS®-base, there is no need for removal of the mask.

What I say: This mask is very runny (which you can see in the picture below) so when I first applied it I only used one pump; however, this felt more like applying moisturiser so I added a second pump to really saturate my skin so that it could suck up as much of this mask as it needed. I left it to soak in for about 5 minutes then simply blotted off the excess with a tissue - although there was actually very little excess.

I applied it whilst the kids were in the bath (about 5.00pm) so didn't wash my face again until I had a shower the next morning. Whilst I was in the shower, my skin felt slippery like it had excess product on it so I kept trying to rinse the excess off but the slippery feeling wouldn't leave. Turns out that wasn't the feeling of product on my skin but the feeling of my actual skin. My skin was so hydrated and silky soft it felt slippery!

I have used this mask twice now and it always leaves my skin so hydrated that it has a glowing sheen to it. It really does leave it looking and feeling its best.

The mask doesn't smell pretty. It has no added fragrance or essential oils so it doesn't have that aromatherapy scent that you would often associate with masks. The scent is probably closer to sorbolene cream. It is not terrible by any means and I can definitely hand a non-pretty smelling product when it works as well as it does.

The DMS-Mask with Vitamins can be used up to three times a week and, given how easy it is to apply and remove, I can really see myself using it that often.

DMS-Peeling Cream

What they say: Gentle removes the build up of dead skin cells. Peeling and care of skin in one simple step. DMS-cream with jojoba beads (wax particles).

The DMS-Peeling cream is free of tensides and emulsifiers. It is based on DMS®-cream; therefore we can speak of abrasive cleansing and skin care in one step without damaging the skin. Jojoba beads with their typical rubbing effect gently remove the tiny horny scales from the skin surface.

Application: The cream is applied in circular motions onto the skin and removed with a dampened tissue or face cloth without any further treatment.

What I say: Again, I took this peel for a test drive whilst the kids were in the bath. Since Kiki was born 6 months ago I really haven't looked after my skin very well and that has left it looking congested and a bit flaky. So, this peel was exactly what it needed.

I applied 2 pumps of the cream to my skin and massaged in it for a good few minutes. It is a thick cream with lots of little jojoba beads in it that gentle yet effectively exfoliate the skin. Since the beads are smooth, the massaging sensation really was lovely - it was incredibly soothing and relaxing.

My skin had been looking a tad dull due to lack of care, yet after this peel it was looking much fresher. Just about all of the dull flaky skin had been removed. My skin was left feeling smooth and looking hydrated.

I attempted to remove the peel as suggested with just a wet tissue (I actually used a cleansing wipe), but I found that it didn't completely remove all of the jojoba beads. I ended up having to splash some water on my face to remove the beads, though they were all gone after three splashes.

The DMS-Peeling Cream can be used once a week.

The DMS-Peeling Cream and DMS-Mask with Vitamins can be used together. The first time I used them I did the peel first then followed up with the mask. I found that using them together left my skin feeling so hydrated and glowing and two days later the effect was still noticeable. I plan on using the peel once a week and immediately following it up with the Vitamin mask then using the Vitamin mask again during the week for a top up of the effects.

This gift set is perfect for anyone who loves to take care of their skin but is struggling to find the time to do so. As the peel and the mask take mere minutes to apply and remove just about anyone could find the time to slot them in. And, for something so quick the results are surprisingly effective. You will notice an improvement in the hydration and smoothness of your skin.

You can find stockist details for this gift pack along with other dermaviduals gift packs on the dermaviduals website.


What is your go to speed skincare treatment?


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. The Glow and Nourish Gift Pack was provided for consideration.

Vanilla lovers: Vanilla Bliss is the best vanilla fragrance you will ever experience or your money back

Ok, I lied. I am not going to give you your money back if you don't think The Body Shop's Vanilla Bliss is the greatest vanilla fragrance ever but now that you are here you may as well learn more about it! I was meant to write this up as part of my Christmas reviews but I am so completely besotted with my Vanilla Bliss Body Butter that I needed to dedicate an entire post to it!

The Body Shop is famous for their body butters. They are so deliciously thick and rich, incredibly moisturising yet surprisingly non greasy. Over the years my alliance to particular scents has chopped and changed. My love affair was ignited with the Brazil Nut, but then one day I cheated on Brazil Nut with Coconut and didn't look back...well until I discovered Mango. In general I'm a bit meh about mango...except this Mango - it was the scent of summer bottled up in a tub. It was many years until I strayed again. I was walking past a store and they had a new scent on display - Moringa, on a whim I stuck my finger in the tub and tried it. Precisely 12 seconds later I was standing at the counter purchasing a tub. This fragrance is beyond amazing. Perhaps the perfect white floral. I thought I was finally going to be monogamous to a body butter but then Vanilla Bliss came along. OMG it is friggin' amazing. OMG a body butter made me say OMG. I sound like a star struck teenager, and quickly frankly I feel just as gushy and excited as one! 

I wouldn't say that I am a huge vanilla fan. I like it enough but have never bought a vanilla perfume or anything like that. I guess I m just not that into gourmand fragrances. This Christmas The Body Shop have a range of products in three limited edition seasonal fragrances, one of which is Vanilla Bliss (I'll tell you about the rest when I do my Christmas reviews next month). I decided to try the Vanilla Bliss fragrance in the body butter. OMG it is seriously so amazing (crap, I just said OMG again). It is a very true vanilla without being overly sweet. It is so utterly delicious it takes an enormous amount of self control not to lick the butter. I have honestly never smelt a vanilla product that smells as good as this one. In fact, I challenge you to find a better one. I will be shocked if you can.

Like all Body Butters from The Body Shop, this one is both highly moisturising and completely non greasy. Because it smell so amazing I have been applying it twice a day. I have only been using it for 3 days and the change in my skin has been amazing. I haven't taken care of it at all in the last 6 months, if not longer (Kiki turned 6 months today so now you understand why I have not looked after myself!). In these 3 days my skin has transformed from being dehydrated and scaley to silky soft and smooth. Before it look dull and dry, now it glistens with health. As an added bonus, the fragrance lasts hours (about 3 hours on me) - that is longer than some perfumes. Today, at playgroup, two people came up to me to tell me that I smelt amazing - and what is really amazing about that is that I hadn't showered (The Crazy Kid chucked an epic tanty so showering got replaced by 'mummy cuddles' and some Chuggington).

Ok, I think I might have gushed about this enough so I am going to finish by putting a challenge out to determine whether this the greatest vanilla fragrance ever. All vanilla lovers out there - I need you to sniff this then report back whether you also think that this is the greatest!

The Vanilla Bliss Body Butter is $AU27.95 and will go on sale (along with the other Christmas releases) from the 5th November, 2012 until sold out - sadly, it is limited edition so you might need to stock up (I know I will be!).

All opinions are my own and i received no remuneration for this post. This product was provided for consideration. 

L'oreal Paris Revitalift Total Repair 10 BB Cream

Lately, there has been a huge explosion of interest in BB Creams. BB (Blemish Balm) creams are an all in one product - they are your serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunscreen all rolled into one nifty product. They have been really popular in Asia (in particular Japan and Korea) since 1985 but really only hit the Western market in 2012. Now the big brands are jumping on the BB bandwagon and are releasing their versions of the product. L'oreal Paris is one such big brand and they have incorporated their hugely popular Revitalift Total Repair 10 serum into the BB formulation.

I was pretty excited to try the L'oreal Paris Revitalift Total Repair 10 BB Cream as I had never tried a BB cream before plus Revitalift Total Repair 10 moisturiser is one of the best moisturisers that I have used so I thought that it would be a great introduction into the world of BB creams...perhaps not? I had very mixed feelings about this product which I will go through below.

What they say: The L’Oreal Laboratories have created the first Anti-ageing BB Cream that instantly perfects your complexion and intensely fights 10 signs of ageing, even UV damage in one simple step:

• Covers Imperfections
• Perfects Skin Texture
• Evens Skin Tone

For the first time, L’Oréal’s skincare and make-up Laboratories have merged their expertise to create a new generation of skincare, an Anti-ageing BB Cream. It fights 10 signs of ageing and instantly gives you a beautiful and even complexion.

What I say: As I mentioned above, I had very mixed feelings about this product. There were aspects that I loved but then there were other areas that I had real issues with.

I will go through what I loved first:

• It was easy to apply - it applies just like a moisturiser. I love any product that I can apply with my fingers!
• It really does even out my complexion. The coverage is heavier than a tinted moisturiser but lighter than a foundation.
• The pump pack makes it easy for dispensing the right amount - just don't press the button all the way down otherwise you'll end up with way too much.

What I didn't like:

• The darkness of the light shade. It was a actually quite a good match for my skin however my skin isn't all that pale so I imagine that it would be too dark for a lot of people.
• I found in natural light this looked quite natural on my but in artificial light it made me look a bit orange.
• Even though it was easy to apply with my fingers, the final result was quite streaky. From a distance you can notice it but up close it was quite patchy - you will see this in the pics below.
• After it dried, if I was to touch it it would ball up and peel off. I tried reapplying to freshen it up and it immediately balled up and peeled off. You would have to completely remove it before you could reapply it. This might be why it appeared patchy - I probably accidentally peeled areas off.

 

Before application - so you can see the colour match

After application - the colour match is quite good for my skin tone -
it evened out my skin tone and from a distance looks nice

Up close you can see how patchy it is - there is a clump between
my eyes and a few missed areas on my cheeks

 

Perhaps I just need to practice the application a little bit more and the results might be more even. But all in all I don't see myself using it again. Yes, it saves a step compared with applying moisturiser then foundation but I still prefer the look of moisturiser plus foundation as you can match the colour to your skin better and can reapply foundation as needed without it balling up.


Have you tried a BB Cream before. Should I give them another go or just stick with moisturiser + foundation?


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. This product was provided to my to review as part of BeautyHeaven's trial team.

Gelicious Hybrid Gel Nail Colour swatch: Aphrodisiac

Precious Metals are the latest Gelicious colours to be released There are five colours in this range - Aphrodisiac, Antique Rose, Mintium, Gold Digger and Gun Metal. So far I have bought Aphrodisiac and Antique Rose. Here is my Aphrodisiac swatches.

 

The colour turned out a little bit more pink based than I imagined from the website - I thought it would be more lavender, but aside from that I love it. It is gorgeously sparkly - definitely very metallic. It is a more subtle colour than some of the other ones I have tried - you could definitely get away with wearing this one to work. I already know that I will get a tonne of wear out of this one.

 

I have tried to capture the colour in a few different lights to give you a good understanding of what it really looks like

 

If you missed my previous Gelicious mani's, here is Watermelon Gelato, Afterglow, Yacht Race and Tiara Tantrum. For swatches of the other colours, check out the swatch guide here.

The Gelicious lamp and polishes can be purchased here.


What do you think of the Precious Metals range?


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. The UV lamp and ultra gloss top coat were provided for consideration; however, I purchased Aphrodisiac with my own money.

Arbonne Baby sunscreen as trialled by Crazy, Kiki and Ninus

I love being outside. Outside makes me happy. When it was just me I could spend hours outside pottering around but now that I have Crazy and Kiki to worry about I have to be much more careful. Their delicate baby skin needs strong protection from the sun's UV radiation but it also needs to be gentle on their sensitive skin. I made the mistake of applying normal adult sunscreen on Crazy. Each week we would go to the park for mothers group and I would smother him in sunscreen yet by the time I'd get home his face would be all red. It took me three weeks of this to work out that he wasn't actually getting sunburned each week (thank goodness) but that he was reacting to the sunscreen that I was using on him. I never worked out what ingredient it was that was causing the reaction but since then I have only ever used a sensitive sunscreen on him. So, I was a little excited and a little nervous when I received the Arbonne Baby Care Sunscreen SPF 30+ to trial.

Arbonne Baby Care Sunscreen SPF 30+
What they say: This sunscreen is formulated with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and gentle botanicals. It is PABA-free, pediatrician and dermatologist tested and provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

What I say: Before trialling this sunscreen on the kids I took it for a test drive on myself. I hate greasy sunscreens, especially on my face, and this is not in the slightest bit greasy. It actually feels quite divine to apply. It is thick but left my skin feeling silky soft. It smells really pleasant - kind of florally, but the fragrance isn't at all overpowering - it is perfect actually. It absorbed very easily and did not leave my skin looking white. I found that it offered great sun protection; however, I didn't test it whilst swimming and I wasn't outside for hours - just an outing to the park - so I can't comment on it's efficacy over long periods (but seriously, what baby would be out tanning for hours on end anyway).

Once the sunscreen got the mummy seal of approval, I then recruit three mini reviewers to take it for a test drive - my 2 1/2 year old son, The Crazy Kid, his best friend Ninus (same age) and my 3 month old baby, Kiki. The instructions actually suggest getting doctors approval for use on children under 6 months but I wasn't going to take Kiki to the doctor just to ask if it was OK to use sunscreen on her so I did a patch test on her stomach instead. As Crazy has reacted to sunscreens in the past I also did a patch test on his stomach. After 24 hours they were both nonreactive so it was time to take it for a test drive.

I seem to breed fat bald babies. Since Kiki has very little hair, I usually put sunscreen all over her head as well as on her face. If she is out of the pram she will wear a hat but when lying in the pram the hat keeps sliding down and covering her face, which understandably pisses her off, so I don't tend to use a hat when she is in the pram. I try to keep her shaded so the sunscreen is just an added protection in case I haven't noticed the sun come across her face. I found the sunscreen very easy to apply to her - I rub it between my hands then quickly wipe it over her face. I'm sure I have accidentally gotten some on her lips but she has never reacted as if there was a bad taste on her mouth. She rubs her eyes when she is tired yet the sunscreen absorbs so quickly that she hasn't managed to rub it into her eyes. Kiki has a touch of cradle cap between her eyebrows and on her scalp and I find the sunscreen leaves white marks in these areas but not on the rest of her skin. To remove the white marks from her skin, I massage in Jojoba oil (I use 100% natural Australian Jojoba oil from The Jojoba Company) into her skin and find that this acts like an oil cleanser and removes the excess sunscreen plus has the added bonus of moisturising her dry skin. I have been extremely happy with the performance and gentleness of this sunscreen on Kiki's delicate, 3 month old skin.

Next up to trial the sunscreen was Crazy. Applying sunscreen to him is much more difficult as his instinct is to resist, resist, resist! I need to pin him down with one arm and quickly smear the sunscreen over his exposed areas with the other. I have precisely 5 seconds to do his entire body before he usually escapes and runs away. I found that I could usually get his arms rubbed in well but only would get a chance to smear it over his face and not rub it in properly. So, when he makes his bolt he usually has white streaks over his face. What surprised me is that within a minute or two these white streaks had vanished so the sunscreen still managed to absorb even without a decent rub in. Crazy hasn't reacted once to the sunscreen which is brilliant. And, apart from the fact that he doesn't like me applying it, he has had no other issues with it - same as Kiki no issues with it getting into his eyes or bad taste when I inadvertently get it in his mouth. So that's two more thumbs up from Crazy.

The third reviewer I had was Ninus. Unlike, Crazy Ninus is Mr Independent and likes to do things on his own - apply sunscreen included. I just place a blob on his hand and left him to do as a good a job as a 2 1/2 year old could do in applying sunscreen. He ended up with white blobs all over his face but again, within minutes, it had completely absorbed. So Ninus completed the hat-trick of successful applications of the Arbonne Baby Care Sunscreen SPF 30+. Not one of my reviewers got sunburned, none reacted to the cream, and apart from the dry scaly areas of cradle cap that Kiki has, none of my reviewers ended up looking like white ghosts!

I love this sunscreen. It is truly lovely to use. I highly recommended it to any parent who is after a nice sunscreen for their kids.

The Arbonne Baby Care Sunscreen SPF 30+ is $41.50 for 177ml. It can either be bought online or through a consultant. EDIT: I have just been informed that this can only be bought through a consultant. One of my long time readers has just let me know that she is a consultant - if you would like to purchase this you can contact me and I will pass on her email address.


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. This product was provided for consideration.

Product review: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Face Advanced Anti-aging Serum and Day Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturiser

I have been sitting on my review Elizabeth Arden's Prevage® Face Advanced Anti-aging Serum and Prevage® Day Ultra Protection Anti-ageing Moisturiser with Sunscreens for about a year now. I started writing it, got distracted and have just rediscovered at the bottom of my unpublished drafts. I thought that it was about time that I dusted it off and published it as this was a bloody good product!

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage® Face Advanced Anti-aging Serum RRP $195 30ml, $265 50ml

What they say:  PREVAGE® transforms anti-ageing skincare with advanced Idebenone technology, the most powerful antioxidant available today* with an EPF® rating of 95. Re-engineered to help maintain a reserve within the skin to protect and correct skin's appearance when and where needed most. Measurably diminishes the appearance of lines, wrinkles, minor scars, redness, age spots and sun damage so skin looks younger than ever.
PREVAGE® Face addresses major skincare concerns with proven results:
• Fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and discolourations appear reduced.
• Redness and minor scars and existing sun damage look minimized.
• Skin looks firmer and more radiant.
*When compared to alpha lipoic acid, kinetin, vitamin C, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.

What I say: When you have tried a lot of products you tend to get used to the claims made by the cosmetic company and most of the time don't expect the product to actually deliver on all of them. I was expecting this to be the case with Prevage. Prevage proved me wrong.

So what did it promise? Prevage promised to dramatically minimise the appearance of lines, wrinkles, discolourations and sun damaged skin. It did all of this.

Earlier in the year I noticed that the skin on my cheeks was starting to look slightly crepey - probably not noticeable to others but it came as a shock to me. In addition, a smile line had developed between my nose and mouth. Since using this serum (and the matching moisturiser) my cheeks have completely lost that crepiness and the skin is completely smooth. Plus the smile line has almost completely vanished (and not from lack of smiling!) - it is now only noticeable to me when I really scrutinise it in the mirror. I still have smile lines around my eyes but these are honestly the only noticeable lines on my face.

I initially trialled this for about 3 weeks so was not expecting it to have much effect on my pigmentation. I had quite dark patches on my forehead, that were made a lot worse during pregnancy. The pigmentation has not disappeared but it is dramatically reduced. Before there was quite a stark line defining the pigmented area. Now I can kind of see some discolouration but it is no where near what it was like prior to this trial. As I continued to use the serum beyond the initial 3 week trial, my pigmentation continued to improve. Over summer my pigmentation usually gets dramatically worse. Even when I wear sunscreen, incidental exposure causes my pigmentation to become really noticeable. That wasn't the case the summer I used this serum. It remained only slightly visible.

The packaging this product comes in is brilliant. It is a pump pack that uses airless technology so that your product doesn't become contaminated and so lasts longer. When you are paying $195 this is really reassuring to know. Initially I was applying too much of this product and it was leaving my skin looking shiny. I soon worked out that only 1 pump is sufficient to do the entire face and a second pump is all that is needed to do the neck and chest. Once I got the dosage right, it was so easy to use - 1 pump left my skin looking glowing and dewy. I don't usually wear foundation and I found that it look beautiful without it. The serum instantly leaves my skin feeling velvety. It is not at all greasy or sticky, but smooth and silky. It is a real pleasure to apply.

The serum only has a subtle scent, which is quite lovely - it kind of reminds me of cucumbers. The scent doesn't linger on the skin at all which is fantastic.

I took great pleasure in using this serum. It felt lovely to use plus I was buoyed by the results I was seeing straight away. Things that had annoyed me about my skin were no longer present and this was exciting to see.

I think with continued use of this, starting from when the first signs of ageing are appearing, you could really halt the signs of ageing delay the onset of it being a real area of concern.
I wouldn't hesitate to use this product again. Ok, I would hesitate slightly at the price, but I honestly believe that this is worth paying good money for. If you are concerned about lines and pigmentation, this is going to address those concerns. So you are better off forking out money on something you know will work then experimenting with cheaper options without the desired results. Plus, a little bit goes a long way (I think the 30ml bottle should last 4-5 months of twice daily use on the face, or 2-3 months if you also use it on the neck/chest). If you need to budget what you spend on skincare, then I recommend purchasing this serum but using a less expensive moisturiser with really good sun protection - if you are not doing further damage to your skin then this serum will still be able to repair the damage that has already been done.
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Prevage® Day Ultra Protection Anti-ageing Moisturiser with Sunscreens RRP $195 50ml

What they say: The world is full of skin-damaging assaults and free radicals, unleashed by the sun and the environment. Put up your guard and help protect your skin with new PREVAGE® Day.

Defy dryness with a unique hydrating complex to help attract and lock in moisture.

• Neutralize free radicals with Idebenone, proven as the most powerful antioxidant available today*, with an EPF® rating of 95. Deflect environmental assaults, your first line of defense against visible aging signs.

Team up the protective benefits of PREVAGE® Day with PREVAGE® Face Advanced Anti-aging Serum to fight aging signs and diminish the appearance of existing sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations. Proof...not promises.™

*When compared to alpha lipoic acid, kinetin, vitamin C, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.

What I say: I was given both this moisturiser and the Prevage serum to trial as part of the BeautyHeaven trial team and I must say that they work beautifully together.

This moisturiser came in a really convenient pump pack that uses airless technology so that the product doesn't get contaminated and so lasts longer. It took me a little bit of experimenting to work out but only 1 pump of product is required to moisturise the whole face.

I was dubious as to whether the one pump of moisturiser would provide sufficient SPF, however, since using the moisturiser my face hasn't gotten sunburned although I haven't had any major sun exposure (just half an hour walking outside here and there). The SPF is more than adequate to protect you from incidental sun exposure. If you are going to be in the sun for prolonged periods then I would apply a specific suncream on top of this moisturiser.

The moisturiser has very little smell - just a faint sunscreeny smell, that is quite pleasant. The scent doesn't linger for long after application which is another plus.

The moisturiser was very easy to apply. One pump did the whole face and it melted straight into my skin. It wasn't even slightly oily and it left my skin with a gorgeous sheen as if it contained light reflecting particles. Initially I was using 2 pumps, then 1.5 pumps and both of these amounts left my skin looking too shiny and feeling slightly sticky. As soon I reduced it to 1 pump, it was perfect. The instructions actually said to use a pea sized amount of the product but that seemed way too little, but in actual fact it is perfect.

This moisturiser claimed to lock in moisturise to enhance the benefits of the serum - and it did exactly that. My skin looks plump and rehydrated. When using this product, I would initially apply the serum then leave that for about a minute to sink in then I would apply the moisturiser. The combination left my skin satin smooth, hydrated, my fine lines became plumped out and no longer visible and my pigmentation became much less noticeable.

This moisturiser is ideal for use in conjunction with the serum as it enhances the results of the serum. The serum is designed for skin that is showing the first signs of ageing - ie skin with fine lines and pigmentation or an uneven complexion. So this moisturiser is perfect for anyone who is concerned with the first signs of ageing.

I would definitely buy this moisturiser again, mostly because I saw definite results with the serum and believe that this moisturiser would further enhance the actions of the serum. If you can only afford one, then the serum would probably be the one to buy due to the dramatic results it produces. However, I believe the results of the serum would be optimal if used in conjunction with the moisturiser.

 

 

 Have you tried Prevage before? Did you notice positive results as well?

All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. These products were provided for review as part of BeautyHeavens Trial Team.

Botani Olive Skin Serum

This is another review that has been sitting in my unpublished drafts waiting to see the light of day. The Botani  Olive Serum was surprisingly gorgeous (I think I was expecting to be putting kitchen olive oil all over my face!) and is definitely another natural serum worth checking out.


Botani Olive Skin Serum RRP $31.95 15ml

What they say: Dehydration is the number one contributor to premature signs of aging on our skin, in all skin types, so moisturising the skin on a daily basis is a must. Olive Skin Serum allows you to moisturise the natural way, with Olive Squalene as the active anti-ageing ingredient; nature's only comparable moisturiser to that found in human skin.
Olive Squalene resembles that of human Squalene. Squalene accounting for 12% of your skin’s chemistry and is the skin's own built-in moisturiser. This biocompatibility allows the Olive Skin Serum to be easily absorbed into the deeper layers of your skin as it's immediately recognised. Being able to oxygenate cells at this deep skin level, true hydration and healing can really occur.

Key Features:

• Locks in moisture for an immediate hydration boost, 50% increase within 24 hours
• Plumps the skin, softening fine lines and wrinkles
• Delivers oxygen into skin cells, accelerating scar healing
• Balances skin tone and decreases the appearance of age spots
• Imparts an instant glow and satin finish, immediately reducing redness
• Protects the skin from free radical damage caused by UV rays and the environment
• Non-irritating, non-allergen, non-toxic and suitable for all skin types
• Works brilliantly under primer as its non-greasy and odourless 

What I say: I honestly wasn't expecting too much from this serum. I have used various oils on my face in the past and know some can be quite light but I was expecting this one to be very heavy and greasy. I mean, olive oil is for cooking, not for beauty, right? Wrong! This was an amazingly light serum that absorbed easily into my skin leaving it feeling so soft and hydrated. And it really is completely odorless!

The serum comes in a dropper bottle which makes dispensing the right amount super easy. I would usually just use 2 drops to do my whole face, although if it was feeling particularly parched or tight and sensitive, I'd up it to 4-5 drops. I always applied it at night so if I did apply extra, although it would leave my skin feeling a big greasy, it had all night to absorb. If I just applied the two drops it seemed to absorb within minutes and if I applied moisturiser on top then there wasn't even the slightest hint of greasiness - very surprising! If you are familiar with rose hip oil, then the consistency and feel on the face if this oil was very similar.

Each morning after applying the oil my skin would look so hydrated. It looked refreshed and glowing even. And it still was not greasy. It seemed to plump out my fine lines and really left my skin looking beautiful and feeling so soft to touch. I didn't notice any improvement with my pigmentation, however I was pregnant when trialling it and my pregnancy hormones gave me quite bad pigmentation that no product has been able to budge. Now that I have had the bub and the hormones are gone I will see if the pigmentation finally starts to fade.

I was super impressed with this serum and absolutely loved how it left my skin looking and feeling. I especially loved how natural it is, given that I was using it whilst pregnant. I would definitely buy this again and highly recommend it to anyone who is after a natural serum that will hydrate their skin and leave it glowing and soft to touch.

The serum can be purchased online from the Botani website.


Do you like using oil based serums on your face or do you prefer to steer clear of facial oils?


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. This product was provided for consideration.

Kosmetik: The Skincare Range from Romy

I recently introduced you to the Romy range, a toiletries range that was previously only available in hotels but is now being sold to the public. I had discovered this brand whilst holidaying in Palm Cove. The hotel I was staying supplied the Eucalyptus and Lemongrass range and I was shocked at just how nice it was - hotel toiletries are never nice!

What I didn't know at the time was that Romy also has a skincare line called Kosmetik. Each product in this range contain extracts from the Australian botanicals Quandong & Lilly Pilly. According to New Directions, Quandong fruit has a very high vitamin C content (higher than oranges) and so was also used for its medicinal properties to treat skin sores, boils and aid in the affects of rheumatism. In particular, Quandong extract was well known for its anti bacterial properties. Lilly Pilly is also high in vitamin C and has traditionally been used Lilly Pilly for its great healing and anti bacterial properties. In addition, Lilly Pilly has good astringent properties that improve firmness of the skin, while its high vitamin C and fruit acid content create great anti-ageing effects to keep skin looking radiant and youthful.

When I trial this range I used all products together (although alternated between using the cleanser or scrub).


Kosmetik Facial cleanser RRP $14.99 50ml

What they say: ROMY Facial Cleanser leaves skin feeling soft and supple. Its gentle formula is suitable for all skin types. The Pomegranate extract acts as a powerful antioxidant known to reduce the signs of aging and protect the skin against UV, particularly UV-B rays

What I say: I was a bit surprised by the size of the cleanser, with it being only 50ml. Cleansers usually come in larger volumes than this. However, as soon as I used it I realised this wasn't going to be a problem - this is the thickest gel cleanser that I have ever used which means that only a tiny blob is needed for each use. I actually always use this cleanser with my Konjac sponge (review to come) so I only needed to use a pea sized blob. I found that it cleansed my face effectively yet did not dry it out at all and there was no hint of tightness or squeekiness after use. It has a very pleasant, yet subtle herbally scent. I really enjoyed using this cleanser.

Kosmetik Exfoliant RRP $15.99 50ml

What they say: ROMY Exfoliant uses the crushed stems of Bamboo to gently exfoliate the skin. The Jojoba Seed Oil helps to cleanse the pores and the Macadamia Nut Oil soften the skin. Quandong and Lilly Pilly extracts further enhance this wonderful exfoliant.

What I say: This is a very gentle scrub suitable for daily use. I generally prefer my scrubs to be more scrubby - ie I'd rather use them once or twice a week and have a more intensive scrub experience. This would be perfect for someone who needs something with more oomph than a standard cleanser. The creamy based is lovely and the scrub particles are smooth so they don't scratch the skin at all. After using this exfoliant my skin felt thoroughly clean, beautifully soft and supple. Again, this is not at all drying.

Kosmetik Facial Toner Spray RRP $15.00 50ml

What they say: Romy Facial Toner refreshes, smoothes and illuminates the skin. The natural astringents clean the residue, dead cells and oil, improving tone, circulation and reducing the impact of fine lines. The natural extracts including Chamomile and Pomegranate heals and soothes.

What I say: I have to admit that that I am not much of a toner user. I personally don't see the point of them. My toner aversion aside, this is actually quite a beautiful spray. It smells lovely - kind of delicately floral with faint herbal hints. The spray nozzle is absolutely perfect for giving a light spritz to the face. For the purpose of the trial I did use it as a typical toner - I spritzed it onto a cotton pad and wiped any cleanser residue off. It felt nice doing this and it wasn't at all drying or stingy like some toners can be. However, I can see myself getting more use out of this as a hydrating spritzer throughout the day rather than a toner. I will keep it beside my computer to give my face a moisture boost when I am spending long hours on the computer.

Kosmetik Day & Night Cream RRP $39.99 50ml

What they say: ROMY Day & Night Cream is a rapidly absorbing moisturizer. Its active ingredients include Vitamin B5, which conditions and repairs, and Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and is thought to have anti-aging properties. The Day & Night Cream also contains Quandong & Lilly Pilly extracts for their Vitamin C benefits and Nettle extract known for it's nourishing and toning qualities.

What I say: This was a rapidly absorbing moisturiser - within minutes of applying it, the moisturiser had completely absorbed into my skin. It was non-greasy and left my skin feeling well moisturised and also firmer and tighter - in a good lifting kind of way. It doesn't contain SPF so I had to apply sunscreen on top, but the plus about that is it meant that the product could be used both day and night. This is a very nice moisturiser that really suited my normal to slightly oily skin.

Kosmetik Eye Serum RRP $35.99 30ml

What they say: ROMY Eye Serum is for frequent use and contains Chamomile and Aloe Vera, which gently cool and soothe the sensitive eye skin. Quandong & Lilly Pilly extracts included in the formulation contain high concentrations of Vitamin C that can promote healing and skin regeneration

What I say: I loved this eye cream! Actually, it really is an eye gel. It felt very refreshing to apply and then instantly firmed up my under eye area. I used to have great skin tone around my eyes but between feeding Kiki during the night then dealing with The Crazy Kid during the day I am the tiredest that I have ever been and it is really showing in my eyes. I can't say that this serum completely eradicated my (not so) fine lines - only 15 hours of uninterrupted sleep will do that - but it definitely left the area feeling firmer and refreshed and it did make me feel more awake after I applied it.

 

 

 

I enjoyed using the Romy Kosmetik range. It left my skin feeling firmer, tighter and refreshed, and in my currently sleepy haze it is exactly what I needed! This range can be purchased online from the Romy website.

 

 

What do you use to give the illusion that you are not chronically sleep deprived?

 

 

All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. These products were provided for consideration.