Organic eyes thanks to NVEY ECO

The other day I reviewed NVEY ECO organic makeup Moisture Rich Liquid Foundation. Continuing on my foray into the world of organic makeup, today I played around with some NVEY ECO organic eyeshadow.

Just to recap, NVEY ECO is an Australian made, organic makeup range that was founded in 2005. It has achieve great success in Europe, becoming the number 2 organic makeup brand in France within a year. It was founded by Rohan Widdison, who recognised that there was a huge need for natural makeup that did not compromise on performance. Following the huge success overseas, the brand is now being relaunched in Australia.

When it comes to eyeshadow, I love highly pigmented, long lasting colour. I was intrigued to see whether this organic makeup could be as pigmented and long lasting as it's non organic compatriots.

I was given five NVEY ECO organic eyeshadows to play with along with the NVEY ECO Volumising Mascara. The colours used in the following look were 166 - a deep shimmery blue, 160 - a soft pastel mint green with a hint of shimmer and 156 - a rich aqua, also with shimmer (I LOVE shimmer). I have photographed the colours with both the flash on and off to give you the best understanding of the colour.

NVEY ECO eye shadows L to R: 166, 160, 156 (flash on) 

NVEY ECO eye shadows L to R: 166, 160, 156 (flash off)

NVEY ECO eye shadow swatches L to R: 166, 160, 156
(flash on)

NVEY ECO eye shadow swatches L to R: 166, 160, 156
(flash off)

Below is the look I created with these three shadows and the mascara. These photos were actually taken about 4 hours after I applied the makeup so you can see that it has lasted well. I did prime my lids with my MAC paintpot so deviated slightly from an entirely organic look, but in my defense I have oily lids and no organic primer so I wanted to see how the shadow applied and lasted compared to my non organic shadow.

I was really impressed with how the eyeshadow applied. It was silky soft and applied very easily. There appeared to be fallout in the pan but this didnt occur on my face, which was a huge bonus.  I applied the pale green (160) to the inner corner. This colour was quite pale so it took about three applications to get the depth of colour I wanted, but it was still easy to build up intensity. The aqua (156) was applied to the crease and the dark blue (166) to the outer corner. I loved all of these colours and can see myself getting plenty of wear out of them. Pigment wise, I don't think that the colour was as intense as a MAC pigment but it was still veryy impressive and I wasn't at all disappointed.

A few years back I had a massive allergic reaction to my contact lenses and since then my eyes have been extremely sensitive, especially to mascara. I had no issues at all with this mascara. As you can see, my eyes are not bloodshot and I had been wearing the mascara for 4 hours. It applied as easily as any mascara I have tried and did not budge once on. I actually saw my sister off at the airport last night (as she embarked on her adventure to Japan) and I may have gotten a tad misty eyed but the mascara still didn't budge. It removed easily enough with makeup wipes. The best thing about it - it didn't clump or turn my lashes into spider legs. That is a massive pet hate of mine, when it comes to mascara. In these photos, I had two coats on.

 

I wasn't the only one who had a play around with the eye shadows - unfortunately The Crazy Kid also got his hands on them and create his own Face of the Day (well, he did the cheek and nose artwork and I may have helped out with the eyes!). He was rather proud of the final result.

The Crazy Kid also wanted to do a face of the
day with the NVEY ECO shadows

The NVEY ECO organic eyeshadows retail at $29.95 or you can get a palette of 5 for $75.95. The  NVEY ECO Volumising Mascara retails at $29.95. I have found these shadows to be on par with their non organic brothers so you most certainly don't compromise on anything by going organic.

If you would like a chance to try the NVEY ECO organic eye shadows then I have some awesome news for you. They are one of the products in the huge pack of NVEY ECO makeup that I am giving away. Enter here!

Have you tried organic eye shadow before? What were your thoughts? Do you think that The Crazy Kid di a good job of his makeup?


All opinions stated in this blog are my own. I have no affiliation with NVEY ECO and received no remuneration for my comments. This product was provided for consideration.

Redraw of my Okoii handmade skincare giveaway

Just a quick post. The person who took out the 2nd prize of my Okoii skincare giveaway unfortunately (for them!) did not respond to my emails so I have ha no option but to redraw the comp. I went back to my trusty friend random.org and he told me that the new 2nd place winner was number 3, which was Bianca.  I have emailed this new winner, so fingers crosed the prize gets claimed this time!

Thanks, once again, everyone who entered!

Winner of my Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm giveaway

For my second giveaway of the Christmas season, I got 33 entries. Hooray!!

So, who won?? Random.org spat out number 22 and that lucky person was kerry santillo.

Kerry, I will be emailing you in the next few minutes so keep your eyes peeled as I need you to respond within 48 hours.

If you didn't win this time, remember that I still have a giveaway running where you can win a huge pack of NVEY ECO organic makeup. Here's the link so make sure you get your entry in ASAP!! Best of luck, my lovely readers!

Also, one of the winners of my Okoii handmade skincare comp haven't responded within the required time so I am going to have to redraw that comp...you never know, you may be my new winner!!

Keen to be rid of nasties in your makeup? Win a fabulous pack of NVEY ECO organic makeup.

I have had the down low on organic skincare for a while now, yet, until recently, had no idea that such thing as organic makeup existed. I was then introduced to the NVEY ECO range of organic makeup and a whole new world opened up to me.

 

A pioneer in Organic Colour Cosmetics, NVEY ECO only uses ingredients that are both loving and nurturing to our skin. Certified Organic by the NATRUE, a leading European and Global certifying body that audits and certifies cosmetic products, NATRUE certification is an important global recognition for NVEY ECO, and reinforces this process our focus on safe, ethical and functional cosmetics for consumers.

 

I recently had the privilege of trialling the NVEY ECO Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation and was pleasantly surprised with the quality. Rohan Widdison, founder of NVEY ECO, recognised that there was a huge need for natural makeup that did not compromise on performance and I have to say that the Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation definitely did not compromise on performance or quality.

 

NVEY ECO is an Australian made, organic makeup range that was founded in 2005. It has achieve great success in Europe, becoming the number 2 organic makeup brand in France within a year. Following the huge success overseas, the brand is now being relaunched in Australia. So, to celebrate this relaunch and to continue with the spirit of giving this Christmas, I have another amazing giveaway for you. NVEY ECO, in partnership with Love PR, have agreed to sponsor the following prize. One lucky reader will win:

 

NVEY ECO Eye Shadow Palette 5 Colour Collection (RRP $75.95)

 

NVEY ECO Mattifying Compact Powder in Transparent Neutral (RRP $49.95 reviewed here)

 

 

 

 

 

NVEY ECO Advanced Care Lip Colour in 365 (RRP $29.95 - actual colour shown)

 

To enter, all you have to do is follow me on GFC or by email. Let me know below how you are following me and also answer the following question:

What nasties (if any) are you hoping to avoid by switching to organic makeup?

This competition will run for two weeks, from now until 8.00pm on Monday December 12th and it is open worldwide. The winner will be chosen by random.org

 

There will be plenty more giveaways in the lead up to Christmas so make sure that you are following me on Twitter and Facebook so that you don't miss out. I also recommend that you follow NVEY ECO on Facebook and Twitter so you stay up to date with all of their specials and giveaways.

 

Good luck!!

 

100% Certified Organic Makeup: NVEY ECO Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation

At the start of the month I received a press release advertising NVEY ECO organic makeup. When it comes to skincare I know quite a lot about organic ranges and ingredients, but it never occurred to me that there could be such thing as organic makeup - the concept literally had never entered my mind. Once I had heard of organic makeup I was actually a bit confused. I know that makeup is often made using minerals so I was wondering how these could be organic - is it possible to get organic dirt or organic rocks to crush to get the minerals? Then I had a light bulb moment, or more accurately, a flashback to year 12 organic chemistry. The term 'organic' refers to something that was once or still is living. Therefore, the ingredients in the makeup that would be organic would be the ones that are plant based. I checked out the NVEY ECO website and they then offered this explanation:

At NVEY ECO, we believe that if you are going to make a product Organic, you go all the way and make it Certified Organic! All NVEY ECO Make-up is NATRUE Certified . Unlike mineral or uncertified products, at NVEY ECO, we have to meet NATRUE’s standards in all ingredients we use. This prohibits us from using many of the ingredients found in mineral or uncertified products many brands use. Further NVEY ECO maintains its own internal standards of sourcing raw materials to ensure safe, ethical and functional colour cosmetics.

NVEY ECO is an Australian made, organic makeup range that was founded in 2005. It has achieve great success in Europe, becoming the number 2 organic makeup brand in France within a year. It was founded by Rohan Widdison, who recognised that there was a huge need for natural makeup that did not compromise on performance. Following the huge success overseas, the brand is now being relaunched in Australia.

I have to confess that I have always hated mineral makeup - in particular mineral foundation. I know how good it is meant to be for the skin; however, it always seem to age me by about 30 years. Wrinkles I had never seen before suddenly became highlighted and accentuated by the mineral foundation. I tested three different brands before coming to the conclusion that mineral makeup just wasn't for me. I rather wear no makeup then suddenly have a face full of wrinkles. When the opportunity to trial NVEY ECO's Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation came about I was hopeful that this would be an alternative to mineral foundation that actually works for me.


I was asked to select a colour from their website that would best match my skintone. This led to my first (and only) complaint about the product. I couldn't, for the life of me, work out what colour foundation would suit me best. I have been colour matched at MAC and I am a NW20 and I use a Look 1 in Napoleon's Camera Finish Foundation but neither of this helped me to work out what I would be with NVEY ECO. I spent a good couple of hours googling away trying to get possible matching tips, without any luck. I eventually came across another natural makeup company that had a chart of faces and what colour foundation their skintone corresponded to. So, even though this was a different company, I picked beige. It was the one I was tending towards anyway as the most pale colour NVEY ECO have is cool ivory and I definitely don't think that my skin would be that pale, plus my skin came up as 'warm' in the MAC colour match; and the next colour up was custard and I thought that would be too yellow for my skin, so beige it was.

Unfortunately, beige ended up being a tad too dark for my skin (as you will see in the photo's below). However, I applied the NVEY ECO Mattifying Compact Powder in transparent neutral to set the foundation and I found that this toned down the colour a lot and made it a much better match for my skin. I know it is best to test foundation in person to get the best match, but this isn't always possible. So, my recommendation to NVEY ECO would be to either update their website with photo's of models whose skin tone matches with each of the colours so that you can match up with them, or to provide better swatches that make it easier for an online consumer to select a colour.

Colour matching aside, I was really impressed with this foundation. It took me a couple of practice runs to work out the best way to apply it, but once I had mastered that I really liked it. The issues I initially had with application were that it actually dries quite quickly so when I was applying it with my fingers I found that it left streaky fingerprint smudges. I then changed to applying it with the Beauty Pod and found the application much easier and more even.

I had read online that the NVEY ECO's Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation transfers easily onto clothing. I did not find that this was the case at all. I did set the foundation with the NVEY ECO Mattifying Compact Powder, so perhaps the people who were complaining about transfer didn't set their foundation? Even in the stinking hot, humid weather we have been having in Sydney lately I still didn't have issues with it shifting. I have fairly normal skin with a tendency to get oily in the T-zone and found that this foundation was perfect for my skin type, although I did moisturise and prime before applying.

The NVEY ECO's Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation felt fairly light on my skin. I only tend to wear foundation on special occasions so I still noticed it on my skin but it didn't feel like a mask or anything like that. It was also easy to layer up to the coverage you needed. I prefer light coverage so I would just apply 1 pump to the Beauty Pod and then use that to do one entire cheek. I would then use a second pump to do the other cheek and a third pump to do the rest of the face. I also experimented using two pumps per cheek - this provided much heavier coverage, though, as I hadn't colour matched the foundation perfectly, this made it too dark for my skin. The photos below are using the 1 pump per cheek method.

One final thing I experimented with was using the foundation as a tinted moisturiser. Keeping with the organic theme I mixed 1 pump with a finger full of my Jurlique Purely Age Defying Moisturiser. The results were spectacular! It provided very light coverage but seemed to even out my skintone and gave a beautiful glow to my skin.

All in all I have been very impressed with this foundation. It didn't provide any of the issues I previously have had with mineral foundations ie making me look 31 going on 60. As long as you work quite fast it is easy to apply gives the ability to increase coverage if that is what you require.

NVEY ECO's Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation
in Beige

Beauty Pod with 1 pump of foundation

My skin without foundation

NVEY ECO's Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation
in beige

NVEY ECO's Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation
set with Mattifying Compact Powder

Looking back at these photos, beige doesn't actually look too dark for m skin. I think this might be thanks to the 1 pump Beauty Pod technique I mastered. If I apply it any thicker then it really does look too dark. In the final pic, the flash has made the powder look quite pale but in real life it actually looks really natural.

If you like the sound of eco friendly organic makeup then I have some fantastic news for you. NVEY ECO are giving customers 20% off all online orders until 21st Dec making it the perfect time to trial their makeup range or buy a bargain Christmas gift. Just enter the code xmas20 at the checkout to get your discount. As an added bonus for Aussie shoppers, if you spend over $50 then shipping is free.

If that is not exciting enough news for you then I have moregood news. I am also giving away a fabulous pack of NVEY ECO makeup. Enter here!

Are you familiar with the concept of organic makeup. Have you personally tried any yourself?


All opinions stated in this blog are my own. I have no affiliation with NVEY ECO and received no remuneration for my comments. This product was provided for consideration.

So, who won the Okoii handmade skincare giveaway?

Before I announce the winner I would just like to thank everyone for entering the first in my series of Christmas giveaways: the Okoii handmade skincare giveaway. I am so excited to be sending out my first presents of the season to the lucky winners. So, without further ado...

There were 27 entries in this competition. Using random.org the following numbers were drawn:

First place: 22

Second place: 18

So who were these lucky winners:

22 = aliciaraul

18 = keppers

Congratulations guys! I will now send emails out and you will have 48 hours to respond with our address.

Don't despair if you weren't a winner in this comp. There will be plenty more Christmas competitions for you to enter. I will be listing a fantastic organic makeup one tomorrow plus, if you haven't already entered my giveaway to win a copy of Can you get hooked on lip balm, the beauty book that will answer every beauty related question that you have ever had, then you had better get in quick - this competition is only open until 27/11/2011 (and it is open to international readers).

Jurlique Aromatherapy Facial: Bliss to the MAX

Last week, I escaped the mortal world for 1 hour and visited Heaven, in the guise of a Jurlique Aromatherapy facial. There are two types of facials - ones that do wonders for problematic skin but are quite harsh and rather unpleasant to undertake; or ones that are so relaxing that you struggle to stay awake and once it is over you float out of the treatment room. The Jurlique Aromatherapy facial most definitely fell into the latter category.
The facial started off with an interview - I was booked in to have an Aromatherapy Facial and the interview was to determine which facial would be most suitable. My therapist asked me a range of questions including what products I am currently using, any skin concerns I have and what I hope to get out of the facial. I thought my main skin concern was the pregnancy related hormonal acne I was getting on my chin. At the time, it actually wasn't too bad - just a few bumps, but it was what was annoying me the most. The therapist analysed my skin and stated that she thought it was dehydrated from over exfoliation. She quizzed me on how often I was exfoliating and what cleanser I was using. I had been using my Clarisonic brush every second day, plus was using a scrub weekly. In addition, I had also been using the Jurlique Purely White Foaming Cleanser - what I didn't realise was that this cleanser contains enzymes that also exfoliate the skin - so I was well and truly over exfoliating. This had left my skin feeling papery and looking dehydrated so she suggested that it was a Replenishing Facial that my skin needed most. The following is a description of the various Aromatherapy facials that Jurlique offer:

AROMATHERAPY FACIAL
Our signature Jurlique facial is focused on targeting your skin’s individual rebalancing needs. By releasing the living energy of our plants through warm aromatherapy preparations, uplift your senses, and restore balance to your mind and skin. Allow our skin care experts to customise your treatment with the selection of your favourite essential oil aromas and the best product solution for your skin care concerns.

• Clarifying Facial – Deep cleanse and clarify the skin. An ideal treatment for oily, blemished and troubled skin.
• Balancing Facial – Hydrate, balance and revitalise combination skin.
• Replenishing Facial – Deeply replenish skin moisture and refresh the complexion. Ideal treatment for dry and dehydrated skin.
• Soothing Facial – Calm and nurture sensitive and delicate skin.

To commence the facial, the therapist sprayed the Rosewater Freshener into the air and got me to inhale deeply before cleansing my skin. I adore the Rosewater Freshener so this simple first step instantly relaxed me and really set the scene for the facial ahead.

My skin was then cleansed, not once but twice - firstly with the Replenishing Foaming Cleanser then again with the Daily Exfoliating Cream.  Afterwards, came the absolutely best part of the facial - in fact this was the best part of any facial that I have ever had. The therapist applied a generous amount of the Skin Balancing Face Oil and massaged my face for what felt like 20 minutes. I am not entirely sure how long it went for as I couldn't see my watch but it was definitely a generous amount of time. The Skin Balancing Face Oil is absolutely heavenly. It smells utterly amazing - it is hands down one of, if not the best smelling product that I have ever used. It is a floral mixture that, to me, smelt like jasmine but it doesn't actually have any jasmine in it. It really is divine and the massage left me floating. The therapist then applied a mask, without first removing the oil. I commented afterwards about this and she said that it would be a waste to remove the oil and that it is actually recommended to be used under masks to enhance their performance.

The mask that was used on me was the Nurturing mask and this felt lovely and cooling on my skin. Although it is a clay based mask, it is not one that dries and cracks on your skin so at all times it felt very gentle, which was exactly what my over exfoliated skin needed. One pet hate I have with facials is when the therapist puts a mask on my face and then leaves the room for 20 minutes whilst the mask 'works its magic'. I always feel slightly ripped off by this. Well, you will be please to know that this didn't happen during my Jurlique facial. Whilst the mask was on, I got an amazing hand and arm massage. My hands are currently tingling as I have flashbacks to the massage. I didn't think that it was possible but, at this point, I became even more deeply relaxed.

The mask was removed with hot towels and then more good stuff was applied to my skin. I must have slipped into a nearly comotosed relaxed state by this point because I am not entirely sure what was put on my skin. I believe a serum, though not sure which one, and eye cream and the Love Balm was applied to my lips - this was a lovely touch as I have never had any attention paid to my lips in a facial. Finally, the Moisture Replenishing Day Cream was applied and my facial was over...well, nearly. The therapist gave me one last quick head massage before leaving the room so I could get changed.

I thought my skin would look really oily but instead it glowed with a luminosity I have not seen in ages. In my first pregnancy and in this one I never achieved the glowing skin people rave about - it took a Jurlique facial to bring it out! My skin looked so soft and every little dehydration line had been ironed out of my skin. To my surprise, even my hormonal acne had dramatically decrease, even though the facial wasn't specifically targeting that. I had entered the facial with 3 or 4 red bumps that were about 3mm in diameter - nothing too bad but still annoying - and excited with only tiny pin prick sized red dots.

This was honestly the best facial that I have ever had, and I have had quite a few in my time. It was both intensely relaxing which, with being pregnant and having to chase around an extremely active toddler, was exactly what I needed. But, as well as being relaxing, it was also so incredibly beneficial to my skin. One week on and it is still looking hydrated, only one hormonal spot has returned and the glow is still radiating strongly (I was at a wedding on the weekend and got a couple of compliments about how good my skin was looking!). I have mentioned this before, but fragrance is very important to me in skincare and every single product used in the facial smelt absolutely amazing. That really added to the euphoric feeling I was experiencing - aromatherapy really is powerful stuff!

If you are stuck for a Christmas gift for someone who has everything, then I can't recommend this facial any more highly. Or, if you know someone who really needs pampering, this would be absolutely ideal for them. The Aromatherapy Facial costs $105 for 60 minutes although there are a whole range of facials that you can choose from in their Spa Menu. One other brilliant thing about this experience was that I was not pressured to buy any products afterwards. I was actually not planning on purchasing anything as I have a ridiculous amount of products as it is, but I knew that I could not continue through life without having the Skin Balancing Face Oil! Since the facial, I have been using it morning and night, so perhaps this has helped prolong my post facial glow.

Now, my only is concern is working out how I can manage to have one of these facials each week for the rest of my life!


Are you a fan of facials? What has been your greatest ever facial/spa experience?



All opinions stated in this blog are my own. I have no affiliation with Jurlique. This facial was provided for consideration.