Windows To The Soul

by Dr Gabrielle Caswell – www.eyramedical.com.au

Ageing through non-verbal communication: Thinking, frowning and squinting leads to the development of creases between the eyes. These creases become permanent as our collagen changes due to ageing, menopause and sun-damage. Over time, skin creases leave valleys in the muscle across the forehead, and together with collagen reduction, the smooth forehead of youth is lost.

Ageing through non-verbal Communication:

Thinking, frowning and squinting leads to the development of creases between the eyes. These creases become permanent as our collagen changes due to ageing, menopause and sun-damage. Over time, skin creases leave valleys in the muscle across the forehead, and together with collagen reduction, the smooth forehead of youth is lost.

The circular muscles around the eye create creases, particularly when we smile. These fine lines develop into defined folds in the skin as we mature making this area of the face look aged and tired. Individuals with extremely expressive brows tend to develop deep frown lines. Collagen changes and genetics also contribute to hooding of the upper eyelid, where the eyelid closes in and rests on the lash lines, obscuring the eye. Beneath the eye, eye bags can develop, adding to the hooded closed effect.

Preventing expressions from ageing our face:

BOTOX
The most accessible way to minimise or remove creases and folds in the upper face is to have a wrinkle treatment such as BOTOX which will, when conducted artfully, leave the patient with natural movement and expression. A complete consultation with a trained practitioner will include photographs of the patient with all expressions demonstrated, to ensure the correct dosage regime is followed.

The doctor will estimate how much BOTOX you will need for the desired affect, and this will depend on:

* The grade of wrinkles (dynamic, fine lines, or developed folds),
* Size of the wrinkles
* Whether there are fine criss-crossing wrinkles that need to be treated

A BOTOX treatment can take as quick as 15 minutes with minimal downtime and lasts around four months. Hooded eyes can be treated with an eyebrow lift, where BOTOX is placed just beneath the brow mid to outer third. The exact placement of the BOTOX will depend on the shape and arch of your eyebrow. Younger patients are often requesting flared outer brows as a fashion statement and this is achieved with BOTOX placement in the outer third of the brow and the inner edge to help pull the brow down and forward.

Dermal Fillers

Remodeling of the upper eyelid can be achieved with a dermal filler such as Juviderm which can add temporary volume and lift. Smoothing out crow’s feet is a deceptively simple technique, which when conducted well, leads to quite remarkable results. When you are smiling, you retain the movements around the eye as the cheek pushes up and when you are not making an expression, the region remains smooth.

In some cases, a dermal filler can be used to fill out the hollow beneath the eye, and reduce the unattractive shadowing that can develop with the loss of subcutaneous fat from the region. This is a subtle enhancement with some bruising and down time. Depending on the dermal filler used the results may last around six months, and the new gel like filler, Juviderm Ultra is a good choice due to its flexibility of integration.

A method of harmony when using injectable medicines is advisable with the upper face being treated as a single unit in order to achieve subtle but effective results. This concept means that the overall effect is balanced (eg. it can look a little odd having no frown lines while retaining crows feet and visa versa). If funds are a consideration then it is sometimes best to select a few wrinkles to leave so a balanced effect is achieved.

Dr Gabrielle Caswell (BSc, BSc, MB;BS, BA) is a Cosmetic Physician with four clinics in rural NSW and the Gold Coast operating under the Eyra brand, named after the Viking goddess of medicine and beauty. Special interests include injectable cosmetic medicine, laser technology and other tools modern medicine uses for the remediation of sun-damaged skin.

More recently, Dr Caswell developed the Caswell and Marcells product range designed for Beauty Therapist use. Visit www.eyramedical.com.au for more information.

How To Keep Your Pearly Whites Dazzling

Keep your pearly whites dazzling

A beautiful smile requires beautiful teeth.
This is nothing new, all throughout history people have used various ingredients to maintain their teeth and have pleasant smelling breath. Today however we have a vast array of products and tools at our disposal to maintain good oral hygiene so there is no excuse for anyone not to have a beautiful smile.

To ensure the continuation of a beautiful smile it is recommended to brush the teeth twice a day, floss daily and rinse with mouthwash. Why? Because tooth decay begins as soon as food enters the mouth. As food gets stuck between the teeth it rots and bacteria forms. This in turn begins to weaken the enamel layer and can lead to cavities. Brushing the teeth regularly also stimulates blood flow in the gums and oral tissues, which helps to heal wounds.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth and fibres of the tongue that feed on protein and release volatile sulphur compounds. They’re not harmful – in fact, you need these bacteria to begin digesting proteins – so the only long-term solution to fighting bad breath is to keep these bacteria in check by using mouthwash.

To help maintain your dazzling pearly whites, we have compiled some of the latest and best oral care products both to clean the teeth and to get them shiny white!

miessence Toothpastes:
Brighten teeth without harsh abrasives and drying foaming agents. Organic essential
oils and herbs freshen your breath and maintain healthy teeth and gums. miessence
toothpastes are free from fluoride, aluminum, artificial sweeteners or detergents.
Available in Mint, Lemon & Anise
Price $8.95 (150g)
Refreshing mouthwash:
A refreshing alcohol-free natural mouthwash. Helps control the bacteria that cause bad breath and leaves mouth smelling sweet and fresh. Soothes the mouth with organic herbs of sage and thyme.
Price $15.95 (250ml)
Breath Fresh Spray:
This handy little 12ml spray is great for your handbag, desk, pocket or toiletry bag to help control the bacteria that cause bad breath and give you the confidence of fresh breath all day long.
Price $6.95 (12ml)
miessence can be purchased online from www.miessence.com or telephone (07) 5539 2011 for your local stockist or direct orders

Colgate Plax Ice Mouthwash
Colgate Plax Ice is carefully formulated to give you the intense freshness you’re looking for whilst caring for your teeth and gums.
Developed by Australia’s leading oral care brandv, Colgate Plax Ice is a mouth rinse that not only offers a unique refreshing and ultimately cool taste sensation for long lasting fresh breath, it also fights bacteria and plaque for up to 12 hours, protects gums and removes four times more plaque than brushing alone as it reaches places you can’t with your toothbrush. Priced at only RRP* $5.99 Colgate Plax Ice is now available at your nearest supermarket or selected pharmacies.

Colgate Actibrush Whitening Toothbrush
Colgate Actibrush Whitening is a powerful toothbrush designed to remove stains for whiter teeth. The smaller head cleans deep between teeth with soft polishers to help remove stains and a curved neck to reach back teeth.
Priced at only $15.99*, Colgate Actibrush Whitening Toothbrush is available in supermarkets and some pharmacies now.
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Smile Whitening System
GO SMiLE’s revolutionary Smile Whitening System only takes two minutes of your time, morning and night, for seven days. You just Flip, Pop and Whiten with the exclusive GO SMiLE ampoule! The potent GO SMiLE whitening serum stays on your teeth and does all the whitening work, so you can get on with your life. And in a
clinical study, no sensitivity was reported when using GO SMiLE!

FLASHLiTES™
FLASHLiTES™ ampoules are a great way to keep your smile brilliant, anytime, anywhere – and they taste great, too! They use the same, patented Ampoule Technology™ Delivery System as our Smile Whitening System, with a milder daily-use level of hydrogen peroxide, and a burst of minty fresh flavor. Use them as part of your daily routine, or as a mid-day brush after every meal. Throw them in your bag and Flip, Pop and Touch Up whenever you need a whitening boost or to freshen up your breath!

Touch Ups
Touch Ups instantly erase new stains from coffee, red wine, tea, chocolate, cigarettes etc, before they set. The convenient and easy-to-use hygienic single dose ampoule contains a milder concentration of tooth whitener, formulated to provide the benefits
of a breath freshening mid day brush. Touch Ups are available in 3 flavours: Mint-licious, Pear-licious and Peach-licious, and come in 30 ampoule refill boxes, an elegant refillable vanity jar, a chic refillable compact and convenient on-the-go 5 ampoule mini-boxes.

AM/PM Aromatherapy Toothpastes
These aromatherapy toothpastes are specially formulated to power through surface stains that have not yet set. And, with our delicious aromatherapy blends, they’ll get you going in the morning, and relax you for the night! Hydrated silica gently polishes teeth and pure essential oils – like peppermint, lemon and lime in AM, and chamomile, lavender and vanilla in PM – making brushing a sensory experience. Go Brush™!

For more information on the brand, visit www.gosmile.com.au or call 03 9504 8899.

How To Achieve The Perfect Brushed Out Curls.

How To Achieve The Perfect Brushed Out Curls.

One trend common in most fashion collections seen in Europe is the brushed out curly hairstyle. In fact not only is this style sported on the runways but Hollywood’s stars are embracing it also. This is a very glamorous style that suits most people. A beautiful, shiny hair that is styled makes you feel chic, elegant, confident and ready to face the world.

To create this look for yourself at home here are Step-By-Step instructions:

Tools you’ll need:
•    A medium-sized round brush,
•    A paddle brush
•    Hot rollers or a curling iron
•    Loads of hairspray

STEP-BY-STEP TO WAVY GLAMOUR:
•    Start with dry hair and make sure your rollers or curling iron is hot.
•    Brush hair out and smooth it down for best results.
•    Divide your hair into 10-15 sections, depending upon the thickness of your hair.
•    Take one section one at a time, spray with hairspray and take a large roller.
•    Wrap the hair around the roller and be sure to tuck the ends in the same direction so they’re smooth. Continue until all hair is around rollers. (If using a curling iron follow the same steps.)
•    Spray the hair with hairspray all over and let the rollers cool completely while in tact.
•    Take out the rollers and loosen the curls with your fingers. Don’t brush the curls out as this will lead to frizz.
•    Settle the curls with your fingers, finishing with a light spritz of holding spray.

Now that you know the how here are the products to help you get the best results:
VS Sassoon Compact Ceramic Travel Setter (RRP $32.95)
This ultimate multi-voltage around-the-world travel companion from VS Sassoon features 12 multi-style rollers in three sizes – six small, three medium and three large for creating tight and/or loose curls or for building volume with bounce. ‘New austerity’ fashion is all about structured styling and this styling tool undoubtedly delivers.  Equipped with ceramic technology with all its benefits, it also comes with 12 metal clips and a handy compact soft travel pouch with clip storage for ultimate convenience.

VS Sassoon You Curl (RRP $59.95)
This clever tool with its truly GROUND-BREAKING design and technology creates easy modern, tousled curls in one movement making curling as easy as straightening. It’s as simple as pulling scissors through ribbon and is set to be the styler of the season. It’s also set to transform your look from day to night. Swap office chic for night-time sexy siren in minutes with the ‘You Curl’ or conversely freshen party hangover hair the next morning with a quick ‘You Curl’ session. It’s ‘glam to go’! Stockist number: 1800 650 263.

Original & Mineral Frizzy Logic Shine Serum (50ml, $26.95)
Controls humidity and lightweight locks. This product is for anyone wanting to fight the frizz or tame out of control curls. It creates a barrier that calms and smoothes your hair while protecting it from humidity. Silicones add shine and give a silky texture.
Create Frizz-free zone with shine.
DIRECTIONS Squeeze a few drops into your palm and finger through the hair. It can be applied to damp hair pre blowing or dry hair to finish.
This product is Sulfate free and does not contain Parabens, MIT, Proplene Glycol, Phthalates or Triclosan.
www.originalmineral.com

MATRIX Sleek.look Miracle Reconstructor Intensive Smoothing Treatment ($24.84 RRP)
For many women the one thing that absolutely defines chic style is smooth, sleek, glossy hair. It’s the look they know they can get from their stylist and the one look they most want to duplicate for themselves at home. The MATRIX Sleek.look Professional Smoothing System with new 24 Smooth Multi-Mend Technology instantly smoothes, repairs damage and stops frizz for silky, straight hair from shampoo to shampoo. For an ultra smooth, glossy frizz-free finish that tames and mends split ends, MATRIX launches new Sleek.look Miracle Reconstructor; a Powergel formula to penetrate the cuticle and strengthen its inner structure, providing resistance against future breakage.

Biolage Curl Defining Elixir (125ml, $26.75 RRP)
Medium Hold gel
Benefits
• Natural texture-enhancing gel
• Great for curly or short hair
Botanicals ; Chamomile and Passionflower
A medium holding gel that delivers nourishment and shine, long-lasting style, definition and shape. Hair is left feeling flexible, in control and natural with body, movement and shine.

Biolage Hydro Foaming Styler (250ml, $26.75 RRP)
Firm Hold mousse
Benefits
• Long-lasting body, bounce and shine
• UV Filters – great for coloured hair
Botanicals: Allspice, Nettle and algae
A lightweight mousse with medium flexible hold, Biolage Hydro Foaming styler volumizes and conditions the hair in a whipped crème texture to provide body, control and shine. Hair is left with bounce and natural softness.

Biolage Moulding Soufflé (125ml, $26.75 RRP)
Medium Hold texturizing cream
Benefits
• Create hold and full-bodied
• Shape and texture for piecey effects
• Features STRONGStem Technology and Ceramides
A light, creamy soufflé for pliable molding, flexible control, and reworkable styles. Hair has natural movement and a satin finish. Helps to protect against heat styling damage and ideal for most hair types and lengths.
Hair is left with a clean feel, free from residue or build up. Silicone provides shine and thickening agents give hair a unique, piecey texture. Ceramides help strengthen and prevent damage.

Scents of Style

Scents of Style

Kylie Minogue Couture

Naturally sophisticated and glamorous, Kylie Minogue is admired the world over for her distinctive personal style.  Now the essence of her effortless elegance has been captured in a stylish, floral musky fragrance: Kylie Minogue Couture, available from April 2009.
Kylie comments on her new fragrance “Couture”, “Like most women, I’m passionate about fashion and style, whether it’s red carpet glamour or everyday chic. With Couture I wanted to create a modern, sophisticated fragrance for every woman with a strong sense of style.  I chose the name because Couture is the very heart and spirit of fashion.”
Elegant yet contemporary, this ultra feminine fragrance opens with an enchanting bouquet of amarena cherry, lemon flower and vintage violet. It builds to a deeper heart of exotic ylang ylang, night blooming jasmine and passionflower that illuminates the heart of the fragrance with its subtle exotic scent.   Representing her inner strength, the dry down is composed of musk ribbons which give the enveloping feeling of cashmere while the addiction of vanilla sorbet rests upon the timeless elegance of white cedarwood, for a long lasting femininity. Kylie Minogue Couture is a sparkling, sophisticated floral musky fragrance that exudes elegance and modernity.
Top notes: Amarena cherry, lemon flower, vintage violet
Middle notes:    Ylang ylang, passionflower scent trek, night blooming jasmine
Base notes: Musk ribbons, vanilla sorbet, white cedarwood
THE COLLECTION
Eau de Toilette 30ml $55, 50ml $65, 75ml $75
Body Lotion :    200ml $19
Available from: MYER, David Jones, The Perfume Connection. Stockists is 180 812 663.

Vera Wang Look

Like Vera Wang’s fashion, her new fragrance represents a measured study in texture, color, silhouette and proportion.

“It’s a spirit and style that’s absolutely original and comes from within.
It’s an attitude, an invisible accessory. It’s that indefinable quality of self-expression that creates a look and sets a woman apart.
I’ve always said if I could bottle it, I would…and now I have.” – Vera Wang

The bold, modern, captivating scent of Vera Wang Look embraces a woman’s confidence and creates a seductive effect through complex textures and layers of fragrance notes. A sparkling elixir of mandarin and watery greens are layered with lush notes of lychee and golden delicious apple, filling the top note with a burst of energy and freshness. The vibrant floral bouquet of lily, freesia and jasmine envelopes with femininity and elegance. A natural sensuality is enhanced in the drydown with the richness of indulgent vanilla and skin musk.  Touches of oakmoss and patchouli create balance with warmth, depth and character.
Vera Wang Look: The Scent of Style.
THE COLLECTION
Parfum Elixir : 30ml $400
Eau de Parfum Spray : 30 ml $90, 50 ml $130, 100 ml $170
Sheer Body Lotion: 200 ml $65
Velvet Body Crème: 200 ml $95
Satin Shower Crème: 200 ml    $55

Vera Wang LOOK is available from 19th April 2009 from MYER, David Jones Stockists Call: 1800 812 633.

Flora by Gucci

Utterly feminine, yet deeply sensual, Flora by Gucci is characterized by contrasts.  Each component of this special fragrance imparts a sophisticated optimism, which is at the heart of Flora’s spirit.  At the same time, an evolution has occurred which layers on youthfulness, modernity and depth, all of which are essential components of today’s Gucci woman.

The complexity of this fragrance begins at its core, which is composed of both Rose and Osmanthus flower, a rare and delicate bloom originating in China.  The combination of these two powerful flowers reaches a perfect accord in whichthe light fruity quality of the Rose is counterbalanced by the velvety, leathery aspects of the Osmanthus.  The result, sensual and sophisticated, offers an unconventional signature that differentiates it from most florals.

Fresh citrus and peony are used as a top note, which impart a sensual youthfulness.  These sweeter notes are reigned in by a powerful base composed of Sandalwood and Patchouli, signatures of the Gucci fragrance world.  The tension between each of these elements reaches a superb equilibrium, in which youth and lightness play against sensuality and depth.
THE COLLECTION
Eau de Toilette : 30ml, $  84.00
Eau de Toilette : 50ml    , $109.00
Eau de Toilette : 75ml, $139.00
Body Lotion: 200ml, $  64.00
Flora by Gucci is available from Gucci stores, Myer, David Jones, The Perfume Connection.

Avon Spotlight with Courtney Cox

Spotlight is a sparkling fragrance captured in a quilted glass bottle that captures the tingling sensation of taking centre stage under the spotlight.
Top notes of shining silver, sun ripened fresh Mandarin and Italian bergamot; middle notes of white freesia, rich tuberose absolute, and mimosa, and bottom notes of creamy cashmere sandalwood, vetiver and white vanilla musk.

Eau de Toilette : 50ml    , $49.99
Available from Avon representatives nationally from 3 June 2009

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Avon Unscripted by Patrick Dempsey

A fresh infusion of spices, surrounded by warm, sensual hints of vetiver and musk. Unscripted, is about following your passions and not letting life be defined by rules. Distinctive and modern, Unscripted is for the man who lives by his own definitions. Dempsey said he wanted something that was “classic but still clean, elegant and modern without it being too overwhelming.”
“At the heart of Unscripted is the idea of living your life on your own terms, and not by a written script. It’s about loving what you do, and doing it in your own unique way, rather than being defined by rules.” – Patrick Dempsey, Award-Winning Actor

The Woody Green opens with fresh, aromatic cardamom and invigorating cracked black peppercorn. At the heart, a sensual mix of fig and crisp lavender enrich the experience with a warm sophisticated texture. The base reveals a bold blend of leatherwood and patchouli heart wrapped in earthy vetiver and rich musk for an authentic, adventurous finish.

Aftershave : 75ml, $49.99
Available from Avon representatives nationally from 3 June 2009

Beauty News – July 2009

Evodia Peach with Evening Primrose Oil Range

Thousands of years ago North American Indian medicine men recognised the potential of using the Evening Primrose seed pods as an infusion for healing wounds. Since then the healing powers of Evening Primrose Oil have been embraced by modern society in both healthcare and beauty. Evening Primrose Oil is now well known for its highly moisturising and soothing properties as well as being helpful for both pre-menstrual and menopausal women.
With these healing powers in mind Evodia have developed a new range, Peach with Evening Primrose Oil. The beautiful, delicate fragrance of Peach has been enriched with the healing powers of Evening Primrose Oil to provide a range that will soothe, balance and soften dry skin.

The following products are now available:
Peach & Evening Primrose Oil Scented Soap Bar
This gentle peach scented soap also contains Vitamin E to rejuvenate and cleanse your body without drying out your skin. RRP $9.95, 125g
Peach & Evening Primrose Oil Hand & Nail Cream
Indulge your hands and nails with this treatment hand cream also containing Avocado and Sweet Almond oils to keep hands nourished and nails strengthened. RRP $19.95, 125ml
Peach & Evening Primrose Oil Conditioning Hand Wash
This moisturising hand wash also contains Aloe Vera to soothe and heal your hands, leaving them perfectly cleansed and softened.  RRP $19.95, 300ml
Peach & Evening Primrose Oil Moisturising Body Lotion
Soothe, balance and soften dry skin with this beautifully scented body lotion also containing Vitamins C & E. RRP $23.95, 280ml
Peach & Evening Primrose Oil Body, Room and Linen Mist
This beautiful, delicate fine fragrance can be used as a body spray or as a room or linen spray to enliven the ambience of your home.  RRP $23.95, 280ml
Products are available at Myer, David Jones, Pharmacy and Giftware stores or via our website www.evodia.com.au

NEW Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Day Cream with SPF 15

A lightweight, moisturising, natural sunscreen for the face, Jurlique’s NEW Purely Age-Defying Day Cream with SPF 15 is a revolutionary formula that gives Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection, naturally.  This non-whitening formula provides invisible  SPF 15 protection from UVB rays and a natural, physical screen to prevent photoaging, which may result from UVA rays.

Purely Age-Defying Day Cream with SPF 15 is formulated to:
•         Help protect skin from photoaging and environmental damage
•         Help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
•         Feed the skin with powerful natural antioxidants and natural soothing agents
•         Diminish the appearance of dark spots and discolorations with continuous use so the skin looks more radiant
•         Be an ideal under-makeup moisturiser for daily use
•         Be gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin

The natural UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection incorporates Micronized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide combined with pure Red Algae Extract, Buriti Oil, Melon Extract and Ectoin to counteract the signs of aging and offer a breathable, transparent finish to the skin.
When applied, the formula goes on clear with no white appearance and leaves no opaqueness.  Unlike chemical sunscreens, our physical sunscreens do not penetrate, irritate or sensitize the skin.
The addition of Red Algae Extract, enhances the protection against free radical formation in skin and protects against the appearance of premature skin aging. The benefits of Buriti Oil, Melon Extract and Ectoin provide protection against the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while increasing firmness, elasticity and smoothness of skin.

Jurlique’s NEW Purely Age-Defying Day Cream with SPF 15 does NOT contain Parabens, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Emulsifiers, Artificial Colors or Fragrances.
Suitable for all skin types.
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Day Cream with SPF 15
Available June 2009 at Jurlique stores and www.jurlique.com.au
AUST RRP $58 for 40ml

Clinique Comfort on Call
Allergy Tested Relief Cream

In today’s modern world, there is a rising allergy epidemic. As the company that pioneered the concept of allergy testing in cosmetic and skin care products, Clinique reacted by creating the “ultimate security blanket” because no matter how sensitive they may be, everyone should be comfortable in their own skin.

Designed for people with reactive skin, Clinique’s new Comfort on Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream enhances skin’s ability to protect itself against external irritants such as pollutants and airborne particles. Containing the rare Citrus Jabara Fruit Extract, cultivated and indigenous to Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture region, this ultra-moisturising cream helps to calm irritated skin. Clinique’s Comfort on Call is the first and only skin treatment to include Citrus Jabara Fruit Extract. It is the heart of Clinique’s unique Enviro-Soothe™ Complex, including potent anti-irritants Mangosteen and Glycyrrhetinic Acid (licorice extract).

Dermatologist tested, and suitable for even the most sensitive skin, Comfort on Call:
Gives immediate relief to dry, dehydrated skin and calms irritated skin
Helps shield and protect skin against extreme weather conditions while maintaining moisture
Is suitable for all skin types that become very dry and taut when exposed to frigid climates
Helps reduce skin’s reactivity and instances of cracked, flaky or rough skin with continued use

Protecting our skin, especially in colder climates, is critical in maintaining its strength and resiliency.  Skin becomes more susceptible to the harmful effects of common allergens and environmental pollutants, such as airborne particles, when the skin barrier is impaired. Comfort on Call provides an invisible protective shield to strengthen skin’s moisture and lipid barrier function, making it less susceptible and reactive to external triggers over time. Comfort on Call helps relieve dry, cracked skin while it softens, smoothes and improves skin’s texture and condition. This intense, luxuriously rich cream-balm moisturiser provides immediate comfort and all day hydration.
RRP: $83
Clinique’s Comfort on Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream will be 24 May 2009 at Clinique counters and at www.clinique.com.au.

Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream

Our feet put up with a lot! Impossibly high heels, uncomfortable boots, and up to 10,000 steps a day while bearing all of our weight– they really do deserve more love.
Clarins has created the ultimate in daily foot beauty skin care with the same passion that brought the legendary Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream to the forefront thirty years ago, which is still the #1 selling hand cream in all over the world.
BEAUTY BENEFITS
* Restores softness and suppleness to the feet which tend to be drier
* Smoothes away roughness while nourishing and perfecting the appearance of skin
* Helps relieve feelings of fatigue and swelling
* Encourages hydration, helping to strengthen and beautify nails
KEY INGREDIENTS
For comfort, beauty and younger-looking feet:
• Shea Butter nourishes and helps smooth rough, hard skin
• Cashew Nut Oil rich in Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, protects skin from free radicals and prolongs youthful appearance
To relieve discomfort:
• Arnica to relieve feelings of tiredness, swelling and to treat bruises
To beautify toenails:
• Myrrh extract to hydrate, strengthen and beautify nails weakened by wearing shoes
To refresh feet:
• Essential Oil of Thyme to cleanse skin and refresh feet
• Matifying Laponite® powder, derived from silica, absorbs and traps water on the skin’s surface, providing an antiperspirant action
RRP: $40 / 125ml
Stockists: Available 10 August 2009 from leading department stores, Clarins Gold Salons, select salons, pharmacies nationally and www.adorebeauty.com.au

Avon Ultra Color Rich Extra Plump Lipstick

Kiss goodbye to thin lips… as you plump up for the perfect pout!
You have to see it to believe it! Instantly, lips go pleasantly plump and feel tingly all over. Center core is packed with plumping power & hydrating moisturizers.
The lipstick is formulated to increase circulation and saturate the lips with spectacular, moisturising colour. Using the Maxi-Lip Plumping Complex, it is also formulated to help maintain your lips normal levels of collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, which attracts moisture to visibly fill in lines.
Lips are left full, soft, and smooth with colour that won’t feather or bleed.
Available in 8 gorgeous shades:
Plump Pink
Pink Sunset
Winerose
Deep Blush
Starlet Red
Apricot Shimmer
Shimmer Nude
Coco Plump
RRP $22.99
Available exclusively through Avon Representatives nationwide or call: 1800 646 000

MAC Lipglass, Lipgelee

MAC Lipglass, Lipgelee

Description: A soft jelly-textured glosser for the lips. Fab to apply. Squeezes on. Distributes evenly and easily via its special slanted tip. Moisturises and conditions the lips – saps them up! Makes them look wet, shiny, super-lush! Comes in a wide range of sheer, soft tints.

Price: $32.00 AUS
Availability: Myer
Overall Star Rating:

MAC products always generate a lot of excitement with our panellist and this was no exception. I can understand why! This lipgelee not only comes in fabulous colours but wears well on the lips too, making them very comfortable and moist without stickiness.

The sheerness of the product makes it appear very shiny with just a hint of colour, almost a stain. Applied over a lip pencil or lipstick gives the lips the most fabulous shine, making them almost glassy. I truly loved using this lipgelee and recommend you give it a try as well.

This lip gloss is very easy and neat to apply. The slanted tube helps to get it on your lips and not around them. It is also a very smooth application. The colour was absolutely fantastic! It a very nice colour and very, very glossy, it gives you a healthy look. The texture of the gloss is nice and smooth, halfway between sticky and runny. Even when it was wearing off it didn’t become sticky on the lips. Last about 1.5 to 2 hours. Very pleasant light vanilla fragrance. I would buy all the other colours in the range. 5 Stars

I wore the gloss all day the first day I got it and it didn’t bleed. I have used other products like this and found them too greasy and shiny, thus making my lipstick bleed. I think you have to be careful with these products when getting a little older. It was easy to use, easy to apply. The colour was great for me; I would have chosen this colour for myself and I will be purchasing this again as I think it’s an excellent product. I would give this 5 Stars, great to use.

Personally I do not like lip gloss. Thus I gave it to my 23year old and she and two of her friends tried it and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. My daughter has worn it every day, its keeping her lips moist, has a lovely texture and colour. The colour is just enough to look like you have some colour on your lips. She loved the way it went on and the texture was the best my daughter has used and even the smell was lovely. This will definitely be repurchased. 5 Stars

Initially I thought that the colour was very bright and would not be suited to my complexion. However the “sheerness” of the gloss means the colour is more subtle once on the lips, so once I applied it I found it was quite refreshing and more natural than I initially thought. It goes on smoothly as suggested, with some need to rub lips together to even out coverage. It has a pleasant, soft fragrance. The texture is not as “sticky” as some other lip glosses and the gel means it is moist without that “sticky’ feel and it remains moist for some time. I would purchase this product in the future if price was of no concern, however at $32.00 price was a concern; I would not pay that much for it. 4 out of 5 Stars, only because of the price.

It is a nice thick lip-gloss, but I found it hard to get a nice even spread onto my lips. The top lip was hard to get an even spread of the gloss onto. Not as easy as you are led to believe to apply to your lips. The colour looked very pink at first, but it faded into a nice soft pink and is very glossy. Overall it is a nice thick gloss but it can be a bit sticky on your lips and I didn’t mind the smell. 2.5 Stars

Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion

Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion

Description: It is a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen moisturiser that provides SPF30+ protection and can be used everyday to protect skin from sun damage. Applying an SPF30+ product on a daily basis is vital to help protect the skin from harmful UV rays that can result in premature ageing of the skin and helps reduce the risk of some skin cancers.

Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion SPF30+ provides protection against the sun’s harmful UVA & UVB rays and has The Skin Cancer Foundation’s International Seal of Recommendation* – which recommends Olay Complete Defence SPF30+ as an effective UV sunscreen moisturiser. Infused with aloe, vitamin E and green tea extract, the light, non-greasy formula of Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion SPF30+ absorbs quickly and replenishes moisture, whilst also protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Skin is left looking and feeling healthy and beautiful .

Size: 75ml
Price: $14.79 AUS
Overall Star Rating:

I was very pleasantly surprised by the light texture of this lotion that also contains an SPF30+. It was truly a very pleasant product to use on the skin without any greasy, heavy residue on the skin.

Coming up to summer when everything melts off the face, it’s nice to find a product that not only moisturises the skin but also provides adequate sun protection. This product also has the Skin Cancer Foundation’s International Seal of Recommendation* so you know that it will perform as promised as our panellists found out too. Added to this the soothing ingredients make this an outstanding product.

This moisturiser is very light on the skin, non greasy and it has a light fragrance. It absorbed very well and left a soft finish on my skin. The texture was light, not like a lot of SPF30plus products that leave a film on the skin or are very thick. I spent two days in the sun and I did not get burnt. And I had no reaction using this cream. I highly recommend this product, and have done so to two of my friends in the 40 age bracket. It’s a must on the Gold Coast with our weather. I WOULD RATE THIS 5 STARS.

My first impression of this product was great, non greasy and I can wear it under my foundation without it being too heavy. The smell wasn’t too over powering like some other moisturising sun screens, so I found it very nice to use. It made my skin feel realy nice. I would buy this product for myself as I found it very good, and I think with long term usage there will be benefits to my skin. I would give this product 5 Stars.

My first impression was: nice packaging. Very easy, simple and clear instructions, goes on smoothly, absorbs into the skin quickly leaving a non greasy feel. Neutral/fresh fragrance, non-greasy, moisturising feel to the product. My skin felt fresh and moisturised however I will need to wait longer for more long term effects eg. Sun protection. This moisturiser is very nicely priced; I would purchase this product at this price in the future. 5 Stars

This moisturiser came in a convenient pump bottle, small enough to fit in a makeup bag. Applying it was really easy and precise because of the pump, and although I needed 1.5 pumps to get the right amount, getting that half was no problem. The moisturiser was light and absorbed into the skin quickly. It left a little bit of an oily residue at first but then by using it for a few more days that goes away. The fragrance was light, not much different to other moisturisers. 3.5 Stars

I have used Olay products in the past and have been happy with them. The packaging looks the same as other Olay moisturisers, nice small bottle that you could put in your bag to replace the moisturiser after swimming etc. It had a slight sunscreen smell which I did not mind, reminded me of summers at the beach. I found it not as lightweight as other moisturisers, but I didn’t mind the feel and it was non-greasy as they say so over all I found it was a good and easy lotion to apply. For summer I would purchase it, as it is hard to find a good moisturiser with sunscreen that is not very heavy like a sunscreen cream. 3.5 Stars

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Cream

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Cream

Description: Gentle, milky makeup dissolver removes even long-wearing facial makeup and sunscreens, then tissues off or rinse away with water. Residue-free formula leaves all skin types soft, comfortable. For all skin types.

Size: 200ml
Price: $45.00 AUS
Availability: Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies
Overall Star Rating:

The original Take the Day Off Cleansing Lotion is one of the best makeup removers to remove even stubborn makeup. So I was interested in trying the Cleansing Cream. After using the product I can see how it wouldn’t be to every ones liking. It has the feel and texture of cold cream that you massage into the skin and then tissue off or rinse off.

Personally I prefer the rinse off method however it still left my skin feeling a little greasy. My makeup did dissolve completely so there is no need for a second cleansing. This cleanser would be suitable for drier skin types or for anyone who likes the feel of cold creams.

I was excited that Clinique was releasing a more moisturising version of its best selling makeup remover. You apply it like you would a cold cream. Massage it onto dry face using fingertips, then rinse/tissue off. It’s great that I don’t have to use cotton wool and that I don’t need to wet my face prior to applying it. The product comes in a pump bottle so it’s very convenient. It removed most of my makeup without leaving the skin dry or stripped of moisture. My skin felt comfortable after use and without any sticky residue. I would purchase it again. 4.5 Stars

I really liked the idea of product that removed makeup and was a cleanser in one. I did need to use a reasonable amount of product but the great news was that it did remove my very long lasting foundation quite easily. It didn’t leave any oily residue on my skin as I have found some milky cleansers tend to do. This had no noticeable smell to me which I like in a cleanser. The texture was very soft and smooth. I would purchase this as it did everything that it claims to do; the only downside was that it’s not designed to be used on the eye area so I had to use a separate eye makeup remover. 4 Stars

I am a big fan of Clinique products so I was very interested to see if the Take The Day Off cleansing cream was worthy of the Clinique name! The product was easy to use, however I prefer to use a cleanser that can remove my mascara and eye shadow at the same time but this is not designed to remove eye makeup. There was no distinctive scent to the product, probably to avoid irritating sensitive skin and the milky texture felt lovely on my slightly winter-ravaged face. The cleansing cream removed every trace of my foundation and left my skin feeling very comfortable and not at all dry. I would score the Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing cream as 3 Stars because as I mentioned before, I would prefer a cleanser that can remove eye makeup as well.

I was wondering how different this cleanser would be to the others of Clinique I have tried. I applied this cleanser two different ways. First way was by using a tissue and then wiping off and then putting it all on my face and rinsing off in the shower. Both ways worked really well. Word of caution though, it made my eyes sting so maybe use an eye makeup remover and just use cleanser for your face only. My face was very smooth and felt very clean and refreshed after using the cleanser. There was no apparent smell and the texture of the product made it easy to apply. Honestly, I don’t think I would purchase this again. In my opinion, there was nothing outstanding about this product. I could purchase something for a lot less money that did the same thing. 3 Stars

I had tried many cleansers before but not the Clinique brand, so I was keen to give it a go. It wasn’t as rich as I thought it would be and tended to be absorbed into my skin rather than lifting the make up off and sitting on the surface. The smell was minimal and the texture was very light – perhaps too light. My skin felt very clean and soft after using it. I probably would not purchase it again because I couldn’t use it to remove my eye makeup and the current cleanser I’m using does my whole face.
2 Stars

Dr LeWinn’s Line Smoothing Complex

Dr LeWinn’s Line Smoothing Complex

Description: The latest innovation from Dr LeWinn’s Private Formula is the Line Smoothing Complex Corrective Line Filler. Specially formulated with Hyaluronic Bio-Filling Spheres to deliver noticeable and immediate results in the fight against wrinkles, the Corrective Line Filler fills and smoothes wrinkles line by line, targeting areas that need special attention such as crows feet, forehead and laughter lines. How does it work? The answer is the patented Hyaluronic Bio-Filling Spheres.

This third-generation filling sphere is absorbed through the epidermis and uses the skin’s own moisture to swell up to 30 times their volume. This revolutionary treatment plumps up wrinkles from the inside, smoothing and softening the deepest wrinkles producing noticeable smoothing of wrinkles in just one hour!* Trust Dr. LeWinn’s to include the potent unique complexity of anti-wrinkle ingredients in the one remarkable product! Dr LeWinn’s Line Smoothing Complex Corrective Line Filler not only fights the war on wrinkles – line by line, it also provides added benefits such as long lasting hydration, smoother and firmer looking skin.

Size: 30g
Price: $79.95 AUS
Availability: www.drlewinns.com
Overall Star Rating:

Regardless of age we are all concerned with lines. Wether they are already existing lines or future upcoming lines, we want to stop them, erase them and eliminate them. Therefore it was with great anticipation that we set to work on reviewing this product. The very first thing you notice when using this light cream is the smoothness of the application. It just glides onto the skin. The second thing noticed was the immediate softening of the lines around my eyes.

I don’t have very deep lines, only a couple of laughter lines around my eyes but I did notice them being less prominent. Not gone just a little softer. However the biggest scoop was the fine lines around my mouth. These tiny hairline wrinkles have been the bane of my life, making my lipsticks and glosses feather. NO MORE. Just a tiny little dab of the cream around my lips, then the lip pencil followed by the lipstick or gloss and I don’t have to worry about feathering for the rest of the day. Personally I am a convert. From the reviews of the panellist, this product works best for fine, shallow lines, not so much for deeper wrinkles.

Being made by Dr Lewinn’s the product should work on the problem area. The look of it is elegant and designed to impress. Because of the small nozzle I found that I can actually get the exact amount of product to apply to the specific expression lines. The texture was really smooth, didn’t feel waxy like similar products in the market, non greasy or drying on the skin either. It didn’t have much of a smell to it. I used the product on certain areas for almost 3 weeks twice a day.

It definitely added hydration to the area but it made my pores more visible. After constant use the effect on lines was improved by 10%-15% but the area looked soft and smooth. The product was very gentle on the skin, didn’t cause irritation or gave any uncomfortable feeling and the good thing about this product you can wear any moisturiser with it. Wether I would purchase it again would depend on the results when I finish the product completely. If I see more improvement yes I would purchase it in the future and I would still recommend the product for someone else. I give it 4 stars, simply for the hydration and the packaging of the product.

The packaging was very stylish. I patted the cream in the direction of my lines, however, my sister-in-law who has used a similar product suggested that I apply the cream against the direction of the wrinkle, using the tip of my finger. The single line from one corner of my mouth looked softer after 4 weeks of application. The two deeper lines from the other corner of my mouth looked unimproved until about 7 weeks into using the product when I noticed that the lines looked much less obvious. The texture was light, and barely scented. I would purchase this product again and I would target new, shallower lines before they set! 4 Stars

This product is very well presented in a gold squeezable tube and gold screw on lid. The application is very easy to use as it has a small nozzle so you can easily use the amount needed. You need only a very small amount as it goes along way. It has a very nice texture and smells great. It has a very fruity aroma. After applying this product my skin definitely felt firmer and fine lines were less noticeable. You do need to apply it daily as needed, to maintain this firmer look and feeling. I would definitely purchase this product again. Product is value for money and would last for 3-4 months as you only need small amount. I would rate this product 3.5 Stars

This product is well packaged with an appropriate sized opening on the nozzle so you can dispense exactly the amount required. It has a smooth, light texture and a neutral smell. It went on really well and soaked in quickly. I noticed a short term reduction in the appearance of wrinkles but I would not repurchase as the results are not very noticeable and very short term. 2 Stars

My first impression was the Gold Packaging which was attractive. Applying the product was easy both morning and night. It comes freely and is easy to control the amount of product used. The product has a silky texture and pleasant smell. I can’t say I noticed any difference with my lines. I would not purchase it for myself as for that price I would be looking to try something else for results.
1.5 Stars

MAC – Blushcreme

MAC – Blushcreme

Description: Luxuriously soft and creamy, this new cream blush tenderly flushes the cheeks or brings them into full-blown rosy bloom. Blends well; layers exquisitely. Gives a vibrant, dewy fresh, slightly shiny look to the cheeks. Apply with a brush or fingers.

Price: $38.00 AUS
Availability: Myer
Overall Star Rating:

Creme blushes take a little practice to get used to. They are best applied straight over the top of the foundation, before powder is applied with your fingers in a circular motion. This creme blush from MAC is a very even coloured, light textured product that spreads very well on the skin.

The formulation is a little oily but I found this to help with the slip of the product on the skin so it doesn’t drag. This colour that we all reviewed (Ladyblush) is fabulous when you are after a very healthy, natural glow on the cheeks. I enjoyed using this blush and my only observation about it is that I would have liked it to have a powder finish instead of remaining creamy which allowed it to be easily rubbed off.

I was a little nervous using this product as I usually use powder blushes, but I’m so glad I did. The application of it was a lot easier to do than I thought. I asked Livia for her advice and she told me to apply it with my fingers after applying my foundation and before I applied my powder. The results were fabulous. I loved the colour I tried which was “Ladyblush”.

I would next like to try a brown colour as I think that would suit my colouring better. The texture of the blush made it very easy to apply and it didn’t have a smell to it at all. I definitely would buy this. I can’t wait to have the time to look at the other colours in the range. 5 Stars

This blush comes in a nice packaging; I would not expect anything less from M.A.C. I tried applying blush with fingers and also brush; I did find it a little difficult to apply as it dragged the skin a little. My usual preference in a blush is a powder blush. In saying that the finished result is fresh and beautiful. It looks very natural with a soft dewy glow. The colour was perfect for my skin tone and looked fresh with a slight glow. I don’t think I would purchase this product for myself, as I prefer a powder style of blush because I find it easier to apply. I would rate this product 3 Stars.

This creme blush looked nice and had a very professional packaging – being a MAC product you have high expectations of it. The colour comes out lighter on your face than it is in the product. I don’t understand how they say you can use a brush with it – it’s too sticky, the bristles get stuck, you simply can’t apply it with a brush. By applying with your fingers, you only need a small amount and you if you are not a professional there is a possibility you could come out looking like a clown. The product has no real smell to it and is easy to blend on face, again if you know how – I used a bit too much and it showed up as a big streak. I wouldn’t be purchasing this again as I like powders; again you need to be good at applying creme blush. 3 Stars

I was intrigued by the colour and thought, “this is lipstick disguised as blush”. I liked the compact packaging. It has a peachy tone and looks good combined with a bronzer. I actually love this colour as a natural creamy lip colour. It gives the lips a great nude look that goes with just about anything. It has the texture and smell of lipstick but I found that as a blush it’s a bit too thick. I found the application of it a bit tough. It’s best applied with your middle finger in circular patting motions to the apple of the cheek. Dragging the product wasn’t successful. It was also better to apply it straight after putting foundation on while it is still moist to give the product a bit of slip. It wasn’t as good over powder. 2.5 Stars

My initial thoughts were; this looks expensive, nice packaging. I personally didn’t like this product, it is a totally different application technique, feel and wear to what I’m normally used to, which is a powder blush. This M.A.C blush creme was heavy to apply and felt too oily and shiny once applied. The product didn’t have a scent, not that I could smell anyway but the texture was too heavy and thick. 1 Star

Mineralogie Lip Gloss

Mineralogie Lip Gloss

Description: Part of the Mineralogie Natural Mineral makeup range, this lip gloss contains moisturising Sweet Almond oil, Jojoba oil, Lavender and Peppermint oils to comfort and nourish the lips. Gives lips a natural light glow.

Price: $25.00 AUS
Available: http://www.mineralogie.com.au
Overall Star Rating:

I love products that not only make you beautiful but are good for you too. This lip gloss comes in beautiful colours and is quite pearlised. Once on the lips the colour softens and has a soft sheen. The feel of the gloss on the lips is more like a lip balm than a gloss, making it very moisturising and this feeling stays on the lips even after the colour has faded. The peppermint oil was commented on by the panellists so make sure it doesn’t bother you before purchasing it, but I actually enjoyed this addition in the gloss. Overall, I really enjoyed using this product.

It’s a cute lip gloss. The gorgeous colours on the outside of the gloss were unusual so I couldn’t wait to try it. I loved this colour which was “goddess” very much. You wouldn’t have expected the colour that it was from looking at the packaging. I was pleasantly surprised. It was definitely easy to apply. I tried it by itself but I much preferred to use a lip liner first before applying the gloss and the results were fantastic. The texture was fairly thick but with the applicator, it was easy to put more or less of the gloss on. It had a nice gentle fragrance. I could especially smell the lavender and peppermint in the product. Beautiful. I definitely would buy this for myself. I liked the fact that this is a natural product and I would love to buy the other colours. 5 Stars

The packaging for the lip gloss is very striking and would make this product a great gift! I found application of the lip gloss to be simple and precise using the wand applicator. The bronze colour of the gloss was not a shade I would usually purchase for myself, but upon trying it, it ended up being very flattering! The intense pigment and iridescence of the gloss makes it special enough to wear on a night out instead of lipstick. The texture was not sticky at all and my lips felt nourished when I was wearing it. I would purchase this product for myself, but I would save it for special occasions because of the iridescent finish of the gloss. The Mineralogie Lip Gloss gets 4 Stars from me, with one star deducted because it tends to wear off slightly quicker than other glosses I’ve used.

The clear rectangular capsule and silver lid looks just like the packaging of ten other lip glosses I have. The application is smooth, easy and precise like all other lip glosses with wand-applicators. As for the colour: I love it! Natural, flattering shade with a healthy sheen. The texture is not sticky (unlike petroleum-based lip glosses), and I didn’t mind the smell. Peppermint oil is supposed to plump up the lips too. I would purchase this again.4 Stars

Looking at the gloss, I was a bit shocked by the obvious iridescent shimmer. The doe foot applicator applied the gloss evenly to my lips but it did wear off quite quickly. This had a very strong peppermint smell which I usually associate with plumping glosses. The texture felt smooth on but did not last well. I prefer a gloss that lasts longer on my lips. I would have to give this only 2 stars.

My first impression of this gloss was the nice applicator. I liked the suction action of the applicator which would ensure no leakage which has been a problem with other lip glosses I’ve purchased. The lip gloss was very easy to apply; it glided across my lips and was not sticky. The texture was lovely but I didn’t like the peppermint infusion. It also made my lips tingle for about 10 mins after application and I didn’t enjoy that sensation. 2 Stars

Pink Hibiscus Body Smoother

Pink Hibiscus Body Smoother

Description: Enriched with papaya Extract, moisturising cream and Ground Walnut Shells, this exfoliant encourages skin renewal and nourishment the natural way. The pure essential oils of Palmarosa, Lemongrass, Patchouli, Granium and Vetiver will leave your skin fresh, revitalised and ready to face the day.

Size: 250ml
Price: $22.00 AUS
Availability: www.pinkhibiscus.com.au
Overall Star Rating:

Let me start by saying that I love scrubs. Face scrubs, body scrubs, I love using them. However, because I have used so many over the years I have become a bit picky when it comes to what I like. And I LOVE the Pink Hibiscus Body Smoother.

Right from the start when I saw the cute pink label. The smell is also a big plus, and that was before I even used it. The texture was a little jelly like making it easy to apply and spread over the skin. The granules were the right size and not only did the skin feel refreshed after use but also moisturised. The great news is that I wasn’t the only one who found this to be so. The panellists also loved this product. So make sure you give yourself a treat and try it for yourself.

This product won me over at first sight with the cute pink packaging. This has a slightly runnier texture than other body exfoliators I’ve used but I found that this actually made it easier to apply and I didn’t need to use a lot. In the pot the smell was quite strong which I think was the Patchouli, but applied to the skin the smell was lovely and did linger on my skin throughout the day. It had a perfect grainy texture that you would expect of an exfoliator. It left my skin beautiful and smooth, in summer this would be perfect to use prior to fake tanning. I would purchase it again as I loved the packaging, smell and the effect that it had on my skin. I would have to give this 5 Stars.

I have used a few other brands of body scrubs in preparation for a spray tan with little success because the exfoliating particles never seem large enough to properly remove leftover tan from my skin. My first impression of this product was that it looked quite similar to the products I’ve used in the past, however upon trying it out; I discovered it was very different! The product is surprisingly liquidy, so make sure you use it in the bathroom to avoid making a mess! The Pink Hibiscus Body Smoother did a fantastic job of exfoliating my skin, but the main point of difference was that it also moisturised my skin and left it feeling smooth and bikini-ready! It has a refreshing lemongrass scent that reminds me of summer. I would definitely purchase this product for myself, especially during the countdown to summer! The Pink Hibiscus Body Smoother deserves a perfect 5 Stars!

The fragrance of this scrub reminded me of a day spa .. I was very interested to try it. The application was easy as the product was not too thick and spread easily over my skin The smell was very appealing and the granules were so tiny they almost tickled when rubbed on. My skin felt very smooth and even after use. I found that it prepared my skin well for the “sunless tan lotion” I was about to apply and I had no dry patches to deal with. 4 stars.

The beautiful artwork on the container was very cute and drew me to it right away. I found that if I applied it all over my body, I had to be quick to get into the shower as when it dries, it comes off and you are left with particles of the scrub on the floor. Other than that, it feels nice to massage into your skin. This product was fairly runny I thought for a scrub, but OK to apply. The smell of the body smoother was gorgeous. You could really smell the lemongrass which I loved. My skin was silky smooth after showering and the smell stayed with me for a while. I felt very refreshed after using it. I think as a treat to myself I would buy it again. I think it is good value for money as it is a large container and would last for a while. 4 Stars

This scrub comes in a flat tub with a really bronzed Melanesian woman on the front. I actually liked the fact that it comes in a flat, wide mouthed tub so my hand can easily grab out handfuls of the scrub. The texture is smooth and not too runny. It has a lovely refreshing herbal smell. Great to use at the end of a long tiring day or at the start of one. I would personally prefer grainier particles rather than ground up walnut shells for exfoliation. After use my skin was smooth, moisturised and very slightly fragranced. 3.5 Stars

Rimmel – Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Recover Foundation

Rimmel – Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Recover Foundation

Description: With Recover Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Foundation, you’ll see foundation in a whole new light. State-of-the-art technology delivers a powerful dual action to revive stressed-out, partied-out looks. First, an exclusive brightening complex re-lights lacklustre skin, awakening radiance from within to give it back its glow. Instantly, a unique combination of spherical powders diffuses light to create a soft-focus effect, while a blend of white pearl and blue pigments visibly illuminates and corrects sallow skin tones. At the same time, bearberry extract, a well-known brightening agent, sets to work to clarify the complexion.

Second, Rimmel’s EnergyBoost’ complex kicks in to energize tired skin. It combines a tonic of anti-oxidant vitamins C and E with a superpower team of mineral fatigue-fighters, including magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc, to plump flagging, sagging skin and help promote cell renewal. Meanwhile, the super-smooth, glide-on Recover formula provides ultra-natural coverage that conceals shadows and imperfections. Morning-after skin suddenly looks and feels beautifully wide-awake .

Size: 30ml
Price: $18.95 AUS
Availability: Priceline, Kmart, Target, Big W & selected pharmacies nationally
Overall Star Rating:

This foundation has a very nice, light formulation that glides onto the skin very easily. It gives a moderate coverage but the most noticeable feature of the foundation is the light shimmering particles that give the skin a shimmering glow. It is light reflecting so it does make the skin look bright and fresh but it does not suit everyone.

The product is very highly fragranced and this bothered me as I tend to be sensitive to smells, so make sure you test the foundation on your skin before purchasing.

I thought the packaging was quite ugly and probably wouldn’t buy it if I saw it in the store. I loved the feel of this foundation. I don’t normally wear a lot of foundation but this was very comfortable and lasted the day. It made my skin look even and radiant (probably the shimmer particles!) but not shiny. The texture was nice – it felt a bit dry when applying but I think that was due to the shimmer particles making it a bit “gritty”. There was no smell that I could detect. I would purchase this again for myself. 4 Stars

Cute packaging – bottle small enough to fit into my handbag. The foundation was thicker than expected – quite thick and gluggy in texture, I had to use more force than usual to blend the foundation across my face (with my fingers). Harder to apply than other foundations I have used. Once blended onto the skin, the product was very comfortable to wear and gave my skin a nice, even tone. It also made my skin smooth to touch. Also it imparted a very pretty glow to the skin – very good for evening/night wear. I wouldn’t wear it to work though if you work in a place where you have to wear suits: the multi-colour shimmers – while subtle enough – are still quite visible close-up..may detract from the serious work look! The texture is a bit thicker than I would like – probably good for drier skin. It has no smell. I give it 3.5 Stars – I wish the texture was smoother and easier to apply but it gave my skin a very nice sheen.

My first impressions of the product were that the packaging could be more appealing – the pink and beige bottle looked very 70′s. The product is very light textured. It glides on easily, almost disappearing into the skin on contact with a powdery finish. I wanted it to be more ‘creamy’. It provides only a very sheer coverage. It gave my skin a soft, radiant glow; however you can see tiny glittery particles in the foundation up close, especially in sunlight. The product, and the radiant effect it gave me lasted well throughout the day and my skin felt very comfortable all day long. It also cleansed off very easily with a variety of different cleansers. I didn’t notice any of the “energy-boosting” benefits at all though! The texture is light and very blendable. The foundation has a strong fragrance which I found a bit intrusive. I would recommend this product more as a highlighter than a foundation. It barely gives any coverage, smells strongly and the radiant effect is almost too much for an everyday foundation, due to the visible glittery particles in the formula.
3 Stars

My first impression of this foundation was that it looks like a supermarket brand foundation. The squeeze bottle and nozzle make it easy to use and the product was easy to spread and blend. I still had the foundation on by the end of the day, but it looked a bit tired. The foundation has a nice smooth texture and pretty smell. Considering the dazzling promises from Rimmel about this product, I found it to be a fairly average foundation. However, I consider foundation to be the most important type of make-up and I don’t really use the cheaper ones, so I can’t say how it performs compared to similarly priced products. 3 Stars

This foundation comes in a nice small bottle with no excess packaging. It applied well; the bottle dispensed the correct amount of product. The coverage was excellent. It didn’t settle in the wrinkles or make the lines look like cracks. The product didn’t feel heavy; I couldn’t feel it on my skin. But it did bead on my nose during the day. The texture was light and very silky. There was no perceptible smell. I would not purchase it again as it tended to accentuate the bags under my eyes and it went funny on my nose after a few hours. 3 Stars

Face of Australia – Lip Gloss

Face of Australia – Lip Gloss

Description: This incredible high shine gloss gives lips a splash of colour and a whole lot of shine! Each tube delivers lasting, ultra glossy colour without the stickiness. These delicious glazes will keep lips soft, supple and glamorously glossy. ” Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E helps maintain soft, supple lips ” Wear alone or over your favourite lippy ” Easy to use tube applicator.

Price: $8.95 AUS
Availability: Priceline and variety stores
Overall Star Rating:

This lip-gloss comes in nine versatile shades that are sure to suit all requirements. The gloss is very sheer in coverage and the best feature of it is the smooth, light, non sticky application. The colour lasts for about an hour on the lips, so reapplication is required throughout the day but it’s worth the effort to maintain the high gloss, sheer look of the lip-gloss. For the price of this gloss is excellent value and you can have a few of the shades in the range.

The product is neat, practical and small which makes it easy to carry in a hand bag. Very easy to apply, no messy fingers and no waste as well as you squeeze only as much as you’ll need. I liked the texture and consistency of the product, it definitely wasn’t runny and not too sticky either. I didn’t mind the smell of it, I actually found it pleasant but my husband didn’t like it as much.

I loved the colour. The shine of the gloss was lasting enough; the colour was deepened when I used it with lip liner and almost looked like a real glossy sheer lipstick. I wore it on its own for a bit of shine and natural look and I used it with a lip liner for more definition and longer lasting effect and it suited most colours of my own lipsticks. It was easy to wear with red clothes as well. This lip gloss is well priced to suit all budgets. I would definitely buy it for myself and for others. It is a fantastic product for such price. I would give it 4.5 stars, I’m very impressed with it.

The product has a very simple packaging which looks a bit like the lip glaze from MAC. It is very easy to apply. The product is a bit watery compared to the normal lip glosses so just give it a light squeeze when applying. I was given a clear colour one, which is what I love. It’s is extremely glossy and has highlighted the colour of my lipstick which I have applied underneath. The texture is quite watery so it only requires one simple coating for the glossy effect. One coat would last for approximately 1 hour. It wouldn’t dry your lips, and doesn’t have any smell. Not sticky at all. I would buy this product for myself ‘coz I personally don’t prefer thick lip glosses and this is a perfect choice for me.
4 Stars

This lip gloss wasn’t too sticky, it was just right. The angled tip was very good. I prefer this than the round tips. The colour (Noosa) was great to use over lipstick. But by itself I prefer a coloured gloss rather than just clear. This lipgloss didn’t have a smell. The texture was very smooth. I noticed that it lasted for a few hours. But it could have lasted a little longer. I would probably buy the coloured glosses instead. 4 Stars

I tried the Metung colour. It comes in a nice tube and smelt really nice like strawberry flavour. It went on easy over lip liner – wouldn’t like it over lipstick – because it is a glaze, it’s thicker than a normal gloss. In the tube its looks quite pink but once on it is actually very clear, very shiny on the lips so would be good by itself. The smell was really nice like a strawberry, tasted nice as well (licking of lips) but has a sticky texture and after a while it becomes quite sticky on my lips. 3 Stars

Sleek simple packaging. The colour of the gloss in the tube looked great and I couldn’t wait to try it! It was very easy to apply with the angled tip applicator. I also tried applying it with my fingertip which was fine, but because of the stickiness I preferred to squeeze gloss directly onto my lips. It would be a lot better if the applicator was rotated 90 degrees, as it faces the same direction as the sides of the tube and I found this a little harder to use. In the tube the colour looked a nice golden bronzey pinkey peach (!).

It is actually a lot sheerer than I expected initially. It just gave a hi-shine with a hint of peach sparkle. I would prefer if it gave a tiny bit more colour. I really liked the viscosity of the gloss – not too thick, not too runny! But it IS a little sticky despite the claims of ‘without the stickiness’.

Rather than a tacky stickiness it’s more of a gummy stickiness so it isn’t as obvious as some other glosses I’ve tried. The smell was quite a strong fruity/berry scent. I found it a bit strong and overpowering. I also found after a while that the gloss made my very dry lips start to peel. It felt moisturising and comfortable on, but as it started to wear off it made my lips peel quite badly. I would consider buying it if I got used to the fragrance or they changed/got rid of it. 3 Stars

Avon Super Full Mascara

Avon Super Full Mascara

Description: Traditional volume building mascaras may add definition but they also leave behind a clumpy mess. SuperFULL mascara is about to change all that. The secret is Avon’s patented, breakthrough Clean Build Brush, a thermoplastic design that creates natural volume by separating and combing the lashes while delivering more mascara continuously from the base to the tip. This brush, when combined with SuperFULL’s anti-static building formula, eliminates mess and clumps as never before. Flake-proof and smudge-proof.

Price: $29.95 AUS
Availability: www.avon.com.au
Overall Star Rating:

The very fist thing that caught my eye about this mascara was the amazing wand. The plastic bristles are able to get right to the base of the lashes and disperse the mascara without any clumping whatsoever, giving the lashes a very natural look. Then for a more dramatic look, I was able to build on the formulation, still without any clumping. Overall this is a fantastic mascara that was very pleasant to use and one that delivered what it promised. I am very happy to recommend this product to you.

Nice and slim packaging, simple to read not cluttered with lots of information on the box about how good it is. I loved this mascara; it has a lovely long wand to apply with that has a fantastic end on it to get in right close to the roots of your eye lashes. The colour is excellent; it was a deep enough colour with out being too harsh on the eyes. It was stunning for evening wear look and it’s also great just to wear for every day wear. It didn’t have a smell, and the texture was the best I’ve ever used in mascara, the long wand and fantastic brush end makes it for an easy application I will definitely be buying this again. 5 Stars

The brush is very different. One of my pet hates is a wand that holds the mascara and doesn’t part with it on your lashes! Avon’s Clean Build Brush is very effective in getting the mascara onto your lashes. It’s a very easy mascara to apply. Because the product doesn’t build up on the brush, I was able to apply 3 coats without any flaking and clumping. My lashes looked as good at night as they did in the morning. The mascara has a glossy finish. It’s unscented. 3.5 Stars

The tube is attractive but the brush looks really sparse. The brush gives great definition but is not full enough to give volume. The mascara was easy to apply but the formula is quite dry and so I needed to sweep the wand over my lashes many times to get the look I wanted. It left my lashes looking subtly longer and defined, but definitely not fuller. It did last beautifully throughout the day, it didn’t smudge or flake. I didn’t notice any smell. I wouldn’t buy this product if I wanted mascara which gave volume. 3 Stars

My initial impression of the product was that being an all natural scrub it will be healthy for my skin. It was easy to apply using a net sponge. The texture felt nice on the skin and the fragrance is pleasant not overbearing. Using the product made my skin feel clean, refreshed and soft. 2.5 Stars
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The sleek silver tube looked quite nice and I liked that the lid clicks shut. The brush was surprisingly sparse and looked very unusual to me – I was curious about how it would go! I also tested brown so I wasn’t sure what it would look like on my dark Asian lashes.I found it very hard to apply this mascara, and actually poked myself in the eye a few times with the short sparse bristles. I usually curl my eyelashes so I tested this curled and uncurled and found that it didn’t really hold the curl for very long. The mascara lengthened my lashes and separated them a little bit but didn’t really add volume. Even with a couple of coats I found that there wasn’t a great effect. The texture was fine, and there was no strong scent as far as I could tell. I would stick to my current mascara or another favourite rather than buy this mascara. 2 Stars

Natio – Bronze Shimmer Palette

Natio – Bronze Shimmer Palette

Description: Luxurious shades of shimmering cream and bronze to give skin a luminous glow. Multi-use soft shimmers allow you to highlight any area that needs some extra illumination. Colours may be used alone or blended with brush to illuminate face, cheeks, eyes and decolletage.

Price: $17.95 AUS
Availability: Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies
Overall Star Rating:

Who doesn’t like a multi use product? This Bronze Shimmer Palette is a brilliant high shine powder combination that can be used anywhere on the body. I loved mixing all the colours together and applying it to my decolletage and collar bone. But my favourite application of this palette was individually on my eyes. The high shine of the powder gave the most beautiful finish.

I wore only these colours on my eyes for a wedding recently and I have never received so many comments from other women who all wanted to know what brand I was using. I guess that is the best review of a product one could have. The brush that comes with the product is too coarse and small to be effective, so use a large powder brush for the larger areas of the body and a smaller blending brush for the eyes. At this price the product is a must have for your summer makeup bag.

This compact is elegant, slim and easy to fit in any handbag. Great for touch ups during the day. Firstly, I found the brush a bit harsh on the powder. But then when I started using it and knew how to manage it without damaging the powder I found it easy to use. The size of the brush actually allows you to choose the colour or the square you want to use each time if you decide not to blend all 4 shades together. It is fantastic product, it helps to transfer any look into glamorous one without much effort.

The colours are absolutely fantastic and easy to blend with any skin tone either to use as blusher, highlighter or eye shadow. The powder is very fine quality; I like the fact that it does not contain big pieces of glitters. It has a silky finish to it and is easy to correct any mistake you could make. It works great over blusher, (brightens dull dark blushers as well) or just on the cheek bones on its own for highlighting. I love having this finishing product in my make up kit. It is a multi purpose product with a great effect. 4.5 Stars

Easy-to-use, neutral colours with a beautiful shimmer. Wonderfully smooth texture. Packaging wise, a good slim case which won’t take up space in the handbag. Using my fingers to apply, the powder went on very silkily and felt so smooth on my skin. It was easy to blend on my cheeks and eyelids. However I was not a fan of the brush – it felt stiff and didn’t work so well on my cheeks (I had to use my fingers to finish the blending). Also when I swirled the brush around the powder, it made chunks of the powder loose and made a mess of the compact!

When I tried using my own blush brush, again chunks of powder became loose – seemingly a function of the “looseness” of the powder itself. The colours are fantastic – all four shades are very versatile, also great when combined together. Beautiful as a cheek highlighter and as eye-shadow. I found the colours very suitable for my Asian skin. Also perfectly subtle – didn’t make my face look greasy or shine in the dark! It has no smell and I love the texture – so smooth on the skin. I would give this 4 Stars – the letdowns were the brush and how easy it is to mess up the compact!

A very nice looking compact with four colour pallets and a wide application brush. This product can be used alone as individual colours for eyes or blended to highlight the cheeks. It was very easy to apply and had a soft silky feel. The colour blends are beautiful and natural looking, to use as single colours for eyes or blend all four to create a beautiful soft glow to face and decolletage. The texture was silky smooth and just glides on the skin. Product smell is neutral. This is a beautiful product that gives nice results, I would definitely purchase in the future. I would rate this product 4 Stars.

For a cheaper brand the packaging is well made and the colours of the actual bronzer are gorgeous. Using it as a blush, I found the application a little tricky. I got some bronze stripes on my cheeks and had to blend in the colour with my fingers. With practice I’m sure this wouldn’t be a problem. The colour is very subtle compared to other similar products. For someone with very fair skin, this is a good thing.

The shimmer is pretty, but I found I like it more when I wiped some of the product off so it wasn’t quite so sparkly. The powder is almost odourless and has a very velvety texture. I probably wouldn’t purchase this for myself. As a fair skinned person who has previously tried lots of fake tanning products, I now feel much more comfortable and attractive making the most of my pale skin. I don’t really like shimmery finishes on my face. 3 Stars

This Bronze Shimmer came in attractive packaging, although because I’m fair I wondered if there was enough colour to bronze me. The brush provided was soft however not effective. I tried one of my good brushes although the looseness of the product made it very hard to control. A big fat brush is the way to go used sparingly. The product became extremely loose and dusty after the first application. There is no smell to this product. The product has far too much shimmer and the colours don’t have enough pigment to be an effective bronzer however the product is more of a highlighter/shimmer dust, than a bronzer. 2 Stars

Refresh Your Skin With a Mist

Refreshment with a Mist
The change of seasons can wreck havoc with your skin. One minute its cold, the next you are turning the air conditioner on. How is your poor skin supposed to cope? No wonder this is the time of year when most people experience either extreme dryness with flaky skin or breakouts. What is one supposed to do?

I know that I have talked about these products before but I feel that this is a great time to remind you about some fantastic product that are just essential to keep the skin well hydrated and moisturised without overloading it and accentuating the problem.

Here are Five of my Favourites:

Ella Bache Hydra’ Replenishing Mist 200ml ($55.00)
Instantly helps protest the skin from environmental conditions that cause dehydration.
Vine Flower Vital Essence and Nymbuline add moisture to the skin and help repair skin’s natural water barrier.

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray, thirsty skin relief. ($45.00)
Moisture Surge Face Spray is a moisturising facial treatment in a liquid spray form. The spray dispenses in a fine mist that is distributed evenly onto skin and absorbs quickly without leaving a filmy residue. It can be used over or under your makeup throughout the day, and as often as necessary. It not only moisturises the skin but also cools and refreshes it.

Tali O2 Evolution Oxygen Therapy 30ml
Oxygen is one of the body’s primary guardian and protector against unfriendly bacteria, which we all know, contribute to pimples and blemishes. Harmful anaerobic bacteria and viruses cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, whereas oxygen does not affect beneficial bacteria. Oxygen also stimulates collagen production and elastin fibres, all contributing to healthier, younger looking skin.

Jane Iredale Pom Mist Hydration Spray 59ml ($39.00)
This hydration mist offers the added benefit of Pomegranate Extract, a powerful antioxidant and UV protector. It hydrates, conditions and protects all skin types. Its refreshing clean scent is soothing and uplifting.

Jurlique Aromamist Travel Blend 50 ml ($20.00)
Aromamist is an aqueous distillate of specially selected pure essential oils designed to soothe, cool and enliven your face and body. The combination of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Lavender not only smell divine but is helpful when you are travelling.

Sexy Red Lips

Nothing screams confidence louder than the bold red lips. Wearing red lipstick can intimidate some women and make them feel self conscious. However mastering the art of wearing red on your lips can feel not only liberating but also very powerful. Let us show you a few tips and tricks on how to wear it correctly and with poise.

Choosing the right shade of red is essential. As a general rule if you have cool skin tones opt for the blue based reds or cool reds. If you have warm skin tones or yellow in your skin choose the warmer reds or ones that have a slight tinge of orange in them. Dark, matte, opaque colours will make your lips appear smaller and thinner so try a sheer, creamy shade of red.

Prepare your lips. Dry, cracked lips never look good but especially not under red lipstick. Use a lip scrub such as Lip Scrub by Sarra Happ $24.00 to remove any flaking skin.  Of course you should look after your lips at all times so use a daily lip care product such as Blistex Lip Conditioner SPF 20 $4.95 and apply it several times a day if needed.

Prime your lips. We want to create a surface that will keep the lipstick in place without any feathering or bleeding. Using a red lip pencil not just on the outline of the lips but colouring in the whole lip area works well for that extra defined, sharp look. But my favourite way of priming the lips is by applying your foundation or even your concealer to your lips which creates a nice even and matte surface. Follow this by outlining the lips with a nude lip pencil such as the one in Modelco Lip Enhancer Kit. This creates a very natural and even looking edge to your lipstick and keeps the colour in place.

Apply the colour. With red lipstick you want a very even outline so it is best to use a lip brush unless you are very experienced or have super steady hands. Choose a good quality lip brush such as Jane Iredale Retractable Lip Brush $18.00 that has a very precise, tapered tip and is easy to fit into your makeup bag. Load a generous amount of lipstick colour onto the brush and starting at the centre of the lips with short firm strokes blend the colour into the lips. If you want a heavier look, blot the lips with a tissue and reapply the colour.

Anyone can master the application and the wearing of red lips, however if you are hesitant or intimidated at first, it is best to slowly ease into the world of bold lips. Try this trick. Apply your nude lip liner, and then with your fingertips smudge the colour onto your lips. Apply some clear gloss over the top and voila! You’ve got the softened, lighter version of the look.

As always, experiment before you have to go to a very important event so you feel comfortable not only with your application but also in wearing these bold colours. And as always have fun with it.

The Price of Glamour

Lately I have been reading online forums, articles, surveys and discussions on the (false and misleading) advertising claims from cosmetic companies and the exaggerations they constantly feed us. In these discussions and articles, the women seem outraged at all the glossy advertising, the beautiful women used and the promises made.

They warn all of us not to fall for these tactics and waste our money, instead use cheap chemist/drugstore products because they are just as good. Frankly I am sick of it!

Yes, I realise they are right but is it really such a surprise that product claims are exaggerated? That sometimes the packaging is more expensive than the product inside? That a $20 moisturiser is just as good as a $100 one? I don’t think so. We all knew this for years!

Allow me to pose this question to you; Since when has logical and sensible been glamorous? Yes glamorous! Isn’t that what the cosmetics companies are all about?

Glamour, beauty and the illusion of everlasting youth? It was Charles Revson the founder of Revlon who said: “In the factory we make cosmetics; in the drugstore we sell hope.” And frankly that sums up the whole cosmetics industry.

We all know that a pot of moisturiser is not going to turn back the ravages of time, that a lip gloss is not going to give us Angelina Jolie lips even if it promises ultimate plumping and no amount of shading and highlighting is going to make us look like Sophia Loren. But at that moment, when we hold the product in our hands, and we own that product, we can, just for a second buy into the illusion that it can.

What these discussions and articles fail to mention and talk about is the joy, elation, delight, excitement and euphoria that comes from purchasing and owning a ridiculously expensive but amazing cosmetic product. And they are amazing because they are supposed to be. They come in stunning packaging that would look just amazing on my bathroom cabinet, they come in gorgeous colours that make choosing just one almost impossible and they smell heavenly. Everything about these products screams luxury. This is why we are attracted to them. We might not be able to afford the Mediterranean holiday but we can afford the fragrance that makes us feel just that little bit closer to it. We might not be able to afford the Haute Cature outfits we see on the famous people but we can afford the Lipstick from Christian Dior that was designed by the same designer.

I don’t know if I am the only cosmetics addict who has done this but I have purchased products in the past that I have absolutely no intention of using. Why did I buy them? Because they took my breath away when I saw them and I just had to have them. I own a 10 year old Christian Dior Diorific Plastic Shine Lip Gloss in Amorous Red. I have never used it and never will.

I own an Yves Saint Lauren Palette Mauresque eye shadow. I will never use it. But when I’m with my friends and the conversation turns to makeup, I whip out my little treasures from my good makeup bag and I get enough ‘Oohhs’ and ‘Aahhs’ to reinforce that ‘yes, spending that small fortune to own these amazing items of adoration was well worth it.’

Do I realise that I can possibly have the same colour lip gloss in a cheaper brand? Of course I do.

Do I realise that half a dozen companies make the same colour eye shadows at a fraction of the price? Of course I do. But since when has anyone got that heady rush when buying things at the chemist? It is not only totally boring, it is almost disappointing.

Cosmetics are about dreams, playfulness, luxury and glamour! And no amount of sensibleness and common sense is going to take that away from me. If I’m looking for a good moisturiser or other everyday item than yes, I’m well aware to look past the hype and instead opt for a well formulated product instead of a well advertised one. But please don’t take away from me and other enthusiasts the opportunity to dream and make believe. Even if it is only until the credit card bill arrives.

So my message to the cosmetics companies is: Bring on the Glitz and Glamour! Bring on the beautiful girls! Allow us to imagine ourselves in the stunning Chanel gown that Nicole Kidman is wearing on the streets of Paris as we spritz ourselves with Chanel#5.

Allow us to imagine ourselves with the flawless skin of a twenty something if only we buy that pot of moisturiser. And see if you get the same thrill from a cheap cream.
(Even if it is just as good:-)

Anti Aging – Natural Alternatives

The process of aging is a natural one but the skins process of aging can be significantly reduced with the proper prevention methods and relevant natural skin care techniques. The major factor in our skin prematurely aging can be attributed to the sun. The sun damage you might see on your face today could have started over thirty years ago. When it comes to sun damage prevention is much better than cure.

Ways to prevent sun damage occurring are:

* Wear a high protection factor sunscreen every day on the face, neck and decolletage
* Wear a hat whenever you venture outside; even to hang out the washing
* Wear make-up that contains sunscreen
* Try to remain in the shade when possible

We hear a lot about “free radicals” these days. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced from sources like air pollution, radiation, and chemicals. They are also caused by bad diets high in fat and can even be caused by over exercising. These free radicals can over run your system and are now recognised to cause devastating health problems, such as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. They are a major concern in premature aging.

Ways to prevent Free Radical damage are:

* Increase your intake of antioxidants like Vitamin A and E
* Eat a diet high in colourful fruits and vegetables
* Reduce your use of chemicals in and around the home
* Source natural skin care products that contain anti oxidants

Using natural skin care products will significantly reduce the amount of chemical substances you absorb into your body that can cause premature aging. Some ‘every day’ chemicals such as synthetic emollients contained in some commercial products can be stored by the body in the liver and lymph nodes. Others such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphates can irritate the skin.

Ways to prevent absorbing chemicals through the skin are:

* Use only natural skin care products
* Scent the skin with essential oils or naturally scented creams
* Use only soaps made from plant oils and that contain herbal extracts, aromatherapy oil blends and clays.
* Shower daily to rid the skin of dust and grime

Exfoliation has been around for thousands of years as a natural way to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the body and prevent premature aging, revealing the fresh new skin cells beneath. There are many benefits to exfoliating the skin. Not only is new skin revealed but the circulation is stimulated enabling toxins to be dislodged and removed from the layers of the skin and the lymph nodes.

Ways to exfoliate are:

* Use a body scrub weekly in the shower
* Use a natural bristle skin brush to brush the dry skin before showering daily
* Use loofahs to remove dead cells when bathing
* Dry the skin with a scratchy towel to stimulate your circulation

Dehydration is yet another factor in premature aging. Many people simply do not drink enough water to maintain a healthy system. Six to eight glasses of water a day is said to be what we should be drinking and that does not include soft drinks and coffee! They actually tax the system of moisture.

Ways to ensure you drink enough water are:

* Always carry a bottle of water with you and drink it!
* A good guide to calculating the right amount of water you should be drinking a day is to divide your weight by 8. This is the amount of 250ml glasses of water you should have per day to help prevent premature aging.

Cheryl Beasley is the founder of LanaB Skin Care, an online natural skin care business that produces fresh and pure products as ordered. She contributes skin care articles regularly to several magazines and produces a monthly newsletter pertaining to the industry. Cheryl has over twenty years experience producing skin care products. LanaB’s Skin Care range includes creams and lotions for all the body, delicious scrubs, balms, sulphate free bubble bath, hydrosols and more.

http://www.lanab.com.au

Aspects of Beauty – Ensuring The Best Treatment For Your Skin

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by Dr Gabrielle Caswell – www.eyramedical.com.au

Clear fresh skin is a sure-sign of inner health. The glow of youthful skin and pregnancy attract compliments from onlookers struck by a pleasurable, neurological signal from the brain alerting them to the sight of someone beautiful. So ensuring your skin is in prime condition and radiating the right signals is key to allowing the natural beauty back into your face.

Of course, we all need a helping hand from time to time so along with some knowledge of how the skin changes during the ageing process and what you can do to protect it, here are some tips on how to choose cosmetic treatments that can compliment the age of your skin and enhance your facial features.

1. – UV Radiation Damage
Skin damage affects collagen at a cellular level, prompting elastosis or a wobbly, loose configuration of collagen to occur. Collagen becomes stretchy and loses the firm spongy collagen of youth. UVR damage, coupled with repetitive facial expressions, causes crows feet, forehead and frown lines – the most common wrinkles associated with ageing. There are a number of ways to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun but there are also ways to reverse the damage already done.

a) Using products at home incorporating Vitamin A will reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Australian rated 30+ SPF is a must.

b) Topical application of Vitamin C helps to stimulate fibroblasts – the cells that produce collagen in the skin. Newer products containing “super anti-oxidants” such as Lipochroman 6 help to remove damaging free radicals from the skin and create a healthier cellular environment by reducing oxidative stress on cells.

c) Medicated treatments for wrinkles including BOTOX – administered through a few tiny injections of purified protein, BOTOX relaxes the muscle by blocking the nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions.

d) Sun damage thickens the outer layer of skin in an attempt to filter UV radiation. Physician strength facial peels deliberately thin this skin to re-create a fresh complexion.

2. – Changes in Pigment
All pigmentation is derived from specific cells called the melanoctyes – these are the cells in our skin that manufacture pigment.

Over time pigmentary changes contribute to our assessment of an individual’s age such as a yellowing or parchment-look to the skin. Liver spots (lentigines) and flat brownish spots that appear in response to sun exposure may increase and get darker with age.

These giveaway signs of ageing, which often appear on the back of hands, face, decolletage and tops of shoulders, can be treated to help your skin look healthy and glowing once again.

a) Laser therapy, and medically supervised IPL (Intense Pulsed light) application can reverse the ageing process

b) Physician strength peels, TCA or Salicylic Acid peels can greatly help improve the quality and texture of sun-damaged skin

c) Artful application of liquid nitrogen ( a cold liquid similar to dry ice) can result in permanent removal

3. – Collagen Production
Collagen production can be affected by the depletion of oestrogen during menopause. The production of type 3 collagen lacks the tensile strength of type1 collagen present in pre-menopausal women and leads to further sagging of the facial tissues causing patients to comment, “It all began at menopause!”.

For the most part, these observations are correct. A loss of the subcutaneous fat and tissue, and a change in the way that muscles of the face attach to the bones, occurs beneath the surface of the skin.

The bone itself undergoes remodeling, leading to the changes in the lower face, such as loss of top lip; development of lines from the nose to the mouth (naso-labial lines) and from the corners of the mouth to the chin (marionette lines); and sagging of the cheeks which results in a less defined jaw line and the development of jowls.

There are a number of solutions available for replacing and producing the collagen.

a) Apart from continuous use of sun block, diet and nutrients play a large part in the development of collagen. Fish oil and evening primrose oil help to boost the outer layer of cells, contributing to healthier robust skin.

b) Volume replacement can be achieved with a hyaluronate based product to help plump the skin and reduce sagging. Juviderm is one such product – it is a smooth gel made of hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration.

c) Collagen substitutes offer a natural look, however, they do not appear to be as long lasting as hylauronates. A soft gel like consistency, they are ideal for improving lips and the philtrim area (the subtle lines between the nose and the upper lip).

For further information on anti-ageing treatments, consult your Doctor or visit www.wrinkles.com.au to find a qualified medical practitioner in your area.

Next month Dr Caswell examines the eyes and forehead and shares her beauty secrets to maintaining a youthful appearance.

Dr Gabrielle Caswell (BSc, BSc, MB;BS, BA) is a Cosmetic Physician with four clinics in rural NSW and the Gold Coast operating under the Eyra brand, named after the Viking goddess of medicine and beauty. Special interests include injectable cosmetic medicine, laser technology and other tools modern medicine uses for the remediation of sun-damaged skin.

More recently, Dr Caswell developed the Caswell and Marcells product range designed for Beauty Therapist use. Visit www.eyramedical.com.au for more information.

Skin Savers – Solutions To Common Skin Concerns

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The Concern: Easily irritated, red, itchy, flaky dry or tight skin.

The Cause: Dry and/or sensitive skin. This can be due to genetics or the exposure to environmental factors or irritants. What this means is that the skin’s barrier function is weakened and water is lost from the skin allowing it to dehydrate and irritants to penetrate the skin more readily.

This can cause the skin to have a low grade inflammation which in turn can have a negative effect on collagen production, leading to skin aging and dehydrating further. This sets up a vicious cycle where the skin is not able to recover sufficiently before the next onslaught of irritants. The change of weather, the summer’s high UV rays and the winter’s dry winds can all aggravate the skin and cause dehydration and sensitivities if a suitable moisturiser is not used.

The solution: Avoid heavily fragranced moisturisers, shampoos and conditioners that may cause allergies and also be aware of the chemicals you use in you household cleaning products. Hydrate the skin while also strengthening the barrier by using gentle cleansers and moisturisers that contain calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients such as Aloe Vera, green tea, evening primrose oil and calendula. Avoid hot baths and showers as this can aggravate the problem. If the problem persists or if the allergy is severe see a dermatologist who may refer you to an allergy specialist to help you find a solution.

Recommended Products:
Skin Therapy XMA. ($34.95)
A natural lightly formulated cream that helps soothe irritations and mild skin disorders. Helps in the management of eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Contains 15 natural active ingredients.

Hamilton Skin Therapy Light Cream. ($8.95)
Dermatological formula to assist in the care and prevention of dry, irritated skin and helps restore moisture to itchy, flaking and chapped skin. Contains shea butter, known for it’s moisturising and emollient properties and Vitamin E for it’s antioxidant properties.

Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm.
With an exclusive plant complex this cream soothes sensitive skin and protects it from the effects of emotional and external stress. It helps prevent redness from occurring and reduce the tightness of stressed, dehydrated skin. Instantly provides intense moisture and helps to reinforce the skins barrier.

The Concern: Skin looks dull and lifeless, lacklustre and tired.

The Cause: With age, the skin looses some of its youthful luminosity and tautness due to collagen degradation. This means that the light which was previously reflected from the surface of the skin now gets absorbed making the skin look duller and older. This is mainly caused by UV damage to the skin, smoking, stress, a lack of fatty acids in the diet and generally a diet high in processed foods.

The solution: The number one solution is to wear sunscreen daily to prevent further sun damage to the skin. Secondly, you need to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin so regular exfoliation is required. Thirdly, choose moisturisers which contain skin brightening ingredients such as Vitamin C and Anti Oxidants.

Recommended Products:
A’kin Rosehip & Shea Intensive Moisture Anti-Oxidant Complex $39.95. This deeply moisturising and nurturing creme contains a wide array of over a dozen botanically derived active ingredients that work synergistically with one other to brighten, sooth and revitalise dry skin needing extra care.

She Skin Brightening Vitamin C Cream. $15.95.
This cream is super-charged with Vitamin C to exfoliate and retexture the complexion. Vitamin C is known to help reverse the signs of sun damage, pigmentation and slow the effects of premature aging.

The Concern: Skin has lost its elasticity, its firmness and wrinkles are more pronounced.

The Cause: The natural aging process begins in our 20s but the signs of it are not normally noticed until we are in our 30s and onwards. Within the skin the Fibroblasts (the cells in the heart of the dermis) produce elastin and collagen fibres which provide the bounce and elasticity to the skin. With age this mechanism slows down and the skin looses its youthful qualities. Skin may also become thinner allowing it to dehydrate more readily. Of course sun damage plays a part in this as well as smoking, stress and even gravity.

The solution: While we cannot stop or even slow down the aging process, we can prevent the signs of premature aging. Always use a broad spectrum sun screen and wear protective clothing in the sun. Drink plenty of water to maintain you hydration and include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet that are full of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Choose skin care products that contain some of the state of the art ingredients and fillers to minimise the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Recommended Products:
Biotherm Biofirm Lift, Firming anti-wrinkle filling cream.
A light cream with a volumising effect to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and target the slackened areas. Visible wrinkles appear as if filled and the skin feels firmer.

Jan Marini Age Intervention – Face. $115.00. Age Intervention Face Cream addresses the appearance of ageing skin changes by targeting changes associated with cumulative sun exposure. It assists in revitalising the appearance of skin affected by age and sun damage and targets inflammatory responses that contribute to the appearance of ageing skin, so skin looks naturally younger and more radiant. It has a luxurious emollient consistency that will please even the driest skin types. Skin rejuvenation benefits are noticeable from the first application.

Prevage Anti-Aging Formula. $250.00 This anti-aging formula contains Idebenone, a highly effective antioxidant which helps prevent the visible signs of aging. It helps to re-energize the look of skin for a firmer, less lined and smoother look. Also contains Green Tea extract to help restore the skin’s natural protective capabilities.

Stem Organics – Gentle Cleansing Milk

Stem Organics – Gentle Cleansing Milk

Description: 70% Certified Organic Content Deeply clean without stripping your skin of its natural oils. A great cleanser removes dirt, dead skin cells and pollutants without that ‘squeaky clean’ myth that, in reality, leaves it more vulnerable to irritation, infection and stimulates oil production. Gentle Cleansing Milk is a pH-balanced milk that effectively removes the day’s grime or makeup, while leaving your skin soft and calm. Feel healthier and relax knowing you’re cleansing your skin with organic ingredients, and avoiding harsh detergent based cleansers.

Featuring Organic Jojoba assists with cleansing without making the skin greasy, soothing properties of Organic Aloe help skin with healing, calming Organic Chamomile provides anti-inflammatory properties, and Organic Echinacea promotes cell renewal. And of course, all our products feature the powerful age fighting, polyphenol rich Pomegranate and one of the world’s highest plant source of antioxidant Vitamin C Kakadu Plum- wild grown in the Australian outback.
To Use: Gently massage into your skin with a circular motion, avoiding pulling the skin. Don’t forget your hairline, jaw line and around the nose. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Suitable for all skin types.

Size: 125ml
Price: $38.00 AUS
Availability: www.stemorganics.com & Myer
Overall Star Rating:

How often do you read the ingredient in your cleanser? Most of the time I just want something that removes my makeup effectively without leaving my skin dry. After all, it only stays on your skin a couple of minutes before being washed off. Not so with this cleanser! With the amount of amazing organic ingredients in the product it sounds more like a moisturiser.
I was actually looking forward to cleansing my face at night. I was not disappointed. Even the smell of the product exudes goodness for your skin. The formulation is very light and creamy and does remove makeup very well. However this fact almost became secondary for me, I was that excited about putting all these wonderful ingredients on my skin.
After washing it off my skin not only glowed but felt so moisturised that I only used a very light moisturiser. Considering that it is winter and my skin tends to be very dehydrated, that was a huge bonus for me. Make sure you try this for yourself. It will be a treat.

My first impression was the great container which minimizes contamination. No excess packaging either. The cleanser has a very smooth and light texture. I loved the fragrance which is really clean and fruity. It went on smoothly – didn’t soak in to the skin. Seemed to really cleanse my face without drying out my skin. I think this cleanser did a better job of cleansing that any other products I have used recently. No breakouts and it just seemed to do what it should. I will definitely be buying it again. 5 Stars.

The first thing I noticed was that this was an organic product and I love to try something that I know will do my skin good and won’t harm it. The convenient pump bottle makes it very easy to use and there’s no waste as you can control how much you need. You could really notice the citrus smell which was beautiful and the creamy cleanser felt cool to apply which made my face feel renewed. My face felt firm and clean. It was the perfect product to use first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. I enjoyed using this product very much. 4 Stars

Nice bottle and looks like a professional product. The application of it is quite easy; it’s not that runny or thick. The smell is quite nice and it has a smooth texture. It was not a drying product, my face didn’t feel dry after using it which is a big plus and it also removed all of my makeup including mascara. I would purchase it again and I give it 4 Stars.
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I loved the sleek bottle. It has a pump dispenser – no mess for me and more hygienic for the product. The pump can be closed off so the packaging is good to travel with. The best before date is great for products that claims to be organic(not having a best before date probably means the product is loaded with chemical preservatives) The cleanser was nice and light to apply. I did notice a slight tingling sensation on application, and after washing it off with lukewarm water my skin felt a little tight, which made me think that this cleanser is not as gentle as it claims!

My skin is on the dry side of normal and I don’t think this cleanser would suit very dry skins. The texture is light and smooth, and it has a nice citrusy fragrance. However the product when it comes out of the bottle looks a little ‘curdled’, as if all the ingredients have started to separate a little. I didn’t notice my skin getting better; in fact my skin became dryer after using this product. I wouldn’t purchase this as I thought it was a little drying. Also, it’s quite expensive for 125mL of cleanser! 3.5 Stars

The packaging and look of the product definitely gives the impression that it is a natural product. The colour of the plastic bottle is the same as that of old glass medicine bottles, that and the style of the label also make it look like it could be ‘hand-made’ and definitely not mass-produced. The pump action was very easy to use. I think the fragrance is the best feature of this product, it smells so fresh and natural.

I love the texture, it would be one of the thickest cream cleansers I’ve used, as some can be a bit watery. I generally use cream cleansers through winter as my skin tends to be so dry at this time of year. This cleanser was non-drying and it took off my make-up very effectively. I would be interested in continuing to use this product. Whether I would or not depends on the other products in the range. I wouldn’t use a cleanser if I didn’t like the complimenting moisturiser. I generally choose a moisturiser first and then select a cleanser from that range. 3 Stars

Laser Smooth – Skin Tightening

Skin Tightening with ELOS (Electro Optical Synergy) is a new and innovative alternative for clients who do not want to go under the knife. It refreshes the skin and smooths and refines hard to reach places that begin to loosen with age. It also complements surgery for those clients who want to maintain their results.

What is Skin Tightening and how does it work?
Skin Tightening is the first procedure of its kind to be offered in Australia. It is a NEW specialised medical treatment that is used to help firm and tone the skin on the face such as the jowls, loose cheek grooves and lines, and lines around the mouth and eyes.

It also works to reduce sagging around the neck, top of the arms, top of the knees and the abdomen, including post pregnancy bellies.

Unlike other laser and non-invasive surgery techniques, Skin Tightening with ELOS delivers two types of energy into the deeper, collagen layer of the skin. A combination of infrared light and a bipolar current heats the collagen fibers. The heat then makes the collagen contract, which results in immediate skin tightening.

A prominent feature of this treatment is that not only do you receive immediate results, but your skin continues to improve up to six months after the treatment as collagen naturally builds up in the treated skin.

How is Skin Tightening performed and is it safe?
Skin Tightening is one of the most desirable and simple treatments offered with Lasersmooth. Depending on the size of the area being treated, it can take from 15 to 45 minutes and downtime is minimal. The sensation of the energy pulse is warm. Directly after the procedure, patients can return to work or their daily schedule with minimal disruption.

Side effects are uncommon. However, immediately following treatment, the skin may appear flushed and there may be slight swelling for a short period. Patients may also feel a heat in the skin that is similar to mild sunburn. In rare instances, blistering can occur. A cold compress is applied after each treatment and I recommend a good sunblock be worn at all times.

Do I need to take out a mortgage to have Skin Tightening?
It is more affordable than you think. I don’t believe you can put a price on feeling vibrant and youthful. When you look good, there’s no doubt you feel good. Men and women spend sky-scraping amounts of money on skincare products that promise the world and deliver very little. Their results, when compared to the immediate and effective outcomes of Skin Tightening show that there is no question which is better value for money. With Lasersmooth, Skin Tightening costs:
Full face: $990 or $2475. Neck: $990 or $2465. Stomach: $1210 or $2990. Top of arms: $990 or $2475. Top of knees: $600 or $1500

Where can I find a qualified Skin Tightening practitioner?
Lasersmooth is one of a handful of organisations in Australia that offers Skin Tightening with ELOS. Salon consultation is necessary and operators are constantly referring to me for advice and feedback. By doing this, the client is always receiving the most professional advice, and is being treated with the utmost of competence. ELOS is also unique in that it is the only one of its kind to be using advanced technology and machinery such as the eLight.

It is also important that you have realistic expectations – Skin Tightening is NOT a face lift. However it will make you look fresher, firmer and fabulous. I recommended that Skin Tightening is performed once, twice a year, to maintain fresh and firm looking skin. A healthy lifestyle will produce the most effective results.

Lasersmooth is available throughout Australia at selected salons. For more information visit www.lasersmooth.com.au or call 1300 666 244.