National Poll About Aussies Shower Habits

GROSS…75% OF AUSSIES ADMIT TO SHARING SOMEONE ELSE’S SOAP!

- National poll reveals scungy statistics about Aussies shower habits -

It seems we are not so squeaky clean when it comes to our showering etiquette. . . New research out today from Palmolive Naturals, Australia’s most trusted shower gel range, has revealed a whopping three quarters (76%) of Aussie soap users have found human hair on their soap!

The survey asked men and women Australia-wide to confess all about their shower routines and uncovered some hairy findings. Surprisingly, 71% of households still use bar soap as opposed to shower gel. 56% of self-confessed soap sharers admit to using their partner’s soap without them knowing and 22% admitted to secretly using their friend or flatmate’s soap.

Now here’s where it gets really dirty… have you ever wondered where your soap has been? When questioned about their showering routines, 44% (the majority) admitted to washing their face first, with 20% washing their bum last, – so just think about which body part was washed last before you go to wash your face in the shower tomorrow!

So to combat unwanted soap nightmares, Palmolive Naturals has embarked on a mission to encourage people to drop the tired and traditional bar soap and switch to a more refreshing option – shower gel.  “It’s quite disturbing to hear so many gross stories from Aussies about their soapy experiences,” comments Palmolive Senior Brand Manager, Peter Laforest. “Soap hoards all manner of nasties – from dirt to hair – and it’s about time Aussies ditched the soap in favour of shower gel.”

So why are people still using soap?

When questioned, the bulk of soap users confessed to using soap simply out of habit, rather than for any cleaning properties or price offers, in fact, 64% admitted to it even drying out their skin.

And hold your noses ladies – 66% of men still use soap (versus just 39% of women), while a scary 61% of men admitted to keeping a bar of soap for a month or more and a jaw-dropping 1 in 2 (51%) said they wouldn’t stop using soap even if it was harbouring germs!

The survey also revealed:

· Aussies living in Queensland (outside Brisbane) were most likely to share soap with a partner/friend without them knowing (48%)

· A handful of respondents admitted to finding boogies and even cockroaches on their bar of soap!

Unlike soap which often dries out your skin, Palmolive Naturals shower gel range is pH balanced and 100% soap (and hair!) free so Aussies can enjoy soft and smooth skin every time they shower, without being concerned about where their shower gel has been!

DON’T WANT BUM ON YOUR FACE? DITCH THE SOAP!

Palmolive Shower Gels – the only place they’ve been is in the bottle

For further information please phone Colgate-Palmolive’s consumer information service on 1800 802 307 or visit www.notosoap.com.au.

Six of the Best Moisturisers

It’s that time again when the seasons are changing and your skin is getting confused!
Not sure if it’s going to be hot or cold, the skin can experience excessive dryness, flakiness, redness, sometimes oiliness and even acne.
Never fear, we have collected six of the best moisturisers that are sure to help you through these difficult times!
(For more info on the products please click on the name)

1: Bioelements Really Rich Moisture RRP $89.95 (73ml)
An extremely rich yet non-greasy crème that corrects dryness by saturating skin with a complex of natural emollients that trap moisture into surface layers. The power-packed formula helps replenish rundown moisture reserves and repair surface micro-cracks that cause flaking and dryness.

2: SOTO Day Cream RRP $78.00 (50ml)
A certified organic moisturiser especially for dry or dehydrated skin. A nourishing cream that provides a natural protective barrier and helps trap moisture into skin with a blend of powerful antioxidants of pomegranate oil, rich in punicic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid that help to restore and protect skin
and Siberian ginseng that contains complex polysaccharides to tighten, smooth and lift skin.

3: La Mav OFC Certified Organic Wrinkle Smoother Complex RRP $97.00 (30ml)
A velvety luscious antioxidant rich cream formulated with La Mav’s Three-Tier Formulation™ approach, is rich in Biopolymers, Oligopeptides and 14 Marine and Botanical Extracts including DNA – Phyto Guardian that fight against photo – ageing, stimulates collagen production and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

4: miessence Rejuvenating Moisturiser (dry/mature skin) RRP $60.95 (50 ml)
A rich moisturising cream with significant and lasting effects on hydration and softness. Formulated with plant phospholipids, organic herbs, organic fruit and seed oils and butters, and organic flower extracts to nourish and revitalise the complexion. Contains nourishing organic avocado, rosehip seed oil, gotu kola, horsetail and nettle with the beautiful aroma of organic Roman chamomile and rose essential oils.

5: Indio Mineral Complex RRP $99.00 (50 ml)
An outstanding skin softening moisturiser enriched with encapsulated antioxidant enzymes. Assists in improving skin tone and suppleness in the skin.
Suitable for dry to normal skin and skin with redness and cuperous.

6:Trilogy Daily Defence Moisturiser with SPF15 RRP $45.00 (50ml)
with 100% pure plant oils for long lasting hydration, this lightweight botanical moisturiser includes a new generation SPF15 for effective UVA/UVB protection,  By absorbing, reflecting and scattering UV rays, this new generation SPF coats the entire surface of the skin, not just the higher ridges, for maximum protection.

Beauty News March 2010

All the latest and best cosmetics and personal care products to hit the shops.
There is something here to suit all budgets and tastes.
(For more info on the products please click on the name)

Napoleon ASTRO GIRL

Estée Lauder Introduces Blacker Than Black

All Hands On Deck For Stunning Summer Nail Colour From ZOYA!

The Body Shop, Love Etc… Fragrance Collection

ATMOSPHERE RANGE

Introducing NEW AVON Anew Reversalist

Two New Mesmer-Eyezing Products from Napoleon Perdis


JURLIQUE FRUIT ENZYME EXFOLIATOR

Matt Moore for Sportsgirl Cosmetic Kits.

New Australian Certified Organic Skincare Range – Soto

Clearskin Gel from ASAP Skin Products

Colgate Total Advanced Clean

AVON Smooth Minerals Lipstick SPF 15

TRILOGY Age Proof CoQ10 Booster Serum

Beware of False Advice

The Cosmetic industry is full of advice and advice givers. If you want to know what skincare is best for you, how best to look after your skin or what the latest miracle ingredient is, there will be someone only too happy to tell you.

However Just because someone stands behind a cosmetics counter, wears a uniform or a lab coat or is the representative of a company doesn’t qualify them to give advice to people.

This might surprise some people as you would expect anyone in this field to have received adequate education and have a deep understanding of the skin and its functions. Sadly in a lot of cases this is not true. A large percentage of consultants only have a rudimentary education about the skin and skincare and this is mostly provided by the companies they are working for.
Therefore you will find them parroting the information they have been given without much background knowledge.

I know this first hand as I have worked in the industry for many years both as a consultant and a manager and I had to correct many consultants along the way who were giving out incorrect advice to customers, in some cases potentially damaging advice, simply due to lack of correct understanding.

What makes me qualified to correct consultants?
I am a qualified beauty therapist and I spend many hours updating and improving my knowledge not only through industry funded information but also independent and medical research. Therefore I feel that I am somewhat knowledgeable in the field of skin and skincare.

I also spend a lot of time talking to consultants in my research of products and what I hear often shocks me.

At one cosmetics counter I was told that dark circles around the eyes are caused by blood pooling in the area and the new miracle eye cream constricts the blood vessels to stop this flow of blood & pooling effect. What ever!!
This sort of misinformation is just amusing and will not hurt anyone, maybe just your hip pocket after forking out over $100 to find your dark circles still present.

Conversely something that happened to me recently not only made my blood boil but highlighted the need to warn others to be careful what advice they accept even from supposed experts.

I was invited to a home party/demonstration of a skincare range new into Australia however it’s been around for a while overseas. I was interested in learning all about this range as there is a growing interest amongst many women I know.
After the usual hype of why this is the best range on ‘earth’ we got down to the individual products. To say the information was sketchy especially around the ingredients and very sensationalised around results is putting it mildly. However it was at the product demonstration that the trouble started.

As soon as I applied one of the products to my face, it started to burn, throb and swell quite dramatically, much to the shock, horror of the other guests who have never seen anything like it before.
I however knew exactly what was happening and after quickly washing the product off with cold water and calming my skin down I asked to see the ingredient list as I fortunately know the ingredients I react to.

This was not forthcoming, instead I was told that the products are simply ‘too pure’ for my skin to handle. This is absolute rubbish! I had to ask for the ingredient list 3 times before I was given a partial list. I of course spotted the culprit immediately and informed the consultant that indeed it was this ingredient that I reacted to not the ‘Pureness’ of the product.

The consultant at this point told me and my fellow guests that the best way to combat such reactions as they have just witnessed is to ignore it. I was instructed to take the product and use a small amount of it for seven days ignoring the allergic reaction and my skin will just get used to the ‘Pure’ ingredient.

Can You believe that? I sat there momentarily stunned speechless at the idiocy of this instruction.
When I finally recovered from my surprise I politely pointed out that this advice is about the same as telling someone with peanut allergies to just have a few small nuts every day, ignoring the anaphylactic shock until you get used to the nuts!
Not only is this ridiculous advice it is also very dangerous advice that has the potential to cause irreversible damage to the skin.

What shocked me more is the fact that when I mentioned my allergic reaction to an other consultant she repeated the same advice to me almost verbatim.
It is obviously something they have been taught by the company and just repeating without really understanding the implications.

Of course I could go on about all the misleading and wrong information that abounds out there but you get my point. Beware of False Advice!
Even if it comes from an ‘expert’. Always check the person credentials and don’t take advice at face value.
If the advice comes from someone selling the product, than keep in mind that they have a vested interest in convincing you that what they have is the best for you.

If it sounds strange, wrong, bizarre or even untrue to you, it probably is!
Do your own research, talk to many experts and trust your own skin. You are the one who lives with it. If it doesn’t feel right don’t let anyone convince you against your own will and gut feeling. Your skin will tell you whether a product is good for it or not.
And last of all, just because someone is selling a product does not make them qualified to give advice.

NOTE: There are also many consultants who have good qualifications and are very knowledgeable. Seek these out and consult with them.

PPS C}4u Shampoo & Conditioner

PPS C}4u Shampoo & Conditioner RRP $22.95 each.

PPS Hairwear have created a boutique, salon- exclusive range to give you complete customised care: C}4u.
Your most important accessory deserves added luxury, C}4u offers not only unparalleled level of care, quality formulas and sweet scents. The chic bottles add an extra bit of class to any bathroom experience.

C}4u (short for ‘care-for-you’) has bottled style, luxury and indulgence and combined it with world-class technology and pure creativity. There are six lines in the C}4u range, each designed specifically to fulfil your unique hair care needs.
C}4u Thermal is designed to help restore and protect hair from the damages of harmful UV rays and heat styling tools. The nourishing formulations ensure moisture levels are replenished.
www.ppshairwear.com.au

Leila

What were your first impressions of the Shampoo and Conditioner?
The bottles looked really funky. And both the shampoo and conditioner smelt really nice.

How did you find the application and use of the Shampoo and Conditioner?
Easy to use. Bottle was nice and compact. The shampoo lathered up rather quickly and it had a very pleasant smell.  As with the Conditioner.  Left my hair feeling moisturised and clean.

If Price would be of no concern, would you purchase this Shampoo and Conditioner for yourself in the future?
No. Didn’t see any real difference with using this one which is supposed to help with heat styling tools as opposed to my normal moisturising one.
3 Stars

Almay Intense i-Color® Volumizing Mascara

Almay Intense i-Color Volumizing Mascara
01 Purple Amethyst

Innovative new no-clump molded brush with improved gel-based formula turns up the volume for 300% fuller lashes that are defined & clump-free.
New coloured brush coordinated by eye colour (blue, brown, green, or hazel) to take the guesswork out of finding the mascara shade that’s right for you.
Contrasting colour instantly enhances eye colour.
Rich colour glides on smoothly and stays clump-free all day.
Improved formula resists smudging and flaking.
Hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist tested, fragrance-free, suitable for contact lens wearers.

Almay Intense i-Color Play Up Mascara – RRP $18.95

Livia

I was thrilled to be able to try this mascara, a welcome change from my usual black.
I thought the purple might be a nice summer addition to my makeup palette. In this I was bitterly disappointed.
The mascara does indeed apply as purple, however quickly dries to an almost black with no discernable shade of purple at all.
The formulation itself glides onto the lashes easily but I did need 2 -3 coats to achieve full impact. The mascara is a thickening mascara therefore provides volume but unfortunately no lengthening. In fact it leaves globules of product on the ends of the lashes which have to be pulled off once the mascara dries.
On a positive note, it stays put on the lashes with no smudging or flaking and it removes well and easily with my regular cleanser.
I tried to like this mascara, I really did but it simply has too many downfalls.
I give it 2 Stars

Clarins After Sun Replenishing Moisture Care For Face And Decolette

Clarins After Sun Replenishing Moisture Care For Face And Decolette 50ml $40.00

Soothes, repairs and softens the delicate skin on the face and décolleté

Beauty Benefits
Helps repair sun-induced damage and prevent signs of premature ageing while enhancing a radiant-looking tan and restoring skin’s beauty
Immediately comforts while protecting against free radicals which can remain active long after sun exposure

Magdalena – Age: 32, Skin Type: Oily Combination

Packaging is nice and handy. It certainly stands out with the yellow colours.

How did you find the application and use of the Cream?

I like the little pump which makes it easy to apply.  It actually allows for economical use of the cream as you don’t squeeze out too much. I’m not generally  much of a fan of Clarins as they smell like medicine to me,  and it was same with this cream. The smell maybe a bit too much for more sensitive people even my husband could smell it in the room.

Did you notice any benefits from using this Cream as opposed to other creams you have used in the past?

As much as I didn’t like the smell the cream worked quite well. It didn’t clog up my skin, as a lot of sun related products do and it helped with my dry winter dehydrated skin which was an extra benefit. It also helped my husband who got sun burnt while we were skiing and as much as he whinged about the smell he kept applying it as it was bringing a lot of relief to his skin.
I most likely will purchase it again based on how well it dealt with my husband sunburn!

I give it 3.5 Stars because of the smell being too strong for me.

Pupa Natural Chic Lipstick

Pupa Natural Chic Lipstick $29.95

These neutral-hued lipsticks deliver high impact shine with smooth, evenly released colour for light to medium coverage. Contains naturally plumping ingredients, which stimulate the synthesis of collagen for fuller lips and nourishing avocado oil. Packaging includes a built-in mirror for quick and convenient application. Available from selected K-mart stores nationally in Nude Mauve Pink, Nude Peach Pink, Nude Latte and Nude Sand.

Linda -Age: 58, Skin Type: Normal

What were your first impressions of the Lipstick?
It looked great, I loved the case. The Lipstick was really creamy and went onto the lips well. I also loved the colour.
The smell was OK though not a huge smell came from it. The texture was good.
I wouldn’t purchase this for myself again, even though I liked it. I have had better lipsticks in the past.

Out of five, what star rating would you give this Lipstick based on your experience with it?
I would give this 3 out of 5.